I give to you... CHAPTER 7! *dances with kiat-kiats on her hands (small oranges)*
Are you guys still with me? Well I hope you are! Before you start reading this fic, I advise that you listen to Jack Martello's version of One and Only in YouTube! You'll need it for referencing. You wouldn't get the part where I used it unless you have it played while you read :D
Type in YouTube's URL, add a (/) and then copy paste this: watch?v=Ebsbx5c7uWM
On with what you came here for then! Chapter 7, minna-san!
After going through hell during his morning subjects, Len Tsukimori took the afternoon to just lay back with Tsuchiura and Sasaki. Skipping his classes yesterday earned him a couple more pages to work on for each subject, therefore resulting to a deduction in his practice time for the gala. You'd think Yunoki-senpai would try to hand over that alumni request he was talking about early today to spare him the extra loads of homework that was yet to come his way.
"Say, Tsukimori… Where were you and Hino yesterday?" The green-haired man sitting across him asked as he chewed his way into his rice ball. Len raised a brow at him as he took a minute to ask himself how Tsuchiura knew. "Manami said you were absent yesterday. Hino wasn't around yesterday, either." Ryou continued as he started eating yet another rice ball. Seriously, Len didn't take Manami to be the type to fall for such a brute. He was chewing down his rice ball like he hadn't eaten for weeks.
"It's none of your business," Len replied as he drank his afternoon tea. Tsuchiura swore Len incapable of holding a conversation with other human beings. Every time they've talked, he'd always end it with that line. Sasaki, watching the tension grow in front of him, started a new conversation to clear the air before it got worse. "Neh, Tsuchiura-san, don't you think Tsukimori-san really deserved first place during the final performance?" Tsuchiura grunted as he started on the sandwiches that Manami had prepared for him. He wasn't in the mood to answer.
"I think Tsukimori-san and Hino go well with each other." Sasaki started. Len's cheeks flushed as Sasaki pondered for a moment, chewing on his lunch. "Say, aren't you two a couple? At least that's what I've heard from Nami-chan." He looked at Len, who was now looking away. "You two seem perfect for each other. Is it true? Are you together?" Sasaki inquired bluntly. Len covered his mouth and turned away from the two, trying to hold the heat from coming to his cheeks. Sasaki couldn't help but laugh at the damage he's done on the music student. Len surely wasn't the type of man you'd see trying to hide his feelings out in the open.
As if by pure coincidence, Kahoko Hino happened to pass by their area. Seeing Tsukimori with Tsuchiura and Sasaki wasn't something you'd see every day. They weren't really the best of friends. Their personalities don't really complement each other that way.
"Eh? Tsukimori-kun?" Len jumped as he heard his name. Tsuchiura's had the best laugh out of it yet. Len crouched and clamped his face in his hand tighter than earlier. He looked away and tried to avoid her stare. "Are you okay?" She asked, reaching out an arm to comfort him with. He quickly froze under her hold. They stayed that way for a good three seconds. Silence filled the place before Tsuchiura banged his fists on the table as he burst into a roaring chuckle.
Len quickly left his seat, hesitating at first but went along with it anyway, and ran towards the building for safety. He swore he'd get back at Tsuchiura for this. Ryotaro still had much he owed him.
Kahoko stepped back, watching Len's figure as he ran away. "D-Did I do something wrong, Tsuchiura-kun?" She asked as Ryou's eyes started tearing up. "No. It's just him." Tsuchiura managed to answer back in between snickers.
Yet another sun started to set upon Seiso. It was a fine Wednesday afternoon, too fine to spend at home. Kahoko went to that new coffee shop she was talking about a day before with Mio and Nao. She took it upon herself to pay for the food. Not going to school yesterday earned her a lot of extra load to finish but she did save up a day's allowance. Besides, Mio and Nao deserved to be treated after all the times they helped her catch up in class.
While waiting for their cakes to be served, Nao smiled evilly as she placed an arm on the table and leaned over Kahoko. "So…" she grinned, "I heard you and Tsukimori-kun were engaged now."
