Good day readers! I have finally written after so long! :D Anyway, enjoy reading and please R&R. I really missed writing for you guys :)
He always thought that he had already won. He had the dream he had asked for. The dream he worked very hard for, overcoming all the obstacles that came his way. He was famous for the one thing that he truly loves doing. He was a person who everybody idolized.
However, he didn't feel like a winner at all. Not a tinge near like a winner.
Something felt missing. There was a void in his heart and he couldn't figure out what or why. He felt incomplete, even after all his perseverance paid off.
It was a Saturday morning. He had no practice for concerts, no appointments for his music business. That meant he had all the time for a day-out.
So he decided to go to the mall, to watch a movie or something, rather than just lounge around his house, bored to death.
But who would he go with?
Yes, he was practically a loser.
He knew no one who was free. He knew no one who could go with him. All his friends were busy today.
So, he had no choice. He went alone.
He walked by the mall slowly, trying to look at everything in detail. There were kids in the toy store, girls in the clothing lines, guys in the arcades, and adults in either bookstores or craft shops. It was a typical day in the mall, with each person knowing their place.
However, he didn't know what shop he belonged to. He just continued to look around and browse on all the items he could see.
Then, in a corner of the mall, he saw this music store. Displayed by the window was a beautiful sparkling gold grand piano. With eagerness and happiness, he immediately went inside. He didn't think twice of entering the store, but just let his instinct lead the way.
The piano pulled him in the shop for it was nothing like any other piano he had ever seen. It was truly the most beautiful and carefully crafted grand piano.
It had a different style of structure. Engraved in each of its four feet was a girl playing the violin. The pedals were also obviously made of gold. The lock and key to the piano was made of 10-carat diamonds. The wheels were made of the best kind of titanium there was.
It was sheer perfection, as he would look at it.
With that view, he knew he had to buy it. He was sure to buy it today, focused that nothing else would distract or prevent him in doing so.
But as soon as he turned around to look for the store owner, he saw a familiar face staring at him.
He knew who it was even after so many years. But he couldn't believe that they had finally met again.
"Uhh… hi Tsuchiura-kun," she greeted shyly.
The girl really wasn't sure if he still knew her. He was after all really famous and accomplished. However, she just couldn't believe that she had finally met again his friend from long ago. Years had passed from the last time they saw each other.
He was surprised yet he gave a smile. "Hino?" he asked staring at her for a while. "It is you! How's it been?"
She started to be the carefree and joyful person she was. "I'm fine. But enough about me, what about you?! I've heard a lot about you and your music wherever I go! I sure would love to know how to live a life like that."
He shrugged with a sigh. "It's not all luxury, I tell you. Anyway, we haven't seen each other for a while. Do you have somewhere to go?"
She shook her head. "No."
"What do you think of lunch in a French restaurant? I'll pay."
"Lunch sounds…uh… nice. But… uh… I can't just let you… treat me in a… French restaurant. We haven't met for so long! It's not proper!" she sadly stated, stuttering as well.
"Don't worry. We haven't kept in touch. It's the least I can do."
"Wait, what about the piano? Aren't you going to buy it?" she asked, pointing at it. She knew he came in the store just for the absolutely stunning piano. It actually caught her attention too.
Tsuchiura walked ahead and passed her. He put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Don't worry. It'll still be there tomorrow. After all, look at the price."
Hino took the tag and was astonished. "Four-hundred-fifty-million dollars for this piano!?" I can't believe it! You can afford this!?"
Tsuchiura chuckled in her reaction. She was still the same Hino Kahoko he once knew.
Yeah, I guess I can afford something like that. But it's sad to say that I can't have you, Kahoko. It may be selfish to think, but I would give up even that piano just to be with you. Even until now.
Eventually, they had eaten lunch in the French restaurant and had talked about their lives after studying in Seisou Academy.
Ryoutaro Tsuchiura was of course the famous, successful, talented, and rich pianist he aspired to be. Hino Kahoko in the other hand spent her life being a teacher at an elementary school just by the corner.
Nevertheless, no matter how worlds apart they were, it was still inconceivable that they were very good friends.
"So, how are the others? Have you kept in touch with them?" Tsuchiura asked as he leaned his back to his chair.
"Well… Hihara's pursuing the trumpet as a teacher in the music school just near the school I work at, so I see him a lot. We actually spend our breaks together," Hino explained.
