CH2.2

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The warm sun slowly crept over Kyoko's as she slept comfortably on her futon, reaching her face she groaned and shuffled under her sheets avoiding the light, but the rays still shone through her sheets making her groan again. Reluctantly, she decided it was time to wake up and reached to grab her mobile to check the time; she flinched when she read the time was close to 10am. I slept in! She panicked before her head felt heavy and she felt the need to drop her head back to the pillow. Ah that's right, I'm still sick... she thought tiredly, despite having just woke up she nuzzled her face against her soft pillow.

She browsed though her phone to her call logs and her eyes widened at her last call. Did we really talk that long last night? Kyoko re-read the numbers displayed again; it was shorter wasn't it? Something about coffee and um Princess Rosa and um...Kyoko tried to contemplated what else they talked about last night before her cheeks began to tinge thinking about Ren's kindness before her mind clicked; he couldn't have been listening to me when I fell asleep could he? Was I sleep talking? Her cheeks became more flushed as she remembered her childhood habits and buried her face into her pillow, hoping she didn't squirm anything childish.

"He stayed on the line for me," she sighed happily as she briefly recalled asking him to talk a bit longer; she hoped he got enough sleep that night. I want to thank him, she thought as she checked the time again; he's filming at the moment... it should be ok to text him, she concluded as she sent a quick message to her 'nii-san'. Knowing he wouldn't respond immediately she still waited a few minutes hoping he might, before deciding to freshen up and face the day.

Okami-san and Taisho were so nice to let me sleep in, I wonder if they need any help? I can at least help them wash the dishes; Kyoko thought as she carefully made her way down the stairs. Her attention drew to the radio playing, which was strange as Taisho rarely turned it on in the year she had stayed with them. Reaching the base of the stairs, Kyoko quickly backed up and peeked around the corner. Whose that? Kyoko thought with panic at the unfamiliar man dressed in black in the kitchen, who to her relief had his back towards the stair and had not noticed her.

She felt her chest constrict as a fear of uncertainty about the stranger combined with recent events made her panic internally, her forehead was also burning but she remained where she was. Her grudges did not alert her of any immediate danger and if he was a burglar he would not come during the day or search the kitchen; though she thought it was best to get some sort of description ready if he was.

He was wearing dark jeans and a black top (typical of a burglar), his hair was naturally dark and looked soft like Rens, and was just long enough to tie slightly with a band; he was tall with long legs but not as tall as Ren and a slightly smaller build; his sleeves were rolled up and she could see that he had strong arms, skinny but lean and capable of protecting; it was so comfortable in his arms, Kyoko day dreamed as she stared at the stranger, as she compared him to Ren oblivious of his movement until their eyes met with equal surprise.

Oh crap! Kyoko thought as the young stranger turned to her; what do I do?

"Hey, you surprised, umm hi," the teen greeted Kyoko, who seemed to be retreating slowly away from him with a shocked gaze; noticing her shock, he decided to try and calm her a bit. "You must be Kyoko-chan, Taisho and Okami-san told me that you came back last night before they left for the doctors and that I might meet you today," he mentioned as he dried his hands and turned of the radio, "they'll be back shortly," he informed her as he gazed at the clock.

"They're out? Umm but who are you?" Kyoko asked as she was still baffled at the stranger who knew about her and the owners.

"My names Senri, I'm Taisho's kitchen assistant but I also help out on the floor too, it's nice to finally meet you," he greeted again and bowed slightly.

"Senri?" Kyoko repeated as he nodded at her, "oh um yes it's nice to meet you too;" she replied and bowed her usual way, but stumbled sidewardly as her head disagreed with her movement. Ahh t-too fast? Kyoko thought as she brought a hand to her forehead and leaned against the wall.

"Are you alright?" Senri asked worriedly as he made his way to her, his cold hands touched hers causing her to flinch away from him. He briefly saw the panic in her eyes dissolve away when she saw it was him as her hands clasped together towards her chest. "Sorry, I guess my hands are still icy from the prep I was doing," he mentioned as he tried to warm his hands up. He noticed her breathed a sigh of relief, but visible noticed her pale color. His eyes briefly glanced to the bright mark on her neck which stood out in comparison to her pale complexion but decided to overlook the mark.

"Okami-san asked me to make some congee today, she mentioned to me you were sick," he spoke as he moved himself next to her and support her to stand; she looked at him surprised at his assistance. "Let's get you to the table amd I'll get you some food," he smiled at her as he supported most of her weight as they moved to the table.

