Disclaimer: I do not own Hakuouki or the characters of Hakuouki. Nevertheless, I own some of the characters as well as the plot of this story.

A/N: Hi all, March is finally coming to an end and here I present you an update before Apr march in.

Getting anxious aren't we?

Now, enjoy~

Crystal 21: Tangled

Okita-san, I thought I could put my trust in you. Why do you leave me?

No... Chizuru... I'm sorry, I need to make things clear with her. I'm sorry.

Okita-san... Goodbye...

No... Chizuru, please don't go. No, no, no!

The auburn hair man helplessly flung opened his heavy eyes to notice that he was not in his usual big comfy bed, but in a Futon. He was surrounded with a bamboo scent, tatami flooring, a traditional Japanese room.

Leaving his futon, Souji made his way to the window. He was in a three-storey old-fashioned ryokan, his room is in the second floor. It was near dawn. The streets were about to be awaken by the almighty golden king of the sky. Silently, he sat by the window, allowing the faint sunlight to enlighten his dreadful soul.

That cursing dream again. It's causing me a severe headache. Chizuru…

Then, Souji saw a shadow on the street. The figure elegantly waltzed the empty street, and started a slow dance alone. As the sun made its way higher from the hills, the figure was revealed. The black haired lady continued to dance along the lonely road, swaying her head, as the breeze carried her hair into the air. She was wearing a red flowery silk kimono and a white furry scarf. A ray of sunshine was painted all over her face. The scene might be intoxicating for the fifteen years old Okita Souji, but the current seventeen years old man only watched her with a remorseful heart.

She was the reason he came back to Kyoto for, the woman who once stolen his heart - Kimigiku.

"Good morning, Okita-san," greeted Yumi, the owner of the ryokan, while she started placing Souji's breakfast in his room.

"Good morning, Okami-san. How's Kimi-... Yurika doing? Has she recalled anything about me?" asked Souji as he continued monitoring Kimigiku.

"I'm afraid no, Okita-san," replied Yumi sternly. She silently watch Souji lowered his head and started punching the floor. He was perturbed at such developments. It had been a week since he left his home and came to Kimigiku. He tried many ways to make her regain her memories, including bringing her to all the places they both spent before, telling her about Riko, reminding her about the incident and her initial promise with him, still, she shown no emotion but antipathy towards his actions.

"Ok then, I will continue to try again."

Yumi stood up and seconds before she shut the sliding door, she muttered softly, "It's just, some part of her just couldn't forgive your father…"

The whispers caught Souji's ears. Souji blinked and stayed rooted to the spot. So, she DOES have her memories engraved in her brain after all.

"Kimigiku."

The lady in red continued her way into a narrow pathway.

"I know, you still unable to forgive my father for his deeds."

The man in black kimono and haori followed the lady closely.

"Kimigiku…I could not undo the reality anymore. Can we please sit down and have a serious talk?"

The lady wordlessly clenched her fist tightly and stomped into the forest after they went passed a rundown shrine.

They ambled past the tall healthy pine trees and finally came to a jewel-blue stream. It was seeping and dribbling as it swerved through the trees. It jumped for joy over the timeworn rocks. She bent her head down to drink from it, then she threw a stare at him before she sat down. He gazed at her and leisurely took a seat beside her, while waiting for her to break the ice.

The scenery was magical. The mountains stood silently in the background, a brooding presence of sky punching majesty. A weeping waterfall poured from a gash in the rock face. It looked like a slide of silk-blue flowing down the mountain. Carrying its load of ice crystals, it appeared hemmed with silver. The sight was highly awe-inspiring.

Just before both of them turned into statues as the weather started to turn cold, Kimigiku finally cut the first turf.

"I can never forgive him. Riko was my world," she spoke as she tightened her fists.

Souji watched the black haired lady trying her best to endure her sadness and anger.

"Kimigiku, I owed you my life. Please give me a chance to redeem you," Souji kneeled in front of the broken lady and sincerely announced his intention while he held her hands closely.

