An Update!

Merry Christmas Everyone! :D

Winter's Melody

~Chapter 10~

~Sakura's POV~

I'm currently in the Hino residence, particularly Kahoko's room.

"Why am I here again?", I asked.

Kahoko looked at me while she shows me all the gifts she had received.

"Maybe you can tell me who the sender is, after all, you said that maybe there's a hidden message in the gifts. I really want to know who gave them to me and I have the feeling that I need to know who the sender is before the night comes", Kahoko said.

"But… why me? I'm not good at solving mysteries", I said. I'm not useful at all. I frowned.

Kahoko also frowned at what I said. "Is that so…", Kahoko said.

Kahoko stared at me. "Your helmet is bothering me", Kahoko said after a while. "You're not even riding a bicycle".

"Ah! I just want to be safe", I said and took off my helmet. How embarrassing. I completely forgot to take it off back at the store as well… that explains the awkward looks I'm getting from the sales ladies.

I looked at the gifts Kahoko had. There's a box of chocolates, a big white teddy bear, a map, a pink dress, shoes, a snow globe, a music sheet, a string, a watch, a necklace and roses. Whoever gave her the gifts, he must really love Kahoko. How romantic of him. Now I feel envious of Kahoko.

Wait… "There are eleven gifts", I told Kahoko.

"Oh… I forgot to count the map", Kahoko said. I saw her sticking a post-it note.

"What's that for?", I asked.

"I'm putting them back to where they were before. I received the gifts one by one with a post-it note attached to them", Kahoko said.

"Oh cool", I said. "Which came to you first?", I asked Kahoko.

"The way I arranged them now is in the order of how I received them. The roses come's first then the chocolates and so on", Kahoko said. She started humming an unfamiliar song.

I took the note that was on the roses and read, "Kahoko I'm sorry, please forgive me'".

"I think Yuu gave it to me", Kahoko said.

"Yuu?", I asked.

I saw Kahoko nod. "The one who carried you out of the cafeteria the other day", Kahoko said.

"M-Mr. Rozen?", I asked.

"Yup! Silverylle Rozen. I got mad at him for letting Len come to the café I was working at and scolded him. It wasn't his fault though. I want to apologize to him", Kahoko said.

Wait… that was my fault… I dragged Len with me just to eat cakes back then. Mr. Rozen did tell me not to come there yet I came. I was at fault! I didn't know that I can cause so much trouble. I guess I should go apologize to Mr. Rozen for disobeying him. Now I know why he was so angry the day after that.

"Are you angry at Len?", I asked Kahoko.

Kahoko shook her head. "Why should I? Yes I got angry back when I first met you, sorry about that, but I was selfish back then. I don't hate him", Kahoko said. I saw her wink at me, "I love him". Kahoko suddenly blushed after telling me that.

So she likes Len. Goody for Len! He's very lucky! This girl would still pick him. I smiled.

"Who would you pick, Len or the person who's been giving you all these", I asked Kahoko, pointing at all her gifts. To make sure that she really loves Len.

"L-Len, of course", Kahoko replied.

"Even if the sender is someone good looking as heaven can give?", I asked Kahoko, remembering the guys I've been seeing these past few days. I'm so happy! I know this isn't my love story but still it's great to see one in front of your eyes.

"I'll still pick Len", Kahoko said firmly.

"That's great!", I said.

"Huh?", Kahoko said blushing more.

"N-nothing", I said, blushing. I'll keep this a secret from Len and let him make his own move. I think he's planning on something especially after asking me something about having a ring from Mr. Rozen.

I looked at the post-it notes attached to the other gifts.

On the chocolates were…

'Meet me…'

White teddy bear

'…on…'

"What are you doing?" Kahoko asked as she shakes the snow globe. "'Meet me on…'", Kahoko read.

"Putting them together", I said. I think there's a message if I combine them.

"I see. Let me help you", Kahoko said. She helped me put everything to pieces.

Roses- 'Kahoko I'm sorry, please forgive me'

Chocolates- 'Meet me…'

Teddy bear- '…on…'

Map- '…the park…'

Dress- '…this…'

Shoes- none

Snow globe- none

Music sheet- none

String- none

Watch- none

Necklace- none

"Meet me on the park this", I read what we managed to put together.

"The rest has nothing on them", Kahoko said. She took the shoes out of their box and something fell.

"A post-it note", I said, pointing at the paper.

Kahoko took it and showed it to me. "Coming", she read.

"That makes it, 'Meet me on the park this coming'", I told Kahoko.

"Coming what?", Kahoko asked. She took the snow globe and played music from it. I recognized the song. It was what Kahoko was humming earlier.

"That's a nice melody", I said while listening with her.

I heard Kahoko say, "Christmas", after staring at the snow globe for a while. She took the music sheet next and flipped the pages. She said, "Eve".

I decided to put together the notes and the words Kahoko just said. "Meet me on the park this coming Christmas Eve", I said.

"Woah! We made something", Kahoko said.

"Maybe there's more", I told Kahoko since there are three more gifts with no notes attached to them.

