Kenichi 1

"... This weekend.. Karuizawa...the shell house"

Erika looked up as she heard those words pushing the menu to Kenichi instantly before turning to face Ryu.

"Are you going there?", she asked excitedly. Ryu gave her a side glance, looking amused at the sudden interruption.

"Ah.. Yeah. I am going for work. Why?", Ryu can't help but smiled at Erika's clear interest and excitement over his conversation.

"Can I come along? I always want to see the shell house but never had anyone to go with and its boring to go on my own. The girls can't appreciate that kind of trip", Erika said as Ryu chuckled while Naoto and Kenichi stared at her in disbelief.

"Are you asking for a guy who's not even your boyfriend to bring you for a weekend gateaway? And some nerve you got there doing that right infront of me", Kenichi glared at her. Ryu grinned while Erika roll her eyes at him.

"I wasn't asking him that way. Beside.. You won't be interested in that kind of thing. The last time you came to that expo, you're so bored", she said making Ryu laugh even louder while everyone else just exchanging glances not knowing what to say.

"I wasn't bored! Who said I'm not interested. You didn't even ask me!", he said defensively before Toru sighed.

"Stop the lovers quarrel already. Let me put it in a simpler way. Ryu had to go this weekend to Nagano for something and Erika wants to go as well. So, why don't we all go this weekend? I'm sure we can find a place to fit us all. Afterall, we are pretty connected for this kind of thing. It could be our first 2 house combined weekend gate away", Toru said as he winked at Kenichi.

"Ah! Sounds good! Sounds good!", Satomi clapped excitedly. Hayaka and Hitomi grinned at each other while Erika gave Kenichi a side glance.

He clearly not happy about the whole idea.

"We do have hotel at Karuizawa though its not exactly our best hotel." Naoto said as Erika shook her head almost immediately. The last thing she wanted was to use family connection for their outing.

"Let's just stay at ryokan and we can enjoy the hot spring too", Hayaka suggested as everyone nodded in agreement. Erika smiled gratefully toward Hayaka who smiled back knowingly.

The food came and everyone seemed busy chatting excitedly about the sudden weekend trip while eating. But Kenichi was quiet the whole time.

when Kenichi still couldn't let go off what Erika just did. His mind replaying her excitement over the idea of seeing that place.

"You really couldn't care less who you'd go there with..", Kenichi persist as they got in the car afterwards.

"Stop it! That's not what I mean. I just get excited over it since its something related to my passion." She said before she nudged him. "You're acting like a jealous boyfriend again.. You know that? You haven't even been my boyfriend that long.. Geshh", she said as he stared at the road.

"Jealous boyfriend huh?.. I just wish you wouldn't get so excited about going there with Ryu when you could have ask me." He said as she rolled her eyes at him.

"How do I even know you would care? You knew nothing about design and architecture", she said as he took a deep breath trying to control his patience.

"True!.. I don't know much about it, but I do know the owner and if only you asked me, not only you get to see it.. Hmmm maybe even stay in it this weekend. Too bad huh?", he said nonchalantly as Erika's eyes widened in surprise.

"You knew the owner?!", Kenichi ignored her trying to hide his triumph smile at her curious tone. Of course he knew the owner. She's sitting next to him.

The shell house is one of their holiday house that his dad gave to his mom as one of their anniversary present few years ago. It designed by Artechnic Architect and ended up so famous by the unique concept and shape. The villa is located in the middle of forrest in Karuizawa, Nagano.

It is a great family holiday house which gave them a lot of privacy and away from the hectic life in the city. Although he never question it, but he assume it has some sort of reminder of their goggle v days thrown in concept too.

"How do you know the owner? You're bluffing..right?", she said after a while.

"Have some faith in me will you? The owner is one of my client. You know my work.. I deal with a lot of rich people if you must know", he shrugged as she bit her lip. It does make sense!

"Can we really stay there?", she asked excitedly making him steal a quick glance at her before focusing on the road again.

