A/N: Another Cinderella Story.//One-shot LenXKaho

Hello you guys, I came up with a little one-shot which I came up with out of nowhere and it gave me second thoughts if I should make one about this or not. And well, it's been haunting me for awhile now so I couldn't help but make it anyway. :D It's mostly inspired by La corda and Another Cinderella story (Hilary Duff's version not the Selena Gomez one. Or maybe just both.) and so I came up with this!

AU means alternate universe which means that it's not really related to the ordinary plot of the manga in any way. This kind of follows the cinderella plot with a few twists. :) She has no stepmother here but her really really annoying twin classmates, which are kind of like evil stepsisters as well.

So I hope you all like this and please leave a review. I'm sorry if my updates for Taking Chances are taking a little long. I just had to finish this first. :-) But don't worry guys, I will still continue to make more LenXKaho stories so just check in the review box author alert or story alert to keep updated. ;-)

*Note; The dress and hairstyle of Hino that are mentioned in the story around found in my profile, at least their links, in case you need a visual of it. ;-)

Disclaimer: I do not own La Corda or Cinderella or Another Cinderella story so please don't sue me. My brain thought of some way to actually combine the three together but please, I do not own them at aaaaall.

~Another Cinderella Story~

Once upon a time, in a land far far away lived a poor girl named Hino Kahoko. Her family was poor so she did not live like most women who wore expensive garments or clothing, spent their entire lives in huge mansions or palaces. She did not have enough money for her education so at the age of seventeen, she works at a diner part-time to pay for it herself and to use the other half of the money for her parents. Being an only child, she did not have much help so she became independent and strives hard to reach her goals in life. Hino was still seventeen-years-old with goals in life. These were to buy her own violin and to bring her family some wealth and money to support their needs and maybe find her true love. Hino knew how to play the violin very well but only borrowed violins from the school. And with her parents already working and nearing retirement, she was the only one they could depend on. And she didn't really have time to find her true love what with all the ruckus the twins made her do at work.

"Hino, work faster! Floors don't clean themselves!" shouted Mai and Mayo Tsugawa, twins and daughters of the owner of the diner. They were known to be really mean to the workers in the diner but whenever the owner - their mother - would visit, they would pretend to be angels.

Hino merely rolled her eyes and continued to scrub the floor, "Alright, alright. I'm on it." But then ketchup spilled on the floor, right where she had just finished cleaning. Her head snapped up to glare at the evil twins, "What's your problem?!"

"Rolling your eyes at your boss isn't the way to get yourself out of this mess. I can't even believe you're our classmate! You're nothing but a poor class girl, an outsider!"

"Just so you know, spilling ketchup on the floor isn't either! And excuse me, I work my butt off unlike you spoiled twins. You don't deserve to be pampered if you just laze around."

"Well," Mai looked at her twin and grinned mischievously, "Mothers coming soon and I'm sure we have a story to tell her. Hino Kahoko lazing around and talking back at her boss. Isn't that right, Mayo?"

"You're certainly right, Mai."

"Hm, smart aren't I? I'm the only twin who's got both the brains and the beauty."

Mayo raised an eyebrow, "Well what do I have?"

"Uh, none."

"How dare you!" and the twins fought each other just like they always have any other day. Hino sighed and went back to cleaning the floor which she had just finished a minute earlier if it weren't for the twins work. Again.

Once the twins settled down and sat on their favorite table in the diner, the doors opened and out came their mother, Minami Tsugawa. Hino watched as her real boss entered with a big smile on her face. Hino was much more comfortable with Minami-san around because she was much more kind and sweet than her daughters. 'And yet I still don't know how her daughters ended up so evil and mischievous.' Hino thought and she scrubbed the last speck of ketchup off the floor and proceeded to the windows.

Amou-san spoke to the chef, Hihara Kazuki. "Hihara-kun, do we have enough salmon to go around?"

Hihara smiled widely while he cooked some more soup, "We sure do, boss! From the money you gave me to buy some more food, we still have loads of supplies for the entire month."

"That's great! Oh and are you alright Hino-san? You look like you're having a hard time cleaning today." Minami walked towards Hino with a concerned look on her face. "Have you been getting sick? If so, you should take a day off."

