Tomoyo looked at the crowd awkwardly before she stepped down the regal carriage of Eriol.The Obake assisted her down and took the basket.She sighed as she looked at the man who was eagerly heading into the market.She knew he tried to clothe modestly,but his aura was still aristrocatic and refined.

"This way,Obake."she said,ignoring the curious pying looks of the bystanders.



"But those carrots are way too small for your price!"protested Tomoyo as Eriol looked at the vegetables on display.

"Your price is way too small for my carrots!"snorted the vendor.

"The other stall offered me a lower price,but I decided to give your merchandise a try because you look nice."continued Tomoyo,hoping the seller would give in to the price she was bargaining for.

"This is the first store we went to."Eriol spoke up.

The vendor chortled while Tomoyo glared at him."Baka!That is how you bargain prices in the market!"

"Really?"He picked the carrot up and tosed it repeatedly on the air."I don't see why you should worry about prices.I brought enough money."

Knowing the English obake,the money he supposedly brought was enough to buy the whole store."Yes,but I'm practicing the time-tested principles of shopping that the women in my family formulated."she reasoned.

"You women make such a big fuss about the most useless things."He turned to the vendor."Would you give her the price she wants if she buys the wholw bulk?"

"Y-Yes,sir."the girl stammered.

He brought the money out."Thanks."

Tomoyo rolled her eyes."A bulk of carrots?We're not going to consume all of that tonight!"

"Of course not.We'll send the half of this to your family."he replied.

Her eyes widened in outrage."What do you think my family is,a charity case?"

He clicked his tounge."The problem with you,Bijin is that you misinterpret everything I do.I just happen to like your family,that's all."

She stared at his sincere eyes and looked away."Fine,I take it back."

He gave her a smile of disbelief."You mean it?"

"Sir,your order is ready."interrupted the vendor.

Eriol looked at the box."I'll take care of this."he rolled the sleeves of his elegant shirt up and heaved the heavy box on his shoulder.He staggered backward because of the weight.

"Hey,are you sure you can actually carry this thing?"asked Tomoyo.She knew he wasn't used to heavy physical jobs.

He smiled."Don't worry about me,Bijin.I can handle myself."

"I'm not worried about you,Obake!I'm worried about your handle on the box.You might drop it."she countered.

"Let's go."Eriol walked out of the market but Tomoyo stopped him."Excuse me,but we still have more goods to shop for."

His face fell."You mean we're not yet done?"

"Nope,unless you want to serve your guests an all-carrot 7-course dinner tonight."she replied.

"Ok."Eriol sighed.



Two hours later..

"You mean we're done?As in really done?"Eriol still couldn't believe that after so many strained muscles,blisters and ache he received from dodging the crowd,they were in front of his carriage,loading their shopped merchandise in.

Tomoyo couldn't help but smile."Yeah,you could go in already to rest."She started to walk away.

"Bijin,did you forget to buy something?"asked the man.

"No,I prefer to walk home,It's a sort of a rejuvination for me when I'm tired."she explained.

Eriol signaled his coachman to go ahead."Try completely drained."

"You're walking with me?"she said when she saw what he did.

He nodded."I need rejuvination too."

Tomoyo stretched."Good for you.You need some serious sunlight before you turn into a bloodless corpse.You shouldn't imprison yourself always in your dark,gloomy mansion."

Eriol smiled."If I do go out,I have nowhere to go to."

Tomoyo was indirectly stung by his statement.It was partly her fault that's why Eriol wasn't able to befriend his neighbors.

Upon noticing her sudden silence,he changed the topic."Bijin,I want you to be present in tonight's dinner.I want you to be my date."

"W-Whaat?"

"You heard me."Eriol said calmly."I want you to be my date."

"Hah!Give me one good reason why I should grant your request-"

"It's an order,not a request."

"Damare!"

"Whatever."

"Kirai!"

Eriol laughed and held up his hands in mock surrender."Stop using Japanese!It's not a fair verbal joust!Now to answer your question..I told my friends about you and they want to meet you."

"Meet me?"

"Say yes,Bijin."he pleaded.

"Ok,but let me get one thing straight."She narrowed her eyes at him."You will not make me slip into those curtains you call a lady's outfit."

"You can wear whatever you want and I won't mind."he replied.

"Hontou?"said Tomoyo."So if I wear a kimono-"

"You'll look fabulous,just the way you always are."he replied truthfully.

"I don't know,Obake.."

"And don't call me Obake at least for tonight."

"Then I'll call you 'monster'?"

He laughed."No,call me Eriol."

"Monsteriol then."

He doubled over with laughter."Heavens,now I know how much you hate me."

Tomoyo joined in the laughter.For a few inutes,they were just laughing their hearts out,but suddenly Eriol stopped."You just laughed."he said huskily."You laughed with no trace of sarcasm at all!"

Her eyes widened,and her face turned pink."S-So what?"

"And you're blushing."His voice was getting sexy every passing minute.

She touched her face.It felt hot."So?"

"So?"he asked back softly.Good lord,he wanted to kiss her again right there and then.

Tomoyo gulped when she saw how tender Eriol gazed at her.Her heart drummed furiously.

He inched closer to her.He longed for this moment to happen again.Ever since she turned his life around with that one stolen kiss,he wanted her more.

He didn't care whether they were in a public place or that this was hardly the romantic setting for a passionate kiss.He just wanted to caress those lips..

..right..

..now.

Tomoyo gulped and shut her eyes.

Suddenly a medicine peddler passed beside them."Excuse me,do you want a miracle cure ointment,sir?"

Eriol's face was unreadable while Tomoyo laughed nervously."No,but thanks anyway."

Thank heavens for the peddler.

She must never ever be as stupid as that again.

Get attracted to an obake,and he will surely eat you up.

continue