2

Kuroro Lucifer? Did Leorio just say Kuroro Lucifer?

Kurapika's eyes snapped open and he looked up, gazing at nothing in particular as he tried to absorb what's going on. He had just been partnered with Kuroro Lucifer. Is he the same Kuroro Lucifer he confessed to five years ago during his high school? The same Kuroro Lucifer that he dated for six months? The same Kuroro Lucifer who dumped him like he was trash and left him to rot at the side?

Unfortunately, he was.

And speak of the devil.

"Good afternoon."

Kurapika tried to remember breathing. Yes, he was holding his breath the whole time and he just realized it. His heart did a somersault when he heard his deep, baritone voice greeting him and the blonde tried so hard to greet him back with a stable voice.

"Good afternoon to you, too, Kuroro." Kurapika said with a light, fake smile that he would always put up whenever he's feeling a thunder of emotions inside his chest.

"It has been a while. I didn't know you play the violin."

Is he trying to hold a conversation with him? Shouldn't he be pretending that he doesn't know him?

"And I didn't know you play the piano. It somehow suits you." The blonde countered and he heard him chuckle.

"A lot of people say that to me." He pressed his lips together and stared down at the sitting boy. "So, what are we going to do now? You're the veteran here."

Kurapika nodded understandingly and stood up, carrying the violin case with him. He looked around and tried to look calm, but he can't help but feel nervous especially when the man who had used and hurt him suddenly appears and steps inside his life once again.

"There's a piano in the theatre. If you'd like, we could practice there." Kuroro quickly suggested. He must have noticed that the room is being exited by the veterans along with their partners in order to find a quiet place to practice their music sheets.

But Kurapika didn't like it. Going to the theatre means being alone with him and he can't even think coherently when he's around, let alone being alone with him.

"Uh, sure. The theatre sound like a good idea." He muttered and together, they also exited the club room to practice there.

V^V^V^V^V^V^V

Kuroro can't help but feel grateful to Shalnark for suggesting the music club to join in before he graduates. Seriously, he had no idea that he and Kurapika went to the same university. If only he had known since the first year he came here, he would have already fixed what he had broken five years ago and have the beautiful man in his arms once again.

They both entered the theatre and strode towards the stage, where a lone piano is sitting at the corner. Kuroro cautiously sat down in front of the instrument and waited for Kurapika to pull out his violin from its case.

"How are you, by the way?" the man suddenly asked, making Kurapika jerk a little. Kuroro did not miss the slight movement but he remained silent about it.

"Good." The blonde replied curtly and he closed the violin case. Kuroro watched as he made the proper posture for playing the violin and held the bow. "And you?"

"The same."

Kurapika nodded with a smile. "Let's start so we can finish early."

He also nodded in agreement, but somewhere inside him, he felt himself crack. "He can't wait to get away from me."

"We should do Canon in D. That's a lively song and basic for beginners."

"Sure. I'll start first and you come in when you feel like it. I'll observe if you have any flat notes." Kurapika instructed and then started playing his violin flawlessly.

Kuroro watched in awe as the blond stroke the instrument gracefully. His slender fingers moved with perfection. It's like as if the violin was made especially for Kurapika to play. Kuroro almost forgot to play his part. Fortunately, he snapped out of his train of thoughts and also started playing along with the blond.

The two played harmoniously and they fit each other's style of music. The elegance of the music is perfect and wonderful, until Kuroro heard the violin stop for a moment. He, too, stopped pressing the keys of the piano and turned to look at the blond, who is now holding down his violin and is looking down the floor. Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion, Kuroro stood up from his seat and approached the boy.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, trying to make his voice sound neutral.

Kurapika shook his head. "Just a sudden headache." He replied, but Kuroro was not convinced.

V^V^V^V^V^V^V

As he played the violin, many memories from five years ago started flooding inside his head. It wouldn't stop no matter how much Kurapika tried to focus his head in playing the song. Why of all places must they meet here again? Didn't he choose this university because it's far away from the place where he lived? Didn't he choose this place because he can easily forget him here?

So why is fate playing such a sick joke on him?

When he could no longer take it, Kurapika suddenly stopped moving his hand, almost dropping the bow to the ground.

"I never loved you."

"You're just a toy for me to play with."

"You're sick. Who would want to be with you?"

"Get away from me."

"No." Kurapika muttered to himself as he bowed his head. "Stop it."

"Is something wrong?" Kuroro suddenly asked him and the blonde immediately scanned his brain for a good excuse.

"Just a sudden headache."

"Maybe you should go to the clinic." Kurapika felt his hand settle on his shoulder and he froze on the spot.

"No!" to his surprise, he suddenly and forcefully swatted Kuroro's hand away from his body. Kurapika's blue eyes registered shock, horror, anger, and fright- emotions that he tried so hard to hide away from him. They displayed vulnerability and being vulnerable is the last thing Kurapika wanted. "I mean, I'm okay. No need to go to the clinic."

"Kurapika." His voice was evident with something akin to concern and his eyes seemed to understand the meaning of his earlier actions. Kurapika can't quite decipher it.

"No, I'm really just fine so please..." stay away from me.

"Let's end this for today. I think you need to rest." Kuroro suggested.

"Yeah. I think so, too." Kurapika quickly gathered his things and put his violin inside its case. Then, without so much a little glace to the man beside him, he quickly strode out of the theatre, followed by Kuroro, who's still concerned for his well-being.

V^V^V^V^V^V^V