CHAPTER 3

PLANNING A DAY FOR TOMORROW

AT HOME…

Len lay down on his frothy bed. He tried to think about what he and Ousaki-senpai talked about earlier.

"Do I like Kahoko? Well… Hhhhmmmm….." Thinking so very deep. Until he find the answer..

"Well, I do really like her as a friend that's all… It's not a crush Ousaki-senpai..!"

The next day….. (Lunch break)

Len had already finished practicing in the practice room. He packed his things and leave. He decided to visit the school garden before class begins. He saw a silhouette of two persons near the bench. He tried to get closer until he recognized the voices talking to each other.

It's just Amou-san and Hino-san..! Their just finished eating their lunch and having a girl to girl conversation.

The girls saw Len coming. Amou-san decided to go to do something and she left Hino with Len.

"Hi Len… Long time no see... Uhm.. What are you doing here?" Kahoko said wearing stunning face.

"Uh... Hello Hino. it's… nothing.. I just have the feeling that I just want to wander around" he replied calmly

"Yeah, it's almost a week we haven't see each other. How's your foot?" he asked.

"It's fine.. I can walk properly now. Oh yes, I forgot to thank you for helping me on that day.. Sorry for not telling you." She pouted.

"I don't mind. I'm just trying to help you as I am your friend anyway.."

Len showed his rare smile at Kahoko. Then he just saw a red violin case beside her.

"I see you brought your violin with you."

"Ahuh... You see I just want to play it later in the park after class is over." she beamed as she raised her violin case in front of him.

"Don't mind if I come with you?" he asked.

"It's not a problem with me." She grinned.

"Then I'll see you in front of the main gate after class." He suggested.

"You got it my friend!" she responded

Rrrriiiiiinnnnggggg…..

"I think it's time for our classes are about to begin. Let's get going before we're late for the firts period."

The two then walk together silently until they reach the way where they will be separated.

While walking Len's vision were fixed at Kahoko.

Len is talking to his mind.

"Wow… she's wonderful. She's still playing the violin even though the competition is over. I'm amazed. I have to admit it to myself that I really admire her playing but why do I feel insufficient about what I think….? Wait a minute, I remember... Ousaki-senpai…" he mused.

"He said it's just a simple crush. Hhhmm... maybe it's true. It's kind of strange." he thought.

Kahoko broke the silence. She noticed that he is staring at her fixedly.

"Tsukimori-kun, I think we are to going to separate ways. I guess we'll see each other later….. Huh..? Tsukimori-kun..?" the red head said but her male companion did not reply yet.

"Hello...? Tsukimori-kun I'm going now" she said facing him.

She tried to get Len's attention but still Len remains the same. Kahoko slightly pinched his pale tender cheeks. It works..!

"Uh.. Hino why did you suddenly pinched my cheeks?" He asked stunningly.

Kahoko giggled.

"Hehehe…You're Silly..! Don't you realize we're going separate ways? I tried to talk to you but you're not answering me. I don't know the reason why you're staring so steadily at me. Is there any problem Tsukinori-kun? And sorry for pinching you're cheeks. Does it hurts you?" She asked

"Oh the poor baby, his friend naughty friend pinched his cheek." she said trying to tease him.

"Cut that out… I'm gonna cry if you do it again…"He joked showing a little cheerful expression but then he abruptly return to his cold features.

"Next time, if you do that again, I will pinch both of your cheeks.." She sniggered

"We're going to meet at the front gate Tsukimori, huh. Well, then see you later Tsukimori-kun… don't forget…" she reminded as she made her way to the General Education Department.

Len nodded at her and he displayed a little beam in his could feel that he is extremely blushing.

While walking. Kahoko is replaying the conversation she had with Len. She was surprised when she clearly heard the last statement Len said.

"Is he joking?" She giggled

"It's a miracle! He just accompany with my joke." she said in an amused expression.

Classes are already over. Len skipped his practice to met Kahoko. He double-check his things to see if he packed it all then head straight to the school entrance. Near the school gate, he saw the red head standing and waving at him. Len was staggered when saw her. He thought he would wait for her but she was already there waiting for him.

"Tsukimori-kun..! Hurry up…" she called.

