Author's Note : Thanks for your reviews... Next chapter is up, but there's some Japanesse term that i'm not so sure about... So if you saw some mistakes please notify me... I would appriciate it very much... Happy reading!

Disclaimer : I don't own La Corda D'Oro


CHAPTER 3 – My New… ME

Saturday…

Kaho woke-up, the sun was shining brightly on her window. She's quite confused about where she is right now, she didn't recognise her surroundings. Slowly, the memory crept back to her head. She's in her new room, in a new house, with a new name. She's now… Yamazaki Kahoko…

Her new room is pleasant, the room has its own balcony with a nice view to a beautiful garden. And of course, it's a lot lot bigger then her previous room.

She's finally accepted his father offer to live with him, Yuki nii-sama, and Tomoko nee-sama. His father was taking care of the documents for her name change. While she's definitely sure about living with her father, she's still a little bit scared to announce it to all of her friends about her being a Yamazaki. She could imagine how everybody will stare and whisper at her back and most definitely, Amou-san will not let her rest untill she told her every single detail about the story… Kaho sighed deeply… She realized she'll have to tell her friends about it sooner or later…

This week was a very long and tiring week. At the top priority there was her routine practice, whether it's alone, together with Tsukimori-kun, or with Tomoko nee-sama tutoring her. The other thing that bugged her was that, almost all of her friends were already suspicious of her act. The most difficult part was when Mio, Nao, and Amou-san started to realize that there's a bishounen picked her up everyday after practice! She's trying her best to avoid any question about that matter. Her brother had been dragged her to various places through the week. Sponsored by otou-sama and even Tomoko nee-sama, onii-sama cheerfully dragged her to cloth store, make-up store, and even to jewellery store. She's mentally shocked that her onii-sama could actually know so much about trend and fashion, made her remember about one purple haired bishounen who once dragged her too into an expensive cloth store. And now, the story repeat itself, this time her onii-sama did that. He made sure that she's being introduced to the store owner, who obviously close relations to Yamazaki-clan and has been for years served their family. They always end up carrying lots of bags when they're finally got out of each store. He said those are gifts for Kaho, gifts that they really wanted to give since many years before. The final shocked was when her father gave her a bank account full of money, she's suddenly rich… These past years her father had saved her allowance, believing that he would finally met her again…

The other concour participants showed some interest too, although not that openly. Except for Yunoki-senpai, she's suddenly remembered their conversation last Thursday at the roof top, where he once again successfully trapped her.

-Flash back-

"Kahoko, you played beautifully,"Azuma said.

"Thank you, senpai." Kaho said. She's quite happy too, there's been lots of progress to her playing skill, since Tomoko nee-sama started tutoring her.

Azuma walked towards Kaho, before she realized it, Azuma already put his hand under her chin, his gaze bored deep into her eyes, those gaze reflected discontentment.

"How could you let anybodyelse dress you up Kaho?"He asked suddenly. Kaho was taken aback by the statement. "What do you mean, senpai?" She asked.

"Don't play dumb with me,"He said. His face annoyed,"You know what I mean."

Kaho confused for awhile but understanding started to grasp her mind. She panicked, she didn't know how to explain it to her senpai. She's definitely don't want him to know about her onii-sama now. She made an unintelligible sound came out of her mouth, not knowing what to say. Fortunately, Tsukimori-kun stepped into the chaotic scene, he wanted to have another practice with her. Azuma didn't have any option than to let it rest at the moment, he's back to his perfect façade and wished them good luck before leaving the roof top.

Kaho felt shiver down her spine. She realized that somehow, Yunoki-senpai watched her spending time with her brother, not close enough though to know that they are siblings.

-End of flash back-

Out of her trance, she started to climb out of the bed. Today would be their first group practice here at the house. After she made sure that she was representable enough (Another thing to compliment the tiring week was her onee-sama had been forced her to learn table manner and etiquet), she started heading to the dining room.

"Good morning, otou-sama" She greeted her father.

"Good morning, Kaho-chan," her father greeted her back with a huge smile on his face. "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes, I slept well last night." She said with a smile.

"Let's have some breakfast Kaho-chan," Her father said. After a while he asked, "How's your preparation for the grand ball, Kaho-chan?"

"It's been good. I have a lot of progress. The piece I'm going to play are really sweet and nice, even one of them is my favorite, AVE MARIA. I'm going to play it on a duet with Tsukimori-kun." She talked animatedly.

"It's very good that you enjoyed it, Kaho-chan, I can see you're doing your best for the grand ball. Your onii-sama and onee-sama will be very grateful for you perseverance. Afterall the occasion is very important for both of them." Her father said.

"It's very important for both of them?" she asked with questioning eyes.

"They haven't told you yet?" Her father surprised,"The grand ball will be held to announce their engagement Kaho-chan."

"What???!!!" Kaho shocked, "They didn't say anything to me"

"Well, maybe there hadn't been any good opportunity for them to tell you. I'm sure about it." Her father said.

