The sun was setting that Sunday. It was a cool evening. Back at the Hino residence, Kahoko was busy chatting with Shouko on the phone. She was alone in the house as her mother was away on a business trip while her sister was at her friend's house. She was busy preparing dinner for herself when Shouko called. She was telling Kahoko what had happened to her this morning. Now, she invited her to come along with her on a shopping trip to buy a dress, shoes and accessories for the dance. Needless to say, she's excited.

Kahoko: I would love to come. Do you mind if I bring Mio, Nao and Nami to come along with us? They mentioned to me the other day that they found dates as well.

Shouko: (on the other line) S-sure. I guess they c-could come.

Kahoko: Great! I'll call them later on then. So, where and when should we meet you?

Shouko: H-how about the place near the train station? I can't remember what's the name of the shop though.

Kahoko: Do you mean that nice little boutique next to the cafe? (author: I just made this up. I don't know any popular places around Japan.)

Shouko: Y-yeah, that one. My mom mentioned to me that the boutique sells a lot of nice dresses.

Kahoko: Okay then. When shall we meet you there?

Shouko: How a-about after school, tomorrow? I was thinking that w-we could meet at the gate of the academy seeing we're g-going after school but I got this little errand t-to do at home.

Kahoko: Oh okay then. Mio, Nao, Nami and I will meet you at the boutique after school.

Shouko: Sure.

Kahoko: You must be so happy now, huh? Now that Keiichi had finally asked you.

Shouko: Y-yes I am. I better hang up now. My mom's c-calling me.

Kahoko: Okay then. I need to prepare dinner anyway. See you tomorrow.

Shouko: See y-you. (hang up)

Once she hung up, Kahoko walked into the kitchen. She was deep in thought.

Kahoko: I wonder if I should buy my things for the dance. No one asked me yet so I'm not sure I'll be going or not. (sighs)

She shrugged and continued making her dinner. Suddenly, she thought of something. This past few days, Kazuki, Len and Ryotaro had all acted as if they wanted to ask her something. But they can't seem to ask it. Kahoko wondered what was it that they wanted to ask. Suddenly, her phone rang again. She took it out of her pocket and answered it.

Kahoko: Hello?

"Kahoko," said a familiar voice.

Kahoko: Len? W-what can I do for you?

Len : I want you to come to my house now, please. You know the way right?

Kahoko: (confused)Yeah but-

Len : No buts please. (cutting her off)

Kahoko: Len, why-

Len : (getting impatient) Don't ask why. Just come. I'll wait for you at the front gate.

Kahoko: But Len-

Len : Goodbye. (hung up)

Kahoko stood there in the kitchen with the phone still clutched near her ear, feeling confused.

"Huh?" was all she could say. She regained her composure after a few seconds and went to her room to get ready. She hastily combed her hair and made it look a little presentable and changed to her casual wear. (author: she's currently wearing her nightgown) After putting on a plain blue T-shirt, a pair of old jeans and a pair of sandals, she rushed out of the house. She didn't want to keep Len waiting.

She reached his house in 15 minutes. Len was already waiting for her at the gate. He looked annoyed. Kahoko gulped at his expression and slowly made her way to the gate.

Kahoko: Sorry I kept you waiting.

Len : (feeling annoyed) What took you so long?

Kahoko: I had to get ready. I couldn't possibly go to your house wearing a nightgown.

Kahoko flushed at that thought. Luckily, Len didn't seem to noticed.

Len: At any rate, we better get inside.

Kahoko: R-right.

She wanted to ask Len the reason for him inviting her to his house but she decided not to. Once they had reached the kitchen, however, Kahoko immediately knew why.

The kitchen was a complete mess! There was a burning smell coming from the stove, there was some thick orange liquid dripping from the blender and onto the floor, water was spilling out of the pot, utensils were all over the place and well, it's a complete mess, alright.

Kahoko looked at Len in disbelief. Len quickly looked away.

Kahoko: (thinking) He must be trying to cook again.

She immediately remembered the incident back at the villa. Len had burned the food that only needed to be heated in a microwave. She giggled at the mere thought. Oh yes, Len, who she thought was perfect in every way, was not perfect after all. Well, he's only human, right?

Len: (looked away) You see, my parents are away on a tour for a few days. So, instead of ordering in like I usually do, I decided to cook my own dinner. And well...

Kahoko: (smiled) Let me guess, THIS happened. (pointing towards the kitchen)

Len didn't answer. After a few seconds, he looked at her and spoke.

Len: The reason I invited you here is because I wanted to ask if you could maybe, help me, with my dinner.

Kahoko was surprised. Len hardly, maybe never asks anyone for help. Still, she couldn't help but smiled even wider.

Kahoko: Sure. Why not. But, WHAT were you trying to make anyway? (looking at the mess)

Len: (blushed slightly) You see, I was trying to fry some eggs at first,

Kahoko: (thinking) That explains the burning smell.

Len: But things went wrong. So I decided to content myself with a bowl of instant noodles,

Kahoko: (still thinking) And the water spilling from the pot.

Len: But that didn't work out either. Not only I added way to much water I can't find the right utensils to cook it.

Kahoko: (still thinking) The utensils all over the place.

Len: So in the end, I decided to make some juice. But you see, the blender got out of control and well, you know.

Kahoko: (thinking) You bet I do. (looked at him) So that explains the mess.

Len: Yes. (looked away)

Kahoko: Fine then. First we got to clean the mess first. Then, I'll cook. Something simple would do. Like maybe fried rice.

Suddenly, Kahoko's stomach growled. Len's head immediately snapped up. She blushed and smiled sheepishly.

