A/N: Hello again and thanks for those lovely reviews. It's always good to get them and to see what other people are thinking about the story. As for Chiaki Masayuki, well, I won't say too much and give away anything ahead of time.

I've had a busy week which is why I took a while to edit and post this. Had a birthday in the middle of that as well.


Concerto

Chapter 3

Walking through the door of her apartment, she caught sight of him lying against the sofa. He seemed to be fast asleep. She looked up at the wall clock and placed her hand over her mouth in dismay.

Half past nine. Is that the time already?... I hadn't noticed. Nodame gasped.

After surveying Chiaki's handsome features at leisure, she leaned over and kissed him lightly on the forehead, while gently caressing his hair. It was an opportune moment to see him at his most vulnerable. For Nodame it increased his attractiveness ten-fold.

Poor senpai... he must be exhausted. Tough day, I don't wonder.

As she stood up to walk away, Nodame felt something tugging at her skirt.

"Finally home, are we?" Followed by a sleepy grunt and a moan.

"Uh huh... So what's for dinner, senpai?" Nodame could feels the rumblings in her stomach crying out for nourishment.

The innocent question was greeted by a wall of silence and followed by a cushion propelling missile-like in her general direction. This saw her knocked off her feet and onto the floor with a loud thud.

The young pianist rubbed her sore elbow pathetically. "Mukiya... senpai... You did make dinner, didn't you? Nodame is starving to death." As was her response to such acts of unconventional affection, she pouted indignantly.

Chiaki looked at her in despair. "Is that all you think of? Food?"

Nodame giggled girlishly and waved her hand airily, "No idiot, it's not all Nodame thinks of... but if Nodame is going to have any strength to do the other thing... Nodame will need some sustenance first."

Chiaki rolled his eyes in mock annoyance. "Would be nice if you said 'Hello'... I don't run a bed and breakfast, you know."

"Oh, but I did, senpai... I said it in my mind when I saw you lying here asleep... We are soul mates so you should know exactly what I'm thinking."

"Oh really? What exactly am I thinking now?"

"That you missed Nodame... and that your great love for her brings out the best in your cooking." Nodame looked at him hopefully.

Chiaki smiled in spite of himself. He did miss her and well, the other part wasn't untrue.

"Idiot..." He allowed himself to fall onto the floor beside her and gave her an affectionate slap on the forehead.

Nodame looked at him with a surprising gravity. "Senpai... you did miss Nodame, don't you?"

"Who's the idiot now... Do you even have to ask?" He drew closer and planted a kiss lightly on her lips.

"Good... because Nodame missed you too." A lot...

She closed her eyes and surrendered to the warm lips that were pressed over hers with increasing intensity.


Nodame was chewing slowly on the rice as she savoured the flavours of the Chicken a la King. Her mind, on the other hand, was elsewhere. She was staring at nothing in particular, apparently engrossed with empty space, with the music of the Mephisto Waltz running back and forth relentless in her head. A pair of chopsticks in one hand and with the other hand, her fingers were drumming enthusiastically on the table in piano-like fashion.

Chiaki recognized the signs. Working on something I imagine. Wonder how the recital went?

"So what was this special recital that you had to attend?"

Nodame thought for a moment before answering. "Oh yes, it was very interesting." Should I tell him?

"Well, that's not saying much." He looked at her quizzically.

"Senpai... I'm going to play the Mephisto Waltz at the finals." She managed to mumble through her food.

Chiaki choked and coughed on the coffee he was having, leaving spatter marks on the table. "Isn't that a bit sudden? You only have 3 days left to practise. Does Professor Auclair know about this?" He spluttered saying.

"No, not yet... I've only just decided."

Wonder what brought this on... She's not turning weird on me again, is she?

"It suits Nodame... " She said thoughtfully. "Nodame wants that challenge. Needs it."

"I thought you wanted to win..."

"Of course I want to win... What idiot doesn't?... But I want to win with something memorable." She turned to him with a dour look. "Don't you think I can win?"

"It isn't that..." He replied hastily lest she turn wrathful on him and spoil what had been a pleasant evening. "Last minute changes to the programme aren't advisable." And it's the Mephisto Waltz... not just any piece...

"Nodame can do this." She seemed decidedly determined. "I must..."

"Why... " Chiaki looked at her curiously. "What's the hurry..."

"I'm not in a hurry." Nodame huffed sourly and continued nibbling on a piece of chicken.

"You don't have to prove anything to anyone..."

"I'm not... You don't get it."

Obviously. "But why now..."

"Our relationship depends on it..."

"But I told you..."

She brushed his protestations aside. "I know you love me, senpai... But Nodame must grow... Nodame cannot play safe. She cannot stay a child. Do you understand?"

"I understand..." He ruffled her hair affectionately. "But you don't have to do this now, you know. There's plenty of time."

"It's now or never." She muttered cryptically.

Chiaki was baffled by the sense of urgency that had gripped her. Wonder what's got into her now? That recital she went to perhaps? Well, she seems determined enough. And once she has a bee in her bonnet, there really is no stopping her.

"Well... what are you waiting for then? Get to it, now... I want to hear it..."

"Eh... well... I can't remember the last six measures... and I haven't got the score."

Sigh. "Okay... just play the bits that you do remember. I'll go to my place, I'm sure there's a copy of the score somewhere in the apartment."

"It's half-past ten... senpai..."

"Do you want to win or not?"

Nodame broke into a grin and made a quick dash for the piano.

Why this piece? Chiaki wondered.

He didn't have to wonder long... Almost at once, he stood riveted to the floor. The sounds from the piano could not but command attention.

Dear God... The energy... the vibrancy ... the playfulness. A young Ashkenazy. She's captured the essence...

Dear God... She may actually pull this off...


"Yes, Chiaki... you wanted to see me?"

"Erm... Professor Auclair... it's regarding one of your students..."

"Oh yeah... what's his or her name?"

"It's a her... don't know her name... Reddish brown hair... Asian-looking... resembles a peasant doll."

Auclair broke into a knowing smile. "Ah her... Megumi Noda... yes, I can understand your interest. She's a fascinating creature that one..."

"Megumi Noda? Megumi Noda... " The name rang a bell with Masayuki Chiaki. "Didn't she have her debut concert with Stresemann last year?"

"Yes... that's her... but the less said about that event the better." Auclair acknowledged grimly.

Wonder if the gossip about her being a Stresemann groupie is true afterall. "I hear she's good."

"Oh yes, she is... better than good. She could easily surpass the both of us... in time to come."

"I believe it." If what I heard was anything to go by...

"But it all depends."

"Depends on what..."

"How seriously she takes the process of learning... So what's your interest in Miss Noda?"

"I heard her play last night."

"Ah... ha..."

"She interests me greatly."

"She seems to have that effect on people." Auclair grinned.

"I'd... like to talk to her... perhaps discuss a possible collaboration."

"She's playing at the Cantona finals this weekend so she'll be busy preparing for that. I suggest you talk to her afterwards."

"At the Cantona, eh? I should probably see if there are any tickets left."

Auclair shot his colleague a knowing look. "It'll be money well-spent."