Kimigiku hesitated and when she tried to break free from Souji's hands, he pulled her gently to him and wrapped her like a little child.

"Please…Kimigiku," he whispered earnestly.

"I will help you. I will be your strongest assistance in building a world, similar to what you've lost. If only you allow."

Inhaling his familiar scent, the lady finally gave in. She strained Souji to her heart with tears. "I missed you so much, Souji…."

"I'm sorry, Kimigiku," replied Souji and he placed a longing kiss on the woman's forehead. He gave her a thin smile, hiding his true feelings behind the façade of his, reluctant to destroy the momentary happiness.

Kimigiku was so contented with the outcome until she suddenly recalled Chizuru, a girl who was hugged like a piece of fragile crystal by Kazama Chikage and who was chased after by Souji right before her eyes.

"Souji, who was the girl you and Kazama-sama was after that day?" asked Kimigiku in a stern tone, wanting to get a clear answer before she made up her mind.

Souji's stomach sank to the deep blue sea at the mentioned girl. The exultant, the bashful, the angry, the sorrowful, and the blissful faces of the girl he adored flashed in his brain, and crashed into glittery dust when he bid her farewell soundlessly on that faithful morning.

Slowly, Souji rested his chin on Kimigiku's shoulder, his expression changed a little from rejoice to bitter smile. He stared into the distance in his tired half lidded eyes.

"She's my class rep." Someone who's beyond important to me.

Kimigiku's heart skipped a second at Souji's short answer, she could felt his bundle of nerves and shivers even though he tried to musk them perfectly well. Instead of digging into the matter, she chose to ignore and live in a fool's paradise, in order not to repent.

"Ok. Let's go back, Souji. It's getting cold out here."

The auburn haired man nodded and they left the forest tickled pink.

"Now let us figure the meaning of this idiom "cry over spilled milk". Can anyone answer this? Let's see… Chizuru-chan?" asked Harada while he looked at Chizuru straightly.

Chizuru did not respond. She continued to doze off while staring at the scenery outside the window. Her brain had been bombarded with too many facts. Okita Souji's disappearance. Kamaza Chikage's proposal. Toshi-san's goodbye. Each alone is able to drown her to death as she was terrible in cracking romance related mysteries.

"Chizuru-chan?" whispered Senhime worriedly as she noticed that Harada was already sauntering towards Chizuru's desk.

Still, none of the surrounding words seemed to enter Chizuru's brain, until Harada placed his textbook on her desk and he slowly kneeled down to look at the girl.

Without bothering anyone's glares, the cherry red haired homeroom teacher turned Chizuru's cheeks to face him. The gesture gave her a big shock and she jumped out from her chair, snapping out of her misery.

"I..I'm sorry, Harada-sensei!" Chizuru sincerely bowed at Harada and her cheeks were burning hot when all of her classmates burst into laughter. It was the very first time they see such flustered and dozed off Chizuru. Usually, she always demonstrated as the perfect and gentle student. The perfect mask which was crumbled by Souji earlier.

Harada smiled gently and responded, "Are you with us now?"

"Yes!" affirmed the girl.

"Great! We shall continue with the lesson now…"

Chizuru sighed in relief while she quickly sat back onto her chair. Her mind remained blank throughout the day until the bell finally rung and school was over.

Watching the emotionless Chizuru, Senhime quickly leaned over nervously, "Chizuru-chan, are you still very concerned about Okita Souji's whereabouts? "

The brown haired girl finally looked into Senhime's direction, feeling puzzled. Her mouth opened and closed continuously for a few second till some words bubbled out from her mouth, "Yes and no, Osen-chan. Yes as in I want to know the reason he left me without a note, no as in I wish to throw everything about him out of my mind from now on."

Senhime's worried face sank even deeper when she no longer saw the joyful and flourishing girl in front of her anymore, not at that very moment. She appreciated and treasured Chizuru like her little sister even though they were not blood related because Chizuru was her very first truthful companion.

