A/N: Thank you to my friend 'poketninjakyo' for your help. And everyone who left their reviews, Thank you.

Send me a message if you guys have questions.

Chapter 3

'What the!? Ok… shit! Think Kyohei, think! Quickly now… Don't keep her waiting.' He was looking around, avoiding Sunako's hopeful gaze. 'Ah… She looks so cute!! I'm going crazy. Look at anything but her! If she'd find out how happy you are right now. What is she going to think of you?' Kyohei had another excuse, if he does look her way right now. He would smother her with kisses. "Huh? Ah… oh… uhm..." Was all Kyohei could say.

3

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1

"Oh, ok. I'm sorry. It's fine." Sunako hiding her embarrassment and hurt.

"W- What I mean is... what I mean is... N-Nakahara… I'm--" Kyohei wasn't able to finish his sentence. Sunako has turned around and started to walk away. "Hey! W-wait… Listen to me first." He ran after her and grabbed her hand pulled her lightly enough for him to take a look on Sunako's face. She was hiding.

"I… understand, Kyohei. I was completely irrational." Sunako smiled. It was a fake but she was trying hard not to show that she's hurting. It hurts more than her first love's confession. 'Why? Am I insufficient?'

"Say that again?" Kyohei has a pleased look.

"Huh!? W-which part?" Sunako was shaking a little. 'Bastard! You really are capricious. And you are happy at my demise."

"My name. You addressed me with my name." Kyohei was looking at her lips intently. He really wanted to kiss her badly but he held back.

"Kyo-hei" Sunako's lips move as per syllable came out from her lips sounded like music to Kyohei's ears.

"Oi… Look at me." Kyohei wiggled her hand. "Look at me, please." He pleaded again.

Sunako turned her head away instead. "Shall we get going? It's getting late. I have to apologize to everyone."

"Will you listen to my song?" Without hesitation Kyohei dragged Sunako back to where he was sitting before.

'This is crazy. But it will be crazier keeping your feelings for her hidden, until when? When will there be a right time for Sunako Nakahara? Until when are you willing to wait? It's now or never. Gambatte!' Kyohei cheered himself. "Please sit." He motioned to Sunako to take a seat on the edge of the paved road.

She nodded, not trusting herself of what to say. Her thoughts are running wild. Excited and disappointed at the same time. Her issues/problems have not yet resolve and Kyohei has not explained further. In the corner of her heart she was hoping he would tell her why he rejected her. Sunako is now very confused. She has not dealt many men before and she did make a move once but was rejected and laughed at a long time ago. But Kyohei is different. He didn't laugh, he didn't show pity either for someone who just dumped her, he did look happy once but there was no sign of him making fun of her, just a request of his name to be repeated. She did address him by his name for the first time. Aside from introduction to her onee-san Kasumi, she would always and still call him 'creature of light'. And she's getting nervous.

Kyohei sat beside Sunako. And he closed his eyes. He began, he was very nervous.

My morning starts to shine with teardrops in my eyes

And here I am alone starting to realize

That my days would be brighter

If I could learn to hide

These feelings that I have for you

Keep hurting me inside

Sunako is wondering if there's a hidden message meant for her. But if he is hurting why sing it to her now?

Then my day begins with simple thoughts of you

Hoping that tomorrow will be me and you

Sharing dreams with each other

And making them come true

Holding one another

Saying "all I need is you"

Kyohei continued. He was not a good singer but he can sing. He was now staring at Sunako pensively.

But will you say that you love me

And show me that you care

Say when I need you

You will always be there

But if you go and leave me

This I swear is true

My love will always be with you

By the end of this verse Sunako has a shocked look on her face. She wasn't sure how to behave. 'Is this what they call Serenade?' She thought. And now she's blushing to the idea.

Now my nights would end with just one wish, that's you

To hold me in the dark and help me make it through

'cause the pain that's inside me

Would simply melt away

If I had you here with me

And promise me you'd stay

But will you say that you love me

And show me that you care

Say when I need you

You will always be there

But if you go and leave me

This I swear is true

My love will always be with you

He ended his song there. Singing a Capella is not his forte. He looked at Sunako in the eyes, which now looks happy. Many questions he wanted to ask. So he decided with the obvious one. "Did you like it?" Kyohei said.

