It's been a long time since the last time I've updated. And it's holidays season.
I'd like to say thanks the ff. awesome guys for supporting me: suzakuangel, chika-pyonpyon, and empatheticsympatheticpathetic.
Hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Any errors in grammar and spelling are mine.
Chapter 4: The Unexpected
Megumi glanced at her senpai,"You could have spoken to her," she said. They were riding on a bicycle, Len was driving it while Megumi was sitting on the back. He slightly taken aback with the mild tone she had used. "What for?" he asked. Riding in the bicycle was of the fun things they usually do for a date. Sometimes they rode on separate bikes but most of the time they prefer to share a bike because Megumi would bully Len into doing it.
Days have passed since that incident; the duo managed to go on their dates to patch their indifference and became politer to each other especially on Megumi's part. Len would sometimes give her advice to which she would in return play a track called 'On The Side of Me' on her cello or violin whenever they are alone together, which Len thought he liked in a very inexplicable way. Music-wise their chemistry had improved better. Anyone who listened to their practices would agree to one thing: that the spring had arrived earlier, where the fireflies dance, moonlight casting her mystical rays on the rich floras. As much as they hated to admit it for themselves, they have fun in enjoying each other's company, a little more comfortable, relaxed aura for both of them.
"In case you haven't notice, the word worry's been written on your face," she snapped. Len rolled his eyes.
Ah, some things were bound to remain the same.
"So what do you suggest, Megu-chan?" He heard a wince. He mentally grinned to himself. Len had developed a habit on calling and teasing her by that nickname to which he surprisingly found amusing and to her a nuisance. They alighted from the bike when Len halted it to a stop.
"I'm trying to lend a hand, okay?" she decided to ignore his provocations.
"Hontou?" He was about to raise his eyebrow, however he prevented himself from doing so because he saw the genuine look of concern on Megumi's face. "I guess I couldn't hide it from you," he sighed in defeat. "Hai, maybe I should talk to her. I'm worried if she's really doing fine. Kahoko has this bad habit of putting up a cheery act when in truth she's hurting."
About a week ago, the group was aware that both Hino and Tsuchiura were keeping a pretty good distance at each other. They have a hunched that the couple were experiencing some rocky toll on their relationship. Even Hihara thought it was wise not to meddle themselves from the messy situation and it was best to let their lips sealed. Of course everybody was somehow affected, especially on violin master's part. He's hurting too, but he just know how to keep his feelings at bay.
"How about you? Our plans for today?" Len asked.
"Don't mind me Tsuki-senpai. She truly needs her friends right now and I understand it would cost a lot of pain to you if could not do a thing about it," Megumi replied. Len let his mouth slightly agape.
"Don't give me that look. I'm showing some kindness even though in my back you guys were considering as an ice princess." She placed her hands on her senpai's elbows steering him away. "Now go, before I could change my mind to torture and to give you a slow, merciless death," Megumi said.
"Ano, Megumi-chan…"
"Hn?"
"Arigatou." Len bowed and left readily.
Megumi gazed at the violin master's retreating back. Was she really happy at doing that? And why there's unexplainable sensation in her chest? Something like she can't breathe and her heart's giving a small squeeze. She shook her head. She ought to move now to continue their plans because being alone wasn't an excuse to spoil the mood in enjoying fun activities. In fact she was used to being alone. Eversince…that day…
xxx-xx
"A penny for your thought," said a male voice in a low tone. Megumi recognized the owner of the voice, she raised her head immediately. The handsome, ever-smiling visage of the flute master, Azuma Yunoki. Her face slightly darkened. Of all places!
"Would you mind if I join you?" Yunoki inquired as pulled a chair to her table. Yes, they were in the café where Megumi and Len first held their date. Megumi chose to spend the whole afternoon at the said establishment just to study and to have fun eating in her favorite blueberry cheesecake.
I do mind! She wanted to blurt out but she stopped herself. Instead, she returned her attention to the book that she was reading moments ago.
"I'll take that as a no." Yunoki sat. " Judging from what I'm seeing right now, you're on own. Where's Tsukimori-kun?" He flashed his golden smile again.
Goodness! Isn't his jaws already locked from doing that?! She opted to remain silent.
"Gone off somewhere, didn't he? Or he just don't fancy babysitting a brat?" he teased.
Megumi decided to put down her book; she eyed squarely the handsome guy before her. "If you'd excuse me, I'd like to spending my time quietly," a hint of irritation in her voice.
Yunoki chuckled. "I believe you looked more kawaii when you're fuming mad."
Megumi, calm yourself. There's no way you'd let him go his ways. She smiled.
"Yunoki-senpai, just let me tell you something. I'm not some kind of plush toy that you could play along with. And, oh, not all of the female population is head-over-heels with you. FYI, that includes me!"
Ouch! There's a wounded ego here. Well, she's quite right about that. As the saying goes, you can't please everybody. Nonetheless, what Megumi said clearly hit him with a loud thud. Yunoki knew better that his charisma wouldn't go an extra mile with this type of girl. She's one headstrong gal. She's the type who would rather tie a rope unto herself and jump at the nearest river than to be a member of his fan club. He found that trait interesting in the same manner that he was attracted to Kahoko Hino. They were challenges to overcome. His idea of fun.
Wait, there's more…
"Your 'charms' won't work on me either. I don't need to be blinded by those smiles," she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"What was it that you don't like in me? I don't think I'm that detestable. Uhm… Let me see, I suppose you're not afraid of me or maybe something?" Yunoki taunted.
"Meaning?"
"The reason you hold back."
"Then what makes you think that I hold back? Do I need to prove something?" Megumi challenged. It was time to change her tactics.
"That's one thing that I like about you, Megumi. You're too smart for your own good. How about going on a date on me?" Yunoki gave a twisted smile.
There's more to her than meets the eye. I've got to uncover the mystery beneath those repressed tears of notes in her every music piece that she plays.
I'd rather open the gates of hell to live there than to ever let my guard down.
Gomen ne for such a short chappie and a change in my style of writing. Promise, when my sanity returns I would be able write again.
Happy Holidays and please review!
