The Melancholy Schmaltz

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CHAPTER TWO: INCOGNIZANT

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Yunoki wandered around the gen-ed department.

"Ah! Look at that! It's Yunoki Azuma-sama of the music department!" Students murmured.

"He sure looks dazzling."

Yunoki then stopped at his destination. "May I please talk to Hino?" He asked Mio.

"Ah—mn." She nodded then turned around to search for Kahoko. "Kahoko, Yunoki-san is here."

Kahoko gulped. "Wh—what?"

"Hino-san." Yunoki smiled.

Kahoko was left with no choice. She stood up then rushed to him. Mio watched her as she grabbed his arm and dragged him away. Everyone stared at them. She brought him to a secluded place.

"What do you want me for?" She questioned.

"Are you mad that I came here?" He said.

"For heaven's sake! What are you planning to do? Your coming here would only make me earn rivals." She said with brows rising.

"Rivals?" He highlighted that word.

"I mean, enemy. Goodness, I need no fights against anyone else. Especially with your cult. Your three demoniacs."

"I don't really care." His tone changed. "Go out with me tomorrow at three in the afternoon." He turned. "Don't be late or else you'll regret."

'Is he asking me for a date?' She thought as he left.

•••

"I'm late!" Kahoko ran. "I'm dead!"

Yunoki stared at his wrist watch. 'four.'

"I'm here." She panted then stooped down, trying to regain her breath.

"You are really late." He displayed his annoyed face.

"I'm sorry. My mother made me do some chores." She explained.

"You could have allowed me to come and fetch you at your place." He placed his hands to his waist. "I'll punish you for this. Let's go."

They went.

"Uhm…" She hesitated. "Why did you ask me out today?"

"What do you think about this?" He returned her question.

"I don't know." She looked down, shy to say what she think it was.

Yunoki watched her. "So what do you want to do? I want to have some fun." He asked.

"Are you making me decide? Why don't you have fun alone? I still have to do some laundry, you know." She crossed her arms.

"Because I need someone to entertain me." He responded. "You are my time-killer. My entertainer."

"What the— I'm not your toy whom you will pick if you are bored." She turned to her side.

"What is your opinion then? What do you want to do?" He once again asked.

Kahoko looked at him from the corner of her eyes. 'I'm not an entertainer. I even think that I am boring.' "Are you serious that you will make me decide?" she asked.

"Yes." He turned to her.

"Then I will warn you. I am not fun to be with." She turned her head to him.

"So be it." He crossed her arms.

She thought for a while. "How about watching a movie? My favorite actress has a new movie and I want to watch it. So how about that?"

He stared at her. "Let's go."

Kahoko stared at him as he took the lead. She may not understand his thoughts but she feels that he maybe needs someone to be with. It was just now that she noticed his attire. He was wearing a blue shirt paired with a khaki pants while she wore a yellow t-shirt paired with a brown pedal.

They entered the cinema. Kahoko then found a nice seat down.

"Let's sit there." She said.

"But we paid for the balcony." He replied.

"I want it there." She told him.

"Well I want it there." He pulled her up. Now, she got no choice. She followed him. The balcony had less audience. They then settled themselves.

The show started and Kahoko focused. "She's so beautiful." She mumbled upon seeing her favorite idol.

"She doesn't look so pretty to me." Yunoki stated.

"She's beautiful. She responded. "I wish to be like her but, silly me. I actually look so ordinary."

Yunoki watched her. "I've seen her in one of the parties that I've attended."

"Really? Was she nice? Was she beautiful?" She asked with full interest.

"She's fine and beautiful but I prefer ordinary girls rather than those beautiful yet boring ones." He answered. Kahoko wasn't expecting that answer. She blushed.

The movie went on and Kahoko watched in focus. Suddenly, she got startled when something landed on her right shoulder. She turned to it then surprised to see him sleeping. She watched him then lifted her head and blush. She then looked at the movie to divert.

'He smells good.' She thought.

'Strawberry.' Yunoki thought upon smelling the scent of her hair. 'Very feminine.'

