"Doctor, how is my brother? " Asked Kaede to Sumire, who had just left her room.
"His condition is now stable, he will wake up until morning, I have prescribed some medications, " Said Sumire, who seemed to be in hurry, as she left right away.
Kaede went to the nurse who gave her the information about her brother's detailed condition.
Nurse also gave her the prescription as well as told her that Kazuma can be discharged soon, once bills are paid.
Kaede gritted her teeth, as she said, "Bills will be paid by tomorrow, please just keep my brother fine. "
Nurse nodded and left, while Kaede once again called her mother.
But surprisingly her phone was still busy and she got her saved recording once again, saying that her mother was busy.
It was already late in night when Kazuma was sent to the room that was given to him.
Kaede felt glad as she looked at her brother's sleeping face, she didn't know when she suddenly fell asleep herself while on the chair.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
But she was woken up by the sound of the phone ringing.
Kaede looked at the phone and saw that the caller was her mother, Kahori.
"Mom! Where are you? I was so worried, " Asked Kaede with her voice etched with worry.
Her mother was gone for too long and that as well at night.
"Mom is fine Kaede, take care of Kazuma, I'm busy so I won't be back till afternoon tomorrow, " Said Kaede's mom from other side, her voice seemed a little tired.
"Why so late? Where are you mom? " Kaede was really worried as right now with Kazuma like this, her mother was her only pillar of support.
"I'm going to ask my old friend for help, but I don't know if it will work, " Replied Kahori uncertainly.
"I see, take care mom, I will also do my best, " Said Kaede with determination.
Everything will be good, once the date on tomorrow is over, thought Kaede.
"I know...mom loves you, so be safe, " Said Kaede's mom, cutting of the call.
Kaede now felt relieved as she had a talk with her mother now.
She now peacefully fell asleep, not knowing that her beloved mother was getting railed without an ounce of sleep.
It was late morning when Kaede woke up...
"Oh no! I'm late! I need to go... " Yelled Kaede in panic as she woke up and saw the time.
Kaede got ready in hurry, she didn't have another set of clothes, so she had to wear the same clothes.
But even then she looked cute, her natural inherited beauty was one of its kind after all.
Kaede didn't care whether that man who she was going on date with liked her or not.
Rather she would prefer if the man disliked her.
But she really needed the money so she tried her best to look at least presentable.
She looked at her brother's sleeping face, "Bye brother, I'll be back soon, wait for me. "
Kaede then told the nurse that she had something very important to do, so she requested her to look after Kazuma.
Kaede had worked hurriedly so she barely made it in time at the designated spot.
She looked around here and there, in search of the man who she was supposed to go on the date with.
Just then her phone rang once again.
It was a new number, but Kaede picked it up.
"Look at your right, the black Merony 126, I'm inside it, " She heard a soft and charming voice from the call.
The caller was most likely a young man.
Kaede looked to the right, as there really was a luxurious sports car there.
She had only seen this model in advertisements and had somehow totally ignored it while looking here and there.
She now felt even more conscious of herself as she looked at her poor unwashed clothes, she was looking like a beggar in comparison to the car.
No! Any normal person would look like a beggar in comparison to one of the top luxurious sports car.
Kaede took her steps, as she neared the car.
"Ah!? Who is this girl? " Asked a boy to the girl besides him.
"May be some beggar, just look at her clothes. " Said the girl with heavy make-up.
"No, she looks cute may be this is the scene of some drama shoot? " Another boy said.
"No, I know that girl, she is one of the top three beauties of the best university in our city! " Said one nerd looking guy.
"What's she doing here? "
The people around were gossiping as Kaede came to the car's entrance.
The door was next second opened, as a man beyond handsome to the level of even being called beautiful came out, he had the masculine and strong aura along with gentle charm and the hint of loneliness with his aloof countenance.
"You must be Kageyama Kaede, I didn't think we will meet this soon again, " Said the man stunning everyone on the spot, including Kaede herself.
Because the man in front of her was the first man except her brother, who made her heart ever flutter with his natural charm.
