Chapter 3

"Kahoko, are you ok? You've been spacing out?" Manami asked as they walked towards the kitchen.

Kahoko looked at her companion, hesitating. "Manami-chan, you told me that Kazuki-san is the last one of Mr. Shouzaburou's grandsons that I needed to meet but—" she paused and looked sideways. "Why is it that L- I mean Ryoutarou is not the youngest, moreover that L- uh…"

"Kahoko you're weird, his name is Len." Manami prevented herself from laughing.

"I-I know." Kahoko pouted, face flushing in embarrassment. "That Len is the same age as Ryoutarou but they're not the youngest." she squeaked

"Did you really forget his name or are you purposely trying to forget it?" Manami kept on teasing her.

"Just answer my question!" Kahoko crooked her lips sideward showing that she was serious, and joking wasn't good for that time.

"Ok!" Manami chuckled before continuing "Mr. Shouzaburou has five grandsons, but the youngest is not here," she gave the details, gazing understandably at the bemused face of the lass.

"Uh! Where is he?"

"He's with their parents in England," Manami replied as she opened the kitchen door.

"I see," Kahoko responded with her honey orbs scrutinizing the kitchen.

"So, is Kaho-chan interested in any of them?"

Kahoko's face heated up as if her blood was boiling. She pouted like a kid and afterwards scowled at Manami "W-what are you saying?"

The sarcastic girl sniggered and looked teasingly at Kahoko.

"Ah-uh! Don't stare at me like that!" Kahoko protested and held her cheeks hiding her blushing face.

"Ok –ok I won't ask you anymore." Manami laughed for the last time before showing Kahoko around the kitchen.. "Anyways this is the kitchen, if you're starving, here is the refrigerator."

"If I think about it, they are all good-looking." Kahoko smiled

"Kahoko? I said this is the refrigerator," Manami reiterated one hand on her waist

"Neh, I know it's a refrigerator, I'm not dumb."

"I'm just joking" Manami laughed yet again. "What were you thinking anyway?"

"It's nothing."

"Jeez, by the way, are you coming with me?" Manami scratched her head

"No, I think I'll simply roam around the place."

"Yeah, you'd better do that if you don't want to get lost. If you ask me, this place is a labyrinth. I get lost sometimes."

After a while, they reached the living room's door. "Here we are, Kaho-chan, you can wait for me here if you want. So I'll be going now."

"Ok, Bye Manami-chan," Kahoko waved her hand as Manami sauntered to the main door.

"I'll buy strawberry shortcake for you."

"Thanks," Kahoko exclaimed as Manami closed the door.

"Uhm, let's see." Kahoko examined the door before opening it "I've never seen a door as huge as this."

She turned the knob and entered the well-structured room. "Wow! As I expected their living room is superb, they have a huge couch so cute." she jumped like a kid.

"So soft!" she uttered as she settled herself on the couch, allowing her eyes to look around the place. There were expensive paintings hanging in different places on the wall. Kahoko surmised they were worth more than her apartment's annual rent, her allowance and salary combined.

Her sight landed at the glass door. "It must be the garden, better see it."

She stood up and walked, opened the glass door and exited the house.

"Kahoko?"

"Azuma-san!" Kahoko exclaimed smiling. She stopped walking when she noticed a man behind the purple headed lad.

"What are you doing here, Kahoko?" Azuma asked gesturing the guy to leave.

"Ah, am I disturbing you? I will go now."

"No, it's fine. Do you want tea?" he raised the cup he was holding.

"Ah! No thanks. By the way why didn't you eat with us earlier?" Kahoko sauntered towards him, her two hands clasped together behind her back and with her hair dancing in unison with the wind.

He chuckled "I already ate my breakfast."

"I see, Azuma-san. You're a busy man, right? Are you helping Mr. Shouzaburou in your family business?"

"Yes I 'am, since I'm the oldest. Not that I want to help them but I have to," he explained eyes fixed on her "Like now I have to do something." he made it audible just to himself.

"Did you say something?" Kahoko asked.

"Anyways," his face became serious "What was your reason for staying here?" he leaned forward, arms resting on the table.

"Huh?" Kahoko's smile faded.

"To be honest, you're suspicious."

"W-why are you saying this?" she stepped backward.

"Hino, Kahoko 16 years of age. Your parents had a fatal accident when you were just a kid. No close relatives, hence your Grandmother took care of you until you turned 14. However she, di-"

"Stop! Please!"

"She died and left you," he whispered.

Azuma looked scornful. "I know everything about you."

"H-how did you know? How? Why?"

"You know nothing about me," he stood up. "If I learned that you're just using us. It would not be good for you," Azuma strode to her, held Kahoko's shoulder and leaned forward.

"W-what?"

"Don't ever think of doing it," he uttered full of contempt. He stared at her again and smirked before combing his hair and walked away.

"I-I will never do that," Kahoko exclaimed.

"Good to know," Azuma responded as he turned to a remote part of the garden.

~NeKo Meow~

Jeez, this is ridiculous they don't want me here. Kahoko mused as she opened the door.