Kahoko blushed, not knowing what to say. Nao had always been this straightforward. That was normal. What she made her blush was the fact that Len-kun was mercilessly paired with her and the word "engaged" didn't help either. They weren't engaged. They were just pretending to be together to avoid an unwanted engagement he had with someone else.
Kahoko played with her hands, anxiously looking down at her fingers as they struggled to stay on top of each other. She had to give Nao an answer or she'd assume she was right. "W-we're not engaged. We're just pretending to be together." But god, did she want to be. If only Len felt the same way.
"Honestly? I think you'd make a great couple!" Mio said, clasping her hands together as she created a dreamy image in her mind. "It's just like in those TV series where the cool, cold guy opens up to the cheery, average girl and ends up falling in love with her!" She swayed back and forth, controlling her urge to fangirl in public. "Cool, mysterious guys like Tsukimori-kun love the sweetest you know."
Nao held a finger up in detest. "But they're also the ones that get jealous over the shallowest things." Kahoko cringed. Tsukimori-kun, jealous? She'd never see the day! She knew that he was self-conceited, too self-absorbed that he wouldn't have the time of day to compare himself to other people. The guy had everything in the world. And besides, what reason would he have to get jealous over someone just because of her?
After that being said, Mio stood up beside her, not being able to resist the chill she felt run up her spine as she pictured her friend with one of the most sought-after men in Seiso. "He's just so dreamy! Have you ever imagined the sticky situations you could get into?!"
"Sticky?" Kahoko inquired, her cheeks flushed with what she heard. Sticky didn't sound appropriate for anything decent.
Mio nodded and got lost once more in her own thoughts. "Rich men like Tsukimori-kun are never out of surprises! They can stir up romance anywhere! They have this gut for excitement and thirst for rebellion…" Mio squirmed, causing the other customers to look their way. "Mou, Mio-chaaaan…" Kahoko waved her hand and politely asked her to sit down. "It's not like that. It's never going to be like that. We don't like each other."
"You may not like each other but you do like him, Kaho." Nao looked at her straightforwardly. Kahoko flushed. She knew lying to Nao would be pointless. They were her best friends. She wouldn't be able to survive a decent hour without them finding the truth out for themselves. They knew her too much to even believe the slightest lie.
Mio, seeing that her friend looked discouraged, pounded a fist on her hand. "That's it!" Grabbing Kahoko's hand from the opposite side of the table, she stared at her with a unique sparkle shining in her eyes. "We'll do everything we can to help you through this, Kaho-chan! Your love will not be left unrequited!" Nao nodded as she agreed to what their friend had said. "I agree completely. We'll support you all the way as you fight for your forbidden love."
Forbidden is not exactly how I'd put it, Kahoko sweat-dropped. Her friends were getting excited over things they'd be better off ignoring.
Kahoko had spotted the cakes on their way to the table but it wasn't the first thing she noticed. Right behind the maid was Hihara-senpai with his hair tied up in a half pony. He looked like he had a good run on the way to the place; his sweat was making blots on his collar. His eyes were locked at Hino, although his face seemed worried. "Hino-chan!" He called out, causing Nao and Mio to look around to see him.
He carefully squeezed himself beside the maid, cautiously avoiding the tray she was holding. He walked up ahead to their table and took Hino's wrist. He pulled her up, only to have her hesitate. He was in a hurry and he needed Hino right away. Grabbing her wrist for the second time, Kazuki made sure he pulled her far enough from her chair.
"W-Wha-" Hino stammered as she pulled back. "Hold on! What are you doing, senpai?" She asked, trying to cope up with what was happening between them. Kazuki turned around to face her, his expression more worried than ever. Moreover, he seemed impatient.
"Have you forgotten?" He asked anxiously. Hino blinked twice. Kazuki threw his hands up in disbelief. She was completely clueless. "Tsukimori-kun's dinner is tonight." He reminded her with the same worry evident in his voice as before.
Kahoko's eyes grew wide in terror. Tonight was the night she was supposed to dress all pretty and here she was having coffee and cake with her best friends, nothing fresher than how she left school earlier. She panicked as she rummaged through her bag and retrieve her phone. "EH?! 26 MISSED CALLS FROM T-T-TSUKIMORI-KUN?!"