Hino shook her head and smiled apologetically, ignoring the twins who were glaring at her. "I-I'm fine, Minami-san. It's just that..." she was about to tell Minami-san that the twins were making her work harder but she decided not to cause any more trouble. "...I'm kind of worried about my parents, you know? Mom's been having a slight fever from last night's shift. I've been telling her to retire soon since I'll be taking care of all the taxes from now on."

Minami showed an emotion of sympathy, "Oh I see. Would it be okay with you if I pay for your mother's medicine bills? Really, it's no big deal."

"No, no! I-it's too much, Minami-san. I can't bear to receive any more money aside from my salary. I'll find a way to pay for it."

Minami smiled, "Then you don't mind if I give you an early pay of your salary for the month, do you? It won't decrease anything from it so don't worry. It's for your mother's sake isn't it?"

But then the twins interfered, "But mother! Did you know that Hino's been sleeping on duty and even talked back to us when all we did was to encourage her to work some more? We even helped her clean!"

Minami arched an eyebrow towards her twin daughters, "Oh really? Well, I don't think Hino-san here would sleep on the job, do you? She's been working hard and don't forget that she's your classmate as well. Now go along to the carriage, your father wants to buy you some dresses for the grand ball tonight."

"A grand ball!" the twins squealed in delight, their eyes almost glimmering from the word. Hino raised an eyebrow in confusion, 'What's the big deal with this ball?' she thought.

"Oh yes, mother! We'll be going." Once they were out of their mother's sight, they stuck their tongue out at Hino but Hino barely noticed them.

"I'll be going back to work then, Minami-san."

"Aren't you going to the ball, Hino? Have you heard about it? The prince is finding a suitable wife for the time he becomes king. I'm still worried about my daughters, they both like him and when they quarrel they can be quite the mess."

'Do you mean everytime they find something to mess around with and argue with? Oh, I know definitely what you're talking about.' Hino sighed and shook her head, "I don't really think I'm able to go there. Besides, my shift tonight is until midnight and that's when the balls ends if I'm mistaken." 'I heard the prince is a bit cold as well so why bother going?'

Minami sighed in disappointment, "If only you were my daughter, I would give you everything you'd want." she brushed Hino's cheek and Hino turned as red as a tomato. "Well then, you should come! I'm sure you'll find extra money from the salary you'll have today. Here it is." And she gave Hino enough money to pay for her mother's medicine and even some extra money to pay for her tuition.

Hino bowed down before Minami, "Oh thank you, Minami-san! Thank you so much."

"No problem." Minami took a step forward to hug Hino.

"B-but I'm dirty, Minami-san -"

"I don't mind, I care for you like my own daughter. As well as your other co-workers, I make sure you're part of the family."

'Aww, she's so sweet. If only the twins were just like her, life would be a little more better.' "You're very caring and thoughtful, Minami-san. That's why we work so hard, it's because of your care for us. Thank you so much for that."

"I think I should be the one thanking you, Hino-san. Well, then I should be on my way. My husband doesn't want to wait any longer." she giggled and waved before she went on to their family carriage with the twins.

"You sure are her favorite, Kaho-chan. It's no fair." Hihara pouted but laughed later on while still holding his spatula.

"Well, what could you do? Hino's the only one working twenty-four-seven around here." Amou-san said while drying some plates in the kitchen sink. She winked at Hino, "How're your hands, kiddo? The twins worn you out?"

Hino snorted, very unladylike. "Puh-lez. Like they ever would in a hundred years, I'm used to them."

"I believe in you, girl. Working for them and even being their classmate in school. I wouldn't want to be either."

"But you are, aren't you?"

"Exactly." Amou-san frowned. "Oh thank goodness my shift ends after one more hour. I'm still preparing my own dress for tonight! I heard the prince is really good looking although he has a bit of a ice cold heart and a bit of a hard head but I just want to meet a few dukes in the ball. The prince isn't my type anyway."

"At least, you're not anyone's type." Hihara muttered but Amou-san glared at him, "I heard that you idiot."

And while the two were arguing, Tsuchiura came in with a huge sack of whatever but it looked heavy. Hino chuckled, "Why hello you macho thing you."

Tsuchiura rolled his eyes at Hino, "Knock it off, Hino. You're so unladylike."

