Chapter 8

Kahoko went up early that morning, disheveling the bookshelf once more for any good and interesting book to read. It was too early to get up and she knew no one was awake yet. If there's any she knew it would be the companion she least wanted to have.

Thinking about Azuma made her shivers.

Her mischievous hand landed onto an uncanny book. It was improper to call it a book or called it a score sheets either. It was different.

Kahoko flipped the cover but just to find more interesting things on it. She smiled, rather evilly than the usual smile of Azuma.

Hours later, Kahoko knew the others woke up. She got up as well together with the new discovered stuff. She pulled out something from it and went out.

On her luck she found her prey, rubbing his eyes since he just gotten up.

"Good Morning!" she greeted which turned out he replied with a glare.

"Len-san, do you by chance know what it is." she asked rather mocking, fanning the thing which seemed to be a picture.

Len's impassive demeanor turned wreck. "Where did you get that?'

"Oh, just there, there's a lot where it came from."

"Give it back!" he stepped towards her.

"No, can't I, you have to apologize for being rude to me last night!"

"It's unnecessary—"

"Well, this one is no matter with you either," Kahoko muttered and ran.

"Good Morning Kah—" his voice trailed off by a girl ran over him. He heard a respond with his name on it. Then another form bumped on him but just to be ignored again. He heard the word 'sorry grandfather' as the form descended the stairs.

Mr. Shouzaburou pinched the bridge of his nose. "Did I see it right?" he dubiously asked. "Being old is troublesome. Len with the word runseems not appropriate."

"Hino, give it back to me!"

"And the word screams either. I need some rest. I suppose I'm hallucinating."

"Share the good things, Len-san!"

"It's far from good, woman!"

The chase didn't stop until Kahoko bumped at another larger form. The force led her to step back. "Ow, my arm," she complained rubbing the said arm.

"Kahoko? What are you doing? Why are you running?"

"Hino… aren't you capable to hear? Give that to me this instant!" Len impatiently muttered. His perfect indifference mask was nowhere to be found. He looked like a mess. "What's your problem, Ryoutarou?" he turned to the person Kahoko previously ran over.

"Wow! I haven't seen you disheveled before. You look more amusing now." He laughed.

"There's nothing funny," Len responded, composing the little decency left on him.

"What is it he wanted Kahoko?" Ryoutarou turned to the girl who seemed to hide in his back.

"Uhm…just this…."

"Don't ever give that to him!" Of course, before Len could finish his sentence Ryoutarou already obtained the picture then trailed with his merciless laugh.

In Len's utter shame the others came crowding the said scandal.

"Oh! So cute!"

"Look at that pink headband!" he heard Ryoutarou.

"Enough already give it back to me."

"Awe, why? You look so cute here," Manami muttered hovering the picture on his face. Len flushed and looked away.

"What's with this commotion all about?" Mr. Shouzaburou muttered, from behind him was Azuma with his awful smile.

Kazuki approached them. "Strange girl found this picture of Len—"

Kahoko pouted at his acclaimed nickname for her.

"And he's so cute here!" Manami seconded.

"And hilarious!" Ryoutarou ended.

Mr. Shouzaburou grabbed the photo and laughed so loud, Len restrained himself not to throttle his grandfather. "Yeah, you're right, this is the time when Misa dressed him with a princess outfit. He looks wonderful. You should try it again son."

"Never!"

"Yeah, Len-san, try it again," Kahoko backed, trying to piss him more. Yeah, get mad… it's your entire fault anyway. If you just apologize.

Len shifted his stare at her with the word 'you're dead' in his eyes. "I'll get back to you soon," he mumbled.

"The damsel on haughtiness needs the prince." Kahoko cooed.

The others laughed which Len tended to ignore as he tried all his might not to care. He went back to his room since he felt tired again. That girl seemed to drain a lot of his energy.

"Anyways, Kahoko dear, I heard your birthday is the day after tomorrow?" Mr. Shouzaburou altered their topic.

Kahoko looked at him, surprised and shocked. "Ah! Yes, how did you know?"

"Manami, told me before. We're planning to have a celebration for you—"

"No, that won't be necessary, I'm used with a simple birthday or even just let it pass." She laughed while scratching her head.

"Oh!"

The reaction made Kahoko's heart to hitch.

"Too bad, Kahoko, we already sent the invitations." Manami pried.

"What?"

"Yeah, I know, what. Surprise!" Manami ushered the frozen Kahoko to her room to calm her down. Karma hit her squarely.