"But otou-sama, they're cousin!!"Kahoko shrieked,"They can't married to each other"

"Well, actually Kaho. Tomoko's mother was my cousin. So Tomoko's blood relation with you and Yuki was not direct."Her father said,"And you know, there's many example of marriage between cousin."

After thinking for a while Kaho agreed, "I think so..."

"I'm glad you understood, Kaho." He said.

She asked,"Btw, where's onii-sama and onee-sama?"

"Yuki's having a meeting with one of our client, while your onee-sama already went to pick up your friends." He said,"Btw, Kaho –chan, I'd been preparing scheduled for your extra lessons. The lessons are mainly about our company background and some basic business training, and also art."

"Although you're not obliged to have a carrier in the company, since Yuki will continue the company leadership when I'm retired, knowing some basics knowledge about it is important." He said.

"Hai, I will do my best otou-sama," she said, she felt a little nervouw.

"Just relaxed, it'll be fun. Your tutors will be Yuki and Tomoko, so there's no need to worry." He said, "Here's your schedule, and I think you're onee-chan is already by the door."


Azuma's POV

"Ohayou, minna-san"Azuma said. His perfect façade turned on automatically.

"Ohayou, Azuma."Hihara smiled. He's definitely over excited about this group pratice.

Azuma looked around and found out that the only one who's not there yet was Kaho. He said,"I think everybody's here except for Hino-san. It's already 9 o'clock."

Tsukimori-kun cutted his senpai words,"Late as usual." He made a glare at an empty space, as though Hino was standing there.

"How bout, I'll pick her up then I'll go straight to your house Tomoko-sama? You could give me your adress, my chauffeur will surely find your house."Azuma said. He smiled inside, thought that he'll get a chance to spend some time with Kaho alone.

"It's not necessary Azuma-sama. Kaho-chan is already at home, we had a sleep over last night. So, we can go straight to my house" Tomoko said.

"Let's go then…"Hihara said in hyper mode.

When they arrived at Mizuno-sama house, they were greeted by her butler. "Welcome home Mizuno-sama." He said.

"Where's Kaho-chan?" Tomoko said, "Please fetch her to the practice room, Kiro-san."

"Ojou-sama is having breakfast with Yamazaki-sama, Mizuno-sama."The butler said, "I'll soon lead her to the practice room after they're finish."

"Thank you, Kiro-san." She said, than started to show the way to the practice room to the others participants. Nobody noticed the way the butler referred Kaho as Ojou-sama except for Azuma, he's very curious about it. "Ojou-sama … It was as though Kaho is the lady of the house and not just a mere guest in this house"He thought. He contemplated the moment when Mizuno-san told the other concour participant that Kaho was already at her house, that they had a sleep over last night. Something fishy here, he must know the truth.


Kahoko's POV

The practice session ran for almost 3 hours. The piece they practiced, Piano Concerto no. 23 III Allegro assai, started to form. It's still need some more practice and twist here and there before it came to a perfect piece. In the end of the practice session Tomoko said,"Let's take a break and have a lunch." Everybody was gladly conceeded to the plan.

After lunch, they headed to the practice room again separetely, in the middle of the way the buttler came and spoke to Kahoko, "Yamazaki-sama is looking for you, Ojou-sama, he's in his study room."

Kahoko only said, "Thank you, Kiro-san," She didn't think that somebody had been observing the exchanged between her and the buttler. When she dashed to her father study room, someone is trying to follow her.

"Excuse me, otou-sama. Is there anything I can do for you?" She politely asked when she arrived at his study room.

"Come in Kaho. There's someone I want you to meet." Her father said,"He turned his face to his guests. "Yunoki-sama, let me introduced you to my daugther, Yamazaki Kahoko."

"Kaho, this is Yunoki-sama, and her son, Yunoki-Hirada. I believed you already knew her grand son, Yunoki Azuma."He said.

"Douzo yoroshiku, Yunoki-sama,"She adressed both of them.

"Douzo yoroshiku, Yamazaki-san."Yunoki-sama said."It's really nice to finally meet you in person."

"You have been acquainted with Azuma-san, Kahoko-san?"Azuma's otou-sama asked.

"Yes, he's my senpai at school,"Kaho said,"And we participated in the school concour as well."

"So, what's your music instrument?"Azuma's otou-sama asked.

"I play violin,"Kaho said.

"As expected from you descendant, Yamazaki-sama,"Azuma's obaa-sama said,"And I presumed that you would ask nobody less than a talented music player for your son in law right?".

Her father smiled, but his eyes serious,"I really hoped that she would marry someone with talent, yes. But of course there are other considerations too."

Hino blushed deeply, she couldn't believe her father would discussed this kind of matter with Yunoki-sama, not even with her presecense in the room.

"Let's get back to the main topic,"her father said,"Kaho, since you're going to learn some arts too in your extended education. I've been asking a favor from Yunoki-sama to give you a lesson on Ikebana. She had agreed to my request. Your tutor will be decided later, but I think you should properly showed your gratitude to Yunoki-sama. You know they're rarely took apprentice outside their family."

