"Playful Love"
Chapter Thirteen:
Good thing, it's already weekend and it's Kahoko's start of training to become a proper lady.
To be instructed by Len Tsukimori's mom and his super strict grandmother who just got home yesterday with his grandfather and parents.
But, first of all, they must talk to their parents first.
They went to Hino's Residence first and –even though it isn't noticeable- Len is feeling so nervous because he's not so sure what they'll think with this kind of agreement. Especially that they are still studying.
He heard Kaho laugh beside him and that brought his attention at her. "What?" he asked with his usual cold tone.
The –still- giggling Kahoko stopped from his stoic gaze and straightened her stand. "Er, nothing."
"Hn." He mumbled and knocked on the door three times with shaky hands.
Never thought we'll need to go this far.
He held his breath when the door slowly opened before them and Kaho's dad's penetrating eyes made him freeze. "Oh, Kaho, my very, very precious daughter!" he greeted and hugged Kahoko tight.
Kahoko squirmed and blushed. "D-Dad, you just saw me earlier before I left." She reminded but her father ignored her protest. He released her and placed her behind me. "Who are you?"
Kaho raised an eyebrow. "Dad, stop playing dumb. You already met him for almost more than ten times. He's Len Tsukimori, my—"
"Boyfriend right? Yup, I definitely saw him before."
Len mentally rolled his eyes. "Mr. Hino, Len Tsukimori; nice meeting you."
"What is he doing here? It's Weekend." Her father demanded with his "abnormal" cold attitude.
Kaho sighed. "Dad, you don't suit being cold. And will you please stop that? You remind me of someone annoying around here." She protested with a grin. Her grin turned into a gulp when Len glared at her with his golden-brown eyes. "Anyway, I thought you are not against Len as being…my boyfriend?"
Mr. Hino didn't answer and inspected Len by staring at him with suspicious eyes while walking around him. "Hm, you are a neat guy. You also stand straight and you know how to dress nicely."
"Er—yes. I play the violin that's why I was kind of used in standing straight." Len explained and gave Kahoko a questioning look.
She just shrugged. "No idea." She mouthed.
"Come in." Kaho's mother who just hit her father's head greeted and smiled. "Do come in, Tsukimori-kun. You are always welcome here in our small home. Please excuse my husband for being too….um, weird."
Kaho stifled her laughter as Len composed himself not to smirk. He couldn't help but realize that Kaho got her wildness from her parents. Her father was now lying on the floor with a big bump on his head because her mother hit him with a frying pan.
"Sit down and I'll just prepare something to drink and eat." Mrs. Hino offered as she quickly departed towards the kitchen.
"Er…Sorry about my parents' oddness." Kaho apologized and blushed.
Len replied with a, "Hn,"
"Oi, Kaho, are you home already? Did you bring me anything to eat?" Her brother, Kaname, suddenly muttered and when they turned towards him. Kaho's cheeks became even redder than before.
"Onii-san, please fix yourself! You look like a maniac!" Kaho protested and covered her innocent eyes.
Her brother's hair is messed up like a birds' nest. His polo's blouse have some dirt and the buttons aren't in their proper places. His pajama's zipper is also open. "What? Tsukimori-kun is also a guy. I'm sure he understands."
Len blinked and his eyes are full of amusement. "Of course. Yes, I do. It doesn't bother me at all."
"HEY! I'm a girl! Be ashamed of yourselves!" Kaho snapped and covered her face with a pillow.
Kaname walked towards his sister and scared her. "Booo!Kaho, I will undress infront of you!" he threatened.
Len just continued in observing the whole place.
"Uwaa!Onii-san, stop it!" she yelled and threw all the pillows at her brother.
There was a loud 'bang' and that made him blink. He couldn't help but mentally raised an eyebrow upon seeing Kaho's brother on the floor like what happened to Mr. Hino earlier. "Kaname, fix yourself!" Mrs. Hino scolded and smiled again as she prepared their juice and some snacks.
"Please help yourselves." Mrs. Hino offered.
"Thank you." Len replied and took the cup of juice and sipped.
"Some sweets?"Mrs. Hino asked.
He shook his head. "No, thank you."
"Len doesn't like sweets that much, Mom." Kaho added and giggled.
Len raised an eyebrow. "What are you giggling about?" he demanded.
Kaho laughed even more. "But he likes sour things just like his usual expression." Kaho finished and put a spoonful of strawberry cake on his mouth. "That's strawberry and quite sour. You'll like it."
"Hn," he mumbled and made a tiny smile. It does suit his taste.
"Oh my, what a cute scene." Her mother commented and chuckled.
They both blushed as they realized that they are already seated next to each other and they also look like a married couple who quarrels then make up.
"By the way, why the sudden visit, Tsukimori-kun?" Mrs. Hino asked as she, herself, also sipped her own juice.
Len placed his cup in the table before him, sat straight, took a deep breath and was calmed when Kaho placed her hand on top of his. He exhaled and started, "I want to ask your blessing upon marrying your youngest daughter, Kahoko Hino." He muttered with his usual coldness and confidence.
