It was well past two a.m. when Shinichi staggered into his hotel room and flung himself onto his bed. It had been less than a week since he had left Paris to accompany Stresemann on a three month tour and he was already at his limit. The old man's preternatural ability to locate gentleman's clubs wherever he went was nothing compared to his running commentary on everything that provoked his student.
Unfortunately, everything that provoked his student was just one thing: One Noda Megumi, at present in Paris probably moping in his absence. Shinichi knew it wouldn't take her too long to adjust; her French was getting better and school would be starting soon. "I imagine she'll do well," Stresemann had said, winking. "She'll have a trail of admirers in no time at all. Then she can drop the ridiculous fantasy of marrying a cold fish like you, and grow up a little. Who knows, maybe in time, she'll be interested in more mature gentlemen."
The thought of the Maestro's hands on Nodame made Shinichi's stomach turn, but he did not comment. This was his boss now, anyway. No sense in damaging what was now a working relationship to defend what he didn't consider his. . .
Even if even she considered herself his. She didn't waste time or words, did Nodame. She had asserted her claim within a week of knowing him and persisted in it for the next two years. Rolling over to cover his eyes with his wrist, Shinichi smiled almost in spite of himself. Stubborn, he thought.
Had she been any other girl, she would have given up a long time ago. He'd been horrible to her more than once, but she still kept coming back. Why? Because she loved him. So she told him whenever she got the chance. But was it really him or the fact that he played well enough to keep up with her? Maybe it was just the food he cooked for her. Possibly.
But in the space of three months she could easily learn to cook properly for herself, or maybe even find someone else willing to do it for her.
He sat up. Frank? A French otaku with a taste for Asian women. Shinichi stopped short of calling him a threat, but sooner or later it would dawn on the young man that Nodame's affection was not returned. Wouldn't he be renewing his suit, then? Right now, even, standing over Nodame at the piano in Shinichi's newly vacant room, praising her, touching her shoulders. . .
His stomach was turning again. "Then, Chiaki-sempai, why did you come here?" she'd asked him. He couldn't say it was because he could not stand to think of her talent going to waste. Even though it was true, it was only part of the reason he'd gone to get her. He had become that used to her. He missed her. He loved being around someone whose passion for music matched his. And as for the other reasons. . .he couldn't even articulate them in his head. He sighed and sank back into his bed. These three months couldn't end quickly enough.
A/N: The Nodame obsession is progressing nicely, aside from having a hard time finding more scanalated manga to read. There's actually a site that hosts up to chapter 61, but I hear there are at least 87. Totally frustrating not being able to find them, but I can be patient. I'm also praying (desperately) for a second season of the anime. Here's to hoping.