"Well, .. Let see.. If you go with Ryu. You probably could just take picture from the distance. If you go with Naoto, at least you stay in a hotel.. Ahhh.. If you go with your boyfriend... Oh.. I forgot.. What do I know about architecture and design huh?", he teased her making her bit her lip even harder as she realise what he's trying to achieve.

"Fine! I'm sorry! I shouldn't get over excited like that. But you gotta admit you're being a bit ridiculous too. Its not like I'm asking him to take me to bed", she said as Kenichi glared at her.

"That's not funny!", he snapped making her laughed at his seriousness.

"Ok.. Ok.. Not funny!", she repeat after him mocking him as he shook his head in disbelief before he stop the car infront of her house.

"Are you coming in?", she asked as he shook his head.

"I need to go somewhere else. I'll come by later if you're free", he said as she nodded before he stopped her.

"Do you really want to see the shell house that bad?", he watched the hopeful in her eyes before she blinked away and her face soften as she smile.

"Just has been looking at it through magazine and all. But if that means begging your client then don't.. I'm not that desperate to see it. I won't die if I don't get to see it and I don't want you to be in trouble or trouble you for it. Its just one of those thing that are on my list to see and get inspired I guess. No big deal though." She said. He nodded.

"Kenichi.. Don't take it too serious. What I say, what I do.. What I like.. Just don't take everything too seriously. You're a nice guy and meant well .. I know that by now." She said as he raised his eyebrows in surprised. "I understand you taking this whole dating and relationship seriously.. but...I'm not your typical girlfriend.." she let out a heavy sigh. He said nothing and let her continue.

"I'm not used to being taken care of and people paying attention to me and so I don't expect it either and when they do, I feel burdened. I won't change myself for anyone. This is me.. Its just the way I am." She said again as he looked slightly concern but said nothing before finally grabbed her hand and gave a light squeeze.

"I understand." He said as she let out a sigh of relief.

"I don't do anything that I don't want to do either, so don't worry about me. I don't ask you to change. If I'm not happy with how you do certain things.. Its not that I tried to change you. I'm just trying to make you respect me as a boyfriend. At least I deserve that", he said as she nodded.

"Great. At least we understand each other where we stand." she said as he nodded before he let go off her hand.

"See you later.."

"Of course you can use the holiday house. Why you even bother asking. I'll ask someone to prepare it for you then", Megumi chuckled as Kenichi asked their permission that afternoon.

"And here I am thinking what brought you home in a broad day light.. So who are you trying to impress? Your girlfriend?", Ryouji grinned as Kenichi rolled his eyes at his dad.

"My housemates are thinking of going up there since Ryu is going this weekend to check up on some work up there." Kenichi explained as Megumi exchanged glances with Ryouji.

"Just guys?", Ryouji raised his eyebrows making Kenichi's face blushed instantly before Megumi broke into laughter.

"Well.. There's these girls that we all know too and start hang around recently" he explained lamely as Ryouji grinned.

"And your girlfriend?..", he prompted as Kenichi sighed.

"She's not exactly my girlfriend. We're just dating, ok?", Kenichi said in protest.

"By the way before you assume anything and why I didn't mention her so far its because she doesn't exactly know who I am. She thought I'm just an average working class men at Mizuho and she hated rich guys. So I told her the shell house belong to my client", he said as both Ryouji and Megumi looked surprised.

"Why she hate rich guys? Is she poor?", Ryouji asked as Kenichi snorted.

"On the contrary.. She's actually wealthy. But she didn't exactly tell me who she is as well. I knew it from her childhood friend. She's an Okura", he said as Ryouji let out a whistle. Megumi glanced at Ryouji.

"Okura huh? Funny how that rings a bell huh? Any regrets there?", she teased Ryouji making him laughed before he quickly planted her a quick kiss.

"Jealous still?", he grinned. Kenichi looked confused at the exchanges that went on between his parents.

"I'm still here!", Kenichi announce sarcastically making them both laughed.

"Sorry.. Its just that there's this girl your grandfather tried to match make with your dad. She's Okura too and actually a perfect match with your dad. Her name was Erika and she studied Interior design in England and of course you know how well Okura group if combined with Akagi's real estate business. It would have been a perfect match", she said as Ryouji laughed oblivious to Kenichi who stunned at what he heard.

