Here's the finale of the chapter, here you go. It might be quite long. Enjoy and review please. :D

Thanks to the following and to the others who reviewed after I posted and saved this…

Natsume/Len/kyo – Thanks for your support then :D And thanks for liking my stories.

Fanfatic08 – Hahaha, I am truly sorry. But don't worry, here's the last chapter :D

JasMyr – Yes, I'll be careful next time. Thank you very much.

Himeno_08 – Haha, who wouldn't be impatient after reading the last part? Hahaha.

Petiamo – Thanks for your review :D

Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda D'oro or the date of Len's birth.


One Link

Chapter 3

"May I ask, where are we going?" Len asked as he sank deeper into his seat where he sat in the limousine. He may be glad to get out of the house but he really hates surprises. He folded his arms.

His father smiled at him from across the car. "Somewhere nice."

"A hotel or an expensive restaurant as far as I can tell," Len muttered, adjusting his black tie, "And why does it have to be formal?"

Misa, who sat beside her husband, giggled at her son's obvious bad mood, "I rarely see you like this Len," she giggled more.

Len wanted to say something back from embarrassment but decided to keep his mouth shut and chose to glare at the window instead.

"I'm sure his mood will lighten up later," his father commented, exchanging a knowing glance with his wife.


"My gosh," Hatoko said speechlessly after Kahoko has told her story, "But you still act as if nothing happened,"

"Because that's the only way, he might not remember what has passed, but I cherish it very much." Kahoko murmured.

"All the more you should be here today and talk to him,"

"I…"

Hatoko rolled her eyes, "I'll be leaving you in a minute. You better sort everything out with Tsukimori."

Kahoko looked away, "I told you the truth already about what happened the next day. I'm sure you're having the same thoughts as me—that everything was on a whim."

Hatoko shook her head, "If that's true, then he would've avoided you from---"

"That's the problem!" Kahoko said fiercely as she looked at her sister, "He doesn't remember, that's why---"

Hatoko sighed in frustration, raising both her hands in defeat. "Stubborn Kahoko. I'm leaving." She grabbed her purse and went inside from the balcony, closing the curtains behind her.

Kahoko looked at the sky, the sun glaring down at her, but the gentle breeze kept her cool, "What should I do, then?" she murmured.


Len followed his parents as they entered the well known restaurant.

It was famous for its outdoor dining, which was a court of flowers and maze, each end of the maze was where each table lies, there were only short hedges as for the costumers not to lose their way. The indoor isn't that outstanding as the outdoor, but it's a place where you can hold parties, balls, meeting and such. The only difference is that you could enjoy nature more when you're outside.

The waiter bowed as he led them to the room his parents reserved. He bowed once more upon opening the door for the Tsukimori family. Len scanned the room. There were chairs and a rectangular crystal table, with lighted candles and the roses perfumed the room. There's also a balcony which must've overlooked the restaurant's outdoor dining.

Len sighed.

"Why all this, Mother?" Len asked as they walked into the room.

"Because today's special and you're leaving…chasing your big dream." Misa said dreamily, "Come on, let's seat,"

Len pulled out a chair but stopped.

"Len?" his father asked, wondering why he stopped.

Len looked at the waiter by the door, "Has someone else been here?" he asked, gesturing to the beige coat on the chair.

"Oh, yes, your other guest has arrived earlier. I assume she must've taken a stroll around the garden."

"A guest?" Len asked, looking at both his parents who have taken their seat across him.

His parents smiled.

"I took the liberty of inviting her so you two could talk before you leave." Misa said.

Len was about to ask who was 'her', but the wind blew the curtains of the balcony which distracted him. He didn't realize his feet moved towards it until he drew the curtains and found…nothing.

He entered the balcony and walked ahead. "Nostalgic" he thought, as he looked below from the balcony.

"Len dear," Misa called from inside, "You better go find our guest."

Len turned around, "Who---" he stopped. There's no need to ask further, his answer lies there. On the chair, half-hidden by the opened door of the balcony. He closed the glass door and his eyes widen.

The familiar red violin case with the brown varnished violin and its golden strings…He was about to run and find her when a piece of paper caught his eye. He gently pulled it out from its tiny compartment, when he opened it; he was surprised to see its corners yellowish-black. Burnt.

Everything around him disappeared as he clenched the piece of paper, imagining Kahoko as she tried to burn it with tears in her eyes, but couldn't bring herself to do it. And as she reread the passage he had written at the back over and over again.

"Son?" his father said, seeing him rushing out the door.

