A/N: It amazes me that even now I am still getting author/story alerts. I'm not a great writer and I write these stories b/c it makes me happy. It reminds me of when I was little and I enjoyed doing stuff like this. Having you guys like my story makes me all the happier. Therefore, despite how much I kind of not care about La Corda d'Oro much anymore, I will try to finish this story. Here it goes, please don't flame as harsh. I know it's short.

Emerald Realization

Still reeling from the scene at the entrance of the orphanage, Tsuchiura played the wrong note on the piano, snapping him out of his reverie. His hand hovered above the piano keys.

"Mister?" a small voice called out.

He stared at the small child besides him and had a befuddled expression.

"Is something wrong?" A pair of doeful eyes stared up at him, shining with innocence.

"No, why would there be?" He shook his head.

The child's eye looked wide as ever, "You played three wrong notes."

Now Tsuchiura felt foolish, being corrected by a mere toddler. When that new student, Kaji, entered the school, he initially brushed him off as a typical 'Tsukimori'-type. But since he blatantly kissed Hino's hand in front of class, he smelled trouble. Avoiding the bewildered stare of the child, Tsuchiura lifted his head. Beyond the window under the shade of the lush trees, she stood. The speckled sunlight bathed her fiery mane in glimmer, like ivory pearls. The sun kissed her honey-sweet skin. Her beauty further accentuated by the curvature of her profile and soft smile.

She was adjusting the violin for the child. His thoughts began to wander. Would she do the same for her child?

A resounding melody filled the spacious room, like a thread of gold that ran through the finest of silk. Hino closed her eyes, reveling in the calming tune. It was one of her favorite pieces. Chopin. After hearing Tsuchiura-kun play Chopin for first time at the music shop, Chopin easily became one of her favorite composers. Sadly, he was not one to compose violin pieces. Tsuchiura-kun's sound touched her heart. Its beauty resonated through such simple notes. When the song finally came to an end, there was a weak clap of a single spectator. Lowering her instrument, she let out a grateful smile. Hino gazed into the amber eyes of her adorable son.

"Mommy, you play so well!" Ryo was beaming, clapping his hands repeatedly.

"Thank you, Ryo."

"Mommy! Mommy! Now play the piano!" Ryo demanded.

Hino suddenly looked flustered, "Uh, honey, I don't play the piano that well."

The child's expression crest-fallen, "I want to hear the piano though."

Hino, overcome with the need to please her child, spoke feebly, "Well, I mean, I know how to play one song."

Ryo's face lit up into a sunny smile. As Hino guided Ryo to the bench, she had an uneasy grimace. Her hands hovered above the keys. She slowly made the first notes without difficulty but it seemed like every key she played afterwards were wrong, making the piece sound like a broken tune. However, a pair of hands came about and covered her own. At his touch, the tips of her fingers tingled. Sinews lined with muscles, the size of his hands ellipsed her own. His hands led hers smoothly across the keys. Her lips curved involuntarily into a smile.

"Relax your fingers."

His deep voice seemed to penetrate her own heart, his breath tickled her ears. In the corner of her eye, she gazed at his profile. She marveled at his handsomeness, unaware that the music stopped. His face turned towards her. She was immediately floored by the golden hues of his eyes, fathoms deep and soulfully rich. His face came closer and his lips adorned a kiss at the corner of her lips. Her cheeks flamed and she looked away. Ryo has a mischievous grin.

"What are you smiling for?"

"Daddy and mommy play well together." Hino had her mouth agape at the audacity of the boy while Tsuchiura rubbed his son's head.

"Come on, I'll teach you the song, son." She gazed up at Tsuchiura, they shared a mutual smile.

"Tsuchiura-kun!" He lifted his head at the sound of his name. "Can the kids come in and learn how to play too?"

"Of course!" he motioned them to come over. He felt a tug at his side, "Mister, who's that lady?"

His eyes moved from the boy to Kahoko, "Someone very special."

I WILL TRY to make the future chapters longer, but it's really hard. This entire page took over a night to write. I apologize for the grammar. I know it's atrocious.

9.15.11