Chapter 13

Not even a single mutter drew from their lips, only the swish of the wind in a tiny window responded in a long pause of silence resonated in both of them

Kahoko's heart whizzed more. Distancing herself as far as possible for fear of being heard. She tucked herself in a corner, looking anxiously at her companion.

He looked back, eyes bearing such annoyed look. He turned his back and stared at the window instead. A silent curse heeded from his lips.

What could she possibly do? She was with him…alone…and stranded?

~NeKo Meow~

Early that morning…

Kahoko approached Manami, tapping her back to get her attention.

"Manami, did you send my let—"

"The letter you want to send to your relatives." She paused for a while. "Yes, I did."

Kahoko sighed. "Thanks Manami, I owe you."

"No it's nothing, but why did you have send them a letter? You can just say you're fine here."

"Manami…" her eyes flashing her concern, "I said before I'll stay here for the time being, I have to leave too."

"But Kahoko…you can stay here as long as you want, besides, we don't know if their still there." Manami looked back.

Redheaded girl smiled. "Thank you but you already help me enough."

As soon as they reached the school, Manami turned around, eyeing the different direction of Kahoko's stare. The redheaded grunted and went on. "See you later Manami."

"Kahoko, you're here. Wear this already." Megumi muttered.

A little 'oop' drew from her lips as two of her classmates started to strip her clothes. She turned around. "Wait, w-what are you doing—"

"We're sorry Kahoko but the café will open soon."

"Let's get going…"

"Wait!"

"See, you look so cute." One muttered straightening the lower skirt of Kahoko's dress.

"Why do I have to wear this?" Kahoko complained, eyeing the two in a rage look. She pursed her lips.

"You will role-play the princess…"

"And I'll be your prince." A baritone voice cheered at the corner.

Kahoko swirled around, making the light blue gown to glimmer with her. It draped right above her ankle when she stopped. "Kaji-kun?"

"Hino-san, yes it's me, the prince who will protect you…" He intertwined his fingers to hers and held it high, closing the gap between them before he launched her in a dance.

Cheers and awes echoed around them. Kahoko started to feel warm; hue flew above her cheeks and making itself known. She strode back.

"Dizzy…" she excused.

The lad chuckled before kneeling down. His light sapphire eyes remained seized at her golden ones.

He broke the eye contact and drew his eyes at her hand, gradually bringing it to his lips until her skin touched it.

Bottles of ice ran through her spine before she tugged her hand away. Her face literally matched her hair in color.

"Hino-san, are you alright?" the girl beside her asked.

Kahoko remained immobile for a moment, looking surprise at the lad still kneeling in front of her. Kaji sensed her distress, he moved up and just about to hold her hand when she got her awareness once more.

She gulped. "A-Anou…K-Kaji-kun…guys…I-I think, I'm going out for a while…still kind of dizzy." She turned before anybody would react.

She shut the door in front of the lad, not in anger but quite in embarrassment of seeing him again. She strode, horse speed, before halting distance away from their café.

"Shoot! Why am I feeling this again…?"

"Kahoko!"

Kahoko made a start jump before facing the girl. "Manami, y-you scared me."

"Geez! Kahoko, it's just me, do you want to come?"

"Where?" Kahoko's crumpled forehead responded.

Manami's teeth gleamed into smile; she held the other girl and towed her to another seeming café.

They paused, eyes merely mesmerized in the scene. Students dressed in maid and butler costumes busily accommodating their masters and mistresses.

"Welcome Ladies." a halfhearted voice forcedly drew on his lips.

"Sugoi!"

"Kawaii!"

Both commented, trying not to tackle, hug or anything a girl would do if they see something related to cute.

Two pairs of eyes flashing amusedly at his impassive demeanor—blue tresses in which seemed cold, contrasted the cute white cotton-like bunny ears he wore.

"Oh! So cute, how did they manage to force you to wear that?" Manami patted Len's shoulder.

The lad gazed at Kahoko instead, which in turn blushed.

"Punishment…" he responded, straightening the black butler costume he had.

"Punishment?"

"For being late last time…"

"You mean…" Manami's mischief eyes roamed towards her companion.

Prickles of electricity traced on Kahoko's shoulder, she knew what it was.

"Sorry if I disturbed you that time." Kahoko interrupted.

