Chapter 12

"Ahm…L-len…" Kahoko prodded, closing the apartment door. Her eyes gave such interest to the silver knob as she almost gawked at it the whole time while talking.

Len stopped from his stride, availing a simple reply in the process. "Hn?"

"Thank you again."

"You don't have to say it if it's not necessary."

"It's necessary."

"In what kind of way, then?"

"For making me happy."

His eyes widened a jot, glancing behind him to look at her full view. "Enough, let's go."

"I'm just telling the truth." She pouted, walking ahead of him. "I'm really happy." She unknowingly smiled.

"Kaho?"

Kahoko stopped from her walk, looking at a certain person who called her. She smiled. "Midori-san!"

"My!" the woman, named Midori, strode in the best pace she got, welcoming the girl with a bear hug.

A line of old age sketched on her face nonetheless a reserve of beauty startlingly rested. In her old age, her body was still slender and upright. Her hug tightened, as it came to the point of stealing Kahoko's breath.

"Midori-san…" a mixture of plea ran through Kahoko's tone, moving backward as, afterwards, laughing on her action.

"I'm so sorry, dear. It is just that, when did you arrive? You should have dropped by in my place." Midori chuckled, patting the girl's hair. She paused a bit once her azure eyes met a pair of bullion one. Midori chuckled once more, eyes hardly seen. "Kahoko, why don't you introduce this young man over here. Is he your husband?"

Kahoko, not yet used with the term, blushed, stuttering the whole introduction. "Y-Y-Yeah…h-h-e i-s…uhm …T-Tsukimori L-Len." She squeaked causing a deep red to rush over her face.

Midori smiled. "Nice meeting you Mr. Tsukimori. I'm Shoun Midori."

Len bowed. "Hn."

Not minding his cheap response, Midori turned her sight at Kahoko and back at Len. "You know, Mr. Tsukimori, I've been her second mother since the time they rented here. She is an important person to me so I hope you take good care of my daughter."

"M-Midori-san." Kahoko pouted, stomping her feet.

Midori looked at Kahoko and flashed a reassuring smile. "She is naïve at times but you'll get used to it."

"Midori-san, we need to go now." Kahoko tried, pulling Len with her. Nonetheless, to her dismay, the lad did not move, rather relaxed his numbing feet as he sustained his listening.

Midori, yet again, smiled with a laugh escaped from her lips. She approached the lad and patted his shoulder, simply by telling him that he passed her expectation. Mostly, man would rather pass such a recalling and get over with it, however this azure haired lad was not one of them. Knowing more about his wife, was rather likable for him.

"You may continue Shoun-san."

"No, no, we're going to be late." Kahoko pulled him again. If the old woman talks more she did not know if she could still live to see the world. Most of her time she shared with her second mom was merely embarrassment. For the old woman it might be funny and nothing serious but for the person itself who suffered—embarrassment was an understatement. She could not possibly take it to wait and see the look on her husband's face once the old woman narrated about her clumsy antics and other cons.

"We are already late."

"But?" Kahoko transferred her gaze at Midori, plead and beg rendered in every sparkle in her eyes.

"I think, it's not the right time to talk about it. Perhaps later, after you did your business you can drop by in my place. It seems your wife is excited to go wherever you are planning to go."

"Indeed, she must be."

"It's a nice of you to invite her to go."

Len glanced elsewhere and back to the woman. "Not really, she asked me."

"WHAT? You first!" Kahoko interrupted, pout deepening.

"Hn?"

"Don't hn me as if you're innocent. You asked me first. In addition, aren't you who invited me again earlier. Hmm, beat that."

"Because you are moping like a child. I felt pity for you."

Kahoko clenched her fist. "Why did I thank you in the first place. I take it back. You're not worth thanking for."

"Oh! You two are so adorable. I can't wait for my little grandkids."

A long awkward silence followed. Kahoko took a step backward, audible gasp left her lips as her pale skin recolored into red.

Len had managed to hide his surprise. He ran his hand through his hair as an excuse to avert his sight of the two women. What is wrong with this old woman? Len mentally queried, practicing the inhale-exhale exercise to ease the defects lingered in his stiff muscles.

Only Midori's laugh resurrected the place. "Oh! Dear, not that I am forcing you two, I know that you still want to cherish your time being a couple and it is still early for that but I can't help but think about it."