"Nao! It's starting! He's become clingy!" Mio swooned, her thoughts centered on the fantasy she has created. She grabbed hold of Nao's hand and grinned wildly, tears forming in her eyes as the other shared her joy. "He's fallen, Nao!" Nao wildly nodded in agreement.
"This is serious, you guys!" Kahoko shouted to tame her two best friends. Mio sprung up her seat and held Kahoko's hand once more. "We know, Kaho-chan! We know!" Nao stood up and held her fist in the air. "Ganbatte, Kahoko!"
Her friends were too preoccupied with their own little fantasy that explaining the situation to them now would be pointless. What was important now was that even though she'd have to leave, she wouldn't feel bad as they were being supportive of her "engagement" with Tsukimori. As Kazuki took her away from her friends, Mio and Nao bid her a tearful goodbye.
[-o-o-o-o-o-o-]
At the Tsukimori Residence, it was hard to say that Len Tsukimori was keeping it together well. His room looked like it was run down by a mower. He held his phone in his hand and redialed Kahoko Hino's number. As the loading circles spun while the server processed the line, Len jogged in place. It was weird that he was doing this and he was aware of that. It's just that he had to let the stress off with something less violent than punching his pillows. His bed covers were ruffled and numerous articles of clothing were scattered over it. His pillows had fist marks that he himself had inflicted upon the soft cushions out of stress.
Come on, Hino… He pleaded silently to himself as he threw himself to the wall. If he showed up without her to this dinner, the deal would be sealed for sure. The image of tying the knot with Mai Tsugawa was enough to have him feel sick. He literally felt like passing out when Hino finally picked up.
"T-Tsukimori-kun?" she nervously spoke.
Len could feel a rock blocking out his voice as he shouted. "Where the hell are you?!"
"I-I'm sorry!" she stuttered. He swore he could see her bowing on the other line.
"I don't need that right now! Where are you?!" He was getting impatient. His hand ruffled through his blue hair as he waited for her reply.
Just then, a familiar calm voice took over the line. "Calm down, Tsukimori-san. We're here at Mori-san's place, getting her ready. Come by and pick her up in ten minutes… and be ready to fall on your knees." Damn it. Yunoki-senpai…
He didn't have ten minutes but there was really nothing he could do about it for Yunoki-senpai had already cut the line. Len bit his lip hard as he controlled himself. Throwing his phone on the bed, he took another pillow and shook it in the air. He was really acting weird but he swore this was all because he felt angry and nervous at the same time. Ten minutes would totally kill him.
[-o-o-o-o-o-o-]
Manami Mori's room was definitely bigger than her house. A glass chandelier hung right in the middle of the room. As she recalled the gem lessons she had with Yunoki-senpai yesterday, the way that the light sharply shone through the glass told her that the pieces dangling from the curves were real diamonds. Everything inside the room seemed to blur into softer tones under the bright orange light. The floor was fully carpeted and the area was enough to house one king-sized bed with a canopy along with a small receiving area and a corner for drinking tea. To feel like royalty always came with anyone who entered the room. Right at the vanity area sat a fiery-haired girl surrounded by her friends as they fixed her up.
Manami took a step back and grinned, a cosmetic brush in her hand. Ryotaro slipped his arms around her waist and gave her a light peck on the cheeks. "You've outdid yourself, Manami. She looks stunning." Manami frowned at what he said and pouted. "Mou, what am I then?" Her boyfriend's chest shook against her back as he laughed. "You're divine, of course."
"Oh shush, you two!" Nami said as she waved her hand at Kahoko to catch her attention, a camera against her eye on the ready. "Relax, Kaho-chan. You look absolutely perfect." Kahoko looked at her with her golden orbs shining before the camera's lens. "Perfect." Nami clicked. Kahoko blinked the camera flash's aftermath away. Junosuke smirked as Nami gave him her camera.
