IMPORTANT NOTE:
There will be no lemons, that's why I keep the rate as T. But the issue in this story is more suitable for adults. That's why I said as Adult Theme. Open minded under-aged readers are also welcome ^_^
Hi, minna ^^
I was inspired by a song, but no.. It's not a song fiction.
Disclaimer: La Corda d'Oro's never mine. And Tennesse Waltz's not mine too.
Thanks to ThinE for beta reading this story.
End of Waltz: Len
"Len, what are you reading?" Kahoko asked me as she tried to peek at the monitor.
"An old friend sent me an email," I answered her, without seeing her face.
Kahoko nodded and she placed her arms around my neck. She rested her chin on my shoulder after she gave me a quick peck on my cheek.
"Who's your old friend? Seisou's student?" Kahoko kissed my ear.
"Stop it, Kaho...," I closed my notebook and turned my body to catch hers. "Are you trying to tease me?"
Kahoko chuckled. "Why are you always serious, Len?" She kissed my lips softly.
"Kaho...," I groaned and decided to kiss her back. I inhaled her strawbery-cinnamon smell, as I felt her warmness against my body. I licked her lower lip to give her a sign that I wanted to deepen the kiss. She opened her soft lips and let my tongue to meet hers. She placed her fingers at my head and started to play with my hair. My right hand grabbed her waist to pull her closer, as my left hand was playing with her red hair. Her lips were addictive and maybe I couldn't get enough of her if I didn't control my desire.
After a while, I broke the kiss for the lack of air.
"Kaho, it's late. You should go home," I stroked her delicate cheek with my hand.
"Yes... but you haven't answered my question?" Kahoko pouted.
"Ah, he's one of our fellow concours' mates. He will meet us at the ball," I stood up and walked to the coffee table.
"Len, you want to drink coffee again? Stop it... You should sleep," Kahoko ran and stood in front of me, trying to block up my way to the coffee table.
"I have to, Kaho. I need to work. I haven't finished this new song yet," I tried to move her body.
"No, Len...You need some sleep. You've been working for hours everyday! At least today, Len... Tomorrow is the ball, where you will introduce me to all of your family. I need you to look fresh," Kahoko placed her hand on my shoulder.
I sighed. "Kaho, please understand. I need... this job," I stopped.
I need this job to buy an engangement ring for you. I need it. I know you're not fond of expensive things, but I want to buy a perfect ring for you. And without my parents' money... That means I have to work more than usual.
I sighed again as I closed my eyes..
Ever since I injured my hand, I had to stop doing concerts all around the world, and I had to make my living by compossing songs for other musicians. And the money wasn't that big...
"Len, you have enough money already. What are you after? Fame?" Kahoko twitched her eyebrows. When I opened my eyes, I could see disappointment engraved on her face.
"Kahoko. You don't understand," I closed my eyes again and turned my back to her. She couldn't understand. But I didn't want her to know my motive...
Kahoko stared at my back, sadly. After a while, she broke the silence.
"Fine, you can do whatever you want, Len," she said as she turned her back on me and walked out of my condominium.
I turned my head to search for her figure, but she was already gone, leaving my door open.
I sighed. I didn't know how many times already I had made her show that expression.
"Just wait for tomorrow, Kahoko...," I smiled sadly. I felt happy that I would be able to propose her tomorrow, in front of the Tsukimori family... But I was also sad... For her to not trusting me.
"Tsukimori-san?"
A familiar voice called me. I turned my head to face him.
"Kaji..."
"What a coincindence! What are you doing here? Want to buy some jewellery for your mother?" Kaji smiled cheerfully as he walked closer to me.
Here I was, in the jewellery shop, to buy an engangement ring for Kahoko. I had finished my song very early in the morning, and I had gotten my pay.
"No, I want to buy..."
"Aha! For Hino-san?" Kaji cut my words. He chuckled as he saw me blushing.
"A-hem," I cleared my throat. "And what are you doing here?"