"Chizuru-chan, don't worry. I will be at your assistance whenever you need. Just remember that I'm always beside you, like you are always beside me whenever I needed support," said Senhime as she firmly held tight Chizuru's hands, making sure that her best friend will count on her during critical times.

At first, Chizuru was shocked, then she slowly calmed herself and returned with a sweet wink, "Of course I will always count on you, Osen-chan. Rest assure!"

Feeling finally relaxed, Senhime slipped the mind bothering question she had in her throat since morning. "Er-, Chizuru-chan, I have something bothering me since morning. When you and Kazama Chikage became so close to each other? I saw he kissed your… "

Chizuru blushed furiously when that scene was seen by someone else. I thought it was very early in the morning and none should have arrived near the school…

She cleared her throat and nervously replied her best friend, "O-Osen-chan, i-it's not what you saw actually...Kazama Chikage… I-I don't know why he got so clingy to me. I rejected him since we were in Kyoto but he still returns without any sign of giving up. I'm confused and headache with his actions. Yet…"

Chizuru stopped when she recalled how the golden hair man sounded so gentle but firm, there was still a tinge of possessiveness in his voice. When he confessed his feelings sincerely, it stroke her like lightning but she still chose not to believe him since she had been through an upsetting romantic relationship. She slowly lowered her head to hide her sorrow.

Senhime watched Chizuru paused halfway through her conversation. She bent quietly in front of Chizuru. To her repulsion, the girl was desperately holding back her tears, her hands crumped into fists as she bit her lower lip.

"Don't force yourself to think about it anymore, Chizuru-chan," another male voice rung up beside the two girls. Senhime looked up and was startled to find Harada had silently caressed the broken girl's head and he patted her back gently, hoping to release her inaudible stress. He was heartbroken to see the girl pressuring herself and trying to act out fine to everyone even though she was clearly anything but that.

Instead of pouring her true feelings, Chizuru choked and killed the tears in her eyes and chose to squeeze out a bright smile on her face as she deliberately lifted her head to face Senhime and Harada. "I'm fine, Osen-chan, Harada-sensei. Thank you for your concern. I promise that I'll figure out this situation and return as the same cheerful Chizuru in no time. Now I need to go home to prep for dinner, goodbye and happy holidays!" the hazel eye girl nervously packed her bag and rushed to the entrance to have her indoor shoes changed to boots, then stepped out of the school compound in a speed of lightning.

"Chizuru..." it was that same voice again that rung her. She stiffened and furrowed her brows in agony.

"I'm here to pick you up, to where I belonged to. I already had a conversation with your father earlier this afternoon and he had agreed to allow you to come with me." His deep manly voice seemed to trigger Chizuru dangerously.

Chizuru let out a long sigh and headed towards the voice. "Just this one time. No more connection between you and me after this," she demanded.

The man lightly smirked and softly, he whispered at her ear, "we shall see."

With that, she was ushered into the trillionaire's Lamborghini and they flew off in a vociferous sound, leaving the dried leaves scattered around the entrance of the school, and many dumbfounded and envious students behind.

The atmosphere in the car was cold and hushed. Kazama continued to drive and speed gradually while Chizuru slummed into her seat, head leaned sideways and enjoyed the snowy scenery from the window. They strolled along the bare trees in a lonely road until they hit the highway. It said road to Karuizawa. Chizuru's heavy eye lids were shut moments later as Kazama was driving too comfortably.

From time to time, he peeped at the girl beside him, sleeping soundly and looking so peaceful. Her pure white, pinkish skin was able to make her features stand out. He dragged his coat which he discarded carelessly in the backseat and wrapped it over the petite girl, fearful that she may caught a cold even he had turned on the heater in his car, then he continued his journey to his mansion.

When he finally arrived at the door step of his mansion, he prudently retrieved the girl from his car and steadily headed towards one of the finest guest rooms to place her on the comfy bed. The girl was still asleep despite all events took place. Kazama chuckled, wondering that how restless she could be without even noticing that she had already been transferred.

