★ MINE ★
DRUNK PEOPLE ALWAYS
TELL THE TRUTH

kimiko didn't know that her brother would visit her today. If she had known, she wouldn't have told Yua she would make it to Konda Densuke's birthday party on time. She didn't like the idea that they were all waiting for her, expecting her. They were the only people Kimiko really liked and time and time again she disappointed exactly these people.

»Not hungry?« Kamaji brought her out of her thoughts. He handed her the bowl of sliced ​​fruit. »Are you eating irregularly again?«

»I eat enough,« She replied. »So why exactly was I told to come to the garden?«

»Well because I, your beloved brother, wanted that.« He grinned and put a few pieces of fruit on her plate.

»Yes, but why?«

»Am I not allowed to spend time with my little sister?« Yes, he was allowed. But if you extrapolate it, Kimiko saw him every two months. She's been seeing him unusually often lately. »Did you have anything else planned?«

She shook her head. »What am I supposed to do? I'm here every day.«

»That's not entirely the truth.« Kamaji leaned forward in his chair and rested his arms on the table. »You've been outside, I don't know how many times, but at least once.«

Kimiko choked on her piece of melon. She waved her hands hysterically and coughed. »How do you know?!«

»It's not important, but if I know it's only a matter of time before father finds out.« He probably already knew. At least he now tried even harder to lock her up. »You should be more careful.«

»I am carefull!«

»Not enough, you shouldn't go around people too often,« he said. »Some people wonder who you are and I wonder what young Mister Kaedehara tells others.« Kimiko was frozen. How the hell did he know all this? He even knew that she had met Kazuha. Kamaji crossed his arms. »Does he know who you are?«

Kimiko snorted. »Oh, your contact couldn't tell you that?«

»Don't be mad, I'm just worried.«

Yes, everyone was just worried. It was annoying, it was exhausting. Kimiko just wanted to make friends like everyone else, be able to go outside and not be locked in her room. The only one who probably understood that was Hiroki... Hiroki! Kimiko raised her eyebrow. »How much did Hiroki get from you?«

»What?«

She rolled her pink eyes. »For gaining my trust and giving you all the information.«

»He didn't get anything in return. He didn't want to accept anything.« Yes, he was a saint because he took no reward. »Kimiko, he likes you and I wanted to know what's going on with you since I can't come over all the time.«

»You could have just ask!«

»Oh, and you would have told me you'd sneak out and meet up with Kaedehara Kazuha?« Kamaji shook his head and leaned back in his chair. »You would have told me that you like him?«

»No! Because it's my business.«

Her brother sighed, loud and completely exaggerated. »I don't think it's a good thing that you're locked up, really, but you barely know him and some people would like to get their hands on you.«

»Hardly anyone knows what I look like!«

»It's still a risk! You know that as well as I do.«

Yes, she knew that. She knew it was always a risk. But she wouldn't stop going out because of that! Kimiko had been going out secretly for six months and nothing had ever happened. And when what happened, she was helped... by Kazuha.

»Why else didn't you tell him who you were, hu?«

»It's great to just be treated normally. If he knew who I was... I think he wouldn't want anything to do with me anymore.« And Kimiko wouldn't even be able to blame him for that. The Kujou Clan wasn't exactly a clan you wanted to have on your side. »He defended me in the forest, I don't think he would harm me.«

»Do you think that or do you know?«

»I know that!«

»Because you know him so well? He could be dangerous!«

»Says the one who secretly writes letters with Hiiragi Chisato.« Kimiko snorted. »How different is this, huh?«

»I know Chisato.«

»I know Kazuha too!«

»For a few months.« Well, maybe that was true. But that didn't prove anything! Kazuha was there for her, somehow he understood her. And she felt comfortable with him, very comfortable. »You always want to see the good in people, you can't judge whether a person is really good.«

Kimiko nodded and stood up from her chair. »If you think so.«

»Where you going?«

»Since Hiroki will tell you anyway... I'm invited to Konda Densuke's birthday party and that's where I'm going now.«

»Will Kaedehara Kazuha be there too?«

She couldn't help but smile. »I hope so.«

Kimiko had nothing against her brother. She liked her brother, really. And she understood his concern too, but she liked Kazuha and couldn't stop seeing him. Well, she could, from a purely objective perspective. But she didn't want to.

