Chapter 14

The cultural festival ended as all the students took their leave, making the once overcrowded Seiso to be deserted.

Kahoko went home alone, bracing herself when the cold with fondled to her skin. She coughed a little before sustaining on opening the wide entrance of the Hasegawa Mansion. Her hand touched the knob but just in that instant, a fair head girl unlocked the door.

A little 'o' formed in her lips until it changed into smile. "Kahoko, you're here at last!" she hugged the girl.

"Manami-chan!"

The said girl chuckled, letting loose her steel-grip at Kahoko. "I'm sorry, I'm just excited…. There's a letter for you!"

Kahoko stared at the white envelope, eyes shimmering in delight. "Gosh, thank you Manami!"

She hugged the girl before striding towards her room. A smile festooned at her lips and face flushed a little from the cold atmosphere. She opened the letter and read. Not in her mind it would make her mood to turn havoc.

~NeKo Meow~

Warm light prickled her skin. She winced a bit with the sensation as she sat up. The sun mainly shining all his glory in the firmament as the ocean-like sky could be seen at her wide window.

Her eyes dropped to the envelope, making her light expression to change once more. She yawned, tasting how bitter her feeling was this moment.

She took a bath and went out of her room. Donned in her usual dress when she would wander around, her right shoulder propping the bag and she was wearing a pair of white sneakers as though she was planning to do something.

"Good Morning Kahoko." Manami semi yawned and greeted. "Where are you going? You seem fully clad."

"I'm going to the mall. I'm planning to bake a cake…for the others." Kahoko tried to fake a smile. It could be easy for her but it appeared very difficult in this state.

Surely, she was gloomy. Her shoulder slumped, puffy eyes staring at the fair head lass and her occasional sigh made the final touched.

"Are you sure? You look so depress…is there something you want to say?" Manami asked, worried.

Kahoko shook her head. "I'm fine; please tell Mr. Shouzaburou I have to talk to him later."

Manami nodded. "S-sure…" she responded but unsure. "Kahoko, have you read the letter?"

She didn't respond, ignoring Manami instead, merely to avoid such topic.

Hours passed after Kahoko went out, the Hasegawa's household drifted out from sleep. The house turned active once more. Kazuki and Keiichi's voice mainly the only voices echoing the place, followed by the sounds of chirping birds and some clattering in the kitchen area.

Len stood up from his bed. He had been awake earlier but hesitated to move an inch. It appeared his body was too heavy thus he couldn't move, but, apparently, what were heavy were the thoughts drowning him.

Did he hear it right? Was all that happened last day was all true?

He grunted, shaking his head to remove those thoughts. He had scheduled to practice that time, what he needed to think about was the practice and nothing in concern of the redhead.

He prepared himself and went out.

He paused, staring at the oak door beside his very own. By chance, his hand trailed to the knob, trying to open it until a voice trailed.

"Len, good morning!"

Len glanced back. "Morning…Manami," he said before walking.

"Are you looking for her?"

He shook his head, a little scowl formed in his mind. What was he doing denying it?

"Alright…so where are you going?"

"I have violin practice at school. It would be long; I won't be able to join you in lunch neither dinner."

"Ahm...have you eaten your breakfast?"

"I will just buy along the way. I'm quite in a hurry." He said.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, you've been practicing since yesterday. Are you somehow avoiding something?" her statement lacing to a certain individual which Len knew.

Len grunted. "I do not. Would you mind, I'm on a hurry." His voice, cold.

"O-Ok, bye then…."

~NeKo Meow~

"WEIRD KAHOKO! Where have you been?" Kazuki ran toward the girl.

"Kazuki-san! You scared me!" she said, shoving the paper bag away from her sight.

"What's with those groceries? Will there be party later or is it your birthday?"

"Stupid! We celebrated her birthday last month." Ryoutarou hit his head.

"Ow," Kazuki complained. "Hey, I forgot…!" he rubbed his aching head.

Kahoko chuckled, looking amusedly how the two argue. "Guys, I'm going to bake pastries for you."

The two stopped from arguing, both faces sketched with a big question marks. "Why do you have to?" they said in chorus.

Kahoko chuckled more, biting her lower lips to suppress it. "Just want to…so…will you help me?"