"Y-yes. You have a good voice. It was… beautiful." Sunako's meaning for the message.

"Heh. I have an appeal after all." Kyohei started with a sly grin.

"It was meant for you." He said bashful. "I wanted to sing it for you." He continued.

"I'd love to go out with you, and not just once as many as you'd allow me to take you. I love you… And my heart longed for you. My advances weren't meant for other reasons, than I wanted to be with you." There! Kyohei has decided to confess right there.

"You are different Sunako. It's not like I have not considered. But I love you even when you are scary. Even if I die in your hands, I wouldn't regret loving you. Though I don't want to die, I wanted to live a life with you someday… if you know what I mean. Until I am prepared, I wanted to keep my feelings hidden. And today, I can't hold it any longer."

"You make do stupid things. You make me want to protect you. It's not like you never know how to protect yourself, but I wanted to be a person you rely on."

"You look passed my appearance. You never judge me. You never complain when I am being mean to you. You accepted me for who I am. True like you, I am scared at being rejected, but with you I can also be strong and willing to take chances; risk everything. Am I crazy to love you this much?"

"…"

"Forgive me if I sounded impulsive, I just wanted it out of my chest." He added.

"…" Sunako was speechless for the first time. If it was battle for words, Kyohei had put everything in his heart with those sentences and like a bullet, fired straight to her heart and Sunako would definitely lose.

She wasn't sure if Kyohei was the romantic type. But He was definelty sounded like Romeo. So her questions are: Is she ready for this? Isn't her primary objective was to avoid too much exposure to him and everyone in the mansion? Keep her solitude and avoid the piercing eyes of her aunt, and keep her Grandmother happy? Was everything she planned erased in an instant Kyohei's words keep repeating in her mind, 'I Love you' he said.

'You've lost your battle Sanuko. You know you wanted to hear those words. If everyone in the house knows about this and thus reach your aunt's ears eventually. You are doomed. You will probably hear the church bells ringing right away. So, choose your words carefully.' Sunako closed her eyes to calm herself down. "I... I... Kyohei… I..." She stopped, she can't find the right words, other than what her heart is screaming 'I love you too, you idiot! What took you so long?'

"It's ok. You don't have to answer me now. I have to admit I am not ready to hear your response right away. And I won't put a timeline or a due date. Because even if you are to love another and find happiness in someone else's arms. I know my heart, it was yours then and it will always be yours."

"…" She's feeling awkward after she was being confessed to and being called a Goddess and what else, she's definitely feeling a little giddy. Blood trickle on her nose. 'I guess I'm not completely comfortable either. I should get used to this feeling of closeness first.'

"He he..." Kyohei forced a laugh nervously.

"A-and until then, I will not give you up for someone else. Unless, it was who you choose, of course." Kyohei has a serious tone but a little sad. 'Gosh Kyohei you've got the nerve. This situation is really the hard to perceive for a positive outcome. It's hell on earth!'

"Should I just forfeit in my quest?" Sunako whispered barely audible and smiled at him.

"S-shall we get going then? Come on, I'll cook you shrimp for dinner." She changes the subject. And for once Kyohei was honest and sincere.

"Yes!" Kyohei got cheered up. It's true for him there's nothing tastier than Sunako's fried shrimp.

"By the way, is that why you stole my number? Is it to keep a leash on me? " she asked with one raised eyebrow. 'Here I thought was going to melt anytime soon. Too much sugar coated words. How much is true? And now I have to act friendly with him.'

"N-no… Y-you are wrong. It was just… in case of emergency. I keep it in a hidden name. I thought that you wouldn't want anybody to know." Kyohei said while they're walking their way to the mansion. 'She's not faltered. I guess I am lame with that kind of confession. But it is a lot better reaction than rejection.'

"Right. Goddess, huh?" Sunako look amused, she's making Kyohei blush. 'This I could get use to. I think I like bullying him now.'

"Hey. If you don't like the name, I could change it anytime you like." Kyohei is blushing furiously.

"If it is your preference, I don't mind. It's not like I'm not used to your abuse." Sunako answered a little sarcastic. "Maybe I should punish you after all. Hehehe" Out of habit Sunako just smiled and giggled menacingly.

