Chapter 2

Kahoko opened her eyes gradually with a smile on her lips. It was the first time during that week that she'd had such a good sleep. Feeling comfortable and content, she decided to get up from the soft bed while stretching her arms and looked around.

This place is so big, she thought. Her bed was as huge and spacious as one of those queen sized beds. The color of the wall was feminine. It was a combination of light purple and pink. The ceiling was all cream and she even had her own bookshelf.

"Why is there a bookshelf in here? I don't even know what books these are." she gazed at the books; there was a stack of history and geography books. "I presume Mr. Shouzaburou is strict when it comes to education." She assumed before roaming around the room.

Her dresser was also large. She could even sleep there if she wanted to. Her clothes occupied just 1/8 of it. She gazed around. The room was well-maintained and clean as if someone had previously slept there before she came.

She smiled again and reminisced what happened yesterday.

~NeKo Meow~

-Flashback-

Kahoko's POV

As we rode in Mr. Shouzaburou's limo, Manami still grasped my arm as if I was going to break free and run away from them. "She is different from the first time I saw her. Back then she was polite and gentle, but now, it seems that I was wrong."

"Kahoko-chan! I'll call you Kahoko-chan from now on."

I heaved a sigh, "Manami, I can't b-breathe!" I complained.

"Oops, sorry Kaho-chan, I'm just happy that now there is another girl besides me."

"Eh?"

When Mr. Shouzaburou saw my face he couldn't stop himself from laughing, you never would have thought that he was such a kind and humorous man by looking at his serious face. I smiled.

"You see, Kahoko I have four grandsons living with us. You will meet them as soon as we get there," he explained.

"Grandsons? He has four grandsons? If he is nice I think his grandsons are quite likely to be kind too and perhaps they may be older than me or perhaps younger." I supposed before focusing my attention to Mr. Shouzaburou. "I can't wait to see them."

"Wait and see," Manami mumbled.

"D-did I say something wrong?"

"No, Kahoko. I think they'll be pleased to see you." Mr. Shouzaburou changed the topic, his eyes fixed at Manami as if telling her to hush.

"Kaho-chan I'm just joking." she stuck out her tongue. I was a bit confused but set it aside, wait and see I told myself as I rested my head on the window.

After a long time sitting in the limo, I noticed that we had crossed a big gate. I thought that we were already there but then we waited another fifteen minutes before we reached the main door. It was kinda dark at that moment.

"Kaho-chan come on." Manami held my hand. I held hers and exited the limo.

When I raised my head…"Wow!" I exclaimed, the house was gigantic, actually I'd prefer to call it a mansion rather than a house. There were maids and I presumed butlers greeting Mr. Shouzaburou. Manami was used to them; she smiled and followed Mr. Shouzaburou while dragging me.

"Kaho-chan, this will be your new home from now on." I felt happy when she said that. I felt warm and content that I had my own home now

.When we went in, I saw two tall figures standing. "I think they were waiting for us."

"Good evening Grandfather how was your day?" the guy with long violet hair greeted, he smiled and then looked at me.

"Hi!"

"Gosh, he's handsome." I was stunned "He-hello."

"Azuma, this is Kahoko. I already told you about her earlier, right? She's going to stay with us from now on."

Mr. Shouzaburou glanced at me "Kahoko, this is Azuma my oldest grandson, I assume you're four years younger than him."

"At least I was right to think that he has a grandson older than me."

"And…this is Ryoutarou, my second to the youngest." he extended his arm to another guy.

"Hello!" the guy, named Ryoutarou, extended his hand to me.

I smiled and shook his hand "Hi!" I replied.

"Manami, it's quite late, I think you should take Kahoko to her room."

I couldn't hear what they were talking about. However, "I see" was, at least, if I'm not mistaken, the only thing I heard before Manami started towing me to what they referred to as 'my room.'

"Let's go, let's go."

"I'll help you." Ryoutarou, the green haired lad, offered his help.

I flushed "T-Thanks," I said and gave my bag sheepishly.

"Young master, we can handle that," the maid said and grabbed the bag.

"No it's fine." he shook his hands, shooing the maids away but I believed in a polite way.

"Ryoutarou-kun, your grandfather wants to talk to you," Manami interrupted.

"Ok, then." he grunted "So, Kahoko nice meeting you," he shifted his gaze at me and bade his goodbye.

I was left with Manami again. "Oh! What a gentleman. He is the nicest person here." Manami cooed. I glanced at her playfully.

"Neh, Kaho, don't stare at me like that." I chuckled as her face glowed pink.

When the maids weren't looking, I asked Manami "I thought Mr. Shouzaburou has four grandsons where are the other two?"

"You'll see them tomorrow. For now, get some rest."

My lips formed an 'o' as a response. Manami took me to my room and left afterwards. I was kinda tired so I decided to get some sleep, not really feeling up to looking around my new room just yet. I ignored the maids putting my clothes in the dresser. My eyes began to close as I drifted to sleep.