Kahoko was practically surrounded by couples. The girls helped her get prepped up for this night as their ever supportive boyfriends tagged along to cheer them on and give their manly insights. For a second there, she felt lonely. When was she going to find someone as sweet as how Tsuchiura-kun was with Mori-san… someone as supportive as Sasaki-kun, or maybe someone as caring as Yunoki-senpai? Someone that would make her happy like how Hihara-senpai made Miyabi-chan laugh would be good as well. And she could really use someone like Shimizu-kun to keep her calm right now.
Kahoko was interrupted from her own thoughts as she felt Ayano-san slip her foot into a slipper. She flustered upon seeing the pair of heels. They were glass slippers and they looked like they cost a fortune. "It's a good thing we have the same size, Kaho-chan!" Mori beamed right at her as she started hanging her gowns up with Shouko and Keiichi's help.
"A-All this for a dinner? Can't I wear something less fragile?" Ayano stepped back as Kahoko stood up, testing whether the glass could handle her weight. She didn't seem like it but she actually weighed more than she looked. She knew she'd eaten a lot of sweets and that affected her weight greatly. "Or something less expensive…"
"Relax, would you?" Tsuchiura said as he folded the shawls scattered on the couch, Manami sitting beside him as she tucked an ankle behind the other. "It's not going to break. Believe me, I eat like a monster and it could handle me. You're just nervous about what Tsukimori would think about it." She said, giggling in delight at the result of their rush makeover.
"That's true. I can barely carry her on my back now. If those heels could carry her, they could certainly carry you." Tsuchiura joked, earning him a light punch on the arm, care of his beautiful girlfriend. "Don't worry. I know for certain that Tsukimori-san would love your look. You're just beaming with sophistication right now." Amou comforted her friend as she clutched onto Sasaki's arm, scanning her photos for a site-worthy shot.
A high-pitched ring disrupted the playful atmosphere. Yunoki-senpai checked his phone to check who it was. Just before Yunoki-senpai could open his mouth to inform everyone of the message, one of Mori's servants knocked lightly on the door and peeked. "Young miss, a Len Tsukimori is waiting at the foyer for a Kahoko Hino." Manami stood up and dismissed the servant with a friendly wave. "Tell him we'll be down in a while. Lead him to the living area and serve him tea."
"We've offered him refreshments but he declined coldly," the servant said as she bowed. Everyone in the room sweat-dropped. It was typical of Tsukimori. Manami looked at the servant with a kind smile before sarcastically giving her command. "Shove a tray of biscuits down his throat. What a rude bastard." She shook her head as she turned around to look at Kahoko, who was now stiff as a stick. All eyes fell on her, making her cheeks glow a bright red.
"It's time, Kaho-senpai…" Shimizu called out in the silence. As Kahoko looked up, she saw the comforting smiles of her friends.
[-o-o-o-o-o-o-]
Len stood alone in the foyer, his well-built body suited in a crisp black tuxedo he had kept hidden at the end of his long line of white clothing. His golden orbs looked around for a sign of human life form breathing about, only to find out that he had been alone for quite some time now. The foyer was brimmed by a massive crystal chandelier with its fair light, one thing that might kill him if ever an earthquake ran down the city at that very moment.
Len took a few steps farther from the center of the room as his eyes caught sight of a golden-framed mirror. He took a minute to look at himself, carefully examining his suit from shoulders down. With his hands grabbing the ends of his coat, he tugged them lightly to have it straightened, hoping it would look freshly pressed. He wanted to look presentable enough for later. He certainly didn't want his parents to think that he wasn't properly taken care of by his girlfriend.
Speaking of which, where the bloody hell was she?
As if they knew just when he'd go mad, his friends went down from the right wing, cautiously trying to hide the person last to step down. Forming a line on the level separating the small stairways from the grand staircase, his friends watched him as his eyes grew big in astonishment. For a moment there, he had the slightest impression that his friends were trying to deceive him by getting someone more suitable to play the part but the woman's innocent yellow eyes said otherwise.
