La Corda D'oro

The Missing Friend, Rival, and Love Interest's Return

Chapter 7:

"Wow," Rei whispered. He bent down and took Kaho's face in his hands while she stuttered and blushed like crazy. Rei couldn't believe how cute she was.

"R-R-Rei?" Kaho's voice was as soft as his. His lips were inches away from her own. Kaho first put her hands on his chest to push him away, but then he got even closer. She closed her eyes, not knowing what he was going to do, or what else she should do. Kaho was still blushing and Rei was still mesmerized, not aware of what he was doing. He was just about to kiss her lips when she raised up on her tip-toes to get closer to him, making him kiss her nose and wake from his daze.

"O-oh! Kaho, I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking clearly!" Rei kept apologizing. He couldn't believe he was just about to force a kiss on her! Then, she did something unexpected; Kaho kissed his cheek.

"K-Kaho?" he asked uncertainly.

"You were acting weird like something was wrong, a-and I thought that kissing you would make you feel better. I'm sorry?"

"N-no! Thank you. I should be the one apologizing for acting weird. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Bye!" Rei left in a rush, to hide his happiness and embarrassment. Kaho stood, staring down the path he left on for a moment, then shrugged and went inside.

The next morning when Kahoko woke up, she was full of the jitters. It was the morning of the competition and they had only practiced once! How in the world was this going to work out? And another thing came to mind; what about the dance competition? The flyer had said it was music and dancing. Well, it was 8:30, so Razvan might not be awake. Kahoko got up, showered, and got dressed in a gray tank top with paint splattered designs, cut-off jean shorts, and flip flops. She added a white headband with a pink hibiscus flower on it for fun.

It was still too early for Razvan to be up on a Saturday, so Kaho headed to the park with her violin.

She headed to her favorite spot; a corner looking over the ocean, right beside a park bench with an engraved heart around HK+ first time she had seen that she was surprised. HK are her innitials. But whose innitials are also HK? Kaho didn't bother to find out because she knew that no one could have possibly written it about her. (Actually, Hihara had gone here one day and saw Kahoko practicing. Out of sheer impulse, he took a pen out of his school bag and engraved his innitials and hers with a heart around it. He heard it was good luck to put your crush's and your own name in wood.)

Kahoko took out her violin and played Ave Maria. It had been a while since she had last played that song. Her hands ached to play it again. People gathered around her and when she was done, clapped enthusiastically. Kaho opened her eyes and smiled and bowed. Then, she heard a husky voice in her ear. A familiar voice. "Still playing in the same spot, waking the same people of from their sleep?"

Kaho turned around to see Etou smirking at her. "Maybe you should stop sleeping there, to avoid me waking you up," she told him.

Etou smirked bigger. "I never said that I didn't like it. Just like I never said that you weren't my type."

She blushed. "H-h-how did we get on that subject? Anyway, I've got to go!" Kaho hurried off to go see Razvan, but a hand on her arm stopped her.

"Hey! Don't go so fast. I'm bored. Entertain me," Etou demanded like a child with another smirk in his eye. Kaho jerked away, but instead off letting her go, he tucked her arm in his. "Where can I escort you, m'lady?" he teased.

"I-If you have to go with me, then I'm going to my friend's house."

"Okay. Lead the way." Etou made a theatrical sweeping gesture with his hand.

"But my violin!" Kaho worried. Etou held up his other hand with her case and his in it. "Oh! Thanks!"

"No problem, Kahoko." Was all he knew how to do was smirk and tease her? Jerk. They went about 4 blocks and came up to Razvan's uncle's house. Kaho had finally got her arm back and went up the porch to ring the doorbell with Etou right at her side. Why didn't he leave? Was he that bored? He needed to find a hobby or practice his own violin more. The door opened and Kahoko saw a magnificent sight. Razvan had just woke up and was heading to the kitchen for breakfast before getting dressed, so all he had on was boxers and drawstring sweats. Shirtless. Messy hair. You could see how nice and warm his tan was, and see his unbelievable abs. Kahoko's heart skipped a few beats, and she bit her bottom lip. Razvan's eyes quickly shifted to the guy with malice in his eyes that was standing by his favorite girl.

"Hey, Kahoko! Who's Grumpy?" Raz stepped out onto the porch and gave Kaho a big posessive hug.

Raz finally let her go to explain. "This is-" Kaho started but was interrupted by Grumpy.

"I'm Etou Kiriya. You?" Etou held out his hand for Razvan to shake.

"I'm Razvan Dragoaste. Nice to meet you." Razvan shook his hand with ferocity, and Etou gave it all right back to him. Through all of this, Kaho just saw two men fighting each other with their egos and testosterome. She rolled her eyes.

"Goodbye, Etou-kun," Kahoko said, signaling him to leave.

"Ciao, Kahoko. I'll leave you and your boyfriend alone...for now," Etou winked and waved goodbye as he left.

"H-he's not my boyfriend!" Kaho called after him. She was blushing when she turned to Razvan. Razvan didn't particulary look happy, but when he saw Kaho looking at him with that sweet smile, the testosterome toned down and he broke out into a smile.

"So, what are you up to, coming here so early?" Razvan asked.

"It's not early; it's 10:30. And I was wondering about the dance portion of the competition."

This is the end of chapter 7! Sorry for the earlier mix up with the chapters 4 and 5, but I fixed it! Next chapter is dancing with two guys, so don't miss it!

"Why are you worried. We used to dance all of the time. I taught you how to waltz and swing dance." Raz raised an eyebrow.

"I don't remember! The last time I danced was at a school dance and I stepped on Kaji-kun's foot!" Kaho was worried.

"Here; how about you wait for me to get dressed, and call Rei to tell him to meet us at the park. I'll teach you guys how to dance again.