Can I walk you home?

Geez. Snowdrop seems like forever.

I wear my coat and put a red scraft around my neck. Everybody chatting about their christmas holiday. I don't care. You can name any holiday, and I'll just stay at home, accompany obaachan (grandmother) to take care our inn. My parents live in capital city, and coming home just once a year. I used to be with obaachan still I was a child.

Usually, Kiyoteru and me walk together. But Kiyoteru has an extra lesson. He study hard for his own goal, entering capital city university. Now Im walking alone, look at falling snow when suddenly that blue haired guy appear.

"Meiko senpai~~" he calling my name cheerfully.

NO. It's two days after that incident. I try to not involved with him. I keep the distance and walk faster. No. Nothing I wanna say.

"Hey... hey.. what's with that manner?" he doesn't change his cheering tone. Everyone looking at me with a surprise face. Kaito Shion walk beside me. Try to chase my step. Geez, he should have a shame of himself. Why did he clinging me? What's the intention? I hate this. I hate being the center of attention. Eventhough I know that the "real" center of attention is him.

I try to not looking at him or anyone to make myself being better because my heart beating so fast. I choose a difficult route. A little forest with an upside down way. With a lot of bushes and abandon log. White. Everything white. Covered by snow. It's cold, wet and slippery. But that guy moving steadily beside me. Seems like he won't stop. "What do you want, actually?" I said in a very small voice.

"I wanna walk you home!" he shout confidently, "At least... I wanna say Im sorry..."

Why does his voice become very heavy? I paused my step and looking at him. I surprised. His lips are pale and shaking. He looks in mess and almost freeze. He doesn't get used to an extreme weather in this village. I felt sorry to myself. I dont know why I feel this way. He is the one who persistent to follow me. Then why I felt a sory to myself? In this case, I can't leave him here and let him die because of hypoterm. It would be my fault!

"Stupid uptown guy..." I sigh and start to walk in a moderate way, "My house is already near. Come fix yourself and don't make any stupid act anymore... Okay?"

He nodded and smile like a baby get a candy.

My obaachan looks surprise when she found me come home with a guy. I can receive that expression. I never walk with anyone but Kiyoteru. And now I walk with this blue haired guy. He is handsome. He is an artist. And he is FREEZE!

"Here, dear.. I made you a cup of hot chocolate..." that old woman saying a brief words and left us.

Kaito smile politely at her and say thanks. Geez, what a snake. How he can put that "im-a-good-guy" face when he already doing that cruel things to me? Ah. He is an artist. And maybe he will become an actor. My hatred suddenly come back. I keep my distance and take a sit across him.

"Do you scare of me?" Kaito ask calmly. He put another face now. A serious face. A face of a mature man. His blue eyes are looking at me without any wind. I shook my head. I don't know what to say. I don't have any slightest idea. Im not scare. Im just don't know how to act in front of him. Im uneasy and nervous.

"Here... sit beside me. I wanna ask you several things..."

I don't take any move. He smile and put a victory symbol, "I promise I won't kiss you without your permission..."

"HUSH YOUR MOUTH!" I jump and reach him, "Don't you know that is very impolite to be said loudly?"

"You blushed..." he whispered.

"It's not the point!" I snapped.

"You put your finger on my lips since several seconds ago..." he laugh and look at me with that childish eyes. I pull my hand and realize my idiot-ness. What the hell I was doing? I jump, and I order him to stop his words... And I... put my finger at his lips?

"I like you, Meiko..." he saying briefly.

Here he said another nonsense words. A nonsense that bring a lot of sense in my head. Suddenly my mind full of a bluntly thought. I can't forget it. I can't forget everything about him since two days ago. I can't forget him. I avoid him but his voice resound on my ears.

"There's a lot of girls chasing me. They loves me because of my appearance. But you different. You see me as a human. I feel happy when I near you..."

Suddenly tears running down my eyes. I quickly try to sobs it. How can I put this. I never have somebody who express their feeling honestly. I never have any emotional communication like this before. I always endure everything by self. Obaachan is already old, and she will sad if I tell something painful about my school life.

"Hey... Why did you cry?" Kaito erase my tears smoothly.

"Im... everybody... Thinks that Im a monster..." I whispered slowly, "They never saw me as a human too.. Because I do a martial arts and doesn't act like a girl..."

"They are stupid..." Kaito shook his head and looks at me seriously, "The fact that you inviting me because of my awful cold is already showing that you have a heart. A kindhearted girl..."

"Sorry..."I stop my tears and feels embarrased of myself. I was crying like a baby. Kaito cuddling my auburn red hair and smile, "No. Im the one who have to say sorry. Don't scare of me, okay?"

I nodded. It's like a dream. I have a new friend. He is smiling and asking me to toss the chocolate cup. It's warm and feel much sweet than ever. I feel a happiness and start to smile.

"Meiko?"

Suddenly Kiyoteru appear in terrace. He looks shocked and unimpressed. I stand up and greeting him, "Hi, Kiyoteru... I'll prepare a cup of.."

"No need," he interrupted and glaring at Kaito, "Didn't I say to not involve with this guy?"

"It's..." I paused, "He come by because..."

"I know that I shouldn't let you going home alone..." Kiyoteru shook his head and sigh, "Tomorrow I'll pick you and walk you home. See you..."

"Kiyoteru!" I feel another pierce in my heart. His brown coat move smoothly. He is tall and dominating. The dissapointement expressed from his voice. No. I don't want hear it. What is this? Why did he become angry because of this Shion guy? Im waiting for Kiyoteru's care since a long time. I start to resist my feeling because of his ignorant. Now I try to move on but he shows such a jealousy feeling? What I am for him?

"Meiko..." Kaito try to held me.

"Just left me alone..." I answered coldly.

-To be continued-