Chapter 6
"Kahoko where have you been?" Manami scolded her.
Manami sat anxiously at the seat beside the window, the vacant chair at her right indicating that it was definitely for Kahoko.
"Sorry, Manami-chan I got lost looking for our room."
Manami grunted and ushered her to sit beside her. "Ok, ok, our teacher will be here any time soon, go sit to your chair. Kahoko, please next time, don't follow Len."
"Yes, I know. Music department is most likely miles away from General Department. I don't want to walk what I did today."
"Hey, Manami, why don't you introduce me to your friend?" Megumi, one of Manami's classmates, furthermore only best friend she had, approached them. She announced her friendly smile as she lent her hand to Kahoko to shake hands. "Hi, I'm Megumi Shouji, nice to meet you…"
Kahoko trained her eyes to her and smiled back. "Hello, I'm Hino Kahoko, nice to meet you too."
"I haven't seen you before, do you by chance transferred here or you just gotten in this place?"
"No—"
"She's with me at Hasegawa. Kahoko is currently living at Hasegawa's and—"
"SUGOI! You're living in that place with those four hot guys!" Megumi squealed as she cut Manami's words. Some of their girl classmates simply stopped in their own business and listened secretly at them.
"Sorry, but they're not hot for your information. Oh! Yeah they are, scorching heat because they are evil." Manami retaliated.
Megumi pouted and simply glared at her friend. "They're not, Manami, if you want, I can live with them instead. Let's exchange…"
"If it's ok I will."
"Hey, you two, stop it," Kahoko butted between the two. It wouldn't make any good for both of them. "Chill down, let's just all take a sit."
The two drew a sigh and obeyed the redhead girl. Megumi sat one seat away from Kahoko, sighing dreamily.
"Shouji-san, you're day dreaming again. What is it? Is it about me?" the playful voice came forward as she could feel that the person was smirking.
"Aoi-san, back off. I'm not and I won't do that, you womanizer. You must be the most handsome guy in this place but sorry I'm dedicated to Hasegawa brothers," Megumi uttered in a boast manner.
"What did you see in those guys?" Kaji replied in distaste. "I'm far alluring than them. How can you explain that? Kazuki-sempai is kind but I won't consider him in my kind."
"He is cute, Aoi-san."
"That ice cube, well he has his own world…"
"Don't ever say that or I'll kill you."
"Whoa! So you like him?"
"Shut up!" Megumi shot back, blushing.
Kaji laughed as if there was no tomorrow. He paused for a moment later as Megumi punched his shoulder rather hard since he slightly winced in pain. "You're too serious, I'm just kidding. Since you don't want to talk about your secret crush, then let's shift to Ryoutarou…"
"Are you trying to endanger yourself? Once Manami hears you, you're dead meat," Megumi chided her friend.
The last time they heard some rumor focusing on Ryoutarou the poor guy who scattered it suffered Manami's wrath. They were both suspended the whole three days because of that.
"I forgot she's more violent than you!" Kaji ended and shook his head. He shifted for a better view of the girl in front of him and leaned closer. "Anyways, do you know that we have a new classmate? Is she here already?" Kaji whispered.
"I won't let you near her and Manami won't let you either."
"So you know her, who is she?"
Megumi glared at him as she tried to lecture the lad however their teacher came. She grunted and looked at the lad who was by now more eager. "Mind your own business Aoi-san, sensei is already here."
Kaji pouted and glanced to their teacher.
"Class you have a new classmate, I hope you'll be nice to her," the teacher began and extended her arm at the girl. "Miss Hino, would you kindly introduce yourself to the others."
Kahoko flinched from her chair as she stood nervously. She shot an anxious look at Manami thus the girl gave her a heartening smile.
All shifted their look at her which made her more anxious. She gulped as if a lump blocked her throat.
"I-I'm Hino Kahoko, nice meeting you," she managed to utter despite of the collective stuttering.
They all gave her a friendly smile as the class president which by then was Megumi stood and made her monologue.
"On behalf of the class we're glad to see you as well Hino-san." She smiled and Kahoko smiled back. Megumi went back to her seat just to be nagged by Kaji.