Kahoko graced the room with beauty as she slowly descended the carpeted stairs, lightly setting her foot on each step as to make sure the glass slippers won't break. Her eyes were focused on her feet, not aware of the young man's steady gaze on her. She wasn't wearing the flesh dress he'd thought looked perfect on her. Tonight, she wore one of Mori's unused dresses – a light blue chiffon dress held up by two laces tied together at her nape. A belt made out of light sheer fabric hugged her waist, separating the silk bodice from her chiffon skirt that settled right above her knee. Her jewelry was ought to be borrowed from Mori-san as well. A light white gold tennis bracelet rested around her wrist, a thing that he noticed as he watched her hand touch the end of the railing.
Her fiery red hair was held up on a high chignon bun, her bangs swirling down her face. Len swore he couldn't quite make out what he was feeling as she slowly went down the grand staircase. She was a site to behold. She walked down at the middle, still slowly trying to make her way to him. Her heels were giving her a hard time. It was obvious that she wasn't used to them. It would really help her if he walked up and aided her down, she thought.
Len kept his feet glued onto the marble floor as he looked away. He had to resist looking at her if didn't want to hear what his friends would have to say about his "feelings". They were watching him like they were waiting for something to grow out of his head. More importantly, Nami Amou was among them. He can risk looking at her if it meant that he'd stay out of tomorrow's Seiso News.
Kahoko released a sigh of relief as her foot set on the marble floor. She was finally down on safe ground. The night hasn't even started and already her feet had begun to ache. Realizing that she was already in the presence of the blue-haired man in front of her, she straightened her back and tried to act like she's been bred to be a princess. Her lips curved up into a smile and bowed down as a sign of respect towards Tsukimori.
Len bowed back, his friends still watching upon them meeting each other. Letting out a voice he thought only Kahoko and he could hear, he whispered. "First of all, a lady curtsies." Kahoko felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. She quickly corrected her mistake, curtsying herself off balance. Len swiftly grabbed her arm and saved her from hitting the floor. Their supportive friends gasped at the event as Nami clicked away. She was like the mother of a 16-year-old going to prom. You'd think she's doing this for documentation purposes but all of this is really going to be a material made for your destruction.
"You don't have to wear those heels, Hino-san." Len said as Kahoko tried to steady herself once more. She swayed her head upon hearing his statement and quickly regained her posture. "I'm fine! They need a little getting used to but that shouldn't take more than two minutes, right?"
Taking what she said literally, Len pulled back his sleeve a little enough to reveal his watch. They were seriously late and this was against the manners that Tomo-san had taught him. "Sadly, we don't have two minutes. We have nothing, actually." He looked at her sharply, jaws locked in place after he spoke. His stern look made her anxious and made the rest of the group slap their hands on their foreheads.
"He has a serious lack of social skills," Tsuchiura complained, arms crossed against his chest like a disappointed father. Kazuki scratched his cheek with a finger and worried. "I wonder how they're going to survive the night acting like this."
Azuma laughed a bit, taking his hand up to his chin with utmost grace. "Oh my. I do hope they get by smoothly." Keiichi nodded, holding Fuyuumi-chan's hand to pull her closer for a whisper. "I think Tsukimori-kun doesn't even know what he's doing."
Tsukimori darted Keiichi as Kahoko made her way out of the foyer after waving at them. Just because the room was big doesn't mean he wouldn't hear them at all. The acoustics in the room made their voices bounce off the walls, reaching his ear almost right after they've said their comments. Keiichi's soft voice wasn't exempted from the room's remarkable feature. Deciding to let him off just this once, Len turned his back on his friends and gave a slight wave goodbye.
The servants closed the door, finally separating them from the couple. They all gave a heavy sigh of relief the moment the locks were turned. Their job here was done. With friendly smiles, they nodded at each other. All they had to do now was go home and wait for tomorrow.
[-o-o-o-o-o-o-]
He was rich, she already knew that. But as she tried to straighten her skirt inside the white limousine, she found herself trying to figure out just how much two musicians can provide for themselves. Len stayed ensconced in his side of the cushion, looking distantly ahead of the car. If he stayed quiet for any longer, Kahoko swore she'd lose her mind. The silence was almost deafening if it wasn't for the sound of the wheels zipping through the pavement. She had to think of a topic to start a conversation with.
