Chapter Three
Jun felt her heart pumping fast as she stood before the tall white building before her. After falling in love with her cooking, Ryo had requested to pack the delicious food for lunch everyday. However Ryo must have been in a rush this morning because he left his lunch behind. As caring as always, Jun travelled to Ryo's hospital to deliver his lunch for him. Jun let out a sigh, as she knew she did all these just to be able to see Ryo's smile, to have Ryo talk to her, but he probably will never know her heart.
"Can I help you?"
Jun pulled her thoughts back quickly when she saw a nurse asked her as she was looking around like she was lost.
"Hi, I am here to see Dr Ryo."
"Have you made an appointment with him?" The nurse asked politely.
"Oh, I am just bringing him the lunch he left behind." June replied quickly.
The nurse looked surprised as she examined Jun with a funny smile. "So you are the girlfriend that Dr Ryo talks about all the time?"
"Girlfriend?!" Jun couldn't believe her ears. "No…no!!" Jun shook her head quickly in embarrassment. However the nurse did not seem to believe her as she continued to smile and gestured. "Please follow me."
Jun lowered her head and followed the nurse quickly feeling her cheeks burning hot. What did the nurse mean when she said 'the girlfriend that Ryo is talking about all the time'? Did…did Ryo refer her to people as his girlfriend?! Thinking up to here, Jun felt as if she was about to faint.
"Great, there it goes again…" The nurse gave a sigh as she looked at two people standing by the coffee machine in the staff's dining room.
Looking to the two, Jun found it to be Ryo and another nurse. To Jun's surprise the nurse leaned forward in eagerness as she asked Ryo, "Dr Ryo, you have always said you already had a girlfriend but you never show her to us! Is it just an excuse to reject me?"
"Look, calm down…" Ryo let out a sigh. "You are a nice person Christine, I know. But like I have mentioned already, my heart already belongs to someone else. I am soon to marry her…"
"I don't believe you unless you show her to me." The nurse called Christine insisted. Suddenly with a realisation she covered her mouth in disbelief, "Or maybe you are lying to covering up the fact that you are GAY!"
"Gay?!!" Ryo called in shock with the statement.
Hearing up to here, the nurse that showed Jun in burst out laughing. "Alright Dr Ryo. I guess I have someone here that can clear this misunderstanding and prove to us that you are not a homosexual."
Ryo turned around quickly and when he saw Jun, surprise cannot be hidden. "Jun? How come you are here?"
"I…I came to deliver you the lunch you left behind…" Jun replied quickly trying to hide the shock from the statement Ryo had said. He is soon to marry…
"Are…are you the girlfriend?" Christine asked feeling her heart tearing into pieces. "Well, you are surely a lucky girl, and you better pray that you deserve to keep him!"
Leaving the statement in hatred, Christine ran out the door sobbing before Jun or Ryo could give an explanation.
Laughing dryly in embarrassment Ryo came up to Jun and apologised quickly. "Sorry about that Jun, hope you don't mind…"
"It's…it's alright…" Jun replied quickly trying to reply Ryo in a normal way. However the statement that Christine left for her had created chaos in her mind. Did Ryo really mention her as his girlfriend or was it someone else or even, Jun prayed deeply, like Christine said it was a an excuse Ryo used to reject his admirers.
"Thank you so much for bringing me my lunch. I was so upset this morning when I realised I left it at home." Like nothing had happened Ryo's bright smile returned to his face.
Seeing that smile again, Jun felt her heart twitched with pain. How come he could act as if nothing had happened? How come unlike her Ryo does not seem to be bothered by what Christine said to her at all? Knowing her face will soon give her depressive thoughts away Jun squeezed out a smile quickly and said. "Well, enjoy your lunch, I guess I better go now."
However not granting her the wish to quickly flee from there, Ryo said in disappointment, "Oh, you are leaving so soon? I thought we could at least have lunch together?"
"I…I have to go to the rehearsal…" Jun declined unconvincingly as she persuaded inside herself to quickly leave Ryo's presence before she falls in deeper. However realising how useless she was, she was unable to make herself leave.
