Salut D'Amour

Measure 23: The Problem with Tagging Along

KAHOKO'S POV

***

"Is that your kid?" The ice cream vendor asks me  and I feel my face going red.

"Eh?!!! It's not what you think!" I try to explain but the ice cream vendor just laughs and hands us three ice cream cones.

"You know, you two look really good together," The vendor winks and I feel myself melting.

Look...good....together?!!!! 

I look try not to look at Tsukimori-kun who is ignoring the 7 year old Misa-chan by the table.

How did it end up like this again?!!

*** flashback ****

"To the practice rooms." Tsukimori-kun's reply is expected. He looks at me as if to ask"Where else do you think I'd go." Sigh... "Why Hino? Is there something wrong with practicing?"

"Eh?!!" I begin to wave my hands around. "No! Of course there isn't Tsukimori-kun!"

"Then why are you giving me that look?" He apprehensively asks and I try to cover my face but to no avail. He sighs, like he always does. "Honestly," he turns his back, "You ought to hide your thoughts a bit deeper Hino." He begins to walk off and I sigh.

Sorry for being such a disappointment, I think sadly. Upon arriving at the cottages, we were immediately sorted out by gender. The girls shared a cottage and apparently I was the first to arrive. And as I looked outside the cottage, the view was so beautiful that I decided to do a quick stroll. That's when I bumped into Tsukimori-kun.

"Hino!"

Eh? I quickly look up and I see Tsukimori-kun heading towards my direction. He looks sweaty and he seems to be running away from something.

"What's the mat-" I begin but he looks into my eyes.

"Would you like to have a tour of the island?" His question catches me off guard.

"Whaa?! Are you alright Tsuki-" I begin but he holds my hand.

"I'll take that as a yes then," He says and without another thought, he drags me off.

*** end of flashback ***

Somewhere along the way, we found Misako-chan who was lost.

"Yey! Ice cream! Arigatou Hino-san!" Misako-chan smiles at me as I hand her the ice cream. I don't look at Tsukimori-kun who seems to be focused on Misako-chan.

"Here," I hand him the ice cream, still not looking at him. It's your fault I got dragged into this mess.

"Thank you," He replies coolly but somehow, I wanted to tell him a piece of my mind.

"Hino-san?" Misako-chan calls for me and I put on my best smile.

"Hai?" I ask and she smiles at me then to Tsukimori-kun.

"Do you love Tsuki-san?"

EH?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"WHAT?! NO! IT'SDEFINITELYNOTLIKETHATATALL!!" I fluster around and Tsukimori-kun looks equally distressed as well.

"Then why is your face all red?" She asks innocently. Curse your innocent questions!!!! 

"Misako-san," Tsukimori-kun finally speaks and addresses the little girl formally. My heart beats everso fast.

"Hai, Tsuki-san?" Misako-chan looks to Tsukimori-kun. I don't know but somehow, it's amusing for her to call Tsukimori-kun, Tsuki-san.

"Hino and I are violinists," Tsukimori-kun replies, "Please do not ask such weird questions."

"Hai!" Misako-chan smiles and happily eats her ice cream.

Phew, that was close. I put my hand over my heart. Demo...instead of relief, why do I feel...sad? Shouldn't I feel happy that he regards me as a violinist?

Hino and I are just friends.

The words echo in my mind. At least he considers me as a violinist, I try to reason out. But somewhere within me, there was something that etched me to sadness.

"Mommy!" Misako-chan finally calls out and we both look up to see a woman approach us.

"Misako-chan! Oh where have you been?!" Her mother embraces the little girl and then looks to me. "Thank you very much for taking care of her."

"Ano, it's alright!" I smile and she bows. Then she looks at Tsukimori-kun.

"Oh, is he your boyfriend?" She asks and my body stiffens. Seriously?! Three times in a row?! 

"No! Tsukimori-kun and I are just - " I begin but Tsukimori-kun speaks up as he stands beside me.

"Friends."

"Eh?!" I gasp and look at Tsukimori-kun who still has that straight face on.

Friends?!!!! 

"Oh I see, my mistake!" The woman laughs as she and Tsukimori-kun talk. I, on the other hand, am floating.

"Hino? Are you alright?" Tsukimori-kun asks and I give a jump.

"Hai!" I say suddenly and he raises a brow.

"Seriously," He sighs, "What is ever going on in that head of yours." He picks up his violin and he begins to leave.

"Eh? Matte Tsukimori-kun!" I call out and tag along with him. "Tsukimori-kun?" 

"What is it Hino?" He says my name with a raise of brow but I smile.

"Nothing," I say. This surprises him and ... matte! Did he just smile?! 

"Excuse me," a voice calls us and we both look ahead and see a familiar face. "It's Tsukimori-kun, right?" It's actually Shou-san who is approaching us.

"Yes," Tsukimori-kun bows and I follow in as well.

"And you must be," Shou-san looks at me and I feel as if he's looking through my soul. What's this weird feeling? It's like...I know him for somewhere..."Hino." 

The way he says my name aloud...it feels so...familiar.

"Pleasure to meet the both of you," Shou-san smiles and bows. "Good luck for the activity tonight!"

"Excuse me, but Shou-san," I begin but he stops me.

"No, just Shou-kun will be nice," He insists and I smile. He has a friendly aura.

"Ano, will you really be playing the violin too?" I ask. To this, he looks shock but then he reverts back to his smile.

"Hai!" 

"I see." I smile and he takes his bow and leaves. Suddenly, Tsukimori-kun sighs.

"Eh? What's wrong Tsukimori-kun?" I ask and he just walks ahead.

"Geez, he takes me off on a tour and then ends up leaving me," I cross my hands, "what a guy."

Demo...I wonder what's eating him?