Len's Fair Lady
Disclaimer: La Corda d'Oro characters are creations of Yuki Kure. The storyline is partly inspired by the play "Pygmalion" written by George Bernard Shaw and the movie "My fair lady" starring Audrey Hepburn.
Note: For those who read Azuma's Fair Lady, this is the twin story I mentioned :)
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Chapter 1: A rainy night in Vienna
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The audience watched awestruck as the duo reached the last part of Franz Listz's famous piece La Campanella, the pianist hitting the keys with passion and speed, while the violinist moved his bow with a subtle power that could be felt through the brilliant sound produced. There was almost a collective holding of breath until the last note had been played and the players' hands came to a standstill... then the hall erupted into loud applause and cheering.
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Outside, a young woman watched with wistful eyes. She could see that the hall was brightly illuminated and she could hear the clapping as the musicians received a standing ovation. "A concert..." she thought, "... how nice... I wish I was there!"
She clasped a maroon instrument case close to her chest and smiled. "But I'm so glad I have you... I'm so glad I can play too."
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As the crowd filed out of the hall, the evening air was suddenly full of chatter and cries of dismay, mostly from the ladies when they saw that it was drizzling outside. Umbrellas went up; cabs were hailed and shared quickly. Those who had to wait huddled together and spoke excitedly about tonight's wonderful performance. Only a few seemed to notice the sound of a violin played very quietly somewhere in a shadowy corner.
"There's a girl over there playing the violin. Do you think she is a fan of Tsukimori-sama?"
"I don't think so... Look at her clothes; she couldn't have been at the concert wearing those!"
"She must be sheltering from the rain then."
Soon enough, the last group left the concert hall's sheltered front but the young woman continued to play. There was nothing else she could do actually, having failed to take her umbrella or her purse before leaving her house 'to practice outside'. At least, she thought, the time passed pleasantly enough.
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Len Tsukimori came out of the hall and breathed in the scent of rain while he put his gloves on. An unexpected sound reached his ears and he frowned.
As he made his way to the far left corner, he winced several times, finding it more and more difficult to tolerate the glitches and creaks from the strings of the unknown violinist. His eyes widened when he saw the player was a young woman barely twenty, with striking red hair held in a messy ponytail.
How dare she... how dare she play Tchaikovsky's Mélodie in this manner, crude and flawed, outside Vienna's oldest concert hall, where only the best musicians were able to perform, and where he himself had just received a standing ovation tonight!
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"Please stop!"
The girl's eyes flew open when she heard the clear, cold voice. She turned around in shock to see a tall, well-dressed figure, holding a violin case in one hand.
"Please do not insult the composer of this piece and the maker of your violin any further, Madam."
Her right hand fell to her side.
"Eh?"
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"Be grateful that such playing is not recognised by the Law as a crime or you would have been arrested this very minute."
She lowered her violin and stared back dumbly at him.
"A... arrested? Why? I often play outside; no one ever stopped me before... and... who are you?"
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Although taken aback by the fact that she did not recognise him, Len hid it well.
"Learn to play properly before you set a foot outside again. Now go home."
"Huh?!"
Never had she had to face such rudeness. And he probably called himself a gentleman too! Before she could retort adequately, a man's voice was heard, making both of them turn.
"Oi, Tsukimori!"
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The newcomer was another tall, well-dressed figure but he did not appear to carry any instrument case.
"I can't believe this: I leave you alone for barely ten minutes and you're already bothering a pretty girl!"
He winked at her, making her blush.
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Len frowned and replied: "Actually, she's the one bothering me."
"Eh?! I'm not! I was only playing my violin..."
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His cold eyes fastened on hers.
"Playing, yes... Badly. Terribly. Atrociously!"
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Upon hearing that triple condemnation, the young woman started shaking a little.
The second gentleman tried to comfort her: "Don't you take any notice of him! Being the best violinist in Vienna, he always feels that everyone else's playing is wretched, isn't that right Tsukimori!"
Len shot him a glare.
"I'm leaving; the driver must be waiting and I've wasted enough time already."
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The girl looked at him as if in a trance.
"You're... the best violinist in Vienna?" she asked, adding on the spur of the moment: "can you teach me?"
"I beg your pardon?!"
"Can you teach me? So that I wouldn't, you know, bother anyone with my poor playing..."
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Len was about to reply that he had more important things to do than give lessons to random strangers met on the streets, especially since they wouldn't be able to afford them, but his companion interrupted him.
"She's got a point you know. Why don't you consider it your duty to society to improve her skills a little? You're not exactly busy every hour of every day, are you?! Or is teaching beyond your abilities, Tsukimori-sama?"
Len was very sensitive when it came to his abilities...
"My lessons," he began coldly, "would make her fit to play in one of my mother's social gatherings, I'll have you know..."
His friend's smile widened: "Let's have a bet then; if you succeed within two months, I'll postpone my spring solo tour and go with you to Germany."
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Len considered the offer quickly. He really hated the thought of having to search for a decent accompanist for his concerts in April. Furthermore, Ryoutarou Tsuchiura was the best pianist he knew.
"Fine. I'll teach her."
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Turning towards the redhead, he gave her his visiting card which read:
Len Tsukimori,
22, Schubert Lane, Orchard Hills, Vienna
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"Come to my place tomorrow. If you're not there by ten o'clock sharp, I'll assume that you're no longer interested."
He turned and walked away swiftly. "I'm going now Tsuchiura, if you want a lift..."
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The two men left the scene, one of them hiding his mirth with difficulty.
"I knew you'd change your mind Tsukimori; besides, it would have been mean to refuse a damsel in musical distress! So even if you lose, you will have done a good turn, my friend!"
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Len's reply was short and to the point.
"I won't lose."
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To be continued.