"No need, I can introduce myself to her," he whispered with a smirk.
The girl fought herself not to roll her eyes and as an alternative ignored the nuisance.
The class began as some of their classmates gradually turning warm to the new one. Soon after the bell rang indicating it was time for break some girls went near Kahoko and more probably interrogate her on why she live with the Hasegawa.
To their surprise Kaji tried to pass through the crowd just to talk to the new classmate. He turned to the girls' crowd. "Will you mind, I want to talk to her first," he said and winked. The girls all squealed, and like a puppy, followed their master.
"Hi, I'm Aoi Kaji. Did you remember me?"
"Kaho, let's go." Manami pulled Kahoko's hand to make her stood up. The girl surprisingly followed her and not deliberately ignored the handsome guy in front of her.
Manami on the other hand knew and apparently noticed the lad's presence thus that was the reason she grabbed Kahoko's attention. When the lad looked at her she let off a big smirk on her lips.
"Don't ever," she mouthed as she turned around.
Kaji simply gave her a sigh of defeat. He had to make a plan and with the smirked on his lips it only implied he had one already. "See you later, Hino-san…" he whispered.
Soon after Kaji's wish came to reality, for the last time the bell rang and it was time to go home. More and more students left the room, leaving Kahoko, Manami and Megumi behind. Kaji smirked, waiting for one of those hindrances to go home.
"Manami-chan, Kaho, I'll be going now… I have to inform the Music department about the meeting," Megumi informed.
"Ah!" Kahoko voiced and glanced to Manami before looking back to Megumi. "Can I go too? I have to find Kazuki-san," Kahoko continued.
"Sure, no prob," Megumi replied and turned to Manami. "I'll be back soon."
"So how long have you been living with them?" Megumi began while they were walking.
"I just got there not that long, for about two weeks I suppose."
"I see, I see…"
They kept on talking and chatting until they had gotten to the Music department building.
"So, see you Kahoko," said Megumi as she stalled at the freshmen's building. "The third year department is in the third floor. Is it ok with you, if I leave you now?"
"Yes, it is ok I can go on myself. Thanks Megumi." Kahoko sweetly smiled and began to saunter upstairs.
She planned to turn to the second year department but abruptly hesitated, she then went all straight to the third floor building up until to what the remaining girl population told her where the green head lad's room was.
"Excuse me…" she grabbed the attention of a girl.
"What does a general Ed student doing here?" she said sarcastically.
Kahoko fought herself not to retort, instead she said, "I just want to ask where Kazuki-san is."
"It's none of your business, you little imp," another girl butted.
"I'll leave if you'll tell me where's Kazuki-san is."
"Are you provoking us? Do you know who I am?" the curly haired girl muttered.
Kahoko was certainly a human being likewise with those girls, her patience has limitation too. She placed her hands at her waist and looked at them. "I—"
"You're blocking my way. Will you please move," the voice said, it was polite in some way but rough attitude overshadowing it.
Kahoko pouted and gazed at him. She obviously knew who it was, after that two weeks had passed, there was no doubt.
"Ah-ah! It's a surprise that you visit the Third year building. You're brother went home earlier you know that… by the way I'm Mai," the curly haired girl responded.
Kahoko pouted. "Flirt."
"What are you doing here, anyway?" Mai went on ignoring the scarlet haired lass.
He impassively stared at her and wordlessly turned on his back. Kahoko sniggered a bit and once as the girl scowled at her she stuck her tongue out.
"Hino." Kahoko flinched and started tailing the lad.
She again glanced at the now furious girl and gave her a sneer. She was having fun making fool of the girl named Mai that she hadn't notice the lad stopped.
She winced a bit for fear of any forthcoming reprimanding-session.
"A-are you going home now?" Kahoko asked him.
"No, if you want to go home you can go on yourself," he hit back and sped his pace. How immature…
"Son, can you look for Kahoko?"
"Why it has to be me? You can ask my brothers instead."
"Well, you don't have any busy schedule in your school, Ryoutarou has soccer practices, Kazuki went home earlier than second year and you know Manami is a student council member."
"You know as well that I have violin practice."
"Then if you don't feel practicing you can accompany her."
