So, here I come to present you my 2nd fic. This time it's much more intense. It has been rated M for mature 'cos the theme isn't suited for the younger readers. You have to be able to read and comprehend this with open mind. And believe me, it happens in real life more often that you know!

This story was betaread by Nerizu. Thx again, gal! ;)

Now please sit back, relax n enjoy this story ;)

Disclaimer: La Corda d'Oro belongs to KOEI and Kure Yuki. I only own the plot, I guess =D

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Prologue

Fuyuumi opened the door, finding Hino standing outside, looking grim.

"Kaho-Senpai?" Fuyuumi called, worried. "Come in".

Hino entered slowly then took her shoes off.

"I'm sorry for intruding at this late hour, Fuyuumi-Chan," Hino said clutching tightly to her bag.

"It's alright, Senpai. Please, take a seat. I'll prepare you a cup of tea," Fuyuumi answered with a soft voice, indicating with her hand for Hino to enter to her living room.

Hino nodded slowly, then walked in to Fuyuumi's living room and sat on the sofa, still clutching her bag on her lap. Fuyuumi followed in, looking concerned. But then she disappeared to her kitchen to prepare the tea for her guest.

A while later, Fuyuumi appeared again in the living room, holding a tray with two cups of tea on it. After putting the cups on the table and putting the tray away, she sat on the sofa across Hino.

"Please, Senpai, have a drink," Fuyuumi said.

Hino forced a weak a smile. "Thank you, Fuyuumi-Chan," she said then reached for the cup in front of her.

Fuyuumi noticed that Hino's hand was slightly shaking as she held her cup. She looked worriedly at Hino's features. She looked pale, ready to cry, so weak and so vulnerable. Something's so wrong, she thought.

"Mmm... Senpai. Is there anything I can do for you? You didn't sound good when you called a while ago," Fuyuumi cautiously said.

Hino put her cup back on the table. She bowed her head, hiding her grim face under her bangs, biting her lower lip. But she didn't say anything. It was like she was fighting the urge to say or not to say something.

"Kaho-Senpai, are you OK?" Fuyuumi asked, concerned. She then moved to sit beside Hino.

"Fuyuumi-Chan...," Hino started.

"Yes?" Fuyuumi answered.

"Is it... is it OK for me to sleep over here tonight?" Hino asked, still with her head down.

Fuyuumi was surprised with the question. She was perplexed.

"Um, sure, Senpai. But... Is there something wrong?" Fuyuumi was still worried.

"I... don't wanna go home tonight," Hino answered, determined in a low voice.

Fuyuumi was getting more concerned, and she couldn't resist the urge to ask.

"Does it... have to do with Shimizu-Kun, Senpai? Did you two had... a fight?" Fuyuumi cautiously asked.

Hino and Shimizu have been dating for over two years now, starting when Shimizu just finished college. They had met again through a small reunion with all the past concourse members, held at the summer house belonging to Fuyuumi's family.

Fuyuumi had to admit that she had had a crush on Shimizu when they were still in high school, but the feelings faded as they graduated and didn't see each other anymore. And seeing him at the reunion again didn't make her feel anything. It had been a simple puppy-love. She was even glad he and Hino came together afterward, since Hino could bring out the best of him. Hino could make him more lively and living his life with more motivation. Something she would never be able to do.

And as Fuyuumi kept in touch with Hino quite often, Hino had told her a while ago that she had moved in with Shimizu, sharing an apartment now. And they seemed very happy about it.

"Kaho-Senpai?" Fuyuumi asked again, as she received no answer.

Suddenly Hino moved her head up, gazing directly into Fuyuumi's eyes. Her eyes looked swollen from crying and they were glossy. She was about to cry again.

"Fuyuumi-Chan... If I tell you, will you believe me?" Hino asked with a cracking voice.

Fuyuumi was still perplexed that she didn't know what to say. She could only nod in response.

Hino took a deep breath. Instead of saying anything, she rolled up the left sleeve of her blouse and showed Fuyuumi a bruise on her arm. Then, still without saying anything, she unbuttoned her blouse to show Fuyuumi another large fleck on her left shoulder, and another similar on the right.

"Kaho-Senpai... Those bruises...," Fuyuumi gasped with surprise. Her eyes wide open, and her index finger was pointing at the said bruises.

Hino buttoned her blouse up again and rolled down the sleeve.

After another deep breath, Hino closed her eyes and whispered with a shaky voice. "Keiichi... has been hitting me..."

Fuyuumi was taken aback upon hearing those words. She stunned, then covered her gaping mouth with her hands.

Hino opened her eyes and saw Fuyuumi's shocked expression. She laughed silently. "Can't believe it, can you?" she asked, shaking her head.

"But... but... how... Shimizu-Kun...?" Fuyuumi asked overwhelmed, mouth still covered in her hands.

Hino leaned back on the sofa. Closing her eyes, she started to narrate her story from the beginning...

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A/N: So, how was it? Don't tell me I didn't warn you. If you think it was quite harmless, it was only the beginning ;)

Now, I 'll be very grateful if you'll leave a review. Any comments, critics, suggestions are very appreciated =)