Of Roses, Scent And Rain

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Rurouni Kenshin. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter 8

"How is my cooking? Do you like it?" Omasu asked Kaoru while
cleaning the dining table with a clean towel.

"Arigato Omasu-neesan. Your cooking is very delicious!" Kaoru patted
her semi-bloated tummy.

"Better than your mother's cooking?" Kokoro, upon stretching her
arms side wards, mischievously interrupted.

"Well," she thinks, "sort of …an equal match." She laughed lightly.

Kaoru stood up to offer her help on Omasu on fixing and cleaning the
rest of the dishes and the table but she declined. Upon hearing it,
Kokoro stood also then walked to the side of her elder sister and
presented to wash the dishes.

"You are our guest here, Kaoru-chan. Leave it all to us." Kokoro
winked. Omasu nodded.

"But what will I do in here." She crosses her arms gently.

"Just sit there, relax and we will do the rest." Kokoro smiled at
her. "Neechan, where is the dish soap?"

"Over there." Omasu pointed a small drawer to Kokoro's left.

"Almost an hour and 20 minutes and still, they are not here. What
took them so long?" Kaoru checked the time to her gold-plated Gucci
wristwatch.

"They'll be here soon. Don't worry." Kokoro says while cleaning each
of the plates the excess food contained.

"I kind of forgot my ken training with my dad. Oh well…"She sat at
the chair unhesitant.

Omasu left Kokoro to do the rest of the washing. She went to the
refrigerator, upon the freezer, and took something in a box.

"Here, take this. It's our belated gift to your young brother
Yahiko." Omasu handed her a home made mochi ice cream.

"What is this? A mochi ice cream? Sugoi!" Kaoru was about to open
the iced box but Omasu stopped her on doing so. It will only spoil
the frozenness of the mochi ice cream.

"I'll put it in here, back in the freezer so that it won't get melt
easily."

"Okay." Kaoru smiles blissfully.

Okon, who finished eating her lunch earlier than the three, took the
orders of the five newly-arrived customers in their café. Upon
receiving their orders, she went back to the kitchen. She passed
through the service door, seeing all already finished their lunches.
She perceived Kokoro washing the dishes in the sink – a thing she
doesn't expected to their youngest sister.

"Well, well, well, well…." She raised an eyebrow. "Look what we have
here!"

Omasu and Kaoru looked instantly at Okon, searching what she is
trying to imply.

"Someone in here tries to display a different personality." Okon
chuckled.

"Huh?" Kaoru scratches her right head temple.

Omasu has just got the idea of her elder sister. Okon went near at
the side of Kokoro who is currently washing few left dirty dishes.
She placed her right palm at Kokoro's forehead, checking if there is
any sickness or fever. Kokoro was clueless.

"What are you doing, Okon-neechan?"

Okon looked closely at Kokoro's eyes, only one foot apart. "Are you
for real? Or an imposter?" She raised again one of her eyebrows.

"Huh?"

Omasu tries to stop herself from laughing yet she can not. Kaoru is
also clueless on whatever Kokoro's sisters implying to. Kokoro, with
her wet hands, took the palm of Okon away from her forehead.

"What are you saying? Of course it's me!" Kokoro moved back to her
cleaning and washing the dishes.
Okon moved away from Kokoro, going close to her other sister. She
handed Omasu the paper with orders of the customers so that it will
be quickly done.

"Well, to see you not cooking is normal for us, but with these –
doing house chores….it's a miracle." Okon chortled.

"Nani?" Kokoro responded.

Kaoru began to get the idea of what Okon tries to say. Kokoro isn't
a kind of girl that does the house chores and cooking. She merely
does the opposite – do the boy's things.

"Oh…I get it!" Kaoru laughed lightly.

"Neechan! Pleases don't embarrass me at front of my guest! Argh…."
One dirty plate to go then she is finished on washing them all.

"Okay! Okay! It's truly unbelievable for us to see you doing these
kinds of work, Kokoro-chan. Perhaps, you are trying to impress
people much or…."

"Or what?" Kokoro dries her hands into a clean towel near the dining
table.

"Someone had dearly changed your ways. Tell us. How is the lucky
guy?" Okon teases Kokoro, making her cheeks feverously blushed.

"No one." She shyly replied.

Kaoru looked outside the window, avoiding the suspecting glances of
Kokoro's sisters especially Okon.

