Under the Sakura

Sachie carefully adjusted the neckline of her off-shoulder dress. It's already night time and she would have changed into a more casual attire. Unfortunately, her suitcase that has all of her change of clothes is locked on the trunk of Hiro's car. And she could not see him.

Probably enjoying the rest of the night with his wife, she sighed.

She looked at her soles which started to feel sore wearing her 5 inches stilettoes. Why did she ever wear them?

Yes, it's because she wanted to look great with her dress as a secondary sponsor in the wedding of her father, Yukio Yamashita, and his new wife, Andrea Castillo. Who could blame her? With her height of only 151cm, she definitely, badly, needs to wear heeled shoes.

Whose fault is this anyway? She is the only one in her family who is less than 160cm. Her father is 173cm, her deceased mother was 162cm, and her brother is 178cm. Even her half-sister, Ivy, is 163cm.

Why?

Was she cursed when she was born to be a little lady forever?

"Hello there, little lady, "

The way her thoughts were going, she would be so delighted to bare her fangs on the first person who would call her 'little'. As she turned her head, she was so ready to snap and throw a fistful of swear words, if only...

He is not him.

Instead of swear words, the first word that came to her mind was, 'OMG'.

Yes, Oh My God. Looking at her with an amused look on his devilishly handsome face, is Kaname Hill, her brother's best friend.

She almost literally have to touch her jaw and put them back together as she looked gaping at Kaname. Upon realizing her horrible appearance due to his amused look, she turned her face back and tried to calm her senses.

'Don't be too obvious, Sachie. You are facing the God of Pheromones. One wrong move and you'll get pregnant.'

She inhaled and exhaled a few times before she was able to muster her courage, stood up, and turned to face him.

"Hello, Big brother Kaname, " she said, masking her excitement with her sweet smile.

Kaname grinned at her, obviously noticing her dilemma as she winced with her sore feet. They are literally red, after all.

"You don't look good, little lady. What's wrong?"

Little lady. The heck!

"Big bro, will you please stop calling me like that? I'm not a...little lady anymore." There it goes, she finally said it. She is literally a little lady, but she's already 22 years old, and already a Bachelor's degree holder. Plus, only her height is little.

She pushed her chest forward, trying to emphasize that she is not a little lady anymore. She has a big 'front' and a big 'back'. Most of her classmates in the university called her little Kardashian, owing to her hour-glass figure.

Kaname's eyes looked a bit lower, and a twinkle in his eyes told Sachie that he just thought of something perverted against her. Her cheeks reddened at the thought.

Careful Sachie, you don't want to be a pregnant virgin, right?

"Will you stop looking at me like that, Big bro?" she said, hiding her embarrassment with a hint of annoyance.

"Like what?" Kaname asked, stroking his chin as he turned his face to meet her lovely little eyes.

"Like you will impregnate me." She snapped, and was almost wished to be invisible when he laughed out loud. Some visitors stared at them, hearing his hearty laughter. She was so embarrassed.

"Shhhh!" Sachie said, placing one finger over her pink lips.

It took a while before Kaname's laugher died. Even so, he was holding his stomach as he suppressed to laugh more. Sachie just looked at him, wondering why even laughing, he still looks so good.

"Sorry, little lady..."

"I told you, stop calling me little lady!" she snapped, already at the verge of her patience.

Kaname finally stopped laughing and looked at her intently, she felt her heart would pop out of her chest any moment.

This is not good, if he keeps on looking at me like this, I'll be having a heart attack!

"Ok, then you must stop calling me Big bro as well." He said, obviously teasing. "Just call me Kaname from now on, and I will stop calling you little lady, Sachie." He added.

"Ok, " she said, crossing her arms on her chest, further enhancing her size.

Although her dress is off-shoulder, the neckline was not too low to show her cleavage. It was actually one of those old designs that only show a peek of her collarbones and part of her shoulders.

"That's better, " Kaname said, and before she knew what happened, she was already on his arms.

