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?

~:::ADJUSTING AND THREATS:::~

August 2004

When Kotoko woke up the next morning, she felt disoriented. Where was she? What happened to her room? Why was it all pink? She didn't mind pink, but there was a limit to how much one could handle. Slowly everything started to come back to her. She was now in Irie Naoki's home. His mother seemed really elated for her being there. She grabbed her into her arms and squeezed her so tightly that she thought all her insides would crawl out of the opening of her body. She squealed into Kotoko's ear almost making her ear drum pop. She remembered her father's best friend. He was very welcoming. Naoki's little brother. Just as cold as Naoki. The house was in a lot of commotion, that it was no wonder Kotoko fell asleep without even remembering anything. Getting up out of bed she walked to the window of her room. It was a beautiful scene. There was a park in the back of the house with beautiful cherry trees. The reflection of her face caught her eye in the window. Her wig. Where was it? She turned around and saw it on the pillow. I need to be careful now that I live here. Quickly brushing her hair with the brush on her bag, she prepared her hair and put on the wig. Her routine needed to be changed now. Her contacts were still in, making her eyes uncomfortable. But there was no use in taking them out anyway. Quickly, doing her bed and putting on her dreaded school uniform she headed downstairs. Everyone was up sitting at breakfast.

"Good morning." she greeted everyone.

Sitting down at a plate of pancakes she ate silently. Every now and then she glance up at Naoki who sat in front of her. He was serious and as the last time, sophisticated. He read a book while eating. She did that often back in NY.
"Kotoko?" Machiko asked.
"Yes?"
"You should follow Naoki to school today to know the directions from here."
"Oh. ok." she really didn't need to. She already knew it. She always had a good sense of direction. But if she was going to play dumb, she would do it all the way.

Naoki got up and left. Quickly drinking her glass of juice she rushed out after him. He was pretty fast. As she reached him, her foot landed on a small stone causing her to trip and crash into Naoki.
"Hey!" he yelped.
"I..I'm sorry. I tripped."

He turned to her and pointed four fingers in her face.
"Four main points:"

"Number one: Do not hit into me or bump into me." said pointing a single finger at her and inching towards her. "My body is made out of flesh and bones, not cement. I'd also ask you to keep you distance for safety reasons."

Kotoko inched back as he approached her and nodded.

'Number two" he pointed two fingers, " I will only show you the route to school once. I don't care whether you leave a trail of breadcrumbs or use stones as a route indication. It's up to you, just don't come and ask me."
Hmph. Don't act so smug. I don't need you to show me the way. With your type of attitude, even if I didn't know I wouldn't ask you. Kotoko though.

"Number three" Kotoko was already getting annoyed with the finger pointing. She was debating whether or not to snap at them with her teeth. "You better not tell anyone of your living arrangements here. I don't want rumors to start because of you."
Like I need you to tell me that. I'm trying to keep a low profile anyway! her mind screamed but she bit her lip.
"Number four." she closed her eyes. Is there an end to this? "After we get to school, do not ever talk to me." turning around her left.

Kotoko stood speechless. What did she ever see in him? Intelligence? Ha! More like narcissism and… and… oh he still looked so good.

When she got to school, Jinko and Satomi pounced on her.
"Kotoko!"
"Oh my God, that was so scary yesterday! Where are you staying?"
Kotoko glanced over at Naoki as he passed by.
"My dad's college friend took us in for the time being. They are a really nice family."
"Kotoko!" she cringed knowing what came next. Sure enough, Kinnosuke lunged at her and hugged her. "I was so worried. Are you ok? Where are you staying? Why don't you stay at my house?..."

"Kinno, really. I'm ok. And I'm staying with a great family. Don't worry."

All day, people looked her direction. So much for keeping a low profile. She could imagine if people actually knew her true self. Kinno even tried starting a fundraiser for her only to embarrass her. She officially thought that this had to end. I should get a court order restraining him. she thought as he lounged by her desk.

Later that evening as Kotoko sat watching a TV show in the living room, Yuki came up to her.

"I would like a bit of your time." the boy said opening a small notebook.
":Oh homework? Ok. I'll listen to your questions." she turned down the volume.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked pointing to a phrase.

Kotoko stared at it. She was still learning vocabulary and she found out that there were many different ways to read characters.
"That, that's cow." she only recently learned that word. She smiled.

"You're as slow as a snail, you are not very bright for a high school student." Yuki said indifferently.
Kotoko frowned. It wasn't really her fault. Well, partially it was, but she just started to fully speak in Japanese.

"Yuki!" Machiko scolded.

"It's alright Ma-chan." Kotoko said. Could she blame the kid?

At dinner, Kotoko wished it was quiet. But Machiko kept babbling about something unimportant and Kotoko kept smiling and trying to keep up by laughing at parts where the woman laughed as well. By looking at Machiko, she wondered how Naoki and Yuki were able to grow up so mature.

After dinner, Kotoko hit the books. Though she was tired, she tried her best. She memorized and memorized until all the words came into one jumble. There was a knock on the door and Machiko came in.
"Ma-chan?"
"Are you tired?"
"MM."
"Let me show you something." She had a album in her hands. Sitting down on the bed she patted the seat next to her. Kotoko sat down next to her and looked at the photos. They showed pictures of a little girl.
"Did you have a daughter?"
"No, that's Naoki."
"What!?"

"I've wanted a girl so much, but I got a boy. When Naoki was born, he even looked like a girl a little, so I decided to play along as long as I could. I dresses him up until 1st grade."

"Wow, he really does look like a girl." secretly she thought, I could work this to my advantage in the future. and smirked.

The next day after exams, of course Naoki was at the top of the list. So her guess was correct. He was the smartest in the school. Her name wasn't on the list. Was Japanese that hard? If only the tests were in English, she would ace them like a simple game of tic tac toe/ She sighed.

Months passed and winter break would be coming soon. Kotoko wasn't improving. It was the opposite.
"WHAT THE HELL!" she screamed as she flung her books into the wall of her room. She never had a hard time studying. Why was this time different? She already knew 3 languages. English, Spanish, and French. Was Japanese that hard?
"Kotoko are you ok?" Machiko's voice came from outside the door.
"Uhh, yeah, sorry." she forgot it was past midnight and the whole house was sleeping.

Frustrated, Kotoko shut off the lights and went to sleep. She tossed and turned all night. They were having a practice test tomorrow. For some reason, it seemed like the only thing they did in this school was tests.

When morning came, Kotoko was exhausted. She had dark circles under her eyes but she didn't care. She didn't want to eat breakfast so she left for school. The day dragged on. It seemed like the day wouldn't end forever.
"Is Aihara Kotoko here?" someone asked.
"Kotoko!" someone yelled. Slowly she looked up. Naoki stood at the entrance to her classroom. Confusion formed on her face. He gestured her to come with her bag.

"Our lunches were mixed up," he said when they were out of sight and out of hearing they exchanged lunches.

As Naoki was about to leave, Kotoko stopped him.

"Naoki?"
"What?"
"Can you help me study for the test?"
"No."

"Why not?"
"There is no reason why I should."
"Please? I'm having a lot of trouble."
"I don't care, that's your problem." he started to leave.

"If you don't, then I will reveal this photo to the whole school." she said holding up a photo.
He turned to look as his eyes grew wide.