"I can't believe you still remember every details of it. She's not a perfect match and Kenichi won't be here if I'm with her," Ryouji smiled at his wife.

"Erika? Did you say her name is Erika? And she's studying interior design?", Kenichi sounded confused as they both stared at him.

"Why you look so surprise?", Megumi asked as he blinked a few times.

".. The girl I dated. Her name is Erika and she also major in interior design", Kenichi said as Ryouji stood up from his seat and glared at him while Megumi gasped in surprised.

"You're dating middle age woman?! What were you thinking? Can't you get a girl your age?", Ryouji sounded furious as Megumi looked speechless before Kenichi burst into laughter at both of their expression and reaction.

"Of course not! She's few years younger than me even! Same age as Reina! She's actually Reina's class mate. Calm down! I have taste too, you know!", Kenichi shook his head in disbelief as Ryouji sat back down looking somewhat relief.

"For a second you almost gave me heart attack", Ryouji said as Kenichi chuckled.

"It's quite odd they shared the same names. Could she be Erika's daughter?", Megumi asked as Kenichi's shrugged.

"She didn't tell me who she is. She probably assume I don't know either. Anyway... What a coincidence huh?", Kenichi grinned before he stood up.

"You going already? Not staying for dinner?", Megumi asked as he shook his head before smiling.

"Of course I'm staying for dinner. I will just call her to break the good news. She will be ecstatic." he smiled.

"Wow! This is something!", they heard the girls excitement as they wondered around the garden admiring the house while the guys inside loading all the bags.

"I never thought you would go this far for a girl". Ryu nudged Kenichi meaningfully. Kenichi ignored his comment. His eyes following Erika's movement and he grinned at Erika's obvious excitement as she looked around outside while the girls all chatting to themself enjoying the morning sun.

"All this time we've been friends with you, you never let us stay here and you only knew her for how long again?", teased Shun. Kenichi just shook his head in clear amusement.

" Why would I take you guys to this kind of remote place to begin with? That would be very strange if I ever did", he said making them all laughed while Naoto said nothing. Naoto's eye met with Kenichi briefly before Kenichi looked away.

"So to the girls, this is your client's house huh?", Naoto asked as everyone else looked at Kenichi who chuckled in delight before nodding.

"And you all better not say anything otherwise." Kenichi warned them.

They quickly stopped their conversation as they heard the girls chatters approaching.

"Its a nice house indeed!", Tomomi entered the house followed by the girls.

"Let's go to the town for sight seeing then. Its a beautiful day", Hayaka said excitedly as the rest of the girls but Erika nodded in agreement.

"I have to do some work first. Why don't you all go and I'll catch up as soon as I'm done", Ryu said as the girls nodded again.

"Uhm... I think I stay back too. You all go ahead first", Erika said as Kenichi raised his eyebrows at her.

"I just want to see around the house a bit longer", she explained as he shrugged.

"The bags are all in your rooms. Get whatever you need, we might stay out till afternoon", Shun said as the girls ran excitedly upstairs.

"Wow! Nice rooms too!", Hitomi gasped in admiration as Erika looked around the room and saw only Hayaka and Hitomi's bag.

"Where is mine?" the girls shrugged.

"Check the other rooms." Hayaka suggested as she glanced at Tomomi and Satomi.

"Is there another girls room?", Erika asked them as they both smiled shyly.

"Ah.. I think I'm with Shun on this trip", Satomi grinned as Erika put her hands up toward Tomomi before she said anything.

"Don't say it! I know where you stay..", Erika said quickly before she left the room without waiting for a reply. she almost collide with Kenichi who walked along the hallway.

"Ah.. Kenichi.. Where did you put my bag? I can't find them in any of the girls room", she said as he looked at her amusedly before grabbing her hand along.

"That's not your room.. ", he said casually as he walked towards the end of the hall way to what seems like the master bedroom due to the enormous size and the breathtaking scenery from its window.