"What the... put me down!" She gritted her teeth so as not to shout in the middle of the party. Although the party has been over for an hour already, still, many visitors remain. Mostly from the relatives of Andrea and Ivy.

"Shhh, don't squirm too much, Sachie. Otherwise ...." The look he casted her made her shut her mouth and covered it.

"Good, " Kaname's lips twitched a little as he walked out of the room. She became silent for a few minutes, looking at the direction that they were going.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked, still has her hands on her mouth, casting him a suspicious look. She felt that the excitement in her heart was turned to fright.

"Relax Sachie, " He said, not looking at her, and after a while, she landed on her butt at something soft.

He put her on a couch at one of the open cottages. The cottage was not too far from the others, but it was a bit darker since the nearby cottages are not occupied.

Kaname then sat on the same couch.

"Now, you can relax your feet, my lady." He said, winking at her.

Only then that she understood his purpose for bringing her here. He already noticed her sore feet and decided to carry her because she could not even stand, much more walk with her heels. She was planning to wait until everybody was gone then she would take off her heels and will go barefoot to her own room. She felt guilty because she has been silently accusing Kaname of lewd thoughts early when all the while he was just worried about her condition.

How foolish.

She lowered her eyes, her fingers fidgeted on her lap.

"S-sorry. Thank you." She said, feeling stupid whether to thank him first or apologize first.

Kaname suddenly leaned on his back, with his arms on his head and turned to look at her. She could not understand if he was looking at her with disappointment or something. But she was sure that his look was not that of a pleased expression.

"Isn't it about time for you to change your clothes into something casual, Sachie?" He suddenly asked, not accepting her apology, nor acknowledging her gratitude.

"Yes, but my suitcase is locked on Brother's car." She said, still not meeting his gaze.

"I see, and your brother might not come out from their love nest until tomorrow." He remarked casually, unmindful of the rise on color in Sachie's cheeks. She turned her face sideways.

"You want to go to my room?"

Her face snapped back to look at him. Did she hear him right? He is inviting her to his room, that's what he said, right? She swallowed and looked at him with disbelief.

"P-pardon?" she said, careful not to misinterpret him this time.

Kaname has an impassive look on his face as he glanced at her.

"I asked if you want to go to my room, you can change there, you know." He said nonchalantly, as if he just offered her a cup of coffee.

At her appalled expression, Kaname smiled devilishly and leaned forward to her.

"Why, afraid that I might impregnate you once you entered my room?" He said each word with deliberate clarity and emphasis.

Sachie swallowed and casually inched backwards. She let out a small laugh to mask the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. She always feel uncomfortable with Kaname around. What she feels right now must be the same with all the girls he has been before.

Kaname has an aura that will make you lose your self-confidence. She thought that she has been a little mature since she has gone abroad and stayed for more than 4 years. Being with him, close like this, made all her carefully built-up walls crashing down again.

You are not a teenage girl anymore, Sachie. Get over your childhood crush on him already!

She tried to met his gaze, but failed after just a few seconds.

"Well, I was just joking earlier when I said that. I know for a fact that it takes more than a look to impregnate someone." She said, keeping her voice as cool as possible.

Good, Sachie.

"Of course, Sachie. You must know that, " he drawled, still looking at her.

"Can you keep a distance from me, anyway? I don't like being seen with you Kaname, " she said, and almost took back her words when she saw his eyes darkened a little. Was it pain, or annoyance?

Why would he be hurt by her words? It was true after all.

Kaname Hill, a 37 year-old bachelor, recently, has always been a popular topic among young ladies her age, even older women, because of his conquest in women. Last year, he was married thrice, and divorced thrice as well. Now, he is currently a bachelor, but is always seen with various women every time he attends an event or occasion. As a businessman, he always has to go to some meetings and events being sponsored as a marketing strategy. His face alone could attract the consumers, and it is rumored that he could always get a business deal signed in an hour, along with the corresponding woman. In short, he is a playboy, a lady-killer.

