Rumors: People say were in love
By DanaValkyrie
Rating: T
Pairing: Len X Kahoko
Genre: Romance and comedy
Universe: Canon
Length: 3-shot story plus an epilogue
AN: I love all of you guys, I am so happy with your reviews and encouragements, the private messages and the faves. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
This chapter is inspired by the Song of Journey/Steve Perry – When you love a woman extended version (please check youtube for this extended version), Wrote this chapter while listening to the song.
Unbeta'd
Chapter 3: The conditions – Week 2
The Cherry Blossom concert is fast approaching. Kanayan was worried. The good relationship of his 2 violinists was in peril. Ever since agreeing to Amou-san's suggestion of helping the 2 oblivious violinists, it seems that their efforts were fruitless.
"Kanayan, no use in sulking. What's done is done and it's up to those 2 now to sort things out", Amou pouted as she crossed her arms to her chest.
"Amou-chan, it was you who dragged me into this mess." Kanayan grudgingly replied.
"Well, now you're pointing fingers at me when it was you who should be thinking of a way to make sure that those two performed well in the concert."
Kanayan sighed and looked at the News club president. It will be a hard decision but he must talk to the two or else they would have to postpone the concert.
Mistakes poured like rain between the two, but most of it was the first name calling violation, the good mornings, good afternoons and greetings. By the second week Kahoko and Len decided that they have to stop the greetings. It was like square one, the cold disposition and their lives went back to the time before the concourse – like they didn't even know each other.
It went on for another week, at school, they seemed to act like strangers but deep inside – wounded, hurt, shattered and in denial stage. For Len, it was crazy, it was like an addiction, too comfortable that it hurts to imagine being with the person for more than 2 years now, acting like the closest of friends and then waking up one day trying to erase the existence of the other person. It literally hurts. Kahoko on the other hand tried her best to ignore Len; she missed him – a lot.
The two walk past each other during lunchtime at the practice hall, but why is it that it hurts to be ignored? Kahoko walked with her head low while Len walked past her with a grimace evident on his face. When the two silently and accidentally met each other on the practice room, Len couldn't restrain himself; he suddenly grabbed the girl and locked themselves in one of the practice rooms.
After pulling her into the practice room, Len hands trapped Kahoko on to the wall, his eyes were filled with anger but in the end it softened and he slowly released her. In his eyes she could see the play of emotions that he tried to conceal to everyone but her – Anger, hurt, what else but some emotion akin to longing? He turned his back on her and spoke in a cold calculating way, "The festival will be 3 weeks from now and we haven't' even practiced anything."
She's frozen on the spot and confused. He is back to his old self again – indifferent, cold and cautious. He is her confidante, her best friend and the one whom she considered as a buddy in doing lots of things. He tutored her into getting to know more about the violin and he also helped her hone her talents in playing it.
"What would you like to play?" Kahoko quietly asked Len.
"Sensei, gave me a violin duet piece, according to him it will be quite easy for you to play."
"But I want to play the Ave Maria duet with you." Silence passed between the two, memories of that moonlit night in Fuyumi's vacation house flooded in their memories, the quiet night and their violins answering each other's call.
"Then we will practice on the roof top after school. For one hour only, I don't want us to be seen by others, remember that you are the one who wants to debunk the rumors about us. Meet me there after class"
Len walked towards the door, he was about to open it when he looked at her again, sadness was registered in her composure but then… she was the one who spearheaded the conditions. Although there is an urge for him to walk back to her, hug her and tell her to hell with the conditions, he'd do so. But then the angry part of him prevailed; he wanted her to have a taste of her poor decision.
After Len left the practice room, Kahoko's shaking knees gave way for her to fall onto the floor. She started sobbing; there is pain in her chest as she clutched the front of the uniform. A pained soft repeated call of his name – like a mantra or prayer - made her cry even more. Unbeknownst to her, Len was still on the other side of the door, leaning, listening, feeling, his hands balled into a tight fist as he heard her calling his name. He decided that all of this would be over; he walked away and out of the practice hall.
During class, Kahoko cannot concentrate; Mio and Nao were worried about her. They knew about the conditions but decided not to talk about it, they are aware of how much the two were hurting but then they must be the one to 'fix' their 'relationship'. After class, the girl dragged her way to the rooftop.
Len was there, waiting for her. She watched while he was deep in thought. Leaning on the railings. The wind blowing onto his blue hair, his eyes are closed and in a moment he seems happy. She felt like crying again, how come she didn't even realize how his mere presence made her heart flutter. She wanted to hug him, tell her she's sorry and just be content in his arms, too late though when she realized that she acted on her thoughts.
He was deep in thought, remembering her silly antics – beauty, wit and clumsiness; he let the wind take his bad feelings away, and let its calming effect wash over him. As his eyes closed, he imagined her standing in front of her with her welcoming smile and hug every time they meet each other. A part of him was scared, what if he opened his eyes? Will the vision of her fade away? A sudden movement lulled him out of his thoughts, a pair of arms encircled on his waist, too tight for an imaginary Kahoko. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a mass of red hair below his chin.
"Please don't push me away" she softly pleaded as uncontrolled tears started falling. She's shaking, his cold wall crumbled and he let his feelings move on it's own, his arms wrapped around her so hard, afraid that she would slip away if he loosened his hold on her.
She sobbed uncontrollably as she felt his crushing embrace. She repeatedly whispered how much she missed him and how crazy she was for trying hard to fool herself not to think how important he is in her life.
He tilted her head and looked into her eyes, he smiled and said…
"Silly girl, I love you'.
Then he kissed her.
AN: Please wait for the epilogue. I know this is so mushy, can't help it if the song of Steve Perry affects my emotions as I write this story. But I do hope you guys like it. Happy Happy New Year to all and may God bless you all.