"There.. Your bags all there", he pointed to her bags near the corner of the room. But her attention was no longer care about the bags. Her eyes absorbing the room before her.

"I'm staying here? But .. Its too big for myself", she said all the while taking in everything around the room. It's an impressive design.

"Who said you're staying here on your own?", he shook his head in disbelief. she widened her eyes finally understand his implications.

"No...", she gasped as he grinned at her.

"Why are you so surprise? We're a couple aren't we?", he smiled at her, enjoying her rising panic at the very idea as she muttered something he can't understand.

She glanced at the king size bed feeling dizzy suddenly when Kenichi followed her gaze and couldn't help but laughed at her obvious worries.

"Ahh here you are.." Hayaka's voice at the door made them both turned to face the girls.

"We're going now, are you coming Kenichi?", Tomomi announced as he shook his head.

"I'll catch up with you guys when Erika done admiring the house. Go ahead. We'll see you guys later", he said as the girls gave Erika a teasing glanced before they all leave the room heading downstairs where everyone else waiting.

"You're not going?", Erika asked.

"And leave you here alone with Ryu?" Erika rolled her eyes at him.

"Will you stop with the jealousy act already?", she shook her head in disbelief before walking out of the room to find Ryu downstairs staring at what seems to be a blue print of the house.

"Is that the what I thought it is?", her eyes widened as Ryu grinned at her. But stopped her from coming closer to look at it.

"Ah.. Its confidential", he said when Kenichi who stood behind Erika glanced at him.

"Just let her look if she wants to.. My client would welcome a fresh input." Kenichi said casually. Ryu stares at Kenichi looking amused.

"No... I rather not see it if its confidential. I totally understand. I'm just going to look around outside. I'll be back soon", she said before stepping outside not waiting for response from any of them.

"You really like her, don't you?", Ryu said as soon as Erika disappear from their view.

"Not really! She's just not as boring as most girls.. That's all", Kenichi shrugged as Ryu laughed.

"You really think you can fool me huh?.. Keep telling yourself that then.. I'm off outside to check on the structure and then I'm done. Are You guys staying back?", he asked as Kenichi shrugged again.

"I'll ask her later.. ", Kenichi said as Ryu nodded and left.

He went over to the office at the house and set himself for work before getting lost in his own work.

It was probably a good hour when he finished with work and walked out the room to find Ryu and Erika smiling at each other enjoying their ice lemon tea while talking and occasionally finishing each other's sentences.

He took a deep breath at the sight. Ryu look relax and easy going as always but what really annoyed him was the look on Erika's face who lighted up at every single thing Ryu mentioned as if its the most fascinating stories and she had this admiration look everytime Ryu finished her sentence as if reading her thoughts.

"Ah! Kenichi.. There you are!", Ryu grinned at him as he walked down the stairs. "Erika doesn't want to go anywhere. But I do. So now that you're here, I probably get going and catch up with the others."

"Actually I'm happy to stay back on my own. You can just catch up with the rest. I'll be just fine", Erika told him.

"Nah.. I rather spend my time with you", Kenichi said making Ryu chuckled.

"I will leave you both to it." He gave Kenichi a light slap on his back before he waved at Erika and made his way out.

"Ah.. Kenichi..", she said awkwardly "are you hungry? Shall I make something? I can't believe this house is fully stocked!"

"Have you always want to be an interior designer?", He asked suddenly as she looked at him momentarily before taking a deep breath.

"Ever since I could remember", she sighed before looking up dreamily.

"I see", he said as she gave a short laugh.

"Its all started as a motive for revenge but then I realise I actually do have passion for it and I guess its just in my blood all along", she sighed as she stared up the ceiling.

"Revenge..?", Kenichi sounded surprised. What kind of revenge? he heard her chuckled before shaking her head.

"Never mind.. I was just rambling..let's see what can we eat", she said as she busied herself checking the pantry.

"You can tell me anything, Erika... If there's anything I can do to help.. I'm here for you", he said as she smiled before leaning towards him as she stared into his eyes.

"Thanks Kenichi.. Maybe in time, I will..", There's a glitter of sadness in her eyes that she tried to cover with those smiles.