"It is too early for that." Kahoko choked, reprimanding herself for saying such as it gave another meaning. It was too early, but then in later time they could. She blushed, shaking her head. No, Kahoko, never! "W-we're not planning to have one." Yes, that's better.

"Awe, that's bad. I've been meaning to see little kids running from the hallway calling me grandma."
"Eh?" a question formed in Kahoko's mind, why only ours? She winced with the word ours.

"You're so lucky to have a good-looking husband. An evident of splendor lingered in his feature, elegance is also a distinction. " Midori gave a hysterics, waving her hand. "My apology, I'm just telling the truth Mr. Tsukimori, I don't intended to flatter you."

"You don't have to apologize." Len nodded.

Good, the ego…yes, certainly his pride increases to a certain degree. Kahoko sighed, a lace of sarcasm mingled with her thoughts.

"Anyway, there would be a right time for that Shoun-san."

Kahoko sucked some air; however, she was not able to exhale it back as it stuck in her lungs as she froze. What right time?

"I guess. I'm sorry about my sudden statement, talking about kids makes me excited."

Len bowed his head, as though he utterly understand her intention. "We'll be pleased to inform you when the time comes."

Kahoko blushed further, mind inevitably occupied by mere thoughts regarding the right time. What was that?

"Oh! I need to go now. Take care." Midori bade as smile gleamed before their eyes.

Is he thinking of doing that? Kahoko mentally whacked herself for thinking such. She sighed, walking, as she noticed the man sustained his walk. No, Kahoko, there's no such a thing stated in the contract…is there?

Probably, maybe your dense mentality did not understand the statement regarding about it. She fought back to herself. And you stupidly signed it without thinking twice. So….if ever…then…Kahoko's face turned redder. NO!

~NeKo Meow~

"Kahoko…"

Kahoko looked back face evident of utter shame. "Y-yeah?"

"I changed my mind…this is the right time."

It seemed everything around them collapse as the remaining intact was the solidified Kahoko. "W-what are you talking about?"

"Think about it…" he turned around to look at her, rather to stare. Eyes shone mixed emotion Kahoko could not decipher—longing and a tinge of...

Kahoko flinched, thinking the latter word. It cannot be! Desire. Electric current ran through her body, temperature suddenly went up, as it seemed stifling and air turned thick as breathing was hard for her.

"We're all alone now…." His word a bare whisper nonetheless seemed so loud for her.

"S-So?"

"Kaho…" his words worsened her flustered feature, merely by uttering her name in sinuous motion. "Your friend is not here…to bother us."

"What the." She clenched her fist once more.

"No Tsuchiura and Takumi to interrupt us."

If possible, her jaw dropped on the ground.

"Hn? So what now? Ka-ho-ko." Every syllable playfully rolled in his lips.

She remained tongue-tied, eyes mechanically closed to prevent his carnal and heated stare. "I-I-I…"

"Kahoko…"

"I-I-I d-don't know…." She held her both hand against her chest, as though foiling the fluctuation of her heart.

"Kahoko…"

"It-it-'s…it-s…."

"Kahoko, let's go…." He stopped, holding her shoulder.

Kahoko gasped with the sudden contact. "I-I-it's too early! The sun still up!" she covered her mouth afterwards.

~NeKo Meow~

He cleared his throat. ".Sheesh, what's wrong with you."

Kahoko looked at him, dumfounded. I'm imagining things.

"Hn?"

Kahoko hastily shook her head, hands waving frantically as she giggled. "I-it's nothing that serious!" Kahoko sighed awkwardly. "Crap, I hate myself!"

Apparently, Len did not buy her reasoning; he remained staring, decoding her inner thoughts by himself.

Self-conscious, Kahoko hid her face with her hands. "Anou…stop that!"

"What are you really thinking earlier?" he arched one brow, folding his arms across his chest.

"It's NOTHING! Enough already."

"You are hiding something. You suddenly stop while we're walking, is something bothering you?"

Kahoko glanced at him, hurriedly breaking the eye contact afterwards. "It's getting late, why don't we go now so that we can eat lunch."

"You're weird." A thick fact hit her face. Len spun around, striding ahead of her.

"Y-Yeah, I am…." She giggled, ready to get hold of his inhumane rudeness just to close the issue.