"You're sure you can't even stay for a cup of coffee? Since you came all this way, I should at least buy you a cup of coffee. I am sure Len can wait." Ryo smiled warmly not knowing his words were just killing Jun's logics away.
"Alright, how about this. If you are worried that you will be late for the rehearsal, after a cup of coffee I will drive you to the concert hall. It would be faster than catching a bus from here. I promise you the coffee here in the hospital café is actually really good!" Ryo added seeing Jun was slowly being convinced.
Finally giving in, Jun stayed to have coffee with Ryo. While Jun sat at the table waiting for Ryo to order the coffee, she sensed some curious focuses upon her. Looking over there were a few nurses standing there examining her.
"So you are the legendary girlfriend?" One asked.
"No, I…" Jun felt her cheeks burning hot.
"What was Dr Ryo like when he was in high school?" Another asked with interest.
"Huh?" Jun obviously did not expect the bizarre question.
"Weren't you his girlfriend since high school?" The nurse gave a sigh of envy. "It's amazing a person like Dr Ryo would stay so loyal to his childhood girlfriend."
"Childhood girlfriend…?" Jun felt a lightning hit her when she finally discovered the 'girlfriend' that everyone talks about was obviously not she. With the discovery she felt tears forming rapidly in her eyes.
Seeing the expression on Jun's face, the nurse that just asked the question covered her mouth quickly, "Oh, so you are not his girlfriend?"
"What are you guys saying to her?" When at this time Ryo had returned with the coffee at the worst timing.
"So she was not your girlfriend!" The nurse said with relief. "You still have not shown us you real girlfriend or was it really just an excuse?"
Seeing the pale look on Jun's face, Ryo replied coldly showing obvious signs of unpleasantness. "I don't know what you were saying to her. But I do not think I have to publicise my private life with any of you."
Taken back by Ryo's words, all the nurses apologised quickly as they were all obviously surprised to see the unhappy Ryo. Finally after the nurses left, Ryo passed the coffee to Jun and comforted quickly. "Are you alright? I am so sorry if they have said anything to attack you."
Shaking her head Jun stood up from her seat. "Can I have the coffee take away? I better get to the rehearsal quickly as you know Len hates it if anyone is late." Trying to act as normal as possible Jun said.
With an understanding smile Ryo nodded, "Alright, I will drive you there."
"Jun," Ryo said seriously after they have arrived the concert hall. "I really apologise if they have said anything to hurt you. It was really not my intention to get you involved."
Shaking her head again Jun replied softly. "No, really, I am fine." Turning to Ryo Jun tried to cover up what she truly felt inside as she teased. "I guess you are obviously not only popular with sixty year old patients but with the nurses as well. Next time they bake you anymore cakes, please remember to bring some home."
Ryo burst out laughing hearing Jun's tease. "Alright, I guess I better have some input to the wonderful food you put on the table."
Jun laughed too and waved goodbye to Ryo as he finally drove off. Making sure Ryo could no longer see her, the pretentious smile disappeared from Jun's face as she allowed that tear to finally roll down her cheek.
"What is the matter with you?"
Jun pulled her wondering miserable thoughts back quickly when she heard the unhappy tone in Len's voice as his violin stopped at the same time.
"I am so sorry!" Jun apologised quickly as she had already made numerous mistakes in today's rehearsal. Unlike how Len and her had always been, today she could not accommodate Len's music and she was forgetting the music constantly.
Seeing the pale and saddened expressions on Jun's face, Len frowned again. He too knew unlike how Jun had normally acted, today her mind was not really here. He knew not what had happened but he could probably sense it especially he saw Jun had arrived here in his brother's car.
"Doesn't look like you can work with us today. Maybe it's best that you go home if you are only going to be a distraction." Len said coldly.
Jun looked up at Len quickly, "I am sorry, I will improve, I promise."
"Yeah Len, give her another chance. This is the first time she has ever made a mistake." Katsuki defended for Jun quickly. "We have made more mistakes than she has!"
