Chapter 5

Kahoko sauntered upstairs; mind still clouded with Manami's slipped revelation.

Len was in front of his own room. Kahoko looked at him, gloom glinted in her eyes. She moved forward, her shoulder suddenly stiffened as she reached where he was. "H-Hello."

The azure head lad grunted and went inside his room without a word.

Kahoko shook her head. "What will I expect?" She then opened her own room and went inside.

Night deepened with the place's silence. No footsteps could be heard and even the chirping had stopped.

Kahoko hardly slept that night at all. She kept on twisting uncomfortably trying to clear her mind from those Manami's revelations. She did once fell from slumber yet her door growled.

"Kahoko, wake up, time to get up now," the voice exclaimed behind the door.

"Ah! I just have gotten from sleep. Just two more minutes, please." She made the last word longer and sounded pleading.

The knock stopped and she went back to sleep. For a moment later, perhaps two minute exactly. "Kaho-chan your two minute is over, wakey…wakey now!" Manami budged through the door.

"Aaaargh, Manami you scared me," Kahoko groggily said and sat up.

"Mr. Shouzaburou is looking for you." Manami jumped on her bed. "Haven't got enough sleep?" she went on as she looked at Kahoko's weary eyes.

"Well, yeah. I'm thinking about the things you said…" Kahoko glanced at Manami. "Manami-chan can you tell me what's with what happened you are saying?" she asked.

"Kaho, like what I said before it's all about the past, don't open it again," Manami countered and laid herself on the cozy bed. "Past is past."

Kahoko leaned closer to look at her. "Please… Besides you're the one who opened it not me, I'm merely listening to you that time. And… honestly after you said that…" she paused. "I'm more than curious to know what really happened to this family."

Manami looked at her as well and sighed. "Kahoko do you really wanted to know?"

"Of course, but first of all, I'm a bit confused. Is Ryoutarou and Len-san twins?"

Manami's face turned red and laughed out of the blue. "Silly, Ryoutarou probably will get mad at you if he hears that. Len is not his twin and no, he hadn't had one."

Kahoko pouted "But, how does it happened? They're the same age."

Manami's face turned paler, she just opened it again. "Well… because that…" she gulped as her throat dried all of a sudden.

"Well, what? Manami," Kahoko grilled.

They had stayed in Kahoko's room for a while as Manami narrated everything, when they got out; they directly went downstairs to accommodate Mr. Shouzaburou.

"Kahoko, why did you ask anyway?" Manami began as they turned to the stairs.

Kahoko shook her head. "I'm just curious," she simply replied as what they had talked earlier flashed back to her thoughts.

Well, because they're not actually sibling, moreover Len is not actually their sibling…

How did it happen then?

"Oh! Hi there, morning," Manami said as she waved her hand at someone. Kahoko who was still deep in her thought simply ignored them.

I thought asking will make things clearer but then it's not. Kahoko went on.

"Kahoko watched out!" Manami shouted.

Everything seemed so fast that Kahoko could only recall was that she was on the midst of falling from the high part of the stairs.

Someone pulled her and gently she hit his chest. She used her right hand to hold on him as his right hand holding her.

Her rapidly beating heart turned serene as she felt she was on a safer space at the moment. Until…

Something familiar, she thought and raised her head. Kahoko froze for a while then abruptly yelled "Gaaaah!" by chance she pushed the lad.

His eyes met her, merely telling stupid-why-did-you-push-me.

"Wait ah!" Manami panicked and ran toward them. "Kahoko… Kahoko hold him…" her step doubled. "Len!" Manami reached for the now falling lad. At last he was saved.

"Jeez, that was close. I- I-I'm gonna die if I was not able save you, what will I do if Mr. Shouzaburou finds out."

Manami panted tucking Len's shirt; she wiped the crystal formed in her eyes. Not just for Len's sake but for hers as well—she probably a goner if Mr. Shouzaburou finds out. "Kahoko…" she glanced. "I know that I teased you a lot but please don't ever do that again."

"Manami-chan I'm so sorry," Kahoko apologized. She then spun to Len who was by now glaring at her. She took one step backward. "Uh- I'm sorry," she muttered.

Len opened his mouth to say something yet he decided not to talk more, he grunted and left the two.

"Sorry." Kahoko reiterated a hint of dejection was on her voice.

Manami held Kahoko's hand and they both went downstairs.

When they got there Mr. Shouzaburou was on the terrace drinking his morning tea. He turned his gaze at them "Good Morning Kahoko, Manami, I'm waiting for you two."

The two bowed "Good morning," they said in unison.