"It's already done…besides you're ill that time, it's inappropriate to leave you."

"Welcome…welcome," a girl in her maid costume butted in. She spun toward Len and frowned. "Len, why didn't you escort them to their seat?"

If it was not because of his punishment he wouldn't comply, but he has to since it was his fault. He graciously bowed his head, no word drew from his lips, as he ushered the two in their seats.

Simple thanks escaped in both girls after they sat in their respective chairs. The lad left afterwards.

"What are we doing here Manami?"

"They'll be having this auction, wanna bid?" Manami leaned on her chair.

"I don't have any money, you know that."

"You don't need money."

The girl gulped the bitter feeling in her throat. "Then how?"

"I got this ticket I bought earlier, well, not actually bought but it's an exchange for my purchases here."

"What? That's quite a number, aren't you eating nowadays?" Kahoko's voice overpowered the energetic mutterings of the crowd, earning herself a full attention.

Warm sensation overwhelmed her again. She closed her eyes tight and sank in her chair.

"Low your voice Kaho, I treat the student council earlier that's why I have this."

"You should have said it earlier…" Kahoko curled her lips. "Anyways, what's the price?"

"Over there…"

Kahoko traced where Manami pointing at.

She eyed the girl again. "Are you kidding me?"

"No, I don't, that's really the price."

Kahoko leaned closer, lowered her voice, to not gain any more attention. "Does he know it?"

"I guess it is. That's maybe another punishment for him."

"Manami…I feel bad. It's actually my fault."

"Buy him before anyone could." Manami winked, flashing her evil smirk at the redhead.

Tint crawled on Kahoko's face. "You know there are so many girls who will…"

"Ladies, I hope you're having fun. Now, let's make the fun more exciting, the auction will start…NOW!" the girl earlier muttered.

"W-wait, it's already starting, Manami what will I do?"

"20 tickets…"

"You have to bid!" fair-head Manami responded.

"Ah! 30 tickets…!" Kahoko shouted without thinking.

"35."

"Manami, there are so many girls, are our tickets enough?" Kahoko turned to her friend, face worried and panicked.

Manami remained firm, occasionally laughing on Kahoko's antics. "Don't worry our tickets are enough."

"40…"

"50!"

"It appears no one wants to lose…so it's 50. Going once…going twi—"

"100!"

They all dragged their heads sideways.

"Shoot! Who the heck was that?" Manami grumbled, searching for the said voice.

"Oh! Quite number it is…" the host commented.

Kahoko's heart jumped ahead. "Manami, we only have 90 tickets. What should we do…?"

"I-I'm thinking." Manami bit her lower lips. She didn't think about this.

"Manami! Strange girl!"

Light blossomed in Manami's sight, smirk sketched back to her lips as she approached the person. "Kazuki-san! Great timing, do you by chance have any tickets left?"

The lad tilted his head. "Huh? Y-yeah, I have. Why did you—hey that's mine." he pouted, looking how the ticket distanced from his hold.

"Thank you Kazuki-san, Kahoko will be happy about this!"

The guy gasped. "And what does strange girl has to do with it?" words slipped into whisper.

"Going twice…no one? Then—"

"200 tickets!" Manami shouted.

"Manami, great, you can help Len-san now."

Both brows twitched higher, the said fair-head girl beamed. "Who said I will?"

"Huh?"

Manami slid herself near Kahoko, nudging feather-like tickles at her side. Kahoko guffawed, standing in the process.

"Sold to the redhead over there!"

"W-wah!" Kahoko launched a sharp look at her companion "You tricked me."

"It suits though, you will be the princess and he's the servant. It is a part of the deal. "

"I can't do that!"

"Suit yourself. Bye, gotta visit some other stalls."

"Mana—"

"Hino…"

Her breath hitched with her surname froze in his exclaim. "L-Len-san, it was not me. I swear, it was Manam—"

"Let's go!"

"Huh? W-wait…what… you—"

He held her wrist tight and went on.

"L-Len-san, c-c-can you s-slow down…" she struggled.

"LEN!"

"No, I can't. Make it faster will you."

"Who's that?" she gazed back. "Somebody is following us?"

"It's nothing, ignore her!"

Her? Kahoko tugged her hand rather rough, she made another glance as she distinguished it. "Oh! Shoot!"