However Len was not at all moved as he replied cruelly. "I have said so from the beginning, this concert is not for armatures, if she can not catch up to our pace, maybe she should not even be here."
Jun bit her lower lip and stood up, she knew Len was correct as she had brought her own emotional crisis into this rehearsal and she knew she was ruining the entire practise. Gently packing away her bags she apologised softly again as she left the hall as Len had told.
However everyone looked at Len in a condemning way after Jun left.
"Len, you really have no heart, do you? She has no obligation to be here but because of your mother's request she came to help." Sei defended for Jun.
Len did not reply, as he too knew he had been too harsh on Jun. Most of all, he was most stunned to find how his own heart was disturbed when he saw that saddened expression on her face.
Sei gave a sigh as he had long been working with Len and had known his personality too well. "Maybe you can at least ask her to wait till the end of the rehearsal and don't let her go home by herself."
"…fine." Len said finally and walked out the door after Jun.
As Len followed quickly after Jun, he saw her walking a few meters away. However still like what she was like when she was at the practise, her mind did not seem to be with her as she accidentally bumped into a on coming pedestrian knocking over the drink in his hand. Len frowned immediately noticing the man had actually purposely made it happen.
"Watch where you are going!" As expected the man scolded.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to." As usual Jun could only apologise.
Seeing the drink all over himself, the man became even angrier as he grabbed Jun's arm and threatened. "Look what you've done! You got some money to pay for this?!"
"Yes, yes, I do. Please tell me how much, I will pay for your drink and laundry." Jun said quickly.
"How about five hundred dollars?"
Jun gaped hearing the ridiculous amount. "It could not possibly cost that much!"
"Are you saying you are not going to pay for it?!" The man raised his voice at Jun knowing he could easily take advantage of Jun's soft timid personality.
"I, I will pay for it, but that is a ridiculous amount…" Jun said with fear.
"Ridiculous? You are saying it's not your fault that you wrecked my very expensive shirt? Do you know how much I spend on this beautiful shirt of mine?!" The man threatened even more as he squeezed Jun's arm even tighter.
"Ouch!" Jun moaned in pain as her hand became blue and purple.
Len frowned even more as he approached them. "Why don't you pick on someone your size?"
"Len?!" Jun called in shock obviously not expecting Len to appear.
"Mind your own business pal." The man threatened.
"I am minding my own business." Len replied coldly. "You are hurting my partner, and if you cause any harm on her fingers, I will have no one to rehearse with in the next few days."
The arrogant man let go of Jun and looked at Len instead. His eyebrows lifted a little in despise as he examined the pretty finely dressed young man in front of him. "Since she is your partner, you should pay me on her behalf! Rich boy!"
Len's face did not show fear to the man's mocking. Instead he took a five-dollar note out of his wallet and flapped it across the man's face. "Here, take your five dollars."
Jun covered her mouth in shock with Len's abrupt mocking actions. As expected the man cried in anger with Len's arrogant attitude as he suddenly took a knife out from inside his jacket and swung it at Len.
As a reflex Len quickly moved aside but still felt a sharp pain on the back of his hand. Seeing the blood coming down from Len's hand, Jun screamed and swung her bag at the man.
"You crazy bitch!" The man cried and turned to Jun instead. Luckily at this juncture other people on the streets heard Jun's scream and all started to run up towards them. Seeing this the man groaned and fled quickly from the scene.
"What happened? Are you guys alright?!" A man asked quickly as he saw the blood.
"I am fine." Len replied although he could sense the stingy pain. When suddenly Jun grabbed his arm as tears rolled rapidly down her face.
"Len, your hand…your hand…" She sobbed with regret. "It's all my fault, I am so sorry…how can I cause such a damage to your hand?!"
Len suddenly felt a ripple started in his emotionless heart when he saw droplets of tears rolled off Jun's little delicate face. It was as if her every drop of tear had landed into his still and cold heart and caused a disturbance to its long meaningless existence.