Mrs. Hino chokes her juice. Kaname suddenly sat up straight in the floor with wide eyes and Len's eyes widened when Mr. Hino suddenly got infront of him and already holding his polo's collar. "You!"
"Dad!"Kaho gasped and tried to separate both her father and Len. "Stop it."
"Did you two already did something and you are just taking the responsibility? You idiot! Or did you use love spells or those kind of things to make my daughter say 'yes' to your proposals? TELL ME THE TRUTH!" Her father yelled and glared at him while still holding his collar so tightly which almost make him choke his breath away.
"You're mistaken, Mr. Hino. We still didn't do anything and I'm marrying her or else I'll be taken away by some other girl. A girl was trying to talk over with my parents upon being engaged with her even though I already said no. Kaho was the one who said that she'll fight for me but, that also means that I will need to marry her. I promise that we'll graduate first and if you want, we'll pursue our dreams first. I didn't force her and I will let her go if I need to especially when she got tired of me. How much it'll hurt, I'll let her go if she wants to be by your side instead. I will do anything just for her. Listen to me, I love her. I do!" Len responded.
"!"Mr. Hino trailed off.
"Papa! Please believe us! We still didn't do anything! I need –no, want to marry him or else he'll be taken away from me. I don't want that…" she started to sob. "I don't. I don't want to see him being with somebody else. Dad, Mom, Oniisan, Onee-san, please understand." She cried and tried to pull her dad away from Len how much ineffective it is.
Len pulled himself away from Mr. Hino and approached her. "Kahoko, stop crying or else I'll look like a bad guy here."
She hit his chest. "Ugh!"
He smirked. "You really love me that much?"
She hit his chest harder this time.
"If you won't stop from crying, I will not be able to propose correctly." He muttered and patted her head.
She hit his chest the hardest this time and cried in his chest.
Mr. Hino fell on the couch. "I'm so stupid. I actually thought that you already two did something. What kind of father am I?"
The same frying pan hit his head again. "Shut up." Mrs. Hino scolded and smiled. "Kaho's a klutz."
"I know." Len replied.
"She has average grades. Sometimes lower."
"Mm." he nodded.
Kaho pouted and faced her family. "Mom," she mouthed.
"She's scared of the dark and maniacs." Her sister who suddenly appeared from nowhere continued.
Kaho was embarrassed.
'Yes."
"She doesn't play the violin as good as you are." Kaname added.
She flinched and it was like she was stabbed straight to the heart.
"That's alright."
"And she's a noisy and so cheerful girl. And a big crybaby."Mr. Hino finished.
"I definitely know that and I'm proud of it." Len responded.
Mrs. Hino sniffed. "But she's precious to us. So much that it hurts thinking that she'll be apart from us soon. She never gives up. She tries her best and still smiles how much problems she faces. She can affect everyone around her and made anyone smile with her energy." Her mom sobbed.
Len finally smiled and caressed her hair. "All those things about her made me fall for her."
"Do you love her?" Mr. Hino asked.
He took a deep breath. "Yes, I do."
Mr. Hino sighed and surrendered. "Then, I have no choice since, I think, we could never separate the two of you. You have our blessing upon your engagement, Tsukimori-kun, Kaho, my precious little girl." He hugged Kaho tightly again.
"I'm not little!" Kaho protested.
Len nodded. "You may call me Len from now on, Mr. Hino."
"Then, it'll be UncleTsubasa from now on."
"AuntieKasuragi." Mrs. Hino added.
"Kaname."Kaname continued.
"Kyoko."Kaho's sister said as the end.
"We need to go." Kaho mumbled and inclined her head towards their wall clock.
"Hn," Len replied and they stood up in unison. "Thank you very much. Thank you for being understanding towards us. I truly appreciate it."
"Where are you going now?" Mrs. Hino asked as she fixed the table.
"Kahoko was needed to be trained by my mother and grandmother." Len replied.
"Trained?" Kyoko repeated.
"To be a proper learn proper etiquettes and manners." Len explained.
Mr. Hino dropped the magazine he was just about to look at. "Kaho? Be a proper lady? It's the end of the world!"
Kaho threw a pillow at him.
"Yep. She's like a monster. She's a slow-learner. You'll need to give about a whole year for her to learn all those things." Kaname added and got another bump in the head when Kaho smacked his head with the chair in the corner.
They went back to the Tsukimori's Residence and she gulped as she faces Len's –foster- parents and his grandparents.
"Kaho. I believe you already met my father and mother. This is my grandfather: Lenon and my grandmother: Mika." Len gestured towards his relatives.
"Uwaa! I'm so happy! I finally have a daughter-in-law that suits my taste!" Hamai Misa celebrated and hug her tightly.
"Hamai Misa, tha—"
"Ok, ok. Let's get started now." Mika Tsukimori announced and walked towards upstairs.
Right. I'm doomed with Len's grandmother. She's even worse than him.
"Not like that. After you step your right foot, spin." Len's grandmother scolded her.
She gulped and tried to do as his grandma taught and spun but she lost balance and almost fell. Good thing, Len caught her and brought her to his chest. "It's alright. Rest first." Len offered.
