The Melancholy Schmaltz

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CHAPTER SIXTEEN: MUDDLED

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"Where is Kahoko?" Len asked himself as he held his cell phone tight in gasp.

•••

Kahoko gained consciousness. She felt something but was not sure on what it was. Slowly she opened her eyes and got surprised by what she saw…

He was kissing her.

She pushed him back. "What's the big idea?" She covered her mouth with the back of her right hand.

He just looked at her.

Kahoko moved away from him. "Don't dare…"

Yunoki looked straight and smirked. "You must hate me so much."

"You can say that again." Kahoko clenched her hand into fist.

•••

The two did no longer talk to each other after that. When dawn came, around 3:30 AM, the elevator door opened. Kahoko stood up quickly and hurriedly went out of the elevator.

Yunoki couldn't do anything but watch her as she disappeared along the hallway.

'Why are my lips so warm?' She questioned herself as she ran out of the lobby. She then remembered the kiss that he stole. 'Why did he have to kiss me?' She entered the taxi available and entered it.

•••

Kahoko arrived in her condo hotel. She walked pass the lobby. She was obviously troubled. Suddenly, a voice caught her full attention.

"Kahoko."

She looked up. Without hesitation, she ran to the person.

"Where have you been?" Len questioned.

Kahoko looked at his eyes. Slowly, she lifted herself and kissed him. Len was surprised.

'Len, please don't hate me.' She thought to herself.

Len ended their kiss and looked at her. "I've been waiting."

"I'm sorry, I just… went somewhere with some other old friends." She lied.

"You did not answer any of my calls."

"Sorry." She looked down. "My phone is off."

He was staring at her. "Let's go to your unit." He took her hand lead her.

They entered her condo unit.

"How long were you waiting?" She wondered.

"I've been waiting since 10 in the evening last night." He answered.

'That long? He must be worried.' She closed her eyes and sighed.

"If you would allow, I would like to stay here for the time being." He told her.

She looked at him. "I won't mind."

"Kahoko," He called. "Go to bed. You look stressed."

"I'll wash my make-up first." She went to the bathroom and leaned on the wall.

After ten minutes, she went out of the bathroom wearing her pajamas and a white cotton shirt. She looked at Len who was sitting on the couch.

"Are you tired?" She neared him.

"Not really." He said in response.

"Len." She stood in front of him. "Sorry."

"Just don't do that again." He held her hand.

"I won't. I promise." She smiled. 'He waited for me. He was probably worried.' She thought.

"Sleep now." He told her.

"Okay. You too." She said as she moved back and head to her bed.

•••

Kahoko wandered. She was obviously lost along the Metropolitan of Germany.

"Where's my manager?" She mumbled as she wandered around the endless unknown place. "Where in the world is he? I thought he said he'll wait for me here…hm…let me see…is this even the place he was talking about?" She pondered.

She wandered around the fountain. She was already losing her patience.

"Where in the world is he?" She picked her cellphone and dialed his number. She waited then heard nothing. She looked at it, only to witness that it was off. "My goodness! Why did I not charge this before going?" She was now mad. Without second thoughts, she left the place and went to search for her great 'MANAGER."

The sun already had already set but Kahoko was still lost in nowhere. The worst thing there is… she does not know how to speak in German. All she could do was grumble.

"Where are my feet bringing me?" She asked herself. "Nowhere obviously." She bit her lower lip.

Left with no more choice, Kahoko went to one side and leaned on the lamp light. A black car then parked in front of her but she ignored it. She was just to preoccupied to pay any attention.

Suddenly…

"Kahoko," A soft voice made her look up.

Kahoko looked at her. "Mi-Miyabi!" She straightened herself up.

•••

Miyabi brought Kahoko to a restaurant together with a guy.

"Miyabi, I did not expect to see you here." She awkwardly said. "Its been a long time."

"Me neither. I did not expect to see you here. More on that, you look beautiful." She smiled in the same manner as before.

"Not…" She simpered. Kahoko's sight then flickered to the guy beside Miyabi. On the other hand, Miyabi caught that sight of curiosity.

"This is Kenji, my fiancé." She introduced him.

'Fiance?' Kahoko questioned herself.

Miyabi smiled. "You might be wondering but we are long engage."

"Re-really?" Kahoko gave her a concern look.

"I am Takahisa Kenji." The guy introduced himself with such charm. He was good-looking and he seemed to be nice. He was holding his hand out.

"Hino Kahoko." She said as she shook his hand.

"Grandmother herself arranged the two of us." Miyabi openly informed.

That caught Kahoko off-guard. She was then wondering if Miyabi had to carry the thought of being tied to the person she did not wish to have. Not to mention being manipulated once more…like Azuma.

"We're together for five years already… and finally we planned to get married since he is already settled as the President of his company and since I'm done with my studies." She added.