"Thank you very much Yunoki-sama for having me as your apprentice. I'll do my best" Kaho bowed deeply.

"Your welcome Kahoko-san,"She said,"I'm sure you'll do your best." After that, Yunoki-sama and her son excused themselves.

Kaho and her father escorted Yunoki-sama to her car.


Azuma's POV

Azuma, whose curiosity got the best of him, didn't get back to the practice room when he realized that Kaho heading in another direction. He tried to follow her, but it seemed hard since the house is so big and he couldn't guess where she's going to go. He lingered on a window sill, contemplating on why he's so curious about her. She's surely making a mess in his life. Suddenly, he saw his grandmother and father through the window, walking to their awaiting car, followed by Kahoko and Yamazaki-sama. They bowed to each other, then his grandmother and father stepped in to the car and left. She's surely more than a guest in this room, he thought…

After a few minutes waiting, Azuma watched Kahoko passed him by without noticing. She seemed lost in her thought, humming a beautiful piece along the way. He followed her swiftly. In a secluded part of the house he approached her from behind and whispered,"A penny for your thought."

Kahoko jumped, surprised by the sudden voice. She turned around and saw Azuma face so close to her. She blushed,"Yunoki-senpai, you surprised me." Her voice was uneven.

"You're lost in space, Kahoko. Surely it's easy to snoop around you,"He chuckled,"I saw that you recently met my grandmother and my father Kahoko."

She jumped again, nervous. "H-Hai… I'd just met them earlier," she fidgeted,"She just left a moment ago."

"I know. I saw you escort her to the car. So, what we're you talking about, ojou-sama ?"He said in a teasing voice. His eyes sparkled in anticipation. He wanted to know her reaction, when he called her ojou-sama. He must find out about these peculiar things about Kahoko lately.

She agaped, her mouth opened then shutted then opened again. Her eyes stared in disbelieve. She thought, "He knew, he knew about me… Of course he knew!! His obaa-sama already knew about it. So he's definitely knew too. But wait a second, he didn't know why his obaa-sama came here. Is there any chance that he didn't know ? I don't think so." She internally battled with herself. The next line that came from Azuma blew her hope away.

"So… You're a Yamazaki after all, Kahoko." He said, although he's not a 100% sure about it. He reached for her chin, tried to fix his gaze on her eyes. Stopped the effort made by Kahoko to lie convincingly, and made her blurted out."H-Hai…"She said with a small voice,"How did you find out? Did your obaa-sama tell you?"

"No, she didn't. I just need to be perceptive Kahoko." He smiled, satissfied with his own work. "So, you haven't answered my previous question. What were you talking about?" He stepped closer, trapped her by the wall. Her eyes widened, she stuttered,"Otou-sama wants me to take Ikebana lesson from your family, Yunoki-senpai. Your grandmother had agreed to give me a lesson. Although, I don't know who would tutor me."

"Obaa-sama agreed to give you a lesson?"He asked, his eyebrow lifted. Obaa-sama rarely gave Ikebana lesson to anybody outside the family circle, except there's something to gain there. Money can't buy Ikebana lesson from Yunoki-clan, so there must be another favor to pay for this lesson. He wondered what could it be. He snapped from his deep thought and asked another question,"So, the one that had been playing dress you up is your older brother, right?"

"H-Hai…"She said. Azuma leaned in to her, whispered in her ear,"I guessed then, I allowed you to be dressed up by him. He is you brother after all." He traced her jawline with his finger tips, and for the final touch rest his hand on her chin forced her to look straight into his eyes. Then he pulled away from her. Kahoko felt her heartbeat ten times faster. She didn't know why, but the sensation overwhelmed her.

Suddenly there's a loud footsteps behind them. Azuma was back to his perfect self in no time, while Kahoko tried her best to hide her flustered.

"Here you are. I've been looking for you," Tomoko said,"You two should get back to practice."

"Tsukimori-san has been waiting for you. He's quite upset for your tardiness Kaho. You should be hurry."She said.

"Hai, onee-sama,"Kaho said, than walked away fast.

When Azuma started to walk away from Tomoko, she stopped him. "Yunoki-sama, I suggest that you would becareful with what you're doing. Please be more discreet about what both of you're doing. Remember that there are eyes everywhere. Both of our family really didn't want our life turn out to be a gossip show, or even a soap opera. And I'm surely going to talk this through with Kahoko."

Azuma was able to keep his countenance relax, he just nodded to Tomoko and then walked away. She surely misunderstood things, especially in Kahoko side. Just to think that Kahoko reciprocated his feeling towards her… "Wait,"he think internally,"my feeling towards her? How do I feel about her?"


Author's note : Phew... finally it's done. It's quite difficult to squeeze in the engagement of her brother and cousin???? Huaaaa.... Well, actually in my country it's true that cousins can get married... I don't know how's the law in Japan... Anybody knows?

Please review... Thanks...