"Ow!"

"Ouch!"

"Kahoko I'm so sorry are you alright." he offered his hand to the girl sitting flat on the pavement.

"Ryoutarou-kun, I mean, sorry I wasn't looking where I was going, sorry," she hurriedly stood up, disregarding Ryoutarou's help.

"Are you ok? You don't have to say sorry. You fell, not me." Ryoutarou move away his hand and placed it at the back of his neck.

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Are you sure? Tell me, what's wrong?"

"Um, it's. But."

Ryoutarou sighed "It's ok if you don't want to tell but if you're troubled let me know." he shook his head and smiled. "Relax!" he fluffed her hair.

Kahoko pouted "Uhm, Ryoutarou-kun…"

"Hmn," he said and placed his hands inside his pocket.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, go ahead." he bobbed his head, eyes fixed at her.

"Am I bothering you, I mean all of you?" she lowered her gaze.

"What are you saying?" he chuckled "Of course you're not." He crossed his arms on his chest and forehead started to crease. "Is that troubling you? Tell me, has Len got something to do with it?"

"No-No-no, he didn't do anything, I swear," Kahoko reacted.

"Fine! Don't defend him so much. I won't kill him." Ryoutarou sighed, lifting his hand in the air to hush Kahoko. "Ok, if he's not the one, then why are you troubled? The only person I know who will tactlessly say rude things is that guy, so who else?"

She blushed "Sorry but no one is disturbing me." For now maybe.

"Jeez! Like what I said earlier, let me know. Neh?" he grunted and messed her hair again "So where were you planning to go earlier?"

"I forgot about that." she paused. "I'm going to the kitchen." she chuckled while scratching her head.

"Do you want me to accompany you?"

"No, I'm fine." she started walking. "Uhm, Ryoutarou-kun." she paused and looked at him

"Hmn."

"Thank you."

His sturdy eyes softened as his lips curved into a smile "You're welcome," he muttered.

~NeKo Meow~

"Ryoutarou is a nice guy. Good thing he's here if he wasn't..." she trailed of then wailed mentally, "Aaaargh- I'm going nuts." she leaned forward with her hands on the table while shaking her head.

"Not that Mr. Shouzaburou is bad. He's the nicest person here. So that means that Ryoutarou is second to the nicest and Manami-chan of course, she's nice too," she nodded making more faces.

"And she will buy cake for me." she spun around as if she were dancing, uttering 'CAKE' over and over.

"Cake!"

"I Love cak-"

"Huh!"

Kahoko's words were cut short as she sensed two golden orbs staring oddly at her. "Of all people, why? Curse this day." she turned around; her face almost hitting the wall.

"Ah! I hate this. I hate this. I feel dumb… Of course I am…Gosh I really wish it's just my imagination. Please! Just let it be my imagination! I promise I'll never eat cake! No! I mean I'll rarely eat cake but please it mustn't be true," she begged, her hands pressing her chest in case her heart crashes out of her ribs. She cautiously peeked. Unfortunately, her unwelcome visitor was still unresponsively standing in front of her.

"A-Anou," she composed herself before turning. Kahoko tried to smile. "I haven't formally introduced myself I'm-"

He looked away

"Stupid! Can you be considerate for once?" it was too late to take it back, he already heard it.

Len's eyes widened and he glared at her

"I-I mean you're not stupid. Forget about it." she waved her hand as she nervously chuckled "I'm Hino Kahoko."

"I do not care who you are," he bitterly stated making his way out of there.

"W-wait." she rushed out however he ignored her.

"Cold, I should back off he is…" Kahoko stepped back, one hand on the edge of the wall.

"Stupid. Why does she have to dance? That's ridiculous she is…" he tapped his forehead

"Unpredictable."

~NeKo Meow~

Kahoko marched out of the kitchen, one hand massaging her temples. Of all people why it had to be him, she thought. "So, now where did he go?" she looked around but no cerulean head lad could be found.

"I don't want to see him anymore, how will I face him? Kahoko you're stupid, why did you do that," her conscience chided as she closed her eyes

"It's not my fault."

"Yeah, it's yours." Kahoko's conscience opposed.

"Ahem."

"Stupid, stupid, Stupid!" Kahoko blurted out at herself as she made faces: lips slightly ajar, brows twitching by themselves and head shaking vigorously. "Why did you have to do that? How foolish of you!"

"Kahoko." the person beside Kahoko coughed yet again, attempting to drag Kahoko away from her own world.

"I'll just forget about everything, please, please leave my head." Kahoko nodded and opened her eyes. "Manami-chan!"

"Finally."

"Y-you scared me Manami-chan, why are you here already?"

Manami cleared her throat. "Before I answer you, what are youdoing?"

"Ah! It's a kind of a routine."

"Routine eh?" Manami raised one brow

"A-ah! Role playing. I haven't told you that I love theatrical play. I used to participate in our school before."

"Really?"

"Let's go to the living room, I think you're tired from walking." she altered the topic and pushed Manami

Manami sighed. "Kahoko, sometimes you act weird."