Even if it was risky. Even if her father could find out more, she couldn't give up this new feeling that Kazuha gave her. She had been feeling good again for a long time, she had been herself again for a long time and if she had to disappoint her family and take a few risks to do so, then so be it. Kimiko would be fine with that.

After all, her brother did the exact same thing with Hiiragi Chisato. Not that Kimiko had fallen in love with Kazuha! But he also met, behind his family's back, someone he didn't want to miss in his life. Kamaji actually had to understand her the most out of everyone.

Only through bright lanterns and quiet giggling did Kimiko manage to push her thoughts aside. She lifted her head and saw some children releasing lanterns. The other villagers sat at a large table, talked, laughed and ate. And then there was the sweetest, gentle face of all. Kazuha. He sat a little apart from the others, on a tree trunk. 

Kimiko couldn't help but smile. She walked towards him and then stopped right in front of him. »What are you doing here?« He didn't answer her. He didn't even look at her, as if he hadn't noticed her. »Kazuha?«

He slowly raised his head. He blinked a few times until a lovely smile appeared on his lips. »You're late.« He was right and Kimiko would have apologized too, but then she realized what was going on with Kazuha. She tilted her head to the side and picked up the empty bottle from the ground.

»Oh my, how much did you drink?«

Kazuha shrugged. »Not much.«

»Not much?«

»Just a little bit.« A small giggle escaped his lips, making Kimiko smile. Even drunk he was adorable. »I want moreeee. More, more, more.«

She shook her head in amusement. »Oh no, you had enough.«

»Please, please, pleaseeee«, He pleaded, making the cutest face Kimiko had ever seen. His red eyes became very big and his lower lip stuck out like a child begging for more ice cream. Honestly, if he hadn't already been drunk, if she hadn't had to worry about him throwing up after more, she probably would have given him more.

»You should go home, Kazuha.« She said softly and crouched down in front of him. She lifted his chin with her fingers to get his attention. »Well and maybe take a shower you smell like a drunkard.«

He looked into her eyes and shook his head, barely recognizable. »You smell like a cozy and sweet afternoon in autumn.«

Kimiko wasn't often speechless. But now she was. Kazuha was always very quiet, even shy and she never expected him to say something like that directly to her. »I, i w-what?«

»These autumn evenings that are quiet and cold. Where you cuddle up in a blanket, watch the leaves fall and the scent of cinnamon wafts from somewhere«, He explained. Even though he was drunk, he could still put words together very well. But then the alcohol kicked in again and he giggled again. And somehow Kimiko was even grateful for that. »I want moreee!«

She sighed in amusement. »Do you know what I all want and don't get it?« Kazuha raised his eyebrow. He looked really confused. Confused, drunk and incredibly sweet. »What I'm saying is that we don't all get what we want.« And that was very sad. But sadly the harsh truth.

Kimiko grabbed his arm. »You forgot what I said tomorrow anyway.« She helped him stand up, but no sooner had she managed to get him to walked five steps he stumbled into her and Kimiko tripped over a thick tree root.

She started laughing. »Kazuha!« He lay on top of her and looked at her with red cheeks. Kimiko couldn't say exactly whether they were from the alcohol or whether he was embarrassed.

»I-i'm sorry!« It sounded sincere, but he didn't move at all. He just looked at her.

Kimiko looked at him the same way, probably for a full twenty seconds in which she couldn't manage to say anything. His eyes shone beautifully and his lips looked so perfect that she wanted to press hers against his.

She cleared her throat. »Kazuha, you're hm heavy.« He wasn't heavy. Not even close. She liked being close to him. She wanted to wrap her arms around him, hold him closer to her. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair and kiss every inch of his lovely face.

