A/N: Before I give you my next chapter, I'd like to thank the following reviewers for encouraging me to continue with this story. I'm experiencing what authors in this site call a "writer's block". But with your review/suggestions/comments/insights, I was able to think of what happens next in the chapter I'm working on.

Pathetic Rainbow, midorihimesama, Panzer718, kalen1, SapphireShell91, IceDollSayaka, 'sakura-syaoran forever', Bella-n-Edward4Eternity, hana827, kawaiiSei-chan, Sakura's Wings, Lei14, SilverMoon69, pinkkish, idzny, yumikosakura195, SnowCharms, AnimeFanGirl 07, PhoenixDream, Setsuka-san, cookiepie05, Emiko22, Melodywind, sweetsally, denizmuxicz96, vixenia, xxxmikaxxx, andHell Overdrive.

I would also like to thank those, even though some of them didn't review, who sent me personal messages about their insights and suggestions. They really helped!

Akinriah Tram, macchiato, Yian-san (gotta hand it to you, your suggestion was looong and detailed. I had fun reading it. haha!), pinkkish, Lei14, and Panzer718.

Sorry to those whom I missed... oh yeah, how could I forget?! MY BETA!! Hahaha!

I'd like to introduce to you-- Amir Jan, my Beta... and my Boyfriend.

... shocked? A raise of hands who know of someone whose boyfriends BETA their girlfriends' work? I'd like to share the joy I feel right now with those gals. ;p

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Okay, enough with my babbling. Here's the story! Enjoy! This is a little short but I'll make sure to post the next chapter within the same week. I just have to persuade my "boo" to beta earlier than usual. ;p

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CHAPTER 3

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"Mom! Get up! Get up! We're going to be late!" Keiichi was jumping up and down at the end of Kahoko's bed while she struggled to wake herself up.

"Okay, okay… I'm up!" she sat upright and got out of the bed, walking towards the bathroom.

Leaving the bathroom after a nice warm shower, she heard her son's annoying call again as she rushed to get ready.

"Just go ahead and eat your breakfast!" she said as she practically ran down the stairs with her brush still tangled in her hair and her arms full of her and Keiichi's stuff needed for the day. "Mom?" she called.

"Yes, dear?" she answered from the laundry room.

"Keiichi and I will be home late in the afternoon."

"Okay. First day of school, I assume?"

"Yep! And I'm going to bring my violin with me!" Keiichi cried excitedly.

"Sorry for the hassle mom, but did you get to prepare Keiichi's lunch? I totally forgot about it."

"Yes, dear. I also packed yours. Don't worry about it."

"Thanks mom, you're the best!" Kahoko gave her mother a kiss on the cheek followed by a wet one from Keiichi. "See you later!" she took Keiichi's arm and their things and rushed out of the door.

"See you, Gramma!"

"You two take care."

--

A tall, young woman with long and curly light brown locks wearing black-rimmed glasses greeted Kahoko by the classroom door where her first batch of students was waiting.

"You must be Hino-san." The woman bowed.

"Yes, Madame." Kahoko bowed back.

"I am the principal of Seiso Grade School, Tamaki Sakiko. You may call me Sakiko-san."

I'm surprised. She looks very young for a principal. Kahoko thought.

"I apologize for not being able to accommodate you during your application. At that time, we were in need of music teachers so we took the chance of hiring you the moment you applied. It was unfortunate that we lost a couple of music teachers especially our violinist that is why we feel very lucky to have you in our faculty." She gave Kahoko an amiable smile. "Thank you very much for choosing this school, Hino-san."

"The pleasure is all mine, Sakiko-san. Please call me Kahoko-san. I was quite surprised hearing that Seiso already opened a grade school that's why I didn't hesitate on applying for a teaching position in this school. Take this as my way of giving back to the education I received from Seiso University."

"I'm glad you chose us, Kahoko-san. Oh, I heard you are very skilled with the violin. I hope to hear from you soon, perhaps?" Kahoko blushed at the complement.

"I—I'm not that good, Sakiko-san. But I know the basics well enough."

"Well I'm sure we're going to hear you play. There's an upcoming arts and culture festival in 3 weeks and a lot of students, especially those of the arts, will be involved. We will also be inviting local professional artists to play in some of our events especially in our culminating concert. I'm sure your students and music teachers like you will be participating."