Hino shrugged it off, "That's just who I am, take it or leave it."

"I think I'll leave it."

"Get out of here."

"I'm just teasing!" Tsuchiura chuckled and placed the sack in the kitchen, "Are you going to the ball?"

"Why is everyone asking me to? I don't have time for that."

"But you want to right?" Tsuchiura smirked.

"Yeah... I kind of want to."

"Cause you like the prince?" Amou-san giggled. "You do seem like the kind of girl who would need to marry a prince. He'll be sure to buy you that violin you've always wanted not to mention help your parents out."

Hino blushed, she did not like the prince at all. "I don't like him, he's cold and rude and definitely not the kind of person I want to marry. Sure he's a prince and sure he's rich but I want someone who'll love me for me."

Just then an old lady wearing ragged clothes came in the diner with a sad look on her face. The people in the diner stared after the lady in disgust and ignored her when she asked for money. Hino approached the old lady, "Miss, do you need some help?"

The old lady looked up at Hino with her almond eyes tearing up, "I just need some food, dear."

Hino, touched by the old lady, let her sit on a chair and ran immediately to Hihara. "Hihara-sempai, would you prepare some salmon for the old lady? She really looks hungry."

Hihara hesitated, "B-but she looks so scary."

"Oh stop being such a kid and just at least cook a piece and I'll be the one to give it to her."

"O-okay." And while Hihara cooked, Hino gave the old lady a glass of water and told her to wait a little bit more. The old lady simply smiled at her, "You are the first person to ever give me some food. I wish there were more kind people just like you."

Hino smiled and let her drink some more, "Thank you, miss but I just really wanted to help. Here's your salmon."

The old lady smiled at Hihara as well, "Thank you young man."

Hihara grinned, "Heh, no problem ma'am."

Hino helped the old lady make her way out until they were at the back of the diner. Hino watched as the old lady ate and finished her salmon, "Do you need some mo -"

And suddenly, before Hino's eyes, light surrounded the old lady and she turned into a ...fairy. "E-e-e-eh?!"

"Hello there, Hino. I am your fairy Godmother."

"WHAT?!" Hino fell backwards and fell to the grass, "Y-y-y-you must be mistaken, I'm no fairy."

The old lady, dressed in a blue robe with a little pink ribbon around her waist and not to mention the wings that were on her back, looked much different from the old lady she just fed awhile ago. The fairy chuckled, "Yes you aren't but I'm sure I'm not mistaken. You are a generous, hard working and kind woman. I know you've been living through a lot of hardship, Hino Kahoko."

"Yes, I am but h-h-how did you know my name?"

"Well, I've been watching over you ever since you were a little girl. You deserve so much yet put your parents and others first before yourself. You have a very clean and pure heart, Hino. And you deserve some time for yourself now."

"I-I'm going to the ball?"

"You sure are! Now, first we must make the perfect dress for you." And so with the wave of her wand, Hino's body suddenly flooded with bright light and replaced her filthy diner clothes with a white silk tube dress. The sweetheart neckline of the tube showed little cleavage, not too revealing and not too flat either. The bodice was tight around the upper body and it complemented the curves of her body from her chest to her petite waist, embroidered with crystals, precious metallic threads and silver sequins making her skin look fairer and full. The full length skirt was a combination of silk and satin fabrics.

Hino's hair was now tied up and her bangs were braided and tied around the top of her head, leaving a few loose strands of hair, making the shape of her face look more heart shaped. She did not wear much make-up - nor did she need much - and the last detail was the silver tiara filled with cleared colored crystals on her head.

"My goodness," she gasped in amazement, almost falling into tears. "T-thank you so much!" She rushed up to her fairy godmother and hugged her tight.

"O-oh! Ahahaha, you're very welcome my child." The fairy staggered backward but got on her feet and hugged Hino back with a smile. She pulled away and held her face carefully, "This is all for you, to have a one-in-a-lifetime chance of having the night of your life and perhaps even meeting the man of your dreams."

That caught Hino off guard, "T-t-the prince? But he's cruel."

"My child, if that were ever true, why would I let you go to this ball? Have you ever met him?"

"No." she admitted.

