Chapter 2
"Hino."
Kahoko was enjoying her lunch with Fuyuumi at the splendid cafeteria when Tsukimori appeared.
"Tsukimori-kun!" Hino said, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
"Hello, Tsukimori-kun," Fuyuumi said.
Tsukimori replied with a small nod, then turned back to Hino.
"We have to choose a piece for the recitals, then start practicing."
"Oh. Well, I'll just finish my food—"
"You can eat in the practice room. I've already arranged with Ousaki-senpai. Hurry, let's not waste time."
Hino looked at Fuyuumi, who gave a smile and said, "It's okay, Hino-chan. You can practice. I'm done eating, anyway."
"Thanks, Fuyuumi-chan. I promise I'll make it up to you," Hino replied.
--
The practice room was incredible. Fully soundproof, an awesome grand piano, a comfortable couch (only god knows why that's in there; nevertheless Hino still enjoyed it), tons of scores—all piled up in a big container according to composer, a CD player with a wide selection of CDs to choose form, and several music theory books. There was only one odd thing, though: all practice rooms didn't have windows. Hino guessed it was to keep the room soundproof.
"Okay, let's start by going through these scores," Tsukimori said, holding up a container and placing it on top of the piano.
"Did Ousaki-senpai say anything about a theme for the recitals?" Hino asked.
"I asked him that, but all he said was that the performance needs to be fit for an ending," Tsukimori said, rummaging through the container.
"Maybe a powerful piece would do," Hino suggested.
"Powerful… right," Tsukimori murmured, shoving his hand in the container. "Ahh. This piece would do," he said.
"What is it?"
"Debussy Prelude a L'Apres-midi d'un faune. I've never actually played it before, but I think we could pull it off," Tsukimori said, more of in a negative tone.
"Uhm, that's great, Tsukimori-kun," Hino said, trying to sound cheerful. How was she going to do good if his attitude was so pessimistic? "How'd you find out about that piece, anyway?" Hino added.
For a moment, Tsukimori stared at Hino. "Do you really have to know?" he asked, rather rudely.
Hino looked at him. His expression looked annoyed, and upon realizing what she'd said, Hino turned her gaze at the floor.
Tsukimori, on the other hand, was analyzing Hino's actions. She really looked like a poor, lost dog right now. Why is she so emotional? He wasn't any good at these emotional stuff, but for god's sake, does everybody have to get hurt at everything he says? Isn't there any other ice man in this world?
"My grandmother used to play it to me," Tsukimori finally said.
Hino looked up. "So… your grandmother played the violin…?"
"No. She plays a viola, an instrument similar to the violin, only bigger. And she still plays it."
"Wow, Tsukimori-kun. Your family really is musically-inclined."
"Yeah, well enough about that. We should arrange some stuff now," Tsukimori said, cutting the conversation short. "You could play the melody, and I'll take care of the rest."
"Oh. But—um, I appreciate the work you'll be doing in it, but maybe we should… maybe we should work together on the harmony and stuff. You know—so that Ousaki-senpai would know that we're doing our job," Hino said.
Tsukimori stared for a while. "Well that settles it."
"Huh?" Hino didn't get it.
"We'll do what you just said. Get your violin."
"Oh."
And so, they worked on it for hours. Hino sucked at it, but Tsukimori—he was great. The piece fit him so well that Hino thought that she was just being a big hindrance performing with him. He was simply good at it… probably because he was so familiar with the tune.
Nighttime was approaching and the violinists decided to call it a day.
"Well, I guess that was a good start," Hino said, while packing up her stuff.
"Yes." Tsukimori was on his way to the door. "Let's skip tomorrow for practice. We have the rest of the summer to work on this piece, anyway." And with that, he turned the doorknob—
"Uh-oh."
"What is it?" Hino asked, from behind the piano.
"It's jammed!" Tsukimori said, jostling the doorknob. "Ugh…"
Hino came over, and saw the problem. "Maybe we could call someone from outside. I have my ph—"
Oh no. It must be here somewhere, Hino thought, rummaging through her pockets, her bag, her violin case…
"I don't have my phone," Hino said, almost nervously.