"That must be…tough." Kahoko mumbled oblivious that her voice is pretty much audible.

"Oh not really." Miyabi cheerfully said.

Kahoko looked up to the two with such worried look. 'They heard me?'

"I like Kenji and he feels the same. Don't worry."

"Miyabi… I am not butting in but—are you two really sure?" She tired to say it gently.

"Yes." Kenji said.

Kahoko found herself lost for words. She was obviously not expecting that.

"Our parents wanted us to tie the knot as soon as possible so we had made our mind to pursue the wedding." He explained.

'Even this two. Can't they just fight for themselves?' She wondered.

"If you are thinking that we are much manipulated…well, not really. We grew to like each other. Our parents gave us some options." Miyabi looked at her glass.

"I am not really thinking about any manipulation." She lied.

"I can deliberately say that our case is far from the case that you and my brother had." She answered, making Kahoko look up in remembrance. Miyabi gave Kahoko a fix stare. She was as if trying to catch here right then and there.

Silence.

Kenji was just silent as the two intensely watched each other.

"Kahoko, can we talk?" Miyabi began.

"We are talking Miyabi." She forced a smile. Uneasiness was airing around them.

"Not this kind of talk. I want a serious one which will only be about you and my brother." Miyabi was hoping to hear her say something like…What is it?

Kahoko was flabbergasted.

"What about us?" She forced a smile. "We saw each other and the two of us are okay."

Miyabi pressed her lips then answered her. "You are not supposed to be okay with what happened. Frankly speaking, it's not okay at all."

"Miyabi…" Kahoko was hesitating since she does not want to bring this up.

"I want to talk to you privately." She then turned to Kenji. "Would you mind to give us a few moments to talk?"

"Take your time. I'll just wait outside." He patted her shoulder and stood up.

As soon as Kenji went, Miyabi began.

"You obviously had no idea what happened. I wanted to tell you but my brother told me not to meddle with your issue, but now I don't think I can still keep quiet."

"Miyabi, whatever we had before, I wish to leave it all as is it. Both of us are okay now. We had moved on." Kahoko said.

"I know you have moved on. But you should know something, because if not, it will forever be unfair in the part of my brother." Miyabi held Kahoko's hand. "Please hear me out." She said in a voice that it's as if she was begging.

With that request, can she ever turn her down? How many years was she wondering? 6 whole years, and now she can finally hear it out. But why is she refusing?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Finally! I've updated. Sorry about it guys. To be honest with you, I am really busy since I am in my senior years. But you know what, I am really trying my very best to update every week but my hectic schedule is too much! I can't even breathe, with it in mind. The chapter 17 won't be long anyway. I won't make you wait long for it. Alright?

But somehow, I want to listen to your reactions about this chapter. Please remember that its your reviews that keeps me going. It inspires me to go and continue.

Eliza: You are wondering where I got my ideas? My answer is that, I got them from my own imagination alone. Example is…when I ride the elevator, I can eventually think of something. Perhaps it is caused by boredom? Hey, thanks a lot for your support and sorry for updating sooooo slow. Don't worry I'll keep writing. I won't give up in this fic. It's just that I lose imagination at time. About turning this into lemon? Well, I don't have that in mind. I may probably keep this sweet, confusing and complicated. And about your P.S…I was speechless. It made me smile! I am so happy to know that you consider me as your favorite author. Take care and more power to you!

imrandomcuzimkewlthatway : Thanks for reading! Don't worry, I'll continue the other fic soon. I had just lost inspiration as of the moment. :D Take care

The Phoenix Feather : You know, you really caught me off guard! I thought you only read my Kaleido story but when I saw your reviews, I was flabbergasted! You read this even though you only know a little about the characters but I think you know them now. Hey! You got to update your story some more! I want some update ! Thanks for appreciating. Take care!

Shadow's Tears : I'm glad you liked my Chapter 15. It made me super happy.

Garnet: Len did not rescue her in the elevator… I am although glad that you came to love Len in this fic. Frankly speaking… I don't want to hurt Len too. Thanks for the support and for letting me know that you are really waiting for me to update. It made me smile. I hope you will continue letting me know how you view my every update. Take care!

White Melancholy: Hahahaha! Thanks for liking my update. Thanks for letting me know how you think too. It helps a lot. Take Care!

zenophobiaz : Thanks for telling me the error! And Yes! This story is both Kahoko x Len and Kahoko x Azuma. Due to that, I am now confuse on who to choose. Len or Azuma? (Shakes my head) You made me leap for joy. I am so happy to hear that I was able to portray them all well. Hope you will continue letting me know about what you think. It's a big help in making me continue writing. Take care!

Maixz: Ahem! I am so happy to know that you like it! It makes me HAPPY! :D