-End of Flashback-

~NeKo Meow~

Normal POV

After reminiscing what happened yesterday, Kahoko decided to take a closer look at everything in her new room and her first aim was the bookshelf. She dug through each book until one fell.

"Oops, what's this, Sco-score sheet, eh? Schubert." she read

"I heard about this from my former teacher. HMM! Schubert? But I don't know any of his compositions."

While she swept her gaze around the room she caught sight of a glass door leading to a terrace which she hadn't noticed last night.

"Ah! A terrace, I didn't notice that." she walked towards it.

As she pushed the all-white curtain away and opened the door, she heard a sound. She continued to walk till she could hear it properly. Kahoko closed her eyes, advancing a step further. "It's beautiful and calming." she commented which caused her voice to be audible to the person playing.

It stopped…

She opened her eyes perplexedly and saw a guy looking at her…

Rather…

Glaring at her.

She jolted from her current position. The guy was good-looking yet the way he looked at her made her panic. The guy put the object he was holding- perhaps a string instrument, namely the violin, on the table and advanced a step towards her.

"What are you doing in that room?" his deep, husky voice overwhelmed her.

"Uh! A-Anou." she couldn't speak, as if there was a lump in her throat. She had to choose between two options: say sorry or step backward.

She chose to step back rather than suffer his wrath. Alas, she tripped over her own feet making her back collide painfully into the wall behind her giving the lad a chance to trap her by placing one arm beside her head.

Kahoko's heart skipped a beat and her face started to flame as said guy was only a mere inch away from her. She could feel the full intensity of his glare at her.

"A-Anou…."

"Kahoko! I forgot to tell you. Don't ever go to the ter- Ooh! Am I late?" Manami barged into the room as her little hands almost broke the poor oak door.

The guy heaved a sigh and glanced at Manami. He walked away.

"Manami! Who is that girl?" he pointed at her. As the distance between them increased Kahoko gasped, feeling relieved that the lad had diverted his intense stare elsewhere.

"UH! Len, it's time for breakfast you have to go downstairs. Everybody is there already." Manami changed the topic, pushing him outside the room.

"Wai-" he was cut short when Manami slammed the door close.

"W-Why didn't you inform me earlier?" Kahoko sighed when Len left.

"Sorry, I forgot." Manami stuck her tongue out. "Uhm…by the way it's time for breakfast, Mr. Shouzaburou and the others are waiting."

Manami sat on the bed as Kahoko prepared herself.

"What a meeting! One more to go," Manami said in a mocking tone.

"Huh? Don't tell me…"

"Yeah, you're right."

~NeKo Meow~

"You see, Kaho-chan…"Manami began her narration.

"How come Mr. Shouzaburou has a grandson with that kind of personality? Mr. Shouzaburou is nice and friendly, how did that happen? There must be some mistake or maybe… or maybe someone came here a long time ago and kidnapped Mr. Shouzaburou's real grandson." Kahoko mused completely ignoring every single word Manami uttered.

"And that's what happened, Kahoko"

"If his real grandson was kidnapped, then why is that arrogant guy here? Or maybe…maybe he and the kidnapper are related. He must be the kidnapper's son and appeared to have an identical appearance with Mr. Shouzaburou's grandson's - and hence they cast out Mr. Shouzaburou's poor gentle grandson instead. That's awful." Kahoko mentally shook her head.

"Hey Kahoko are you listening?" Manami waved her hand in front of Kahoko.

"Huh! A-Anou. Were you saying something Manami-chan?"

Manami rolled her eyes and grunted "Jeez, never mind. Just make it faster, the others are waiting."

"Sorry, I'm already finished."

"Sugoi, your cute Kaho-chan." Manami jumped and hugged her tightly.

Face as red as her hair, Kahoko huffed "M-Manami-chan. Can't breathe!" she squeaked.

"Sorry, you look so cute! You owe me that, I chose it for you." Manami pointed at the white blouse with a red ribbon on the upper part and a pink skirt with ashen ruffles at the end.

"Thank you, but we had better get going now," Kahoko responded as she patted her slightly crumpled skirt.

"Oops, you're right. Never make him wait or else. Anyway, go. Go!"

"Ahh! Is he really that cold?" Kahoko grunted as she followed Manami

~NeKo Meow~

"Can we eat now?" Kazuki asked for the third time, both of his hands holding the silverware ready to dig in.

"Relax, Kazuki th-" Ryoutarou began to explain.

"Sorry for making you wait. You know that girls take longer to get dressed," Manami interrupted, hands resting on her waist.

"G-good morning." Kahoko bowed her head.

Mr. Shouzaburou who was sitting at the further end of the table looked at her. "Ah Kahoko! Good morning, have a seat." he extended his hand toward the vacant chair beside Kazuki. The girl nodded and headed there. She halted for a moment and glanced at Kazuki.

"How cute!" she pointed at Kazuki's odd looking costume.

"Don't touch me!" he scorned.

"Now, now Kazuki don't be rude," Mr. Shouzaburou reprimanded.