"You don't? Great. I don't have mine too," Tsukimori said. "Arrrrg, I should've brought it!" He kicked the door.
Hino was surprised at this behavior. Sure, Tsukimori was cold, stoic, and insensitive—but she's never seen him that angry. He wasn't calm, yes, but he doesn't get like that.
"Tsukimori-kun…" Hino started. She couldn't think of anything to say.
"We're… doomed." Tsukimori said. They really were, because obviously, nobody would hear them even if they screamed. There weren't any windows. They didn't have other clothing with them. As for food—Hino had brought her food, but she finished it in no time. Yes, they really were doomed.
"I'm sorry, Tsukimori-kun," Hino said, trembling, looking down at the floor once again.
"What?" Tsukimori said, calming down a bit.
"Sorry."
"For what?"
"For having to be so annoying."
"Who said you were annoying?"
"Well, the look on your face says a lot of things."
"My face is the same towards everyone, Hino. That doesn't mean I'm mad at you. This isn't your fault."
"But—" Hino started to object.
"This isn't your fault." Tsukimori cut out.
Hino nodded dumbly, and returned speculating the floor.
"Well, we probably won't get out of here by tonight, so… what do you want to do now?" Tsukimori said.
"I don't know, Tsukimori-kun… Are you hungry?" Hino looked at him, and her mood sort of lifted.
"Well…" Tsukimori was hungry, but then… Who had food in this situation?
"I have food," Hino said, as if reading his thoughts.
"You do? How? I thought you finished your lunch already."
"I did!" Hino said, with a smile. "But I nicked some extra food from the Cafeteria on the way out. I mean, did you taste those pastries? They're amazing! You want some?" Hino offered, holding up a croissant.
"Uhmm… yeah. Sure."
Hino and Tsukimori ate in silence on the floor. Apparently, Hino had taken three croissants, one mini pie, and two lemon squares. Just enough food for the night, Tsukimori thought.
After cleaning up, they had nothing to do. It was probably 7:30, which is way too early to sleep. Speaking of sleeping…
"Tsukimori-kun, how are we going to sleep?" Hino asked.
Tsukimori looked up.
"I mean, where, exactly?" Hino said.
"There's a couch. You can sleep there. I'll just… take the floor, I guess…" Tsukimori answered plainly.
"The floor? No way Tsukimori-kun! You might get serious back pains! And we don't have any cushions, or blankets to keep you warm! And—and—" Hino said, outraged at the idea.
"I'll be fine, Hino."
"No you won't! You could get all these sicknesses; you won't be able to sleep well… Just sleep beside me!"
Tsukimori stopped what he was doing. He looked at Hino, surprised.
Uh-oh. That last part wasn't meant to come out that way, Hino thought. What's he going to say now?
"Pardon?" Tsukimori said.
"I mean—I mean— You can't just sleep on the floor without anything to make it more comfortable!" Hino stammered.
"Okay then. Let's just sleep sitting down on the couch. You can stay in one side, I'll stay at the other." Tsukimori said.
"Okay then."
--
It was nine thirty already. At least they could sleep already, even though it was the bed time of an eight year-old.
Hino sat with her legs folded under her lap on the left side of the couch, while Tsukimori was sitting properly on the right side.
"Goodnight, Tsukimori-kun!" Hino said, as she turned off the lights.
"'Night, Hino."
Tsukimori couldn't believe what was happening to him now. Never in his life had he actually thought he'd sleep with Hino… What would happen after this? Will they ever get out of here? Okay, okay, that's exaggerating a bit. Of course they'll get out of here. Well, if anybody would bother fixing that damned doorknob…
Tsukimori felt a thump on his shoulder. Hino's head was leaning on him, dozing off in her sleep. She looked beautiful sleeping, Tsukimori realized. Her hair feels so… soft.
"Goodnight, Hino." Tsukimori whispered.
--
A/N: Yaay! Another chappie done! I'm having a bit of a writer's block now, and I'm still cooking up something on what will happen next. R&R please! Go easy on me, it's my first time to write a fanfic! :)