From the Ground Up: Kacchako

Chapter 34: Not in Love

(Lets take a brief look at what's going on with another pair of not-so-high-school sweethearts)
-btw, the song 'The Sex Is Good' by Saving Abel inspired me for this hehe don't blame me blame my Spotify!!

Momo_
Momo rolled over onto her other side, the crisp sheets sliding easily over her body. There was a shine in her eye, and she sat up, brushing her dark hair away from her vision.

Her hands held the sheet over her bare chest as she glanced around the room. Clothes, everywhere.
She puffed a sigh through her lips and finally turned her gaze down to the body next to her. Shoto lay peacefully, his hair falling out of his face with the way his head was angled, and the white sheet barely passing his hips.
Momo reached over and lifted his arm, checking the time.
12:45 pm
Shoto groaned when she dropped his arm again. She placed her hand on his upper arm and lightly shook him. He groaned again.
"What?"
He said, clearly annoyed. She rolled her eyes.
"Wake up, I have places to be today,"

He scoffed and sat up in a smooth motion, the muscles in his stomach tensing with the effort. She bit her lip and looked away.
She leant over the side of the bed and swiped a robe off the floor, wrapping in around herself.
With a swipe of her hand she pulled her hair over one shoulder and stood up. Crossing her arms she gazed down at Shoto, still on the bed, still naked.
"What?"

He said, and her brow twitched.
"You never stay overnight. What's the occasion?"
He plastered on an innocent look.
"Can I not spend a full night with the lovely lady in my life?"
"The only lady actually in your life is your mother."
He fought the urge to roll his eyes.
And failed.
Momo sat down on the side of the bed again and met his eyes.
"Shoto, What happened? We have an arrangement. One that never includes you sleeping beside me for more than an hour"
After a few seconds he broke their stare and ran a hand through his hair.
"My father...found out where I live."
She burst out laughing.
Shoto lowered his brows at her and shoved her arm, she laid down on the pillows and continued her hysterical laughing.
"Here I was- thinking you lost your job or had a funeral to go to. But no, your own father found out where you live, god forbid"

Shoto shook his head to himself.
"It's not funny, Momo. He is constantly harassing me. Knocking on my door at all hours demanding I find a suitable parter"
She stopped her laughing a sat up, taking on a more serious tone now.
"He wants you to find a partner? For- marriage?"
A nod from him.
She swallowed.
"So he doesn't know-"
"No, he doesn't know about our meetings. And I intend to keep it that way. I don't know what he would do if he found out I so casually share a bed with you, of all people."
The slightly concern left her face, and she stood up. Disappearing into her closet, she speedily got dressed.
His voice sounded from the bed.
"Did I- say something? You seem upset."
She laughed quietly.
"No. But feel free to stay as long as you like, though when you do decide to leave be sure to use the back door. Lest someone see that you continue to involve yourself with someone of the likes of me."
She zipped up the back of her dress half way, as far as her arm would allow.

A flinch rocked through her when he gently moved her hand away, and pulled the zip the rest of the way up. She hadn't realised he was standing behind her.
She turned to face him, looking up at those beautiful eyes.
"I didn't mean it like that."
He said.
"No?"
She replied, side stepping him to her shoe rack.
"Then how did you mean it?"
He didn't answer, and she nodded to herself.
Selecting a pair of black heels to go with her light brown dress, she perched herself on a small seat built into the wall.
She had the first shoe zipped up when he asked,
"Going somewhere special?"
"Please go get dressed. Having a naked man in my closet is considered quite indecent"

He grunted before leaving back to the bedroom, when he returned he had last nights pants on, and she as finished zipping up her other shoe.
He gestured for her to keep talking.
"I'm going on a date, if you must know."
"A date? But-"
"My family also expects me to start courting."
She gazed down to her left hand, where a ring would likely be within a few months. When her family was involved, marriages were quick and formal. No need for fuss, and definitely no need for scandals. And 'Scandal' was most definitely the perfect word for what was between her and Shoto.
"My family actually suggested you for a possible partner. My father greatly admires you, especially since you took over your fathers Agency"
He was quiet for a little.
"And what did you say?"
"Well, I have until this afternoon to decide. They've given me the choice to see if I like my suitor today, and if I don't, my father will formally meet with you to discuss the matter first."

She looked up at him, and he was still and quiet. Momo stood, so close to him that his breath ruffled her hair.
"But I'm guessing you're going to request I say No, so, we're going to have to end our arrangement"
She stepped around him again and walked into the bathroom.
He followed.
"End it? Why?"
Momo laughed and placed a pair of ruby earrings in her ears.
"After today, I'm officially dating. I can't keep- seeing you."
Shoto came up behind her and placed his hands on her hips, looking at her in their reflection in the mirror.
"Just because you've decided to start scouting the market for a ring doesn't mean we can't stay in our little atmosphere"
"I'm starting to think you see me as no better than late night entertainment"
His hands slipped from her hips to her stomach.
"You know I have tremendous respect for you"

She lifted a brow at his reflection.
"Respect? Is that what you were showing me last night?"
He chuckled and stepped back, she turned to face him. Placing a hand on his chest, she smiled up at him.
"I more than enjoy our little meetings, but I can't keep running around playing secret scandal. I'm a woman, after all."
"Oh, I know that"
She laughed and pinched his chest. He hissed and swatted her hand away.
"I'll always be your friend, Shoto, but I have to take this seriously. Maybe you should find someone, too. Who knows, maybe you'll find a girl who can handle you."

She walked past him, back to the bedroom, and unhooked her bad from a hanger. After slinging it on a shoulder she faced Shoto again. He had his hands shoved into his pockets.
"I did find a girl who can handle me"
She angled her head.
"You've already made it clear, Shoto, that I'm not the official girl for you"
She pulled out her phone from her bag and checked the time.
"Well, if I don't leave now I'm going to be late so, I'll see you later."
"Tonight?"
"No, whenever we happen to meet on official business. Or occasionally bump into each other on the street."
"But-"
"Goodbye, Shoto."
With that she left, striding for the front door of her apartment.
After she was gone, Shoto lightly kicked at the ground. He had a feeling she was very serious about ending their strictly physical arrangement, and he didn't like it.

Movement to the left caught his eye, and his head snapped towards the window. Someone fell straight down, as if they'd jumped from the top of the building.
He vaguely recognised it as a female hero, black and pink suit.
He furrowed his brows and shrugged it off. Maybe he was seeing things.