"It's no big deal, just a cut Jun." For the first time he realised his voice could be so tender.
However Jun shook her head as she quickly took out her own handkerchief and wrapped it around Len's hand to stop it from bleeding. "No, it's not alright. There is music that can only be created by these hands of yours, the music that touches my heart and rescued me. How…how could I live if you could never perform again?"
Len's beautiful eyes looked intently at Jun as he heard those words. Why is he feeling such chaos in his heart? Many times he had heard praises from his fans but not once did it felt the same way when it came from Jun. Why is this girl so different?
"What did you guys do?" Ryo frowned as he helped bandaged Len's hand. "Luckily the cut wasn't too bad so it should be healed in a week's time."
"So, is the wound going to affect Len's violin playing?" June asked cautiously.
"I guess not. Luckily the cut only damaged the surface and did not reach his nerves. It looks like a lot of blood but it is no big deal." Ryo 's words finally comforted Jun's heart.
"Len, I am so sorry…" Jun apologised once again to Len.
Ryo started laughing as he patted his brother's shoulder. "I am impressed, Len, you protected Jun!"
Len ignored his brother's teasing words as he stood up, "If it's not because Jun wanted to make sure, or else your hospital will be the last place I ever go to."
"Playing cool again?" Ryo grinned. "Well, since you can't drive now, wait for another hour till I finish work and I will be able to take both of you home."
"No need." Len declined the offer immediately.
"Oh, really?" Ryo asked on purpose. "Are you going to be responsible if Jun was attacked again?"
Hearing that, Len gave a cold hum and sat back down. Ryo laughed and turned to Jun. "I will go prescribe him some medication, you guys wait here."
"Thank you so much, Ryo…" Jun let out a deep breath of relief.
"No problem, meanwhile you look after that stubborn brother of mine." Ryo smiled.
After Ryo left, Jun sat down on the chair next to the hospital bed as Len sat by the window looking outside. As expected the two of them returned to their usual silences as Len did not look back nor seem to be in the mood of a conversation.
"I'm sorry."
Jun looked at Len in surprise when she heard apology coming from Len. Still looking out the window in order to cover up his embarrassment, Len continued. 'I was too harsh on you today."
"No, no, it was my fault in the beginning!" Jun shook her head quickly. "I brought my own emotions into the rehearsal and troubled everyone. You were right about me being an amateur. Unlike you, I could not keep my professionalism and allowed my emotions to take over. Luckily I was only playing at the rehearsal, if I really played at your concert, I would have wrecked it for you."
Finally looking back at Jun, once again that tender expression was shown on Len's face. "You are not an amateur. I take back what I said."
Jun was once again surprised with Len's words. Seeing the stunned look on Jun's face, Len blushed a little and continued. "You have accompanied me so well and everyone who heard us would agree. If I could I would like to ask you to…"
Len stopped immediately when he noticed the nurses observing him in extreme curiosity and admiration from outside the room. Immediately that cold unfriendly expression returned to his face, as he knew the reason why the nurses acted this way. Whenever he would appear in the same place as his twin brother, he would receive the exact reaction from people. Like he said, if it was not because of Jun's request, he would rather travel extra 20 kilometres to another hospital.
"Alright, nothing to see here, return to your work please." Ryo send the nurses away as he returned with the medication. Passing the bag to Jun he instructed, "Help Len reapply the medication after six hours. Make sure he doesn't touch his violin before his hand recovers."
Jun nodded obediently, however she looked over to Len in curiosity, what was it that he was going to say?
"Perfect! Can it possibly be any better?" Sei applauded and praised.
Finally after a week of recovery, Len returned to rehearsal once again and to everyone's relief his hand moved still magically along the violin producing the same enchanted music that only belonged to Tsukimori Len.
"Such a pity that Len can finally return to rehearsal but today is Jun's last day with us." Katsuki sighed. Turning to Len he asked innocently, "Len, why don't you really ask Jun to be your permeant partner? You guys are perfect together!"