Kahoko then glanced at him. 'I wonder why he chose to be with me. There are a lot of girls around and he can choose anyone he wishes. But why me?'

The movie lasted an hour. Seeing the screen's projection of cast, Kahoko turned to him. She can't seem to talk.

"Yu—yunoki-senpai," She began. "The movie is done. You have to wake up now."

He did not respond.

"Senpai, the mo—" She was stopped when he lifted his head then their faces were only inches a part.

Yunoki then turned to the screen. "So it's done?" He said as he stood up. Kahoko watched him. "Let's go."

They went to an ice cream shop. It was Kahoko's choice to be there. She ate a big vanilla and chocolate ice cream with wafers and strawberries on its sides and top. Yunoki on the other hand ordered an orange juice.

"The movie was good. No doubt you like that actress." Yunoki said.

"How can you say that? You weren't even watching. You slept as the movie went." She held the ice cream spoon.

Yunoki smirked.

'It was because of you that I was not able to concentrate.' She thought. "Senpai," She began.

"Kahoko," He said with informality. "Do you remember the punishment?"

"Mm." she nodded.

"Good, because from now on, you will call me through my given name." He said.

"What?" She was caught off-guard. "Az-zu—NO." She declined.

"That's your punishment." He eyed her.

"No. I don't want to." She shook her head. "But can Yunoki go instead?"

He thought about it for a while. "Without any horrifics."

"Okay, Yu—Yunoki." She blushed.

'I guess that will do for now.' He thought.

"Why aren't you ordering any ice cream?" She wondered. "Don't you like them?"

"No. I eat but not much." He answered her.

She took some scoop and ate it. She then turned to him. He was watching her. Suddenly, she scooped another and moved it towards him. "I don't mind to share." She said. Yunoki grinned. He ate it. Realizing this indirect kiss, Kahoko blushed.

"It taste good." He said as he leaned back.

"Mm." she looked down.

"Kahoko," He began. "Do you have any relationships with that Kaji Aoi or with that Tsukimori Len?"

"What? No." She shook her head. She again looked down. "Why do you ask?"

"You seemed to be very attached to them." He said.

"You must be imagining things." She faked a smile.

"In mutual understanding maybe?" He lifted his glass.

"No…I mean, I don't know." She pressed her lips.

"So there is a possibility that you are?" He took a sip with his juice.

"I don't know." She watched him. She does not want to admit but she has a crush on Len.

"Where will we go next?" He questioned. 'I hate this.'

"Uhm…" She tilted her head. For her, it was good that he changed the subject. "How does the carnival sound?"

"Good." He said. "I've never been in a carnival."

"Seriously?" She doubted. "You are not kidding?"

"Yes." He seriously said.

"Well then, I'll make you enjoy." She smiled. Yunoki stared at her.

They went to the carnival.

"So this is how a carnival looks like?" He said upon seeing those Ferris wheels and all.

"Come." She pulled him. He followed her.

They tried many rides. They wandered around. Suddenly, Kahoko stopped at the darting booth. She eyed the big teddy bear. Yunoki stared at her then went to the booth.

"I would like to play." He smiled at the man. Kahoko turned to them upon hearing his voice.

"Oh sure." The man said as he gave the darts to Yunoki.

"Thank you." He took it.

"Yunoki…" She neared him. Calling him Yunoki as what she promised. "What are you doing?"

"Are you blind? Playing." He said in a low tone that only Kahoko can hear.

"I see." She stood to the side.

Yunoki positioned himself then threw his first dart. It landed on the bull's eye and same with the second and the third. Kahoko was awe-struck. The man then neared him.

"That was a good one." He complimented.

"Thank you." Yunoki charmingly said.

"So, what price do you want?"

"Mm…" He placed a hand under his chin. Acting like he was thinking on what to choose. "I think I'll have that bear."

"Oh this one?" The man took it then handed it over to him.

"It cute. What do you think Kahoko?" He asked, displaying his good image again.