"Of course." Kazuki jumped.

"You can count on me." Ryoutarou smiled.

The girl smiled back, half true but it didn't change the fact that she was still on the midst of distress. She endeavored to hide it as long as she can.

She prepared all the cooking materials, giving the two guys their aprons and the tasks. She positioned between them, merely to prevent another intrusion between her companions. Kazuki wanted to be at her side, as well with Ryoutarou. In the end they decided to position at her both sides.

Everything was going all well. Time to time she would look at them if their doing it right. A flash of her memory with the blue haired came alive.

She thinned her lips.

"Weird Kahoko, am I doing it right?"

A slight gasp left her lips, "W-h…I-I mean, yes you do. Just stir it slowly…." She muttered.

"Something the matter? You're spacing out." Ryoutarou stopped from his task and looked at her. "I cook should not be spacing out, especially if you're cooking. Do you want to burn the dough?" he tried to slip some humor.

She faked a smile. "Of course not. And Ryoutarou-kun, we're not yet finish with the dough, how it will supposed to burn if we haven't put it yet in the oven. Tsk."

"I'm just testing if you're spacing out." Ryoutarou laughed, intentionally fluffing his floured hand at her face.

"Eeek! Ryoutarou-kun, you're so bad!"

"Hey, that's unfair; I want to do that as well…." Kazuki complained, grabbed an ample of flour at his hand and smirk flashed at them.

Kahoko shook her head. "W-w-wait…no! Stop it…." Kahoko ran around the table.

Kazuki laughed. "Coward!"

"I'm not!" Kahoko pouted, grabbed her dough and threw it to Kazuki.

The lad easily dodged it, and it simply went to Ryoutarou's face.

"This is war!" the taller lad grabbed his own dough and threw it back.

"G-Guys…stop it!" Kahoko asked but it seemed the two were ignoring her.

"Will that be the new purpose of dough?"

They all looked at the door.

A little form of a boy met their eyes, his hair was unruly and his baby blue bunny pajama slipping out from his shoulder.

Kahoko had to purse her lips once more to hold the urge of pinching the kid's face. "You're so cute!" However she couldn't control herself, she hugged the kid instead, making a slight envy in the eyes of the older lads.

A huff was heard from Kazuki and a light grunt from Ryoutarou.

"Ok…ok, you should let him go now." Ryoutarou went closer to them but just to pull Kahoko's attention away from his little brother.

The little kid frowned. "Kaho-chan, I want to join…."

"This is not for kids, Chibi. It's not any play." Kazuki ran to them.

Keiichi pouted. "Look who's talking…" he mumbled and hugged Kahoko more. "Can I please…?"

Of course, she couldn't say no. She smiled and nodded. "You can help us."

The kid chuckled while his brothers dumped in distraught.

After an hour, their pastries were taking their shapes. Fine looking ones versus the not so good looking, the boys' cookies looked disorder. The seeming 'o' shape turned disoriented and only Ryoutarou's work could be accepted the least.

"Well, it looks…" Kahoko stopped to think for a proper word, but in the end she couldn't find anything related to positive. She mentally sighed. "It's good. Appearance doesn't matter right, as long as it tastes good."

The boys sulked, their expression looked so serious but in the end it made Kahoko to laugh. The only action she had that time that was true.

Tears uncontrollably trickled in her eyes, stopping it were difficult.

The three went closer to her, face decorated with multiple of worries. "Are you ok? Why are you crying?"

Kahoko shook her head and smiled again. "I look so stupid right now, crying then smiling at the same time." She wiped her tears. "No, I'm just happy that I got the chance to know you all. I'm just happy."

"We're happy as well, Weird Kahoko."

"Kaho-chan, don't cry anymore…." Keiichi hugged her as well.

Ryoutarou petted her head. "Right."

She felt warm and contended with them but she knew everything has its ending….

A sound of the car grabbed her attention. She washed her hands thoroughly before spinning to face the three. "It seems Mr. Shouzaburou is here. I have to talk to him for a moment. I'll be back later."

She excused and left them behind.

While walking in the corridor, her eyes reached a certain lilac haired lad. She paused for moment and as though trying to hide herself but the lad already found her.