"Y-Yes I do," she responded and blushed. "She was telling the truth anyway," Kahoko inwardly sighed

~NeKo Meow~

"Milch where are you?"

"Would you please stop talking." his furious eyes gazed at the green haired lad.

"You're so mean. Is that how you should talk to your older brother?" the green haired lad whined like a kid. He jumped on the couch, hugging the soft pillow. He pouted and snubbed him

"How immature," the whisper laced with irritation slipped past Len's lips.

"Milch, where are you?" Kazuki exclaimed for the last time before putting his hand over his mouth when Len glared at him once more.

"Kazuki-san, are you looking for Milch? Here he is."

"Eh! Really, Manami where is he?" he sprinted to her and threw the pillow just before Len.

"Here, he looks cute!" Kahoko asked while hugging the ash colored Himalayan cat.

"Y-yeah." Kazuki grabbed his cat and smiled at it. "Where have you been? Don't go near her, don't ever." he made it audible just to himself whilst the cat meowed and purred

"How cute…"

Red tinted Kazuki's face as he remembered what happened earlier. The word somehow distressed him as he took a few steps backward until he stumbled from the nearest chair.

"Kazuki-san, are you alright?" Kahoko made her way towards him. Levelling her sight to where he was lying.

His face grew dark red. It matched exactly with Kahoko's crimson one. "Don't come near me," he exclaimed eyes staring into her golden ones.

"You're making me nervous, what did you do to me, it's not funny." Kazuki went on.

"I-I—"

"Come on! Stop it Kazuki." Ryoutarou spoke while leaning in the corner.

"Ryoutarou-kun how long have you been there?" Kahoko stood up properly and gazed at him.

"Not that long." he walked towards them.

"I can stand by myself." Kazuki sulked as Ryoutarou dragged him up. He was the taller one despite the fact that he was younger.

"Kahoko why don't you sit," Ryoutarou instructed.

"Ah yeah!" she sat hurriedly

"And you?" he shifted his gaze at Kazuki "Don't be so naïve, sit on the couch"

"But!"

"Now!" he stated firmly. Kazuki followed him akin to a kid.

Kahoko couldn't stop herself from laughing as the younger scolded the elder.

"Will you stop laughing?"

Her eyes grew bigger, the arc of her lips disappeared as soon as she distinguished the voice.

"L-Len-san you scared me."

He glanced at her, face adorned with irritation "And how did I scare you?"

"You see, you're here… and I didn't notice you and… you spoke…And why am I saying this… sorry." she bowed her head.

"Enough kids," Manami mocked. "Just behave here and the beautiful young lady will bring the cakes, she bought."

Kahoko whose head was still lowered heard her, not to mention that she had a strong craving for sweet things "Cake?" she raised her head in a dash .

"Ouch!"

"Ow!"

"Be careful," Manami remarked however she was too late. Kahoko's head hit Len's chin.

While holding her excruciating head, she began to rise out of her seat to apologize. "Sor-" Kahoko halted

His so-attractive face almost touched hers, if she'd raised her head further she might have ended up kissing him, she thought. Another shade of red flashed on her face. Despite this Kahoko couldn't stop herself from staring at him and was captivated by him. She forgot to breathe. In unison to her now hammering heart, she started to feel unusual as if butterflies were fluttering in her stomach.

"I… I'm…" she detained her immobile sight at his golden orbs.

"I… what…am…" she stammered, muttering senseless words. "Kahoko what's wrong with you."

Len sighed closing his eyes, moving slightly which allowed a light gust of wind; coming through the window behind him to brush some crimson strands away from Kahoko's face.

"What are you trying to say?" Len asked as he distanced.

"Huh!" she was pulled out from her dreamland.

"Wh-what?"

"You're apologizing to him, make it faster," Manami whispered in Kahoko's ear, pursing her lips to stop herself from laughing.

Kahoko stood up swiftly and bowed cautiously, so that she wouldn't hurt anyone else. "S-sorry," she uttered.

"I'm so sorry, I never meant to do that and…"

Manami cut Kahoko's words at the same time towing her away.

"You'd better come with me if you don't want to hurt the others as well." Manami smiled. "Wait for us. We will bring the cakes and cookies… and an icepack for you Len." Manami looked at the guys.

Kahoko pouted and bowed as they exited the room.

~NeKo Meow~

"I've done it again, Manami-chan," Kahoko whined while leaning on the kitchen stall.

"I never thought that you were that clumsy Kahoko, you can kill somebody." she laughed.

"Eh! Manami don't say that, I can't do tha- ow," Kahoko accidentally ran a hand over the slight bulge on her head.

Manami grunted and advanced a step, she smiled "You're so cute," Manami commented as she pinched Kahoko's face with both hands.

"Ow," Kahoko groaned.

"You need to take a bath. It's just the whole day's exhaustion. Relax, relax," she sang. "That's what you need—a hot bath would do you good."

Authoress:

Thanks to Rena404 for beta reading.