A/N: First of all, I'd like to congratulate myself for reaching the 1st anniversary of this story without me giving up, and still thriving to continue this. To celebrate, I'm giving you this special chapter which I hope will be special to you too, because this may be the real start for everything that may happen on the later chapters.

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Chapter 13: A Date…?

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(Kyouya's P.o.V)

What's taking her so long? I said to be here at exactly 10:45. It's not like I'm excited or anything when I decided to arrive at 10:30, I just don't want to be late because of traffic. But I'm not very patient when it comes to these things so I also told her to be at the foot of the stairs earlier than the appointed time.

I sighed before going out of the car, then pressed my back at the closed door while taking a glance at my wrist watch. 10:55… 5 more minutes and I'm going home if she didn't show up…

5 minutes have passed and I came to a conclusion that she's not showing up any minute now. And so, with a heavy foot on the ground, I started my way up on the stairs— of course before instructing Tachibana and Ajishima to stay put until my return.

While walking my way up, I can't help but to think how she deals with walking her way up and down here every single day. I'm more of the brains though I won't say that I'm not very athletic. I just don't want to waste my time and energy in running around instead of planning my next course of action in our family's many businesses. I remembered that one time when she's on her Kyūdō uniform. Even though she may look like some sort of a warrior, you can't help but to stare at her small body frame. She looks fragile with her small limbs, and I was always wondering how she can managed to hold a bow and arrow on her small hands. But I'm also certain that she's quite strong for a woman, especially that second time I saw her—when the windowpane shattered and I was almost hit by an inch on my face with an arrow. Just thinking about it put a chilling dread on my body— though I can't also help but to smile on that memory because that's how she became a host and became acquainted with me.

I blinked and mentally wave my hand to put a stop on my train of thought. Reminiscing is not part of my personality.

I finally saw the shrine when I reached the top of the stairs, my eyes cannot help but to direct itself to the magnificent sakura tree. I remember Kagome saying that it's called "Goshinboku" and that it's a sacred tree. I feast my eyes by staring at it for a few minutes before telling myself that I still have an appointment and I can stare at it some other time.

I walked further ahead and saw the…probably Kagome's real house. I positioned my hand to knock on the wooden door but left hanging when it suddenly opened. The first thing that came into my line of vision is Kagome's blue eyes, wider than usual—maybe surprise to see me in close proximity, well me too. I saw her eyes went to my hanging hand in which other people may think I'm going to knock her out with the back of my hand so I swiftly, but coolly put it down.

"Why are you late?" Is a normal person will say in this circumstances but I'm not what you will call normal so I said while smiling and crossing my arms below my chest, "Higurashi Kagome. You do know your guts of acting fashionably late will put you through a hell lot of pain…" her eyes flicker with I can only think of as fear, "…and debt." Then changed into annoyance but didn't say anything. I hid my smirk by holding the middle part of my glasses with my middle finger. She saw it and it added to her annoyance. I had my fill in staring at her annoyed face so I looked up, and saw a woman on her early forties which I concluded as Kagome's mother. My eyebrows slightly raised but recovered quickly and straightened up. She saw me looking at her so she offered me a smile on which I smiled back—a little bit awkwardly. Then she walked to us. "Kagome. Why don't you invite your friend inside?"

She didn't budge on her place so I also didn't move.

"Kagome…" there's a tone of warning on the mother's voice.

She heaved a long sigh before moving herself with a slumped shoulders to let me inside. "Please come in senpai…" She muttered dryly.

I said, "Thank you. I am sorry for the intrusion." Though more on to her mother.

When we sat down at the couch, with Kagome beside me and her mother sitting on the single couch in front of us, she offered me something to drink on which I graciously declined.

"You must be the senpai in her club?" she asked conversationally.

"Yes Ma'am. I am Ootori Kyouya, 1 year her senior." Her eyebrows slightly raised—maybe because of hearing the word, Ootori— then glanced at Kagome who's busying herself at staring on the hem of her blouse.

"I heard you will accompany her in buying a new phone so I am really sorry for making her late." I gave her a questioning look so she continued. "You see, I asked my daughter this morning to buy a few groceries. She did not want to at first but I sort of forced her because I'm doing the laundry. Can you please forgive her?" She gave me an imploring motherly look I can't absolutely say no, before bowing her head a little.

So I sweetly smiled at her. "There is nothing to forgive Ma'am, so please raise your head. My lovely kohai here had done nothing wrong."

"Ooh! What a fine man you are Ootori-kun!"

I glanced at Kagome who rolled her eyes so I mentally smirked at that, then looked back at her mother. We talked some more, about my family and school, Kagome only talking back when needed to.

Then after a few moment. "If you will excuse us, we will go ahead so she can buy her phone."

"Why don't you eat first?"

