Chapter 10

When she opened her eyes, her vision met a different ceiling. It was blue and she knew to whom room having such paint.

She snapped up, dizzying herself with her abrupt movement.

"I fell asleep…here?"

She roamed the place but just to see him in the couch.

"He seems not comfortable in his position." Who would be?

Kahoko walked to where he was. He was holding a book. "It seems he fell asleep while reading. I'd done it again."

Kahoko knelt and grabbed the book, "I'm sorry."

Too focused to the book, she hadn't notice a hand held the back of her head as it towed her up to him. The weight made her to grasp on his sleeves as she leaned on his chest.

"You should be," came by his voice to her ear.

It became her cue to push him away as his warm breath touched her skin. Her heart bubbled beneath her peculiar breathing and face hued uncontrollably.

Heavy-lidded eyes stared at her. It appeared he was still half-awake in his form. Mind still clouded as he brought his hand to her cheek, giving delicate caresses on the patches blush.

"I—I'm terribly sorry…kinda exhausted and fell asleep, sorry for bothering you…I really don't mean to do that—"

He leaned forward.

Kahoko's eyes morphed like a saucer, her blush worsened in which obviously his fault.

The seeming seconds turned eternity on her watch. She froze despite the warm lips pressed against hers, exact five ticks in the clock he let her go. Eyes remained dull.

Kahoko dragged her hand to where those lips had touched. "Wha-why…why d-did you do that?" she stammered.

He responded by leaning closer to her, resting his head at the crook of her neck, eyes close, and mind drifted back to dream world. As though Kahoko had a different interpretation, her fainting flush bloomed. "KYAAH!"

Soft snores overtook by the loud squeal.

She distanced and easily attached her harmful hand on his face, leaving a flush mark on it.

"OUCH!"

"Y-you…perv!" she said, throwing as many things she could grab.

"H-Hey…stop it!"

"Stupid…stupid!"

"Stop! What did I do to you?" Len retaliated.

Kahoko paused, flashing her dubious eyes at him. "You fool, liar…what do you mean by that?"

"Huh?" Len brow raised, he crossed his arms and glanced at her. "I didn't do anything!"

"You did!"

"And what is it, then?" Len glared.

"Y-You…You…" Kahoko's face glowed. "Eh…you did it, you should know."

"Are you that dense? I said I don't know."

"So… you're sleeping back then…how absurd." Kahoko snorted.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I should be the one complaining and not you. Do you know how my bones ache by now? "

"It's not my fault you stupidly sleep in the couch... your room is so huge you can simply make a makeshift bed at the floor." Why didn't you go to your darling instead? She mumbled the latter.

Len's forehead crumpled but he managed to calm himself to avoid any further predicament. The girl had the guts to say it despite of it was obviously her entire fault.

"Annoyance, will you stop babbling…and will you mind brushing your teeth before conversing to anyone."

Kahoko's fury extended. "Why you! My breath is perfectly fine for your information. How dare you to say that I'm bad breath."

"I didn't say it, you say it." Len folded his arms.

"Eeeh! You're terrible!" Kahoko shouted.

"Mind lowering your voice."

"And why? I can do whatever I want," she retaliated.

"Because you're in my room and the others might hear you," he insipidly uttered.

Kahoko shrank back and as if knowledge brought back her sanity. "A-ah! Meet me at the kitchen for cooking lesson….later." she turned away but paused the second later. "I still haven't forgiven you about earlier."

"Whatever I did earlier like what you are fretting about, I assume, your senseless ranting is to blame."

"I'm apologizing."

"Maybe you're too loud and not actually apologizing."

"Maybe if you just open your eyes wider and NOT sleep talking then it would not have happened." She didn't wait for his retort as she left the room in rather quick pace.

Her shaky fingers frantically combed her hair. Sheesh, my face is so warm.

~NeKo Meow~

Kahoko prepared herself, managing multitasking to accomplish her daily routine. When she went downstairs she saw Len waiting for her.

Suddenly, dryness overcome her throat, she gulped though it was difficult. She looked away.

"So-so let's begin then."

The lad nodded and followed her.

"You seems so quiet today, aren't you going to retort, retaliate or anything?"

Len ignored her.

"Ok if that's what you want, it's about time you realize what you did earli—"

"I'm not in the mood to talk to you. My back hurts so badly and before I could do something inhumane, it's better to shut my mouth. I cared nothing to whatever you're talking about."

"You—"

"And for you as well…shut up!"

Kahoko made a face. "Ok, I won't speak anymore but since this is the last time I'll teach you. I'll let you cook whatever you want."

"What?"

"Don't worry, I'll guide you."

"I'm not worrying."

Whatever. Kahoko rolled her eyes before sustaining to watch him.