The sight of her looking so vulnerable made him move his hand as he cupped her face towards him and kissed her softly.

To his surprise instead of resisting or pulled back instantly like she always did, she slowly kissed him back before resting her hand around his neck.

She said suddenly pulling her self back as she straighten up leaving him in daze still.

"Maybe we should just catch up with the rest. They probably wonder why we stay back and assume the worst. Beside.. I'm no longer in the mood to cook."

Did she just tried to avoid him and avoid further conversation? He wondered

He tried to compose himself from everything that just happened. Did she really just kissed him back and pretend as if nothing happened now?

"Ah.. Sure", he said as she walked passed him.

"Here.. Drink this. Don't get dehydrated, its quite hot today", Naoto passed a bottle of water to Tomomi who smiled gratefully at him while Erika watched from the distance before she caught Kenichi looking her way.

"You such a caring boyfriend", Satomi commented at the sight as Tomomi nodded in agreement.

"He is. He always look after me so well", Tomomi said as Naoto smiled.

"Look at the time! Its almost midnight. Time do flies when we're having fun", Hayaka looked surprised as she threw her cards in and let out a yawn making Hitomi giggled.

"You said that because you're keep on losing", she giggled as Erika and Satomi burst into laughter making everyone else smiled while Hayaka look as if she's going to kill three of them.

"I'm not losing! I just wasn't focusing", she protested making Erika laughed even louder. Hayaka glared at Erika and nudged her a bit too hard making her fell off her seat.

"Hey!", she protested as Hayaka's turn to laugh when suddenly Erika got. Hayaka ran out the door laughing away as Erika chased her. Satomi and Hitomi exchanged glances before bursting into laughter while everyone else looked speechless as they all watched the two girls disappear into the night.

"Those two! They never grow up", Satomi shook her head in disbelief.

They all could hear the laughter and the shriek making Kenichi smiled. He stood up to followed them outside and everyone else did the same thing. Obviously the card game was over.

Just as they all stepping out to the terrace they heard loud shriek and a splash of water making the guys all run out towards the sound.

"I forgot there's a pond here! Arghhhhhhhh!", they heard Hayaka screamed. Hitomi and Satomi burst into laughter realising Hayaka must have fell into the pond.

Kenichi quickly turned the garden lights on as they all saw Erika trying to get Hayaka out of the pond all the while still giggling like a school girl.

"I smell like a pond now thanks to you", Hayaka said to Erika making her laugh as she got out.

"Thanks to me? You're the one happily jumping in there!", Erika said when Hayaka pushed her all of sudden making her lost balance as she tried to hang on to the closest person she can hang on to making them both fell into the pond.

They all watched in horror as Tomomi and Erika both fell into the pond. everyone including Kenichi watched in surprised At the sight Naoto ran before jumping in himself and saved Tomomi who looked panic trying to stay afloat.

Naoto got out the pond carrying Tomomi in his arms before he glared at Erika right behind him.

"What did you think you're doing?", he shout at her. At his harsh tone, Erika was taken aback.

"I..I..I'm sorry.. I was trying to...", she stammered but Naoto looked so furious she couldn't manage to finish her sentence as she looked up to Naoto.

"You're sorry? Sorry?...What if thanks to your stupid childish game she got sick?", Naoto continue to shout as everyone else held their breath at his obvious anger and seriousness.

Erika look as if Naoto just slapped her across the face. She was too stunned to say anything.

"Enough Naoto! It was an accident.. No need to be so harsh on her", he said before covering Erika with the towel as he stared at Naoto.

"Rather than stand there blaming her, maybe its best if you take Tomomi back to the room before she get sick for real", he added calmly wrote turning to Hayaka who looks guilty.

"You too.. Hayaka. Better go get change and take a warm bath before you get sick", Kenichi passed her a towel. Hayaka nodded and made her way inside accompanied by Hitomi while Satomi and Shun exchange glance before went in too.

"Ah.. We all better get back inside", Ryu suggested as Toru nodded and went in without waiting for response.