Great. I'm sure she's taken by Hihara. They see each other everyday. He may be a pretty dense guy, but he must have gotten the guts to confess to her after so many years.
"Yunoki in the other hand, as you may have heard is a world class businessman who still plays the flute in concerts. Although, he visits Hihara and me every once in a while."
Maybe she's with Yunoki? He may not show it but he likes her too. And why would he visit her? A friendly visit? I think not. Yunoki doesn't care about women that much. All except for one.
"For Shimizu, he's still an artist in the process. He has small concerts every once in a while, but people say he's a blooming artist, since he gets better and better. I agree with them and I always watch his concerts. After all, he gives me front row seats."
It's possible that she's dating Shimizu. Front row seats must mean something. Plus, she's always there supporting him. It's either she's a very supportive girlfriend or a very supportive friend.
"Fuyumi is the same as Shimizu. Actually, they're both said to be blooming artists. The two of them sometimes join their concerts together. Anyway, she and I have become best friends. We usually hold sleepovers in each other's house, that's why we keep in touch, even if she now lives in the house where we once had the music camp, which is far from my place."
Could it possible that she turned into a lesbian and is dating Fuyumi instead?
Tsuchiura could only chuckle and rant in his mind on how and why it could happen.
Hino noticed something was the matter. "What's wrong, Tsuchiura?"
He came back to reality, and mentally stopped his mind from laughing. "…No reason."
"Anyway… where was I?? Ah! For Tsukimori…"
God. A talk about this guy again. Tss. This is gonna piss me off.
"He's also very famous in the field of music with his violin playing. He travels just like you, but sometimes we get to see each other when he's in Japan."
"How?"
Hino made a thinking look. She placed her pointing finger on the side of her forehead. "It just happens by coincidence. I just see him somewhere and then he sees me. Usually, we just eat somewhere and talk about how the other has been, just like this."
I don't know if I should be happy or annoyed when she said 'just like this'. After all, it was Tsukimori she was referring to.
He lied in his bed once he got home. He was bored yet again with nothing to do and nobody to talk to.
He looked at the ceiling and remembered her face.
She didn't change a bit. Well, yeah she looked more mature and more… beautiful, but… she's still the same person who I hanged out with before. I don't know if I'm… happy or scared if that's the case.
He then stood up and then decided to search under his bed for a box. He opened it and took out a photo album and a yearbook.
He scanned the pages one by one, looking at the joyful past he had with her friends and with… her.
I was happier before than now. But I have everything I can ask for. I became the person I wanted to be. I get to share my music with the world. I don't have to worry about what will happen tomorrow or in the coming days. But why was I happier before?
He continued on flipping the pages. Then, he saw those pictures. It was one of the best days of his life. The Concours.
The first picture on the page was when the contestants were asked to strike a pose for a banner of the Concours, they all seemed very comfortable with the idea and looked really happy. Of course, except Tsukimori. He barely looked happy.
However, the next pictures struck Tsuchiura the most. It was the candid pictures Kanazawa-sensei took of them. There were pictures at Fuyumi's summer house, at the school and at the other practices. They all had smiling faces. In one picture, Tsukimori even made a small smile because of seeing Hino play the violin solemnly and beautifully at the last stage of the Concours.
I'm the only one who has this picture. I took it using sensei's camera and took it immediately, once the pictures were developed. When I saw that picture, I decided right then and there that I wouldn't fight for my feelings for Hino. That was the moment that I started to become sad.
Flashback
"And the winner of the Concours is… Tsuchiura Ryoutaro."
It kept ringing in his head. The day after the Concours, he was still so happy of what he had done. He had won the competition. Now, the next day, he had decided to win something else.
Hino's affections.
He was determined to confess to her on that particular day. After his frustrations over the Concours were over, all he could just wish to do was tell Hino how much he loved her.
He walked slowly to her house, thinking of the right words to say. It had to be perfect. It had to be the best moment he had ever experienced. Even better than winning the Concours.
"Hi, Kahoko. Nice day we're having, huh? Well, you must be wondering why I came over. You see… I just wanted to tell you something. I've been hiding this for so long, and I think this is the perfect time to say it," he started to rehearse.
He afterwards made a deep breath. "Hino Kahoko, I lo…ve you. NOO! That's not right. Too eager. Uh… From the moment I met you, I knew you were special. You were different from other girls and I think I have fallen in love with you. NOOOO!!"
