The Melancholy Schmaltz

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CHAPTER SIX: SECRET

•••

Kahoko sighed. She was waiting for the time that the period would end. It was too boring that she felt like dying.

"Hino-san," Kaji leaned closer to her.

"Mm?" She tilted her head.

"Are you all right?" He asked. "You seemed to be very sleepy."

"I am. It's just that the lesson is going to kill me." She blinked.

"Ah well, mind if I ask you to come with me after class?" He wondered.

"Where will you take me?" She curiously asked.

"Somewhere." He decided to keep it a secret.

Kahoko paused. 'Yunoki wants me to come with him later.'

"I would be happy if you would come with me." He added.

"Ah-I'm sorry. I need to go somewhere later." She declined. "I hope you would understand."

Kaji paused. He seemed to be saddened by her answer. "Don't worry, I understand. Maybe next time?" He gave her a smile.

"I hope so." She smiled back. 'He really understands but I don't promise that I will be able to come with him. Someone will get very mad.'

•••

Kahoko ran. Suddenly, Yunoki's three avid fans block her way.

'Here they are again.' Kahoko thought.

"Hino Kahoko, mind if we talk with you for a while?" The cult leader asked.

"I'm quite busy. Sorry." She tried to move away from them.

"Who do you think you are?" The next girl said.

Kahoko was stopped. "What are you talking about?"

"Just because Yunoki-sama is around you, you have the guts to steal him away from us?" They questioned.

"Look at yourself. You are not even beautiful. You are nothing compared to us." The leader made the comparison.

"Well if you want to be noticed be him, then why don't you beautify yourselves and make yourselves noticeable? Catch his attention. You are rich, beautiful and powerful but there are things that your money can't buy. Yes, I am nothing compared to you but there are things that you are completely nothing compared to me." Kahoko simply said. "Try to look at yourself in the mirror and reflect on your attitude. Are you kind, good, gentle and genuine?" She stared at them then walked away.

Yunoki grinned. He had heard everything that she had said but he stayed hidden behind those walls. Kahoko then passed.

"That's quite impressive." He said. She stopped then stared at him with a blank look. Yunoki stared back at her.

"Was that really that impressive? Did that entertained you? Was I a good toy? Did I humor you?" She asked.

Yunoki kept silence.

"You liked how I made fun of myself? Where you astound that they belittle me? Did you enjoy that they looked down on me...Was that really FUN?" She bit her lower lip. Her eyes softened.

"Let me take you home." He took her hand.

"Let go of me." She pulled her hand. "Are you that insensitive?"

"What do you want me to say?" He asked.

She fixed her eyes on him. "I guess… you are really that hard." Her tears made its way down to her cheeks.

Yunoki lifted his hands to reach out for her. She stayed still as he brushed her tears away. After that, Yunoki pulled her to him. She buried her face to his chest as Yunoki patted her back. Kahoko then wondered why she fell for such a guy.

"You don't have to weep. I was proud that you learned how to speak for yourself." He whispered.

No one knew about their relationship and Kahoko even doubted if he is seeing her as his girl or still his toy. He never told her he loved her and she thought that she would just ruin his reputation.

Everytime I try to get serious with you
you make it so awkward for me, I'm foolish
I'm sighin' "I want to be with you"
I feel like I'm gonna burst open...just felt it

Slowly, Yunoki cupped her chin then lifted her face up. With that clear sight of her, he kissed her as gently as he could possibly be. He felt another set of tears flowing down her cheeks but he ignored it.

Need you to softly say
just whisper to me
Please kiss me once again
let me feel you...

"Don't me miffy." He whispered. "I don't like you to cry over something as stupid as this."

Tell me how you feel,
-Don't play games-
I want hear you say now
don't want see you get misty eyed...
When you are feeling sad
I want to find very thing that would

Calm your crying heart.

•••

Yunoki caressed her hair as she laid her head steady on his shoulders. They stayed inside the car as Yunoki's driver parked in front of the Hino residence.

"Is your mother not looking for you?" He asked.

Kahoko kept silent.

"Kahoko," He said. "Don't ponder much on things that are not supposed to be pondered. I don't want you to bother yourself too much."

She lifted her head. "How about the secret—" He halted her.

"I said, don't ponder about it. Time will come. I promise." He traced her lower lip.

Kahoko believed somehow. She doesn't know why but she believes everything that he says.

how will I get on without you
I'm cryin' your name
I've got secrets in my heart...

'Time will come.' Yunoki thought.