Len sighed as he massaged his temples. "This is bothersome, sorry grandfather I have practice to attend…" he walked away. I did my part at a rate…" he paused
But...why? He sighed.
Kahoko's mood fell onto deepest annoyance, she scowled at his back trying as if wanted to generate a hole in his back with just her daggered look.
"You can simply say no," Kahoko mumbled and walked on herself.
Her feet landed her to the entrance without of her awareness. She looked sideways and found Ryoutarou toddling towards her.
She smiled "Ryoutarou-kun!" she greeted while waving her hands.
"Kahoko? What are you still doing here?" asked Ryoutarou as he stalled ahead of the girl.
He was still wearing his soccer uniform and perchance he was on his way to change his clothes.
"You play soccer?"
"Isn't it obvious…" he taunted. The girl pouted once more and gazed at him. "Anyways, why are you still here?"
The girl never averted her eyes at him as she sighed and smiled. She narrated everything had happened until to the part where Mr. Arrogant—what she called Len, met her and at the same time annoyed her more before leaving.
"O-ok," Ryoutarou replied raising one brow. "I can join you but I have to change my clothes first. Is it ok?"
"I'll wait, its way better if I have someone with, thank you Ryoutarou-kun."
"Yeah, right." He scratched his head and walked away.
"Ryoutarou-kun is such a nice person…wait I always say that." Kahoko gasped with her thought. Why did she think about it again? Red hue crawled from her neck up to her cheeks giving her warm sensation simultaneously to her speeding heartbeat.
"Hino-san!" A voice stirred her out of her trance. The blushing girl blinked twice before facing the person who called her.
She turned on her heels "What is it?" she asked kindly, she didn't want to make a bad impression to anyone in her first day.
The yellow hair and emerald eyes revealed his appearance. He grinned "Do you remember me, I—"
"Oh! Yes, you're the guy earlier. I'm so sorry—" Kahoko pointed him like somehow accusing yet it was not.
Kaji deemed it as an opportunity to hold her hand with his both, sealing it and never had the idea of letting her hand go. "No, its ok," he trailed off looking at her within her golden eyes.
Those stares sent bolt of electricity through her spine by her reflexes and the fact she wouldn't like to feel the strange sense anymore, she hauled her hand away from him.
Her face which was just on fading phase drew another glow. "A-thank goodness you're ok…"
"Seeing you make everything better." He smiled again, the smile that the girls of all times squealing to see.
This was his only moment, he better use it wise and to the fullest before anyone could obstruct his enjoyment.
Kahoko averted her eyes. "T-thanks… I guess."
"Haven't you notice me in our class?"
"You're my classmate? I-I haven't seen you." Kahoko's eye grew owl-liked.
"Now you know. I hope you won't forget me…" he smiled.
"Ah—of course…"
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Kaji asked all of the sudden.
"What?" Kahoko recoiled a bit. Why he had to ask that, who is this guy?
"Kahoko, sorry for waiting!" Ryoutarou marched to them though hadn't notice the lad beside the girl yet.
Ryoutarou? Kahoko mulled over, without reasons she became tensed. She anxiously gazed at the lad alongside her, and back to the green headed friend. Why am I feeling this? She asked again as Ryoutarou step by step drawing nearer to them.
Kaji on the contrary could feel her anxiety. He smiled and once more held her hand. Kahoko flew her head to him in surprise. "I'll be going now, Hino-san. Aoi Kaji for you…" he said and kissed the girl's hand.
"Huh!"
Kaji winked at her and left.
"Kahoko, who is that?" Ryoutarou for the first time noticed the lad. He shook his head with any thoughts and focused at the dazed lass. "Kahoko are you ok? Did that guy do something to you?" Ryoutarou maintained.
Before Ryoutarou could do something appalling to the new acquaintance, Kahoko shook her head and tried to smile. "I'm fine Ryoutarou-kun. H-he's my classmate."
A small sigh escaped him as by some means the stewing anger within, extinguished just by her words. "So let's go now," he invited and walked along.
Kahoko didn't move merely gazing at him. "Ryoutarou-kun, if it's ok I wanted to visit the bakery I previously worked in. If it is ok?"