"Is this a rental?" She fidgeted as she asked, earning a cold look from the blue-haired lad across the couch. He looked at her with his brows crossing slowly, as if he were insulted by his question. That he was though. "Does it look like I can't afford this?"
Well, technically it isn't yours, Kahoko thought, deciding to keep that to herself. His gaze stayed on her for a while. It was best to look at the floor. Tomo-san, who was driving in front, swayed his head at what he was seeing. If his young master was going to be this harsh towards the young Hino, then he had to move in and make sure that this would subtle down just before they arrived at the venue. His gloved hand moved its way from the clutch to the disc pile. Selecting a gold disc, Tomo-san inserted it in the player allowing the music to play around the vehicle.
The guitar intro quickly got Kahoko's attention away from the tension that was building up between them. She knew this song and she liked it a lot, especially this version where Jack Martello sang. It was almost comforting that she heard it at this moment when she felt most uneasy. Tapping her fingers on her lap, she waited for the guy to sing.
The last note dropped and she got herself prepared for Martello's smooth voice to soothe her when another voice started to have itself heard. She turned her head towards the oblivious blue-haired man. He was singing his heart out like she wasn't even there.
You've been on my mind
I grow fonder every day,
Lose myself in time
Just thinking of your face
Kahoko felt herself shiver. He got the notes right and his voice was just airy enough to sound cold and soothing at the same time. Who knew he could sing?
God only knows
Why it's taken me so long
To let my doubts go
You're the only one that I want
Oh god, she thought. This was like a dream. She had to be pinched out of it. The man of her dreams, right across the car, singing her a song that she liked. He closed his eyes as he bopped his head to the slow beat, feeling the drop as it went. Kahoko stared in awe, her body freezing under the shock. As if suddenly, she felt her thoughts shift into something else.
I don't know why I'm scared, I've been here before
Every feeling, every word, I've imagined it all,
I-I… She hesitated to talk even in her thoughts. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest just wanting to burst in emotion. She felt scared. She felt confused. No, she felt broken and nothing has even started yet. How she wished the song would be sung in such emotion just because it was how he felt for her.
You never know if you never try
To forgive your past and simply be mine
Thoughts of the other night came back to her when she'd created this mantra to avoid Len. He didn't like her before, he wouldn't like her now, and he wouldn't like her ever. She made it known to herself that she was rejected in three tenses to eliminate the possibility of ever feeling hope. This song was making her doubt her methods, starting with the mantra. As Len sung, her heart sunk. Realization after realization dawned upon her, all within a few short seconds.
She found herself talking to him at the back of her mind, along with the other things she wished she'd had the guts to make happen.
I dare you to let me be your, your one and only
I do…
Promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
You are…
So come on and give me the chance
I will…
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts
Would he ever feel that way about her? Was it possible that maybe he was holding back because of reasons she'll never come to know? What if after tonight, he'd feel that little extra beat for her? Maybe if she acted right, he'd remember her after this. How many unforgettable moments have sprung out of formal dinners, anyway?
No Kaho… Stop! Stop… You're not good enough. You're going to this dinner as an accessory. A prop, nothing else.
Her heart skipped a beat as the car stopped just when he was about to sing the next part. Reality kicked back in and pulled her right back to her insecurity. He was cold, invulnerable, and too high for her to reach. What the hell was she talking to herself for? A song's a song. Just because it was played and sung at a semi-perfect moment doesn't mean anything. She went down from that cloud quickly just as how fast she rode on it.
Tomo-san had gotten out of his seat to open the door for them. Len looked at the restaurant in all its exclusivity. Inside were his parents dining with the Tsugawas, waiting for his arrival. Kahoko was currently feeling anxious beside him. He forgot about that bit.
"I hope you'll act your part well. If this fails you'd owe me your life and we both know that isn't much. So listen closely," he started, Kahoko completely ignoring his harsh insult. "You're going to talk to me like we've been together for three years and we're going to act all soft like Mori-san and her boyfriend." He addressed Tsuchiura with the same tone he had in his voice when they first met.