"I want to buy a gift for my cousin's birthday. Hey Tsukimori-san, how about this?" Kaji showed me a silver-colored ring made from platinum, with a diamond in the middle. The diamond was heart shaped, and on the left side, there were three little sapphires decorating the ring.
I was amazed by the ring. It was simple, yet very elegant. I believed Kahoko would like the ring. She liked simple yet beautiful things.
Kaji smiled at me and stared at me with those sparkling eyes while I was paying for the ring.
"Tsukimori-san, finally you will propose to Hino-san," Kaji smiled as we walked side by side to the park.
"I was in love with Hino-san. But she's loved you always. And just before you went to Vienna, you guys started dating. Now it's been five years already," Kaji closed his eyes, remembering everything that happened in the last five years.
I nodded as I stared at the blue sky. The wind tousled my hairs as I felt really satisfied to the fact that... Kahoko chose me. Not anyone near her. She chose me, the one who left her for four years, and returned with nothing to be proud about.
"Your hand... How is it?" Kaji faced me with a glint of worry in his eyes.
I raised my left hand, showed him a big scar on it. "It's fine. I can do everything normally. I just can't play the violin."
Kaji stared at me. "I'm so sorry."
I shook my head. "I've gotten used to it. When the accident happened, at my peak of career as a violinist, I was really depressed. I put the blame on everything around me. The plane, the concert's schedule, the doctors who couldn't cure me..."
Kaji stayed silent. He waited for me to finish my story, patiently. Looked like he knew that I was having a hard time remembering that day. The day when I was supposed to have a concert in France, the day that I was supposed to receive the newcomer award, and the day that I lost my ability to play the violin... For the rest of my life.
"But she cured me," I smiled as I was still staring at the blue sky.
"Kaho came to me, the one who had neglected her for four years. I know that the four years we've been dating, she'd always be the one who cared for me. And I'd always be the one who left her for the reasons of being busy to pursue music. But when I came back with such a hopeless future, she was still there for me."
Kaji smiled widely. "That's because she loves you. She's always loved you."
I smiled at him. "Thanks..."
"You know, Tsukimori-san...," Kaji paused.
I raised my eyebrows and face him. "Yes?"
"You should smile more often... Really." He chuckled.
I walked into my plane, and found my seat. I sat near the window, leaning my head to it. I stared at the picture I'd been holding since I arrived at the airport. I smiled. The smiling face of the girl I loved most really made me feel relaxed. The plane took off and I closed my eyes. I'm going to France. After this concert, I'm going home to her. Finally... I would get my first award, and that was enough for me to give my self a present. A present to meet her.
The journey wouldn't take too long, but I guessed it was enough to let me sleep at my seat. I couldn't sleep all night. I was too tired after finishing my concert in Rome, thus I hurried myself to pack my things and get ready to go to the airport. My upcoming concert in France was special, thinking about it made me smile. And I fell into a deep slumber, dreaming about the beautiful girl I had.
The announcement for landing was heard. I opened my eyes slowly and stretched my fingers. France. I was finally here. I smiled and prepared my self for landing. And that's when suddenly I heard a loud voice, followed by extreme heat from the front row.
What is happening now?
Everyone was screaming and I couldn't understand what had happened to me next.
I felt my seat was pushed by a loud explossion, throwing my body to crash onto the other side of the plane. My vision was blurry and I couldn't understand what was going on. The continuous crying and screams reverberated throughout the plane, the voices slashing my heart. I couldn't feel my heart anymore as though it had now gone from thumping too hard. Everything was dark and the only thing I could catch was the orange-red colors of fire...
I coughed, feeling my whole body crying from the pain. The smoke was too thick, I tried to hold my breath, struggling to keep my balance and striving to find the way out between the crying people surrounding me.
My violin! Where's my violin?
I gathered all of my strength to get back to where I sat before, but I couldn't find my vioiln case.
Where is it?
I panicked, quickly sending my eyes around to find the thing I treasured the most.
Another explosion was heard and now fire had filled almost every side of the plane. I could see everything clearly now.
The burnt woman, the children who cried for their parents, the running man, the boy who struggled to help his burning girlfriend... Everything was like a nightmare...