A smirk drew to his face, he walked towards her. "Still here, ei? It's been so long…." He exhaled, making the 'long' word longer. He trained his eyes at her, eyes bearing gold hue yet darkness shone. "Aren't you planning to leave?"

He just wanted to tease her and nothing in any sort to offend her. Perhaps there could be a trace of sarcasm and she would slightly be offended but he didn't intended such.

Kahoko gulped. She tried to smile and looked straight in his eyes. "Don't worry Azuma-san, it would not be that long…" she continued walking.

The livid arch on his lips traced. He didn't like her answer. He grabbed her hand and tugged her a bit.

She glanced; face impassive yet eyes glittering with unshed tears. "I believe our conversation is finish, will you let go of my hand now?"

He complied with her for the first time. "You are such an odd girl…."

Kahoko went upstairs to see Mr. Shouzaburou. She knocked, three times, before the old man responded.

A creak echoed as she went inside the room. Manami were serving a tea for Mr. Shouzaburou while the old man leaning at his chair. Two hands covering his face as it seemed he was tired from his business trip.

Kahoko decided to make her presence. "Ahm…Mr. Shouzaburou…."

The old man, despite of his weariness, tried to smile. "Yes, dear, Manami told me you're going to say something."

The redhead nodded and approached the old man. "It's about my relative…Ahm… my aunt. I sent her a message and she responded back…."

"Hn?"

"I just want to say that…"

~NeKo Meow~

A curse left his throat. He should be practicing by now but the cold weather caused them to cancel their practice. It was cold, despite that it wasn't winter yet. Cold wind blanketed his form; he rubbed his right arm as shivers starting to crawl from his body.

Holding the knob made another wave of coldness, it was merely ice in cold. Len grunted once more, feeling warmer when he was able to go inside the house.

He continued walking, deciding to go to the living room to at least repress the coldness he had.

Their living room was the place he always visited, especially in cold weather, since of it was the only place which had a fireplace.

Voice made him to stop. Voices he didn't usually hear together with his grandfather's voice.

"What do you mean?" he heard his grandfather talking.

"Didn't she tell you?" a voice quivered. It seemed like a girl was talking.

Len couldn't take anymore eavesdropping; he decided to make himself perceptible.

"Where will she go n—?" Mr. Shouzaburou's word cut off.

Len glanced at his grandfather and back to the girl. It appeared they were two. The other one was sitting in the couch, face decorated with worry. Len gulped, he felt a sudden pinch in his chest. Something was wrong and something was not right…Len looked around.

Something is missing. He turned to his grandfather, expression masked in confusion. "What are you talking about? Where's Hino, she should be here accommodating her friends. I'll call he—"

"She's not here anymore…." Manami trailed, blocking the doorway.

"Wha—"

"B-But…she doesn't have anywhere to go…" Mio butted.

"What?" Len shouted, his fist turning white in his hold. "What do you mean, she's not here anymore."

"Len…" Manami tried to pacify him but he just ignored her.

He looked at the window as the knowledge brought back to his senses. It was cold…she doesn't have anywhere to go…Len mentally cussed, turning around. "Stupid girl…." He brought down his violin.

"Len, where are you going?" Mr. Shouzaburou muttered looking at his distancing grandson.

~NeKo Meow~

A little cold spec came to drop down from heaven, the sky, smudged with black and gray hue.

Twinkling stars were nowhere to be found as the spotlight of the night was still resting behind the dark cumulus cloud. The surrounding all distraught, even a single chirp could not be heard only that a little sob coming from a maiden gave the slightest life in the place.

The wind came to give its presence, blowing and brushing the strands of red locks in her face, however just to perceive the little crystals creeping in her eyes.

She clutched, tight enough, the paper in her hand. In unison with the crying firmament, she started to read what was conveyed in the letter.

Hino Kahoko,

I'm very sorry for replying late enough to you. I know this response of mine is imperative for you because it regards about your relative. However, leaving in province and city has a vast of discrepancy. We received letter late than on the city, my apologies for keeping you waiting.

To introduce myself, I am your aunt's comrade, Kanade Hinata. I know you are expecting her respond but, I'm terribly sorry but she's not here in this place and in what address you have sent to. She did live with us for three years before this year but a certain problem regarding her indebted to a business associate made her to move to another place. I haven't gotten any news about her, how I want to help you but until now I don't have information about her or any contacts to her.