At first he did it according to what she taught. He became absorbed with her lecture despite of their often arguments. Not until…

"No, not like that," Kahoko interrupted. "It's alright but it's much better if you cut it smaller," she said, pointing at the carrots.

She held his hand in which she realized doing so made the teaching easy. Len followed her.

"You know, I will be happy if you will pass the exam, so let's do our best Len-san."

Happy…?

Kahoko gazed at him when he stopped.

His molten eyes fixed at her and as their vision met Kahoko could see the eyes she often sees these days.

The coldness was out and it seemed it was so warm; it gave much emotion that Kahoko couldn't pin down as her eyes were captive with its spell. They remained their stares.

One wrong move otherwise they would start all over again.

"Danger zone, are you really trying to kill me?"

"I said I'm sorry…and enough with the nicknames, I have one and it's Kaho…Ka-ho."

Kahoko ran to the living room to fetch Manami and back to the lad. She accidentally grazed his finger with the knife. Kahoko grunted, taking note to focus on what she was cutting and not to elsewhere.

After the commotion had calmed down, Kahoko opted to finish their activity. "It's already done. It's a waste if we don't finish this."

Len hadn't had the chance to complain. He was too engaged with his rage and to the injury in his hand.

Kahoko miserably glanced at him. "Let me look at that cut," she said and grabbed his hand over again.

"It's not that deep it will heal in no time." She smiled, by chance, she messed up his hair.

If she was paying more attention she might notice Len flushed.

After some time the meal was finished.

"Great, you're finished, now tasting time." Kahoko got a mouthful of the cuisine.

She turned to Len and gave him thumbs up. "You pass, all you need to do is practice…practice….practice," she sang while smiling.

"I won't have done it, not because of you."

"It's…n-no…no-thing…I-I mean…Anou…" she lowered her head from embarrassment.

"Thank you…."

She trailed her view at him and seemed by the look of her expression she possibly couldn't believe it.

Her face turned red. H-he…smiled. Her head trying to process it to her mental block state, but it appeared she was head over heels with her thought.

~NeKo Meow~

The day ended as another tutor time for Kahoko. At first, she was hesitant to approach him however shock hit her full force, the lad initiated the talk.

"Do you want to pass the exam or what?" Len queried, annoyed.

Kahoko was tongue-tied, she nodded in alternative.

Drowned in her own thought, she hadn't realized where they were routing. She raised her head as she noticed. "Is it ok to study there? The library is much better."

"No, Onisan and his classmates are using it," Len responded not looking at her.

O shape formed on her lips indicating her consideration, she looked at the hallway as well before another idea misted to her mind. She paused. "What about the other library?"

Len scowled at her. Too many questions, why don't she shut up instead? "Grandfather prepared it for his business associates for tomorrow."

"Yeah, right. Living room is a good idea." Kahoko scratched her head. Without a doubt, she looked stupider this time.

If it wasn't for his controlled emotion, he would laugh at her. Although a smile skidded to his lips but also, in a fraction of time it vanished.

"…For stop bothering me if you fell asleep again," he went on.

Kahoko pouted but let it passed since it was her fault after all. Though, how could she possibly believe he was sleeping back then? Sleeping? I don't believe you! Kahoko mentally screamed.

She sat in the carpet while Len brought the books they needed. Kahoko tried to distance but it seemed the lad had a different plan, he sat beside her.

"C-can you m-move a little."

Len grunted and stepped a few inch away. "Is this fine with you?" he said somehow complaining.

Kahoko nodded and looked away.

"We need to focus on your weaknesses since we don't have enough time to review all. So what is it?" Len probed.

Kahoko twitched a bit before lowering her head to the possible low it could do. "A-a…"

"Let me guess, everything?"

Kahoko shrank in her seat and if possible, the floor ate her.

Len massaged his temples. Indeed, this girl was his personal headache. "Ok, I suppose we're going to do this the entire night."

"The Germanic barbarians were divided mainly into Goths, Burgundians, Vandals, Alemanni, Bavarians, Langobards, Franks, Angles, Saxons, and Frisians."

Len began as he tried to explain everything his notes have. From the thirty-year war which is the battle between Protestants and Catholics up until to Mussolini and Hitler's time. Kahoko was simply staring at him, nodding and responding if needed.

Time to time she would smile when he would stare back. Len ignored it at first but it seemed she was not planning to stop, his patience drained off. "Will you stop doing that…." he protested.

Kahoko tilted her head. "Why?"

He averted her stare and retaliated "Just don't do things if it's not necessary."

"There's nothing unnecessary in smiling, I'm pleased."

"Hn?"

"You don't reprimand me, although I presume you should be. It's kinda weird." She pouted.

