A/N: I'm sorry for the delay! I'd been two-minded about this chapter, so it had to undergo some major reconstructions... Then the internect connection at home just decided to go bonkers on me... -sigh- I think scrapping a whole chapter and rewriting it from the beginning again.. is the hardest decision for any kind of writer to make, but I just did it so please, clap for me... (boohoo) I only hope it was for the better... -giggle-
Chapter 6
Chiaki woke up from his deep slumber slowly and reluctantly. His headache was gone and he felt so much more refreshed, compared to his first awaking today. It might be too childish to admit this, but a good restful sleep, and maybe a full belly, always put people in a better frame of mind. He almost felt happy again and ready to face anything that may come his way. He turned over to lie on his stomach and hugged the pillow tightly, relishing in the soft and fluffy feeling that brought in almost child-like delight! Chiaki wondered why he'd never felt this comfortable and happy even when he was in his own flat in London. Having decided to change his pillow to a fluffier one once he's back, he slowly pushed himself up from the bed.
This was the guest room of Tanya and Kuroki's snug little nest. Nothing luxurious about it, but very comfortable nonetheless – with an amazing pillow! And very… messy? Chiaki cocked his head to one side as his eyes caught on several layers of garments carelessly thrown over the back of the chair in one corner, various plastic bags and snack wrappers on the table, and a big luggage on the floor, opened wide to reveal more clothes, toiletries, some documents and a passport. He realised with a shock, that this… must be where Nodame is sleeping! He couldn't stop himself from blushing furiously as he imagined Nodame's head lying on the exact same spot on the pillow, as his had been just a few moments ago. When he first came in, he did not notice the surroundings for he was really very tired but now that he looked around carefully, the room definitely bore the usual sign of Nodame's invasion. She hasn't… changed?! Gosh, but judging from the more ordered mess, he guessed that even Nodame knew enough to be not so messy in other people's house.
His tummy rumbled loudly and gave him an untimely signal. He couldn't help it; Chiaki had not had anything to eat since last night. And the consumption of so much alcohol had been quite hard on his stomach – and on his liver as well, most likely. He needed to eat something. He went to open the guest room door, careful to not trip over a pair of Nodame's boots on the way. The house was strangely quiet: obviously, Tanya and Kuroki have stopped quarreling – that had been scary!
Never would he have thought that his private life and affairs would cause so much uproar - almost as much as when his more stunning performance had caught the attention, and hearts, of many audiences. But then, Tanya and Kuroki were friends. Good friends. Of course they'd also be concerned about him as a person, not just Chiaki Shinichi, a successful conductor. He searched earnestly in his heart to see if there was anyone in London whom he could call 'friends' like them, but was crestfallen to find none, out of hundreds of people he knew and interacted with everyday. Has his various acquaintances and relationship been all to no avail at all? What is it in him that made him so reserved and unapproachable?!
Then he heard the thunderous clatters of something hard and metallic falling down, closely followed by "Mukya! Gyabo…"
Chiaki turned and walked towards the noise. As expected, Nodame was standing in front of the kitchen cupboard in the midst of pots and pans, most of them upside down on the floor. She seemed to have hurt her thumb and was sucking it with teary eyes.
"What are you doing?! Are you alright?"
He began to stretch out his hand, but checked himself just in time. Nodame had already put her finger out of her mouth and hid it behind her.
"Ah, Nodame's fine, no problem," she said quite unstably. "It's just that the pot hit my finger when it fell…"
"You should be more careful, baka. What were you doing?" He frowned and bent down to pick up the cookware.
"Ah, senpai, Nodame will do it, please don't bother!"
Nodame was so flustered and in a rush to pick them up herself, that she actually managed to knock her head right into Chiaki's chin as she bent down in haste.
"Hugya, senpai!" she cried out, covering her head with two hands.
"Omae…!"
His teeth rattled from the impact, but at least he counted himself lucky that he didn't bite on his tongue. Gosh, her head was so hard!
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Are you ok, senpai?"
"No, my head feels like a gong," he complained. "Do you carry a boulder in there or what?"
"Ahaha, Nodame's skull is thick, you said, after all…"
She was trying for a joke but Chiaki felt quite uncomfortable, remembering the things he said last night and how their relationship stood at the moment. He got up briskly.
"What are you doing in the kitchen anyways?" he asked again, nursing his almost-broken jaw. "You can't even cook."
"Fuah, Nodame can cook now!"
"I don't believe you."
"Nodame can! Nodame can!"
Chiaki didn't even bother to say what he was thinking and just gave her the 'yeah, right' look. Nodame kept glaring at him for a while and then the stubbornness gradually melted to give way to a sheepish smile.
"Well, at least, Nodame can boil ramen and egg without burning, in addition to making Onigiri."
"Oh, that's actually impressive!"