She does not want to belong in his collection.

"I see, " he then give her a brief laugh. "Let's get going to my room then, " He stood up and offered his hand to her.

She looked at his hand, hesitating to accept it.

"But I said, "

"I know, you don't wanna be seen with me, right? That is why we shall go to my room so no one will see us together. Besides, we are not in Japan Sachie." He smirked.

"Which means?"

"Although my character has been preceded by rumors, I don't like to mess around with other nationalities. Me, being a half is enough." He said, his expression darkening a little for a moment.

Sachie understood what he meant. Even though it's already modern Japan, many Japanese still don't fully accept those who don't have Japanese ancestors. Though may efforts has been made to lessen the discrimination, she knows that it still exists. Especially for those in the higher hierarchy of the society. You are not a Japanese if you are just half-blooded.

"Ok, what will I do in your room, by the way? I have my own room." She said, trying to stand, "you can just take me there."

Kaname held her at arm's length to keep her from falling. She could smell alcohol from his breath, but more so, she could smell his masculine cologne mixed with the alcohol. It gives off an intoxicating effect on her senses.

"That won't do. I have some female clothes in my room so you can wear them. Then you can go back to your room." He said.

Realization dawned on Sachie. That is why he has been inviting her in his room.

"But why do you have female clothes?" She asked suddenly, which earned her a flash of his pearly white teeth as he looked at her with mischievous smile.

"Do you really have to ask that, Sachie?"

She could not think of a reply.

----

In Kaname's room, he gave her a plastic bag with some clothes on it. Then pointed to her the changing room. The changing room was just a room with a curtain as the partition. Sachie found it secured enough.

She took the bag from him and walked to the changing room barefoot, while her left foot was still aching. She hurt it badly when she tried to stand by herself, but she pretended not to feel it because he might offer to carry her again. She could not take it anymore. Being too close to him is not just a good idea.

Because it was a bit dark, she turned on the lights and began to undress. She had difficulty pulling down the zipper of her dress but she did manage after really trying hard. It took her almost 3 minutes to change her clothes. She saw a pair of sleepwear there actually, and underwear. Her cheeks flushed as she looked at the sexy lacy underwear.

To whom did he really prepared it for? She thought.

Never mind that Sachie, it won't do you any good. Of course, it must be for his bedmate-to-be.

As she finished dressing up, she looked at her appearance on the mirror, it was a set of long pajamas that was almost fitted at her. Only, it was too long.

Gosh! How come I am so small! She thought and bent down to roll the bottom of the pajama.

----

Kaname did not expect that Sachie would turn on the lights in the changing room. When he saw the lights flickered before it turned on completely, he could not bring his eyes to look away. He watched her shadow as she undressed herself, her difficulty in pulling down the zipper, and her whole naked body was seductively outlined by the light.

He noticed how she took the underwear and eyed it, probably hesitating to wear the sexy materials. He gulped down several times as she turned to her side, giving him a wonderful view of her shadow, her taut front and voluptuous back.

When did she grow up to be so sexy? The little girl who used to run after him and Hiro has just evolved into such a luscious piece of flesh. The tightening of his pants jerked him up and before she could come out, he decided to go inside his bedroom.

If Sachie would see him that time, she would probably run away looking at the bulge in his front. He could not humiliate his best friend's sister, after all. That is why instead of using those clothes for his latest conquest, he decided to let her use them. He should have bought a more wholesome underwear.

Now, his perverted mind is thinking about how the lacy fabric was fitted perfectly on her private parts.

----

Sachie frowned when she did not see Kaname sitting at the sofa where he was before. She decided to check his bedroom. It was closed so she knocked.

"Kaname?"

"Yeah, " he replied.

"Umm, thanks for the clothes, I'm going back to my room now." She said, thinking what is he doing in his room?

Don't tell me, he already has a girl inside?