I wiped the tears which had kept on sliding down to my cheeks uncontrollably. My body was shaking and I was nearly fainted.
Kahoko... Kahoko.. Kahoko.. Kahoko...
I chanted in my mind, cupping my face with my palms. Kahoko...
Suddenly my eyes caught a familiar blue case near the fire in the front row.
I jolted and quickly rushed to the thing and hugged it tightly. I found the picture of Kahoko right besides my violin case. It was a half burnt, but I didn't care. I grabbed the picture and slid it to my pocket. Now that I got what I treasured the most, I had to find my way out from this nightmare.
Slowly I went to the emergency window, which was now blocked by the fire. I coughed and covered my nose with my right hand, while my left hand hugged my violin case.
I turned to see the exit door at the back side. I could see that the fire still hadn't reach that part. I ran to the door when suddenly something caught my leg, causing me to fall to the floor hardly. I turned my head to see a woman, crying for my help, with her back burning.
I goggled; fear was filling me up. I could only shake my head, trembling and staring at her helplessly. She kept on crying, tightening her grips around my leg, causing the fire to almost burn my leg.
Quickly, I pulled my leg off of her hands and moved my body far from her. And then, I could do nothing but dreadfully stare at the scene that followed—how her body was burnt by the hungry flame. Unable to take my eyes off of her, tears had began flowing onto my cheeks.
"I'm... I'm... so... sorry...," I murmured with choking sounds.
Kahoko, Kahoko...Kahoko!
My trembling hands tightened their grips on my violin case. I tried hard to set my breathing, but failed—I inhaled the smoke instead, resulting me to cough while an acute pain attacked my eyes. I struggled to stand with my powerless legs, striving to find my way out from this insane world.
I narrowed my eyes, murmuring her name over and over again. I had to stay alive. I had to stay alive for her.
I could see the evening sky outside the plane as I walked nearer to the exit door. People were shouting, giving me the sign to jump when they saw me from the outside of the plane. I didn't have any energy left, but I could see the hopes to stay alive. A man behind me pushed me and jumped outside, letting his body to be caught by the mattress. I lost my balance because of his push, but I still could force my self to stand. And I was ready to jump to the mattress, when a loud explossion was heard again...
The great heat and wave from the explossion were running towards me from my back. I felt my back like burning and the next thing I knew, I was already thrown to the air.
Kahoko...
And I hugged my violin tightly with all of my strength...
"Noooo!"
I snapped my eyes widely.
I got up quickly and sat in my bed, panting. My body was wet from sweats. The scenes were still playing clearly in my mind. My body was shaking hard, and my tears were rolling down on my cheeks.
I raised my hand slowly to cover my face.
That nightmare again...
I set my breathing to calm my mind. It had been a year since I had the accident. The time when I lost my left hand, because of the last explossion.
I got up from my bed, still with my weak legs. I took a glass of water and drank to get rid my fear.
After a while, I could calm my self again. I went to my bed again and sat there, staring at my left hand.
This evening... This evening I will propose to her... And I won't feel the fear to be alone again... Alone without my violin...
The grand Yokohama Hotel's ballroom was decorated with luxury and beautiful things. Flowers, ribbons, candles, and not to mention the foods were also decorated beautifully. The room was pretentious and elegant, showing how much money was spent for the party. That day was the day of my parents' twenty fifth wedding anniversary. The Tsukimori big family was all being invited. And every famous musicians, and also high class people such as politicians were also invited. The party really showed how famous the Tsukimori family was.
Kahoko looked nervous. She'd been hiding behind me ever since the party started. I had tried to persuade her to dance, or eat, anything she would like to get rid of her nervousness. But she simply shook her head.
I sighed.
"Kaho, I will introduce you to every guest here. Please, calm yourself," I rubbed her knuckle.
"O-okay," Kahoko nodded nervously.
The Tsukimori Family's effect was so big to her. Maybe she felt like a common person, trapped between the high class nobles. But she wasn't a common person. She was special. More special than anything in this world.
"I think you will feel better if you have met him," I said, sending my eyes to find a particular person.