He was really anxious and eager at the same time. This caused him to act really weird.
Then, something happened. Something was heard.
"You're beginning to be out of character, Ryoutaro Tsuchiura," a mysterious voice from behind said to him.
He quickly turned his back, only to see an old fortune teller. "What!? Huh? How do you know my name, ma'am?"
"I am a fortune teller. I can see the future. I know everything. Would you like to know your fortune Ryoutaro?"
He shook his head. "I prefer not too. I'm sorry, but I don't believe in a set future. I believe a person sets his own future. Besides, I would rather just give you money than you give me fortune," he said in confidence then put a 100 yen on the fortune teller's table.
"No! You have given me money, so I must tell you your future!" she said in determination. "You, Tsuchiura Ryoutaro, will be successful in your piano playing. You will accomplish your goal and be the greatest pianist in your time. Your name will be known by the world."
He made a sweat drop, slowly turning his back from the old woman. "That's really nice, ma'am, but I have to go somewhere."
"Ahh, yes. To Hino Kahoko's house."
He was startled. He immediately turned around, diverting his attention back to the old fortune teller. "How do you know that!?"
"As I said, I am a fortune teller. I know the future. However I see that you may be blessed in your career, but not in romance."
Tsuchiura looked scared. "Please… don't go any further."
"I'm only warning you, my dear. Hino Kahoko is destined to be with Tsukimori Len. Everybody knows it, and you know it. She might not know it, but in the end, she'll belong to him. I'm already warning you; turn back now if you don't want to be hurt of this reality."
He felt really mad now. "I don't believe this! I'm sorry ma'am, but I have to go now." He immediately ran as fast as he could to Hino's house. I don't believe her. I make my own destiny. I will tell her how I feel, whatever happens. This is a day I would never forget.
The fortune teller looked at Tsuchiura sadly. "It pains me to tell these kinds of fortunes. That Ryoutaro is a great guy. He deserves to be loved. It's a pity that his fate has led him otherwise."
Tsuchiura continued running away from the fortune teller. He got to Hino's house in a couple of minutes. He panted for a while, and rested as he leaned by the wall.
Afterwards, when he was about to ring the doorbell, as he peeped thru her gate, he saw that Hino was already outside. Tsukimori was by her front door, talking to her.
"What's he doing here?" he asked himself.
They appeared to be talking and what made it weird was that Tsukimori was initiating the conversation. He appeared to be explaining something.
Tsuchiura couldn't hear any word, but only guess what they were talking about with their gestures.
After Tsukimori finished speaking, something happened. Because of it, all of a sudden, Tsuchiura fell on his knees. His mouth opened wide, and his eyes widened with surprise. He stood there gaping idiotically, as if there was no tomorrow. Hino just kissed Tsukimori and all he could do was stand there and watch.
As their lips parted, he ran away from her house as fast as he could. He wanted to cry. He really did. But he didn't want to look like a coward. Not him. Not Tsuchiura Ryoutaro.
After all, he was the strong soccer player, pianist, athlete, and whatever you name it! He couldn't bear to cry. It was his nature to just keep his feelings flooding inside, piercing his fragile heart.
The sky then dimmed fast and it began to rain, raindrops hitting his soft and delicate face. He joined with it tears of sorrow, finally stopping to run. The fortune teller was right, and there was nothing else he could do about it. He could just stand there and accept that fact. It was his fate.
End of Flashback
Now I remember. It's so clear. The day after the finals. The day after I won the Concours. I lost to Tsukimori. Hino chose him. They must still be together until now. I shouldn't intrude even now. Hino and I will always remain friends. That can't be changed. Fate destined that for us. And I can't change my fate. I have lost. I'm defeated. If only I could change things, I would choose to give up everything I have, even lose the Concours and my career. But I guess I can't do anything now. Tsukimori has won the battle. Maybe I was never even in the battle to begin with.
A/N: This is just the ending for TsukimoriXHino fans. For TsuchiuraXHino fans, wait for the upcoming chapter. He needs a happily ever after too, right? I just thought, when I do this, I satisfy both kinds of fans. :D Asides from those who like the other pairings. :P Though, I really thought this chapter was absolutely sad. I feel so bad in doing this to Tsuchiura! :(