i updated here. wee. :] earlier than i promised because i might not use the computer tomorrow. it's my cousin's birthday, they want me to host it. boriiing~ anyway, read and review!

this chapter is for pathetic rainbow and emjhey, the reviewers of the first chapter. thank you very much! :)

disclaimer: owns nothing. read important notes below.

"Why so glum, cousin?" Azuma asked teasingly as she cornered him near the cafeteria. Azuma saw everything, how Len confronted Kahoko and took her hand. He felt bad for the girl. Kahoko's smile was even pained; she hasn't smiled like that before. Where's the Kahoko who was annoyingly happy and cheerful?, he thought. He wasn't really a fan of other's happiness, but when it came to Miyabi and Kahoko, things were different.

"Why won't he stop trying to know things?!" Kahoko stomped her feet hard as Azuma followed her to the car. She informed her mother about dinner, and she'd just see her there.

"Tsukimori-kun is a smart guy. He wouldn't take no for an answer, would he?" He loved to tease her cousin even though she's pissed. He enjoyed how she ranted continuously about what kind of idiot Tsukimori is.

"You're right." She slumped on the car seat. "But that doesn't mean he has the right to know everything." Kahoko emphasized the word. Azuma just smirked, and silence took over. After a while, they arrived at the mansion-like house of the Yunokis. The driver opened the door for his masters.

"This place was good from the outside, but evil lurks inside." Kahoko said like she didn't care to anyone who would hear it.

"We don't have a choice. Evil is the head of our family, so there's no way out." The two entered the polished wooden door, and it revealed a garden. Leaves from the cherry blossom looked beautiful with the setting sun's light.

"I have to agree with onii-sama." From the door leading to her room, Miyabi Yunoki watched the two at the garden, which was a design of Kahoko's mother. Miyabi had to admit, his brother and cousin would be a great couple if they weren't related by blood.

"Miya-chan!" Kahoko greeted the younger girl with her nick name. Miyabi beamed with the use of the name. Nobody called her like that nowadays, except for Azuma when they're alone.

"Kaho-chan! You still look gorgeous, but thinner. Are you eating? Are you taking good care of yourself?" Miyabi hugged the girl, feeling her shrug. Her brother shook his head.

"You should eat, right now." She looked at Kahoko straight in they eyes. Kahoko was surprised, but nodded her head. Azuma just laughed at the two.

"If anyone needs me, I'm in my room." Azuma went to his room, clearing his thoughts about the red-haired girl and his anger to a certain blue-haired prodigy.

---

"This is.. hm! Delicious." Kahoko commented as she chewed the food prepared by Miyabi. Kahoko was actually glad that there were others who wanted to take care of her, but she wanted him..

"I told you I can cook. Ikebana bored me these past few days, so I asked someone to help me." Miyabi smiled proudly as Kahoko eat some more. She was happy the girl was actually eating a lot. Maybe she just needed someone to watch over her.

"I would teach you some other recipes the next time you come over our house, specially desserts." Kahoko smiled. Miyabi beamed. Her cheeks hurt so much because of the big smile in her face. Kahoko was finally starting to be herself. The two finished there food, then Miyabi pulled Kahoko from her seat.

"Hey. Slow down. You're gonna break my hand." Kahoko scolded Miyabi. The girl didn't notice, but inside, Kahoko froze. He could clearly his voice, strict yet full of concern and worry. Take care of your hands. It was hard for her to keep a straight face.

"Gomen. Here. You're wearing this for dinner." Miyabi pulled out a kimono from her closet. It was pink with patterns she couldn't figure out what, and the waist was accented by a white ribbon. She wuickly ran to the bathroom and change clothes.

"It's perfect Kaho-chan. Sit here and wait for me." Miyabi instructed her, and she followed. The table was lined up with make-up and hair accesories. She winced; dinner shouldn't be that formal.

"Ta-da. Your turn." Miyabi was wearing some white kimono with a different design as hers, and the waist was accented with gray ribbon. The girl's curl hair was up in a bun. Kahoko didn't have time to complement her because she attacked Kahoko with this and that. After minutes of brushing and curling, she's done.

"Perfect." Miyabi turned Kahoko's chair so she could see herself. The girl in the mirror looked happy, her amber eyes popped and there's some blush in her face. Simple but elegant, just as what's expected from a Yunoki.

"Are you girls done?" Azuma's voice could be heard from the door.

"The door's safe to be opened onii-sama." Miyabi took Kahoko's hand just as Azuma opened the door.

The purple-haired flutist stared at Kahoko with amusement and shock. There's no doubt that Kahoko was beautiful, and pink was her color. Curse you Tsukimori Len for making this perfect girl broken. Happiness might not be seen from Kahoko's eyes, but she's showing some signs of life now.

"Oh my. My girls grew up." Azuma put his hand above his hand, and wiping an invisible tear. Miyabi just giggled at his brother's silliness, and Kahoko just rolled her eyes, but one side of her mouth twitched.

"So you both find it amusing?" He raised his eyebrow. Her sister just laughed, and for the first time, he's seen Kahoko smile.''

"You're not amusing." Miyabi slapped his brother's arm before taking off. Kahoko followed after, but before she went out, she came closer to Azuma and whispered in his ear seductively.

"I find it rather.. annoying." Kahoko smirked, waiting for the bishounen's reaction. She was already outside Miyabi's room, but he took her hand.