"If I remember correctly…". Kahoko took something from the pouch of the string she had. "There's a word highlighted with blue marker here", Kahoko said. She showed me the word 'at'.

I took the watch she was given and found a small writing underneath the box it was in. I showed Kahoko the blue writings.

"PM", I said after seeing the brand of the necklace.

"Kahoko I'm sorry, please forgive me. Meet me on the park this coming Christmas Eve at 5:00 PM", Kahoko said after we managed to get the messages behind the gifts.

Kahoko looked very happy after solving the hidden message. I smiled at her. I'm glad I can help her even a little. After a while she frowned again.

"Who's the sender?", Kahoko asked.

We both started going through her gifts again and found no clue.

"Hey, Kahoko, is your favorite color blue?", I asked after noticing the blue post-it notes.

"Uhh… yeah. It's because it reminds me of Len", Kahoko said, blushing.

Aww… she does care for Len. "Does anyone know that?", I asked.

"Nope. Whenever someone asks me of my favorite color, I always say red"

Okay… why is it blue? Am I thinking of it too much? I also like the color blue but why is it making me feel that it's him who gave them…

I looked at my watch and found out that I was gone from home for five hours already. Oh no! I'll make uncle worry… "I need to go", I told Kahoko while standing up.

"Is that so? I'll take you to the door", Kahoko said and stood up as well. Kahoko took me to the door and said, "Take care".

"I will", I said waving my hand. "There's still two hours left before five. I think you should get ready for your meeting", I said. "You should wear his gifts".

"I was thinking the same", Kahoko said, smiling at me. "Thanks, Sakura".

"You're welcome", I said and started to walk my way home.

How did she know my name? I don't remember telling her…

~Yuu's POV (Silverylle Rozen's POV)~

I stood beside the fountain for one hour already. Kahoko's late for thirty minutes. I came early because of the thought that she might come early but I guess I was wrong. Maybe she didn't get the message behind those gifts. I sighed. I decided to wait one more hour just in case she came.

I looked around the park and as what I had predicted, we would be alone. The park was quiet and the park's lights were already turned on. The breeze was a bit chilly but the atmosphere felt good. I wonder if she'll see the place romantic as well.

How long am I going to wait?

I sat on the bench beside the fountain and started counting the seconds that keeps on ticking by. After counting up to thirty eight, I saw Kahoko walking to my direction. Since she wasn't looking straight at me, she hasn't found me yet.

I stood up and prepared myself to greet her. She saw me and started running towards me. She nearly tripped while on her way to me but I caught her before she hits the ground.

"T-Thanks", she said after standing up straight.

"You're welcome", I said.

"Good evening", she greeted me.

"Good evening", I greeted her back.

I stared at her figure.

The dress and shoes I bought for her really suits her. On her left wrist was the watch I bought and on her neck was the necklace I gave. I looked at her face and saw that she curled her crimson hair a little, she wore a bit makeup that showed her beauty more, her cheeks where pink and her lips looked kissable. I shook the thought of wanting to kiss her and looked at her body. The dress really fits her perfectly showing her curves.

"You look great", I commented, distracting myself from staring at her.

I saw her nod. "Thanks. You were the one who gave these to me, right?", Kahoko asked while lifting her skirt a little.

I nodded.

Kahoko looked up at me and gave me a sweet smile. "I knew it. I was right after knowing the message behind the gifts. Thank you", Kahoko said. I can see her cheeks turning the same hue as her hair.

"I'm glad you liked them", I said. I felt my cheeks turn hot.

We stood there at the park a bit awkwardly. I didn't know how to start a conversation with her now that I suddenly became nervous. I wonder what she thinks of me now.

I saw her sneeze and it made me worried. "I think it's better if you wore your coat", I told her, pointing at the coat that hung on her right arm.

She nodded in agreement with me and took her violin case down. She wore her coat and afterwards she smiled at me, she looked embarrassed at something.

I really want to hug her at least. In this kind of situation, what do I do? I already forgot the plans I organized inside my head for tonight.

That was what Len was thinking until I felt something soft and warm wrapping around my neck.

I opened my eyes to see a familiar black haired girl. She froze in front of me after seeing me open my eyes. Don't tell me she's scared of me already after opening my eyes…

"What are you doing here?", I asked even though I already knew I would end up seeing her tonight. I didn't expect to see her here sooner moreover not in this situation.

"I-I t-thought that what if Kahoko's secret Santa was a bad guy s-so I came h-here to see who she would e-end up w-with… but I haven't seen her", I heard her answer. It's either she's stuttering in fear because of me or stuttering because it's cold. I prefer the latter though.

"I see", I said. "You don't have to worry. She's with Len Tsukimori just behind the tree behind me", I said.

She stood up and confirmed it for herself. I saw her sigh in relief and looked back at me. "Why are you here?", she asked me.

"Waiting for you", I said honestly.

"Me? While you're over there sleeping? Why wait for me?", she asked.

I'm currently sitting under a tree, resting at the same time waiting for Kahoko to meet up with Len. My eyes were closed, that'll explain why she thought I was sleeping.

"I'm expecting to see you tonight, here, but not specifically to where we are now", I said. "I was not sleeping at all. I only closed my eyes", I added.

