A/N:Minna-san! Thanks a lot for your reviews! Hercolanium, greenteachan, and Jasmyr, thanks for your reviews. And even to mcblueangel and vampirefan, thanks so much! Thanks a lot even to my silent readers who still read this story :D take care you guys! =)

DISCLAIMER:I do not own La Corda D' Oro. It belongs to Kure Yuki and to all its legitimate owners.

CHAPTER SIX||My Heart's Score in Blue

After the conversation she had with Aoi Kaji, Kahoko immediately went straightaway to her company's building. She clasped her hands tightly on her violin case as the glass doors automatically slid open. In she went with her beloved instrument.

The lobby, she noticed, was filled with press reporters, journalists, and even fans, too. They surrounded the reception area where the manager was at. Each day, they only became thicker and thicker.

"Where's Innocence-san? May we speak to her?"

"What secrets does she have? What's her real identity?"

"Innocence-sama, come out! Let us hear your violin!"

"Nee, what's with her mask? Afraid to show her face?"

Those were what she heard from where she was at. "It's her trademark! That is all I can answer. Please leave, else I'll have to call the security guards to show you the way out."She heard the manager and saw him walk away.

Kahoko was stunned upon seeing the ruckus. Despite her highly anticipated album and sold-out guest appearances, not once did she ever think that a lot of people would actually like her. She never thought that her violin would take her this far. Mio was right. Innocence did attract so much attention.

It was thanks to that fateful meeting a year ago after Azuma's engagement party. Aoi kaji, who actually worked for the agency, and Rin Manaka, that lady he was with, changed her and made her into what she had become. It was thanks to them that she's a step closer to her dream. And as humble as it may seem, but it wasn't stardom nor fame she was after, but to be able to walk the same path as her beloved Len. It all happened so fast. Who would've thought she'd be a successful violinist in just a span of one year?

But despite what she has attained, Kahoko still felt something painful in her chest. The fact that she couldn't reveal her identity, not even to her closest friends, made her guilty. How can Len ever know what she has become if the agency keeps her personality as a secret?

Yet she still hopes that someday, she'll unmask that sparkling Innocence and reveal the true woman behind the façade. And she wouldn't care whether or not people would appreciate her as herself, as long as she has her loved ones by her side, especially Len… that's if he realizes he still wants her. It was that detail that separated them both—Len's engagement. And the more saddening thing was that he wasn't engaged to some other woman. She sensed that it was with her former accompanist, Manami Mori. But with the unclear statements that Len makes, she couldn't afford to be so sure. Moreover, it felt like she was accusing the ochre-haired pianist.

"Hino-san, Manaka-san has been waiting for you in the conference room," a female secretary came to her in secrecy before she could get lost in her thoughts. No one in this establishment, save for Aoi, Rin, the President of the company, and this lady with her, knows Innocence's real identity.

"Hai.Thank you very much," Kahoko replied with a smile and disappeared from the eyes of the prying crowd.

Somewhere, same time...

"What's this all about?" a booming voice called out as a thick pad of bond papers was dropped abruptly on the glass table. Len, just like an ice sculpture, remained with his composure. And while he was unshakable, it was the other way around for his manager. At last, he has come to face the consequences of his reckless actions.

"Explain this to me, Izumi-san. Compared to the earlier sales, the copies sold out dropped by two percent," the head of the department said, eyeing Tatsuya Izumi, Len's manager. Knowing that Len has already been a world-renowned musician, this thing,he thought, would be close to impossible from happening. He never once thought that this would ever occur to TheLen Tsukimori.

His eyes were firm and unmoving, just enough sternness to shake Tatsuya off his feet. "I know a sorry can never fix this, but I humbly apologize!" the manager said and lowered his head.

The higher official sighed exasperatedly. "This must have something to do with what happened during that Yunoki engagement party. It has been a year and yet those rumors whatsoever are still undying. It is indeed very troublesome." He turned to look at the violinist. "Tsukimori-kun, who was that girl anyway?" the head suddenly asked, his hands clasped on his office table, anticipating an answer.

The blunette's eyes slightly widened in shock, not expecting that question to suddenly arise. "She's no one special." He replied in his icy tone.

"Oh, I see. I assume she's a die-hard fan, then. Good for you, Tsukimori-kun." the middle-aged man commented. "But still we can't treat this matter lightly, and with that Innocence around…" he sneered. "Len Tsukimori's female counterpart? Bah! She's just a newbie artist! You cannot lose to her, Tsukimori-kun."

While the room was engulfed with silence, Len's mind was actually screaming with thoughts. Who was that Innocence, anyway? She suddenly showed up out of nowhere, and in a span of one year, attracted attention from thousands of people even with her mask on. He hoped that this was only one of those passing idols that people fancy for a moment. For if he loses his job, the unimaginable would happen.