Immediately Jun blushed with embarrassment, "No, I am only still a music student, how could I possibly compare to Aunty Fuyumi? She and Len had worked together for years!"
"Well, all jokes aside, we have concluded today's rehearsal." Sei lifted his own hand to shake Jun's. "Jun, thank you for helping out this two weeks. Of course I am sure if Len doesn't mind, you are always welcomed to come and see us rehearse."
"Can I?" Jun turned to Len and asked with joy. She must admit she felt a little lonely now her two weeks had finished so fast.
"You need to for your thesis right…?" Surprisingly Len consented.
"Great," Sei took out a pass and gave it to Jun. "This is the staff's VIP card, you can go front stage, back stage with it."
"Wow…" Was all Jun could say as she held the card tightly in her hands. A month and a half ago she had thought she could never even afford to go to Tsukimori Len's concert and now through the miracles that happened to her life recently, she could even go backstage to a Tsukimori Len's concert!
"Everyone's so nice." Jun said as Len and her travelled back in the car together. "It's amazing two weeks passed by so fast. But I definitely have learned a lot, it is a precious experience."
Surprisingly Len made no reply to Jun's words as if he was in deep thoughts. Looking over to Len in curiosity Jun called cautiously, "Len? What's wrong?"
"Do you like sweets?" Suddenly out of the blue Len asked.
"Sweets…?"
"Cakes, ice cream…"
"Oh, ok." Jun nodded. "Yes I quite like sweets." However it still does not explain Len's weird question.
"Do you want to stop by at a café or something?"
Jun thought her ears malfunctioned when she heard Len asked. "Ca…café?"
"Are you alright with that?" Len asked again.
"Sure…sure!!" Jun felt her cheeks burning hot as she could not believe the world famous Tsukimori Len actually asked her to a café?!
Receiving the confirmation from Jun, Len drove to a classic café by the river. Still not sure what Len was up to, Jun followed quickly behind Len as they entered the café.
"Do you like sweets…?" Jun asked carefully after her and Len's order had arrived.
"Not really."
"Then…?" Jun still could not figure out Len's true intentions.
"I guess, like Sei said, you did help us a lot in the past two weeks, so I figured since you like sweets, I will bring you here." Finally Len replied.
Astonishment and surprise cannot be hidden on Jun's face. So they actually came here for her?! "Thank…thank you! But really, it is no big deal!"
Len did not reply immediately. Instead he looked straight at Jun and asked the question he had long wanted to ask. "How did you know my music so well?"
With the question Jun lowered her head in shyness, "It was no big deal really. I have long been a fan of your music. It was when I was in the lowest time of my life that I came in contact with your music. I have been rescued listening to it, and whenever I was down and depressed, as long as I could listen to your music, I was uplifted again…" Pausing, Jun whispered. "Your music healed me."
To Jun's surprise she did not receive a response from Len, looking up she found Len still looking at her as if he was trying to understand where she was coming from with her answers. Quickly Jun gave a nervous laugh and added, "I know it's stupid, but I felt I could understand why you defined your music the way you did. Your every pitch was so understandable, because it was so full of meaning."
However Len still did not react to her statement as he continued to dwell into her words. Nervously Jun took a sip of the hot chocolate in front of her not daring to say another word as she felt she was being examined at an oral exam waiting for the verdict.
"Interesting…" Finally Len replied. "It is the first time someone has ever interpreted my music the way you did. I have been apprised of extremely high techniques and unique definitions. Not once did anyone say I was trying to express something through my music."
"But you are!" Jun interrupted. "You have purposely made yourself an wordless person but everything you felt were all in your music!"
"What…?" Len frowned once again when he heard what Jun said.
Seeing that frown, Jun covered her mouth again in shock, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that…"
Len felt once again that ripple arousing in his heart. How did she know why he became a wordless person?! She had only met him for less than a month how was she able to dig out what he was trying to hide for the past twenty years?
"Maybe we should change the topic." Len said coldly.
"Sorry…" Jun apologised again.
"Why are you apologising all the time?"
