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CHAPTER 10
Surprise me!
Keira snorted remembering her encounter with Tora. She had been surprised that the heir would invite her to dinner but it was not a date!
"Hmmmph, this is not a date!"
Keira had solid resolve that her feelings will not be swayed just because the brat is cute!
"Ha, HE. IS. NOT. CUTE!"
Keira wrinkled her nose as she chastised herself mentally. Never will she succumb to the brat's deceitful charms.
At exactly 7 in the evening, Keira heard Tora's limo parked outside her apartment. Checking herself for the last time, she noted that her simple midnight blue dress has no creases and its elbow length sleeve is modest enough. Her goal is to look not too formal and not too casual.
"No plunging neckline, CHECK!"
No expose knees, CHECK!
She nailed her desired look tonight and she was pleased with how she looked. Her light make up had accentuated her youthful features making her look fresh and glowing. Although she had opted to go for a mature make-up look, somewhere along her make-up session, she got tempted to go for the peachy colors in her make-up palette since it had always been her favorite.
"Nee-chan, your date is here!" Keira heard Ren called her. She immediately run downstairs, clutching her black sandals in her hand. She almost stumble in her descent as she saw Tora in his immaculate white suit.
"Honestly, couldn't he wear something else? Why can't he choose something that's less… less… attractive?" Keira grumbled. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Keira immediately greeted her guest.
"Good evening, Tora-kun!", she smiled.
Instead of answering her, Tora just chuckled.
"What?" Keira automatically flared up, blushing and unsure what Tora is chuckling about. Her heated cheeks tells her she's now as red as a tomato.
"How dare this kid insinuate such insult when she had prepared to look her best for him tonight!"Urggggghhh… not really the best, I know I'm not really good looking compared to his girl friends in magazines but at the very least, I'm not ugly, right?" Keira wanted to shoo her depressing thoughts away but it had already penetrated her entire system.
"You," Tora held Keira's chin up. Her threatening gaze just made her all the more adorable in Tora's eyes.
"What about me?" Keira almost faltered as she got a whiff of Tora's minty cologne. Why is this idiot is still grinning?
"You didn't surprise me!" Tora grinned wider.
"Hmmmpph…. as if I'm trying!" Keira snorted.
"No, you're not. But…"
"What? What?" Keira is at the end of her patience and is annoyed at the idiot in front her.
"You interest me." Tora gazed at Keira with such intensity that made Keira's heart pound faster. He seemed grim and Keira wonders if he is mad about something. His face is suddenly too close for her comfort and its as if the air grew thick with unknown tension but Keira couldn't take her eyes away from Tora's.
Ren snorted in the background and it's as if the spell disappears.
"I… I…"
Yes?
I'm hungry, let's get going…
"Without wearing your sandals?" Tora chuckled once more.
Keira glanced at her feet, her mind blank.
"Let me," she heard Tora say before kneeling in front of her slipping her sandals with ease.
"What is this brat doing?" she mentally gasped, embarrassed that the great Igarashi heir had kneeled in front of her.
"Let's go," in an instant Tora caught Keira's hand and rested it on his own, making Keira extremely nervous, not quite understanding Tora's behavior and her own reactions.
This is it! This is really it! Oh God, oh God. I'm not mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for this! Spare me from all kinds of temptation. Oh God, I know I shouldn't have done this! Did I tempt this beautiful child to be in this kind of abomination? Oh God, I know I shouldn't have done this. Help me make it through this dinner date. I know I shouldn't have agreed to this, but I just can't help myself. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry…
Keira tried to rub her palms to calm her jittery nerves.
"Are you done with your prayer, Sensei?
Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh, Keira mentally screamed! He heard me!
"Yes," Keira whispered all the while groaning at herself in embarrassment.
"Are you nervous?"
"Yes… There's no point in denying now, is there?"
"Hmmm…Is this your first date?"
"Yes…" Keira breathlessly answered.
"Really?"
"Yes, is that so wrong?" Keira wanted to hide her embarrassment of the topic. She never had any chance to date in her younger years since she was too focused with her studies. But why does she feel so incompetent right now? Is it because she is dating a person with far more experience than she had? Who had dated girls with a lot of experience in the dating arena?
Tora knew his teasing had been out of control the moment Keira pouted with a sad look on her face. He knew she is nervous and he knew that this is her very first date. It's just that he couldn't help but tease her about it because he was too happy inside and he will never let her realize how this is affecting him far too much.
"No, not really. But it is puzzling though."
Keira was silent but she waited for Tora to continue.
