Chapter 6

I awoke to the aroma of bacon, pancakes and eggs the next morning. My stomach could not help but groan in surrender as I rolled on the couch unto my side. I stretched lazily and my mind soon came back to reality as I became aware of my immediate surroundings. "Now I remember," I whispered to myself. I rubbed my palm against my face trying to erase the sleep from my eyes. Without my consent, my stomach soon began to grumble again.

"Seems like someone is hungry."

I took a peak above my fingers as I gradually slid my palms away from my face. My cheeks flushed red in embarrassment as Kouran entered the living room in greeting. She stretched her hand out towards me to welcome me into the kitchen.

"I'll meet you there in a second," I responded. "I just need to use the bathroom."

The flush of the toilet rumbled behind me as I venerated myself in front the mirror. My cheeks were still flushed red as I thought about the four walls that bordered me.

"Chichiri-san, your breakfast is getting cold!"

"I'm coming," I sighed heavily. I dried off my hands thoroughly and headed back to the kitchen.

Kouran was glowing. She seemed happier than I had seen her in days. She seemed so at peace as she moved back and forth setting the remaining dishes unto the table. "Knife?" she offered.

"No thanks," I responded. "A fork alone shall do just fine." I pulled at one of the vacant chairs that surrounded the four-seated table and welcomed myself to the pan of scrambled eggs. "Shall I?" I motioned to serve her. She nodded her head in approval and the same process was repeated for the remainder of breakfast items. And the only sound that remained to be heard was the chime of our cutlery as we ate in silence.

I was becoming a bit too observant of my setting as my eyes could not help but stray to the attire Kouran wore. It was funny how life would just serve you distractions even though some of them could prove to be so wrong. Still clothed in pajamas and bedroom slippers, the curve of her shape involuntarily showed so clearly. The way her chest heaved and hoed with her every breath and every chew, I felt an upheaval of anxiety – the erratic thoughts of a man who lacked companionship over the past few weeks. I could feel my face burn red as I hoped that this unease would fade. And to avoid any reason for embarrassment, I decided to excuse myself from the table.

"Are you alright?" Kouran inquired. "You don't look too well."

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied, knowing fully well that I was far from it. "I should get going I suggested to her. One hour from now I'll have to be at work"

She stared at the digital clock on the microwave as the numbers showed 8 AM. Her happy disposition soon faded now replaced with worry lines gathered upon her face. I thought of how lonely it must be without Hikou around, the one part of her turmoil I could surely relate to.

I could vaguely remember the last time I had been with a kind and generous woman. Heartbreak tends to do that to the strongest of souls, draining your confidence and building skepticism. I always tended to be very guarded, using women to feed my sexual desires that never seemed to wane. However, Kouran seemed to be comforting my malnourished soul. Though guilt consumed me as I enjoyed her company, a part of me could not repel that yearning to remain. I wanted to protect, to be there for her and even more so, to erase her solitude since Hikou could not. I hoped that deep down inside, as a friend, I was doing the right thing, the right thing by sticking by her side while suppressing my budding feelings.

"Chichiri-san?"

I turned to face Kouran who was staring at me bewilderedly. "You were spaced out for a second there," she interceded.

"I apologize… And Kouran…" I paused in response. "…Please… like the old times… please don't be so formal and just call me Chichiri." Her warm smile returned as she nodded in agreement.

I finished pushing my chair in and I cleared the dishes from the table. She decided to do the same and arose from the table setting as well. I left her placing the dirty dishes into the dishwasher as I resigned to the bathroom to wash my face and my hands. Time was creeping up under me as I hastened my paste and my heart raced even faster. With my face and hands still damp, I shrugged myself into my coat that was hanging in the hallway closet and I hurriedly gathered my belongings.

"I'll see you later,' I assured Kouran. "And I'll be visiting Hikou tonight."

"I'll see you then," she replied and the last thing I saw was her smile fading as I hurried out the door.

B R E A K

A/N: I'll admit that this chapter was purposely cut short. Please don't be too mad at me.