Hi, there! I'm back with a new story... this time, I've taken an old theme and... spiced it a bit. I tried to make the overall atmosphere quite heavy and angsty, although I couldn't completely escape from my usual silliness... But I warn you beforehand, those with weak constitution should stop now... or not! Just kidding. Still, even if you end up hating me after reading this.. please don't flame me to death... T.T
Disclaimer: Nodame Cantabile and the characters within belong to Ninomiya sensei, not me.
Prologue
Dressed impeccably in a white tuxedo, Chiaki stood tall in front of the altar with his beautiful bride, clad in exquisite wedding dress, beside him. This should have been the happiest and proudest day of his life so far; the day when he finally made the woman he's been coveting for any time this past couple of years his, but he couldn't stop this tingling feeling that was tugging at his neck. What is this? Was he forgetting something? Perhaps, something important? But it was impossible that he, Chiaki Shinichi should forget something, not to mention something important.
So why was this foreboding in his heart telling him that something terrible was going to happen?
Wishing that the reverend would hurry with the ceremony, he fidgeted with his collar. It was too tight: that's why he was so uncomfortable! That must be it, because he couldn't figure out any other reason. Finally, it came to the part just before the end of wedding ceremony.
"…any impediment why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, let him speak now or hold peace forever," the reverend spoke gravely.
Yes, yes, yes. What is he waiting for? Chiaki thought impatiently. He can't possible imagine that there'd be any impediments, really?
"Well, then I now pronounce…" just when he thought he was finally beyond the reach of the unknown disaster he'd been anticipating, someone – a female – burst into the wedding hall and screamed: "STOP!"
Everyone's eyes turned to the voice at once.
Oh, my God! It happened! The world's worst disaster really did descend upon him.
"I declare an existence of impediment!" the disaster shouted loudly while everyone stared blankly in shock.
"My God!" Chiaki screamed in answer. "Nodame! What the hell are you doing here?!"
"I declare an existence of impediment," she repeated. "Senpai cannot marry this woman! You already have a family to be responsible for!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about him!" she retorted and pulled her right hand forward, with a bundle in tow. "Your son!"
Oh, no. No, no, no! No way!!
"He can't possibly be my son, you idiot!"
"Why not, senpai?!" Nodame turned around and whimpered. "You wretched men, you are all the same. You do whatever pleases you and always dump the responsibilities on us, women…"
Now the eyes of the guests were all on him, frowning. This was getting ridiculous.
"He can't be my son because that's a mongoose!" Chiaki shouted at the top of his voice.
"Are you now calling your own son a mongoose?" she was wailing. "You are a cruel, cruel man!"
"You are out of your mind!"
His intended finally spoke in low voice.
"Shinichi, is that true…?"
"Sylvia, no!" Shinichi choked on his words.
"I am disappointed in you, Shinichi. I didn't think you were capable of such a mean trick!"
"No, Sylvia, listen," he desperately tried to placate her, but all was in vain.
"I don't know which is worse; your despicable cheating or refusal to take responsibility."
Sylvia dropped her white margaret bouquet and slowly walked away.
"Sylvia, look! That's a mongoose; a mongoose! Not a human!"
"Farewell, Shinichi…"
As he stood watching Sylvia's disappearing form, someone grabbed his arm.
"Ja, senpai," it was that woman, Nodame. "I won't let you go now… Come with me…"
"Whoa! Let go of me, you hentai woman!"
"You can't run away… senpai… we'll be together for eternity…"
"No, leave me alone!"
"Senpai, here…"
Laughing evilly, Nodame thrust the baby mongoose into his arm.
"ARGH!"
With a great start, Chiaki finally woke up from his worst nightmare.
Shit, was that a dream?! He cried to himself and sat up, still panting very heavily. He swore and buried his face in his hands. What was that all about?! He must have been too stressed and nervous lately! Nothing else could explain why he should dream anything like this.
"Shin, what's the matter?" the figure who's been sleeping next to him stirred.
"It's nothing, just a nightmare," he assured her, as well as himself. "Just a nightmare…"
"Oh, you poor boy," she caught Shinichi's hand and pulled him down to bed. "Go to sleep, baby. It's still very early."
"Ah… I'm sorry, Sylvia…" he nearly whispered to himself. The blond beauty only smiled and was asleep within seconds.
Why Nodame, after all these years…? He wondered. I thought I was over her already…
After the dream – nightmare! – sleep did not come easy to the master conductor Chiaki Shinichi. He only wished the dream would not come true in two months' time, when his real wedding was to be.
Hate me already? ;) It's still too early, let me assure you... Read on, please!
