I let Chirou ring the bell. Kaoru opens the door,

"Hey," I try saying casually.

"Hi."

"..."

"Come on in." Kaoru says. Chirou walks in first and Hikaru was there waiting for him. I caught Hikaru giving Kaoru a meaningful look before leading Chirou away.

"Come this way." Kaoru says softly, his voice trembling. He hesitantly took my hand by its fingers, a warm feeling tingling me in a way that made me shiver.

He led me toward what appeared to be a sitting area. Not letting go of his hand and not letting go of mine, we both sit down.

"Akane, I wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday." He says, his tone telling me that he hoped I wasn't hearing him.

"I didn't know what I was doing. I'm sure you have a million things to say to me..."

"And not one was for you to apologize." I finish. Kaoru looks embarrassed,

"Well, I... Hikaru told me yesterday that I have to talk to you and make things less complicated than they already are."

"That's impossible..." I look down at my lap.

"I'll be honest, I didn't hate the kiss." I mumble.

"I didn't hate it either."

"... Clearly this isn't what we want to say to each other." I turn and face him again.

"Tell me what you want to tell me." He didn't tell me.

Instead, he kissed me.