Ryoutarou looked at his watched and nodded. "It's still early we can drop by then."
"Thank you!" Kahoko said. "Don't worry it's a block away in here and I'll treat you this time for coming with me," Kahoko went on, flashing her toothy grin.
"You better be, I'm the only one who still trying to deal with you," Ryoutarou mocked.
"I see, I took back what I said, you can leave me now…" she stomped her feet like a kid and advanced to Ryoutarou.
The lad laughed so hard while he equaled the girl's distance, he stopped right just beside her and patted her head. "Does anyone tell you how immature you are?"
"A lot of people…" she pouted.
"Well I'm one of them." Ryoutarou chuckled. Kahoko had to hit his arms just to make him stop as he glanced at her she lent a maddened stare. "I'm just kidding Kahoko."
"It's not funny."
Ryoutarou drew another sigh and patted her head. "Somehow your childishness makes people laugh, you should be proud of it. You make us happy and how tired we are, looking at you makes it feels better," he said but not looking at her.
Kahoko lowered her gazed. His words overly overwhelmed her, with this prospect she fought the welling of tears in her eyes. Thanks.
"Did you say something? Oi, Kahoko why aren't you looking at me," Ryoutarou continued on mocking seeking for her expression yet she endeavored not to gaze back.
"Ah! Stop looking at me!" she fought back swaying her head in any way he couldn't see her face akin to her hair. "I won't look."
"Kahoko?"
"Kaho-chan?"
"Hino?"
~NeKo Meow~
"I never thought I could see them in that early. Ryoutarou and I was just street away from the cake house and yet again I saw them," Kahoko mulled over as she walked towards her dresser.
It was again Saturday, no classes and more on leisure time but no, not this time. She brought out a simple pants and a colored t-shirt, afterwards she moved forward to her private bathroom.
"Kahoko we've been looking for you!"
"Silly you! You made me worry!"
"Where have you been dear?"
"Those people they shouldn't be worried too much. I'm fine, still alive." Kahoko laughed as the water from the shower echoed in the bathroom.
"Dear, I'm very sorry about what happened in your apartment but you should have called me or these people here. You know that we're always there for you, we really are worried when we found out that you're not in that place anymore." a kind old man said.
"Kaho-chan, I thought bad things happened to you," a girl in Kahoko's age sobbed.
"Look what you have done…" the other girl butted, she might be toughed in the outside but Kahoko knew she simply trying not to give emotion.
"Minami-san, Mio, Nao I'm very sorry I haven't told you," Kahoko replied and bowed her head. She turned to the old man and gave him a reassuring smile. "Minami-san, sorry for worrying you but I swear I'm fine."
It was the time where Ryoutarou had the chance to interrupt. "Sorry but, you shouldn't be worry, Kahoko is in a good place and we take good care of her very well. We are really sorry that we weren't able to inform you."
Mio eyed Kahoko, eyes that glimmers the word confusion and misunderstanding…"Kahoko! I know that you don't have a place to go but—"
"That was embarrassing, since then I couldn't look at Ryoutarou-kun. Mio, you and your tactless mouth always lead me to trouble. But I guess it's my fault too, I forgot to tell them that I'm alright it was natural for them to worry. They've been there for me even just for a few times we've shared until grandmother left. But I couldn't take everything for granted, they have been too kind to me and I don't want to be a burden again." Kahoko reacted in the view she previously thought.
"Kahoko are you awake now! Don't forget we have things to do, a lot of things," Manami shouted behind the door.
Kahoko closed the shower and went to wear her clothes. It was passed four days since the incident happened. It was at first on its tensed conversation until it brought to more embarrassing one.
"You shouldn't live with him…you should be on a right age to do that…"
"WHAT?" the two asked in chorus.
"No…no…no… you're mistaking, we-we're…Ryoutarou-kun and me… we're…" Kahoko couldn't process any words instead she looked at the lad who in her fury was having fun looking at her. She shot him a glare.
"No, we're not…erh…that, she is in the custody of my family. Uhm, it's a long story and I think this is not the place to talk about this… "
"Let's all go to the cake house instead." Minami butted.