"Oh really? I bet you are." She scans the faces of the two guilty
girls. "You are hiding something to us. And I want to know." She
smiled naughtily.

"Honestly Okon-neechan, there is no one to be blamed of. Kokoro
isn't seeing someone." She nervously replied, trying to ease the
conversation.

Okon crosses her arms. "Well….fine. Be it on your own ways."

"Neechan, here are the orders of the customers." Omasu handed the
tray with three plates of pineapple coated bread, 3 cups of coffee
and 2 iced teas. "Don't keep them waiting."

"Okay, okay!" She took the heavy tray, still perceiving to nervous
Kaoru then to guilty Kokoro. Then, she went outside to deliver the
orders.

Both girls sighed. Omasu didn't notice it.
"I need to do my training or else, my sensei will kill me." Kokoro
chortled.

"Oh come on. Is he that really bad?" Kaoru nauthily asked Kokoro an
irritable question.

"Stop that." She mumbled, worrying if she was heard by Omasu.

Kaoru raised her hands, seemingly projecting surrender. After that,
a beep noise from a luxurious car was heard outside the residence of
the Shiawase's.

"Oh! They are here! Good! It's about time!" Kaoru stood up. "Are you
coming with us?"

"Iie. I can manage to go to the park by myself and besides, you need
to get back as fast as you could to your ken classes." She winked.

"Alright then. Off I go! See you tomorrow." Kaoru waved good-bye to
Kokoro and Omasu.

"Chotto matte yo! You forgot your mochi ice cream!" Omasu quickly
took the ice cream out of the freezer and handed it to Kaoru.

"Oooh! It's cold! Arigato for the lunch and the mochi ice cream!"
Then she waved again goodbyes to the two.

Upon leaving the residence, she also waved and give thanks to Okon
who is presently also waving her hand to Kaoru for good-bye. One of
her bodyguards took the mochi ice cream and put it inside the car's
portable mini freezer near the front passenger seat. Then, they
drove off back to the mansions.

"Yup! It's my turn to go." Kokoro quickly run upstairs towards her
room to pack up her few training necessities.

Upon entering her room, she scanned the place. She took her shoulder
sports bag out from her cabinet and threw it to her organized bed.
She changed her clothes into more comfortable one so that she could
more better while doing her exercises. She wore her white tank top
and black jogging pants, both where freshly ironed by her sister
Omasu. Her long braid was tangled. She loosens her braid and combed
her hair. Upon combing her hair, she sat near her wooden desk,
minding only her hair until she glances at her glass vase containing
the 3 lovely roses. She just looked at it and reacted numbly. What
else should she feel? What else should she feel towards the roses,
towards the man who brought these to the dark alley? Is her sister
Okon right about the thing she mentioned, teased a while ago? She
shook her head. After finishing combing her long jet-black hair,
she collected her it and turned it into a pony tail. Perhaps, it's
about time to change some of her usual trend. She grabbed her extra
tank top, red towel, clean socks and some of her kempo tools then
put it to her small shoulder sports bag. And now, she is ready to
go.
After preparing her stuff in her room, she quickly ran back to the
kitchen to get her squeeze jug. She filled cold water on it, sealed
it then put it on her bag. "See you later! I have to go!" Kokoro ran
towards outside their residence.

"We are you going?!" Okon yelled.

"To the park! Be back by sundown!" She ran as fast as she could, too
excited to start her training.

"Be careful." Okon smirked and then went back to the café's counter.

*******

She ran as fast as she could, without minding the people she meets
on the streets, so that she may be able to start the training
earlier and to practice some of her discrepancies on her moves as
said by her sensei yesterday. She promised that at the tomorrow's
practice, everything will be new – everything will be corrected. She
promised this so dearly. And now, she is nearing to the park, still,
didn't mind the people at her surroundings. She stopped on one of
the street lights, just across the park itself. Vehicles passed by
and in time, the lights were turned to otherwise. She walked across
the main street and went inside the park. Kokoro saw people enjoying
the beautiful nature scenery of the place, walking and probing.
Children play their own games, like her, also didn't mind the
current things happening at their surroundings. They play innocently
and energetically. When she passed into a lane, she saw some
couples, suspecting to be lovers, roam the park as if they really
own it. They caught her attention. They embrace at each other, a
thing that made Kokoro felt a bit jealous – or lonely. Kokoro shook
her head and made her way to her secret spot.