"Kahoko I called you to inform that we will have a party later this evening, I want you two to be prepared," Mr. Shouzaburou said to Kahoko.

The girl nodded blankly as she was still drawn from her thoughts.

"I was thinking whom of my grandson you'll choose?"

Kahoko's jaw dropped and looked at him questionably. "W-what do you mean?" she stammered.

The old man laughed. "What I mean is which of my grandsons you wanted to escort you, Manami won't be there for you all the time since she has things to do." he looked at Manami "So who do you want? Choose who you're comfortable with." asked Mr. Shouzaburou to Kahoko.

"I-I don't have any idea. Can I just be on myse-"

"Grandfather, I'm willing to escort Kahoko," Azuma interrupted holding Kahoko's shoulder from behind. The girl stiffened as she could sense his smirk.

"If Kahoko don't mind, then its fine," Mr. Shouzaburou told his grandson. "Is it ok to you Kahoko?" he turned to Kahoko's direction.

The redhead girl nodded without second thought, her head couldn't function properly for the fact that Azuma was there.

"Then that's final, Azuma will escort Kahoko," Mr. Shouzaburou finalized and sip another of his tea. "You can go now," he informed and sustained his business earlier.

Later on that day the party began, songs coming from a well-known musician could be heard in the garden. Series of good-looking cuisine peacefully intact in a long big table at the corner of the garden, wealthy people gathered there, chatting and mingling to one another.

Mr. Shouzaburou was at the table talking to his business colleague.

Both girls were walking wherein Manami was staring at Kahoko "Is she ok? She's been acting weird since this morning. Oh!"

"It can't be? Is that it? Kahoko don't think about it. It's all in the past. Jeez why didn't I think about it earlier? She's worried." Manami wondered. She had to leave thus she hesitantly bid goodbye, leaving Kahoko alone.

"Hey, sweetie you look beautiful today," Azuma began as he went towards Kahoko.

The girl nodded nonetheless Azuma frowned. "Is there something bothering you?" he asked.

Kahoko turned her head. "Azuma-san, will you excuse me," she said politely and left.

"Ok, I'll let you this time."

Kahoko toddled her way up to the second floor onto the terrace. She paused for a moment as she perceived the lad standing there.

Misa-san died when he was just a kid. Those words were pang prickled to her.

"Len-san," Kahoko uttered. Her voice reached him as he turned around to look.

"S-sorry…" she managed to say. Her lips started to quiver as her eyes became kind of blurry.

"Why are you saying sorry?" he asked, puzzled.

Kahoko didn't reply but remained silent. She drew out a soft sob as she couldn't control it anymore.

Is she crying? Len asked to himself and walked towards her, it was not his plan but seeing someone crying, and which he didn't know what was the reason bothered him.

"Don't." he patted her head. "I'm not mad at you," Len muttered softly to be considered as a whisper.

Kahoko slowly raised her head and glanced at him. He was not looking yet hand still on her head. She heaved another sob not because she was sad but she was certain that he was not mad at her now.

Is she still crying? What's wrong with this girl? Len heaved a sigh and lowered his gaze, leveling Kahoko's height. He raised his right hand and caressed her now pink cheeks from crying. He wiped her tears away. "Better?" he asked.

Kahoko nodded.

Her eyes met his bullion ones; it was different from the first time she saw it, as if it was not the eyes she had stared at before. She stared at it for a while, reading every glint on it. By chance, her lips move on its own.

"You're hiding something Len-san."

Len moved away, his expression returned to his unreadable one.

Gaining her consciousness, she blushed in embarrassment. "A-Anou… I mean you can tell me…erh… us your problem, if you have one." The last part was mere whisper. I know you have.

Once more, she sought for his eyes. However, he forestalled her stare. "The others probably are looking for you. Go now," he changed the topic.

Kahoko nodded and left devoid of protesting—she went farther this time and it was not her business anymore. She had to forget about it, she shook her head before completely left.

~NeKo Meow~

She was calmly sleeping in her bed when she heard once more the sound she just heard when she came there for the first time. Kahoko opened her eyes and got up.

It stopped. "Don't ever think of stepping a foot here," a cold voice trailed on.

Kahoko paused right just in front of the terrace door, she pouted. "Then, let me just hear you play."

"No." he was not looking at her. He brought down the violin and walked towards a table where its case was positioned. Afterwards he wordlessly left and closed his own door.

"That was not nice."

Kahoko went back to her room and bitterly looked at the window. One week had passed since Mr. Shouzaburou met her and allowed her to stay with them.

That one week that past, she gradually knowing them more—beginning from Ryoutarou who became her first friend amongst the grandsons.