"So don't make such assumptions, just go to that ball and enjoy but I must warn you," the fairy waved her wand up in the air and an image of the huge clock tower appeared, the arms of the clock pointing at the '12,' "You must be outside the palace gates when the clock strikes twelve for magic will disappear and I will bring you back in time for the end of your shift. I'll be putting a spell over the diner so they will not notice your absence."

"I will, fairy godmother. I promise."

"Then go on and enjoy!" and in the blink of an eye she was in the gates of the palace. There were the palace guards and several women who gathered to have their chance with the prince. To have their chance at becoming his wife and eventually becoming queen.

Hino took a deep breath and brushed a strand of her hair away from her face, 'Get a grip of yourself, Hino. This is a rare opportunity to be at the palace without looking like a poor girl and... maybe even for just one night, you will fall in love.'

And so Hino Kahoko gripped the skirt of her dress and entered the gates of the palace where she would finally have her dreams come true. At least, one of them.

Tsukimori Len, only son of the king and queen and a gifted violinist, scowled as the palace was filled with lively music and young ladies who were barely of his taste. He didn't even approve of this nor even wanted to be a prince in the first place. Not that he had a choice, it's in his blood. But still, he had other things he wanted to achieve in life such as traveling the world as a musician and a violinist. That seemed more suitable to him instead of courting girls of his age just so they could be queen and be pampered and lavished with riches of the land. None of these women will ever truly know the real him, a man who only wants to be known of his talent and not of his family tree.

This is was got him so upset ever since.

He turned to his mother and father who were seated at their thrones, watching dukes and duchesses dance the night away. "Mother, father. May I please proceed to my room where I can banish myself from this nonsense?"

His father sighed and tried his best not to scold his son in front of everyone, he had tried to ever since he became a teenager. And yet he was already seventeen years old, nearing the appropriate age to marry and become king, and still acting as if he didn't want this kind of life at all. But he couldn't do anything about it. "Son - Len - please make this night an exception and talk to a few young ladies. You might find someone who is worthy of becoming your wife."

"I wish not to do so."

"But you must."

"None of them are ever going to be worthy of becoming my wife. All they'd want is to become queen and take over this land that our family has worked so hard on. But in my opinion, traveling the world and living my life through music is more worthwhile than my time stuck in this palace!"

His mother - the queen - stood up and placed a hand on her son's shoulder, giving him comfort. "Len, you have not looked hard enough. I know this may not be of your liking but it is not for us but for you. There is still enough time to go around the world and play the violin all you want but wouldn't you want to share it with somebody? Besides, by the time you become king - "

"I know, mother. I won't be able to do such things since I'll be taking care of everything else here. I know, I know." he sighed, finally admitting defeat. "But if I don't find a single woman who is suitable - "

"Then we will not force you." replied his mother.

Tsukimori bowed down and kissed his mother's cheek, "Thank you... mom." and he walked down from his parent's throne and walked towards the Great Hall.

The king was taken aback, "That should not be! I don't want my son to become the first king not to be have a queen by his side - "

"Of course he won't be, he'll find someone. I'm most certainly sure of it."

---

Hino entered the Great Hall and found several women, women who were of her age or a few years younger, gathered around the dance floor but gave way for somebody. For the prince!

"Kyaaa~ It's prince Tsukimori!"

"Oh, he's so handsome."

"He looks so angelic! I don't even think he's as cold hearted as the rumors been saying!"

"Oh, please dance with me!"

The girls continued to gush over Tsukimori but he simply nodded towards one lady in purple and asked her to dance with him. Yet he seemed unhappy but the girl accepted, not even noticing the blank look on his face. They started to waltz across the dance floor and Hino walked in through the crowd to get a closer look.

"Oh my, look at that girl. She's so beautiful."

"I love her dress! Where is she from? She must be from a country far away!"

"Hmph, I knew I should've made my dress custom made!"

Hino attracted attention from the way she looked, nobody recognized her. The girl who worked in the diner.

As more and more girls started to stare towards Hino's direction, Tsukimori and the girl who he was with stopped dancing and followed everyone's gaze. At Hino.

Tsukimori's eyes widened as he laid his eyes on her. Her unique dress and how wonderful her body looked in it, her hair as it was tied up unlike all the other girls here who's hair trend was to have their hair down straight and made their face look long and disfigured. Hers made her heartshaped face more prominent. But what surprised him the most was the look she had on her face. If she was like any girl, she would look flattered, proud about how hard she worked on her image and would have certainly enjoyed all the attention she was getting.

