Chapter Three: Young Love:

Ichiro sat on couch, waiting for something or someone. Kate felt her cheeks fluster bright red.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Ichiro leaned in with a smirk on his face.

“Did they tell you?” he asked.

“Tell me what?”

“I’m staying here for a few days.”

Kate’s jaw fell to the floor as her whole face turned red. “Uh… no… No, they didn’t. F-F-For how long?”

“For a few days,” he repeated. She dropped her bucket on the floor.

“Wow…” the girl mumbled. Ichiro raised an eyebrow at her.

“Is there a problem?” he asked.

“No! No!” Kate yelped. “It’s fine.” She bowed her head. “You can stay as long as you like.”

“Why thanks,” Ichiro said, bowing his head. They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Kate’s mother poked her head in the doorway.

“Am I interrupting anything?” she asked.

“Oh, no,” he said. “It’s okay.” The mother’s cheeks fluttered when he spoke. Kate tried to ignore it.

Ichiro acted like a gentleman around the house. He even offered to help with the chores. Kate’s mother blushed as she shook her head.

“N-N-No!” she yelped. “A guest shouldn’t have to work. Just sit down and relax!”

“And you’re okay with this?” Ichiro asked.

“Why yes!”

“Okay…” He turned and walked back to the kitchen. Kate watched her mother fawn over him in a jealousy. He doesn’t want her! She’s going to take him away from me if I don’t act! I have to do something!

Kate waited until the evening when he had his bath to act. Her parents were busy getting ready for bed. She waited outside of the shed.

“How is your bath?” she asked.

“Good!” Ichiro said. “It’s just perfect.”

“Thank you,” the girl replied. “I’ll have some fresh clothes on your bed for you.”

“Thanks darling,” he said. She blushed at his words. The girl managed to force herself to hurry away before embarrassing herself. Once she got back to her room, Kate slid the door closed behind her. She huddled up into a ball with her knees pulled up to her chest. That girl couldn’t make herself stop giggling. Never had a man stirred her heart like Ichiro had over the course of a few hours. Most of the time, the boys in the village were too immature. As a result, she spent most of her time in her head.

This night would change all of that.

Kate waited until Ichiro went to bed before she made her move. The girl knocked on his bedroom door with a tray of hot tea in her hands.

“Yes?” he asked within his room.

“Uh… I brought you some hot tea,” she said in a small voice.

“Tea for me?”

“Yes!” Her voice escaped out of her mouth in a yelp. “May I come in?”

“Sure,” Ichiro said. Kate pushed open the door and walked inside as quiet as she could. Ichiro looked up at her on the bed with his shirt wide open. Her hands shook as her face turned bright red. He gave her a sly smirk.

“Like what you see?” he asked. Kate gulped as she nodded. Ichiro moved aside in the bed to make a narrow space.

“Well, are you going to stand there and stare or are you going to serve me my tea?” he asked. Kate shook herself back into reality.

“Oh, right!” she said. “Of course!” She walked over to his bed with the tray still in her hands. We she got close enough to his futon, Ichiro grabbed her by the waist and pulled her inside with him. What started out as serving a cup of tea turned into an impulsive kiss on the lips.

However, this smooth, charming man wasn’t all that seemed…