Upon the arrival on the spot, she breathes hoarsely, bending her
head towards the dry ground. Sweat from her head and to her neck
flows generously. She finally catches her breath. Kokoro bend her
body and head upwards, reaching for the skies and tries to capture
some of the essences of the wind – its coldness and further oxygen.
She tossed her shoulder bag to one of the big old oak tree's
branches. It perfectly penetrated through its strong branches. Then
she prepares to begin the training. She started on stretching her
body, from head to toe. Then, she performs her right breathing, as
she always does. But before that, she sat on the ground cross-
legged, mediates.

"Breathe in," she inhaled, "breathe out." She exhaled. It was a
continuous breathing exercise pattern until she finally decides to
start the hard portion.

Some people walked at front of the tree without knowing that someone
is behind those bushes. The tree and the some of the fluffy
ornamental sidewalk plants of the park gave her enough seclusion and
boundaries to the exposed noisy world of the park. She needs enough
peace and concentration for her exercise and this is the right spot
for doing it.

She already finished her breathing exercise and it's time for her
body stretching. She stood and stretched her arms towards the sky, a
thing she already done a while ago. She parted her lean legs and
bend downwards then goes back. She repeated this 36 times. After
that, she bended her head to her left side of her shoulder then to
the other side. It will help circulate the blood from her head to
her body freely, creating enough oxygen to be carried in her system.
It will further relax and prepares the muscle for more extraneous
training she will do after this. Finally, she arched her back to the
ground within 5 minutes. Her body has this great flexibility on
doing such drastic stretches.

"Okay! Time to start!" Kokoro jumped up and shook every part of her
body.

She went to the tree to get her bag. She took the 8 kunais and
zipped the bag back. She placed the kunais at each designation from
her hands. The kunais are just extras to the training of Kempo.
Kempo is learned having the principle of true strength without any
various materials to be used, making your body as the sole defender –
the sole material for fighting. She walked 5 meters away from the
tree. Breathing in and out, she concentrates at the target – to the
trunk of the old oak tree. She eyed the trunk and closes her eyes.
Then instantly, she threw the first 4 kunais from her left hand
aiming at the 3 red ring spots craved at its body. Three of kunais
were at the middle of the rings while the other is at the second
outer ring. It made Kokoro sighed harshly.

"Next time, it should be better." She hissed.

She targeted carefully the bull's-eye, thinking of more luck needed
to make the second strike perfect. At the second time, she threw the
next set of hand knives to the targeted goal. All of them got
inside. Two of the knives got attached to the handle tips of the
previous kunais. Kokoro wiped her sweat from her left temple.

"Better." She chuckled.

She repeated this training for several trials until she made it
perfect according to her standards. Now, it's time for the second
training – fast reflexes. She jumped up through the tree's stable
branches. Leaping at each strong branch made her mind and body co-
exist with her surroundings. The ability of alertness and wise
decision making are thought in this kind of training. Upon arriving
on the ground, she, again, leaps back to the branches to the tree
until she manages to reach the top of it. She, then, go back to the
ground to do it all again. The strength and quickness of her legs
and feet will be enhanced by doing this.

After a long rush of leaping and jumping on the branches of the
tree, she took her red towel and wiped her excess sweat from the
body and face. She picked her squeeze jug and drank the cold water.
Her body needs more oxygen, she's breathing hoarsely. She laid the
squeeze jug to green ground. Kokoro stretches again her head and
arms for more flow of energy to her weary body – to circulate it
more. She placed herself at front of the big tree trunk. She took
the kunais and placed it back to her bag before accidents occurs.
Upon taking the last one in the tree trunk, Kokoro manage to
remember the things she had done when she was just starting this
kind of martial arts – this sport. She had no idea of why she likes
doing this art. She often thinks that some in her blood line might
be the reason why she is good at this sport. She often asked her
sisters about it but they answered her none. It was just her in
developing into somewhat new on the family and she is really proud
of herself. After reminiscing, she chuckled - seeing the thought of
having herself clueless about her vague past, about her memories on
urges about the sport made her laugh a bit. She, then, sat on the
ground trying to meditate again. But this time, she went behind the
tree trunk to see the big parted trunk, a hole from the trunk – the
place where she usually hides herself and the place where she found
Kaoru crying and hiding when she was a little. She placed herself
their, secluding herself from the troubles of the outside. With the
red towel at her back and a kunai in her hand, she soon became
asleep.