He was the boy who saved her yesterday from the den of no return.
"A-Alex? " Kaede stuttered as she remembered the name and identity of the boy in front of her.
He was the prince of one of the top Clans in the Sakura country, who lived in the different world than her altogether.
He was like a prince above heavens while she was a poor, lonely girl who could only gaze upto his figure.
"Yeah, that's me, come inside, we have a date don't we, " Said Alex, flashing a bright smile, which cause Kaede to blush.
She looked at people who were whispering to each other and quickly went inside the luxurious car.
Alex also took seat before the steering.
This was a two seater car so Alex and Kaede were seating beside each other.
Kaede who looked at the magnificent interior of the car was shocked, she even made sure to not dirty the carpet below her seat with her dirty sandles.
"Be comfortable, I'm taking you on a date after all, " Said Alex smiling, as he looked at Kaede shrinking on her seat.
Kaede understood that she was seen through, so she tried to regain her confidence and tried to seat down comfortably.
Seeing Alex here, she was really stunned, otherwise she never would have entered someone's car so suddenly and as she understood this she became even more nervous.
Both Alex and Kaede didn't talk for some time, as Alex knew that Kaede was nervous around him, he waited for her to start conversation.
"Umm... Where are we going? " Asked Kaede slowly, after last few hectic days her cheerful personality was gone.
"On a date! " Said Alex, not taking his eyes of the road.
"I know... But where? " Asked Kaede slowly.
"On a date! " Alex cheerfully replied.
Kaede now pouted, as she understood that Alex was messing with her, she looked away.
"Don't be like that, I was just joking, why don't you smile once, then I will tell you everything, " Said Alex, looking at Kaede who was now leaning on the window.
Kaede didn't say anything, as she ignored Alex, she was mad that Alex was joking with her even now.
"Okay, we are going to the mall, " Alex gave up and told Kaede.
"Mall? " Kaede felt that it was a nice place for a date, many of her classmates used to go there.
"Yes! You're literally stinking! I can't take you on a date like that, " Alex said cheerfully, as if he hadn't just insulted Kaede.
Kaede blushed again, she pouted and looked away from Alex, which caused Alex to laugh at her cute act.
Both of them soon reached to the mall, Alex kept talking all the way while Kaede only gave short replies.
"Let's go, " Alex brought Kaede to the mall entrance.
Both of them entered as Kaede felt conscious of herself, she wanted to thank Alex for saving her life before.
But she didn't know how, when Alex tried to talk to her, she was embarassed because her heart was fluttering non stop with each word Alex said.
She felt comfortable with Alex, but also afraid of herself, she didn't know if she was feeling all this just because Alex was rich and handsome.
She didn't want to become one of those gold diggers and she had her brother who she loved too, so she wasn't sure.
While walking in the mall, she kept following Alex, who soon took her to the clothing area.
"Choose which clothes you like, " Said Alex.
Just then shop manager came to Kaede running, as she knew that this was very big customer.
"Which type of clothes would you like Miss? " Shop manager was dissatisfied as she looked at Kaede's cheap clothes but she hid it wonderfully as in opposite Alex looked like a gold mine.
"Umm.. Anything is fine... " Kaede said as she looked around and chose a normal looking dress that wasn't too costly.
"Okay, pack this and Kaede go and try this dress, " Said Alex to Kaede while handing her a beautiful white dress.
Kaede looked at the dress, as she really liked this dress, it was a beautiful long white dress with off shoulder style.
She had always wanted to buy a dress like this, but she never had a chance to, she knew this dress was really costly.
So she tried to deny it but Alex forced her to wear it.
Kaede went into the changing room while feeling awkward for takin Alex's advantage.
Bur when she wore the dress, she loved it, it suited her body figure very well and the dress was too cute.
She came outside to show it to Alex, but what she saw was Alex who was standing there with at least dozen dresses with his hand.