~NeKo Meow~

They had their lunch at the restaurant alongside the mall. Len, already finished his meal, occupied himself on the scenery outside. The placid ocean, reflecting the scenic firmament, met his eyes; feather-like clouds brushed on its blue canvas while snowy wings of the birds frolicked around. The salty breeze of the air mingled in his senses, calming him to an extent.

"Ah…L-len." Kahoko hold the fork in her hand firmly, tapping the plate unintentionally.

Len broke his peaceful contemplation as eyes bore toward the girl. "Hn?"

Kahoko fidgeted a bit, losing the eye contact. "Am...Where are you planning to go?"

"You?"

"I-I don't know, you?"

"I'm asking you, where do you want to go?"

"Are you sure?"

"Would I ask you if I'm not?" he raised one brow, face remained stoic.

"Well, am…it is just that you might decline my offer. Are you really sure?"

"Hn."

A smile brightened her façade, standing up, one hand extended to him. "What are we waiting for, let's go."

~NeKo Meow~

"Are you kidding me?" Len bemoaned, fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

Kahoko glanced over her shoulder and back at the center of her attention . Giggle rolled down her cherry lips. "No, I'm not kidding you."

Len frowned; the breeze gave a ticklish feeling over his nose, irritating him furthermore. "This is not what I expected, this is ridiculous."

"You said it, no take back."

Her cute voice echoed in the place. "Oh! You're so goodie woodie, yeah, yes you are…yes you are!"

Revulsion lined on Len's face, his forehead crumpled once he saw the passerby looking at them. He slapped his forehead. "Kahoko, would you stop doing that."

Kahoko shrugged her shoulder, doing another foolish baby talk. In her hand lay a snowy-white kitten, mewling as though answering her every talk. "Look, she's talking to me!" Kahoko shrieked, jumping towards the man as she hanged the little feline at him.

"Would you stop that—" he paused, loud sneeze followed.

"Are you…?" her eyes baffled, nonetheless, a hint of amusement was present.

"NO!"

"It's obvious you are!" she chuckled more, nudging closer at him.

Another sneeze reverberated in the place.

"So what if I am!" His hand flew above her own, stealing the kitten from her hold.

Kahoko's eyes widened in surprise, lips hanged low. "L-Len!" she gasped.

The man did not bother to look back, holding the kitten by his thumb and forefinger, as if it was the dirtiest thing in the world—basically, it was not as it was for sale, the store owner would tend to it regularly.

He handed the kitten to the sales clerk and turned on his heel. Frown deepened after seeing her sullen expression. "What?"

"I want it."

"You can get anything you want but not that creature."

"But I want it! You said you're going to do whatever I want. But now you can't!"

Len sighed. "If you promise me that you'll return I'll buy it for you."

"No way!"

"Then the answer is no as well. Why should I give you something that would not give benefit to me?"

"You're so annoying!" she stomped away.

Len slapped his forehead once more. What was he doing there again? Len gave a big grunt, stalking the girl. Unfortunately, whether he likes it or not, he needed her. Like what he said before—he thinks logically and not emotionally. However, it seemed the latter part was starting to fail him.

He paused, eyes never leaving the woman. No, it's not. He could not fathom the connection he had with her, as when he was with her he felt annoyed, but despite of it, he could not somehow get mad at her. A 'why' formed in his mind, crying, up to the point of giving him a headache.

His throat dried, gulping felt like something scratched his inners. A wince left his face. "Kahoko…" his voice flew like a wind, aiming, as it cascaded to his intention.

Kahoko stopped, back facing him. "What?" her voice bitter.

"Can we go elsewhere instead?"

She turned around. "Will you do what I say?"

His nod barely reached her sight nonetheless; she saw it clearly, as it gave little tickles in her stomach. She smiled. "Promise?"

Len gulped. If he said yes, he would be obligated to follow anything she wanted and let alone, as he would not be pleased to follow some. A line of pause echoed, letting the man contemplate his decision. He glanced at her and nodded. However, if he said no, he would not win her back. Len took the risk as though it was the smoothest and immaculate thing in the world. Taking risk is what businessman does, and as a businessman he was, he usually took the risk.

"Great!" her soft hand enveloped his bigger one. "Let's go!"

