Unknown to each other, Kahoko and Len overhear the same conversation. What happens when they unconsciously follow the directions they stumbled upon?
The counting part is originally from the Korean drama "My Girl", except in that show they count up to five. Four is a much better number for music so I went with four instead of five.
Disclaimer: I do not own La Corda d'Oro; I am just another crazy fan girl of Tsukimori Len!
1, 2, 3, 4, Love!
"I wish I had a boyfriend," a girl sighed wistfully. "You're so lucky to have one."
Her friend laughed. "Don't worry about it. You're cute. I'm sure you'll get a boyfriend one of these days. But," she added, "You could always try the counting to four trick."
"The what trick?"
"You close you eyes and count to four. But you just can't count to four; you have to count from your heart. You have to really mean it. When you're finished counting you open your eyes and the first guy you see is the guy destined for you. And if you're a guy it's the first girl you see."
"Where did you hear that from?"
"I don't exactly remember, but it can't hurt to try, right?
Kahoko closed her eyes, recalling the conversation she had overheard in the music hallway on the way up to the roof.
"I could imagine trying that and opening my eyes to find all the guys in the Concours standing right in front of me. Then I'd just be back to where I started in the first place," she told herself with a sigh.
Kahoko opened her case and pulled out her violin. "You know, I haven't played Ave Maria in awhile. I'll start out with that." She raised her bow, and for whatever reason the counting conversation flitted through her mind. She gave her head a vigorous shake. "It's time for music," she told herself firmly.
And with that, Kahoko began to play.
What a stupid idea, Len thought to himself. Counting to four and opening your eyes to see your so-called destined person? It was all just chance. What kind of foolish idiot would believe that?
He shook his head. What kind of foolish idiot would waste his time lingering on the subject? He took a deep breath in, and then slowly let it out, regaining his focus. It was time to practice.
The practice rooms had all been booked for the afternoon, so he made his way to the rooftop. He thought about his latest piece. It wasn't that it was too hard for him to play; he just couldn't seem to get the beginning to a point that satisfied him.
"I need to start out smoother," he told himself. "Smoother … Maybe if I …" He switched his violin and music into his left hand, leaving his right hand free. "Maybe if I get the feeling before I play …"
Len raised his right hand and began to conduct to himself.
One. Two. Three. Four.
Smoother! he reprimanded himself. Make it flow …
Two. Two. Three. Four.
Almost getting there, he told himself. Just relax the arm and let it move to beat …
Three. Two. Three. Four.
I think I'm getting there … just keep the beat flowing …
Four. Two. Three. Four.
Satisfied that the conducting had helped his brain interrupt a smooth, flowing rhythm, Len opened the door to the roof.
Count to four from your heart …
Hino Kahoko stood directly in his line of vision.
Ahh, first measure …Let's start out the piece nice and smooth, she told herself. Nice and smooth …
Second measure … I want to crescendo up a bit …Get a slight buildup …
Third measure …Sustain the same volume for the first beat and drop down to a piano during the remaining beats …
Fourth measure …I need to stay down at a piano for the whole measure and get ready to swell in the next measure …
For reasons Kahoko couldn't explain, she chose that moment to open her eyes.
Tsukimori Len was standing at the open door roof door watching her play, wearing an expression she had never seen before on his face.
Count to four from your heart …
Kahoko stopped playing and staggered back a step.
"Ts-Ts-Tsukimori-kun!" she stammered dumbly. "What are you doing here?"
Well, there you have it. What do you think? I originally planned for this to be a oneshot, but then my brain was overwhelmed with ideas and they pushed any thoughts of a oneshot out of my mind.
It might be a little too ambitious having two ongoing stories at once, but I feel I can keep up with both. Wish me luck!
Please let me know what you think of the story!
Until next time!
(Oh, and did the part with Len conducting himself make sense to you guys? It does to me because I conduct to myself all the time when I listen to music and such, but that's the marching band part of my brain controlling me again! And it went 1-2-3-4, 2-2-3-4, and so on because the first number is the measure he's on …I hope it wasn't confusing!)