"Let him be. He must've found his answer already." Misa said softly.

Len rushed out to the garden, he has no idea where Kahoko might've gone so he tried looking around. The garden was filled with people in formal clothing, and there seems to be a wedding reception going on. This place was calming in a sense, being surrounded by flowers and cherry blossoms which are yet to be in bloom…

A large Sakura tree caught his attention. It was different from the rest, its buds claim that the tree is about to be in bloom, and it was surrounded by tall hedges.

As he reached the tree he looked up and took a step back as if to take in its large size. He found himself wondering how old it was. As he stood there, he remembered the time he kissed Kahoko, it was also under a Sakura tree…

It was then when he heard the silent sobbing of a person. He walked around the tree and found her slumped form leaning on it.

"Hino-san,"

The scarlet haired female looked up from her tears and her eyes widen as she saw him. "Tsukimori-kun…" she said, standing up straight.

Len held his breath as he saw her in her attire. She had on a tight blue satin cocktail dress which was strapless, but had a thin silk hanging off her shoulders from the dress. She had a cream colored shawl which hang on her elbows, and she wore a pair of silver strappy stilettos. Her straight hair has been tied up into a nicely and detailed intricate bun which looks like it took hours to do and her excess bangs had been curled.

She looked…different and more beautiful than before, Len couldn't look away. But he snapped out of his trance when Kahoko took a step backward.

"Wait," he said.

"It was wrong for me to come here after all, I'm very sorry," Kahoko said, wiping her tears, she turned around, ready to run.

"Kahoko, wait." Len said, taking a step toward her.

Kahoko clenched her eyes close and took a deep breath, "Don't call me that. Stop it. Please, I won't be able to move forward if you call me that."

"I'll let you go once you let me explain." Len said, already behind her.

Kahoko flinched. She didn't hear him coming near her at all.

"Explain? There's nothing that you need to explain," she said, slowly turning around to look at him.

"Yes, there is. It's about the time when we were in camp, what happened the day after that time."

Kahoko looked at him in surprise. "Wha---"

"You must've thought that what I did was only through the influence of alcohol didn't you?" Len said.

Kahoko looked away and whispered, "When I heard about that, I thought I was going to break…"


"Good morning," Kahoko said emerging into the kitchen after taking a bath, "Eh? Tsukimori-kun isn't up yet?" she asked, scanning the room, everyone was there except for the blue-haired violinist.

"He's out cold," Kazuki, his roommate, answered.

"What's wrong sensei?" Kahoko asked, seeing her teacher seating on the counter scratching his head, with a glass in front of him.

"Did you or Tsukimori touch my drink?" he asked, showing her the half empty glass.

Kahoko shook her head, "No, what is that anyway?" she asked, looking at the pale pinkish drink he was holding.

"Some liquor, I think." Ryoutaro answered, "And since it's sensei's, I bet it's something strong."

"Hey hey, I'm not some drunkard. Since I'm on baby-sitting duty it was something light."

Then they heard a groan from the entrance, Len came in with a hand clutching his head, "So that was the awful stuff I drank yesterday," Len groaned.

"Ah! So you're the culprit who drank my precious drink!" Kanazawa said.

"You can't hold your liquor well, can't you Tsukimori-san?" Azuma chuckled.

"Liquor?" Kahoko said, stunned.

"Maybe that's why he acted weird yesterday…" Keiichi said sleepily, raising his head only to talk before dropping to the table again.

"He was cooking yesterday…S-senpai didn't e-even want t-to go near the s-stove the last time he tried to c-c-c-cook." Shouko stuttered, seeing her senpai look in such disarray made her scared.

"That should explain everything!" Kazuki said, "He was also in an impossibly good mood yesterday."

"Should've explained the headache then. I don't remember anything from yesterday at all…" he muttered, walking back to his room, but before he disappeared, he looked at Kahoko. There was something in his eyes, but it disappeared quickly as he turned around.

"Oi, Hino. Anything wrong?" Ryoutaro asked, seeing her frozen form.

Kahoko jumped but shook her head. "N-nothing at all," she said. He doesn't remember…he was drunk…


"I know what happened, I knew what I was doing," Len said, lifting her chin to make her look at him.

"Liar, You're just saying that to make me feel better. I don't need that Tsukimori-kun," she said bitterly, trying to move away but to no avail.

"Kahoko," he said.

Kahoko tried to struggle, but she stopped as soon as his lips crashed to hers. Those sweet lips which she has always yearned for ever since…but…this was wrong. Kahoko used all her strength to push him away and slap him.