I hope you understand it.

Hinata Kanade.

Tears started to roll down to her cheeks. It was warm, yet it was stingy, it gave a line of warmth in her cheek but once it dried up it only doubled the cold. Her hand started to wipe the tears as she looked at the sky.

"Looks like I'll be back with my old life then…" she muttered, sitting in the swing. "I will miss you all…Ryoutarou-kun…Kazuki-san, Keiichi, Manami…everyone…and….Len-san…."

Her tears continuously flowed down, damping her shirt and giving rather a colder feeling around her. She felt cold and for the second time in her life, she felt the solitude once more. Afraid, yes, she was afraid; her mind was corrupted with isolation.

She lowered her head and looked at her lap, her cold hand clutched at the chain of the swing. It seemed she was holding at an ice, she winced a bit.

How she tried to stifle her tears but it wouldn't comply with her. Her cheeks starting to blush as well with her eyes began changing to crimson.

A footstep gushed in the almost white ground. Kahoko had to lift her head to know who it was.

~NeKo Meow~

"Can you explain what's happening here?"

"Where's weird Kahoko."

"Kaho-chan!"

"Boys, boys, calm down, please low your voice. Your grandfather is talking to her friend right now."

"Manami-chan!" Keiichi whined, running to Manami. His little arm wrapped at her waist. "Why did Kaho-chan leave? Am I bad kid that's why she doesn't want to babysit me anymore?"

Manami closed her eyes and opened it to look at the boy. She wetted her lips before responding. "No you're a good boy, Kahoko just need to go home with her real family."

"But…but we're her family…"

Manami gulped, looking at the older lad as though asking for support. Ryoutarou grunted and strode to where they were.

"Brat, let's go, it's already late you have to go to sleep."

"Niichan!" he whined but Ryoutarou ignored him as he lifted the boy.

Ryoutarou turned to Manami. "We need to talk."

"Ryoutarou…I can take care of Keiichi," Azuma interrupted at the corner. "Kazuki, grandfather wants to talk to you, let's all go there." Azuma ushered them in the office.

Ryoutarou stopped and spun to Manami. "I know there's something wrong, will you tell me?"

The girl flinched, staring at the ground. "Anou…Kahoko…"

"Am, I right? She left without telling everything?"

The girl nodded. "She didn't tell us that her aunt was not there in the province anymore."

"So, where did she go?"

"We don't know…we don't have a clue."

"I have to find her…"

"Ryou…ahmm…Len is already looking for her." She hesitated a bit. "Ahm…You know that…he—"

He turned to face her. "I know."

"You too…" the fair-head lady thinned her lips. "You too, right? You like her…"

If he wasn't expecting it, he had taken a step backward; however, he did know this would come. His eyes changed gently. "I do…."

A halfhearted smile curved to her lips. "You should go find her now."

Ryoutarou nodded and ran outside.

"You like her…"

~NeKo Meow~

As he went out of the house, cold breeze hassled to him, but it didn't impinge his will in looking for the girl. The sky blanketed with black hue, sparkle or any sign of life was out of perception, only that the post of light gave the slightest light for people.

He kept on running, running in somehow endless road. "…" he called but apparently, no one answered.

~NeKo Meow~

"It's cold here…what are you doing?"

Kahoko remained her stare at the guy, examining his expression with much attention.

No one dared to move, merely both frozen and lost in their thoughts. Later on, the guy broke their frozen state and tugged her hand from the metal chain, pulling the girl within his hold.

"Why did you leave?" he asked.

A small gasped drew in her throat. Shock, she could not do anything but to remain in his embrace, feeling his warmth and as by any chance, she nuzzled closer to gain the warmth she had lost earlier.

Unfortunately, she needed to go, reluctance engraved in her face, seemingly she didn't want to let go but her other mind muttered a different perspective. She has to…

She moved, a little space, before looking back at him. His expression turned unusual, the worry, longing and pleading glinted through his eyes. His hand suspended in the cold air, reaching for her, so near yet so far form.