"Thank you for the kind offer but your daughter and I has some other plans for lunch today, if that is okay with you."

I saw Kagome shooting me a look on my peripheral vision, but I ignored her.

"That is fine of course! Just don't forget to visit us here again if you have time."

"I am also planning to do that, but thank you for your permission."

…

"'Some other plans for lunch'? I don't remember planning something like that." Kagome said. Annoyance still evident in her voice.

"You told your mother about the host club?"

She frowned for changing the subject, but still answered anyway. "I told her about it when I found out Sesshomaru already knew I'm a host club member."

That silenced me up for no reason. Well maybe because she always talks about the Lord whenever she finds the chance which put me into a lot of thought. Are they that close? Does she need to have his consent first before doing anything?

We are both silent while walking our way down the long strides of stairs. She's walking in front of me so it gave me time to fully look at her. This is my first time seeing her in girls' clothes. White sleeveless chiffon blouse, rose-coloured handkerchief hem skirt and pink high-heeled sandals with grey handbag… I didn't know she's into wearing simple ladylike fashion style —and it's surprised me to see that it suits her very well. I always believed her wardrobe is composed of t-shirts, jeans and converse —not that I thought boyish look did not fit her. But seeing her like this only proves that there's a reason why she's dressing up as a male in school. Is it something to do with those…demons…? I can't ask her about it even if I really wanted to because I'm afraid she might laugh at my face and said I'm just dreaming. Though the logical side of me is saying that it's my right to know. Huh? Right? What right do I have with her…? Oh right. Because I'm her senpai in club.

"Kyouya-sama!" Tachibana greeted then noticeably glanced curiously at Kagome.

"Hello Tachibana-san." Kagome smiled to him.

That was when his eyes went wide when he realized who she is. He looks at me then to her then on me again. "S-She is—!"

"Higurashi Kagome." I said in a bored tone.

"But she's supposed to be a—!"

"She's a girl. Deal with it."

I saw her bow her head lightly. "I'm sorry for confusing you Tachibana-san. I have…personal issues for posing as a male at school. I hope this secret stays with us."

"O-Of course! You can count on me Kagome-sama!"

Her left eye twitch. "Just 'Kagome' please."

He nodded.

"Let's go now. It's almost 12."

…

(Kagome's P.o.V)

"Care to tell me why are we here? We're supposed to be choosing a smartphone." After a half hour drive, we stopped at a western casual dining restaurant near the shopping district.

He glanced at me while eating. "Have I no right to eat when I got hungry? I didn't eat breakfast so show some sympathy for the starved man."

"It's fine with me as long as you're paying."

"What are you taking me for? I was the one who invited you here so of course it's my treat." He then sipped at his orange juice before adding, "Only this time though." He smirked.

I rolled my eyes, though I still put the piece of meat with a fork on my mouth. Good thing the food is great and the place is not that classy which requires a dress code.

After we're both full, we head out of the restaurant.

Right after we step outside, his black Rolls Royce stopped in front of us, Tachibana opening the door for us. Ootori-senpai was about to ushered me inside but I only look at him while thinking.

"You know what? Why don't we just walk? It's only a few steps away and the parking lot is several blocks from here."

"It is alright with us Kagome-san. We can drop you off on the entran—"

"No, please. I insist." I nudged senpai on his arm and gave him a look that says, 'I-don't-want-people-to-see-me-stepping-out-of-a-chic-car' which thankfully he understood.

"Go wherever you want. I'll just call you when we're done."

Tachibana looks hesitant but still nodded. "As you wish sir." Then they're gone.

We both didn't notice that we're just standing there until someone who stepped out from the restaurant bumped into me.

"So…let's go?"

I asked uncomfortably on which to my surprise, he also answered in an awkward manner.

"Yeah…" He said while averting his eyes.

What?! Ootori-senpai getting awkward is unheard of! But I didn't voice it out in the fear of him getting mad and leaving me here.

…

(Sugino Akino's P.o.V )

"Oi Aki! What is this brat doing here?!"

"Don't call someone taller than you a brat. You are just putting yourself into shame." I said irritably on my classmate, Shin, who's frowning at Ryuunosuke.

"Wha—! But he's the only 10th Grader in this group!"

"I can always leave if you don't want me here."

I heard the coldness in his voice. I sighed. Ryuu is always like that with people he didn't know much, that's why others always thought of him as a cold person which is absolutely not the case —because he's just shy.

"Ryuu can leave but I'm coming with him. How's that, hn?"

That shut them up.

I, together with my three classmates and Ryuu are now walking on an open street in what common folks called, 'Shopping District'. We're now on our way to this place called 'Arcade'. And for some reason, we are getting eyed by the people walking here. Is it because of our fashionable bearing? Well we are wearing the latest fashion trends available out there and I can't deny the fact that all of us has good-looks so maybe it's no question they are ogling on us.