*******

Raining….the clouds are heavy and dark. Someone is crying from the
bushes of the park. The rain rushes toward the ground profoundly
like a great cry in the night. Someone is crying…..crying
grievously – more like a cry from a child.

"Okaasan…..Otosan….." The voice was impeding.

Thunder and lightning strikes, the crying child was horrified,
running towards anything hoping for protection from the gashing of
terror. The child ran through the park in confusion. No people, no
help. Every step of the youngster beats in horror and confusion to
where to go, where to hide. Suddenly, the frightened child saw and
ceased at one of the big trees of the park. The child looked up and
entered the premise. Everything is in a state of perplexity. All in
black and the child's body has blood dripping. The child saw a hole
from the trunk. Crying, the child hid inside of it.

"Okaasan….Otosan….." Still, the voice was impeding.

The child trembles in great fear. Body is reacting to the cold
embedded by the rain and the harsh blew of the storm wind.

"Okaasan….Otosan….." The child mumbled, holding arms around,
capturing more body heat. Thunder and lightning suddenly
stroked. "Jiyah!" Fear was shouted, impelling the limit of the child
to the borders of a shattering mind. A shadowy dark figured appeared
outside the hole of the tree trunk – suspecting. "Okaasan! Otosan!
Jiyah! ONIISAN!!!!"

*******

Kokoro woke up from her sleep, sweating. Her face perspires a lot
and her heart pumps wildly. She breathes gruffly, her mind is in
trance. She took her red towel from her back yet her mind is set on
the dream she had. Upon looking at the towel, she saw the otherwise –
blood. She saw blood dripping from her hand. She was shocked and
immediately crawled outside the whole of the trunk of the tree.
Blood dripping vociferously from her hands. She whisked her hand and
wiped it into her jogging pants. After that, she looked at her hands
and seen nothing, no traces of blood both in her hands and pants. It
was just her red towel laying in the ground and nothing more. She
was very frightened of what was bestowed upon her. She breathes
harshly, aiming for more oxygen from the outside. She quickly left
her ground and moved. She needs air. She needs more air! Kokoro
almost got out of balance at the borders for her left feet got
caught from the bushes and tiny fences but someone in the park
manages to catch her safely.

"Ahhh!" Kokoro screamed.

A slender young man caught her safely from his sturdy arms. Kokoro
had unintentionally embraced the young man with force. Both of them
fell on the ground. Kokoro was still in shock but can manage to
perceive the things around her. The man asked her if she's alright.

"Are you alright Miss?"

Kokoro is still breathing hoarsely. "I….I….I'm…..I'm fine…..I'm
okay." She still embraces the man with all her might.

"Okay. Can you stand up?" The concerned young man asked her.

Suddenly, Kokoro realized that she is in a man's arms and chest,
holding – embracing him in front of the many people staring. "I….I
can!" She stood immediately. She patted the dust from her clothes
and looked up to the man to give thanks. "By the way, thanks for,"
she ceased upon seeing the young man's face, "catching me. Hey! You
were the guy from the restaurant with the obnoxious girl this early
morning."

The man chuckled. "Why, yes. And you were the girl at the restaurant
that made her pissed."

"Is that so." Kokoro looked at their surroundings, seeing people
still staring at them. "Show's over! Back-off! There's nothing left
to see in here!" People began to walk away from the two.

"Quite a character, I should say." The man teased.

"Huh!" She turned back at him. "Thanks."

"By the way, my name is Seta Soujiro. What's yours?"

"I don't have time for this." She wiped her sweat at her forehead by
her palm. Kokoro looked at him without turning much.

"Oh. Is that so." His voice impeded and with a face shown in smile.

Kokoro felt the young man's disappointment and got intrigued. He
smiles even she had turned him down.

"My name is Shiawase Kokoro. Call me Kokoro." She faced him and
smiled.

"Kokoro-san, would you like to have some coffee with me – for our
new friendship?" Soujiro smiled even more.

Kokoro sighed. "Okay, but not coffee. Where?"

Soujiro thought for a second. He saw a small park café in a distant,
just adjacent to their standing. "There! That would be fine!"

"Fine then. First, I have to get my things up." Kokoro went back to
her grounds but with caution. She slowly scans its surroundings. She
picked up her towel and arranged her things in the bag. She rapidly
got out meeting her waiting new pal.

"Let's go?" She said to Soujiro while looking back at the ground she
have been to.