"Th-that would be nice. I'll be looking forward to it. Will there be specific events or performances assigned to each class?"

"Your class will be given a piece to be played together with other classes. An orchestra piece to be exact."

"I see. When will I start teaching them the piece, Sakiko-san?" Sakiko took music sheets from a folder and gave them to Kahoko.

"Today." Kahoko looked at the principal disbelievingly and the principal just giggled in reply.

Is she kidding me?

"If there are no more questions, I shall be going. I wish you luck, Kahoko-san." Both exchanged bows and Kahoko faced the classroom door. She took a deep breath and readied herself for what she was to face at the other side of the door. She placed her hand on the knob, turned it and revealed quite a number of kids ages 6 to 7 running around, playing with their fellow classmates or drawing on paper. Silence swept the room as the young sensei stepped in.

Kahoko wrote her name on the blackboard and faced the students. They have already returned to their seats which made Kahoko relieved. At least they're more tamed than my previous students, she thought.

"You may all call me, 'Hino-sensei'. I'll be your new music teacher from now on. Nice to meet you all." The students excitedly greeted Kahoko and ended with a lot of murmuring in the background.

"She seems nice." A girl whispered to her seatmate who nodded vigorously in agreement.

"She looks pretty and young." A little boy said.

"As you all know," Kahoko intervened "there will be an arts and culture festival in 3 weeks. Your principal told me that the class will be performing an orchestral piece during the culminating night." There was cheering heard from the children who were very thrilled about the said event. "So I expect and encourage everyone to do well in all our practices. Understood?"

"Yes, Hino-sensei." Everyone chorused excitedly.

--

Three classes later, Kahoko went to the school grounds to relax since it was her free period. It was a long and tiring day for her but fulfilling nonetheless. All her students were disciplined and they didn't give her a hard time in teaching. Other than the occasional murmuring or whispering in the background, they were well-controlled and very friendly towards her. She thought it was better than teaching back in Osaka where there were only a few students who wanted to be taught music and the violin.

But what disturbed her all day was when she asked the students who their favorite violinist was.

(Flashback)

"Sensei!" a student raised his hand.

"Yes, uh…" she browsed through the seat plan to know the name of the student. "Eiji-san?"

"I like Tsukimori-san. He's really, really good! I heard he knew how to play the violin since he was 3 years old! And now he's one of the best in the world!" Kahoko looked dumbstruck at the student and couldn't say anything for a few seconds.

"Sensei? Are you alright?" another asked worriedly at their teacher's troubled look. Kahoko just nodded absentmindedly still in a daze after hearing his name.

(End of Flashback)

"I never thought I'd hear his name from these students, especially those as young as them." She whispered to no one in particular. She then shook her head and chuckled sarcastically. "And here I thought I was readying myself for this but now I realize that I'm far from ready!"

Kahoko smacked her forehead with her palm.

Pull yourself together, Kahoko! She scolded herself mentally. You're no longer the shy, innocent girl you were before! Be the grownup you're supposed to be and fight!

"Mooom!" a voice called from afar. She turned and saw her son running towards her with his violin case at hand.

"Keiichi-kun? What are you doing? Don't you have class?"

The little tot stopped in front of her and took long and labored breaths to calm himself before speaking.

"Sensei dismissed us early since it's our first class!" he gave her a broad smile. "So I thought of practicing the new piece. Then I saw you from the window so I came here!"

"Well, lucky you! Anyway, how's first day of school so far?"

"I love it! Everyone's so nice and teacher gave me a star and a piece of candy for guessing the right answers to her question!" he showed off the back of his palm to her which had a stamp of a blue star.

"That's my little Kei-chan! I'm so proud of you!" she stole a peck on his cheek.

"Mom! Stop it! Not here!"

"Why so?"

"Because they'll see us!"

"Who?"

"The students and teachers!"

"Or the girls…" Kahoko teased.

"Mooom…"

"What?" she tried to look innocent as if there was nothing wrong with what she said earlier.

"Never mind."

"Aww… Kei-chan, I'm just teasing you. Okay, take out your violin and let's start studying the piece together. I still have less than 25 minutes to spare."

20 minutes later…

"Kei-chan, I'm so proud of you! You've learned so much in such a short period of time. Now all you need to do is to play it a little faster and polish the notes then you're set to play it in a few weeks tops." Kahoko praised and tried to give Keiichi a kiss on top of his head but he evaded.