Kyoko sat and watched in wonder as the teen moved knowingly through the kitchen; handing her the medicine box and whipping up a bowl of congee for her and putting on the kettle for tea later on. She stared with dreamy eyes at the hot bowl of congee with added veggies, shredded egg and garnishes, the homely smell was inviting and she could feel her stomach crying out for some. "It's still a little hot so be careful," Senri smiled as he pulled a spoon out from the draws and moved to get his own bowl.

She dipped her spoon in and lightly blew at it before tasting it, "it's very delicious," she thought out loud, as the perfect flavours and textures graced her taste buds.

"Why thank you," Senri replied happily at the compliment, "I was worried that I was a bit rusty cooking it."

"No it's really good and easy to eat, oh um itadakimasu," Kyoko quickly spoke having forgotten her manner, but he was fine with that.

Senri sat himself at the table with Kyoko and engaged in some small talk about cooking and his work at the restaruant. The way he talked she could tell he was well educated and in his company Kyoko found it easy to smile and talk to him which helped her relax.

"Do you cook much? Dessert? Cakes?" Senri asked the typical girl baking question.

"Hmm ah yes," Kyoko replied with a smile, "I do bake sweets occasionally but I also usually cook breakfast before I go to school or work and a lunch bento sometimes."

"What about dinner?"

"Hmm I usually don't cook dinner, usually Taisho makes something with the left over prep when the restaurant closes or I'm at work or cooking for R-..." Kyoko paused momentarily unsure whether she should mention Ren's name, "umm sometimes I go and cook for a friend who almost never has a home cooked meal and would skip a meal altogether or drink a packet meal," she informed him with a slight pout, as she recalled how Ren fueled himself on energy drinks and onigiri's in the past.

"Haha maybe he's skipping meals purposely so he can get you to cook for him and spend time together with his darling," he teased, thinking she didn't want him to know that she had a boyfriend.

"Hah what, DARLING?! WHAT?!" Kyoko's mind almost burst at Senri's track of mind; h-how how did he come up with that? DARLING? I'm just making sure he's eating right and as a way of thanking him for always looking out for me right? He use to skip meals even before we met from what I heard.

"Ah sorry, it's just your nec- no sorry I was kidding," Senri apologized as he saw the panic running through Kyoko's mind; what a strange reaction, most girls straight out deny it... maybe it's not her boyfriend, but that mark on her neck... its definitely ah no not my problem he thought to himself. "You're such a good friend to go out of your way to cook for him since you work and study, you're so hard-working."

Kyoko nodded slowly as she stared at her bowl of congee, "he always looks out for me so it's the least I could do," especially recently, she though silently to herself as she remembered her promise last night.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, as Senri tried his best not divulge deeper into Kyoko's personal life but at the same time tried to bring back the cheery atmosphere a few moments ago. Kyoko also realised the change and redirected the conversation to him.

"Um I didn't know we had hired extra help, have you been working here long?" Kyoko asked as she stirred the last of her food, hoping that the conversation would flow on.

"Yeah, I did the odd shift here and there initially since I had another job but its been more often now especially since Taisho strained his arm," Kyoko let out a slight gasp at the news. "He's alright Kyoko-chan, we've been looking out for him, despite how much he disliked having things done for him," Senri smiled as Kyoko understood what her meant; Taisho was a man who did everything himself to make sure it was up to quality.

"Okami-san told me you were in the entertainment industry, so we probably never crossed paths because I work here when you're not free, but maybe our paths will cross a bit more now; you were really cute in the Curara drink commercial by the way," he complimented bringing a blush to Kyoko's cheek.

"Oh um thank you," Kyoko responded shyly, which made Senri look at her with endearing eyes stirring something within her; eyes like Ren, she thought to herself, but his gaze did not deliver the same sensation that Ren's would.

Kyoko suddenly realized all the comparison she had done between Senri and Ren as she looked away from Senri. Why was I comparing him to Ren? His smile, his embrace, his features... I was thinking Ren had a nicer body, NO build, a nicer build than Senri, oh but Ren is a top model after all.

Senri tilted his head slightly to look at her face, noticing her tired and flushed expression. "Hey are you alright," Senri asked worriedly as words weren't acknowledged by Kyoko; he began to worry about her and noticed the familiar box on the table.

Senri... the things he says and does keeps going back to Ren... is it because I've spent so much time? Its normal to think about him when we're suddenly apart especially how he was comforting me the past nights, but it's sort of mean comparing Senri to him, he's doesn't look too bad either and he's caring, but he looks a little worn out with the rings under his eyes, does he still work two jobs?