"Hai!" Soujiro lend his hand, his help, to carry her bag but she
declined.

*******

They had reached the park café'. The ambiance is great and cozy.
Soujiro calls for their orders. Kokoro told him that she like a very
cold iced tea. Soujiro ordered the waiter for an iced tea and a cup
of black coffee. The waiter took their order and went on.

Soujiro glanced back at Kokoro who is stretching her right
arm. "What are you doing?"

"Stretching, of course." She smirked.

"Yes, I know. What I meant was, what are you doing at that secluded
spot a while ago? You are very lucky to have someone like me ready
to catch you safely unexpectedly." He teased.

"Yeah! And thanks for that. If you weren't there, I might be able to
kill them all to keep my reputation clear, hiding it as a shameful
secret." Both of them laughed.

"So. What made you hid in those dark bushes?" Soujiro insisted.

"Secret!" she smiled "Mind your own business."

"I bet you have someone in there with you…doing indecent things."
Soujiro chortled, raising an eyebrow and smiled.

"Yeah! Yeah! Think whatever you think on your pesky mind. All I know
is that I'm doing no indecent things back there. Corrections, I'm
alone in this park." She closed her eyes.

"Oh." He scanned Kokoro's outfit. "From the looks of it, you are on
your training. Ah! That's why."

Kokoro sighed.

"Okay! Your secret is safe with me. I will not tell to Misanagi-san
about this. You can count on me."

"Who says anything about telling her this? Oh gosh….What a day I
have been to?" She shook her head.

"You know, Kokoro-san, you are beautiful when you get irritated."
Soujiro coaxed.

Kokoro opened her eyes to see the man sitting adjacently to her. She
blushed. "What are you talking about? We aren't that close and you
telling me this. I bet you are a womanizer." She chuckled.

"Well, you are half right."

The waiter approaches their table with a tray of their orders.

"Arigato." Kokoro said to the waiter. The server bowed on them and
went back to his post.

"What half right?" Kokoro sipped her iced tea.

"Kind of personal." His left pointer finger plays at the rim of the
cup.

"Oh. Okay!"

Moments past by, Soujiro stares at Kokoro while she exquisitely
sipping the tea with her curly blue straw. "I've met so many girls
out there but nothing compares to you, to your magnificent beauty."

"Stop that! Will you? You're scaring me." Kokoro raises an eyebrow.

"I meant was your great character. So strong, so vigilant."

"Now you really are putting me on the creeps."

Soujiro ceased from talking.

"Are you still schooling?" Kokoro switched into another topic.

"Yes."

"And where is that?"

"You will know, in time." Soujiro took a sip on his cup. "You will
be shocked if I'll tell you."

"Oh really….Try me."

Soujiro saw the sun, setting its rays from the lovely horizons of
the sky. "What a lovely sunset!"

"I agree with you. It is." Kokoro's voice mellows a bit.

Soujiro brushed his bangs away from his eyes, a thing that made
Kokoro amazed on waving his gentle great looks as the sun's subtle
rays pass through him. She kind of remembered someone – someone
close to her heart. Soujiro smiled gently indicating the warm
feeling he has towards this moment, this scenery with someone – a
new friend but his eyes, his beautiful eyes somehow, in Kokoro's
senses, projected the otherwise reality. Kokoro was puzzled on
seeing this guy's lonely eyes trying to hide something from
everybody else.

"Oi!" Kokoro exclaimed.

Soujiro snapped out from his reverie. "Nani, Kokoro-san?"

"All of a sudden, you became quiet. Seeing your other reserve
personality is quite shocking." She mocked.

Soujiro chortled. "I should say, Kokoro-dono, that I am a very good
actor. A brilliant one! Lots of people I have met mistakenly believe
that this is a part of me. Hmph!" His eyes flickered as he glances
back to the sunset.

"Huh? Pardon me, Soujiro-san. What are you talking about?"

"Oh nothing. It's nothing actually." Soujiro glanced back to Kokoro
then took a short sip on his cup.

After a while, Kokoro had finished drinking her iced tea and called
the waiter for the receipt.
"Do you want anything else?"

"Iie. Arigato but I'm the one who invited you here in the first
place which makes me the one who should pay all of these." He
abruptly took his wallet from his rear pocket.

"Iie!" She stood. "I can manage! And besides, you save me from the
humiliation of getting slammed on the brick paving floor." She kept
insisting.