Len sidetracked from the real world once the contact registered in his brain. Even though they had held both hands before, this time, it felt different. Her hand wasn't that warm, rather cold but not as cold as he has, nonetheless as though a little vigor ran to their hands, emitting warm sensation, stimulating a ticklish feeling within him. Len unintentionally allowed the feeling to flow through, taking a short meditating, that it had calmed him in a different and unexplainable way. He was already contented with her presence.

They both paused in front of an ice cream stand. Len stilled his focus at the man. The man gave him a genuine smile but it faded once he never averted his eyes.

Kahoko, realizing the intense and rather annoyed look the man was giving to the poor seller, nudged the blue head's side to grab his attention. She was successful as his glare bared at her. Reluctance drew in her next action as she stepped backward, sight on the floor and hand extended into the air with the ice cream. "Here," she mumbled, shyly.

He planned to say no, declining the offer, but the oath he had given resonated in his brain. He could not decline, how much it appeared repulsive for him, he needed to agree. He had said before that sweet is not good for the health, but what was she doing? Len grunted, accepting the vile concoction.

He watched the girl how she savored the sweet. How could woman take such food? Len mentally shook his head, trying to taste it. His eyes widened and afterwards lightened.

"It's coffee." She smiled. "Since you are not fond of sweet things so I give you that. It is not that sweet and the taste of coffee conflicts to the sweetness. Honestly, I don't like that flavor, but I think those I hated are what you loved."

Len gave another taste; it was really on his liking. The bitterness the coffee had conflicted with the sweetness as he could only taste coffee and light sugary. It does not taste bad. Len muttered to himself, finishing his ice cream. "Indeed."

Kahoko glanced back, confused. "Huh?"

"Those you hated are what I loved."

"See…" Kahoko exhaled. "We are complete opposite. Do you think this fake marriage would work?"

"It will, trust me." His back already facing her as he walked away.

Kahoko blinked, stilled but followed afterwards. "Hey!"

"It's time for you to follow me."

"Eh?"

He never spoke more, simply continuing his silent walk.

Thirty minutes had passed, the two stalled in front of a shop. Kahoko's face paled, glancing at Len. "What are we doing here?"

He remained taciturn, eyes away, merely letting her to figure it out on herself.

"Hey!" she repeated, fortunately he looked back.

"Can't you read?" his brow arched upward.

"Well, I can, but what are we doing here?"

"Just follow me."

Their little journey towards the counter was in utter silence. No one bother to talk, in Kahoko's part, she was tired of talking and not getting anything in return.

A woman welcomed them, a smile festooned on her lips. "Oh! Mr. Tsukimori, it is a surprise to see you here."

Kahoko could not decipher the foreign feeling in her stomach, rage flared inside her just by looking at how the woman acted. The woman's sight feasted the man; a tint of sparkle grew even brighter once Len talked to her. A little arc curved on Kahoko's lips, added by the tight purse of it.

Len looked at her and back at the woman. Her feeling deepened as she suddenly became uninterested. She owed the décor for calming her. Instrument, classical and modern, displayed in every counter. There were violas, cellos, violins at the side. Kahoko took far enough to entertain herself with other things. Her hand held a certain instrument, just in that instant she felt nostalgic. Her hand stroked the smooth wood of it, caressing and flicking the strings that bound at the little music-maker, her other hand caressed its bow, tracing it with her forefinger.

"Do you like it?"

Kahoko literally jumped, turning around in the process with the violin and the bow within her arms. "Huh?"

"I said do you like it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Aren't you stupid?" Len grunted. "Tell me what you want so that we can pay for it and leave."

"I don't want, it's too much…"

"This?" apparently, he ignored her, grabbing the violin as he faced the woman again.

A sly smile geared on the woman's face.

Kahoko frowned, leaving the store without his consent.

After a while, Len left the store, face annoyed, eyes seeking for Kahoko. He paused, looking at her crouching position at the side of the store. "Let's go home now."

Kahoko looked back, pout never leaving her cute face.

Len stopped himself from rolling his eyes, as he remained impassive while talking. "Let's go home and I'll teach you."

"I know how to play that already!" she shot back.

"Then show me. Let's go."

She did not plan on going home yet but his firm voice told her to comply. She sighed, dusting her dress for some dirt before walking ahead.

~NeKo Meow~

"So you're telling me you know how to play this?" his voice cracked with sarcasm. "I wonder how you won all those competitions. Are you competing with kids?"

