Chapter 3

The Castle

I've thought this was a castle of many girl's dreams and.. Hey wake up! I slapped my face gently for me to stop daydreaming. Must be strong, study and work hard to finish schooling. I said to myself. Rino opened the door for me, again he carried my bag, I insisted to carry it but he resisted, again. We went inside and woah! It's like we are in a 5 star hotel, very high class. I said I'm going home, but where will I go? I've got to speak to Sawada Shin, I've got to!

Sawada's thinking

That girl was diverse. She even shouted me not once but all the time until she dozed to sleep. What a strange girl. I really liked it being scold. No one had scolded me before except my sister and mom. That Kumiko really beat the hell out of me.

"Hey Sawada, who's the girl your with earlier?" His friend Noda asked him and stopped talking to the model-like girl he is with

"Yeah, who's the chic with the simple outfit?" Uchi asked him while the girl at his side fixed his coffee.

"She is so slim and there is no chest at all" Kuma munched the platter of sushi they are eating and keep on gulping.

Noda, Uchi and Kuma are included in the rich family line that studies in eitoku. They are playboys and do anything with money as they pleased. But they have no attachments, only flings. They are used to seeing their friend Sawada with no flings. They've understood clearly that Sawada Shin don't like this kind of stuff but as perfect gentlemen as he truly were, he entertains also those who talk to him. They are friends since they were kids. They are also used to popularity since four of them own the biggest share of not only eitoku but big companies as well.

"…," he smirked. They didn't question anymore since the girl was not sexy. They went outside the school's canteen and many girls followed them. Although it's not the first day of class, many knew who these four were. Popular guys who are rich and famous. They walked up to the main entrance and went off with their own cars. Many cried the name of Sawada Shin, and he really is used to it. He just waved and went home.

I wished Kumiko was here to nag me. Was I wishing for her to be with me? I just met her this morning and everything I think is about her. What will she say if she knew that I ordered the career services not to permit her to sleep in her dorm room? Well, how would she know, she don't even know that eitoku is 3 kilometers from the train station, that I am popular, and that I am Sawada Shin. He smiled as if he enjoyed thinking about Kumiko.

He got his the earphone and called Rino.

"Rino is Kumiko there?" Sawada said.

"Yes sir she is here in her room packing her things and (the voice changed to Kumiko shouting) Hey Sawada Shin! What are you thinking? Why did you block my dorm room? How dare you do this to me? Hey speak up!"

"Okay, I'll go home already if you missed me that much" Sawada Shin dropped his earphones and went straight to the Sawada Mansion.

Kumiko thinking

She blushed. Missed him, hey I'm not missing him, why am I blushing, that Sa-wa-da. I told his name slowly and clenched my fist, ready to punch him. I'm going to break his neck as soon as he gets here. Do he always say that to girls?

"Oh Rino what will I do?" I sat in the sofa in the living room, how I can deal with this. Rino answered.

"Stay here Ms. Kumiko, this is the safest place you will ever be" Safe place huh? I think Sawada is up to something I don't know what is this all about now.

"Okay I'm going back to the room" I walked lousily at the stairs and turned right.

"Ms. Kumiko, turn left please" Oh yeah I forgot left, this place is so huge. I can handle this, I am Kumiko Yamaguchi ha!

As I walked straight to my room, I wandered if anyone living here than house maids and bodyguards. Is Sawada Shin's mom or dad here? How come I don't see them? Maybe this house is too big for them to see each other. I think that's why.

"Hey I came back where I came from!" I said and saw Rino and Sawada Shin looked at me while I'm at the stairs. They heard me of my stupidity wah!

"Ha! I've lost again" I smiled and scratched my head to escape humiliation.

"Rino, can you accompany me to my room, I got lost, this house is huge, and I even don't know where the comfort room is. Do you have any map for the house? I'm not really good at this one." I said to him smiling.

"Comfort rooms are in every room you idiot" Sawada Shin said.