"Sorry, but you look really cute," Kahoko pursued with a sweet smile.

"S-stop saying that." he blushed. No one had everpraised his costume before not to mention a girl was smiling at him. He was wearing a cute bunny costume but of course, he was not wearing the bunny ears. It would attract more attention.

"By the way, Kahoko, this is Kazuki my grandson. He's second to the oldest."

"I see, hello Kazuki." she smiled and held his hand.

Kazuki pulled his hand back and engaged himself in his food. "What kind of a girl is she? Holding her hand feels weird." he shivered, face redder than before.

"Good Morning Kahoko," Ryoutarou greeted, the girl glanced at him and smiled back

"Hey! What about me?" Manami complained.

Ryoutarou laughed and glanced at her, a blush seemed to tinge Manami's face. "Morning, is that ok?"

"You were forced to say it."

"You forced me."

"Ah! You two," Kahoko waved her hand.

"Enough."

They all glanced at the person. "As I thought," Manami whispered while sitting opposite Kahoko.

"Len, what is it? Is something the matter?" Mr. Shouzaburou asked, "Ah! Kahoko, this is Len, both Ryoutarou and him are the same age."

"Why is that girl here?" he said without preamble.

"Ah! Sorry I-I'm-" Kahoko panicked, standing up to introduce herself politely.

Len glared at her "I'm not talking to you."

"Yeah you're right, sorry," she chuckled nervously and sat.

"She's Kahoko Hino and she's staying with us from now on," Mr. Shouzaburou explained

"Why does she have to be in that room? I don't want her there." His voice was firm yet somehow, a bit upset.

"Sorry, but it's decided."

"NO!"

Kahoko glanced back and forth from Mr. Shouzaburou to Len, both of whom were sitting in the opposite directions while the others continued whatever they were doing as if, more than used to this kind of scenario.

"Ah! Mr. Shouzaburou, it's ok if I move." Kahoko interrupted.

"No, Manami is on that floor too, it is much easier for her to check up on you."

"What about the guest room? I-I mean I saw it beside his room and it was at the end of the floor but-but I don't think it's a good idea since…" her voice trailed of as she realised that she'd just suggested another stupid idea. He wanted her to move away then why would he want her to move out of her current room just to end up beside his room again?

"Fine with me," Len interrupted

"Eh! Really?" Kahoko looked, baffled "What was with my former room? The guest room is still next to his room. However if I think about it my room and his are connected by the terrace, I guess this answers my question.I don't like the idea either."

"No, I don't agree. Kahoko is not a guest. She's staying in her room and no buts." Mr. Shouzaburou firmly stated as his hand tapped the table.

"But!" the two said in chorus

"No buts said the boss," Manami interrupted

"Yeah! No buts, Eh? What were you talking about?" Kazuki had been too engrossed in his food to have paid attention to the turmoil.

"Kazuki, I think you should stop talking or this egotistic brother of ours is going to get mad at you," Ryoutarou mocked, mischievous smile gleamed at Len.

"It's none of your business, Ryoutarou," Len opposed

"Yeah, it certainly isn't"

He glared and Ryoutarou did the same.

"A-Ah!" Kahoko merely uttered

"It's just their thing." Kazuki smiled but it faded abruptly "Gaaaah."

"Are you alright, Kazuki-san?"

Heart pounding so fast, why did I smile at her? That weird girl… what have you done? "Strange girl what did you do to me?" Kazuki vocalized at last.

"I-I didn't do anything." she approached him. But he stood up and distanced himself from her, arms wrapped around his shoulder.

"L-leave me alone will you? You strange girl."

Kahoko sighed as he ran.

Without a word she peeped at Len, he stood up as well making his way out of there, Ryoutarou doing the same simultaneously.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mr. Shouzaburou asked.

Only Ryoutarou bothered to turn back "I'll be in the living room, however I presume that this guy will lock himself in his room again."

Len's only response was a sigh as he completely left the room.

"Kahoko, sorry for their behavior but they're not how you think they are," Mr. Shouzaburou apologized.

"It's ok."

Manami sat beside her and sighed. "I'm still hungry, let's continue our breakfast."

"Do you want some cake or tea, Kahoko?" Mr. Shouzaburou asked.

"Please bring the cakes," he instructed to the maid standing beside him.

"Oh! I want one," Manami answered.

"A-Anou…"

"I heard that there's a newly opened bakery at the plaza. Do you want me to buy some pastries for you, later?" Manami continued.

"That's a good idea. I heard that their cakes are delicious. Inform Sasaki that you'll need the car afterwards." Mr. Shouzaburou agreed.

"Anou…"

"Yes I will."

"Hey! Anou… What about the others?" Kahoko said making her voice louder.

"Do you want to come with me, Kaho-chan?"

"Huh?"

"It's a good idea." Mr. Shouzaburou nodded.

"What's going on here? Why are they acting like this," she inwardly exclaimed as she saw that the two weren't bothered with everyone else in the least.

Authoress' Corner:

Thank you to Rena404