"Fix this, Tatsuya. I want it fixed immediately."

"Yes, sir."

After the meeting, the two were dismissed and were finally alone in the hallway. His manager was obviously distraught, while Len remained composed, except that it was only on the outside. "Geez, I am so going to be fired," the manager sighed. "Oi, Len Tsukimori, be careful of your actions okay? It's those undying rumors and Innocence! You better be careful, okay?"

The lad remained silent. After some deafening seconds, his manager turned to ask him again. "Oi, Len. What about that engagement, huh? What are you going to do about it? It's been a year, if I'm not mistaken, that you haven't heard about your girlfriend. Kahoko, wasn't it? And what's with you and Manami Mori? I didn't think you were such a playboy!"

He flinched when he heard Kahoko's name again. This time, he gazed at his manager with his dagger-like eyes, his gaze saying something like "With all due respect, but do you want to die, Izumi-san?"It was obvious that he didn't want anyone meddling with his personal matters. The engagement, which he told the press about, was a different matter.

Seeing the look that the musician gave of, Tatsuya chuckled. "I understand. But hey, I'm your manager. If you need any help, don't hesitate to call." He tapped Len's shoulder twice and winked at him as he left. "Good luck with your romance, boy!"

A shade of pink was undeniable on Len's cheeks. Seriously, what was that old man thinking? Len ran his fingers through his hair as he heaved a sigh, the barriers he built around himself starting to crumble.

.

.

.

.

The empty recording studio resounded with the music that Len produced with his violin. It was still full of skill, yet void of emotion once again. The notes were fast and upbeat, contrary to the mellow and fragile state he was in. On the normal eye, one could say that he played so well, not missing a single note on every measure. But the reality was his mind was disturbed of every thought about Kahoko Hino.

Flashback to their senpai's engagement, Len recalled how badly he refrained himself from hugging her the moment he saw Kahoko talking to the ochre-haired pianist. The way she sparkled in her long white dress, the way she looked with her hair, and the way her smile melted him… nothing has changed. She was still beautiful as beautiful as ever.

It was a sad thing that he should resist the urge to engulf her in his arms. For if he succumbed to his selfishness, everything he ever planned will only be in vain. Yes, almost everything he ever said and done was his plan, and Manami Mori was his co-actor.

This was the irony of it all. To raise Kahoko Hino up and be known together with him, he needed to hurt her and to threaten her. Thinking that if she were to feel both pain and love for Len, Kahoko would find a way to equal herself to Len, just like she's always done, even way back their days in Seiso.

However, Len was no longer entirely sure. Was this the right thing to do? Hadn't she turned the offer years ago, I wouldn't have to result to this, was what the blunette thought to himself. Seeing Ryotarou protecting her at back at the engagement, and seeing the pain and guilt in Manami's eyes, he was no longer sure anymore.

Just as the back of his head told him, he now appeared like a villain, playing Kahoko Hino's fragile little heart after finally reaching his fame. And now that his career was already at stake, he needed to do something fast. And in order to regain what he had lost and to cradle Kahoko safely back to him, he needs to eradicate his ultimate threat now: the violinist in the name of Innocence.

After a few moments, Len's violin-playing was stopped by the door creaking open.

"Tsukimori-kun, sorry to bother your practice, but Izumi-san told me to give you this."

"No, not at all," he replied to Manami and reached out his hand to receive the folder. There was a deafening silence before the pianist decided to leace.

"Mori-san."

Manami turned. "Yes?"

"Thank you."

Feeling what Len truly meant, she only responded with a smile.

.

.

.

"W-wait, Kaji-kun! Y-you're kidding, right? I take back what I said minutes ago!"

Sigh."I'm sorry, Hino-san. But this has nothing to do with your earlier statements."

"B-but... Manaka-san! This is a joke, right? I'm not ready yet! Wh-what am I going to do?"

"Stay calm, Hino-san. You'll get by... trust me."

The red-haired violinist could only collapse back at the sofa, her face a complete expression of horror. As she allowed herself to fall, the folder in her grasp only dropped to the floor. It read:

XXXX Recording Companies Collaboration Proposal:

"A Rivalry of Two Hearts" for the benefit of AAA Foundation

with the special participation of Innocence and Len Tsukimori.

Catchy phrase(to be printed in posters):This will be a night you won't soon forget.

And indeed, it won't be.

A/N:Please forgive me for taking too long to update! Also, I hope this doesn't appear to be rushed (cause it is, just the last part though). Please do leave a review! Thanks a lot! Also, I decided not to name the company and the foundation so as to relieve you dear readers from recalling too many names. Thank you very much again!