"But really, how did you know there's a place like that in here?" Tsubasa, another one of my classmates asked.

"He said he came here with his friends from Class D." Iwase, my third classmate answered for him.

"WHAT?!" Tsubasa and Shin burst out which earned us with odd looks from the passers-by.

"Shh! You're embarrassing all of us!"

"You have friends from Class D?! Are you sure it's not some kind of a shady place?"

"Shit. My mom will kill me if she finds out about this."

"Relax! My friends from Class D are cool people, okay? Their family may be from Yakuza but they know awesome places you don't actually think exists. Besides, I and Ryuu already went there with them once and I assure you, this is place is so cool and fun!"

"What?! The brat already went there before us?!"

"I can only hope you get addicted to those games and never leave that place again."

"Huh?" He asked dumbly.

That made me laugh. Ryuu really knows how to make fun of people without them knowing it.

"Hey…" Iwase called us. "…look over there. Is that Ootori?" That got our attention and quickly turned our heads to where he's pointing his nose.

The guy's a few meters away and he's back is facing us but I'm sure it's him. "Yeah…how come he's also here…?"

"Wait! Is that girl with him?!" Shin fuss around so much I regret inviting him here.

Though he sure has a right to take a fuss about this because it also shocked me to see Ootori walked beside a girl…awkwardly? I always see him cool and composed around girls but yeah…his shoulders does looked uncomfortable. But what surprised me the most is the familiarity I feel towards the girl he's walking with. That height…pale skin… and that long wavy black hair… It seems I know her but I can't put the right word to my mouth.

"Let's follow them!" Tsubasa suggested, excitement in his voice.

"We better not." I said. Yet I also want to follow them because of the girl. Nevertheless, "Ootori will throw us out of the country if he found us snooping around his relationships." it's still none of our business.

"Aww…" All of them said disappointedly, except Ryuu —though his eyes said otherwise.

I raised an eyebrow at them and crossed my arms. "If you want to follow them, go ahead. Don't say I didn't give you warning when he caught you." Then I walked ahead of them, conveniently discovering that the Arcade is only across the street. "See ya then."

"Wait!"

"Oi Akino!"

"Don't leave us here!"

"Fuku-taichou…"

…

(Kagome's P.o.V)

"We've been walking around for several minutes now. Where exactly are we going?" I glanced at him.

"You tell me." He said while not looking at me.

My eyebrows promptly raised. "What?! You mean you don't know where we're going?!"

He gave me a side-glance. "I only researched the place they are selling smartphones but not the exact store."

"Wha… Don't tell me this is your first time here…?"

"Of course it is."

My jaw dropped. He sounded like he's proud that it's his first time in this kind of place.

"So you're not shopping…?"

"Huh? Of course I do."

"Where?"

"Out of the country."

I raised an eyebrow at him and crossed my arms below my stomach. "You have the time to shop on other countries but not here?"

"I just can't see the reason why I should have to. If I want new sets of clothes and shoes, famous designers will personally go to our house."

"What about your gadgets? Don't tell me, the CEO of those famous IT companies personally go to your house, too?"

It looks like he didn't catch the sarcasm in my voice because he said, "Sometimes. Though it's mostly my father and brothers who talked to them. They also held exhibits in our house a few times to show their latest collection. Oh look."

My eyebrows creased with the sudden change of subject which I didn't know if I should be thankful or not because of that very disturbing fact that these people are very important indeed. But he did have a good reason for changing the subject because he motioned me to look at my right.

Gadgets store.

We sauntered towards the fairly large store, the door automatically opening to let us through, then closed when we're both inside. What's inside are displays of laptops, tablets, flip phones and smartpho…

As if my feet has its own mind, I was now in front of a smartphone display inside a glass box along with other phones. But among the many displays, my eyes are only glued to this white slick smartphone.

"docomo AQUOS PHONE ZETA SH-01F. You have good eyes for a commoner. That's the 2013-2014 Winter-Spring Model of DoCoMo, meaning it's their latest model. But I'm sure you cannot afford it. So look at the other displays." Said Megane-senpai who fixed his eyeglasses to place.

Wow...he's like a salesman... A rude salesman...

With a heavy heart, I peeled my eyes off of it.

"Why don't you try this docomo AQUOS PHONE sv SH-10D? It's 2012 Summer Model so it's relatively cheaper."

I stared at it but it's like I didn't feel any spark so I just continue staring it impassively.

He saw the look on my face so he added, "They have also color white like that first one you saw."

Unconsciously, my eyes darted back to that display I first set my eyes on to.

"Kagome."

"Hm…?" I asked but not really looking at him.

"You look like a lovesick puppy."

I peeled my eyes off of it again for a few moment and glared at him. "Shut up." Then went back into staring at that white slick phone.

"Kagome."

I ignored him.