The waiter stood there, waiting which of the two will pay for the
order.

"Maybe next time, my hime." He winked at her before giving the
waiter enough cash to pay their orders.

"Arigato gozaimasu." The waiter went back to the café's counter.

"What have you just called me?" She felt a little irritated. "No one
calls me that!" She pointed a finger toward Soujiro's face.

"It's just a distinction of you from the others." HE smiled widely.

"Others? What others?"

Soujiro stood up and shook circularly his right arm. "Ah! It's
getting dark soon, might as well get back at each other's domains."

Kokoro agreed. "Hai! And besides, I'm slightly tired." She
yawned. "And about what you have said a while ago…"

Soujiro interrupted Kokoro abruptly. "Mind if I tour you around the
park before we leave each other's joyful company?" Soujiro smiled,
as always.

"Ha? Why bother? I already knew every corner, every detail of this
place, this old park."

"True, but not with someone like me. Come on. Promise! I'll behave
well."

"You sure do have some similarities with her, with Misanagi-san.
Both of you are obnoxious but yours is a subtle kind – can still be
managed. You know, at first, when you showed up at the restaurant
defending your `lovely' friend from me, I thought you are different.
Well, it seems you cannot judge a book by its gorgeous cover." She
sighed and laughed.

"You judge me as a gorgeous one?"

"Who's gorgeous? You? What made you think of that?!" She laughed out
loud.
"Because you said it yourself awhile ago – about a book from its
gorgeous cover." He scratched his chin.

"Did I? Oh. Well anyway, people tend to make mistakes."

Soujiro chortled. "So, are you game or not?" He gave his hand,
waiting for her pleasing response.

She gradually accepted his offer. And besides, she knows that she is
capable of defending herself is something came up unexpectedly.

"Let's go?" She grasped his hand lightly yet Soujiro reacted
otherwise. HE clasped her creamy petite hands tightly but with
respect.

"Arigato, Kokoro-san" Then Soujiro indulged to carry her sports bag
and she accepted it. They walked through the path going to the
park's pond.

*******

The night has finally taken over the scenery from the park. Lights
in park are starting to brighten the wonderful view of the place.
More couples are coming to the park's pond it see its wonderful
features of lights installed at each edges. The lights have a
contemporary outlook, very new to the ones designed by some of the
famous I.D. designers and architects of Japan. It is a spotlight
with a different twist of design on its rod/body not much known by
the people. Its lights signify and set different moods for the
tourists/visitors of the park – igniting some kind of warm felt
atmosphere to the people. For the case of the couples enjoying this
kind of wonderful night, lights were settled to project a romantic
atmosphere by the maintenance group of the park itself. Kokoro is
very amazed to see those new lights installed upon the edges of the
pond while Soujiro is amazed to see Kokoro admires the new lights.

"Look at that, Soujiro-san! I never thought that our city's park
would have like this at night! Whoa!" Kokoro walked hurriedly at the
edge of the pond, near one of the Sakura trees.

"Great, isn't?" Soujiro continues to stare at the amazed young woman
at one of the wooden railings bordering people to the pond.

"Oh yes, it is! I'm glad you insisted on touring me on the park this
evening. Arigato." She gently bowed her head at the young man.

"It was just pure luck, Kokoro-san. You don't have to thank me."
Soujiro watches Kokoro as she keeps on staring at the wonderful
lights.

"By the way," he continued "are you a native of this city?" He went
closer to the bedazzled young lady.
"Of course." She smelled the fresh aroma of the park's breeze.

"Since when?"

"Well….since I was a child. Since I was born. Why you asked?"

Soujiro paused for a while. "Honestly, Kokoro-san, I'm new to this
place and I haven't had any other friends besides from Misanagi-chan
in our neighborhood. And I know nothing about the city, its
grandeur. I was hoping that you could tell me more about it."

"Oh! Is that so? I'll be glad to tell you all what I know about this
city but it will take us to dusk to reveal it all." She chortled.

"Is it fine with you?"

"Fine but in some other time. Perhaps, each day at the park or by
the phone would be fine." She stretched her hands upwards.

"I love that. Thanks, my hime." He grabbed Kokoro's hand and took it
into his chest. "Thank you."

Kokoro was surprised at what Soujiro did to her at that moment. What
was he thinking? Was he making a move? Kokoro's heart pumped faster.
She didn't expect something like this.

