Hi hi minna-san! This is my first Tsukimori Len - Hino Kahoko story. I'm counting on reviews to help me grow as a writer, heh heh. I've got so much to learn! Let's be friends! Kiotsukete, minna! Bye bye! ^-^

Chapter I

Tsukimori Len double checked the information board for the name of his airline and flight number and collected his baggage from the carousel. He handled his violin case carefully and grasped the handle of his moderately-sized baggage. He proceeded to the Customs Inspection desk and, after completing other necessary procedures, he pushed through the double glass doors into the Arrival Lounge.

The lounge was full, and he negotiated his way through the international cross-section of humanity. He let out a sigh, making his way with as much speed as was possible in such congested condition towards the door marked 'EXIT' in three languages.

Len gained the fresh air with relief. He stood for a minute to fill his lungs with the clear, cold wind that whistled across the open space in breath-stopping gusts, rudely tossing his hair about his face.

He walked around the airport and hailed the first cab available. A good fifteen minutes later, the driver dropped him off a familiar lively place near Seiso Gakuen. The past seven years witnessed not so drastic changes to the public park. He let his eyes get a fill of the nostalgic park as he took large strides to the direction of the railings surrounding the ocean.

Several people stared curiously at him as he passed, but Len did not slacken speed and denied them the chance to spare him a second glance.

Quite exhausted, he leaned against the railings, eyes fixed on the ocean—his thoughts mundane. Minutes passed by.

And then a deep tinge of pink warmed the leaden sky above him. The afternoon had fled, and the sun was already setting.

'Kahoko...'

Len took a deep breath and straightened up. He refused to spend another moment in entertainment of his thoughts—he'd given much thought to it—to her—countless of times through the years, anyway. He took another fleeting glimpse of the ocean as he stepped regretfully out of the park.

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Hino Kahoko swung the violin case casually over her shoulders. Her eyes were turned on the strengthening colors of the sunset brilliantly reflected in the shadowy mirror of the ocean. And although she had seen it all before, somehow this evening, the beauty of it had a sharp poignancy that was almost a pain, and the keenness of it made a bitter-sweet hurt that she could not explain to herself.

The sun peeked from its cover of clouds as she slowly made her way to the shore. The ocean reflected the golden tone, and the waves lapped at her feet. It was a peaceful feeling.

She paced slowly as she enjoyed the moment, her eyes on the sand. A pale pink shell caught her eye, and Kahoko bent to carefully scoop the shell.

She held it in her left palm—a thoughtful and reminiscent expression on her face. She smiled weakly.

The past seven years did not change much of her physical appearance. She still had the same messy crop of red hair; only it was much longer, extended just above the waist. She let the wind blow it around her face. Her cheekbones lost much of its roundness although the eyes still held their childlike innocence.

Kahoko carefully pocketed the breakable shell and stared at her hands. She shook her head. Relax.

Same old Kahoko—stubborn and persistent and eternally optimistic.

Her thoughts drifted back to th Fuyuumi Villa, where the school held the Training Camp during the concours roughly seven years ago. The thought of her friends made her smile, and she decided to head back to the summer house. 'They must be looking for me now.'

Amou Nami fulfilled her dream of becoming a journalist—she is features and entertainment correspondent for the Tokyo Daily. Takato Mio became a nurse at a major hospital in Tokyo. Kobayashi Nao became an engineer, and she is very successful at the male dominated field. Shoko had matured a great deal during the course of seven years—being friends with Nami and Mio probably did the job. She managed a music shop that offered tutorials and various musical instruments—with Shimizu Keiichi. Both of them attended a university abroad, majored in their respective instruments—clarinet and cello—and are engaged to get married next year.

Kahoko had taken a teaching post at the Seiso Gakuen. She handled third and fourth year students of the Music Department while she juggled night classes at the Seiso Community College for her Master's Degree.

Tsuchiura Ryoutarou made it to a major soccer team—Kahoko consistently received tickets for local games, and of course she took the time to watch with her friends. He has quite a legion of fans—Nami and Mio included, and it wasn't at all surprising, if one considered his good looks and even better credentials.

Kaji Aoi had taken up Medicine at the Tokyo University. His decision to take after his grandfather wasn't an easy one. After all, he is Senator Kaji Kei's son.

Hihara Kazuki surprised everyone after he accepted a modeling company's offer. His unexpected commercial became a big hit, apparently, that his mother had bugged and finally persuaded him into signing a contract. He's been the face of numerous commercials and print ads since then.

Yunoki Azuma, as expected, went on to help his family's Ikebana business. The influence stops there, however, as he still plays the flute. He even began organizing charity events and concerts-for-a-cause roughly two years ago, and the devil seems to be enjoying it immensely.

Tsukimori Len left at the end of sophomore year. It wasn't totally unexpected, but it caught Kahoko off-guard. And at a time when a line that threatened to cross between mere acquaintances to friendship to who-knows-what—it was a total let-down.

Tsukimori Len, the violinist.

Invited to play for different events—to different countries. He slowly carved for himself an impeccable reputation as a classical violinist. His name, slowly detached from that of his parents, Kahoko was pretty sure, had been his ultimate goal.

Kahoko sighed.

The house, in her line of sight now, was huge, and it was beautiful. The place held a lot of memories for Kahoko. She circled the house and turned to the vast lawn. The green of the grass and trees seemed to calm her down, and she took a deep breath as she faced the terrace with the open door. She grasped the handle of her violin case tightly as she her thoughts dwelled on the room Mio occupied with Nao—the same room Len had shared with Yunoki-senpai at the camp.

The breeze ruffled the curtains, and it made Kahoko gasp softly.

Déjà vu?

The wind blew her hair in casual disarray.

Kahoko closed her eyes as she tucked the instrument under the chin. She raised the bow, and then she began to play the Ave Maria.

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*slides away, nagini-style*