"Kyoko-chan, you still haven't taken your medicine yet," Senri informed her as he shook he lightly. When Kyoko turned and blinked at him he pushed the box towards her, "ah you're back, it looks like your fever rose as well so you probably should rest a bit again, you seem tried again," he spoke as he got her a warm glass of water.

Kyoko read the medication instructions quickly and thanked Senri for the water; as she began taking the packets of the box she noticed Senri collecting the finished bowls and spoons. She reached out her hand and grabbed his hand as he pulled her bowl away.

"Huh did you want seconds?" Senri asked her slightly confused, but Kyoko shook her head.

"Ah no, just um let me wash the dishes since you cooked," Kyoko asked knowing that was what he was doing.

"No its fine, just rest and take your meds," Senri replied as he pulled his hand away from hers, but she stood up and grabbed his shirt.

"But I'm ok and you're the guest," Kyoko spoke out as Senri turned around and stared at her hand on his shirt, he looked at her with a strained smile.

"You're sick and I'm technically on shift, I have some other things to wash too, so be good and let me be the gentlemen in this situation," Senri rebutted as he eased Kyoko's hands off his shirt. As Senri moved away, in the corner of his eyes he saw her sway away from her seat and threw the bowls onto the table to catch Kyoko.

"Kyoko are you okay," Senri spoke softly as he pulled Kyoko into an upright position against him, looking down at her with concern as she seemed to come out of her daze.

"Huh uh yeah," Kyoko replied as she recalled feeling dizzy suddenly. She looked into his eyes and her heart sped up and her body stiffened in his protective embrace. She had rarely been in the embrace of any man, but even more rarely did her heart race from contact with one, especially one she just met. Maybe it was his protective hold or the concern in his eyes, or the fact he was reminding her of Ren but why was Senri so comfortable to be with, what was it about him she asked herself as her hands clenched his shirt.

"Ah Hum," a masculine sound carried to the youths and broke the eye contact between the teens and they turned to see the returning pair standing by the door.

"Oh welcome back Okami-san, Taisho-san," Senri greeted as Taisho shot a warning glare at him. Kyoko could feel the chill run down his spine and how Senri quickly moved to separate himself from her; grabbing the bowls he moved to the sink to busy himself.

"Are you two okay? We heard a ruckus," Okami-san asked as she moved towards the teens.

"I dropped the bowls on the table, sorry," Senri called from the sink as the adults moved further into the room; he could stilll feel a chill coming from Taisho, despite having an arm in a sling he was still just as scary, especially catching him so close to Kyoko.

Okami-san moved to check Kyoko's forehead and sighed a smile. "Kyoko dear don't do anything strenuous and rest more today, your fever is still quiet bad."

"Yes, I will," Kyoko spoke obediently; her gaze went to Taisho and she could feel a slight anger emitting from him as he stared Senri in he back.

"Taisho, are you okay? Um the doctor."

"Everything is fine, it was just a check up," Taisho spoke as he moved next to his wife, " have you taken any medicine yet?"

"Not yet," Kyoko replied sheepishly to the pair; she couldn't sense any anger from him, but he had a very mild curve to his lips, a very hidden smile which she returned with her own. However, the smile disappeared almost as soon as she spotted it as the man stared at her making her feel uneasy as his aura changed; following his gaze she quickly cupped her neck.

"Eh?! Kyoko what happened to your neck?" Okami-san asked as she too had follow Taisho's gaze to the bruise; a clatter of dishes at the sink caused by Senri drew her attention to his pale expression and defensive stand as Taisho began moving to him.

"Dear," Okami-san spoke out as she felt the tension rising in the room.

"Ah Ta-Taisho no its not what you think, this is from the stubborn button on my costume," Kyoko tried to justify as she moved as she imagined knives flying at Senri.

"Taisho! You know I'm not like that, I would not do anything to your daughter whom I just met," Senri tried to justify as he maintained his distance from the skilled chef, whose expression stumbled at his words,

"Oh dear," Okami-san chuckled lightly as she placed her hand to her lips, a smile forming from the impression Senri had of Kyoko. She smiled as she watched the scene unfold before her, as Kyoko held onto Taisho's arm and spoke of how thankful she was to them, Senri flustered expression at his misunderstanding and explaining the earlier incident and the happiness that was welling in her husbands which only she could see,

He might like Senri even more now, Okami-san thought to herself as she looked to Kyoko who had become very much like a daughter to her and her husband.

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