"Isn't it?!" she giggled. "Well, Nodame had to live alone in Tokyo for a while so…"
Nodame turned away to put the pots back in the cupboard. She had mumbled the last part but Chiaki's sharp ears had heard it quite clearly.
"You were living alone in Tokyo when you left France?" he asked.
"Eh, maa…"
She went quiet after that. Chiaki realised that he had brought up an uncomfortable topic, even to remember, for both of them. The natural conversations he's just had with her seemed very strange now.
When the silence that hung heavily around them became too suffocating, he asked, "Where are Tanya and Kuroki?" Well, that was a safe topic at least, wasn't it?
"Tanya said that they have a reservation for dinner somewhere and they both left. I think they were trying to be considerate about us, but I really think it's a pointless meddling on Tanya's part," she replied irritably.
"Ah… erm, I see."
No, nowhere was safe right now! Chiaki felt like he was walking blindly on a field of landmine. As the fact that they were completely alone in the house came into the light, he suddenly felt very awkward in her company, which had never happened before since the day one of their acquaintance! His brain seemed to be thinking of so many things at the same time, but nothing tangible managed to leave his throat. Should he talk about how well-suited Tanya and Kuroki were to each other, which no one would have foreseen? That they look happy together? But how could he talk so nonchalantly about other people's marital bliss to Nodame - of all people?! She might take it in a wrong way… or, maybe not react to it at all. Maybe she didn't care, really. He fidgeted with the shirt sleeve, scowling, and rubbed it on his trousers distractedly.
He turned his head away and asked abruptly: "Nodame, what are you doing in Paris?"
Her mouth became an 'oh' shape in surprise and spoke in slow deliberation.
"So, Tanya and Kuroki didn't tell you…" there was a short hesitation before answering. "Well, I came to Paris because the amateur choir I play the piano for is entering a contest here."
"P, piano…?" Chiaki's voice faltered. He'd caught on his breath when he heard the word 'piano' leaving her lips. She's playing again?!
"Hai…" she answered and avoided looking at his eyes.
His heart started hammering in his ears. This was bad for him. Just when he thought he'd finally got used to the idea of Nodame's renewed intrusion to his life, she just had to come up with this atrocious surprise to rampage on the order he'd been enjoying so far. Yes, Nodame was that kind of girl; she disturbed the peaceful tranquility wherever she went, neither did she do anything by half!
"But… by piano… I thought… what do you mean you play the piano…?"
"Senpai," she sighed heavily. "Is it so disagreeable to know that Nodame plays the piano again?"
"Baka, you know that's not what I mean!" he shouted out in sudden anger. Chiaki had hated her; hated her so much until now for abandoning him and the piano. He really believed she might never touch the piano, ever again! And look at her now, saying that she accompanies a choir, as if she'd done nothing else but! More than the joy that surreptitiously made him feel warm, he was angry. How dare she lead him on in this way? And to think his vile hatred was all to no purpose at all! It'd have been better if he could just hate her.
"Omae… Since when have you started playing again?" his voice shook in his attempt to control his temper.
"It's been some time…"
"Some time?" he cried harshly. "How long is this 'some time'? Why didn't you tell me?"
Even as he blurted it out, he knew that was the wrong thing to ask. Even Chiaki could see that there was no reason for her to report every single thing to him at that point. He coughed uncomfortably and said: "I mean, you could have come back to Paris a bit earlier.. and… maybe-"
"Please don't misunderstand," Nodame interrupted him. "Helping out with the choir is just one of my hobbies…"
"H, hobby?!" his eyes widened.
"It's not like I've taken up piano again to become a great virtuoso or something, so stop worrying, senpai."
"Worry?!" his brows snapped together in scowl. This cheeky little miss was taking the whole situation too lightly! He'd thought that he had already cured her of this levity towards the piano since a long time ago! Professionally speaking, he couldn't allow a great musician with tons of talent to be buried in obscurity as a fellow musician himself. Even now, when she had already given himself up. Yes, only in terms of professional light, he stubbornly told himself. As his old possessiveness to be the one who leads and supports Nodame kicked in, Chiaki felt like he was treadding the same path all over again, only, this time Nodame refused to let him in. No explanation - even an excuse was offered as to why, when or how! He couldn't have been further away from her life than now.
"Nodame, why don't we go and grab something to eat?" he asked determinedly. He was getting really hungry, after all the emotional exhaustion.
"Eh?" she looked ill at ease.
"We didn't really get to talk properly last night, right?"
"But…"
"Come on, don't be so difficult," he snapped. It wasn't like he was hitting on her or something!
"Senpai," she sighed. "But Sylvia-san will be worried about you."
Eh…? Geh! His heart sank to his stomach at the mention of Sylvia. From the nervousness and Nodame-issues that occupied most of his present concern, Sylvia, his betrothed, had flown out of his mind completely. Good God, there was that problem too!