For so many times that day, that tough expression he has, melted to gentleness. His eyes softened, ever so lightly staring at her infantile look.

"It's unnecessary since you can understand the lesson very well. Why should I reprimand you?"

I-Is that the first…compliment…Kahoko's heartbeat hitched.

"Let's continue…." Len cut her inattentiveness. Her stares were distracting him, if they would manage to stop arguing they could end earlier.

However they'd been awake until the wee hour of the next day. Kahoko, who has busier time than him, was overcome by her fatigue. She leaned her head at his shoulder in which Len hadn't prepared of.

He startlingly spun his view at her. "Hino?"

She didn't move but remained sleeping. Len sighed, calming himself before bringing the book back in the table. His right hand rested at the back of her head as he leaned too. "Sleep well…."

~NeKo Meow~

The time of their examination came. Crimson headed girl came running in the hallway, one hand carrying the seeming result of her exam.

She spun to the roof top in which, the other said he was there.

She opened the door to see him scrutinizing the whole view of Seiso.

"Len-san!" she shouted. Len glanced at her.

"What do you wa—?" He trailed off

One form went closer to him. "Thank you Len-san!"

Kahoko tiptoed as she hugged him. What did I do?

"Hino…."

Kahoko glanced at him.

Silence gushed in the whole surrounding, leaving two unfortunate souls all taken. W-what did I do? Kahoko's eyes grew bigger, gazing at his same bullion ones.

Her heart started to roar, red shades going crazy on her cheeks. She felt like melting…melting in embarrassment.

His hand trailed to her back, giving a fresh robust red on her hued cheeks. She held her breath, bit by bit the hair at the back of her neck raised as tendrils of current running through her spine from where that hand rested.

"Y-You're welcome?" Somehow his voice was uncertain, it must be a statement but he ended it as a question.

Kahoko stepped back in which he kindly let her go. She bowed her head, avoiding his gaze before she swept out there.

~NeKo Meow~

"I'm going to die!" Kahoko swirled her head sideways, as though her whole head was boiling.

Manami glanced at her friend and asked. "Hey! Are you ok? What do you mean you're going to die?"

Kahoko snapped from her reverie and blushed. "I-it's nothing!" she muttered.

"Oh! Come on Kaho, you're no good at lying."

"I'm not!"

"Sheesh, is something happened earlier?"

"T—"

"I see, so is that what you're fretting about?" Manami cut Kahoko's.

"I haven't said anything yet!"

"So you have something to share to me then."

"N-no, I don't have!"

"Don't be denial Kaho-chan." Manami fanned her hands.

"I—"

"Kaho-chan!" Two voices said in unison.

Kahoko and Manami looked where it came from.

A girl with a short brown hair came waving her hand at them while the other one was leaning at the Hasegawa's huge gate.

"Mio-chan! Nao-chan. What are you doing here?" Kahoko ran to them.

"Nao and I just want to know if you're ok," Mio said and hugged her best friend.

"Can't breathe!" Kahoko chuckled. "I'm ok Mio, I should be worrying to your hug more. Can't breathe."

"Oops sorry, Kahoko. Where's your car?"

"Huh! What do you mean?"

"The car which will bring us to the mansion? The so eye-dropping so expensive—mmm."

Nao prevented Mio to talk more. "What she is trying to say is how we can get to the house without it."

"Easy, we're gonna walk." Manami butted, pointing to the road to emphasize her word.

Kahoko nodded and smiled.

"Let's go!"

After half an hour they reached the very main door.

"Kaho, this is insane, how can you take such distance." Mio panted, leaning at Nao for support.

"It's a habit of us to walk every Friday, sorry about that," Manami apologized and ushered the visitors in. "Welcome to Hasegawa's mansion! Feel at home," she muttered and left to get some snacks.

"Shoot, this place is so huge!"

Both girls gaped at every extravagant the house has. It seemed gawking was still insufficient, Mio walked steps farther. "Sugoi!"

Kahoko ushered them to the living and excused herself to aid Manami. The two friends waited in silent.

When they went back, Mio approached them; eyes sparkling with what Kahoko hated the most.

"I didn't know this place is packed with good stuffs."

"Yeah, the furniture here came from the different part of the world. It took millions of cash to acquire one," Manami explained as though she knew what Mio was implying.

Kahoko shook her head, she knew better.

"No, I know this place is not worth my life but…" Mio turned to Kahoko. "Heck, Kahoko, you didn't tell us there are cute guys living here!" Mio squealed.

"Mio, please, restrain yourself!" Nao chided.

"Yeah! Yeah, Kaho-chan I have so many things to ask…." Mio tagged Kahoko as they both sat in the couch.

Manami and Nao looked at each other and grunted. Friends, they muttered but followed the two.