"No. She's not improving at all. She needs to practice more."
Len frowned. "But, Grandma—"
"I don't want a granddaughter-in-law who is clumsy and not good in any thing. I didn't know that my grandson has a bad taste and not good in picking his wife. How disappointing." Len's grandmother retorted which stabbed her through the bone and almost made her cry.
Len patted her head. "Kaho don't—"
Kaho stood up and frowned. "I will do anything just to be a proper fiancée of Len but, I think it's too much that you need to involve Len's name just because I'm clumsy and not good enough. I love him and I will do anything to learn proper etiquette and manners but, I won't let other people –even people who are close to him- to say bad things about him!"
There was a long silence and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
"Uwaaa! I am so into you!" Mika suddenly exclaimed and picked her up then hugged her as well.
Let me guess, later, I'll be squash into mashed Kahoko.
But it feels good.
"G-Grandma?" Len mumbled with a puzzled look.
"Oh, my dear Len! How much strict I am, she still retorted against me! I always like this kind of girls! You have a very awesome taste, my dear grandson! I will definitely teach her more things." Mika praised. "Oh, by the way, my dear granddaughter-in-law; I was just influenced by Lenon's strictness. I think Len's coldness was inherited from him."
"Huh?"
The door burst open and Mika pretended to be teaching her. "Ok, once again." She instructed with fake coldness.
"Grandpa?" Len called as Lenon sat on the couch.
"I want to see if my wife is not fooling around. You know her." Lenon explained. "Anyway, why are you so kind towards your bride-to-be, that's rare."
"I'm not kind at all, Grandpa. I was pretending to be." Len replied and smirked when Kaho threw him a death glare.
"Now, do it from the top." Mika commanded.
Len interrupted. "Can I try being her partner?"
"Of course." Mika answered and stepped aside.
"Shall we dance, m'lady? " Len offered his hand and she placed hers on the top.
"Of course, monsieur."
They swayed. Step to the right. To the left. Step backwards then forward. Let go of each other then spin around then take each other's hands again as they swayed and Kaho was spun around.
They continued the cycle as the music in the background continues to play.
As it finished, Kaho curtsied and Len bowed. "You stepped on my foot twice."
Kaho blushed and pouted. "I am still a beginner, you know."
Len shrugged. "But that was a nice performance from a beginner." Len praised.
"Rea—"
"Don't take me seriously. I only half-meant that."
"Grrr!" Kaho protested.
Len's parents laughed in the background as Kaho tried to chase after the dodging-her-punches Len. Mika grinned secretly as Lenon's eyes narrowed.
Lenon huffed. "I see that you two really do love each other." He mumbled.
"Yes and—" Len was cut off by his own grandfather.
" Anyway, I won't give my blessing towards you two." Lenon added and stood up.
"Papa, why?" Hamai Misa asked.
"Father...is there something the matter?" Mr. Tsukimori added.
"Lenon, that is too much. Don't you want our only grandson to be happy?" Mika snapped.
Lenon frowned. "I don't approve of that Kahoko Hino. She came from an average family. And as a Tsukimori, he should marry someone who came from the First Class Families as well. Not a girl like her. I want someone like Shiori Hoshino."
Len frowned and placed Kaho between his two arms and hugged her tightly. "No. I refuse. I will marry Kahoko."
Lenon glared at all of them and they all froze. "Len will marry Shiori Hoshino! That's an order!" He declared and went to his room.
A/N: IMPORTANT!
In this FF, For the Tsukimori Family, whatever the head of the family orders shall be granted. You cannot refuse or say No. It will always be a Yes.
Anyway, WHAT WILL LEN AND ESPECIALLY KAHOKO DO?
Hey, sorry for the late update!
Hope you like it though!
Sorry for mistakes!
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Lastly, FOR ALL THOSE WHO READ AND REVIEWED IN THE CHAPTER TWELVE! THANK YOU EVRY MUCH! TEHY ARE ALL APPRECIATED!
I will try to update soon!
Sneak Peek:
"No! I won't do it!" Len yelled at his Grandfather and all Kaho could do is watch in the background.
"Len! Don't you dare disgrace our Family's reputation!" Lenon snapped.
"I won't disgrace any family's reputation! Can't I marry for love? I'm sick of being manipulated by you Grandpa. If Mom and Dad still live, surely, they will stand by my side."
"But, they're dead."
Kaho gasped as Len froze.
"I still won't do it." Len mumbled. "I WON'T!"
"Len Tsu—" Lenon's retort was cut off when he clutched his chest and catch his breath.
"Grandpa?" Len asked.
Lenon continued to breathe heavily.
"Grandpa!" Len panicked.
FAST FORWARD:
"What will we do now, Len?" Hamai Misa sobbed.
Len looked down. "Kahoko."
"Yes?"
He covered his eyes with his bangs and his tone is shaky. "Let's cancel the engagement. Let's stop this."
"Huh? Wait...No, Len. You can't be say—"
Len clenched his fists. "I will marry Shiori Hoshino."
Her eyes widened as tears started to pour down from her eyes.