Kahoko: Y-you see, I haven't had my dinner yet and all this talk about food, it kinda makes me hungry.

Len: Oh. Well then, why don't you cook some for yourself?

Kahoko: You won't mind?

Len: No I don't.

Kahoko: Why, thanks a lot Len. Anyway, let's start cleaning. After all, food tastes best if you're hungry.

Len: Right.

After they spent 20 minutes cleaning, Kahoko proceeded to cook dinner for the both of them while Len went to the living room to rest. Since Kahoko was to absorbed in her cooking, she didn't realize that Len was staring at her the whole time.

10 minutes later, Kahoko turned around and said that the fried rice is ready. Len nodded and made his way to the kitchen. The aroma of the fried rice was pretty good.

Kahoko prepared the food for the both of them and put them on the dining table. Then, they both sit down at the table and started their dinner.

There was an awkward silence and the dining table as no one spoke as they both ate. After a few minutes of silence, Kahoko spoke.

Kahoko: Say Len, what do you think of the food?

Len: It's...nice.

Kahoko: Oh okay then. I'm glad. (thinking) C'mon, Kaho, say something. You can't just stay quite.

While Kahoko was busy thinking to herself, Len was remembering what his mother had said to him the other day.

flashback

Misa Hamai: (packing her things) Now, your father and I will only be gone for a few days. You'll be okay staying alone in the house right?

Len: Yes mother. (in slight irritation)

Len hated it when his mother acts like he's still a kid. After all, his parents went on a tour without him all the time. So they should know by now that he's okay by himself.

Misa Hamai: Be sure to call me when you need anything.

Len: Yes, mother. I will.

Misa Hamai: That's everything I guess. (closing her suitcase)

Len: You and father better hurry if you don't want to miss the plane. Father is already waiting for you in the car.

Misa Hamai: Of course. Before I leave, I want to ask you something.

Len: What is it mother?

Misa Hamai: Well, it's about the dance. It's in a few days, am I correct?

Len: Yes.

Misa Hamai: Well, I was wondering, have you invited her yet?

Len: (confused) Invited who?

Misa Hamai: That girl Kahoko of course.

Len: Well, I... uh...(loss for words)

Misa Hamai: (sighs) You haven't, have you? Well you better hurry. Or else she might be already be taken by someone else.

end of flashback

Len: Taken by someone else huh?(muttering)

Kahoko: You said something?

Len: Huh? Oh, it's nothing. (thinking) I tried once before and I failed. What's the point of asking her again?(looking at her) Kahoko, do you have any plans tomorrow, after school?

Kahoko: Actually, I do. Shouko, Mio, Nao, Nami and I will be going shopping for dresses for the dance.

Len: (surprised) You're going to the dance? With who?

Kahoko: (shrugged) No one actually. I'll just be going there because my friends asked me to. They'll be disappointed if I don't. I guess I'll be spending my time with them.

Len: No one asked you yet? (even more surprised)

He had thought that at least one guy had asked her already.

Kahoko: Nope. (sounding sad) But hey, it's no big deal. (trying hr best to sound happy)

Len looked at her for a moment. She looks pretty sad about it, he thought. Maybe I should, just one more time. For both her and my sake.

Len: Kahoko, c-can I ask y-you something?

He cursed under his breath when he heard himself shutter.

Kahoko: Sure. What is it?

Len: Will y-you... I mean...w-would you l-like to-

Kahoko: (thinking) Len sounded a lot like Kazuki and Ryotaro. Maybe ha wanted to ask the same question they did. (urged him to go on) Yes?

Len: Will you... ah, forget it.

Kahoko: (pouted) Awww, c'mon. Ask me the question already. I want to know. Please?

Len: (blushed slightly at her cute expression) Well, I wanted to ask if you wanted, (taking a big breath) go to the dance with me.

Kahoko was surprised. She didn't say a word yet continued to stare at him. So many expressions were on her face. Shock, disbelief, happy yet confused.

Several seconds passed and Kahoko still haven't moved. She didn't even blink. Len wondered if she's even still alive. Finally, only one word came out of Kahoko's mouth.

Kahoko: What?

Len: (sighs) I guess that's a no. I didn't even know why I tried.

Kahoko: No, I didn't m-mean t-that. I just, I just (sputtering) don't know what to say. I mean, I didn't, expect this.

Len: So, what's your decision then?

Kahoko: (taking a deep breath) Well, Len, I love to go to the dance with you.

Then, Len did a surprising thing, he smiled. Ever so slightly but still Kahoko could see it.

Len: I'm glad.

He walked up to her and did the thing that no one would expect from the famous ice block. He hugged her! (author: Bet you are just dying to see Len doing that huh? Well, I am anyway.)

Kahoko stood there frozen with her face red. Len released her after a while and smiled yet again.

Len: I guess I 'll pick you up at your place at the night of the dance then.

Kahoko: S-sure. (glanced at her watch) I better be going now. It's getting late.

Len: Sure.

Kahoko quickly bid him goodbye and hurried out of the house.

Kahoko: (thinking) Did Len actually asked me to the dance?

She smiled to herself then continued walking home.

Author: Hey you all! I got good news! It turns out I can use the computer but at a limited time only. So I'll be able to update the story after all. Anyway, as you all noticed, this chapter is a lot longer that the previos chapters. That's because I had so much ideas. Now I have a mystery for all of you to solve. Everyone have their own pairings except Kazuki. Can you guess who he'll be going with? Only I know the answer. But you are all free to guess. The answer will be revealed in the next chapter but I want to hear your answers first before I start writing the chapter. Who knows, you might get the right answer. Until then, please review!