~NeKo Meow~

For another time, another celebration was being held on the Hasegawa Mansion. It was not as extravagant as the first one in the matter of fact that Kahoko forced not to have such exquisite party. It was waste of money and she didn't like wasting such fortune.

The star of the night was sitting in the chair, in the middle of her gifts which she didn't know where it came.

Manami and Megumi approached her.

"Happy Birthday Kahoko!" they sang.

She was on the verge of responding when another voice trailed. "My Kahoko, happy birthday to you!"

She was startled a bit but managed to reply. "Thank you, Kaji?" she muttered, questioning how he got there since she knew the two won't let that happen.

"Sorry, Kahoko, he won't stop nagging me." Her question brought to answer by Megumi.

"No, it's ok. I hope you're having fun Kaji-kun."

"Of course, just looking at you satisfies me."

Not a good line to begin with. Kahoko blushed and tried to distance from the guy. Not until Mr. Shouzaburou made another surprise treat for Kahoko.

"Dance time!" he said in the microphone.

"Our little princess, please go to the center and your princes will approach you," he went on in his amusing tone.

The first to come was not what she expected and to straight it out, she didn't want to see.

He drew near as he reached her hand, making the distant gap between them to vanish. "Why are you silent all of the sudden?" his breath fondled to her skin. As though cold water poured to her, she shivered.

They continued they dance in the eternal silent until he leaned again. "You become obedient my dear Kahoko," he whispered and pulled away.

Kahoko literally gasped as a sort of thing flow down to her chest. She looked downward and saw an aqua blue pendant hanging on her neck she haven't even realized he put to her.

When he left her, another lad went near her. She chuckled went he held her hand. "Your hand is cold…." She commented. The said lad scowled and looked away.

His face visibly glowing beet red. "It's not, it's just its too cold and I'm not used wearing these clothes," he muttered feeling quite aghast with the unusual clothes he was wearing.

"But you look good in those clothes, why won't you wear it often."

His face turned multiple shades of red. "Because I don't want to. I only wear this because it's your birthday."

Kahoko chuckled again and looked at his golden eyes "Thank you then..."

His time for her ended as another lad came for his appearance. He hesitantly left her for the other lad to take his chance.

Kahoko was now on her hesitant state. Somehow she still can't stand this guy but she didn't want to embarrass him. He looks kinda trustful. Kahoko commented as she held his hand.

"At last, I finally have the chance to dance with you." His eyes locked on hers. Time to time Kahoko had to avert her eyes just to breathe. As if every time she would look at him she would forget the word breathing.

Mr. Shouzaburou began to introduce the other lad. The guy with Kahoko hesitantly bid a goodbye with a steal kiss on her cheek. And also, it didn't skid on the next lad's eyes. He intentionally bumped at him before proceeding.

"You shouldn't do that!" Kahoko pouted but chuckled afterwards.

"And why? That jerk just—" realizing where his statement going to, he paused midsentence.

"It's ok, it's just—" she paused as well and blushed. She opted not to say it again.

Knowing she felt stiffed. The lad sighed "So, what's your birthday wish?" he altered the topic.

The girl gazed at him in ease, she smiled in relief. "Just a simple wish…"

"Hn?"

"That I hope I will always have a family like all of you."

"Well, your wish came true in advance. We're here for you."

She rested her head on his chest. "I hope so…." She whispered.

Mr. Shouzaburou called the last man, which was now uncertain to approach the girl. Even Kahoko had the same feeling.

With a force instruction from Mr. Shouzaburou the lad came closer to her which she rudely backed away.

The lad scowled which in turn Kahoko felt a slight guilt for stepping back. She initiated to reach for his hand.

"Hi!" she began, trying to be cheery.

"And?"

"What and? I said hi! You should say something in return."

"I don't have anything to say but I know you have."

"I don't."

"Then keep your mouth shut," he muttered.

She was gonna retort but a gush of wind hindered her. It was cold; she mentally hated Manami for forcing her to wear off-shoulder clothes. It made her feel a lot colder.

She clung closer to the lad without her awareness. He's warm. She chuckled. Why is it whenever I'm close to him, I feel so dependent. Why am I feeling this? She detached herself from their proximity and gazed at him.

He was looking at her all the time. She wanted to move her sight but it remained captive by his stare.

He leaned forward to her, his warm breath grazing at her now blushing cheeks. His hand already cupped her chin just to make her stare at him.

Her heartbeat hammered on her ribs. What? What are you go…?

~NeKo Meow~

"U-Ui! L-Len-san, y-you're joking right?" she asked, trying to hold him back from leaning.

