Disclaimer: No, I do NOT own La Corda d'Oro. But, I do own this story, thank you very much.
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I thanked the cashier as he handed me a bag full of my purchases. Nothing major, just a few things for my violin. Rosin and the like.
Nearing the door of the small shop located near Seisou, I heard a sweet twinkling laugh fill the air outside. I wasn't really curious, but something compelled me to look at who created the sound. I glanced out of the corner of my eye as I opened the door of the shop, and to my utter surprise, there was Tsukimori-kun and a girl that looked about our age, if not a bit younger. I took in what she looked like. First impressions make an impact, you know!
She was tall, almost as tall as Tsukimori-kun, it seemed. When she opened her eyes from laughing, her eyes were a sky blue colour. Her hair was about shoulder length, brown and it looked like it had some red in it. For some reason, I felt jealous that it was that girl instead of me that he was hanging out with. I scolded myself for feeling that way. I didn't see why I felt this way.
But, that didn't matter. As I took a closer look, I saw a smile dancing on his lips, a smile that tugged at my heart for some un-known reason.
From my surprise, I must have stopped walking somewhere in between noticing the girl, and Tsukimori-kun's smile. Because, suddenly I heard my name being called, snapping me back to reality.
"Hino?" Tsukimori asked, confirming it was me as he noticed I was standing there with my bag in hand.
I feel like such an idiot! I can't believe he saw me…Why didn't I just keep walking?
"A-ah, Tsukimori-kun! Nice to see you!" I smiled at him, trying not to seem too flustered.
"Len-kun?" I heard the girl next to him ask as she tugged on his sleeve trying to get his attention back.
"Oh, was I interrupting your date…? Gomen!" I apologized quickly and turned to leave before Len had a chance to speak, as tears threatened to over flow for some unknown reason.
"N-no… You misunderstand, Hino," he said with a slight blush creeping up onto his face as he grabbed my wrist stopping me from leaving, causing me to blush too. He quickly turned around though, as he tried to hide it.
"This is my cousin. Honda Arina," he gestured to the girl beside him.
"Nice to meet you," she nodded to me with a little smile on her face. "I presume you're Hino Kahoko, ne?" she continued, her smile growing bigger.
"Y-yeah! It's nice to meet you to—" I was interrupted by Honda-san.
"Please, call me Honda-chan. And, I'll call you Hino-chan," she suggested, like we had known each other for awhile. I didn't mind making a new friend though!
"I feel like I already know you! Even if you don't know me, Len-kun is always talking about you," she continued as Len looked away.
So that answers my question. I was wondering how she knows my name…!
I chuckled slightly then blushed, realizing what she had just said. I was surprised he would talk about me to say the least.
"Anyway, Arina-san is transferring to Seisou in a few days time. She plays the Violin. Like you and I." he said the last part with softness in his eyes I hadn't seen before. I quickly looked back at Honda-chan in hopes he hadn't seen me blush.
"When are you coming to Seisou?" I asked out of curiosity, returning to the original topic.
"Hopefully, on Monday," she said with a thoughtful look on her face. "There's still some paper work that needs to be sorted out."
I nodded as I said, "Oh, I can't wait to see you at Seisou then!" I was glad I'd have another friend at Seisou. Since I had befriended seemingly some of the most popular guys at school, I had received quite a few nasty letters and more than enough death glares.
She nodded but kept silent.
She really doesn't say much, does she? I mentally noted.
--
"Ne, Len-kun, can we take Hino-chan to the pastry shop I've been dying to go to?" she asked, wanting to see what type of pastries I would like.
He sighed and asked if it was alright with me. I just smiled at him and nodded. I was glad they included me. Even if they weren't very talkative.
As I walked behind them, it was an occasional silence which was quickly shattered by Honda-chan's enthusiasm for the pastry shop.
I was thinking about how similar Len and Honda-chan were. Except she seemed a little more talkative.
I gasped, realizing I had just called Tsukimori-kun by his first name, even though it was mentally… But still!
He looked back at me and asked, "What's wrong Hino?"
I just looked at him and smiled. Letting him know that I was alright in my own way.
He frowned a little, which I laughed at, causing Honda-chan to laugh. It was a chain reaction!
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A little while later, we arrived at the little pastry shop Honda-chan was raving about.
As soon as we entered, she made a bee-line for the display case, scanning the case for her pastry of choice. I joined her as we both began to ooh, and aah, over the delectable little pastries.
"Tsukimori-kun, why aren't you looking?" I inquired, noticing he wasn't near the display case, but rather sitting at a table he had saved for us.
"I don't like sweets," he said simply.
"Everyone should enjoy sweets though! And these look amazing!" I exclaimed, tugging on his sleeve, trying to drag him to the case of sweets.
"Len-kun, isn't that you're favourite?" Honda-chan asked suddenly as she pointed at a little fruit tart in the case.
"Yeah, it is. Have you guys decided what you want yet?" he asked, walking over the cash register.
"You don't have to pay, Tsukimori-kun!" I managed to get out as I rushed after him.
"We invited you, so it's our treat," he stated. I realized it was no use arguing with him. Sighing in defeat, I walked over to the table Honda-chan had sat at. I was wanting to ask a question that had been on my mind since I met her.
"Honda-chan, I have a question…," I began, looking at her for the signal to continue as I sat across the table from her.
"Shoot!" she nodded, smiling.
"Ano… How come you call Tsukimori-kun, Len-kun?" I blurted out, before blushing a deep crimson. I think she noticed, because I thought I saw an amused look flit across her face. But when I blinked, it was gone.
"Hm? Oh, well, I think Len-kun mentioned we were cousins, ne?" she asked before answering my question. I nodded, remembering when I had first met her.
"He began talking to me one day when our parents were having a party. I felt very honored that he would talk to me. Especially since he hardly ever talks to people. So, I just stick by him no matter what, I feel like I owe him…," she finished, but a blush had formed on her face. I noticed, but didn't pay attention to it…
"Oh, I see! Thank you, Honda-chan," I smiled at her as Tsukimori-kun walked back to the table with a tray that had the assortment of treats we had ordered on it. Actually, I noticed Tsukimori-kun had bought only one but…
Honda-chan and I quickly devoured the pastries we had bought.
"They taste even better then they look~!" Honda-chan squealed as she finished a Chocolate Truffle. I nodded in agreement as I continued to eat the Chocolate Éclair I had chosen.
Awhile later, we finally had finished the pastries even though Tsukimori-kun only sat and waited for us to finish.
"Thanks so much, Tsukimori-kun, Honda-chan!" I thanked them as we reached my house. Tsukimori-kun had insisted on walking me home.
"Of course, Hino-chan! See you soon!" she waved as she walked with Tsukimori-kun to his house.
Strangely, a pang of jealousy shot through me as I watched them walk down the block, with Honda-chan clinging onto Tsukimori-kun's arm.
"Good night Hino-san," he nodded to me as they left. I think he was even quieter today. If that was possible.
I smiled and bid him good night.
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I lay in my bed later that night. Reliving the day's events, and thinking of all that had happened. Meeting Honda-chan, seeing Tsukimori-kun, going to a pastry shop…
I smiled to myself as I remembered Tsukimori-kun's smile earlier that day. He looked even better with a smile. I sighed as I relived it.
Wait… What was I thinking?! I don't like him like that… Right? I blushed for what seemed like the fiftieth time that day.
I pondered this as I pulled the cover up around me and fell asleep.
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A/N: Well, Another fanfic! Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Ha ha, so, what do you think of Arina? A rival for Kaho perhaps? .
'Till next time,
~AnimeViolinist~