Naoto still upset as he turned around carrying Tomomi back inside without a word to both Kenichi and Erika who still stood there.

"Are you okay?", Kenichi glanced at Erika who stood there still looked too stunned to say a word.

"Erika..?", he called her name but she just stood there as if she didn't even listen.

"Let's go in and get change ok?", he said as he put his arms around her trying to guide her in when suddenly she just closed her eyes.

"Just leave me alone. Don't worry about me..", she said making him shook his head in disbelief.

"You'll get sick.. Let's go!", he said but she just gritted her teeth.

"I won't get sick. I hardly get sick! Just stop caring for me!... ", she said when she suddenly trembles as if trying her best not to cry.

"No one ever did anyway..", she muttered to herself without realising Kenichi heard that.

He let out a sigh before pulling her hand and half dragged her back toward the house.

"No one would care if you never let them... Its time to put your guard down and let me care for a change..", he said quietly.

She went straight to the bathroom and closed the door as they entered the room. Its such a nice design even for a bathroom. It showed how much attention to details were put into designing the house.

She let her tears rolled down as she stared at the bathroom ceiling.

The moment Naoto jumped into the pond and how he went straight to Tomomi ignoring her and how mad he looked at her keep on replayed in her mind.

The flashes of memories started to popped in her mind like a movie clips. How the household staff stopped her from going into her parents room telling her that they're busy taking care of Tomomi who's down with fever.

She let out a chuckle at the irony at her past memory of the car left her as she cried while her grandmother tried to distracted and calmed her down.

How they ignored her excitement when she told them she won the tournament because Tomomi was telling them about her headache.

As her memories keep on flashing before her, she felt her vision blurred by the constant tears that kept filling her eyes.

She never hated Tomomi but she wished people would acknowledge her presence more and not put her aside as if she's not as important and precious.

"... Tomomi has always liked him. You saw how happy she was around him. You could have any guy you want Erika. She's different! To her Naoto is everything.. Try to understand her feeling hmm?.."

She felt her tears rolled down non stop as she wiped them with the back of her hand as she gave a short laugh at conversation of the past that suddenly replayed in her mind.

".. I'll do the surgery if Naoto agree to be my boyfriend even though that's unlikely.. He got you.."

".. Tomomi needs me. You don't. You never needed me. You do everything the way you want to regardless what I had to say and you won't even do it for me. At least Tomomi make me feel like I'm needed and what I say matters to her more than it matters to you. I'm sorry.. "

".. Are you sure you're ok with Naoto going out with me..?"

"... You're moving out? But we just finally live together like a real sisters after all this years..."

"... I made a mistake. I know that now. Tell me if we still have a chance.. You already knew about the engagement plan, but If you say we do have a chance, I'm willing to take the risk and start all over again.."

"... Give me an answer... Do I still stand a chance?.."

"Naoto's parents just proposed for engagement.. I'm truly the happiest girl.."

Erika closed her eyes as her body trembling with the uncontrollable sobs that's taking over her.

"... Ka... Erika...!",

For a moment she thought she was hearing things when she realise its Kenichi voice before she heard the door banged a few times.

"...wait! I'm coming out!", she said in panic before she got out of the bath and took the nice soft towel provided there and put on the terry robe.

She glanced at the mirror and cursed herself for the red eye before she opened the door and found Kenichi stood there as he searched her face with his eyes.

He knew straight away she's been crying but decided not to say anything as she walked out the bathroom.

"I'm still alive.. If that's what you were concern about", she said as she grabbed her pyjama from her bag.

"Actually.. I wasn't concern about that. Just want to make sure if you're actually sleep there tonight and was going to offer you a pillow", he sounded amused before he climbed on the bed when she finally realise he's topless.

She ignored his sarcastic remark and slightly thankful he did that instead of being all concern and ask her why it took her so long.

"Is that how you sleep?", she can't help but ask him as he grinned at her before putting both arms behind his head.

"Yeah.. Why? Worry you can't resist me?", he grinned as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Nah! I've seen better..", she shrugged nonchalantly as he stared at her in disbelief.