"Pest, give me back my Len!"

"Miss Nami!" Her voice shuddered. She suddenly pushed the lad away. What could possibly happen? One thing for sure, the lad would anger if she got near and Kahoko would earn mouthful of glares and embarrassment.

A stockroom grabbed her attention. She tackled the guy just to make him hid there.

"I guess, she can't find us he—" she paused, realizing how their hands still connected.

She jumped. "A-Anou…"

Len shook his head, striding toward the bunch of boxes at the corner.

He heard her sighed.

"This should be my first time to celebrate cultural festival in Seiso."

Len's forehead crumpled. He ignored her complaint.

"I suppose they are having fun now."

Lighting strike in his head, he winced. "You have the wisdom to go."

She turned around. "Do you think I have the chance?"

"Then don't complain."

She pouted what could she do? She approached the lad and sat beside him.

The battle of silence followed. Both parties opted to kept their sight at each other as glares and sharp looks became their way of communication.

Kahoko sighed in defeat, apparently, the lad had his entire life glaring thus she didn't have a chance. She met his bunny ears.

It was not her plan to pull it but the way this bunny ears balanced with his stoic appearance made it more ethereal—he looked rather cute. Kahoko mentally shook her thoughts, she knew she was full red but she couldn't take her eyes off him.

She chuckled. It appeared she wasn't seeing how his face contorted to shock and back to firmness. Only that when he cleared his throat, Kahoko hauled out from her entertainment, her golden eyes met a quite distant yet too close—same as hers, eyes.

His face mere inch from hers, Kahoko roughly pushed him away. She heard a grumble but she cared nothing, distancing herself as she tucked in the corner.

A load of silence booed between them.

As a sociable person she was, she couldn't take even a single minute without talking, she attempted to initiate another conversation. She spun around. "Len-san…about your mother…"

"It has none of your business." he said, back facing the lass.

She sighed, gathering her long dress at the side to sit properly. "How about your father…I-I mean your biological father?"

The chirped of the birds and the cry of the wind responded back.

"S-Sorry for asking…"

"No!" he turned to face her but not looking at her eyes. "I don't know anything about him."

"Even his name?"

He didn't answer more, merely telling the girl that she took quite steps to his private life.

Kahoko, on the other hand completely understood the situation, she respected it as she remained quiet.

"Hino…"

His cold tone trickled down from her toes up to her spine. "Y-Yes…" she muttered, tads of Goosebumps made their appearance on her shoulder. She braced herself.

"About what you have said before…what do you mean you're all alone?"

A certain wound in her chest came to throb. She winced a bit before pursing her lips. "Ahm…you…see, it's nothing…"

"There's nothing about it?"

She wetted her dried lips before she went on. "They're all gone," her voice whispered in the air.

It was Len's turn to act all so taken, question mark firmly glued on his expression.

"They left me…I'm alone now b-but it doesn't matter anymore." she heaved a sigh. "We should not look back at the pas—"

"What happened?"

Noting his serious tone, Kahoko sustained. Her lips were shivering but she remained unyielding. "An Accident…"

"Grandma, where's papa? Where's mama? There should be here right now." little Kahoko asked.

"Dear…" the old lady knelt down, cradled the girl in her arms.

"They will be here, right?"

But the lady remained her hold of her, damping the little kid's shirt with warm tears.

"They won't coming back…dear."

"An accident…my parents met an accident before." she swallowed hard. "Grandma is the only person I have…but…" a line of tears nipped down her flush cheeks. She swept it away before he could notice it. "She left me as well…"

He sighed, walking then held his hand at her.

Kahoko gazed back, eyes shining hesitation.

"Let's go…"

"Huh?"

"You said you want to go to the festival?"

"I-I thought you…and besides Nami…" she couldn't complete her sentence.

"It doesn't matter anymore…"

Her eyes turned wider, her lips parted low.

"Enough lamenting…come on move…" he averted his gaze. He couldn't believe he said that. It was the same sentence he should tightly tucked in his brain as well.

His expression, filled with plenty of unshed uncertainties, Kahoko laughed.

Narrowed eyes made her to stop. "Thank you…" she said as she held his hand.

"You don't have to say it." Len grunted fighting the urge to roll his eyes.

"But I want to…thank you…thank you, Len-san."