"Hey why are you always calling me idiot, you!" I shouted. Well he is such a handsome guy, staring at me with those warm brown eyes and that stylish hair that always looks good at him even though he doesn't matter about it. He suddenly walks toward me; he came close as if we were only 2 inches away from each other.

"Hey, why are you too close too me" I grabbed his neck and tried to squeeze it but he only smiled and lifted me piggyback style. I punched him at the back but he didn't do anything and just kept going up the stairs.

"Well our young master is quite interested in this girl" Rino said firmly without letting anyone noticed.

"Hey let me go, you idiot!" I shouted at him

"I'm only carrying you, don't over react!" Sawada Shin didn't let go of me. He is such a stubborn brat. Why does he always make it so difficult? This is my first day at Japan, at eitoku high! Hey I remembered I forgot something!

"Let me go please" I asked kindly. Maybe this way he can change his mood of carrying me. "I need to go to eitoku high"

"I've already finished it" Sawada Shin said to me. He let me down and I stared at his eyes that reveal great confidence. Finished? Does he always know what I already think?

"I've talked to the principal in the phone and said you're already registered. You're class schedule will be sent thru e-mail."

I hit him in the head so hard.

"Hey, what's that for?" He exclaimed. "How about the school tour, I've already skipped it you know. It's exactly 4 pm and all I have is here, lost in this big house, mansion or whatever this is, with a guy I don't really know." I said.

"Don't worry about that, I'll tour you on Monday with Kuma, Uchi and Noda" He said in a very domineering manner.

"So who are they? you're girlfriends?" I said.

"You can trust them, and they are men, also studying at eitoku high" Sawada Shin is very sure when saying things and stuff. Whenever I'm with him I'm always losing what to say.

"Okay, fine, so how about my class list?" He led me to my room. It's quite big for a room; it's like our whole home in a room. The bed was so big, curtains so high up to ceiling. Complete appliances, and some I don't even know how to use.

"Didn't you see that? You can use the laptop there, it's free don't worry." He said.

"I'll pay for that, how much is it?" I asked him seriously but he only raised his eyebrow and ready to laugh. "Hey what are you kidding about?"

"You can't pay for it, I'm sure" he said

"Why can't I? You know although I'm a scholar I have a pocket money you know." I boasted but I'm very tentative if I can pay it though. I knew that it is the latest model of laptop with complete components and gadgets that are really cool and.. Well I may try to ask him so I can buy it.

"Why do you make things difficult eh? I said it's free so don't worry asking how much it is!" He slammed the door shut. I don't know what to this with Sawada Shin. He is so hard headed. He always like being top of things. Well, I thought, he really is top of things here in this mansion.

Sawada Shin thinking

That girl is really hard headed. She likes being top of things. I said it was free but she insisted to buy. I know she can't afford 500000 yen. She looks that she doesn't have money. My head still hurts, better took a shower to freshen up.

"Kumiko you are different" I murmured. It's a strange feeling being with her. It makes me special for who I am and not being a popular kid in the block.

"Kumiko-chan"

After he took a bath, he slept for 2 hours and woke up at 6:00 pm.

"What does Kumiko thinking, now?" I asked myself while resting in my bed. Is she thinking of me too? I'll call her for dinner, or let Rino call for her? I'll just call her now, hey why am I hesitating. This is just a girl. Hey am I afraid of her?

"Hey why does she not answering her cell phone? She didn't know by now that she has one? Ridiculous girl." I exclaimed to myself.

Kumiko thinking

I've already unpacked my things up. I don't really know where I will put my clothes because the closet is too big. It's like my own room! I've already seen my class schedule and it's very good indeed. I'm half day during Friday. I'm so excited! I already e-mailed mom. I didn't tell her that I'm living in Sawada Shin's house. She might gossip with the neighbours that I am his girlfriend or some sort.

Dear mom and dad,

Yah, you've guessed it right. I am in eitoku high, the school of my dreams. I'm using the computer in the library. Actually, they said that I can use it several times since I am a scholar. My dorm room is so delightful. Comfort rooms are so clean. I think I can live longer here in Japan for its fresh air. Traffic is lessening because of the train station. Its okay, eitoku is near in the hot spots of Japan. I am strong mom, so don't worry about me too much. I miss you both.