He was, for her opinion, had the ordinary life among them. He would wake up in the morning greeted them with a smile and conversed with them ordinarily like a normal person would do.

"And there's Azuma-san." she grunted and gazed faraway. "He never fails to annoy me." she went on with another deep exhale.

"It feels kinda awkward if he's around." She murmured.

There were times that he would appear unexpectedly, surprising her by whispering to her ear and the most mortifying thing she would never forget was the time he kissed her forehead in front of everybody. She shivered.

"But… since that day… Kazuki-san never talked to me and even Len-san. Well, he never talks to me even after the party except earlier, he even avoid my stare… Did I frighten him? What's wrong with those two?"

Kahoko snapped out from her reverie, "What am I thinking? This day is the first day of school." She jumped with the surged of knowledge. "Shoot, I'm gonna be late!"

"Kahoko, this is your-" Manami opened the door. "Did you forget that there is a room for you to change," Manami ridiculed one brow arched. Kahoko just ignored her as she rolled her eyes.

"Ok, here's your uniform, if you need something just go to my room. I have to prepare as well," said Manami and put the uniform at the bedside.

"O-ok, I will."

~NeKo Meow~

Kahoko stared at her uniform.

"SUGOI!" she exclaimed so loud, it was a shriek anyone could hear her but no, she didn't care, she was very happy.

She raised her hand upright and glanced at her uniform again. "I'll be Seiso Gakuen student for now on, that's fun."

Kahoko wore the uniform with awareness, patting some part which had crumpled. Afterwards she looked at the mirror. "Wow, it's nice to wear this. Everything is different, I feel different."

She wore a black colored blazer concealing her cream colored blouse; necktie, same color as her hair; and a white skirt.

The crimson locks she had since her nativity mingled with the black blazer, emphasizing more of her lock's hue.

"It feels that this uniform really intended for me." she twirled around for another better view of her whole form.

"I better go now."

While straightening her blazer as she walked out to the corridor, her eyes landed at the person walking in the same direction as hers. "Good Morning Len-san," she greeted.

He halted nevertheless not looking. "Morning."

"How odd, everything he wears complement with him," she mumbled and chuckled. The lad gave her a sigh.

"Did he hear me?" Kahoko stopped and clasped her mouth shut.

Another door opened next to her, revealing the green haired lad all dressed in his own uniform.

He raised his head just to find that she was staring at him with a beam.

"Morning, Kazuki-san," she began, trying her luck.

He was dazed; it seemed that his jaw loosened from its joints as it failed to shut. She was standing in front of him, which was the closest distance he ever had with her.

"G-g-go-good…" he gulped. "G-good…mo-morning too…" he replied at last.

"Let's go Kazuki-san."

He didn't move merely staring at her walking form. "Kazuki-san let's go…" she reiterated.

"Y-You look nice…" blankly, he uttered.

Kahoko turned her sight at him. She gazed as long as possible, her eyes twinkled curiosity. What did he just say?

"Ah-Uh! No, I didn't say anything, what are you still doing there let's go," he said and passed Kahoko.

"But I… never mind..."

When they had gotten there, all was lined and apparently waiting for them.

They all rode in the limo, Manami, Len, Ryoutarou and Kahoko at the last seat, respectively. Kazuki with Azuma in front of the other's seat.

"Hey, Kaho," Manami mumbled just for Kahoko.

The redhead lass looked at her, confused. "What is it Manami-chan?" she asked.

She didn't talk barely gestured what she wanted to say. Let's change seat, she pointed to herself then to Kahoko and pointed the seat.

Kahoko chuckled and nodded.

"Thank you!" Manami replied and went out the car; she swiveled to where Kahoko was and opened the door. "You can sit in my seat."

Kahoko stood as well until one hand grasped her small wrist. She paused, she was certain she knew who it was.

Her sight landed at the lilac haired lad, smiling only she knew what it was. He opened his lips to converse. "Kahoko, you can sit beside me instead."

Her dense head didn't pay attention to the surrounding but one thing for sure it tense a bit. The three remaining lads tried not to listen as they made their unlikely expressions.

"N-no its fine I can exchange sit with Manami, beside you might get dizzy because I keep on turning and twisting. You don't want it to happen right?" Kahoko replied.

"No I don't mind at all," he countered and pulled her a bit. "What you will do is another waste of time."

Kahoko's face became bitter. "How does it become waste of time, Azuma-san?" she asked coolly. Her voice was a whisper.

"Never mind, just sit here. It's not that difficult to do." He pulled her in a force just to make her sat beside him.