"Ah…Eh….You can give my hand back if you like." Soujiro snapped
from his romantic appreciations to Kokoro and apologized. Kokoro
accepted it.

"Gomen. I'm very happy to have another friend to turn to at this new
environment. And I am glad that from all the people who live here in
this city, someone like you, no, I mean. you have been sent for me
to be my friend." Soujiro chuckled.

Kokoro' heart pumped faster that before. "Okay! Okay! Stop that! I
might get used to it!"

Soujiro faced Kokoro. "Any lucky guy shares with your heart?"

What was he thinking? Both barely knew each other and this is how he
interact to her, a new met friend. "Well….it's personal." She took
her sight away from the eyes of the young man.

"Oh. I bet there is."

"Nani?"

"He is very lucky man to have you, my hime." Soujiro brushes his
bangs away from his eyes to perceive more of Kokoro's beauty. Kokoro
began to felt uncomfortable with the man beside her.

"What are you talking about?" She sighed.

"But I won't let him be a part of your life for long, Kokoro-san."
Soujiro whispered.

"Nani?"

"Nothing." Soujiro glanced to the reflection of the lights on the
water of the pond.

Each stares at its fascinated view in the park, in the pond.

"Kokoro-san," Soujiro started.

"Yes?" She nervously asked.

"Do you love your parents?"

"Of course! What kind of a question is that?" Her voice began to
rise.

"How much love do you give to your parents?"

"Enough, I think." Then she continues. "Though I don't know them
much, don't perceive much of their faces. Still, I do love them
though we didn't spend enough time."

"What do you mean by that?" Soujiro went closer; again, to Kokoro
but this time, she didn't get bothered by it.

"Honestly, I didn't perceive much of their faces when I was a kid. I
don't have much memory about them. Okon said that they died when I
was 3, that is why I don't have any memory of loving them, hugging
them in my arms."

"Sorry to asked that."

"No, no! It's okay. At least, someone besides my best friend and my
older sisters knew this. Somehow, I trust you to have this secret."

"You said that they died. What caused it?"

"Car crash. They died in a car crash." She mellowed her voice.

"Oh. Your sisters told you this?"

"Of course. Who else should tell me about it?" She sighed.

"Oh. How was it living with your sisters, without parents guiding
you all?"

"I don't know. I guess… we are fine. I never intended to search for
a parent's love because my sisters stood by my side long enough to
handle things great in our lives." She said. "Why are you asking me
these odd questions, Soujiro?"

Soujiro never replied but instead, he inflicted a sweet gracious
smile upon Kokoro.

"Soujiro-san? You are not answering me." She shook his arm. Still,
he didn't react. "Blah! Okay! Have it your way! I'm going home." She
yawned and started walking away from him.

"Kokoro-san," He suddenly spoke. "Mind if I take you to your home?"

Kokoro ceased. "I can manage to go home by myself. Don't worry! I
know this way. I won't get lost." Then she started walking.

Soujiro abruptly ran to catch with her. "Please, I insist. I would
like to know your house so that I could come and visit you more
often – as a friend of course."

Kokoro couldn't resist his so-called charm. What's with him that
made her treatment to the guys like him differently? But she knew
she has to be careful. Borders should set upon.

"No."

"Please, Kokoro-san."

"Okay! Okay! Just don't hinder my way, okay?" She sighed roughly.

"Great!" He projected, again, a sweet smile.

*******

Nearing at the gates of the residence of the Shiawase's, Soujiro
continues to ask Kokoro about things around the city and about her
life. Unlike what had happened a while ago in the park, Kokoro felt
a bit relieve to their situation because he finally answers some of
her questions too. Finally, they arrived at front of the house of
the Shiawase's.

"We are here. Looks small but I'm damn proud of it as my house."

"Thanks for the great night. See you next time." He perceived a café
at the side of the house. "I'll be back to try your coffee and other
delicacies."

"Fine. Till next time." She waved a good-bye.

"Oyasumi nasai, Kokoro-san." He bowed down and went on his way.

Kokoro entered the house abruptly and greeted her sisters.

At a dark alley, upon 4 blocks far from the Shiawase's residence,
Soujiro took his small titanium - plated celphone to make a call. He
makes a call to someone else. He dialed and waited for a response.
Finally, someone took the call.

Soujiro said lowly. "Moshi-moshi…….Akuma."



******

to be continued........

akuma means satan or devil

author's note:

about the grammar thing and alike, sorry for that! ja ne!