Drip… drip… drip… the sound of raindrops falling onto the ground. Somehow, I felt peaceful, listening to the rhythm made by those crystal drops of water…

It would be wonderful if it would rain forever, won't it, Len? Hino Kahoko turned towards the photo that was framed and set up by her bed. It was taken during the last year she studied at Seiso Gakuen.

She then looked at herself through the mirror. Her long, red hair was tied up, and she wore a pale gown which was made of silk. She was beautiful… But in spite of that, her skin was pale and bloodless, her lips white, and her eyes… all the light was gone from the pair of golden iris. They always seemed to be looking at something very far away.

Kaho smiled slightly. But it was a smile only a sad and hopeless person would give. It was no use denying. She was ill. During the last year of college, she was forced to drop out. Everything she loved and enjoyed, she had to give up.

Her friends, well, they left Japan one by one, each with their future shining brightly ahead. Oh, how she had envied them. And yet, all she could do was to watch them off, always smiling and wishing for them, painfully holding back her tears. Each night, she would let them flow, bitterly crying herself to sleep. Desperation, disappointment, discouragement, was what filled her heart every day.

No one understood how hard it was for her. All these years, while waiting fearfully for her time to come.

Len. She tried to block his name out of her mind but it kept coming back. Len. Tears once again came to her eyes as she thought back all those things they had done together. Where was he? The only thing that she knew was that he had left soon after graduating from Seiso.

Len, I gave up violin. Will you be mad at me?

It kept raining, never ceasing…

The time came for the sad departure. Kahoko looked up to the sky and fixed her gaze on one of the grey cloud.

Then suddenly, she saw someone walking towards her home. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the familiar figure. It was him. So he had come back after all!

He appeared at her door. He looked stunned at the change that had come over his friend. He knew at once. The same thought that had came across everyone who had seen her – there was no hope.

He went over and knelt by the chair she was sitting on. "Kahoko." He called softly. Kaho nodded and smile. And for an instant she looked like the Kaho everyone had known long ago. She flew towards him, into his open arms. "I missed you." She whispered.

"Me too." His heart felt like it was breaking as he held her fragile form close to him.

"You know what; I gave up playing the violin." Len remained silent. "I'm sorry."

Len's body shook a little as he held her by the shoulders and looked straight into her eyes. He just wanted to look at her.

Kaho suddenly felt tired and she fell forwards onto him. "I have to go." She whispered again.

Len carried her, bridal style, and placed her gently and carefully onto bed. He caressed her cheeks tenderly and bent down to kiss her forehead.

"Sayonara, Tsukimori Len. Thank you for being with me all these times. I love you."

Len gripped tighter her hand that was in his. She paused for a breath then continued, "Promise me, you'll get over this soon but remember, to always keep a small place in your heart for your friend, Hino Kahoko."

"I will." He promised.

She smiled satisfied and lean back, glanced at him lovingly for the last time, drew her last breath and was gone. Looking so serene and painless.

The rain never stopped, it was the last wish of a red-haired princess, now sleeping ever so peacefully, by the name of Hino Kahoko.

~ END~


I do NOT own La Corda d'Oro.
No offense, I hope. I'm just trying my hands on something new.