Even shop manager was stunned as Kaede looked like a real fairy with that white dress, her pure white skin matched with it perfectly giving her the looks of otherworldly Godess, her perfect nice curves complemented the dress as her black hair flowed down freely increasing her charm. Her pure dainty hands were bare as well as most of her back, her long skirt danced with the every step she took.
"Damn, you are beautiful, manager pack that dress and bring most expensive dresses you have, " Alex ordered to manager.
Then Kaede was made to wear all kinds of cute and beautiful dresses, most of which Kaede liked.
Alex even made her to wear some short skirts which only went below her hips which she was very embarassed to show to Alex.
Kaede didn't want to show herself to Alex like this, but she did so anyway, she also liked the way Alex complemented her non-stop. Showing some extra skin to Alex was fine, she thought. After all they were on date, even if it was a fake.
After looking at all kinds of dresses, Alex himself chose for Kaede a dating outfit.
It was a white one piece dress that went slightly abover her knees and a light blue jacket above it.
This accentuated Kaede's cute charm and made her look really beautiful.
Kaede liked the outfit, as which girl won't want to look beautiful?
"You look beautiful Kaede, " Said Alex to which Kaede smiled slightly and asked, "Really? "
"Yes and keep smiling like that we have more places to go to, " Alex said as he told manager to pack all remaining clothes which Kaede had tried.
Kaede tried to stop Alex, but he ignored her and bought everything.
After that Alex and Kaede went to the cafe in the mall, where surprisingly only two of them were present.
Alex ordered food for both of them and started chatting with Kaede.
With his best conversation skills he made Kaede open up in no time, as Kaede's mood was already slightly better.
She now was enjoying the way Alex treated her, while for some time trying to ignore all of her problems.
She laughed at Alex's jokes, while hearing all the stories he told her.
She also shared back what she likes and all.
Soon the maid in the cafe brought them their order, then Alex and Kaede had a nice talk while eating.
"Do you know what oysters donate to charity? "
"No? "
"They don't because they're shellfish, " Laughed Alex at his own lame joke.
Kaede smiled as she looked at Alex trying his best to crack jokes to make her smile. She smiled slightly, this was her true smile, not the forced one, it was the smile of good days.
After their talk she had come to know that Alex was a really good person and perhaps he even had a crush on her.
She looked at Alex who was telling some new joke to her, as she remembered how she met him the first time.
He really was handsome then, wasn't he?
He saved her like that prince who saves his princess from the evil dragon.
His face was already etched in her heart and she couldn't deny that now...
Alex had become someone she will never forget.
"Hey! Are you listening? "
Kaede snapped out of her thoughts as Alex was now looking at her.
"I'm fine... I just wanted to thank you, " Said Kaede while looking at Alex in eyes.
"For what? " Asked Alex confused.
"For saving me that day... I don't know what would have happened to me... If you weren't there, so thank you Alex, " Said Kaede with gratitude.
"Ohh, you don't need to thank me and if you want to thank me, then just be happy forever, that's the reason I saved you after all, " Smiled Alex while saying.
Looking at Alex's smile, Kaede once again blushed and looked away, her face red as she said, "Okay.. "
"Ohh! It's time for our movie, " Said Alex as he held his hand in front of Kaede.
Kaede looked at Alex's hand for few moments and then took it. This was the first time that Alex had touched her.
The soothing and calming feeling went through her as she felt herself feeling relaxed from Alex's touch.
Alex and Kaede went to the movie while holding each other's hands like a couple.
The theater was similarly empty like the cafe was, causing Kaede to understand that Alex had planned this for the date.
She was happy as she had also dreamt of someday seeing movie like this on a date.
But the one who fulfilled her wish wasn't the boy she loved but Alex, but she felt this was alright.
Alex and Kaede sat beside each other, as for the God's sake... It was a horror movie? Alex was in total dilemma.
It was a movie about two people, a girl and a boy who fell into the world of horrors.
Where they survived while relying on each other, as this caused their relationship to develop.
But when boy confessed his feelings to the girl, she was already on dying breath, in her last moments the girl also told the boy that she loved him...