"Aha! How many times I convinced myself that it was all cleared buuuut! It was still embarrassing." Kahoko dressed herself as she reminisced her past memory.
After they had gotten to the bakery, Ryoutarou did the entire explanation for the matter of fact that Kahoko was still on her stupor.
Gladly, Minami understood everything and stated it was much better that Kahoko live with them. Not because of their wealth nonetheless he knew how kind the old Hasegawa was.
"Kahoko! We have works to do…" Manami knocked again.
"Yeah, I'm finish. Sheesh! Manami-chan," Kahoko trailed off opening the door wide, she was now geared to whatever they would do that day.
They began their routine as they started in offices, mini library, up to Mr. Shouzaburou's room. Their last stop was the living room's music room, "Oh! Sugoi! How many music room they have?" Kahoko said, wide eyed.
"One here and also upstairs, if you're planning to clean the other music room sorry to disappoint you it's locked."
"Why? Too bad, I'm not yet tired," Kahoko said.
"Come on! I never clean this house in my entire life. Seriously Kaho, do you have grudge on me, I more than happy if that so…"
"Manami-chan stop complaining, let's clean their rooms instead," stated Kahoko as she held the cleaning tools.
Manami ogled her, up until her not so tired expression. She curved her nose up. "I give up! You can do it on yourself. I'm going to my room," she muttered waving her hands.
"Manami-chan!" Kahoko demanded yet the girl didn't budge. "Ok, I will do it on myself, Sheesh," she grunted and walked upstairs.
"First stop, Azuma-san's room," Kahoko muttered and turned the knob.
At first she was kinda reluctant but set it aside, besides it was her entire plan to clean every room she might and possibility got access in. She inwardly thanked Mr. Shouzaburou for allowing her.
Kahoko held the cleaning materials tight as she walked, marveling each of all extravagant scenery surrounding her. Suddenly she took uninterested thought to clean this place if she broke something it would be worth of her life.
"I-I should clean other room instead." She backed out. Anyhow, her knee already quivered only just setting foot on the polished floor.
She drew an anxious exhale and left the room. "I don't need to clean it anyway," she mumbled with a nervous laugh.
She paused from her trance and watched as the door opened on its own, the door of the room she supposedly would be victimized with her goofy exploit sooner or later.
"K-Ka-hoko?" his jovial expression made a delicate changed anon he found who was ahead of him.
"Kazuki-san, hello I'm here to clean your room," in such polite gesture of her broom stick she muttered her business there.
The lad inspected her. She was not kidding and almost the way she clad in, no utter lie would surpass her gravity. "Oh—k," blankly Kazuki responded.
"Sugoi, let me in," she demanded, by chance her left shoulder scraped to his side.
He gasped, stirred as he grabbed her shoulder shoving her out. "No you can't… its clean…" he declined.
Kahoko, who was by then gazing at what she considered not so clean room, curled her lips as she transferred her stare at the lad. "Kazuki-san you're lying, look at your room, it's a mess."
"No, it's not!" he insisted.
"K-Kahoko can't you understand." He pushed back in a case pushing was hard enough it made it more difficult when he needed to talk. "I-I'll clean it on my own, please don't go to my room."
Kahoko composed her stance and stared at him. "Seriously?"
"Well, yeah, just don't go to my room, why don't you clean Oniichan's room instead."
"Done that."
"Grandfather?"
"First."
"Manami? You should clean her room she's your friend…"
"Can't, she's sleeping." Kahoko folded her arms as she stomped her starting to numb feet.
Kazuki exhaled he was losing the so called negotiation. Heck she was good at it. "Ryoutarou?"
"At first he forced me not to clean his room too but I insist, yeah done with his room, it's your turn now."
He lost every possible dispute until his sight flew somewhere. "Ah- Kahoko, strange girl…" he added the latter part on his own mind.
"What is it?" she paused just to look at him.
"You forgot something—"
"No Kazuki-san I haven't."
"No, you did." Instead of waiting for her next reaction Kazuki pointed the door in front of them. "There you see. Why don't you occupy yourself cleaning that room?" he intoned and quite firm. He badly wanted her to go.