"Enough."

"No!" she chuckled.

~NeKo Meow~

"Umm…" Kahoko twirled around, circling at the lad, who was already annoyed. "Len-san, the bunny ears fit you."

He narrowed his eyes. "It's not." while throwing the bunny ears at the nearest trash bin.

Kahoko pouted, stopped in front of the lad. "Why did you do that?"

He looked away. "I want to."

"You should have given that to me… you wasted it…"

"You didn't ask." He kept on walking.

Kahoko hadn't had the chance to talk more as the lad made a far pace away from her. She sped towards him once more.

"Kahoko!" They both stopped. Blue haired lad mechanically frowned at the scene approaching them. His eyes sharpened in unison when this person went to his companion.

"Ryoutarou-kun!" she smiled.

"Why are you with him?" He made his voice louder.

"It has none of your business." Len shot back.

"I'm just asking icicle, would you mind. Anyways…" Ryoutarou cupped his own chin and scrutinized the lad. "The butler costume suits you." he said in a sarcastic manner.

Len arched a brow, clenched his teeth, as well his balled hand. Sigh left his lips before he ignored the two.

"L-Len-san, wait for me…" Kahoko followed him. "Ryoutarou-kun…see you later!" she waved her hand.

The green headed merely gave a shrug and waved back at the girl.

The pair sustained their walk, stopping occasionally just to look at the booths.

Kahoko was to engross with those teddy bears hanging when she hadn't realized the boy stopped. Her face hit his back. A small imperceptible groan left her lips. She rubbed her tortured nose as she waited for his apology.

Unfortunately, the apology came to materialize as glare. He was rather annoyed of her carelessness. "Move…" he impassively muttered.

"Huh?"

"Move…" his eyes grew bigger in a scaring way. He turned to face her, towering her little form with his height.

He held her shoulder, earning a gasp from her.

"What do you—"

He pushed her backward. They both tumbled on the curtains as the light went all out.

"Kazuki-niichan, are you sure, you saw them?" a girly voice slipped through.

"What are we looking for again?" the green headed asked.

"Stupid! I'm talking about Len…aren't you listening."

"Ah! Him, I thought we're looking for Ryoutarou…no I didn't see him. Maybe at the second year building…he doesn't like crowds."

"You better be sure or I won't treat you…" the girl stomped her feet.

"Nami…you're cruel…let's just find him there."

His breath brushed to her cheek. Kahoko opened her eyes however she hardly see a thing, only the warm breath fondling on her cheeks was all she could sense. Her awareness hit back. It only means that he…she brought her hands upward.

Her heart whizzed out when her hand found another human being…merely an inch away from her. She pushed him.

She sucked all the air, readying herself to yell when one hand prevented her.

"Will you stop it…" he whispered. His proximity made her blood drove up her face.

"Hmmm…" she struggled.

Len grunted, freeing her, stepped back and looked at the seeming entrance where they got themselves in. "This is probably the back of another booth." He began.

"Why did yo—" she halted when he warned her.

"She might hear you." He tried to lower his voice.

Kahoko closed her lips and looked around. "I can't see a thing where are we?" she dusted her long dress.

"Well, if I know this place I should have left you behind," he muttered.

"Rude…"

A light flashed. Both winced as sting crawled in their eyes, Kahoko ajar her eyes first.

"Wow!"

"Hino…" he tried to grab her hand but his vision was still blurry.

"Look at this place…Len-san it's so cute" her hands clasped at one another at her back, swaying like a kid in delight.

Len rubbed his still stinging eyes before he wandered the place.

It seemed they put themselves in a planetarium.

Tiny sparkle of lights gleamed in harmony. The river of sparkle appeared no end. Kahoko smiled when his sight stopped at her.

"Wow, we got in for free…"

"Let's go…they might find us…'

"Wait." She grabbed his sleeves. Her action surprised her more. Her face warmed, she held her breath.

"What is it?" he asked, breaking the ice surrounding the girl.

"Ah!" she let go and moved away. "Anou…" her back facing him," Can w-w-we stay here for a while…" she stammered, gulping the dryness of her throat.

The deafening pause seemed eternity. It appeared the clock started to move once again when his voice cradled her perception. "If that's what you want…" his voice was gentle and warm.