But no. This girl was blushing, red as a tomato, looking more embarrassed than overwhelmed. She looked humble and didn't want any of them to be looking at her and this was what made Tsukimori find her most attractive. He let go of the girl he had gone dancing with and approached the mysterious girl.

"Excuse me, but may I have this dance?"

Not until a few seconds he had gone in front of her did she realize the prince was actually speaking to her, "O-oh! M-m-me?"

Tsukimori chuckled, even smiled a bit to everyone's surprise, some even gasped in shock. "Yes, you." he reached out his hand towards her in a gentlemanly gesture and waited for her response.

"Yes." she murmured as soft as a whisper and Tsukimori held her hand gently, as if she was as fragile as a flower, and walked with her to the center of the dancefloor. They stood in front of each other and bowed down. Hino tried to follow the prince's moves but she only looked awkward since she barely knew what to do.

"Are you confused with the dance steps? This is just a simple dance." Tsukimori arched an eyebrow.

"Well, quite frankly, I don't know how to dance at all." she laughed nervously, keeping her gaze away from him. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't - " she started to walk away but Tsukimori got a hold of her hand.

Hino looked up at him and met his golden eyes, 'Wow...how mesmerizing they are.'

"Isn't that what a prince is for? To lead his partner in the dance, I'll show you." He pulled Hino closer to him, placing her left hand on his shoulder and holding her right hand upright. "You see?" Hino started to feel better until Tsukimori held her waist, she jerked involuntarily. Causing a few giggles from the people who were watching.

Hino closed her eyes shut and cursed in her head, 'I am an idiot.'

"There's no need to be nervous," Tsukimori whispered only for Hino to hear, "You're not the only one who's nervous."

But before Hino could reply, they were turning and turning and turning into an endless circle around the dancefloor. Hino kept her eyes on her feet, paying extra attention so as not to step on his feet. Oh, that would be a disaster.

"Don't be scared to step on my feet," Tsukimori murmured as he lifted her chin up to face him, "Just keep your eyes locked on mine, okay?"

"Okay."

A few more minutes tickled by and they had been dancing on and on, the Tsugawa twins arrived and noticed that the prince they've been looking for was dancing with somebody else. Mayo gasped, "How dare she? Who is that girl who's dancing with my prince?"

"Your prince?! You mean my husband! She has no right to keep her filthy hands on him!" Mai exclaimed in anger, they both continued to argue until people were starting to notice them. People turned to glare at them for they were disturbing the wonderful scene that was happening in the Great Hall. It looked as if the prince finally met his bride-to-be.

As Hino smiled sweetly back at Tsukimori while they continued to dance, her attention was suddenly caught by the twins and she was suddenly afraid that they might see her. She was skipping her shift after all. She let go of Tsukimori and bowed down before him, "Excuse me, I-I have to go."

"But the dance isn't even over yet! Wait - " Hino ran towards the palace garden, straggering a bit in her shoes. 'Darn these, if only I took knew how to walk on them I'd be out of here faster!'

As soon as Hino reached the garden, she walked over the pond and sat on the soft grass, sighing. She leaned her head on her hand, disappointed at herself. 'Why did I run away so suddenly? I really must be an idiot.'

"There you are!"

Hino looked behind her and there was the prince, his forehead covered in sweat and his chest was heaving from trying to catch his breath. "You...why did you run away?" he asked.

"Because..." she bit her lip before speaking. "I don't want to be caught."

"Caught? Are you hiding from somebody?"

Hino nodded, "Yes."

'Could she be a criminal? I don't think so. She looks like somebody who wouldn't hurt a fly.' "Well then, let's go some place private. Will you come with me?" and again, Tsukimori reached out his hand towards her. Hino hesitated, she glanced momentarily at the clock and it was only an hour to go before it was midnight.

"Alright."

"Where are we?" Hino asked as she followed the prince through a secret passage that was hidden in the garden, just in front of the pond. Tsukimori pressed one brick of the wall and suddenly, a dozen other bricks lifted showing a dark tunnel leading to... to where?