"Mom, didn't I tell you a while ago not to kiss me in public?"

"Oops. Sorry if you're mommy loves you too much." Kahoko stuck out her tongue at him. "But, really, you did great!"

"See, I just did what you said. Practice, practice, practice! I told you I can do it!"

"I never doubted that, Kei-chan. You're a really fast learner as well as a persistent one." She looked at him with watery eyes. He's so much like him.

"Mommy? Are you okay?" Keiichi put his small hands on top of his mothers while sporting a worried face. The school bell rang indicating that it was time for the last class hour.

"We should go back to our classrooms." Kahoko gave her son a brief hug then helped him pack his violin in its case. She took his hand and they walked together towards the building. "Let's go."

--

"We're home!" Kahoko called out when they opened the door of their house.

"Welcome back, Kaho-chan, Keiichi-kun." Her mom greeted. Kahoko took off her shoes and went to sit on the sofa. Keiichi did the same but took the remote to turn on the television.

"How was first day of school, Keiichi-kun?" Keiichi told his grandmother the same story he told Kahoko earlier in the afternoon and showed her his star. Afterwards, Keiichi turned his attention to the television while Mrs. Hino went towards Kahoko.

"So, how was your first day of work?"

"Better than I expected. The kids are great and the faculty's very amiable. I got along very well with everyone." She gave a tired smile but Mrs. Hino noticed that something was bothering her daughter.

"Mind sharing your thoughts, Kaho-chan?" she took a seat beside the young woman.

"I… I just heard his name, that's all. I guess I'm just nervous about seeing him again."

"I see."

"Tsukimori Len-sama, that's right! Our very own world-renowned violinist will be performing with pop star Aika in a special number in Aika-san's concert tomorrow!"

Kahoko's eyes widened at the mention of his name and she turned to see Keiichi watching the news.

"Reports show that this performance was very sudden due to a request made by Aika-san earlier in the week. The organizer of the upcoming concert said that Tsukimori Len-sama agreed to this performance. We don't know the reason behind this but there has been a rumor since the beginning of this month that the violinist is in a current relationship with this famous pop star. Could it be the reason why he agreed to this spontaneous performance?"

A snort could be heard in the living room as both Keiichi and Mrs. Hino look at Kahoko who was trying to contain her laughter.

"Now that is some news! Who would've thought of the day that he'd perform with a pop star?" she couldn't hold no longer as she laughed her heart out. Keiichi peered curiously at his mother before turning back his attention to the television, changing the channel in the process.

"Kaho-chan, are you alright?" her mother asked in a worried voice. Kahoko stopped laughing, wiping the tears that came out while she was laughing.

"I'm okay mom. I just found it very hilarious."

"Okay, if you say so." She looked at her daughter who was now in a dazed state, staring blankly at nothing in particular. "Kaho—"

"I'm going to my room." Kahoko intercepted. She kissed her son good night then went up the stairs in a slow pace.

"Aren't you going to have dinner with us?" the young woman stopped at the middle of the stairs.

"I think I'll skip tonight's meal." The older woman gave her a worried look. "Don't worry mom. I'm okay. I'm just tired from the day's events."

"Alright. Good night, Kaho."

"Good night."

--

Tsukimori Len was leisurely pacing inside the office of the concert organizer. He just gave the coordinator a piece of his mind about the news report shown on television. Upset and exhausted, he approached the poor man one more time.

"I don't know what you're getting from making these arrangements." Len narrowed his eyes at the coordinator with his arms folded. "But I will not appear in this concert."

"But, Tsukimori-sama, Aika-san told me that you agreed to this performance!" the man said.

"I did not agree to any performance, more so in a pop concert. This is not of my field, Kamiya. You know this is a risk to my image as a classical violinist." Kamiya was about to refute when the door suddenly burst open.

"Len-sama!" A girl in her early twenties with long, blond and curly hair came trotting towards Len and hugged him.

"Let go of me, Ustukake." The girl shrugged off Len's cold attitude and still clung to him.

"Aika-san! Tsukimori-sama does not acknowledge the song number he is supposed to perform in tomorrow. I cannot convince him enough, Aika-san." Kamiya complained to the girl. Aika gave Len an annoyed look and groaned in frustration.