"Topless guys is not an unusual sight for me. 6 packs, 8 packs.. 1 packs.. Beer belly.. Seen it all... Touched them all..", she continued as he bit his lip looking annoyed at her replied that seems mocking him.

She went in to the bathroom again before coming out shortly in her oversized pyjama that showed off her legs before pushing him aside casually.

"Move over. This is my side..", she said as he blinked hard at her. Gone were her panic looking face this afternoon when she realise they will share a bed together and back is the Erika that looked so comfortable around men the way she pretended for all the time he knew her.

"Great.. Its my side too. I didn't think you would use 'this is my side' as an excuse to jump straight to my arms. But I'm not complaining ..", he said as he put his arms around her waist making her jumped slightly before she hit his hand.

"Don't.. Even go there..", she warned him making him laughed before moving slightly to let her in only to wrapped his arms around her as she squeaked in surprised.

"Stop it! I said don't!", she protested trying to get his hands around her off but he just laughed in obvious delight.

Her heart raced as she suddenly aware just how close his body pressed against hers.

"Just relax will you? Its not like I'm trying to rape you..", he laughed as she bit her lip at the touch of his leg on hers.

"I'll count to three, if you don't start get your hairy leg and arms off me.. I swear... You'll regret it BIG TIME!.. 1...", she said making him laughed.

"Hairy?.. Do you prefer your man hairless?", he chuckled as she closed her eyes ignoring him.

"..2...", she continued as he planted a kiss on her cheek making her even more furious.

"... That's it! You asked for it!", she groaned as she tried to turned facing him only for him to tightened her arms around her before wrapping his legs around hers too locking her in his embraced as he smiled at her.

"I was wondering when you're finally going to face this way", he grinned at her obvious anger towards him.

"Its getting real late. Let's sleep and be on your best behaviour will you? I think I had more than enough drama for the day to start another scene with you now", she said making him loosen up on her as he nodded finally.

"Fine! Let's sleep..", he finally said before rolling on his back and leave her alone to her much relief.

"Kenichi..", she called.

"Hmm..?",

"Thanks again..", she said as he said nothing before she turn off the bed side lamp and can't help but held her breath at the scenery outside the windows that looked almost magical.

She must have stared at it a bit longer than she intend to when she finally noticed Kenichi sat on the bed staring out quietly behind her.

"Can't sleep?", he asked softly as she smiled without taking off her gaze out of the window.

"Haven't even try..", she smiled before letting out a sigh and let him pulled her towards the bed.

"Just close your eyes.. And try not to think..", she heard him said as he wrapped his arms around her and this time she just let him.

Maybe its the scenery, maybe its the tiredness finally kicking in, maybe its just the way he put his arms around her, maybe because she finally feel relax, maybe because he didn't do it to tease her.. whatever it is, she suddenly felt at ease and something else she thought she would never feel with a man.. She felt safe and protected with his big arms around her enveloping her.

She closed her eyes and reach his hands that's around her before letting her mind finally drifting off.

Kenichi smiled at the sight as he opened his eyes. Erika was sleeping so soundly in his arms and looking so comfortable as she moved around when the sun hit her eyes. She placed her hand on his chest before nuzzle and smiling to herself in her sleep. He felt her body moved closer to his own as if she's hugging a pillow and can't help aware of her body underneath that pyjama.

He closed his eyes trying to shake away the very thoughts when suddenly she moved again reaching for his hand and enveloped herself in it making him chuckled at her move which makes her stiffen instantly and opened her eyes looking alarmed.

He cursed himself silently for waking her when he saw her blinked looking alert as she saw his bare chest infront of her eyes before she glanced at his hands that she's been holding on to.

He held his breath as she let out a shriek before pushing his hand away as if its burning her and instantly jumped out of the bed.

"...and good morning to you...", he said looking amused as he tried not to laughed at her eyes that seemed as if its going to popped out any minute.

"You!", she tried to composed herself as he noticed how adorable she looked in her messy hair. She quickly scanned herself as she stared down and looked relief she's still fully clothed. The obvious made him laughed as if reading her mind.

