EPISODE 4: WISHFUL THINKING

" キミが思うよリ、 ボクはキミを思ってる。キミはボクが思うよりも、ねえ ボク を 思うのかな? "

" I'm thinking about you more than your expectations. You, are you thinking about me more than my expectations? "

~ シンデレラガール ~

Running hastily to avoid being seen by my father, I almost stumbled to the ground. I'm not clumsy or something, but this geta* makes me lose my balance.

" Careful Cindi. "

I feel an arm grip my waist tightly. It was warm and nice.

" Ren? Why are you here? "

" To protect you. "

Tss. Such lame words.

" Nah. I don't need anyone to protect me. I can handle anything. " I said, but deep inside me, I knew I was glad. Maybe, I don't need someone to protect me, but at least, I know there's someone who's willing to do it for me.

" That's right. After all, you're not an ordinary Cinderella. You are black** Cinderella. " He laughed and his laughter rang softly in the air.

" Stop that Cinderella thing. It's true that I'm Kuro but I'm not a Cinderella girl. I didn't even have a glass shoes. " I retorted. Somehow, I starting to feel like I am really like Cinderella. That was pure idiocy though.

" Alright. You are not Cinderella. " He suddenly pat my head that it feels weird. He's acting like I'm a naive little girl. " But still, you are my Cinderella girl. "

" Ah, whatever. You're so stubborn. "

Walking home side by side with this guy, it feels so nice. Simply nice.

But, I seem to be forgetting something. Ah. Geez! What could it be?

" By the way Cindi, you are Kuro right? " He smiled sheepishly.

" OH! " With his words, I suddenly recall something. " You are- you are that guy! " I blurted out. Indeed. It was him. It was always him.

" 'That guy'? " His head tilted to the right like he was confuse or something. Ah! Geez! Why does he look so cute with that?

" Kuro! T-the K-king & Prince! That's you! It's definitely you! "

His lips curve into a mischievous smile.

" Yes. What about it? "

Heck! He admitted it so easily and even retorted like it was not a big deal. But that was really embarrassing. I said a lot of embarrassing words about Kuro in front of him without knowing it was Kuro himself. Ah! I wish I could hide in the deepest pit that he wouldn't be able to see me.

" Well, you didn't tell me! " I tried to sound angry to hide my embarrassment. But I think my voice actually sounded delighted. Geez! What the heck is wrong with you Kuro?

" You didn't ask. "

Ah! Mō! He's really hopeless. But honestly, I'm glad. Finally, I've got to meet my idol.

The surroundings was suddenly filled with silence. It was warm silence. It sounds weird right? But the atmosphere, even without words spoken, even without noise to broke the silence, it was still warm, as warm as the heated region in my cheeks. It feels really nice.

In the midst of the silence, a big, soft hands enveloped mine, holding it tightly, with the deep longing of not letting go.

And I know, this is the beginning of the story between us.

* * *

Surprising as it seems, Ren and I have been together for almost three months now. But unlike normal couples, we barely see each other. We are not too intimate with each other either. We've been in a seemingly platonic relationship.

But either way, I'm so happy with it. We didn't need to be intimately close with each other, because our souls are binded with our feelings.

Fizzy fizzy loving you

fizzy fizzy love me baby

fizzy fizzy loving you

fizzy fizzy follow me

I picked up my phone. It was Ren.

( Cinderella, are you still awake? )

I rolled my eyes. Tss. He never cut off that Cinderella thingy. Yeah, that thingy.

" Yup. I'm about to sleep, but you disturbed me. " Okay, I lied. Truth is, I'm still thinking about different possibilities. What if I've never met him? What if I am still alone now? What am I supposed to do?

( Bad Cindi. How could you say that horrible things to me? Can't you say little sweet words? ) Judging by the tone of his voice, I bet he is wearing his infamous pout now.

" Then, you should get a candy as your girlfriend. "

(...) He fell silent for a minute or two. Gah! I feel like teasing him now.

" What? Angry now? " I mumbled in timid way.

He still didn't respond for a little while so I feel a little bit guilty.

" Ah- - -"

(You're beautiful)

" Eh? Wha- - -"

(Oh yes you are)

" What are y- - -"

(A visual work of art)

I started to laugh. I don't know what have gotten to him but I found it amusing.

(Incredible, you know you are, a virtual superstar)

" What have gotten into you? " I asked chuckling. Gosh! That was so cheesy.

(Nothing. I'm making a song.)

Now. Our current relationship was quite platonic in a sense, but we are both contented. We are taking it easy and it makes us happy.

" Lady Kuro, you are called by the madam. We have a guest. "

A guest? Just who could it be? And why does waste time on me? What is these guys planning again?

" Ren, I have to hang up. I was called downstairs. Byebye! "

" Eh? Then, where's my 'I love you'? " He demanded which made me laugh really hard. What the heck Ren!

" Go find it yourself! " I answered giggling. I dunno but I find teasing him as my hobby.

" Eh!!! " He said like a kid throwing a tantrum. What a cute big guy.

" Fine. I love you. " I said almost like a whisper.

This sweet moments, I hope it will stay forever. I hope it will not disappear.

" Lady Kuro. "

I hang up the phone. With a smile on my face, I walked down the long stairs. Tss. Mansions are annoying.

" Kuro, you're here. " My mom is smiling happily which made me nervous. This couldn't be a good thing. My mom smiling could only mean disaster for me. There's no way!

" Kuro, meet Nakajima, you're fiance. "

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