"But why? I already asked you two days ago and you said 'yes'!"

"I did not."

"Yes, you did. You said that you'll perform for me and in replacement I won't be bothering you that often." Aika grinned triumphantly but Len held his cold expression.

"I said I will not do it unless you completely stop bothering me, which I believe is impossible. Hiro-san, let's go." Hiro, his personal assistant since he began his career, went out the door with Len. They headed towards the exit of the building but were met by a throng of paparazzi.

"Tsukimori-sama! Is it true that you are performing tomorrow with Aika-san?" a reporter asked as he tried to push himself closer to Len.

"No. I did not agree to such arrangements." Len said in his emotionless voice as he tried to push his way towards the awaiting limousine. The reporters created an uproar after his declaration as they once again bombard him with questions.

"But is it true that you're in a relationship with Aika-san? It seems that there hasn't been any news from you regarding serious relationships since your last girlfriend earlier in your career." Len paused in front of the limo door at the mention of his relationship with Hino.

--

Kahoko stopped what she was doing when she heard the reporter's question. She was inside her room browsing through her class curriculum when she turned on her small television. She ended up hearing the last two questions posed by different reporters to Len and the violinist's refutation regarding the performance the next day. She focused on the image shown on her television screen as Len had an unreadable expression on his face after hearing the last question.

"I'm sorry but Tsukimori-sama will answer your questions some other time." Hiro said as he pushed Len inside the limousine and closed the door. The limousine sped off out of sight and the camera revert its focus back to the reporter.

"Len…"

--

Len gave a tired sigh as he hit the back rest of the limousine's leather seats. Hiro gazed worriedly at his master when Len kept quiet the whole time.

The poor boy is much more affected by what happened earlier than I expected. The old man thought while Len gazed outside the window.

"Tsukimori-sama."

"…"

"Tsukimori-sama."

Len woke from his daze as he peered at his secretary.

"What is it Hiro-san?"

"Do we head straight to your home, Tsukimori-sama?"

"Ah." Len said as he turned back his gaze outside the window.

Hino-san, I really hope that the decision you made was for the better. But what I can see right now is Tsukimori-sama suffering from his own decisions, Hiro thought.

--

A while later Len arrived in his condominium. He went to the island in his kitchen where the liquor bottles were displayed. He took a glass and poured himself some whisky before heading towards the balcony of his bedroom. There, liquor in hand, he leaned on the railing and stared at the city lights.

"Kahoko…" he whispered to the wind before he took a drink from his glass.

(Flashback)

Len felt a pair of hands creep on his shoulders and then covered his eyes. He smiled ever so slightly and covered the pair of delicate hands with his.

"Kahoko," he whispered. The girl giggled behind him as she took her hands from his eyes.

"Len-kun, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to practice for your mother's charity concert?" Len turned around to get a full view of Kahoko. He admired her look by gazing at her from head to toe and then he took her small hands in his bigger ones.

He looked at her fingers and fondled with them.

"Len-kun, you haven't answered my question yet." Kahoko tipped Len's chin so he would face her.

"Mother wanted me to rest. She confiscated my violin so I'd be forced to spend the day violin-free." Kahoko tried to hold her laughter but her eyes showed otherwise. Len's eyes narrowed. "It's not funny."

Kahoko couldn't help but laugh nonstop.

"I-I'm sorry. You're just too cute! I mean, you look like a kid whose favorite toy got stolen!"

Len rolled his eyes. Kahoko feigned a look of shock.

"Did Tsukimori Len just roll his eyes at me?"

He responded with a glare. She took both his cheeks and stretched it.

"Len-kun! That was so gay! Rolling your eyes? Come on. You're not serious, are you?" Kahoko teased.

"Stop pinching my cheeks." He gave an annoyed look once she stopped but she saw that the glare he had was a playful one.

Kahoko snaked her arms around Len's neck and she brushed her nose against his.

"So, how about we spend the day together then?" the girl suddenly whispered.

"Kahoko…"

(End of Flashback)

Len woke up from his dream realizing that he was still at the balcony sleeping on the wooden bench, his liquor glass half empty on top of the small side table.

He massaged his temples before standing up and heading for bed.

These dreams keep coming more frequent than usual…

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A/N: You know the drill... please review!!