"Who?" Kahoko raised her head to face me.
"There he is," I took her hand in mine, and led her to the place where the person I mentioned was standing at.
When we finally arrived beside him, Kahoko gasped.
"Hino! Tsukimori!" The man in a black tuxedo greeted with a wide smile.
"Tsuchiura-kun!" Kahoko howled.
"How..? I.. I thought you're in Europe?" Kahoko felt her nervousness had gone somewhere else.
"Yes, I just arrived this morning. I've sent an email to Tsukimori," Tsuchiura smiled warmly. He had not changed even a little. Still the friendly and caring Tsuchiura. Well, he was friendly and caring only towards Kahoko.
"Oh, so that email was from him, Len?" Kahoko turned her head to see me.
I nodded."Yes. Since you were really close to him, so I thought you would be happy if you could meet him here."
"Oh, Len...," Kahoko closed her lips to hide her surprise. Happiness was plastered on her face.
"You surely changed him, Hino. He's been really friendly to me, his enemy," Tsuchiura giggled.
"Ex-enemy," I stated.
"Yes, you two were friends during those concerts in the past three years. When Len was in Vienna and you were in France. You two often performed together. And that day too, you two were supposed to be together—"
Kahoko shut her mouth with her hand, realizing she had mentioned about that unlucky day for me.
Tsuchiura looked worried. He switched his glance between me and Kahoko, then he clapped his hands to change the topic.
"Shall we dance, Hino? It's waltz!" Tsuchiura offered his hand to her. "May I, Tsukimori?"
I nodded. "Of course."
"Thank you, Len," Kahoko smiled sweetly. Looked like she had been able to overcome her nervousness.
I only nodded and walked to the crowd. I had to greet the guests, since I was the successor of the family. For now, I might be able to avoid father's offer to take his business and kept on pursuing music by compossing songs. But I knew that as the only son, I would have to take over him someday.
Tsuchiura and Hino went holding hands to the center of ballroom.
Waltz... The song was played by my father's friends. Waltz was a love song. It had a legend that whoever danced waltz, they would be together forever. But of course that was only a stupid joke.
But maybe, that wasn't only a joke..., as my eye's corners caught their happy and soft faces, staring at each other while dancing...
"Kaho?"
I ran around the ballroom as I tried to find Kahoko. She was together with Tsuchiura just now, but where was she?
"What's wrong, Len?" Mother appeared in front of me. She looked worried to see me running around.
"Kahoko... She isn't here..." I panted.
"Kahoko? But I think I saw her together with your concours friend..." Mother rubbed her chin, thinking.
"Yes, they were dancing. But when I left them to greet the guests, I couldn't find them anymore." I said as I tried to set my breath.
"Maybe they're outside?" Mother suggested me to look outside the ballroom.
"Yes, mother. I will go outside," I nodded.
I walked out of the ballroom as I tried to calm my mind. I felt my heart was thumping loudly againts my ribs. I couldn't control my mind. I had a very bad feeling.
Am I wrong to let them meet? Am I wrong to let them dance?
I shook my head. I had to stay calm. I should not think bad about Kahoko. She's the best girl I had ever known. She would never do anything to upset me. And Tsuchiura was my bestfriend. He might've been my enemy in school, but we had gone through it.
I stopped my step.
Or maybe that was only me who thought him as my bestfriend?
I shook my head again.
Taking a deep breath, I walked outside the hotel. I stepped into the garden, tried to fill my lung with fresh air. I needed it to calm myself.
I walked through the garden and found a big and beautiful fountain. There were colourful lights, causing the water to reflect the rainbow effect.
I decided to take a little rest. I walked to the fountain to sit on the bench near it.
But then I couldn't move my legs. I couldn't move my body at all as my whole world was starting to freeze. My eyes couldn't even blink for a second. The scene in front of me was making me break into pieces.
Kahoko was kissing with him...
She was kissing him passionately, like she would never ever feel satisfied if she broke the kiss. Tsuchiura kissed her with the same amount of passion. They were kissing intensely, for a quite long time, and now she was already underneath him.