"When did you learn that, little Kahoko?" He smirked, surprised with Kahoko's actions. The red-haired girl just smiled innocently.

"I learned that from the expert, of course." She winked before disappearing from his sight. If she only knew..

---

"So. Your mother told me that you're back at Seisou Gakuen Kahoko." their grandmother started as the maids serve their food. Kahoko was seated between Miyabi and her mother while facing Azuma. When she hear her name being called, she bit her lip. She didn't like being the center of attention.

"Hai, obaa-sama." She simply answered. Small talk.

"Have you seen Tsukimori-kun?" Azuma nearly dropped his chopstick, but seeing Kahoko's look, he tried to control himself. The hag is hitting the nerve.

"Hai. I was in the same class as him." Apparently this lady doesn't understand my reactions.

"Did you, by any chance, talked to him?" Kahoko was fuming now. Okay. Enough of this crap. Her grandmother wanted her to suffer because she thought it's Kahoko's fault that it happened.

"I'm going to the restroom. Please excuse me." She stood up, not caring about the worried looks of her mother, Miyabi, and Azuma. Her grandmother just ate, like Kahoko's problem wasn't anything big.

---

Kahoko watched the fishes that swam at the pond near the guestroom. It was at the far end of the house's left wing, far enough from the dining room. She didn't want to hear her grandmother burst into a tantrum. It would only make things complicated. She doesn't even have the right to be angry with me. I hate her.

She let her thoughts wander on their conversation a while ago. The questions she asked were the once she didn't hope to answer. She knew how insensitive her grandmother might be, and with what she did, she despised her more. She hated her with every cell of her being.

For the first time this week, Kahoko let herself cry. She was already successful on pushing the past, burying it in the deepest abyss of her mind. She tried so hard not to think about it, but everything that happened today made her focus weaken.

Her sobs were heartbreaking yet silent. She was used to it, afraid that her mother might come to her room and rush to her side. She didn't want them to worry about her. The others were successful in hiding their reactions and feeling about it, but why couldn't she?

"Kahoko." A comforting voice called from the door. Azuma was worried Kahoko might do anything. He wanted to shout at their grandmother for asking those question, but he was sane enough not to. He didn't need another lecture about disgrace and respect from her. Azuma just tried to find where Kahoko was.

"Hush now. You don't want her to come here and get you ne?" He took Kahoko's small bosy and cradled it on his lap. He let his guard down, showing her the brotherly love and support she needed right now. He took a spare cloth for her, and pressed her tightly on his chest.

He couldn't figure out the feelings for the girl. Before, she was nothing to her, but after he learned that they were cousins, he became sad. He was so sure that he's going to win over that blue-haired violinist, but in the end, secrets were revealed. He didn't have the choice but to go with the flow. He was in love with her, yet they were related by blood. Azuma heard more sounds from the driveway, and so did Kahoko.

"Let's put our mask on now, shall we?" He gave Kahoko an evil smirk. Her mood lighten up a little, and she gave him a weak smile. She completely wiped off her make-up, and she showed him a big yet fake smile.

"Much better Kaho-chan. You really learned from the best." He outstretched his hand to her, and she took it. The two of them were walking silently until they reached the dining room.

"Oh good you're back. Perfect time for the main course, Azuma, Kahoko." Their grandmother greeted them with her monotone voice. The two didn't even notice the addition to their company until they sat together. At the side of Kahoko was Hamai Misa in teal kimono. She almost gasped.

"Konbanwa Hamai Misa. I haven't noticed you're here." Kahoko smiled nervously, afraid of the pianist's reaction. Instead of the glare she's waiting for, she was enveloped in a big hug.

"Kaho-chan. I'm so glad to see you again." The elder lady said with a sincere voice. Azuma observed, and he could detrect the truth in her words.

"I'm glad to see you too." Kahoko smiled. She felt someone boring holes on her, and she looked on her right. Tsukimori Len was staring at her with wide eyes. She quickly composed herself, and greeted him.

"Tsukimori-kun, it's nice to see you."

good or not so good?

info info. :D Some things I noticed in this chapter. Hope you noticed them, too. :]

1) Miyabi, Azuma's sister, thinking they would make a good couple. But in my story, they're cousins. Hellooo~ Not really against them, but still. Amf.

2) The line "Take care of your hands". Aww. I already forgot how Len said that to Kahoko at the anime, but still I remembered it! :)

3) The line "Curse you Tsukimori Len for making this perfect girl broken." Wheeeew~ Never thought Yunoki-kun would think like that. Squee! Sorry if it's OOC, but I felt the need to put it there.

4) Seductive whisper of Kahoko to Azuma, using the word annoying to him, and winking. Weee~ It's OOC again! I'm so them do what I want them to do. But this is fanfiction people.

5) Fuming Kahoko to the ever-powerful leader of Yunoki clan. LOL. OOC still. I truly hate myself.

6) Azuma comforting Kahoko, letting his guard and his confused feelings for her. It's so kawaaaai~ If I didn't really love Len x Kaho pairing.

7) Appearance of Tsukimori's during dinner :] Wahee~ Cliffie!

If you have questions, suggestions, constructive criticism and violent reactions, just review or PM. :] I would try my best to answer your questions. And please, do not just pass by without reviewing. The purpose writers post their stories is because they want feedback. Okaaaay?

Stay tuned! And wait for the next update. I'm going to try my best to post soon.