Len looked at her with a stunned expression as her tears flowed.

"Stop it," she cried, and ran.

Len watched her running, but didn't do anything to catch her or make her stop. If he wanted to, he could catch up to her pretty easily since she can't run that fast with her stilettos. Instead, he clenched his hands and stayed where he was.

Kahoko slowed down as soon as she was indoor. She took a deep breath and wiped her tears to avoid the people to speculate. She thought of getting her violin and call for her brother to pick her up.

"Kahoko?" Kahoko looked up to see who called her name, it was Len's mother meeting her halfway up the stairs.

Misa gave her a worried look when she saw her damp lashes, and that her son wasn't with her.

"Misa-san."

"Did Len do something wrong?" she asked, walking down to Kahoko's side.

Kahoko shook her head, "Don't worry. I'm sorry to have worried you. I know this might be rude, but will it be alright for me to go home already?"

Misa nodded understandingly, "It's alright, come and get your things,"

"Thanks for coming though, it's very much appreciated, and it must've taken a lot of effort to look this nice. I'm sorry if my son lacks the hospitality of a host." Len's father said understandingly as soon as Kahoko and Misa went back to the room.

"No, today is suppose to be something special for him, I should be the one apologizing." Kahoko said respectfully.

Then someone knocked on the door. A thin man in driver's uniform entered the room, "I'm sorry to intrude, but Len-sama left this in the mansion." He said, carrying Len's violin case and music book. "I remembered that you asked him to bring these today."

"Oh, thank you very much," Misa said.

"Great timing, would you please accompany this lady back to her residence?" Len's father asked.

"Yes sir, I'll bring the car around, please wait at the lobby Young Miss." The driver said, bowing as he left the room.

"U-um, thank you very much…" Kahoko began to say, but Misa handed her the book the driver brought with him.

"What…is this?" Kahoko asked.

Misa smiled, "Go take a look and you'll know."

Kahoko studied the book and froze when she saw the title. Schubert's Compilation. Kahoko flipped onto the pages as if she used the book regularly, she stopped at the page which she knew she couldn't look away from and tears brewed into her eyes once again.

The torn edges from where Len tore the page. And a photograph which seemed to served as a bookmark. The photograph of the both of them…Kahoko dropped the both and clasped her hands to her mouth as tears flowed continuously.

Wh-why does he have that? Kahoko remembered Amou showing her that picture, but she didn't know what happened to it…and the fact that it was with Len the whole time…

"I don't know what happened but Len really loves you. He never told me anything, but whenever you were the topic we talked about at home, he would always brighten up a little. This big dream he is chasing, I'm sure he'd want to chase it with you by his side…" Misa said softly, smiling at Kahoko.

"Misa-san…"

"Misa…" her husband said, touching her shoulders.

"Thank you…Misa-san," Kahoko said before turning back.


Len stared at the huge Sakura tree…thinking things over.

Should I have let things be and just keep on pretending like I didn't know anything?

Should I have just pretended that nothing ever happened between us and pretend that the liquor got to me? Though it was my first taste of liquor, I've held it rather well…and I guess I couldn't help but use it as an excuse as to why I kissed Kahoko in the first place and how I acted. It wasn't like me to lose my composure that way. I've been meaning to tell her my feelings in a more appropriate way…but when we talked again… I guess she pretended otherwise too…like nothing ever happened.

I was glad that after that…harassment…she still asked me to teach her, to help her improve her violin. Everyday my feelings grow…Every day I enjoy her company…why do things have to go wrong between us? Why did I have to be selfish and wanted more between us?

I just love her so much. I've never acknowledged this feeling…unnecessary if I want to be the best…but it changed me…even those around me noticed that…

Slowly, he pulled out the folded piece of paper from his pocket. He unfolded it carefully like how a person would if he were handling an ancient piece of paper---which it was becoming.

As he unfolded it, a spark of hope entered him. What if Kahoko could accept him? She would, if not, why would she keep this? A reminder which will just hurt her over and over again? Why she hold onto something like this which will remind her of that day? This could be the only link they have of that moment…just one link…but it may be enough.

Just…just before he leaves later on…he'll tell Kahoko everything whether she wants to hear it or not…

"Len!" Kahoko called, she stopped just a few feet away from him, trying to catch her breath, she left her shawl with Misa, and this time she carried her stilettos with her, a few strands of his hair began to be out of place, "I…I'm sorry,"

Len ran his fingers through his hair as the uncontrollable blush crept on his face. The way she looks right now…

Kahoko looked at him, "I'm so sorry for not believing you…but I just can't find any other explanation as to why you would…want a person like me."