Kahoko stumbled to the seat but unfortunately no one noticed it or rather no one struggled to care. She grunted silently as she rubbed her shoulder which by that time hit the ridge of the seat.

"Manami, you can sit now." Azuma said and turned to the fair-haired girl.

"Sasaki, we can go now," Azuma instructed and leaned closer to the girl next to him. "Be obedient, my dear Kahoko."

The engine started as they moved away from the house. After a minute they had gotten to the gate of the Hasegawa's Mansion. They continued they trip to the Seiso Gakuen.

Kazuki who was very eager to go to school, jumped in delight out of the car. "Finally we're here, let's go people. Don't want to be late in the first day of class."

Len followed him and Ryoutarou did the same thing. Kahoko and Manami were left behind for a girl talk.

"I want to be college student at this instant everything is cool about it," Manami said as they walked at the full of students school ground.

"It's not! I think college student is annoying," Kahoko mumbled on herself and pouted. "Anyways, Manami-chan why is Ryoutarou wore a different uniform than the two?"

Manami stopped daydreaming and looked at her. "Well, you see Seiso has two departments the General Ed Department and Music Department. General department wore black blazers like us and Music Department wore cream-colored blazer like them."

"I didn't know that Kazuki plays instrument? What is he playing Manami?"

"He plays trumpet."

"Ah! I see, why is it Ryoutarou didn't go with them? Doesn't he play anything?"

"Good question and a good topic girl," Manami said and paused to glance at her.

"Well Ryoutarou is actually playing the piano, though too bad he wanted to be with his friends than to play piano. Jeez! It's all about his friends, friends here friends there. Why not me?" The last words were a whisper.

Kahoko laughed and straightened her sight. "Oh! Look its Len-san… Hey Len-san…" she shouted.

"Kahoko don't waste your time he won-" Manami said but abruptly cut as the lad paused but not looking at them.

Kahoko ran toward him and smiled when she got there. "Why did I bother saying it," Manami hissed and shook her head.

"Len-san good thing you're not mad at me anymore. Thank you!" Kahoko said and walked beside the lad.

"What do you want Hino?"

Kahoko just stared at him with a beam forming in her lips.

"What?" Len repeated as his face looked annoyed.

"Well, you just called me by my name. Not actually my name and somehow I don't like people calling me by my surname but still at least you called me instead of using girl or even as if I don't have a name…"

"So?"

"Nothing, I never thought I can be pleased just hearing my surname." She smiled and continued walking.

~NeKo Meow~

"Jeez, this girl. She forgot about me…" Manami mumbled tailing the two. "Ah-Uh! Kaho- you're on the wro…"

"Hey, Manami! Long-time no see!" the girl with a short orange hair came running to her. She wore the same uniform Manami and Kahoko sported. The red tie she wore indicated that she was on the same year as the two.

"Megumi-chan, how are you?" Kahoko, you can go on yourself right? I hope so. "Long time no see. So how's your vacation, I heard that you went to Okinawa." Manami continued walking together with the girl.

"Well yeah, it was fun…"

~NeKo Meow~

"Hino, how long are you planning to follow me?" Len asked as they both stopped in the music department building.

"Huh!"

She looked side by side just to realize where she was. "Oh! No!" she exclaimed, two hands clasped her gaping mouth. She swiveled to Len and glowered.

"Why didn't you tell me? I supposed to be in the General Ed. Building."

"It's not my obligation."

"But-you…just…should…Aaaargh! I'm going."

"You should be," he said and turned around.

"You're so rude!" Kahoko exclaimed. It was deafening that some of the students stared at her. Her face turned red. "Ah-Uh! I'm sorry, bye!" She ran.

"Now, I'm late. Why didn't I notice it in the first place?" Kahoko grunted. "That guy, he should have just told me earlier. I still can't stand him sometimes."

"I'm late-"

"Hey-"

"I'm so sorry," Kahoko apologized as she bumped at someone.

"Look where you're goin-" the person halted and glanced at her.

"I'm really sorry, huh? You're a Gen Ed student, do you know where's the class 2-2 is?"

The person still in dazed. "There…"

"Thanks," Kahoko bowed and left.

"Dude, what happened to you? You merely tongue tied." A guy ridiculed.

"Shut up! Man, I think I'm in love…" the guy said and glanced at his friend.

"What are you saying Kaji? If I still remember, you said that words on par with the Seiso's girl population."

Kaji glared at him. He ran his fingers through his yellow hair and glanced at his friend once more. "This is different, I like her…" his expression was serious as a small grin adorned on his lips

"Oh man! Well I heard she's on class 2-2, you better go now."