Kahoko beamed, wholeheartedly. She went closer to him, assuring that her distance was enough for him to hear her. "Let's go…" her face flushed pink shades.

His lips bent but not to be considered a smile. He held her hand again, giving a light jump to his companion.

Kahoko gazed, questionably. She planned to pull her hand when he cut her words.

"Don't…" he tightened his hold.

Her mind went all black…she couldn't process anything; all she could hear was the fast punched of her heart in her ribs. "Ah?"

Len grunted. "So that you won't get lost…"

They continued their walk in silence. Kahoko lowered her head, accumulating all her wandering at the plain brown floor.

Len stopped again, Kahoko looked.

"You're stiff…are you still breathing?" he didn't intended it as humor. His face serious and a glint of concern lingered at the corner of his eyes.

The words woke her up from stupor. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath for a while. "I-I'm sorry." Her voice cracked. Closing her eyes in embarrassment, she scolded herself mentally.

"I can feel your pulse…very clearly. Will you relax?"

Bright crimson splashed to her face. Her free hand topped her cheek. "I-it's not…" she curled her lips.

He stared at her, telling that, it was obvious.

Kahoko's face camouflaged her hair. "S-stop…already."

He paused again, not looking at her. He loosened his grasp of her hand, letting her to hold his hand instead.

Kahoko comply with him, intertwining her little hand with his bigger one.

He couldn't do anything but to hold her hand back. It was overpowering his cold one.

He didn't feel her uneasiness anymore, in that fact, he became calm as well. They sustained their walk.

"They look so real!" her eyes sparkling in glee.

"It seems you like stars…" he sounded amused.

Kahoko snapped back, her face surprised at first but a small smile sketched.

"They're fun to look at. They look like fragments of memories shining in the sky. The brighter the more pleasing they are, sometimes we don't like the not so bright one but in turn, they wouldn't be complete without it. The sky would not be beautiful without them…" her smile widened. "Like in memories, we always accept the happy things in our life but not the sad ones. However…our life wouldn't be the way it is without it."

"How many sayings you have in you?" he voiced, looking at the stars thingy.

Kahoko pouted, tugging her hand away. "It's not a saying…!"

"You're so weird." he stared back. His golden eyes fixed directly at hers.

Electricity went wild through her spine, stealing her breath away. Her face blushed. "I'm not!"

"You are…moreover, you're naïve."

"I'm not! Maybe you are…"

A little smile formed in his lips, he turned around for her not to see. "I'm aware, I'm not."

Kahoko laughed, she hadn't fully seen him smiling but she at least caught a glimpse of it. "You're weird!" she pointed accusingly at him.

Len turned around, face impassive and back to its seriousness. "Let's go," he said.

"Changing the topic…" Kahoko whispered.

"Enough…the exit is there, where do you want to go next?"

"Huh? Are you sure?"

Len frowned. "What do you think I am doing now?"

She giggled. "Why are you doing this?"

Len walked out. "I want to, that's all. Don't ask me any questions."

"You're really odd.' Kahoko strode to him. How did you make me happy even though you're so aloof.

They decided to part ways to help their booth.

"Thank you Len-san…" she bowed her head.

The lad nodded in acknowledgement and went to his own section as well.

"Kahoko, where have you been, we need help here!" Megumi, the president, muttered.

Kahoko jogged to them. "I'm so sorry…by the way, where's Manami?"

"She was assigned to roam the place if it's going according to plan. Anyway, the others need help in the café, you should get going now."

"Ah! Yes, sorry!"

Kahoko ran to their booth but only to find group of people, specifically girls, crowded the place. All attention merely focused at the prince of the café. Kahoko gulped, she just remembered the earlier incident.

She stepped back, hesitant if she would continue or not. However before she could fully hide herself the lad caught a glimpse of her.

"Hino-san!" he easily grabbed her hand and pulled her closer.

"K-Ka-Kaji-kun…!" Kahoko flushed.

"My princess, where have you been? I've been looking for you."

Kahoko shook her head…"N-No…I-I just roamed the place. Sorry for the trouble."

"Being the prince would be of no use if my princess is away. But now you're here. I'm very happy to see you once more."

Is this a part of the role playing? "Ah! Y-yeah…Prince...A-oi…I-I'm here now."