"I have to go…"

A fissure formed in his chest, throbbing in a painful way. Her words, like acid melting it and digging holes within him. He grabbed her hand and pulled her forward once more.

"Let me go…" she said but he remained intact.

He rested his chin above her crimson lock, strawberry scent of her hair mingled in his senses. "If I did that you will leave…."

"But I have to—"

"You don't have to." He cut. "I don't want you to leave."

Her eyes grew bigger, heart pace started to soar, higher as the time tick. Her slender hand slid down his back, resting it there. She closed her eyes to calm herself and opened once more.

"I don't belong here…Len-san…" she gazed back at him, pushing herself free from his grasp. "I'm merely a burden to all of you…I'm different, we are both different from each other…." She sighed. "I don't want to see you anymore."

Warm crystal flowed down her cheeks. "I don't want to see you anymore…please leave me alone…please…."

"Is that so?" he asked. "Is that so…just tell me you hate me."

"I-I can't…why should I hate you…." She shook her head yet weak and slow. "Can w-we just pretend nothing had happened. You hadn't met me, and I hadn't met you…let's go back with our usual life before."

"I cannot just pretend that nothing happened in something too significant in my life. I can't go back to my old life anymore, Hino."

"B-but you have…"

"You said before…" he paused and sighed. "Look at your present and never look back…look forward. I can't go back to what you already changed, Hino. I'm merely focusing to my present now, you help me to accept the past…you can't just leave and say such that I should forgot everything."

"I'm so confuse…" she asserted, tears continuously flowing in her eyes. "I'm so confuse…why am I feeling this…?I don't want to be closed with others or even you because I'm afraid that someday I have to leave. I'm staying in your custody temporarily and I don't know when you will get tired of helping me, grew tired of me and I'm afraid you will let go of me. It's much better that I leave until I can…"

"Please stay…" he whispered.

Her heartbeat hammered in her chest. His words became light in her darkness but why she wasn't that happy. She strode toward him, resting her head at his chest…" It's much better that I leave until I can but somehow I couldn't now…I can't do it…but I know I should, I'm very confuse."

His arms enclosed her within, head resting above her owns. "We won't get tired helping you and I won't get tired of caring for you…you're not just nothing to us, you are the very special person in our life. You changed everything to us in a good way, we owe you a lot."

Her hands, shaking and cold, pressed against his chest, tugging him closer to her before letting her tears to fall down once more.

"I will never let you go…" he mumbled, hugging her tightly.

~NeKo Meow~

"Sir, we found where your son is."

The man, sitting in the swivel chair, spun around before responding. "Very well, we must go back to Japan…"

The active noise in the New York echoed beneath the building he was in. He massaged his temples, stood up and strode toward the glassed window behind him. He could see how busy the people were and how the road doesn't lose any cars passing by. Various kinds of lights could be seen in the late night, but the man was clouded in his dark reminisces. He tried to forget but he couldn't, he must face what intended for him.

"Why is it so sudden? Is something the matter?" a woman in her late 20's muttered.

The man, who previously looking at her, tore his stare. "I have to tell you something important."

"Uh…I as well, I need to say something…." Her voice soft and barely reached him.

"I have to leave."

"Huh?" her face paled.

"I'll be managing our family's company abroad. I don't know if I could still return…I'm sorry."

The woman pursed her quivering lips, her knees started to get weak and her stomach suddenly felt knitting. "Is that so?" her voice coarse.

The man heave a deep sigh before striding towards her, crashing her little form within his hold. "I'm so sorry…"

She pushed him away. "It's ok; I know it is much important…"

He tried to talk but no sound drew from his lips.

The woman shook her head in disappointment. "It's alright, that's your choice, I can't do anything about it."

"About…what you're going to tell…" he toned with depression lacing.

"It's nothing important. I'm tired, will you take me home now," She muttered, icily.

His assistant tapped his shoulder lightly, to get his attention. The man looked back as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Mr. Tsukimori, are you alright?" the assistant asked.

The man looked back and curtly nodded. "You may take your leave."

"Goodbye, sir. "The assistant bowed his head and turned towards the door.

Mr. Tsukimori, heave another sigh, sustaining his scrutinizing in the whole area.

"Misa, why didn't you tell me…?"