Chapter 1. Everytime

"And now, presenting one of the greatest musicians of the century, Len Tsukimori!" An enthusiastic voice boomed from the speakers.

Len walked to the center of the stage. Applause greeted his ears as he got ready to play his violin. He adjusted his poise, gestured to the orchestra that was to accompany him and looked out at the audience in front of him. These spectators were the lucky ones who were able to snatch tickets before his concert was completely sold out. He was performing in Paris tonight.

Len's success was outstanding at his age. He became one of the youngest, most revered musicians in the world. His solemn face was splashed across newspapers and magazine. He had many fans. They varied from the few who truly appreciated the art of classical music to the teenaged, die-hard fan girls. His talent was remarkable for one so young, but he was, after all, the genius son of two who are accomplished in the field of music.

When the applause died down, the orchestra started. Len soon joined them. The crowd closed their eyes to fully appreciate the melodic tune that Len produced from the strings of his violin. His bow flew across the strings with supreme accuracy, but it was the feeling of the song that truly hypnotized his audience. It was peaceful, but it was also marred by a haunted longing that sent shivers down the spine of each person who listened. Len's eyes closed while memories overwhelmed him; memories of her. They were clearer now than ever before, even clearer than when he saw her nearly every night in his deep slumber. He opened his eyes once more and he thought he caught a glimpse of red in the shadows. He nearly jumped in surprise, but he managed to compose himself before he made a mistake. I have to stop thinking of her, he thought, as he played the last note of the Ave Maria.

Len stayed on the stage longer than everybody else. He just stood there, holding his violin and his bow while he thought about his latest hallucination. It almost seemed as though every time he played at his best, she would come back to haunt him. His memories with her were much stronger and much clearer than before. Thoughts rushed in his head like cannonballs firing simultaneously. Perhaps he should have gone home to see her more often. Perhaps he should have put more trust in her. Perhaps he should have worked harder to keep her by his side.

"Monsieur Tsukimori, is something wrong?" One of the stage hands asked him, worriedly.

Len snapped out of his reverie. "No, nothing is wrong, Monsieur," he replied. Unsmiling, Len returned to the dressing room with a troubled mind.

Kahoko Hino walked out through the large doors of the Arts Faculty of Tokyo University and took a deep breath of fresh air. She smiled. Her music professor had just named her the most outstanding student in her class. Then, he proceeded to inform her that she had been chosen to play a duet with a famous, Japanese violinist for the annual "Tokyo's Musical Talents Festival". Professor Watanabe, a specialist in music, had told her that they were to perform in the new concert hall in the heart of Tokyo. He gave Kahoko all the information she needed to know about the festival, but did not mention who she would be performing with.

"It's a surprise!" the Professor whispered excitedly and bounced away.

Kahoko was honored. She practiced her violin day and night and worked hard to become proficient. Nowadays, it wasn't her magic that guided her fingers and her bow, it was her own heart, soul and mind that willed her fingers to move and create a delightful melody.

Still, Kahoko felt a twinge of sorrow in her heart. The last time she had played a duet was with him. She did not think of him often these days, but she still remembered the laughter, the love and in the end, the tears after their separation. She often wondered whether he thought of her, as much as she thought of him, but she assumed that that was highly improbable due to heir messy break up. She remembered that very well…

"Len, we need to talk," she said seriously. She gestured for him to sit down. She seemed to have trouble finding the words that she wanted to say, so Len encouraged her.

"Go on," he said. "I'm listening."

Kahoko took a deep breath and steadied herself. "Len, you know I love you, right?" she said quietly.

"Of course I do. I love you, too. Wait. If this is about me sleeping around, I've told you a million times-"

"Len, it's not about that," Kahoko interrupted him abruptly. She looked down. "I love you so much. I really do! We were so happy together." Len raised an eyebrow at the past tense.

"I hate to do this but… you've got a great future ahead of you. You're the greatest violinist our age that I've ever met and… things aren't going so well between us right now. You're in Austria and I'm here and…"

Kahoko raised her eyes to meet Len's.

"I-"

"Don't think that it's working out anymore?" Len finished for her. She looked at him while tears started to well up in her eyes. Len paused, and then he said, "I don't think it's working out either, Kaho." He leaned back. "You're right. We're so far apart. I'm going to be in Austria for a while and you're staying here in Japan. We barely see each other, even when I return home and…" he looked directly into her eyes. "You don't trust me."

"I'm so sorry, Len," Kahoko sobbed.

"It's okay. I've lost trust in you as well," Len hardened his eyes toward her. They softened again while she sobbed.

"So then… this is it?" Kahoko said uncertainly.

"Yes," Len replied softly with a hint of coldness.

"I-I" Kahoko stammered. "Goodbye," she finally said.

"Goodbye," Len said and walked away.

Before her eyes could well up with tears from the memory, Kahoko managed to push these thoughts to the back of her mind and went home, wondering who she would be playing with at the upcoming music festival.

Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda d'Oro and its characters.

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