He brushed her hair to the side to reveal her elegant face feature, then unknowingly planted a perk on her lips. He was smitten to her and wanted to make her, his in no time. However, his conscious drew him to a standstill as he wanted to gain trust and love from the girl to make things work, unlike the previous time. Thus, he stood up and headed to the door. Before leaving, he ordered the maids to keep an eye on her and have her changed to sleeping gown.

"Sweet dreams, Chizuru."

A gleam of luminosity sneaked into the room and it gave a warm kiss on Chizuru's cheeks, stirring her to wake to the heated touch.

Chizuru's eyes fluttered open, drossiness still clinging to her. The sun poured its glitters into the room and faint sounds of chirping birds could be heard from the window beside her. She blinked slowly, eyes gradually adjusting to the light. And she panicked. She immediately scanned through the foreign surroundings to find that she was not in the car with Kazama anymore.

I must've slept so deeply until I was brought here unknowingly. Another stranger's house. She sighed as she tried pulling herself up but was held backwards instead into someone's embrace.

Feeling her shivers running down her spine, Chizuru slowly peeped over her shoulder to see the culprit. It turned out as expected, she sheepishly stared at the sleeping man beside her. His mouth slightly parted and lightly snoring in his dreams. His hands and legs were wrapped around her waist and tightened like a child hugging his beloved bolster. She attempted to escape from his embrace noiselessly but he strengthened his grip when she struggled. Letting out a long sigh and fought to contain her diffidence, she chose to wake the blonde man up so she can be released.

"Kazama-san, I know you are awake. Please release me from your grip now."

Kazama thinly smiled as he opened his eyes to find the troubled girl. It had been a long while since he last had a peaceful sleep. Recalling the night before, he had indeed returned to his room to work on all his piled up desk work until three in the morning. Once he had enough of it, he stared at his empty cold bed for a second. Instead of crawling into the icy, fleecy coffin, he chose to slip into Chizuru's bed. The girl, who had been changed into a pink silky sleeping gown by his maids, was still sleeping soundly like a sleeping beauty. He snorted at the heavy sleeper and hugged her near his chest. He fell to his slumber in minutes.

"Kazama-san….."

Kazama finally decided to loosen his grip. Almost immediately, she jumped off his hands and sat at the end of the bed, staring at him while hoping that he will not do something funny again.

The blonde turned and locked his eyes on the blushing girl, he rested his chin on his palm, while chuckled softly.

Chizuru was flustered with his move and stares. "Wh-What is it so funny about, Kazama-san? And may I ask why you are in my bed?"

"Hmm…it is a great view not to be missed. Luckily I had chosen to spend the night with you," answered Kazama, adjusting his bangs as his eyes moved from Chizuru's eyes to her mouth, then to her bare shoulders, finally to her chest.

Looking stunned and confused, Chizuru followed his gaze towards herself. She let out an embarrassing shout as soon as she noticed that her uniform is nowhere to be found on her body, and was only covered with a thin piece of pink silky sleeping gown. She quickly hid herself tightly underneath the quilt cover, her face steamed fiercely in blush.

Finally, the man started to giggle and he went to retrieve a bath rope from the drawers, then tossed to the girl. He, too adjusted his black silky robe and headed to the door. "My maids will get you dressed. Just stay put."

Growling in anger and demean, Chizuru had to stay still until she had fresh proper attires to be changed into before she could leave the place.

The dining room was filled with the scent of infectious delicious food, soft clashing sounds of cutleries, a faint munching sound of the man and girl, who were sitting face to face in the long table. Chizuru scanned the marvelous architecture of Kazama's mansion. The last time when she came, it was during night time and the mansion was too crowded for her to relish the place.

The mansion tucked into the forest was surrounded by trees on all sides, giving off a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere to whoever arrive and stay in the mansion. She admirably gazed at all the ancient, pricy furniture and pieces of ornaments around, before returning to Kazama who had already finished his breakfast, and was closely scuntinising the maiden who acted like a small child that was just brought to a castle, full of mysteries for her to solve. She quickly lowered her head and continued digging into her breakfast, unassertively.