They continued their role playing in which Kaji wasn't really role playing but the dense Kahoko believed he was.

Kahoko grunted, at last, they had finished everything. "I'm tired!" she changed her clothes and went out.

"Kahoko do you want to come with us? They'll light the fireworks soon." One girl muttered.

Kahoko shook her head. "I have to do something else. Thanks for the invitation but I'm really sorry."

"It's ok." The girl waved her hand. "If you want to come, we'll be at the garden."

Kahoko nodded before sustaining her own business. She paused, eyes trained at the taller form leaning on the door.

He turned around.

Kahoko smiled and approached him. "Why are you still here?"

The lad looked back. "I'm waiting for you…"

She shut her mouth close. "Kaji-kun, it's ok, you don't have to."

"The prince should always accompany his princess." He smiled. "And you're my princess."

She blushed once more. "Erh? N-No…I-I'm not a princess." She nervously chuckled.

"You're the most beautiful princess…hmm."

Kahoko brought her hand on his mouth to avoid him from talking more. But his action surprised her.

He held her hand and turned to kiss it.

Kahoko hurriedly distanced, her face bright crimson and jaw hanging low. "W-w-what?"

"Ever since I saw you, I can't take you away from my mind. You already stole my heart. It only belongs to you and only you…"

Kahoko looked at him, confused. "Kaji-kun…what? Why?" her mind filled with thoughts.

"I like you, Hino-san!"

She was taken aback. For a moment, she reviewed all he had said. She gazed back, eyes firm. She strode towards him and hugged him.

"Kaji-kun…"

~NeKo Meow~

Len was walking to the ghostly pathway. They had finished their works as his classmates went to see the fireworks and the dance. He firmly muttered he wouldn't come and instead, decided to roam the place. He stopped. "Why am I here?" he looked around.

Students wearing black blazers met his vision. He should be at the Music Department but what was he doing there?

He was going to turn around when he heard a familiar tone.

"W-w-what?"

"Hino?" he muttered, advancing where the voice came.

"Ever since I saw you, I can't take you away from my mind. You already stole my heart. It only belongs to you and only you…"

He paused when he realized she was not alone. Tiny needles started to incise his chest.

"Kaji-kun…what? Why?"

"Kaji…?" his voice bore acid.

"I like you, Hino-san!"

He stepped back after hearing the word. He gulped…mustering all his strength to continue his walk. So what? It has none of my business. He attempted to pin on his head but it seemed it wouldn't work.

It appeared heavy implements hit his chest; it was painful, overpowering the pain he had….

He watched as the golden haired lad hugged the girl back. "No matter what, I'm still here for you."

The words tasted bitter, he winced as though it lingered in his tongue. He silently turned around, never bothering of looking back.

~NeKo Meow~

The dance started, Kahoko kept on running in the whole school. She paused, crouching a bit to inhale the lose air. She sprinted again when she had enough of it.

When she turned at the other hallway, she saw the person she was searching. A smile mechanically donned her lips when he looked back.

"Len—" she paused.

"Hino, what are still doing here? You said you want to enjoy the festival?"

She averted her stare. "I'm looking for you."

"Why?" his voice, colder than before.

She glanced back. Her eyes flashed confusion. Why? "Is something the matter, Len-san?" she asked worried.

"No, there's nothing. You should go back to your friends, they must be waiting."

"It's ok…I already said I have things to do—"

"Why are you still here?"

"L-Len-san?" she approached him. His eyes impassive and coldness enveloping his expression, it seemed she was looking at the same lad as before.

"I'm not the one you should look for….Kaji-san must be waiting for you."

Kahoko's eyes grew bigger. Did he hear? "It's not what you think…"

"It is…you don't have to explain…"

"But…" It's not it… "Listen to me…you're not listening!"

"It has none of my concern—"

His words came to halt as her lips pressed against his. He froze. Her hand rested on his shoulder leaning closer to gain support.

Her lips, soft against his, the light contact gave a fluttering feeling to him. He raised his hand, attempting to rest it on her back but the girl moved back.

He looked at her, dazed.

"Stupid…stupid!" tears flowing on her cheeks, "You're so dense!"

"Kaji-kun… you're always there for me and you're very kind, you've become a very good friend of mine. But…there is someone…important…to me…I like him. "

Kahoko turned around, and once more, ran away.