"Wh...whaa...what happened last night?", she stammered making him laughed even louder before she finally recalled everything and felt like a fool for the extreme reaction on her part.

She grabbed a pillow before she hit him on the head looking annoyed.

"Stop laughing! Its not funny!", she said as he tried to avoid her.

"You are funny! Were you really expecting something last night?", he teased her as she shook her head in disbelief before left him and went into the bathroom ignoring him. He heard the water running not long after that.

He rolled around the bed lazily and about to close his eyes and doze off as the morning sun shine through the room and hit his eyes.

He reached for the remote control next to the bed and press a button to bring the blind down when all of sudden he heard her scream and the bathroom blinds went up.

He sat straight on the bed for a second before he realise he was starring at the see through glass that separates the bathroom and the room as the blinds has completely went up leaving nothing in between and everything to see before he realise Erika stood there naked looking panic as their eyes met across the glass window.

He must have looked dumbstruck at the sight before Erika finally jumped out of the shower and reached for the terry robe and wrapped it around her tightly.

"Stop staring at me! You pervert!", she shouted making him blinked as he everything that just happened finally sank in. He quickly looked around the bed for the remote. He must have pressed the wrong button not knowing there's even such a thing for the bathroom blind.

He cursed his dad and all the designers and architect that designed this remote and bathroom trick when Erika stormed out of the bathroom and grabbed the remote from the floor before pointing at him with it. Her face looked murderous and he can't blame her. She has every right to be as mad for what just happened.

"Are you crazy? What are you doing?... Arghhhh! Stay where you are! I'll kill you as soon as I'm done! Ohhh I swear I'll kill you!", she said furiously before she let out a groaned in frustration and slammed the door so loud, he winced.

He silently put the architect back on their good books in his mind for installing a strong door.

He threw himself back on the bed as the bathroom blind went down again and heard the water running once again.

As he closed his eyes the picture of her legs, those body .. Gosh! Those body!

He opened his eyes trying to shake the image away but it kept coming back making him groaned in frustration too as he hit his head towards the pillow cursing himself.

What was his parents thinking with a bathroom like that? He didn't even want to know the answer.

Erika came out finally fully clothed in her casual top and short pants that make him recall just what everything looked like underneath all that clothes when she snapped her fingers at him madly.

"Back to earth! Stop thinking of it!", she said making his face red at her remark feeling caught.

She glared at him as she put her hands on her hips waiting for his explanation.

"Sorry.. I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to do that. I was trying to sleep again and thought I should bring the blind down since the sun started to heat up. I wasn't even looking when I pressed it.. I swear!", he confessed like a kid waiting for punishment.

"You wasn't looking?", she asked eyeing him suspiciously as she took a step closer to him making him pulled himself backward slightly and the anticipation of her striking him at any given chance.

"I..I... I mean... I wasn't looking at the remote... I..I mean your bod... I..I mean..the remote..", he stammered badly as she closed her eyes feeling frustrated when he does too before she massage her own forehead as if a massive headache just came over her. He felt like doing that too straight away as he covered his face on his palm before looking up again.

"Look! ", he said trying to calm her down as she opened her eyes and glared at him.

"Yeah! You look! ..", she said sarcastically making him bit his lip and curse himself at the wrong choice of word.

"I didn't mean it. But if that makes you feel better.. You can do the same to me", he said as she look at him as if he's mad.

"And why would I do that?.. I'm not as perverted as you..", she crossed her arms infront of her as he threw himself back on the bed feeling like a total fool for suggesting it. What was he thinking? Its like saying show me yours, I show you mine. If only he's not feeling mortified he would certainly laugh at this situation.

"Ok.. That came out so wrong! I give up.. Just do whatever you want to me.. Just spare my life will you", he said closing his eyes as she shook her head in disbelief before she let out a sigh.

He really looked guilty and feel bad about the whole thing which only means its a pure mistake and not a sick joke that he was trying to pull.

She hit his head with a pillow making him opened his eyes before she walked out the room.

"Just go get ready. Everyone probably already at the dining room by now. I go first", she said without looking back before dissapeared into the hallway leaving him speechless.