"Do I? I… I don't know…"
To Jun's surprise, a gentle smile appeared on Len's face. "Yes you do. So stop."
Jun felt her heart gave a thump when she saw that smile, immediately she felt as if she had seen Ryo in front of her. The same face, the same smile…
"What's the matter?" Len asked noticing Jun's blank stare.
"Nothing!" Jun quickly lowered her head. "I was thinking the cake here tastes so nice, maybe we should buy some home for your mother and Ryo."
However Len was not stupid, he knew immediately the reason why. Like Jun had mentioned, although he is wordless but he is very observant. Once again the coldness returned to his beautiful face. "A word of advice," Len said coldly as he picked up the bill. "It's best you drop your feelings for Ryo."
Jun felt a lightning struck her with Len's shocking statement. Not only with what he said but also the fact that Len knew her feelings for Ryo! However Len did not give her any more explanation as he walked to the cashier leaving Jun in total bewilderment.
"Cakes!" Unlike Len, Ryo obviously likes sweets as his face brightened up immediately when Jun and Len returned with the cakes. "I will go make some tea." Fuyumi smiled and headed into the kitchen with Jun.
After the ladies have gone into the kitchen, Ryo looked at his brother as a teasing smile appeared on his face. "Why, Len? I didn't know you would have made a move this fast?"
"What move. . .?" Len frowned.
"Taking Jun to the cafe in the sunset by the river, I am impressed once again." Ryo grinned. "She is a good girl, do not let her go."
Len did not reply immediately, finally looking back at his twin brother, Len said coldly. "You don't get it do you? I am not the one she is interested in." However before Ryo could ask further, Len did not want to continue the topic as he headed up stairs.
"Jun, thank you for replacing me at the rehearsal for two weeks, it really freed up my time." Fuyumi smiled as she placed some tealeaves in the teapot.
"No, do not thank me Aunty. I had a wonderful time and learned a lot in these two weeks." Jun replied quickly.
"Really? Have you considered doing the part permanently? I have heard from Sei that Len actually was really enjoying it too." Fuyumi smiled. .
"You are teasing me again Aunty Fuyumi, I am no where near a professional like everyone there. Len was just being polite by not sending me away..."
"Polite?" Fuyumi chuckled. "That word does not exist in Len's dictionary. If he truly did not like working with you, no one can make him." Then with a sigh, Fuyumi looked afar, "You probably realised already, but although holding the same appearance, Ryo and Len have very distinctive personalities."
Jun nodded and agreed wholeheartedly. "l noticed Ryo had similar personality to you, so is Len more like his father?" .
Fuyumi shook her head as she looked' to Jun with tease. "If you have met them back when they were back in high school, I bet you can't tell the difference between the two. Ryo and Len not only looked the same, but they liked the same thing, always competed for the same things and they were so close to each other that even I sometimes can not tell the difference!" .
"Really?!" Jun called in surprise trying to picture the both of them. "But they are so different now!"
Fuyumi nodded. "Don't know what happened, one day Len changed. It was as if instead of wanting to compete with Ryo, Len wanted to be the opposite of everything Ryo was. Ryo had not changed and was always the happy cheerful person you know now, but just in one night, Len no longer expressed his feelings arid closed himself up from everyone... "
"He never told you the reason...?"
Fuyumi shook her head and loneliness can not be hidden. "It has been for a while now since I see him smile like he used to. But thanks to you Jun, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart, I can sense the Len that we knew returning."
"Me.. .me?!" Jun couldn't believe her ears.
Fuyumi gave Jun a warm smile, "You know when I saw the look on his face when he performed with you, I saw contentment that I .have never seen on his face. Believe it or not, as a professional in his field, Len did not enjoy what he was doing. He performed out of obligation, and enjoyment and content was not his experience to music."
Jun became speechless with Fuyumi's words. She remembered what Len said to her today at the cafe, not once did anyone appraise him for the feelings he put into his music. However if it was the thought behind Len's music, how could she be rescued and healed from it? Why no one else sees the same interpretation she had for Tsukimori Len's music?