"I can lend you money if you really want it."

That got my attention and swiftly looked back at him expectantly, eyes sparkling which noticeably made him wince.

"With interest of course." He smirked.

And I groaned at that. "No thank you. You might double the price. I'll just wait till it get cheaper."

"Are you sure?"

I gave him a determined side-glance. "I am sure."

"If you say so. I think I'm still gonna buy it…"

My resolution falter, now hoping a little bit.

"…for me."

I groaned again.

It looks like the real saleslady appeared right after hearing Ootori-senpai statement.

"You have a navy blue of this right? I want to take a look of it."

The saleslady eagerly nodded while saying, "Right away sir." then quickly went to the stockroom and then back to us immediately, opening the box carefully.

He power-on it himself then tapped at the touchscreen keys. "Hmm…not bad."

Yeah…navy blue is not bad. But I really want the white one…

It seems he saw the look on my longing eyes so he smirked at me which irritated me to no end.

"I'll take it."

…

"I'm home." I muttered while removing my sandals.

"Oh. Welcome back Kagome." She welcomed me to the door. "I see that you are empty-handed."

I grumbled in annoyance. Especially when I remembered what happened after that.

After buying his phone which is not part of the itinerary, he asked me again if I surely don't want to buy something else. I answered, "I'm not in the mood now." Which he insisted with, "I can always lend you money if ever you really needed it." I'm not sure if he's mocking me or serious about it but I chose the former. And so, I lost my cool and practically drag him out of the store, unconsciously digging my nails on his wrist. I saw him winced so I let go and felt guilty with his crumpled face.

Then out of the blue, he said the most distressing statement I have ever heard of him. "You can also have the option of kissing me then I'll buy it for you for free." After saying that, he looks like as taken aback as me maybe after realizing what he just said, but didn't give any indication of taking it back because he remained silent which obviously made me silent as well. His silence can mean many things. Like saying he doesn't care what I think of it, or that it's only a joke so no need to fuss about it, or…or… he's serious about it? He then went back to the store but before muttering a, "I'll be back." then returned fast. He then opened his flip phone (his new phone is still in the box) and called Tachibana to pick us up. We didn't speak during the half-hour drive—though it feels like it's longer than the drive this morning—and only said a few goodbyes when I went out of the car. Though he seems like he still have something he wants to tell me, he only said, "Bye. See you on Monday." and then they're gone.

"Why are you spaced-out all of a sudden?"

I blinked. "Oh, no. Nothing."

"Oh right! I almost forgot! It was delivered a few minutes before you arrive."

I gave her a curious look, then saw the box which made my jaw dropped. DoCoMo AQUOS PHONE ZETA

We both jumped when we heard it ringing, so we quickly opened the box clumsily.

An unknown number. Well of course it is. It's new after all.

"Hello…?"

/So you received it just in time./

Ootori-senpai? "H-Huh?"

/This is not free, it's a loan. I'm loaning this to you but with no interest. You can pay me back in instalment if you want./

"Senpai…"

/What?/

"You're kindness kinda freaks me out..."

He paused before answering. /This is not kindness. I just want you to be indebted with me./

"Then why don't you just add it to my accumulated debt?'

/This and that are two different things because the money directly came from me. Do you understand?/

"Uh…o-okay…"

/… /

"S-Senpai…?"

/Save my number first before anyone else. Bye./

"Wait!"

/What?/

"Thank you." I said sincerely.

He paused again. /You're welcome. Bye./Then he hung-up without hearing my goodbyes.

I stared at the white slick phone for several minutes, So that's why he went back in the store…to buy this for me… before remembering his instructions.

+81 09********

Save Unknown Number?

Yes.

Typed- Kyouya Ootori

Save Contact?

Cancel.

Typed- Megane-senpai

Save Contact?

Yes.

Then he appeared at the top of my phone book. I can't help the smile on my face .

Will he call me again? I also need to enter his e-mail address…

…

…

Oh my! How's that for my anniversary chapter? I'm sorry for those who didn't like it much and thank you so much to those who like this chapter. I seriously love the slow-paced romance thing so I hope you will bear with my whims. But can you see the slooooow budding romance?! I actually find it cute for Kyouya to get awkward towards Kagome because you know, he's not yet sure about his real feelings towards her. And you might think that Kagome is a little bit of OOC here but I'd like to portray her as a normal teenager who is determined to stick to what she like and fight for it until the end…though she was defeated by Megane-senpai. Ahahaha~

And by the way~! I only put random model of DoCoMo though the first one I think is really the latest.

I also apologize if there's grammatical errors and misspelled words. I'm gonna edit this if I have the time again.

Sore ja~!

Matta ne~~!

Sincerely yours,

Natsuki

(P.S. To celebrate the anniversary with me…care to leave some reviews? Thanks! ^^)