Sachie felt so disappointed. She began to walk back as she took her dress and placed it inside the plastic bag, then her stilettoes as well.

Can't he at least wait until I'm gone? Geeez!

"Sachie, wait." She was surprised when Kaname came out from his room, he has also changed his clothes. He is now wearing his casual shirt and a khaki shorts. He looked like some of those male fashion models, that whatever he wore will look good on him.

This is so unfair, she thought.

"I will walk you back to your room." He said with an expressionless look.

"Oh, you don't have to, " she said, don't keep your girl waiting, she added at the back of her mind.

"It's alright, the bar is on the way so it's just like we are going on the same direction." He said, walking towards the door, then stopped and turned his face to her. "Don't worry, I won't taint the reputation of my best friend's sister."

He then opened the door, not noticing the sad look on her face as she followed him out.

In the bar, Kaname found Yousuke also drinking by himself. He looked so forlorn that Kaname thought of something funny for his overly-serious friend.

"Yousuke, " he said as he sat beside him.

Yousuke gulped down on his drink before he turned to Kaname. His face was already reddish up to his ears. He squinted at him.

"Hey man, you're already way beyond your limit, " Kaname said, looking at the queue of empty glasses on his table. He knew for a fact that Yousuke could hold his liquor well, but the alcohol in the Philippines has stronger percentage than the ones they used to drink in Japan, and he was drinking them like water.

"U---zai, " Yousuke slurred, and tried to pour another drink on his empty glass.

Kaname shook his head and gestured for the waiter to bring him a drink as well.

"Rhum please, " he said, while eyeing Yousuke who just told him that he's annoying in Japanese.

"Yousuke, can you still manage a serious conversation?" His sudden seriousness made Yousuke stopped from trying to drink his alcohol, and just looked at him.

"Of course, " he answered.

Yousuke thanked the waiter and started drinking as well.

"I think I need to lie low for a while when it comes to ladies, " he said with such a thoughtful look that Yousuke laughed at him. It was a full minute before he stopped laughing, and when he saw that Kaname looked serious as hell, he finished his beer in one gulping and turned his full attention to Kaname.

"What's the matter? Somebody has rejected you?"

"Ha-ha. You should know me better than that, man." Kaname said, his thoughts kept on coming back to what Sachie told him.

I don't like being seen with you Kaname.

It's like if she is seen with him, her reputation would be compromised.

"Then what's the problem? You're not getting a proper hard-on these days?"

Give it to Yousuke to ask questions which are too straightforward and no sense of decency at all, when he is drunk. When Yousuke is sober, he would flinch with just a simple curse word. However, Yousuke is more logical when he is drunk, so Kaname would always seek him for advice under the influence of alcohol.

"That's not it, man. Be serious, will you? I'm serious here, actually." It was Kaname's turn to slur with his words. Although he likes to drink alcohol, his tolerance is very low. He has the lowest among the three of them.

They began to talk for about everything until the clock hits 12:00 midnight. The bartender told them that it would close in 15 minutes so the two had no choice but to go out. Unfortunately, Kaname could not remember his room, so he ended up going to Yousuke's room as well.

The next morning, Sachie was about to knock on Kaname's door when she realized that it might not be proper because he might have somebody with him. Instead, she went to Yousuke's room to ask him to send her back to the airport to catch her flight. She could not burden Hiro since she went there so early this morning to get his car key and Hiro scowled at her while giving her the key.

As she knocked on Yousuke's room, she realized that it was half-open.

Why didn't he lock his room? Maybe he's about to go out.

Sachie has been familiar with Kaname and Yousuke as his brother's close friends so she was not hesitant to go to Yosuke's room at all. He is like a big brother to her, more like her ideal man.

"Big bro Yousuke?" she called as she entered the room, but received no response. She noticed that the living room was almost not used. She walked towards the bedroom, with the door open as well, she called for him again, but no response.

She carefully opened the door fully and roamed her eyes on the bedroom. She saw Yousuke still sleeping on his bed.