"O—oh! Kaho…so who among them you like? Your favorite."

"Huh?"

"I know it's hard just give me one! Pretty please." Mio glanced at Manami.

The girl glinted a smile and went along. "Yeah Kahoko, who among them you like?"

"It's unfair, you're here as well why is it all me?" Kahoko pouted.

"Sheesh, I treat them like my brothers, we've been together for a long time remember." Manami ridiculed with a chuckle. "So who? Is it Azuma-san?"

Kahoko stiffened and looked away.

"Kazuki-san?"

Her heartbeat hitched…

"Ryoutarou?"

Stop it already! Kahoko's head exclaimed.

"Or…"

She held her breathe…No!

"Excuse me…."

As though everything stopped in Kahoko's world, she froze.

"Hi! Len we're just having some girly bonding time. By the way meet Kahoko's friends," Manami said and pointed at the two.

Mio smiled with her fan-girl mode while Nao grunted.

"Hello," he muttered.

Kahoko remained on her own world. Recording the incident she least wanted to remember. Why she had to remember it at all time.

She glanced at the lad, tracing every expression he had until her sight landed at the dilemma of her mind.

Len gazed back, one brow raised.

She flushed and looked away. Why do you have to remember it Kahoko! She tapped her head.

"Sorry for disturbing you, I'm going now." Len bid goodbye and left.

The girls continued on their business not even knowing what their redhead friend suffering.

"Kahoko are you alright?" Nao at last noticed.

"I-I'm fine." Kahoko scratched her head.

"You know the series Yamato Nadeshiko?" Mio asked to Manami.

Manami chuckled "Sure! Really love the ending of it!"

"You watched?"

"Totally, especially when Kyohei-sama kissed Sunako-chan!" They both agreed and laughed.

K-Kiss! Kahoko tapped her forehead.

He brought his hand to her cheek, caressing the faint blush decked on it. He leaned forward, his lips brushed at the side of hers. She was simply noisy and he desired for a quiet sleep, if that would be the only solution he had, then be it. Is he really sleeping then? Perhaps the impulse drove him to do such.

"Why is that annoying incident kept on nagging me?" Kahoko hissed as she remembered the time she fell asleep in his room. Though his lips…so soft…Kahoko blushed and shook her head. Erase…erase!

"Kahoko, you're flushing!" exclaimed Manami

"I suppose she's thinking about someone."

"Nao! Even you? No I don't!" Kahoko's face worsened.

"You're so cute Kaho-chan!" Mio backed

"Ah!" Manami nodded. "So, do you by chance remember what happened this morning?"

Manami went on, talking about when she saw two certain people sleeping in the living room.

"It's not! It's not!"

"What is it?" Mio inquired

"You see, earlier…I saw Kaho—"

Kahoko jumped and latched her hand at Manami. "It's no big deal, don't ask it anymore Mio." Kahoko shot.

"Oh! Really, you said that before when you're hiding Iikun from us."

Suddenly, Manami's strength boosted to a certain degree, she held Kahoko's hand and gazed at Nao. "Who is this Iikun?"

"He's actually Kahoko's boyfriend," Mio cackled while eating their forgotten snacks.

"No he's not! He is just my friend."

"Childhood friend was you said but we don't believe you."

"Stop it already," Kahoko pleaded.

The three laughed, mission accomplished if they must say. "We're just joking Kahoko, you're really easy to tease."

"Can somebody just kill me now?" Kahoko curled her lips.

"That won't be necessary." One heckled at the side.

"Mr. Shouzaburou, Ryoutarou-kun!"

"Yoh! Ryoutarou!" Nao waved.

"Hey!" he responded with a smile.

"I won't let anyone get killed in my house." Mr. Shouzaburou laughed. "Are you Kahoko's friend? Nice meeting you young ladies."

The two girls hurriedly stood and approached him.

"Yes sir, I'm Nao Kobayashi and this is…" Nao paused for Mio.

"A-ah! I'm Mio Takato sir," she startlingly introduced.

"Our apology if we have disturbed you." Nao bowed.

Mr. Shouzaburou gazed amusedly at them. He dropped his sight at Kahoko and back to the girls. "No, it's alright. Kahoko's friends are very welcome here. Why don't you stay for dinner as well?"

Kahoko together with Manami moved forward, gleaming in their delight at the two friends. Mio nodded in approval and sought for Nao's as well.

The black haired girl bobbed and faced the old man. "It's a pleasure for us sir."

"Please, enough with the formalities, you can call me Mr. Shouzaburou if you want to."

Mio smiled, somehow lessening the tense building inside her. "Y-yeah sir…I-I mean Mr. Shouzaburou."

The old man laughed once more. "I must say, you have good friends Kahoko."

"Yeah they are."