As she knew for now, Kazama was a man of few words, and it was arduous for her to understand this man and what he really wanted from her.

Chizuru took a deep breath after swallowing the last piece of sausage, then she ranted, "Kazama-san, can you please tell or show me the reason for bringing me here? I do not have all day for you."

"Follow me," eyeing the girl before him, Kazama stood up and headed out of the mansion.

Puzzled, Chizuru still chose to follow the blonde after fetching the long black coat prepared by the maids and they disappeared into the sunny woods.

The brown floor in the woods had turn pure white as petals of flakes flood the city in the wee hours of the morning. Despite the sun had climbed out of the mountains to spread its energy around the forest, but still it could not provide enough warmth to the chilly wind. Chizuru followed closely behind the tall blonde in black coat, who strolled graciously from tree to tree, branches to branches, without even tripping himself, especially when the ground was slippery and covered with scattered dried leaves and flowers.

Not the forest again… hissed Chizuru in her brain.

Glazed with frustrations, Chizuru still managed to pull herself through the trees until she tripped on a stubborn branch. She was so close to Kazama until her mistake made her grabbed hold on the back of his coat and fell onto his back hard. Feeling the stumble behind him, Kazama swiftly turned and noticed the petite brown hair girl had pulled back and was caressing her redden forehead.

"Your back is as hard as a rock, Kazama-san," moaned the girl innocently. She stood still, brows furrowed angrily, and gave a small kick at the branch that caused her misstep while mumbling in an annoyed tone.

Kazama grinned as it was the very first time him seeing a whole new Chizuru. She was whining in front of him. In his memory, she was always the sweet girl everyone loved, and always carried a smile whenever she went, only sometimes towards his intransigent actions, she will show some hidden impatient look.

Unconsciously, she had also fixed her eyes on him. In her memory, he was someone out of her league, someone who never really smiled, even if he did, the smile never reached his eyes. The man standing in front of her was clearly amused of her stupidity. He was a weird man.

The moment lasted only a minute when Kazama discovered his out of character action and coughed to hide his emotions. He then bent down in front of the girl and scooped Chizuru off the ground in the blink of an eye.

"Ah, Kazama-san! Please let me down. I can walk with my own feet," exclaimed the blushed girl as she squirmed to free herself from him.

Not in this position again! Screamed Chizuru deep in her heart.

"We should get going before the sky starts to snow again. Don't move. I'll put you down when we arrive at the destination," declared Kazama arrogantly as he tightened his grip on Chizuru.

Chizuru's mouth partly opened, trying to disagree but soon removed that choice after she noticed the sun beginning to hide behind the clouds, she nodded quietly.

A faint smile flickered across the blonde's lips, Kazama continued his journey down the serene path.

After about five minutes of walk, they ambled out from the lines of trees, and were greeted by the wintry air that brought scents of salty. Chizuru's eyes widened and mouth parted as soon as she saw the magnificent view before her. The lake lay silver in the bright sun light, not a perfect ovoid like a looking glass of old, but irregular like an ink-splat on aging concrete. The place was so serene and the only sound was the soft whispering of the trees.

Carefully, Kazama placed Chizuru onto the treacherous ground and he watched her slowly meandered towards the glass mirror. Under the sunshine, the lake was a perfect mirror for the mountains that surrounded it. The mountains opposite the lake were pristine and white, even the dark green of the pines were mostly coated in the crystalline snow. Above the lake was a glamorous gloriole, caused by ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere.

The girl kneeled down and picked up a stone, then threw it across the lake. It did not sink. Instead, it stayed up high above the iced water, waiting for winter to flee and spring to march in and bring it down to the bottom of the lake. A smile formed on the girl's lips. She loved looking or just being around a lake. It made her feel contented and peaceful. Every little detail around her was magical.

"This is where I spend most of my time when I was young," a deep voice broke the soundless environment. She turned around to face the man who had a heavy looking face plastered on him.