"Is an explanation always needed?" Len asked, looking at her, and noting that she called him by his first name.

"But why me? I'm…I'm not even good enough---"

Len had already pulled her in a tight hug, he breathed her hair which always brings him comfort…he missed this so much.

"You don't have to be good enough. You just have to be you…" he whispered to her ear.

Kahoko blushed as he said that. She secretly thanked the tall hedges, avoiding people to see them…

"I'm sorry…I didn't listen to whatever you had to say…"

"You were upset…"

"I know, but it still…Len, please let me go for a while," Kahoko said, trying to pull away, but she couldn't because Len just held onto her tighter.

"I won't," he said stubbornly.

"I want…to hear your explanation,"

"That's not important anymore," he murmured softly, "All I want you to know is that I love you. And I want to apologize,"

"Apologize?"

Len pulled back, but still didn't let her go. He used one hand to wipe away a strayed tear on her cheek. "I made you cry. And I lied back then, about being influenced by alcohol…" Len braced himself for whatever anger she'll show from this revelation…but…nothing came…he studied her eyes, they were calm, and no judgment was being made there---or so he thought.

Then she spoke, "Why? Why did you lie? Were you ashamed to show your feelings? Did you regret telling me?"

"No!" Len said, "No, it wasn't like that…I was just in a mess…I thought you would hate me…and think that everything was just on a whim."

"Well, you let me think that." Kahoko said, a trace of bitterness in her voice.

"And I'm sorry for that," Len pleaded.

Kahoko tried not to look into his eyes. Those gentle golden eyes which always mess her way of thinking…but she couldn't look away, she was already under his spell.

"I've already forgiven you for everything Len. I didn't care if you did it on a whim, it's because I love you, and I cherished that moment very much."

Len dropped his arms and inserted a hand in his pocket, pulling out the folded paper. Kahoko's eyes widen as she recognized it. "And I know," Len said softly, "That you've always loved me. I know that you mean it. And I want to prove to you that I feel the same."

Kahoko shook her head, "I…I've tried over and over again to forget everything, but I just couldn't bring myself to throw it away."

"I know, I know your feelings are real…and so are mine…"

"You don't have the need to prove it Len, I've seen it already…"

Len stopped, She saw it already? What could it be? Could it be…

"You've kept that picture right? Amou-san must've given it to you," Kahoko gave him a small smile.

Len looked away, a little embarrassed.

Kahoko giggled despite herself, and what she said next made Len's heart skip a beat.

"I don't want you to leave," she said.

He looked at her in surprise, and she looked back at him, but with guilt in her eyes. Because if she made him stay, it would be a hurdle from his dream.

"Kahoko..." Len said, pulling her again.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," she amended quietly.

"Those were the words I've been wanting to hear from you," he murmured, and this time Kahoko hugged him back.

"Len…I--" she stopped speaking, because when she opened her eyes when she hugged him back, there were flowers…falling. Kahoko looked up. Her eyes widen.

The Sakura tree is blooming.

And as she looked up, Len's face became closer to hers. He took the opportunity to kiss her again, this time not in force, but with gentleness and care, because he knows this time she won't push him anymore. And he was right, Kahoko encircled her arm around his neck to pull herself closer to him. To feel his gentle warmth.

Kahoko gasped for breath as they pulled away. It was passionate alright.

"Our personal miracle," Len murmured, brushing off a flower which landed on Kahoko's scarlet hair. "I never thought I'd see them bloom before I leave…"

Kahoko leaned on his chest gently, "Do you really have to go?"

"Yes, even though I've wanted you to stop me, I still want to do this..." he whispered, slowly combing his fingers through her hair, pulling off the braid in them, "But I promise I'll be back in a month or two."

"I'll miss you…" she said, hugging him tightly as she left her hair fall to her back, curled up in different angles.

"I love you," he murmured, "And I like your hair this way..."

Kahoko smiled. "I'm sorry I couldn't have given you something more for today's occasion."

"You have. You've given more than I deserve. You've given your heart to me."

"In exchange for yours," Kahoko said.

Len smiled on her hair, "This is the best birthday present I could ever ask of you. And even if we're apart," he said, slipping the folded paper on her hand and let go when her fingers encircled it, "there'll always be one link." He said, before kissing her again.


A/N: Please review! How was it though? Please review!

And that's it. My birthday fic for Len-sama though it's super belated… :D But I started it on the right date. Hahaha. Please review. I'll be looking forward to them.