I clenched my fists as I started to feel anger all over my body. I felt my head was really hot and I couldn't stand the hurt.
My hands were trembling and sweats were dropping to my cheek.
Or were they tears?
I felt lika a mad man. I grabbed a tree's branch near me and broke it with all my strength. But even the voice couldn't make them stop the kiss.
I really wanted to close my eyes, avoiding all of the heart breaking scenes in front of me. But I couldn't. My gaze was freezing. I couldn't take my eyes from them... As I felt thousands knives were stabbing my heart again and again.
I couldn't take my eyes from Kahoko.
My lips were trembling as words were coming out over and over again.
"Why...? Kaho... Why..?"
I shook my head. My anger was now replaced by fear. I might not be able to live anymore.
What am I without my violin? What am I without her?
I closed my eyes finally. I found it really hard to swallow my saliva. I couldn't stand to see her with another man... With..
My bestfriend...
I raised my hand. My left hand. I stared at the scar.
If only I didn't have this scar... If only I could still pursue my music... If only I could still be the famous Tsukimori Len, who met with every music lover's expectations...
I wouldn't lose her...
I closed my eyes and covered them with my left hand.
No... It might be the other way... If only I didn't leave her to pursue music,.. If only I didn't search for meaningless fame... If only I didn't make her feeling disappointed everytime... If only...
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
If only I loved her more...
My mind was gone insane.
I decided to run as I felt sick so much and it made me really wanted to spit up. I ran and ran, as far as I could from the two of them.
I was panting when I arrived at the beach.
The evening breeze was supposed to make me calm. But the fact was it added my shivers.
I fell down to the sand as I felt my power was gone. I tried to stand but my trembling legs were not helping me. I gained all of my strength and stayed at the kneeling position, the best position that my legs could afford.
I gazed at the sea. It was dark and I could see nothing.
The perfect time and place to face the death.
I kept on staring at the dark sea. I was blank. I could feel a big hole was formed in my chest. A big and deep hole, and maybe nothing in this world could make it complete again.
My eyes caught a sparkling, sharp, and transparent thing on the sand.
With my trembling hand, I took the thing, as I laughed bitterly.
"If I cut my hand with this glass..."
I pressed my lips to prevent them saying another word. Hatred was engraven on my eyes.
I hate this hand. I hate it.
"I hate..." I whispered.
I raised my right hand to the air, holding the shattered glass. My eyes, stared at my trembling left hand on the sand, as I felt my body started to shake hard. Really hard as I couldn't kept my hand to hold the glass tightly. I narowed my eyes, trying to target my useless left hand.
I have to destroy this hand in one stab.
I took a deep breath, ready to stab my left hand.
But...
My memory betrayed me...
"Len, this is your 3rd birthday's present!" Mother and father kissed my cheeks as they gave me my first violin...
"Len, congratulations, you won your first concour!" Mother hugged me, she cried in joy.
"Tsukimori-kun, that was beautiful!" Kakoko smiled widely after our Ave Maria duet, causing me to hide my face from a deep blush.
"Tsukimori-kun, you're my target... I want to chase after you..." Kahoko blushed, she placed her eyes at the floor.
"Tsukimori Len, our best performer! You're nominated as the best new comer!" My manager said as he hugged me. Causing my lips to form a little smile, showing my satisfaction of my restless practices' result.
"Tsukimori Len, the young violinist was one of the victim. The doctors said that his injured hand won't be cured and this will be the end of his violin career. His fans are crying in front of his hospital, and the world is also losing one of the best musician."
The flashbacks were hitting my mind over and over again.
"Ugh..." I let the hoarsen voice came from my throat. And I cried...
I dropped my right hand and release the shattered glass.
I clenched my fists and buried my face on the sand.
My back was shaking really hard, I sobbed and sobbed, trying to release all of my sadness, all of my hurt.
I wanted to scream so bad, but I couldn't. The more I wanted to scream, the more I felt my lips pressed.
I wanted to show the world how much I lost my hand, how much I lost my violin...