I saw Sakura blush. She sat in front of me and asked, "Why?".

"You're expecting to hear a romantic reply", I said, teasing her.

She denied what I said and told me, "I'm not", with a cute expression. I saw her blush even more.

I ended up smirking at her reaction. I saw her glare at me.

"I have a feeling that I will meet you tonight", I told her.

I saw her sneeze and rubbed her nose. "What if I didn't come?", she asked.

"I'll visit your place", I answered honestly.

She sneezed again. I pulled her towards me and made sure she was comfortably sitting closely to me. I took the red scarf she wrapped on my neck earlier and wrapped it on her instead.

She stopped me from wrapping her scarf around her neck. "You'll feel cold", she told me.

"Let's share then", I told her.

Since her scarf was long, we both shared it and wrapped it around our necks, which made her move closer to me.

I can hear Sakura's heartbeat beating fast. I'm enjoying the closeness.

"You know where I live?", Sakura suddenly asked me.

"Yes. I've been visiting you every night in your room, though you don't know that", I said. I saw her surprised expression and felt her body become stiff. "You must be wondering how I got in. I have my own tricks. Don't worry, I only watch you sleep and nothing more", I told her.

"Eh?", I heard her, more surprised. She pulled herself away me a little. "How? Why?", she asked.

"I heard you've been encountering weird experiences like seeing people disappear from your sight in an instant, flying in the sky with someone and so on-"

"How did you know?"

"Those people who have been saving you are my friends they-"

"They're you fri-". I covered her mouth since she's starting to ask more questions and since she's not letting me finish.

"I'll explain everything so shut up for a while", I said. I saw her expression and knew I scared her.

"Like I said, those guys who have been saving you are my friends. They're protecting you from something that you would think is ridiculous. I won't explain that part. I wanted to protect you myself but I have other things I need to do on the day so at night I visit your room and look after you. It was me who's been tucking you on your bed and also I'm the one who placed a black feather on your forehead", I said, trying to explain my actions.

"I still don't get it… the way you say it is like you're my guardian angel or something", Sakura said. I saw her calming down and it seems that she's accepting it smoothly. I wonder if she is taking what I said seriously. "You and your friends are protecting me from dying… is that it? And you do that because…?"

"It's my fault why you've been targeted by Reiga", I said.

Sakura became silent and for a while she was deep in thought.

"Reiga is a baby…", Sakura said after a while.

"How did you know?", I asked her. She hasn't even met Reiga.

"I've been dreaming of a baby named Reiga. In my dream, you're bullying him", Sakura said. She looked at me, suspicious.

So Reiga inserted something in her brain. Once I got home, I'll really teach that little brat a lesson.

I sighed. "Reiga is a baby that I've been taking care of since he was born. He took me as his babysitter because he finds joy in bullying me. I know it sounds silly but it's true. I'll show him to you next time", I said.

"A baby bullying you…", she stared at me, not believing me.

"I'm not going to explain anymore. I don't care whether you believe me or not. But please believe me when I say, I want you safe", I said.

I saw her blush. "I still don't get it", she whined.

"You won't understand at all"

"What is a baby bullying you got to do with me?", Sakura asked.

"I care for you so he uses you to bully me", I said. Why did I even start explaining these to her when I knew she wouldn't understand?

"What is he? Some sort of demon or something? You make it sound like that", Sakura said, taking what I said like a joke.

"Yes", I answered her.

"You're kidding"

"I'm the same as him"

"Prove it"

"You'll regret it"

We ended up staring at each other. I gave up after a minute.

"Fine", I said. "Promise me you won't scream or run".

"Promise", she said. Obviously still thinking I was kidding.

I showed her my black wings and through her eyes I can see my eyes glowing red. I watched her reaction carefully. She has no plans on screaming or running. She just stared at me with… awe?

I saw her reach for my right wing and let her touch it. "Cool", I heard her say.

This is weird. She was scared of me when she didn't know about me being like this but now that she saw my somehow real form, she's not scared but amazed.

"Your wings are soft", she commented.

"You're not scared?", I asked.

"Nope. It's kind of interesting… is your uncle the same?"

"Uncle?"

"The blonde guy", Sakura explained.

"He isn't my uncle. Based on our date of birth, I'm older than him", I explained. Now I remembered Yue saying 'I'm your uncle', before.

"Oh…"

"He's the same as me but his wings are silver", I said.

"What exactly are you?", Sakura asked. She took her hand away my wings and waited for my reply silently.

"A demon", I answered her.

She started staring at me again. I feel like I'm some sort of rare animal. "Stop staring at me like that. You're making me uncomfortable", I said after being stared at for a full minute.

I saw her blush and smile at me. "Does that make you my guardian demon?", she asked.

"You can say that", I said.

"Can I take your glasses off?", Sakura asked me seriously. She sat in front of me with an expression that is expecting me to say 'yes'.

I don't get myself at all… of all girls I've met, why did I end up wanting to protect someone so emotional, easily scared, fragile, always asking questions, kind, cute and somehow adorable?

I sighed for the nth time.

"Do as you please", I said.

Thanks for reading~