"I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, yet, I didn't gain much happiness from it. Countless obligation and responsibilities flood into my life like a matter of course. Just because I am Kazama Chikage. When I saw you, I see a pair of innocent wings of freedom, which is what made you striking like a shooting star in your own unique way. I want you in my life, in the pathway down the road beside me, Chizuru. I am in love with you," confessed Kazama as he too kneeled before Chizuru and looked her into her sparkle eyes.

Chizuru was astonished. She was caught unawares when Kazama's words came as a bolt from the blue. Few seconds later, she started slowly bowing her head, her cheeks are as pink as a spring rose, the blooming colour so adorable against her fair skin, her mouth opened and closed repeatedly as words still failed her. Chizuru turned back to face the frozen lake and unconsciously wrapped her folded up knees with her arms to gain warmth from the frosty breeze.

How the hell such man can got enamoured of me? I'm just a normal high school girl with no outstanding talent or looks! Why me? She screamed in her throat and screwed her eyes shut, reluctant to face the reality that went out of control.

Kazama knelt closer beside her and silently wrapped her whole body into his warm coat, to prevent her temperature from dropping any further down. He snaked his right hand to the side of her head and moved her towards him, allowing her to rest on his shoulder as he tilted his head towards her and rested on top of her head too. Moments later, she felt a faint water dropped onto her cheeks. She looked up and saw snow had silently fell from the heavens, softly covering the ground in a glittering blanket of white.

"Kazama-san…" she uttered softly, while watching her misty words float into the frozen air and dissolve in hushed beauty.

"Mm?" whispered the man as he pulled Chizuru closer.

"I-I never... this wasn't what I expected from you. You are always so conceited in decisions and you never listen to me when I tried ignoring and avoiding you from the beginning. But I…" before Chizuru could finish her sentence, her lips were shut by Kazama's index finger. Her eyes opened widely and stared into his crimson eyes as though she was going to be sucked into his world anytime.

Kazama smiled lightly at her and whispered in her ears, "Shh… this may come too sudden for you. But I want you to spend more time to think about it before giving me an answer." He then removed his finger from Chizuru's lips and helped the girl to stand on her feet.

"But… Kazama-san…"

"I insist. Also, call me Chikage…"

Looking at the stoic eyes wave the man sent to her, Chizuru let out a long unheard sigh and chose to remain silence.

A smile slowly formed on the man's lips and his eyes soften, "Good girl. Now let's return to the house before both of us turn into snow popsicles." Once he completed his sentence, he again hoisted Chizuru off the ground, and drifted straight to his mansion without looking at the blushed girl who shyly bit her bottom lip.

"Get some rest," uttered Kazama gently as he placed a kiss on Chizuru's cheeks when they reached at Chizuru's room doorstep.

Caught off guard again, Chizuru swiftly pushed the blonde man away and slipped into her room, and closed the door hard behind her. Her blush seared through her cheeks and for a minute she thought her face was on fire. Chizuru touched the cheek that was kissed by Kazama and ran her fingers through her hair to calm herself down.

What's with him! He just do whatever he feels like doing and he never think about how I felt! Urgh! This is killing me!

Tiredly, Chizuru dragged herself to her bed and slammed herself on it. A few moments later, she dipped her right hand into her pocket and fished out her phone.

'2 new messages from Harada-sensei and Osen-chan'

"Chizuru-chan, press forward. Do not stop. Do not linger in your journey. But strive for the mark set before you. Romance is only part of the thousand things in your life. Do not stop believing in your capabilities. I will be there to support you whenever you need me, cheers! Love, Harada."

"Chizuru-chan, if you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours to be owned; if they don't, they never were yours from the beginning. Release yourself from the burden which does not belongs to you will allow you to see the world in wider lenses. I trust you, as your best friend, that you will overcome this dilemma the next time I see you again. Call me whenever you need company. Love, Osen."

Tears clouded Chizuru's eyes, making her unable to see the words from her dear friend and teacher anymore. Finally, after a few days since Souji's disappearance, Chizuru managed to release her mixed feelings – sadness, anger, agitation, confusion through her cries. This was when she found out that she had been crazily in love with that emerald green eye man, as she suffocated from the reality of losing him.