The fact that he didn't get off her and continued to look at her didn't make things any better. A small smile appeared on Kazuha's kissable lips. »And you're pretty.«

»W-what?« Gosh. She was definitely bright red. And more nervous than ever. Her stomach tingled terribly and her hands became very sweaty.

»So, so pretty«, He almost whispered like he was in some kind of trance. He raised his hand and gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear with his finger. »You're hair it reminds me of maple leaves. I love maple leaves.«

Kimiko tried to breathe calmly. But that wasn't easy. He slowly slid his finger down her cheek, giving her goosebumps. »Y-you love maple leaves?« She hated that she stuttered nervously. That she couldn't speak normal sentences. This had never happened to her before.

Kazuha nodded. »Yeah.. like you're hair.«

»You like m-my hair?«

»I love it! It's soooo pretty«, He replied softly. »As well as you're eyes and lips.« Kazuha looked from her eyes to her lips. He looked at them for far too long for it to be dismissed as unintentional. He ran his thumb gently over her bottom lip. »They have a beautiful pink shade.« Kazuha began to smile and looked into her eyes again. »Like the blossom trees in Spring!«

Her heart was pounding hard. It felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. He made her so damn nervous and probably didn't even notice because of the alcohol. »Sound's like a haiku.«

»I actually wrote some about her.«

»Her?«

»The stunning redhead«, He said completely dreamily. The stunning redhead. That's what he called her in front of others? »B-but don't tell her! that's kinda embarrassing.«

Yes, Kimiko was pretty sure that he wouldn't remember anything in the morning. She laughed lightly. »I promise you I won't tell her anything if you get up now.«

Kazuha nodded. He stood up unsteadily and even though he had probably drunk as much alcohol as three men, he gave her his hand and helped her stand. But when Kimiko stood on her feet, he still didn't let go of her hand. He held her tightly. The whole time.

Kimiko had no idea where she had to take him, but she had the feeling that he was taking more of the lead and just taking her along. And that didn't bother her. If he knew the way she would accompany him and make sure he would arrive safely. She also loved the way he held her hand. He didn't just hold her. He wrapped his fingers tightly around hers, as if he was afraid someone would try to separate them.

Only when they emerged from the forest and a young man came towards them did Kazuha stop abruptly. He did not say anything. He just stood there and pulled her close to his side. This drove Kimiko crazy. He drove her crazy.

»I looked for you everywhere!«, said the stranger. Then he looked from Kazuha to Kimiko and he almost breathed a sigh of relief. »Oh, you must be the mystery girl!«

»The what?«

»He talks about you every now and then.« He shrugged his shoulders in amusement, only then noticing her confusion. »I'm sorry! I'm Tomo, Kazuha's Friend.«

Kazuha nodded and squeezed her hand lightly. »Yeah, that's my friend!«

»He drank a little, well I don't know how much exactly, but quite a lot.«

Still amused, Tomo nodded. »Yeah, I thought so. Thanks for looking after him.«

»Oh, you don't have to thank me for that! I liked taking care of him, i mean it was..« Damn. Why was she still stammering around so nervously? »It was easy, really no problem. He was kinda sweet, no i mean.. gosh!«

»Is everything okay with you?« Tomo tilted his head to the side, still grinning. »You seem nervous.«

»Me, nervous? Nope!« Oh but she was nervous! So incredibly nervous. »But hm.. what exactly do you mean by every now and then?«

He laughed. »Daily, hourly. Like an idiot in love.« Idiot in love. Yes, she had said she hadn't fallen in love with him, but she was indescribably pleased that Tomo described him as an idiot in love. »Maybe I shouldn't have said that.« He looked over at Kazuha, but he seemed completely lost in his dream world. »On the other hand, I doubt he noticed.«

She tried not to grin too much, but she barely managed it. »I won't tell him.«

»Thank you!« He looked at their still locked hands. »So if you like I'll take him home. Unless your hands have grown together now.«

Kimiko was sure she was blushing again. She didn't want to let go of his hand. She didn't want Tomo to bring him home either. She wanted to bring him home, she wanted to be with him. But she also knew that it would be safer and better not to do it.

»Oh, hm yes! That would be kind.«