Len promptly walked toward her and said.

"It's a miracle that you came here first than I. I thought I would be waiting for you." he said sarcastically.

She chuckled.

"Eh, so you were expecting that I will let you wait for me huh? Why, you think I am always late in everything?I thought you are already here " she said

Len sighed

"So, shall we go now?" He asked.

"Okay… let's go then." She answered cheerfully.

IN THE PARK…..

Len and Kahoko had finally reached the park. They go straight ahead the fountain. The atmosphere is cool. Kahoko gasped the fresh clean air then she go near the benches. Len also took a deep breath to feel the wind breeze.

"Where are you going, Hino"? He asked.

"Eh, there just going to place my violin case there." She answered.

"Are you going to play your violin here?" he asked.

"Yup… I always hang out here for a while before going home. Mio and Nao sometimes accompany me here."

Kahoko sighed. She positioned her violin and start playing. She's playing Melodie by Tchaikovsky.

Len just remain silent for a while and listen to her playing.

"Melodie huh, this was the piece that she performed during the third selection. At that time, she broke her strings because she applied a lot of tension on her violin. Now, look at her, she really improve and develop well. She really does impress me."

While listening, he remembered Shinobu Ousaki about what they discussed yesterday.

Now his mind is thinking deeper and deeper.

"Hhhmm about what we're talking about yesterday, he said it's just a simple crush." He recalled.

He looked at Kahoko. He tried to enumerate the things he admire at Kahoko.

"So, let's see, what are the things I admired about her aside from her violin thing. Well I like to hang out with her, I like the way she smile. Everytime I see her smile, I want to shed my tears of joy. It made me forget all the horrible memories I encounter. Everytime she laughs, it heals my sadness. I always get excited when she shouts out my name. Then….."

Kahoko had already finished the composition. Len is still in a silent manner. The listeners gave her a big applause showing their appreciation to her music. Len was surprisingly disconcerted after he knew that Kahoko is already done playing and the clapping hand of the people awakens him.

Kahoko was happily pleased to the people who appreciate her.

"Thanks for listening…I hope you enjoyed it. Take care.. Good bye." she said to the people who listened to her playing the violin.

Kahoko turned to Len

"So, how was it?" She asked

Len is still in dazed.

"Tsukimori-kun? Hello, are you Okay? Tsukimori-kun..! snapped out of it will yah..!"

Kahoko suddenly came up to an idea to get Len's attention.

She did it again..! She pinched both of his cheeks!

"Ouch, Hino, this is the second time you did this to me.. He said with a little bit annoyed."

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You did it again MR. ICE CUBES." She teased.

"Just like I told you earlier, I'll pinch both of your cheeks if you don't give me your attention." She exclaimed.

"Uh, what are you saying? I didn't do anything.. did I?" he said in confusion.

"My..my..my.. Tsukimori-kun, don't play dumb." She said mischievously.

"Ok..Ok.. I give up!" He admitted.

"Now you're like that annoying Tsuchiura." he just keep that sentence for himself.

"You see…Next time, I'm gonna pinch your cheeks harder." She said playfully.

"And I will not make it happen again." He replied.

"We'll see about that….." she said as id she is challenging him.

Len sighed.

"Man, this girl is sometimes like that soccer head." he thought.

"Aaahh… I like really loved this park. It reminds me when me and my family come here every weekends and have picnic. How about you Tsukimori-kun do you and your parents have gone outdoor picnic here?" she asked him.

"Huh, to tell you the truth, I never gone to an outdoor picnic in this place. We only do outdoor picnic when we're at our beach house but as far as I could remember I didn't join the picnic. I always stay inside our beach house and practice my violin." He explained.

"Why Tsukimori-kun? Don't you want to have fun with your parents on a picnic?" She asked.

"I just think that having a picnic with 2 old folks wouldn't sound fun. I better practice my violin rather than to just do nothing at all" He answered her straightly.

"I understand how you feel Tsukimori-kun, but I tell you it's fun to go picnicking." she encouraged him.

"Hey, why don't you join with us in our picnic here this weekend and tomorrow is Saturday." She suggested.