He didn't respond but continue to lean forward. Both breaths mingling with each other, seemingly the cold weather was out of senses. Kahoko's raging heart kept in loud pace, as though it also surpassed the music.

Len paused in inch away, staring at her golden eyes. He puffed some air. "Are you done gawking?" he asked in his mischievous tone.

Kahoko's forehead crumpled three folds. "What did you say?" she hissed under her breath. "You're the one who stared first!"

"I have a reason…but you?"

"Ah-ah what's your reason, then?" she shot back, feeling madder.

"Anyone could have done the same thing if some 'annoyance' hugs them suddenly….So I state my reason, what's yours," He retaliated.

Kahoko's face flushed more. "I-I did not!"

"You do…"

"No!"

"Yes…so why did you do that?"

~NeKo Meow~

"I didn't do that…you haughty guy!"

"Miss Hino! You're sleeping in my class!"

Kahoko flew up from her seat and gazed at her teacher. She was daydreaming again, worst was, it was all about her embarrassing birthday party.

Len sighed and gazed again, he leaned for the last time and kissed her forehead. Kahoko held her breath, shades of red decking in her cheeks.

"Good thing you're easy to annoy, consider this as a payback for earlier," Len muttered.

"I'm more than that!" Kahoko hissed but remained her voice as low as possible.

"Then much better." Len left her alone.

"Kahoko are you alright?"

"You look kinda flush…."

"Something happened?"

All their grilling eyes intimidated her little form, Kahoko shrank at her position as she secretly gazed at the lad. If she knew better his expression was a smug. Kahoko frowned "I hate you…"

Certainly, the lad made his comeback that time as he really assured he embarrassed her.

"I-I'm so sorry, miss, I won't do it again." she crumpled her hands. It's your entire fault! She mused, implying about the lad of her distress.

"You should not be. I'll call Mr. Hasegawa if that happens again. Test paper please," she said. They were on the verge of their exam when Kahoko daydreamed.

"A-ah! I'm not—"

"Test paper!" the teacher stated firmly.

Their class ended together with the earth made another round on its axis. It was not a good day for Kahoko, how she hoped the next day would be different.

~NeKo Meow~

Another settlement of the day came to sip on Kahoko's room. Her alarm clock rang.

"Ah! Why is it so fast? I just gotten asleep!" she complained to herself. As her usual day, she would unthinkably stride to the terrace just to irk the lad.

"How many time do I have to say to you don't go near this place!"

Her supposedly yawning turned to gulping as she snapped her eyes wide. "What?"

"Jeez, you and your dense head."

"Hey!" she responded but he already closed the door.

Kahoko grunted her ire and managed to prepare herself for today's activity. She went down afterwards where she saw Manami walking passed to her.

"Morning Kaho."

"Morning too." She answered back and continued walking. Her feet set her in the living room as another person met her eyes.

Kahoko squinted to distinguish who it was. Unfamiliar, she neared the seeming stranger before she halted in front of it. "Who—" she would asked who is it but what this person trying to do distracted her.

"What on hell are you trying to do?" she suddenly squeaked.

The person snapped back, looking at Kahoko annoyingly. "None of your business Missy," the person said. On Kahoko's perception, the person was a girl with her brunette her flowing curly at her back.

The girl ignored her and tried to sustain her plan which was in that time, was to give our ice prince a nicely welcome kiss. Too bad he was sleeping, he wouldn't know.

"Stop it!" Kahoko pushed her. Why did I push her?

"Hey, who are you, pest? Don't you know who I am?"

"Obviously yes, I don't know you." Kahoko retaliated with her hand on her waist. Why am I doing this?

The woman dusted her tailored dress and glared at her. "Well, I'm Nami Amou the daughter of the owner of the Company Mr. Shouzaburou Hasegawa joined venture with."

"Y-Your parents are Mr. Shouzaburou's business partner?"

"Well, yeah!" Nami rose a brow "Who are you? Are you one of those girls who are trying to seduce my Len?"

"H-huh! S-seduce?" Red hue crawled at her face. Why would I do that? No way! "No, I-I won't do that." Kahoko shook her head.

"Good because I'm the only one who can be with him. Not in the slightest he will fall for such uncivilized woman like you!"

"What?" Despicable. "Does he know it?" Kahoko stated it innocently. How would she supposed to believe this girl, she knew how grating the lad was.

"Who are you?" Nami repeated.

"I-I'm Ka-Kahoko Hino—" Kahoko trailed off when a little girl came running to the older girl.

She watched as the brunette lass knelt down to hear the chibi's voice.

"Pest, I need to go, we will finish this some other time."