Can I even get over him with this strong feeling of mine towards him and move on? I hate you for putting me in this position, Okita Souji! screamed Chizuru deep in her heart.

Kazama and Chizuru were now sitting silently at the dining table, enjoying their meal. Chizuru was in a blue traditional kimono which the maids had assisted to dress her in. She tried finding something simple from the closet but everything else were too grand to wear to a home dinner. Chizuru glanced at the big glass window beside her, the wind howled, piling up snow in drifts, blinding the night with ice-white dust. The woods looked like an unfinished painting. So much of the canvas was still perfectly white, as if waiting for the artist's hand to return. Inside the house, it was as warm as spring. She would be really lonely if she was the only person in this huge mansion.

How can he live in this huge mansion on his own, together with a butler and few maids? Doesn't he feel lonely?

She peeked a look at the man who's eating his meal in a suave manner. He, on the other hand was dressed in a simple brown kimono.

Whoa, rich people do need to equip themselves with various manners to keep them look good all the time huh… he somehow likes to dress in kimono…indulge old fashion, I presumed?

Chizuru thought as her eyes drifted towards his mouth and suddenly she recalled of the kiss he left on her cheek that morning. Immediately she lowered her head and continued her meal.

Kazama smirked at the girl's actions and he broke the ice, "Chizuru, let's visit an Onsen resort since the weather is so cold."

Chizuru locked her eyes on the man and asked suspiciously, "what's your motive, Kazama-san?"

"Hmm? What did I mentioned about addressing me?" Kazama arched a brow.

"I… I never promised that I'll call you that…it's…" Chizuru's voice trailed off when Kazama's aura turned red and stern. "Ok! Alright! Chi-Chi-Chi-..." Chizuru stole a peek at the man before her, who was still silently staring at her. Her cheeks were already kissed pink like a spring rose, blood rushing up to her face and was about to spill out from her pores anytime.

Sharply, she inhaled a deep breath, swallowed the large lump in her throat and collected herself. She resumed, "Chi-Chikage-san…"

A faint curve formed upwards at Kazama's lips. He was gratified the way his name rolled out from the girl's mouth. Sugary and tender. He gazed the blushed girl who was turning from pink to crimson every second amusedly, before looking back at his coffee.

"I just… wanted to have some quality time with you when I'm on my little break from work," intoned Kazama as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Nothing else?" observed Chizuru, her eyebrow raised a little.

"Nothing else."

"How many nights?"

"2 nights would be great."

"Separated room?"

"Yes."

"No funny actions?"

"No."

Chizuru loved hot springs, especially during winter season so she can warm her body to the fullest while enjoy the winter scenery. Thus, in a much defeated tone, she agreed to go with Kazama.

"How…How about my clothes? I just realised that I came here empty handed," questioned Chizuru awkwardly.

"Everything will be prepared in the resort itself, you just need to bring yourself," replied the crimson eyed man as he stood up and pottered towards Chizuru.

She was more cautious this time as she covered her face with her hands, feared that the man will do something funny again.

Looking down at the girl who had her face hidden behind her hands and only moved her index and middle finger apart from her eyes to peep a glimpse at the man before her, Kazama burst into laughter. The scene was too funny and it was his first time seeing such an amusing girl doing it.

Feeling embarrassed and stupid, Chizuru angrily stood up and shouted, "Don't you dare laugh! It was because you had been doing funny things to me and I had to prevent myself from getting trapped by your nonsense again!"

Kazama did not stopped from his laughers and Chizuru's face was now as red as tomato.

"Urgh! I'm going to bed now, goodnight!"

After a while, Kazama stopped laughing and he wiped the tears from his eyes, then stared at the reflection of his messed up form from the window in front of him. He ran his fingers through his hair and bangs madly. He tugged at the corners of his lips as if invisible elves were playing tug-of-war, but it soon disappeared.

Ah… my stomach aches. Since when had I stopped laughing like this… it's cruel if I do not get to own her…

*Crystal 21 end*