Chapter Six: More Changes

UPLOADING GOT SCREWED UP because of technical problems. I'm sorry, this is definitely not RukawaXHaruko. Please read the short summary. It was indicated there.

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Kaede was catching his breath when he arrived back the Kouya fast-food. He found where Haruko was seated.

"Sorry, I just saw someone and---" he knew that he didn't want to tell her about all those stuff like how he thinks he feels for Erin.

"I'm just fine," she said, smiling. She noticed he was holding a paper, and she had a glance on the picture posted in it.

"What's that?"

Kaede's face was flushed, and it was so obvious. He was unable to say anything, and he was frozen for a while. "It's… a… bio-data… of… someone… that… must not be in my hands!" he explained slowly, trying to think of a nice excuse (more appropriate: of a LIE).

"I see." Haruko said "and it belongs to a girl."

"Hey wait! It's not what it is… I mean…" he was out of words.

Haruko continued eating. Then she paused after Kaede had placed the bio-data carefully on his coat.

"You don't have to explain to me everything or tell me everything." She said sadly. "anyway, we're not in a serious relationship, aren't we?"

Kaede suddenly looked at her and he feels sorry for lying. He doesn't know how to answer her question. Then Haruko suddenly smiled at him.

"Anyway, let's forget it." She said. "here's your money. You were hurrying that you just gave me 600 yen!"

"Oh," he said. "Sorry,"

"Sorry?" she asked. "Why say sorry? It's really nothing! I am so happy to spend time with you…"

"Me too…" he just said out of the blue. Then he suddenly smiled. Haruko saw this, but his smile looks like it's not for her. He looks so different from that cold exterior everyone knows.

But still, his affection seems elusive for her.

Kaede was still pondering about Erin. Was it really coincidental? Just a while ago, he was amazed by her picture then afterwards he's seeing the girl in person.

Fat chance, he thought. I once do not believe in being attracted to someone, but… it feels nice.

"Haruko, there's something I wanted to… talk about…" he suddenly said without further notice. Haruko's nervousness came back to life.

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"What's taking them so long?" Sakuragi asked. "Man, this sure is annoying!"

"Then go home, idiot." Akagi said in a very dangerous tone.

"N-No… I'm staying…" he said.

"Hey, buddy…" Ryota said, with teasing eyes. "You want us to have a bet?"

"Shut up!" Sakuragi exclaimed.

"Stop it, Haruko has arrived!" Ayako shouted.

Haruko arrived at their house about 2 PM.

"I'm going now." She said to Kaede, who was as silent as usual. "Thanks for today. Don't you worry, I'm sure if you try to go to that place, then the girl will possibly like you."

He looked at her. "I am not sure."

"Why lose confidence now?" she asked. "You can ask help to them…"

"I'll think it over. Maybe we'll see each other again," he smiled. "I'm just weird today."

Haruko waved her hand. "Bye."

"Bye," he said and he walked now. Haruko was watching him as he walks away. Suddenly, she felt hurt.

"I was definitely dumped," she said. "I knew it. On the first place, he's doing this because he follows what my brother said."

"… Anyway, I just need not to take it deeply." She told herself. "At least I've met the real Rukawa-kun. And I figured out that he is also capable of being in loved…"

"Oi! Haruko-san!" Sakuragi yelled from the door.

"Sakuragi-kun, hi." She said softly. "Is the team here too?"

"Yup." He answered. "What happened? Did he---"

Haruko shook her head. "He's not that interested in me." She murmured. "I-It's fine. I also have some news for you."

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"I'm home." Kaede said, looking straight to where the surveillance camera is.

"Young Master, come in." a voice said. Then the gates opened.

Kaede was again welcomed by a line-up of maids. One was about to take his coat away to the laundry, but…

"Hey, I'm taking something from there!" he exclaimed frantically, and they all were surprised by his sudden actions. He got the bio-data from his coat's pocket and ran into his room.

"What's wrong with him?" the butler asked "He's usually not that lively. Maybe he's sick."

The other maids were so surprised by what the family's loyal butler quoted. It was weird to say that this guy is sick because he's so lively. It seems opposite.

On the other hand, they do not doubt that butler for he's been serving the Young Master for about 15 years already. Or maybe… Rukawa Kaede is just REALLY weird.

He was on his room, scanning the bio data Erin had written.

"Let's see… February 8 is her birthday. 15 years old?" he began to read. "Tamaki Private School For Girls. Not bad…"

"… Address… I got it." He said. But then a second thought came in. "Should I go?"

"I'm going now." She said to Kaede, who was as silent as usual. "Thanks for today. Don't you worry, I'm sure if you try to go to that place, then the girl will possibly like you."

"She might have a point." He said. "I'll go and give this back."

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