NOTE: this story happens some time after the 4th selection (but not before episode 26 for those of you who watch the anime).

SUMMER

"Kaho-chan!"

Hihara Kazuki calls her name cheerfully. It is a bright sunny day where they will be together, playing a duet between the trumpet and the violin for the crowd at the park to hear.

Kahoko, on the other hand, is huffing and puffing. She slows down as she approaches Hihara, and smiles up at him.

"I made it! Thank goodness! Hihara-sempai, have you been waiting long?"

Hihara waits for her to calm down, smiling at her.

"Don't worry about it."

|~-~|

Today, Hihara had called Kahoko to come out to a park with him so that they could play together. Kahoko had naturally agreed to go, because she felt that she needed to practice with her violin in public so that she doesn't get scared of the stage or get nervous anymore.

This was the park they had played at before, where Hihara played basketball with his brother and friends; and where Kahoko had come across Osaki-sempai, who helped with the orchestra club that Hihara was a part of.

They had agreed to play Pachelbel's Canon, the song that Kahoko did in the second selection, at the place where Kahoko had heard Osaki-sempai play his violin.

Upon arriving, they put their instrument cases on the concrete and began to get their instruments out. When they were ready, they looked at each other and nodded. And they played.

|~-~|

Music always attracts a crowd. This crowd is full of parents with their children, or elderly couples slowly walking along. They stand in awe as Hihara and Kahoko played Pachelbel's Canon. And so did one other.

Aoi Kaji is there too. He hears the duet of violin and trumpet, and allows his ears to lead him to Hihara and Kahoko. He is entranced by the beauty and warmth of their music, and mainly stared at Kahoko as she played whilst closing her eyes.

Kahoko couldn't see him, of course. She was in the world of music, the world of Pachelbel's Canon created by Hihara and herself. She allowed herself to be immersed in the beauty of his music, and gave that beauty to her playing.

Hihara was also in his own world. Just him and Kahoko, doing duets like this, enjoying so many times like this, and coming back for more. He never wanted this song to end.

But alas, it did. Breaking the spell of music, Kahoko and Hihara came back into reality hearing everyone loudly clap and cheer them. Hihara smiled at Kahoko, and then waved his left arm to the crowd, saying "Domo!"

Kahoko smiles back at Hihara before looking at the crowd, being attracted to Aoi Kaji's face, who was still staring at her. He slowly walks up towards Kahoko.

"That... that... that was a beautiful performance."

He holds her hand and looks up into Kahoko's eyes when saying that. Hihara is unaware that Kahoko was being bewitched by another guy, he was still waving and saying thanks and hearing all the praises of the audience.

"I-I-I ... arigatou"

Kahoko is shaken by this stranger. Who was he, walking up to her and holding her hand like that? She couldn't get herself free of this grip, and willed Hihara-sempai to notice it and interrupt them.

"My name is Aoi Kaji. I will find you one day, and make you mine."

Aoi had said this in a manner of fact tone, still holding her hand, still looking at her. She blushed. He placed a rose in her palm, and, with one last lingering look, walked away.

Hihara had finally noticed Kahoko's stranger, and was trying not to get angry with him for kissing Kaho-chan's hand. Kahoko was staring in silent awe after the figure of Aoi Kaji, holding the rose upright.

This was a day they'd never forgot.