"I'll call Nao and Mio tonight if you agree with me.." She beamed at him.

"I'm sorry Hino, I think I need to practice my violin this weekend. Oh please don't get the wrong idea..." He said.

"I see. I understand." She pouted.

"Hino, it's getting late… let's go home now." He suggested.

"Okay then, let's go home, Tsukimori-kun" she said.

"I'll walk you home." He said

Kahoko kept her violin in her violin case and then decided to go now.

Len accompany Kahoko to her house. They didn't say any word to each other. Kahoko is just listening to her iPod while Len is thinking that he is regretting something.

….

IN HIS MIND..

"I didn't expect that she just invited me to have a picnic with her friends. I wish I could go but how about my practice?"

"Snap out of it Len, will you!" He scolded his self

Len looked at Kahoko.

"She seems upset when I didn't accept her offer. I don't want her to feel that way because of me. Think Len, think… What should I do…? Oh will somebody help me…."

"Wait, maybe I'll skip my practice for tomorrow. Oh com'on Len a day without practicing won't hurt you… yes.. that shall do it.."

….

Len and Kahoko have finally arrived in front of Kahoko's house.

"Tsukimori-kun…, I think I should be go in now.." she uttered.

Then she noticed that Len is doing it again.

She sighed… and asked herself

"Do I need to this again.?" she asked herself.

"Well, like I told him earlier…" she sighed.

Kahoko then pinched Len's cheeks for the third time! This time she apply a little force enough for him to feel a little pain. The mark of her pinch turned red. It looks like he blushed recently.

"Ouch!" He said with a slight tone that he is hurt.

"Hino, this was the third time you did this!" He exclaimed until he just realize that they are standing in front of Kahoko's house.

"Huh, we're already here! I didn't know…" he said surprisingly.

Kahoko laughed at him with his pinched red cheeks.

"Hehehehehe! Hey, tsukimori-kun, what's up with you? Why are you blushing?" She joked continue laughing.

Len got embarrassed at the same time he's blushing in front of her. He blushed not because Kahoko pinched it, there's another reason why he blushed.

"What! No I'm not blushing. You pinched my face so it turned red." he defended.

"I'm sorry Tsukimori-kun, I wonder why you're acting weird today..? Is there a problem? You should get enough sleep tonight."she said.

"Uhm, no it's just nothing." He replied.

"You can tell me about your problems or anything that bothers you, Tsukimori-kun. I'm willing to listen everything you want to express. Anyway, I got to go inside. Mom is waiting for me. See you later then.." she said.

Kahoko was about to open the door suddenly Len called her.

"Hino," he called.

"Yes Tsukimori-kun..?" she asked facing him again.

"About that picnic you're talking about earlier, I think I'll join you tomorrow if you want." He told her hesitantly.

"Really Tsukimori-kun! How about your practice?" she asked with concern.

"Don't worry, I'll just practice on the next day." he replied.

"Okay then.. Oh yeah.. Me and my friends will prepare the foods. Don't cook for our picnic okay? We can handle it by ourselves." she told him as she remembered what Ryotaro said to her before about the kitchen fried rice incident at Shouko's Holiday Villa.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot. Before going to the park, why don't you join us in the carnival. We'll be there at 9:30. Let's enjoy ourselves first before the picnic.!"

"I agree with you. Now, this will be my first time to have fun with some people." he told her.

"Don't tell me you never went in a carnival?"

Len ignored Kahoko's question.

"So, you will let me bring nothing for the picnic? It's unfair!"

"How about I'll buy some drinks so that you will not have trouble making it. Is it okay? It's a shame that I didn't bring anything to share."

"Well then, it depends on you…"

"So, our plan is already set. I'll pick you up tomorrow then…" he suggested.

"Okay..!" she gleefully smiled at him and entered her house.

Len blushed when he saw her cherish smile. He gently scratched his head then smiled when she went inside her place.

"Tomorrow… This is my first time to hang out with girls." he thought.

He flushed when he realized that he is the only guy she invited for tomorrow.

"Did she invited Tsuchiura? Who knows? Maybe.. but she just mentioned only her girl friends." he wondered.

"I will not miss this day… I must overcome this experience to get to know more about her."