Tomo-san opened the door and Tsukimori went out of the back carrying his dignity. He exhaled heavily before turning around to aid Kahoko. With a smile curving up his lips, he extended his hand that she gladly took. She swore the smile looked so out of place and unnatural.
She stood by him as Tomo-san closed the door. Breathing as much air her little lungs could take, she took in the life of the rich and famous. With one glance, she knew that she didn't belong. If she lived the life of another, she would've liked the place.
"Let's go?" He smiled down at her, intertwining his fingers with hers. The feeling of having her hand tackled with his was glorious. A smile curved up her lips naturally as she clasped his palm tightly, cherishing the little blessing that came out of this misfortune. They walked up the steps together, both flashing a smile worth taking. Kahoko felt happy, happier than she'd ever been. She just couldn't let that out too much to scare him off. The man on the door greeted them in French and Tsukimori greeted him back in the same language.
"I knew you could speak German but you speak French, too?" She asked him. His eyes scanned the room at the other side of the waterfall display sandwiched in glass as he casually answered her. "You just get the hang of learning new things when you meet all sorts of people." Not wanting to look too lost, they headed for the podium where they were once again greeted in French by a dignified man in a vest.
Len let go of her hand by the reception and signed his name. Kahoko looked around and there were three things she's imposed upon herself. The gilded interior made it clear that she wouldn't be able to afford to eat in such a place even if she had five jobs and won a million yen from a contest. The people conversing at each other with light laughter and confidence were certainly not her crowd. The live jazz band playing for the crowd seemed to be more of her class and she felt belittled. She was poor, out of place, and lucky to even be here.
She felt a slight shock as Len took her hand into his again, tugging at her lightly as they started walking in. He followed the directions the host gave him as Kahoko trailed from behind him, holding his hand tightly as if she was afraid to get lost in such a small room.
As they approached the table, Len saw the astonishment in his father's eyes. He could already make out a scene in his mind where he'd be given a sermon after this night but if it meant getting out of this sticky situation then he'd gut it in. His mother seemed less surprised as she welcomed them with a warm smile. Len bowed down quickly at their guests, the family was mostly flabbergasted than just surprised.
Before anything else, Len had taken Kahoko beside him and presented her to the table with pride. "I'm sorry we're late. She took longer than expected." Kahoko looked around the table, seeing as no more than one seat was free. She started to panic inside. What was she going to do? She didn't want to intrude in such an occasion. She didn't want to make a fuss out of asking for a chair in French. All she knew was bonjour. Could she say that and gesture at a chair or should she just skip embarrassing herself and go to the comfort room?
Speaking of which, where is the ladies' room? If there was one thing she knew about dining out with other people, it was that the ladies' room is the only safe place where you could breathe in comfort. The place was packed with aristocrats. She didn't want to squeeze in between tables and excuse herself as she looked for the loo. This was starting to make her feel more uncomfortable. The only paradise in this hell was lost and she had to ask in French to get to it.
Kahoko was about to ask Len how to ask for directions in French when her ears caught an insult darted towards her. "Oh, I'm sure she took long enough. This is quite an upgrade from how she normally looks like. I say well done!" To her horror, Mai Tsugawa was across the table, falsely proud of what she looked like. Len kept a smile on his face and ignored her as he pulled the chair out for Kahoko to sit in. Eyes fell on Mai at her remark. She really did know how to start a scene anywhere. Kahoko knew she was going to have to do more than just act her part tonight. She silently prayed for courage as she stared at her plate.
The night has only just begun and already she was over it.
-o.o- Chapter End -o.o-
Omgz the 7th... can you believe it? I actually felt like I was in heaven when I was writing the song part XD It was just so appropriate that I couldn't even get myself to finish it without daydreaming in between.
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Would you guys be so kind to leave a review? I'd LOVE to hear from you guys. How's my writing? Is the story good so far? You hooked yet? (Lolno)
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Anyway, till Chapter 8 you guys! :D Reviews please :o3