"Don't do that! God woman, you're still scary." Kyohei backing away seeing Sunako's smiled. 'What is she thinking? Will she still kill me now that I'm vulnerable? You're really dumb Kyohei. You forgot the evilness of the woman you love. Be wary tonight, or else tomorrow your corpse will be on her display.'

"S-sorry. I'll behave like a lady should." She said.

"Lady or not; you are you. Nothing has change, I realized. I know it's kind of late, but I am here for you." Kyohei is being sweet. 'I can only be myself, like this, few moments like this; to the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.' He'll revert back to his old self once he gets inside the Mansion.

"T-thank you. And so, I still have not forgiven you from what you took in my stash." She complained.

"Oh. Crap! I haven't found a job yet. My allowance from the landlady has not arrived yet." Kyohei looking panicked. 'Crap! I should have borrowed money from Takenaga.'

Giggle. Sweet and full of gentleness. "Is that so?" She asked giggling.

"Yes. And what's so funny?" He pouted, but can't help let out a small smile.

"Nothing. None to be so concerned. Just looking at it… It's like a fast forward of events… with you, my family and my future. All are set in motion at once. It's overwhelming. I don't know if things are catching up or were always there that I choose to ignore. Looks like I'm running out of time all of a sudden. And it's… a little scary." Sunako breathed, she's shocked that she just confided in him her deepest thoughts.

"AHAHAHA" Kyohei laugh wholeheartedly. "This is new. Sunako Nakahara is scared? Life is a battle you know that already, advice for someone whose been running away for awhile: Better take the road with least resistance and go with the flow."

Sunako's P.O.V:

'Now I know why I've come to like him. He is always sweet when we're alone together. His words are sometimes gentle, sometimes harsh and unrefined. But he listens and understands. And his lips are inviting… OH MY GOD! What did I just thought!? When did I look for physical attraction? I love him, but desire? I haven't really accepted the idea. (What about his body?) He's well proportioned and quite muscled up. I've seen his body… and I did want to touch it. And what do you think about him on bed half-naked? THAT's ENOUGH NAKAHARA SUNAKO! You're getting carried away.' Sunako's nose just exploded with blood almost like a faucet. Gashing out, she shuffled her pockets and felt for a handkerchief.

"Are you ok?" Kyohei broke her from her wild thoughts. And hand over his hanky.

"T-thank you. It will get dirty." She meant for the hanky. And she's blushing furiously.

"It's ok. I want to be someone else in your eyes..." He said standing in front of the door. Staring at her. 'You look so beautiful blushing. I wish I could stare forever.'

"No, you can keep your slob-jerk persona." Sunako smirked. "It would help me if you can give me time to think, and please give me space until I'm ready."

"Ok." Kyohei nodded. 'I always acted the jerk you hated. And truth is I didn't like that about myself. For hurting you and many other things I did.'

"Can you act like nothing happened?" She asked.

"Okay." Kyohei opened the big door in front. "Welcome home, my princess." With a prince-like bow, motioning her for 'ladies first'.

"T-thank you." Sunako is not used to Kyohei's abrupt changes. From sweet, honest to a prince-like and a gentleman, then back to slob-jerk. "I… am... home." She whispers softly only Kyohei can hear. She can see his sly smile in the corner of her eye. She ignored him and stepped in the mansion.

"Oujo-sama, Welcome home." Kasumi greeted her inside a large living room. She looked troubled.

"I am home, Kasumi-nee. Is there something wrong?" Sunako sensing something from her older sister.

"Sunako oujo-sama, you have guests." Kasumi said with a sad face. "They are waiting for you at your aunts' library."

"Don't tell me she's here? Please not her. Not yet." Sunako begged for her onee-san not to confirm.

"I'm afraid so. She wanted to speak with you… alone." Kasumi said eyeing Kyohei with puzzled look. He was being ignored as soon as they entered the mansion.

"Will you attend to my friends? Please don't tell anyone." Sunako stood regal, with knowing look and authority.

"Yes. Understood." Kasumi bowed with respect. Taking Kyohei by the arm and left Sunako to lead him where their friends and housemates are.

(Beep 3x) Three beep for standard message received it reads: "Be careful. Aishiteru." Sunako smiled.

-o-

Author: Thanks for reading. Retiring for tonight.