He must have drunk too much last night. She thought as she could still smell the alcohol in the room. As she leaned forward to wake Yousuke, the door of the bathroom opened.

In her 22 years of existence, it was the first time that she saw a naked body of a full-grown man as Kaname went out of the bathroom with not even a towel to cover his body. Sachie did not know what to do, to cover her eyes or turn around. In that instant, it's like her brain stopped functioning. She stayed rooted on the floor, her eyes became in its largest size ever, as she stood gaping at the walking God of Pheromones, unable to take her eyes off him.

"Yousuke, I couldn't find any..." Kaname stopped in his tracks as he noticed Sachie, standing like a statue near Yousuke's bed.

As always, the lady-killer side in him found nothing wrong with himself walking with nothing like his birthday suit, and casually walked towards the cabinet. There, he found some clean towels. He wrapped the first towel on his waist and the other one he used to dry his hair. He then turned to where Sachie was standing, still unmoving.

For a moment, he thought that she had passed out. The corner of his mouth twitched as he took in her pale and bewildered expression. He could almost guess what was on her mind.

Ever so slowly, the color returned to her face, and she blinked several times before she let out a muffled scream. She turned around and covered her mouth.

She touched her nose to check if its bleeding. She sighed deeply when she realized it wasn't.

OMG! What was that? That... thing???

Why is Kaname here? Why is he naked in Yousuke's room? Don't tell me, he is not only a lady-killer? He is also.... OMG!

Her image of Kaname as an out-of-this-world handsome man has just vanished into thin air and was replaced by somebody who belong to the LGBT. Her mind was in utmost chaos.

"Sachie, what are you doing here early in the morning?" It was Yousuke's voice. Sachie would have turned around, but the realization in her mind about their relationship led her to control her movement. Instead, without looking back, she mustered her courage and spoke like what she saw was nothing.

"I came here to ask you to take me to the airport. I have the key to Brother's car, but..." she could not finish her words.

She realized that she was weeping. What's this?

"Sachie?" It was Kaname's voice.

Before she noticed that Kaname was looking at her strangely, she suddenly darted out the room with the car key on her hand. She did not stop running until she bumped into another person, and the impact caused her to land on her butt painfully.

"Ouch!" she said, as she touched her bum.

----

The man was also taken aback when he noticed her running fast towards him, but before he could properly respond, they collided.

"Sachie!"

Sachie looked up and saw her brother's brooding eyes. Hiro immediately helped her to stand.

"What's wrong with you, running like you were being haunted by some ghosts?" He said, wearing a casual shirt and joggers, with some plastic bags on his hand.

"Why are so hard as a rock, brother?" She said, complaining because she was the only who went down with the impact while Hiro remained standing. "That hurts, I think I won't be able to sit down for a while, " she said, massaging her butt.

It was good that she was wearing jeans and shirt, otherwise it would be such an embarrassment to both her and her brother.

"You didn't answer my question, " Hiro said, then he saw Kaname and Yousuke walking towards them.

"I thought you would ask Yousuke to take you to the airport?" He frowned at her. When Sachie turned and saw the two coming towards them, she hastily went behind Hiro, as if by being there, the two won't notice her anymore.

Please, don't let them find me. I still can't accept the fact that they... they...

"Sachie, why are you hiding behind Hiro?" It was Yousuke who called out for her.

Still in shock for the truth that she has uncovered, Sachie peeked from her brother's shoulder. Ok, come on Sachie. You just have to apologize. It was your fault for going inside their room, it was your fault for learning about their relationship.

With her fingers fidgeting in front of her, she looked at the two shyly.

"S-sorry, I did not mean to bother you two, " she said in her small voice. Yousuke face was blank, while Kaname was suppressing a grin on his face. Hiro looked back and forth between the two and Sachie.

"What's going on?" Hiro asked.

"I-It's alright you know. This is a modern day. It wasn't what I expected but I guess..." what the heck! She inhaled deeply. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."