"We're going to my favorite place in the palace." he said as he smiled softly at her and took her hand. Tsukimori took the small lantern and used it as a guide through the tunnel.

"And what exactly is this favorite place of yours?"

"The music room. It's where all different kind of instruments from around the world are kept and are used by my family for generations. These instruments are custom made, usually each instrument belongs to a certain king or queen of another time and these instruments that they have used are passed on to their children and their children's children and so forth. Well, the downside is that since times have been a little harder these few years, music is barely being practiced anymore. My grandfather and grandmother and even my own parents don't take music as seriously as I do. They take it as a hobby and nothing more but for me... it's so much more. I've been playing the violin for as long as I can remember."

Hino felt overwhelmed by this. She didn't know what to say. "I didn't know someone could be so passionate about something although I do also take an interest in music. The violin to be exact."

"You play as well?" She could've sworn she saw his eyes light up just now.

"Well, yes but not very well. You see, I haven't had the time to practice or even let someone teach me." 'Because I'm too deprived to do so.'

"How come?"

"It's... complicated." she turned her gaze away from his when he raised an eyebrow but Tsukimori decided to ignore it.

"Then I will teach you instead. I have a feeling you'll do better than what I expect from you."

"We barely even know each other and yet you expect from me now?" Hino made a face but giggled to say that she was just teasing.

"M-maybe that was the wrong word, I mean what I think you can do." his smile faded as fast as it had come. "I know the feeling of being someone people expect a lot from. It gets annoying, irritating when you don't give them what they ask from you."

Hino squeezed his hand, "Hey, what about that tutoring? I'm looking forward to it." she smiled, keeping the atmosphere light.

The finally reached the door to the palace, "Here we are." and when they opened the door, they ended up in the huge library. The library had several bookshelves lined up behind one another on one side of the room with tables and chairs on another. It looked like the one from her private school but slightly bigger, her jaw dropped in shock.

"I'm quite surprised you're easily pleased by this place. It's only the library." Tsukimori showed a face of concern.

Hino blushed and closed her mouth immediately, "I... it's just so huge."

"I reckon you've seen better places than this boring one. You seem to be someone from a place far away from here."

"Oh, but I'm closer than you think." she muttered.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"Uh, no. The music room then?"

Tsukimori held the small of her back and led her outside the library through the hallway, three doors away from the library and opened the door of the music room. This room was smaller than the library but more attractive for the whole place filled with instruments kept in glass cases for display, as if it was a museum. Cellos, violas, violins, even pianos of all sorts were kept in here and all these instruments have been in this place for generations.

Tsukimori went to the wooden closet that was placed on the right side of the room and opened it to reveal a golden violin. It was beautiful. "This violin is mine."

"It's gorgeous, definitely one of a kind."

Tsukimori chuckled briefly, "All violins are one of a kind, though they may look the same but if you look a little closer. Each is unique and has it's own design. But a violin can only play well if the owner knows how to use it well."

"But doesn't one's feelings towards it's violin matter the most? That music isn't something to be looked at as a chore but as something special?"

Tsukimori blinked, surprised and at the same time amazed at her reply. "You are absolutely right." He sighed, "I guess, I admit to thinking that the only way I can get better at my musical skills is if I improve my technique and fingerwork."

"That is alright but that's not what I meant," she smiled, dimples appearing right at the corners of her lips. "How about if we put it this way, what would you want to express through your music?"

"...my music? But how is that possible, I'm not a composer."

"But it is possible. You see, I may not be much of a musician but I do listen to classical music a lot and what I've learned at first is that it was quite boring and it bore no meaning to it. Unlike songs that had lyrics, they usually mean something but what I thought at first was classical music was just instruments playing." she shrugged and Tsukimori listened to her very carefully, absorbing the things she was saying. "But I was mistaken, classical music means just as much as lyrics in a song because the piece is also trying to show the composer's emotions and message through his or her pieces. And when I listened more, I learned that this music easily talks to my heart, as if moving it."

"So what you're saying is...?"

"What I'm saying is that technique is not all that makes one's performance so special, not the level of skill or anything like that but how the person playing the piece is able to show his emotions and is able to move the person listening to it. But don't worry, your majesty, you are a wonderful violinist and you truly do move me with your violin playing."