"It's making me think."
Keira's eyebrows shoot up indicating that she is listening.
"Maybe… you were ugly?"
"What?"
Tora laughed.
"Your… face… that look… is priceless!" Tora said between his fits of laughter.
You beast!" Keira pinch Tora's arm lightly. Tora was still laughing though.
Keira lost all her nervousness then. She realized that Tora wants her to be at ease with their date. And she's grateful for his efforts.
Their date turned out to be a pleasant one. Tora brought her to a posh restaurant near a beach with a fantastic view and mouth-watering delicacies. Keira realized that there is nothing to be afraid or nervous of their date. It was just a friendly one and Tora turned out to be good company. She had behaved like a child to which Tora had graciously understand amidst his generous teasing and snide remarks.
"Ne, Tora-kun…"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for tonight!" Keira gleefully said. She was basking in happiness and the moonlight had not only added to her allure but had created an ethereal glow that she did not notice. They were walking along the shore to gaze at the stars.
"Did you have a good time, Sensei?"
"Yes I had a wonderful time!" Keira smiled.
She wanted to tell him so many things tonight but had opted to keep quiet. It would be much too embarrassing to seem childish to someone younger than her, especially since she had already embarrassed herself earlier.
"Will you kiss me good night then?" Tora asked solemnly.
"Ehhh? You!" Keira pointed with narrowed eyes.
Yes me, who else should it be? Don't worry, I'll close my eyes!" Tora chuckled as he close his eyes.
"Hmmmpphh… as if that would help!" Keira muttered.
Keira expected Tora to budge, but Tora was still waiting.
The brat is really waiting for his kiss!
Looking at Tora, Keira knew he deserve it. He was such a gentleman tonight that she had felt comfortable in his company. She knew without a doubt that she's fond of the boy even though he got on her nerves most of the time.
Keira tiptoed for a chaste kiss on Tora's cheek but Tora seemed to have other plans since he immediately grab Keira's waist causing her to be out of balance, planting a hard peck on the side of Tora's lips.
Tora opened his eyes, gazing intently at Keira.
"I forgot that you don't know how to kiss yet," Tora stated as casually causing Keira to open her mouth in astonishment, just in time as Tora swooped to claim his kiss.
It was slow at first, with Tora gently brushing and nipping Keira's lips. He then lick Keira's lower lips as if asking permission for the sensual assault to come. Keira knew that this was not the kiss that she expected but she couldn't help but surrender to these sudden warm feelings Tora is invoking within her. Tora wasted no time to deepen their kiss by licking and sucking, biting and nipping and when Keira tried to respond by gently licking his lower lips, he almost moaned in pleasure. He rewarded her with another fiery kiss never letting go until his breath allowed him to. The kiss felt so right and sweet and Keira couldn't help but be embarrass that she had shared it with the Igarashi heir.
Is this always how a kiss is? Does it always make one feel good and warm inside?
"Sensei."
"Yes?" Keira wondered how she found her voice.
"Do you like me?" Tora asked her too quietly and his intense steely gaze is back again.
"Ehhhhhhhhh? Why are you asking such embarrassing questions?" Keira wanted to hide her face in utter embarrassment.
"Why would you be embarrass to answer such question? It's just a simple question."
"That's because…." Keira looked teary eyed now.
What happened to you Tora-kun? Did you eat something you don't like? Why are you asking these questions that even I don't know the answer yet?
"Then let me rephrase my question, do you have someone you like?" Tora had asked her with such cold fury that Keira couldn't help but answer truthfully.
"No."
"Good. So, you do like me?" Keira wanted to think that Tora is joking going on and on with his questions but his steely gaze that seemed predatory is fixed at her.
"Well, I like you but..."
Tora immediately held her hands.
"Oh my Sensei, I didn't know you would confess your feelings tonight," Tora gleefully teased as he kissed the back of Keira's hands.
"Don't twist my words, you idiot!" Keira tried to pull her hands off but Tora held them firmly.
Hai, hai…
"Don't you dare misunderstand!" Keira raised her voice in annoyance.
"Hai, Sensei! Don't worry!"
Keira huffed in annoyance as once again, she became victim to Tora's manipulations.
Sensei, since we agreed not to misunderstand each other, can we celebrate this start of our mutual agreement? Tora grinned at her, mischief alight in his eyes.
"Hmmpph," Keira snorted unhappily.
"Why don't we kiss again to reaffirm our mutual agreement?" Tora widened his smile into a warm seductive one, which didn't passed unnoticed to Keira this time.
"You wish!"