And how much I lost her...
...But I couldn't.
Because I loved her too much...
"Len?" Kahoko smiled at me.
I stared at her with no expression. I have poured all of my emotions that night. And now, I felt empy.
"Hino-San, let's break up," I said.
Kahoko looked surprised.
"But... Why?... Len, are you kidding me? Did you call me to meet you at this cafe just for saying... Goodbye?"
I stared at her, still with my emotionless face. I could see her surprised expression. But.. I couldn't see her sadness...
"I found a good doctor. I will go to him. And I will be able to play my violin again," I said without looking at her. I kept my eyes to concentrate at my coffee.
"Len? Who is the doctor? Where will you go?" Kahoko insisted.
"I can't tell you. I choose my violin instead of you, Hino-San. I will live with my music forever. I realized that, if I will be able to play my violin again, I don't need you anymore."
Kahoko was shocked. Her lips were trembling. "So... That means..."
I got up from my seat.
"This is a goodbye," I stated.
Kahoko got up and tried to grab my hand. But I was faster than her. I avoided her and started to walk out of the cafe.
"Len!" She shouted from my back.
I took a little peek to her from my eye's corner.
How should I describe my feelings now?
I was... destroyed.
I was... perished.
Her expression... I should have not seen her. I should have known that I will regret this. For seeing her like this...
She even didn't cry for me...
I sighed and closed my eyes.
Kahoko... since when did you stop loving me? Is it because of that night? That waltz you had with him? Is it me who makes you to love him?
I pressed my trembling lips.
Kaji's words were playing in my mind.
"That's because she loves you. She's always loved you."
I smiled bitterly.
I opened my eyes and walked to the door. As I was exactly at the door, I stopped without turning my body to her. And I didn't want to face her either.
"Please be happy,..." I paused.
"...Kahoko," I whispered.
I clenched my fists, trying to push my self from breaking into pieces. And then I left the cafe as my cheeks started to be wet again...
The blue sky greeted me when I arrived at the beach. I walked closer to the sea, my feet stepped on the wet sand.
I sent my gaze to the blue, deep waves. I remembered that day... When I met her at this beach before my mother's concert. She wanted to take a pink shell, but I forbade her.
I smiled bitterly.
Memory...
I took a box from my pocket. I opened it to see the ring, the ring that was supposed to be our engangement ring.
I cupped the box in my hands as I closed my eyes.
"I'm the one who left you. I'm the one who selfishly left you because of music. You're innocent. You're still the great Kahoko everyone knows. Now you can be happy with the one you love... Please..., take this as my thanks to you.. For everything that you gave me."
I opened my eyes, and threw the box to the sea...
I was dancing with my darling to the Tennessee Waltz
When an old friend I happened to see
I introduced her to my loved one
And while they were dancing
My friend stole my sweetheart from me.
I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
Now I know just how much I have lost
Yes, I lost my little darling the night they were playing
The beautiful Tennessee Waltz.
Tsukimori Len
He learned to play a violin at the age of three. He was a violin prodigy who won every single concourse he participated in. He was the winner of inter-school concours at Seisou Academy. He left to Vienna at the age of seventeen, and became a famous musician at the age of nineteen. He was nominated for the best newcomer award at the age of twenty one, and he got an accident that made him leave his career as a violinist. Then he became a composser at the age of twenty two...
And so... his history ended at the age of twenty two, since no one ever saw him again. Was he dead? Was he alive? No one knows.
But maybe.. he was somewhere, still listening to the beautiful melodies of music... And thinking of the beautiful girl... he used to have.
~***FIN***~
NO, NO, NO, it's not really a FIN since it still has the continuation.
I take back the 'complete' sign.
Thanks for all of you who ask me for more.
This story will be a compilation of THREE SHOTS.
with new information and perspectives in every shots.
I was inspired by an old song, Tenesse waltz (really it's an old song, about 50's *giggles*)
Oh have you realized that I'm still with Len & Ryou as the main boys? Well I love them both XDD
The second chapter is waiting for you in the next page!
Now please HIT the button BELLOW! :))
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