"Don't call me 'majesty,' I thought you understood that I don't exactly like being known for my royal blood. Tsukimori is fine."

"Tsukimori then." she smiled. "Tell me, why do you hate being a prince so much?"

Tsukimori sighed, "I guess, I just don't like being stuck in one place. I want to go around, explore the world and listen to more music and it's always been my dream to perform in front of a live audience but I've been so occupied by my princely duties that I just haven't had the time. It frustrates me how little freedom I have."

Hino could only nod at Tsukimori. She never expected a prince to feel this way, feel so annoyed and upset about being in such a rich and wealthy family. The royal family even. It just seems... wrong but she understood him. She, too, hasn't had the time to do what she wanted since she was too busy working for her family and for her education. Not even to buy herself dresses or jewelry or any of those fancy things, not that it bothered her anymore but still, she knew she couldn't. She was just an ordinary poor girl.

"But enough about me, why don't you play." Tsukimori suddenly grinned and reached out his violin towards her. Hino shook her head furiously and stepped backward from him.

"Me? Oh no, no, no, no, no. I'll just watch you."

Tsukimori's lip tugged at one corner, kind of like a crooked smile. "I'm sure you know me as a gifted violinist but I want to hear you. I want to hear your music."

Hino's eyebrows pulled together and bit her lip. "Fine, but I warn you I'm not very good." And Hino began to play the only piece she knew by heart.

Ave Maria.

After Hino had played Ave Maria for Tsukimori, the two went back to the garden through the tunnel and stayed there for the last remaining minutes of the ball.

"You're missing a lot, I wager a lot of women were waiting for their chance to dance with you." Hino murmured in Tsukimori's arms as they sat on the soft grass holding each other.

"Well, I don't mind at all because I've got my eyes set on the woman I'm holding now." Hino turned her head to face him but she didn't realize he had been so close, if she leaned in a little closer their lips would be touching....

"Tsukimori..."

"What's your name, mystery girl? I've never seen you before."

Hino opened her mouth to speak but she heard the clock tower ring it's bells meaning that it was already midnight. She pulled away from him and stood up, "I-I'm sorry. I have to go. Bye!"

But Tsukimori caught her wrist, he had stood up too. "Your name, tell me your name and I'll find you tomorrow."

"I can't!"

"Why not?"

She struggled out of his grip but failed, "Please - !" and before she knew it, there was something that was on her lips. Tsukimori had kissed her.

"If you really have to, come back and meet me here two days from now. Right at this spot. Okay?"

"Okay." and she stood up on her toes to kiss him once more. "I'll be here." and she gripped the skirt of her dress and ran away as fast as she could. Hino could already feel the magic fading away, her dress was slowly turning back into the worn out uniform she wore at the diner. She was able to get out of the palace gates but the diner was much too far to walk on foot.

"Oh, fairy godmother, please help me."

"I'm right here my dear." The fairy godmother giggled as she appeared right beside her, "Hold on tight!" and with the wave of her wand, she was back at the diner with everyone still there but they were getting ready to close.

Hihara smiled at Hino, "Nice work today, Kaho-chan. Thanks for helping me out in the kitchen, Madam Minami was very kind enough to give your salary early. Take care alright?"

Hino raised an eyebrow, completely confused. The fairy godmother really did put them under a spell, 'I wonder if they're still under it.' she walked towards Hihara and snapped her fingers in front of him, "Hihara-sempai? Are you alright?"

Hihara blinked, "Of course I am. Anyways, you better go back home. Your mother must be worried sick about you...even though she literally is sick."

"Okay, Hihara-sempai. I'll go now, thank you. You take care as well."

And so Hino went back home, passing by the drugstore to buy her mother's medicine. As soon as she arrived at her house, she fed her mother her medicine while her dad was already fast asleep. After she kissed her mom goodnight, she went up the stairs to her room, took a quick shower and got ready for bed.

Looking outside her window at the moon, she played back all the moments she had at the ball. Remembering how she danced with Tsukimori and how his kiss was so sweet and gentle and warm...

"I'll definitely be there."

to be continued...

Okay so I guess this is too long for a one-shot. So I'll be making it two or three chapters. :)

Please leave a review and I'll be updating taking chances very soon. ;-)

Thanks guys! I hoped you liked it!