"Ah, it's cute." She nodded.

"So this is your girlfriend?" The man questioned.

"N-no." She blushed.

"Oh come on." The man doubted. "You two look good together."

"No." Kahoko mumbled as she looked down.

"Well, thank you Mister but I think we have to leave. Thank you once again." Yunoki waved his hand then they went. As soon as they were alone, Yunoki turned to her. her cheeks were burning but they were lovely to his sight. "Let's sit here." He went to a clear bench. Kahoko followed but she remained silent. "This bear looks cute but I don't want to keep it." This made Kahoko turn to him. "Want it?" He moved the bear to her.

"No. It's yours." She pushed the bear back to him.

"Get it." He placed it beside her.

"No." She refused.

He crossed his legs. "Get it or else I'll place it inside that trash bin." He turned to the trash bin. "What?"

"Okay then. I'll get it." She placed the bear on her lap and hugged it. "Thank you." She smiled. He did not respond but he watched her tainted cheeks.

"You look cute." He complimented. This statement stopped Kahoko.

"What are you talking about?" She all the more blushed. "Don't say anything rash." She hugged the bear.

"It's all right. Cute means small and ugly." He said. Kahoko urked. Upon seeing this look on her face, he burst into laughter. "You look funny."

"Okay, make fun of me." She stood up. She was mad at his prank joke. She turned to him. She realized that he looks stunning when he laughs that way. She fell into a daze. 'It's quite rare to see him this way.' She thought.

Yunoki then turned to her. "You humored me." He grinned.

"Hmp." She snubbed. She looked up to the sky. "What time is it now?" She wondered.

"Quarter to six." He answered. "Are you in a rush?"

"No." She responded. "Are you having fun?"

Yunoki closed his eyes. "We aren't done yet, are we?"

She looked back to him. "I don't know anything now."

"Let us eat then. I am afraid that I can't send you back to your house hungry so let's go." He pulled her hand then they went.

They ended up at a very expensive restaurant again.

'Extravagance.' This was what Kahoko thought about the restaurant.

"Why don't you eat?" He asked. "Do you want me to feed you?"

"No." She replied. "It's just that, I want to know what you take me for." She said. "I want to know who the real Yunoki is. You are so smooth and kind to others but in reality, you are so bold and mean. Especially to me." She stared at him with such wonder. "Why can't you just be kind to me? Just as what you've been showing to everyone?"

"Do you understand that my gentleness is a fraud?" They watched each other eye to eye.

"But in either way, I don't get you." her eyes softened.

"Are you that rueful that I showed to you the real me?" He said with a calm tone.

"It's just that you make me go buried into a deep thought. You make me dubious." Her eyes were starting to show tears. "It's just that you hurt me when you are toying with my feelings."

Yunoki stayed silent. 'I would prefer that you will discover it yourself, Kahoko. I can wait for you.'

After that dinner Yunoki walked her home. They were as silent as the night. They then stopped at the Hino residence.

"Are you not going in?" he asked.

"Ah well, bye." She hesitated.

"Kahoko," She turned to him. "Thank you." He said as he moved closer to her.

"You're welcome." She smiled. Suddenly, Yunoki took her hand and kissed it.

"If I make you entertain me," He said as he squeezed her hand. "Would that be a problem?"

Kahoko blushed. "N-no."

"Good night." He wished her.

"Same to you and sweet dreams." She bid as she turned around and head to their door. Before she entered the door, she took a glance at him. He nodded to her then she smiled for the very last time and went inside. The inside was empty but she knew that her family was there. Suddenly, she ran up to her room and head to her window. He was still standing there until a taxi stopped in front of him and he rode.

Kahoko closed her eyes then sat on her bed. She picked the bear up and embraced it. It was comfy and she liked it.

'Someday, time will come and I will understand.' She thought before she fell asleep.

Author's note: I am so sorry if it's not so good. I am not really good at the dating idea. Sorry if I disappointed you guys.

Thank you for bearing with me. Take care always and may the heavens bless you.