But then to revive his now dead lover the boy fought against Gods, he went to the underworld and fought Hades and Persephone to free his lover's soul.
The Godess of love Aphrodite helped him in his journey and in the end he revived his lover.
Both of them embraced each other under the setting sun, while vowing their feelings to each other.
They both sealed their undying love with a kiss which ended the movie.
During the whole movie Kaede held Alex's hand as horror scenes really frightened her.
By the end of the movie, unknowingly she was literally in Alex's lap, crying her heart out for those lovebirds in the movie.
On the other hand, Alex fought against the unending, unbent and unbroken will of his to fall asleep while watching this bullshit.
But he somehow preserved and took the chance when Kaede's tears of happiness fell down while looking at main characters kissing each other.
He took her lips in his kiss, while using the 'Touch of Ecstasy' on her to make her relax in his arms.
Kaede who felt herself becoming relaxed, delved deeper into the kiss, which she was pulled in, she loved this feeling.
After some seconds she also started reciprocating the kiss, as both Alex and Kaede embraced each other in the silent theatre.
Soon both Alex and Kaede stopped kissing, as Alex said, "I love you Kaede. "
Kaede in her reverie, as well said..., "I lo-... "
But then her thoughts cleared away, as she quickly got away from Alex.
Understanding that her first kiss was taken away from her, she felt heartbroken, because she always wanted to give her all first times to her brother.
But that now wasn't possible anymore...
But she remembered that she herself had taken the initiative to go into Alex's embrace while also reciprocating the kiss and feeling good from it.
She couldn't blame Alex for it, rather there was one more feeling of being shy as she remembered that Alex had confessed to her.
She loved her brother, but now she was feeling that she liked Alex as well, she was confused and didn't know how to react.
So she chose the easiest way, to let Alex lead her.
"Was that your first kiss Kaede? " Asked Alex.
"... Yes. "
"Hehe you have already lost your first kiss, what's wrong with continuing where we left... " Said Alex trying to persuade Kaede.
"No!... This is enough, movie is over we should go, " Said Kaede while taking her leave in hurry.
She ran to washroom where she did her best to calm down, she touched her lips again and again while looking at herself in the mirror and then returned outside where she couldn't find Alex anywhere.
"Hey, little beauty are you alone? " Came one man to her.
"Why don't you join us, for fun? " Asked another one as he tried to force Kaede.
Kaede right now was at very secluded place, she was all alone there and couldn't find anyone.
She became terrified, as she remembered how she was kidnapped.
"I am not alone... I came with my boyfriend, " She said not letting her feelings out.
"Don't lie we saw you coming at this side all alone, " One of the man tried to grasp Kaede's hand.
Kaede tried to run away, but there was wall behind her, she felt terrified as tears streamed down her eyes, she was traumatized and couldn't take this.
But just then, she heard Alex's voice, "Get lost from my girlfriend, who the fuck are you? "
"Tsk, she really is not alone, " Said one of the man, he didn't want to fight someone like Alex who looked really strong.
Alex helped Kaede, "I'm sorry Kaede, it's my fault.. " But just as he was apologizing Kaede jumped into his embrace, holding him tightly while crying.
"Where were you!? I was so afraid! " Blamed Kaede while sobbing.
"Don't worry Kaede, I will never leave you alone from now on... Never, " Reassured Alex.
"Really? " Asked Kaede while looking at Alex with her big teary eyes.
"Yes, I promise, " Said Alex while taking Kaede in kiss once again.
"I will forever love you, " Said Alex touching Kaede's lips with his.
Kaede didn't pull back now, as she also relaxed completely while kissing Alex.
She circled her hands around Alex's neck and tip-toed to let Alex access her lips more easily.
Both Kaede and Alex's tongues danced in the music of their own share, as Kaede felt her feelings for Alex deepening.
She was slowly starting to feel that Alex was the one for her, no he has to be, he was her hero.
They must be fated!
This caused Kaede to leave all her reservations aside as she delved into this love that she shared with Alex passionately along with her feelings.