"How dare you!" she squealed defending herself. "I haven't played for a long time, all I need to do is warm up."

"Do you have any particular piece in your mind that you can play?"

Long pause echoed.

Len grunted, grabbing the violin from her as he positioned it over his shoulder, tucking it on his chin. "Try to play this piece."

The music reverberated in the place in a fast rhythm, Kahoko's eyes widened. How in the world would I do that?

"What was that?" Kahoko asked after he finished the piece.

Len glanced at her, staring as though asking if she was really a musician for not knowing that piece. "It is Antonio Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in A Minor."

Kahoko shook her head in disbelief. "What I meant, why did you play that challenging piece! Like what I said I need to warm up."

"Even a kid can play that."

That moment, her patient snapped, turning around to face him more, she extended her hand, pointing at him accusingly. "Correction, prodigy, not just a normal kid. Sorry if I'm not like you."

Len grunted. "You're hopeless. It's a good decision we didn't hire you."

"That's it already, you pissed me enough."

"We need to correct your play, your music sounded like a cat."

"What the?"

Len approached her, roaming behind her as one hand easily sealed her own. "For now, you need to familiarize again with the proper stance. You look like a complete beginner. You won't produce any good music with that slump posture of yours."

Kahoko nodded, she might be holding her breath with their expanse but she felt confident as long as he was there. She remained her hands weightless against his own, letting his strength force her hands to move. Without her awareness, she leaned back at him, resting her head on his chest.

Len paused from his movement, preserving their little moment to last. However, it did not take long as the woman moved away, her crimson hair covering her face. "L-Let's continue this later."

~NeKo Meow~

"I'm going to prepare the dinner do you want anything?"

Kahoko jumped from her sitting position on her bed. "If I ask you this and that would you able to cook it for me?"

"I'm just asking you what you want for dinner, you should have said something related to it."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I said I'll do everything, anything you want."

"To be honest, it is really creepy. I feel like talking to a different you." Her voice turned sullen, she looked at the window to avoid his questioning eyes.

"What do you want me to do? If you just—"

"Creep! If I just returned you'll stop." She sighed. "What if I don't?"

A long pause echoed, seemingly, waiting turned eternity.

Len cleared his throat, his eyes determine. "Then I'll stay here until you agree."

"What if I ask you to kiss me, will you do it?" covering her mouth Kahoko wished she did not say it a loud.

Len snapped back, surprise at first but he was able to hide it. "I did say I'll do everything, anything you want..."

Kahoko stepped backward, not even thinking she was already on the edge of her bed. Her body inclined, as what instinct do, she searched for something to hold on; unfortunately the only support she could hold is he.

Her hand clasped his polo, inclining him with her.

Len did not have the chance to prevent his fall, as fast as what happened, they both fell in the soft bed, she, under him.

Stunned, his expression was a mere surprise. He was not able to wear his mask as all his expression flew fluidly.

Kahoko looked instinctively, laughing afterwards at her clumsiness. Her laugh faded right away as the man remained his stare at her. Just, in that instant she realized their position.

Blood rushed through her vein, deepening the flush in her face. Her eyes stared at him, in wonderment, trying to decipher the different glint in his eyes. It was vacant and not guarded; the reflection in it was a mere fabrication of ambiguity. However, one thing that shone clearly yet left her thinking more was the warmth lingered in every stare.

She stayed mesmerized in his stare, not even realizing him leaning closer. She blinked twice, looking how their lips inches apart, his warm breath touching her gentle skin. Her mind roamed away…a little voice yelled out of her giddy thought. This is wrong…I should not fall for him! Nonetheless, why could not she stop herself?

"Kahoko! I'm home."

The two did not move even the slightest; the silence echoed in the place only the series of footsteps made the place alive.

One cleared her throat, availing the attention of the two.

One thud echoed around the place, followed by an annoyed complaint.

Anonymous Reviewer:

Himitsu: I'm so sorry for the long wait, but I'll look for some time to update it as fast as possible. :D

Lukiescarlet: Thanks, and sorry for the bother.

chloe98: Thank you.

Jamila: Thanks as always, I'll try to update it if I have time.

Meowzzzz: haha, yeah Tsukimori makes pancake. He wasted more ingredients than to what he cooked.