Kahoko hadn't had the chance to stop her as she watched full of provocation when the girl kissed Len's cheek before leaving with all elegance.

Kahoko scowled before she melted on her feet, looking at the sleeping form of the lad at her side. You're the dense one. "You're annoying, looking at you spoil my day. Every day if I may add." She kept on ranting as she gazed at him.

She brought her hand to pinch the bridge of his nose assessing if he would wake, unfortunately he didn't as he twist around.

Kahoko laughed. "Though you look cute when you're asleep—" she paused, realizing what she said. She stood but stumbled and fell flat again. Her crimson bangs concealed her eyes together with her glowing cheeks.

"Who are you talking to?" a sophisticated voice sent shivers through her spine.

She turned to look at him though just how she wished she didn't. "A-Azuma-san…."

"Oh! Kahoko, good morning."

Kahoko stood up and bowed her head. "Good Morning Azuma-san." She responded

"Can you bring me a tea? I'll be waiting at the garden." Azuma instructed and left.

The purple headed lad walked to the garden and sat to his usual position. He gazed at the garden with a smile decorated in his lips. Interesting.

Moments later, Kahoko came with his tea.

"Azuma-san, here's your tea."

Azuma looked at her and back to the garden. "Hn. Thank you Kahoko, you may take a seat if you wanted."

"No, it's fine. Is there anything more you want?" she asked.

"Nothing you desire to obey, I assume."

"Huh!" she gulped. "I-If there's nothing, I'll be going now."

"Kahoko…"

Kahoko turn on her heels to gaze at him. "What is it Azuma-san?"

Azuma darkly chuckled before sustaining, eyes never averting from the garden's view. "Do you find her interesting?"

"What do you mean?" Kahoko asked she couldn't pin down what he was implying.

He sighed "Dear, Kahoko. I'm talking about the daughter of Amou." He sneered. "Isn't she wonderful? She is a usual guest in this house. You may as well get to see her often."

Great, another person to tick me off! "Oh, Miss Nami, yes I see her earlier—" she stopped midsentence. How will she supposed to say what she just saw.

Knowing the sudden stiffness of his companion, Azuma's smile widened. He knew what it was and he would make this girl in front of him be bothered.

"Do not worry, it's ordinary to see them that way…" he paused to look at her.

"You know…couple." He succeeded to his plan.

Yeah…couple. She whispered and tried to look at him. "If you don't have any more order, I'll be going now."

~NeKo Meow~

"Stupid woman with her senseless ranting…disturbing my sleep." Len muttered while walking upstairs. What happened when I'm sleeping?

"Len!" someone called.

Len halted, realizing whom voice was it. He composed himself before meeting the person. "Good morning grandfather, what is it you wanted?"

"Oh! Son, why don't you greet this young woman beside me first?"

Why do I have to? "What are you doing here?" one delicate brow rose. He was overly annoyed this morning and of course as always because of a certain girl. Now, this person in front of him would certainly add to his daily nuisance too.

"Len, don't be so rude. Nami will be staying here for a while. Her parents have some business trip in Bangkok and they expected you to accompany her until they return."

"And why it should be me?"

"Nami-dear suggested since you've been kind to her ever since."

I'm not! "I'm aware that I'm not what you think Ms. Amou, so excuse me, I have far important matters than this."

Nami pouted and dismally looked at Mr. Shouzaburou. She knew it will turn out like this thus she made a plan b.

"Len, accompany her instead in her room and you may take your leave." Mr. Shouzaburou firmly instructed as he spun to Nami. "Dear, you can go now." He smiled.

The girl evilly clung to Len's arm and cuddled closer to him. "Let's go, honey!"

"Don't call me honey."

"Come on! Don't be shy, Len-darling."

They were going to begin their route when Nami stopped and raised her head. "Hi!" she sneakily muttered.

"Good morning, Miss Nami." Kahoko managed to smile and bowed her head. Nonetheless when those golden orbs met his ones, she scowled, sustaining her walk as if nothing had occurred.

"Good Morning Mr. Shouzaburou!" the two heard her muttered.

"She's an interesting specimen." Nami chuckled but abruptly faded when Len pulled his arm from her grasp.

She curled her lips asking why he did that.

"You're slow, can you be more capable on walking."

Heck with that annoyance, what did I do to her now? I should be mad at her for waking me up. He clenched his teeth as he sneaked a look at the crimson headed.

~NeKo Meow~

Authoress' Corner:

Dance with Kahoko-The first one is Azuma, next is Kazuki, Kaji then Ryoutarou and last is Len.