Hope you reply soon!

Love,

Kumiko

I'm so stressed; I have lied to mom because of this Sawada Shin. What a big mess. My first day is a disaster! So many things to do, oh I forgot he accomplished it already. I hope.. hey what is that ringing? I've searched for it and it's on the desk near the bed. What is it anyway? A cell phone. I answered it and someone spoke.

"Kumiko, dinner at 7 pm don't be late" the voice said.

"Who's this? " I've asked but I knew its Sawada Shin. Just to be sure.

"It's me, you idiot. Don't be late for dinner! Bye" Why is he always like this, dropping the phone when I was about to speak. Maybe he doesn't want to be defeated by the ever great Kumiko.

I don't know what to wear for the dinner. I really don't know what Japan's manners really are. Especially this situation, what are the manners of Japanese rich people during dinner? I've worn a plain shirt and my oh so favourite strawberry in the shortcake pyjamas. I've wore the bedroom slipper in the room, they are so new and comfy. Hey do they always prepare new slippers for their guest? They must be too hospitable. They can do anything with money, I suppose.

I've decided to go for dinner at 6:45 pm because I might get lost again. As I opened the door, the adjacent room's door also opened. Hey, who's that, oh I should have guessed it, Sawada Shin wearing a polo and a plain dark blue pyjamas. You can say he's rich all the time and also you can say he is also arrogant. Why does everybody worship this guy, eh?

He looked at me, also surprised that we have opened the door the same time. Maybe he wondered that I am too early. Hey why is he too early? He started to smile like, controlling his laugh or something. He always looks at me as if I'm funny all time.

"Let's go" He said. And led the trail, this Sawada Shin is really a pain. Wah! Why is he doing this to me!

Sawada Shin thinking

I'm right thinking that this girl is not rich, she even haven't good clothes to put on. Strawberry in the short cake pyjamas, she really knows how to make me laugh. I thought she will be wearing something classy or elegant for meeting me.

"He Sawada Shin, wait for me!" I stopped. She ran up to me and said.

"Why are you always laughing at me, eh? It's like you know it all!" she asked me.

"Call me shin." I said without answering her question. And I walked again but now she is at my side also walking same beat as I am.

"What again? Call you shin, but your name is Sawada Shin right? Why not call you Sawada?" she asked curiously.

"Here in Japan the first name you pronounce is the last name remember that, so call me shin" I said firmly. She smiled I wonder why.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked.

"Nothing, It's just I found a new discovery" She started and jumped for joy. "Now I can reassemble my name to be Yamaguchi Kumiko since I'm in Japan. Oh what a nice name!"

"Boring name. Call you yankumi" I said.

"Huh? Yankumi Eh? Oh I see, so combining the first few letters of my last name and first name. Oh I have a new name. You're a genius sawa—oh, you're a genius shin! So why your name is shin anyway? " She asked. I just smirked and walked.

"Do some research.." I said.

Me research about you? No way, I can meet you now, why do I bother search you in the internet?" As she said that I blushed, so she also wants to meet me as a person eh, not of what my fans say about me.

"Let's eat, stop talking about ridiculous things" I said to escape the discussion.

"Hey, you started it shin!" she said as we go down the stairs to head at the dining room which is usually empty and only me eating. I let her sit at my side. I don't know why I want her to always be by my side. I have many guest rooms in the house but I chose to let her be beside my room.

We started to eat and she ate like there is no tomorrow.

"Hey, do poor people don't eat Italian cuisine?" I asked her. She stopped and finished what she is eating in her mouth.

"You know you might not live for tomorrow so why resist the food you have now. You're fortunate to have this kind of meals. And hey, I didn't have lunch you know, so don't stop me" She exclaimed to me. I smiled. She doesn't even care if she eats many. She is not like other girls who don't finish their meals. Other girls who only go for water rather than eating pasta. Just like onee-chan, this girl, she always makes me smile.