Disclaimer: I don't own the original characters and the original story. This is a pure fanfiction.

Note: When writing this, I am using some original dialogue and some of my own. I also may have deleted or added scenes or made the scenes a little different or switched scenes around. I hope you enjoy my version of Itazaru na Kiss, ISWAK and TKA.

Synopsis: What of there was a reason for Kotoko's stupid behavior? What if there was a secret she was holding on to? What if Naoki wasn't so geniusly stupid all the time? What if he found out her secret? Will their love remain the same? Will it disappear? Or will it ignite even more?

~:::DESTRUCTION AND MENDING:::~

"Love happens by accident. Happening so suddenly…it may cause injury to the heart."

- Western Proverb

August 2004

Aihara Kotoko sat at her window looking out. All night, the branched of the large tree scraped her window. The wind whistled causing her a sleepless night. Only by dawn the wind calmed down, though it was still somewhat strong. The sun was rising already. She looked out into the city. In the distance she saw the skyscrapers reaching up to the sky. She moved into a neighborhood that was fairly new. All the building were new. All, except the house they moved into. Her dad refused to use the money she had in her savings to get a better apartment. So they ended up living in a dump. Just looking at it, she could tell it wasn't sturdy at all She was surprised it survived last night. As the sun rose higher, she knew that her father would be getting up soon. Quickly making her bed, she went into the kitchen to make breakfast. Her mother was a good cook and her father was a chef, both of their skills were passed on to Kotoko. She loved to cook. She put all her love into the dishes she made. Back in New York, her Key Lime Pie was the thing that was sold out first in the school bake sales. Carefully, cracking the eggs into a bowl and adding some seasoning she prepared the eggs for an omelet. She got some bacon from the fridge and set the skillet on the stove. Immediately she remembered that the stove was gas, and she wasn't good with those. Even so, she grabbed the match box and tried. After 10 broken matches and three burnt fingers, she finally lit the stove.
"Mmmm, what's this I smell?" her father asked coming into the kitchen.
"Good morning. You ready for breakfast?"
"I'm always ready for my daughters breakfast, he said kissing the top of her head gently and going to the fridge to grab a can of beer."
"Oh no you don't. Dad, it's the beginning of a new day, beer comes at dinner. You still have to work." she quickly grabbed the can from him and put it back in the fridge.
"You are so stubborn."
"Well who else is going to take care of you? You aren't responsible enough."
"Hmph." was all her father said and sat down at the table as Kotoko placed the plate in front of him.
"So you're starting school today."
"Yes, dad, I remember."
"Do you have everything ready?"
"Mhm," she answered chewing a piece of bacon.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes dad, the uniform, the contacts, the wig, the bag, the shoes, the books and so on are all ready."
"Good. Just making sure. But are you sure you want to wear the wig and contacts? You look beautiful the way you are."
"I know dad, you told me that many times, but I don't want to be a stand out. And I'm there only to learn the language faster. It's not like I "need" to go to high school again."

"Yeah, ok. But then, why…"
"Dad, we've been through this, I don't want to be in the spotlight. I hated it back in New York. And I will definitely hate that here."

They ate in silence for a moment.
"Dad? I really don't understand you. Why can't we just move into a better apartment? This place scares me."
"Don't worry honey, the agent said it was a good place." he said putting his plate in the sink and going to take a shower.
"Right." she mumbled.

When she finished doing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen, her father was already dressed and at the door.
"Good luck on your first day."
"Dad."
"Ok ok. Bye."

The house was quiet. She went to her room, grabbed a clean set of underwear, and went to take a shower.

Kotoko walked to the school entrance from the bus stop. It was huge. A lot bigger than the school she went to in New York. Of course, everything was different here. The language, the people. Everything. She left her friends and the familiar surroundings, to come live in the unknown. After reassuring the school secretary many times that she was sure she wanted to go to the lowest level class, she finally got her schedule and went to look for her class. She knew enough Japanese to make a simple conversation, but not enough to live here. As she was walking down the pathway connecting two buildings, a surge of wind blew her uniform skirt almost lifting it up. She threw her hands down to keep her skirt down and accidentally let go of the schedule.
"Damn." she mumbled as she scurried after it.

She wasn't paying attention where she was going and didn't notice that someone was in front of her. When she realized it, it was too late. Her head collided with the strong chest.
"I'm so sorry." she exclaimed forming the sentence incorrectly.

She looked up. Her heart sped up as she stared into the chocolate brown eyes. Though they looked indifferent, they were beautiful. "Here," he pushed something into her hands. "Watch where you're going, learn the language, what are you 3? And close your mouth or you'll swallow a fly."
She snapped her mouth shut, realizing it was open. Looking down at her hands, she saw her schedule. Learn the language? What did I say wrong? she thought.

Her heart melted as she watched him leave.. Yes, he was mean and rude, but oh, he was oh so gorgeous. He was tall, had dark hair and a very intelligent and sophisticated look. Could he be top of the class? She smiled, still looking after him. The bell brought her back to reality.

When she entered the classroom, she understood by its appearance that she was in the right class. The students were scattered everywhere. Nobody was sitting in their seat as the teacher was trying to get their attention. Maybe I chose a level too low? she thought. She watched the teacher try to clap and whistle, but it was too loud. She sighed and whistled effortlessly. Instantly there was silence. All eyes were fixed on her.
"You must be the new student." the teacher said motioning her to come closer.
"Hello, my name is Aihara Kotoko." she handed him a note from the office explaining who she was, why she was there and to keep it a secret.

The teacher read it and nodded.
"Class, this is a new student, she is Aihara Kotoko. Please welcome her."
Great, even without brains I'm still in the spotlight.

She walked to the open seat between two girls and in front of a overly friendly boy. He waved and she returned with an awkward grin. She sat down.
The class went well. She took notes as well as she could and tried her best to keep up. Yes, it was the perfect class for her. Even though it was the lowest, for her Japanese level, it was still to high. Her classes were all in the same classroom with the same teacher most of the time.

Within the week, she met with and recognized most of the people in her class. She befriended two girls, Komori Jinko and Hayashi Satomi, who became her best friends. She felt comfortable around them. They didn't have high expectations of her and that felt good. For almost fifteen years she was living up to people's expectations, whether it was in cooking, sewing, dancing, singing, music, and education. Her maternal grandparents were strict and wanted her to be the best, they trained her so well that she could just glance at a page for 3 seconds and she new everything word for word. But right now was different. She didn't know the language well, though she caught on fast. And of course, she didn't want any more high expectations. The boy that sat behind her was Nakamura Kinnosuke. She could tell he had a major crush on her. But she only saw him as a friend. No matter how many times he asked her out, and how many times she explained to him she wasn't interested, he wouldn't back down.
"Hey Jinko, Satomi, do you want to come to my house and study for the test?" Kotoko asked her friends when the last bell rang.
"Ok."
"Cool, what time should I be there?" Kinnosuke's voice came out of nowhere.
Kotoko sighed and closed her eyes.
"Kinno, you're not invited."
"Oh come on. We're classmates. The more the merrier."
"Fine, but no goofing around. I really want to pass this test."
"Why?"
"Well, I can't always be a fool at my own language can I? It's embarrassing."
They nodded understanding. Though she wondered whether or not they really did understand. When they all came, the studying session wasn't going so well. The three were awe stuck at how Kotoko and her father organized and decorated the run down place. She had to admit herself it wasn't that bad. As long as they had a roof over their heads. Her father was lounging on the couch watching TV with a can of beer that he was finally able to drink. Not long after, a strange shudder filled the apartment. The small glass chandelier shook on the ceiling. The photos started moving on the shelves. The glasses in the cupboards started clinking against each other.
"Umm dad?" Kotoko asked coming into the living room.
"Hmm?"
"I think there's an earthquake."
"What?"
"I said there's and earthquake." he instantly jumped up.

Sure enough, the tv was suddenly switched from a soccer game to a news report stating that there was a level 2 earthquake in their area. Though Kotoko knew it wasn't that bad, but with this house, anything was possible. Quickly the five scurried out of the apartment just as the house leveled to the ground. The hearts of the group sank and almost stopped beating. It wasn't everyday that you saw a collapsing house from a level 2 earthquake. Kotoko's father was speechless.

Meanwhile, Irie Naoki was sitting at the dining room table, eating a piece of toast and reading his science book.
"Honey!!" he heard his mother call from the living room. His father rushed in from his study.
"What's wrong?"
"Look, isn't that…?"
"Aihara."
"Yeah."
"Oh my God. What should we do?"
"Well, let him stay here. He's you best friend isn't he?"
"yeah You're right." He got up and dialed his friend's number.

AIhara Shigeo's ringing cell phone interrupted his gaze at the destruction.

"Hello?"
"Shigeo? Are you ok? It's Masaki!" a frantic voice spoke.
"Masaki? … Masaki!" realization dawned on him.
"I just saw the news, are you ok?"
"Yeah yeah. thanks. just our things are under all the debris. I lost everything Masaki. What should I do?" he started to sob.
"Come live with me and my family."
"What? I can't do that."
"No Shigeo listen, you are like my brother. If anything happened to me, I know you would do the same for me."
"Yes, you're right. Thank you Masaki."
"I'll pick you up soon."

After hanging up, he continued to help the search crew look for the rest of their belongings.

Later that evening, when all the things were finally recovered. They arrived at the Irie residents. The house was sturdy and big. It was surrounded by a gate and looked like it was in a safe community.
"Welcome to our home." Masaki said opening the gate.
"Shigeo!" a females voice cried out. A woman ran out and hugged him tightly. "Oh we were so worried.
"Thank you Machiko. You're both so kind."
"Where's your daughter?"
Kotoko stepped out of the truck awkwardly. She never felt good about having to rely on people. But sometimes it was necessary. Politely she bowed in respect.
"Thank you for letting us stay at your home. My name is Aihara Kotoko."
"Oh my, she looks just like Cindy." Machiko exclaimed grabbing the girl by her arms and twirling her around like a rag doll. Kotoko had to say, the woman was strong.

After the awkward reunion and introduction, they started unloading what luggage they were able to recover. After several moments of recovering. A small boy came out.

"Hello uncle, my name is Yuki." he too started helping to unload, completely ignoring Kotoko.
She smiled. the kid was cute but rude in a way. He somehow reminded her of someone. Then she knew exactly who it was when she heard the voice.
"Hello uncle, I'm Irie Naoki."

He came up to the truck and turned to Kotoko.
"We meet again." he said with a smirk as Kotoko stared in disbelief.