"Holy cow, what time is it now?!"
"It's nearly five, senpai."
"Damn it! Unbelievable. I missed the bloody plane!" he cried in annoyance.
"Eh, missed the plane?"
"Sou da, kono baka!"
He was immediately sorry for taking his frustration out on her when he saw Nodame flinch. Ye gods, can he ever do anything right?
"I'm… sorry for shouting, really," he bit his lower lip. "It's just… coming to Paris… last night… and.."
Seeing you again…
"I'm sorry too, senpai," she replied quietly.
Chiaki inhaled deeply and recollected his senses. First thing first, he had to check if Sylvia was okay.
He said, "let me just make some calls first, alright?" and disappeared into the guest room with his mobile phone. He called the hotel first.
"M'selle Haworth is already gone, monsieur."
The male receptionist, who'd answered the call, informed him.
"She left?"
"Yes, but she did inform us that her fiancé would check out later."
"Ah, yes. Precisely," Chiaki told him business-like. He was relieved to know that his absence has not perplexed Sylvia. But of course, Sylvia was a capable girl who did not need looking after, for she always did whatever suited her best. He thought he might be able to catch a night flight later, when a crazy idea flashed into his mind. Even crazier was that he actually acted on it.
"Some important business came up that would hold me in Paris for a few more days at least. Is it possible to keep the room?"
"Mais bien sûr, M. Chiaki! Avec plaisir," the receptionist answered benevolently and did some rapid calculations as how best to rearrange and reallocate the reservations in his head. But this young conductor was worth all the trouble – and probably the wrath of some customers – not only for his own fame's sake but also for his fiancée who was an only daughter of a multimillionaire.
After that, he called Sylvia's mobile.
"Shin, darling!" she exclaimed when she answered. "Where have you been? I was worried."
"I'm still in Paris. Sorry, I didn't realise how late it was until now. Are you alright?"
She laughed delightfully.
"Of course, I am. Why shouldn't I be? So when will you be back?"
"Erm, well…" he chose his words very carefully. "After meeting my friends I, er, realised that we had a lot to catch up and then…"
"Oh, honey, I'm at Tallulah right now. Can we talk later?"
"Right, so, I'm staying behind in Paris for a few more days," he said all this very fast and held his breath. Sylvia's reply came immediately, however, and in a favourable light.
"Oh, really? Ok, sure, but I really must go now. See you when you come back!"
Just before Chiaki hung up, he heard a noise of adhesive-tape, of some sort, being torn from something and Sylvia yelped in pain (Where the hell is Tallulah?). Much to his comfort of mind, she sounded more cheerful than he'd feared. At the same time, he wondered fretfully what on earth was to be done with her. But before he wallowed himself in despair, there was just one more business to be taken care of. He flipped open his mobile once more and called Edward, his PA. Chiaki was nothing if not practical and well-organised.
"Hello," answered the cheerful Edward.
"It's me, Eddie."
"Mr Chiaki! What's the matter?"
"I'm in Paris."
"I know that, sir," Edward replied laughingly, but soon exclaimed: "Oh, my God! You missed the plane! Do you want me to get another ticket for you?"
"Ah, that's why I called."
"No problem, sir. Now, let me just…"
"I am detained in Paris so don't book another flight."
"…open my laptop and… What did you say?"
"I don't know when I'll be back, so don't worry about it."
"But what about the rehearsal tomorrow?"
"Let the concertmaster lead the practice. He should be fine for a few days."
"But the concert is in less than two weeks' time, sir!" poor Ed screamed in despair.
"I'll also trust you to inform the College as well," Chiaki added matter-of-factly.
"Sir!"
"Good luck," he hung up.
While Ed tore his hair and wondered if all great men really did do whatever they pleased, Chiaki was also equally agitated at his own daring. Never had he neglected a single rehearsal like this before! He was the diligent and conscientious workaholic, who loved his work and never slacked off – unlike a regular customer, namely the Maestro Stresseman… He blenched, imagining a few scenarios of how his own very important concert might go wrong, but there was something he wanted to do no matter what. He wanted to confirm why on earth he couldn't just up and leave Paris.
"What are you thinking, Tanya?" Kuroki's gentle voice brought his wife out of abstraction.
"Hmm, just wondering what kind of circumstances can break the strongest of bonds in life..."
"Why the sudden seriousness?" he chuckled.
"I dunno..." she replied and leaned her head on Kuroki's shoulder. "Seeing Nodame and Chiaki again... makes you wonder, doesn't it? At first, they were the strangest and most unlikely people to be together, but now, it's even stranger to see them apart."
"Ah!" Kuroki turned towards Tanya, effectively pushing her head off his shoulder. "But you were shouting that Chiaki-kun would do better to marry his fiancée, at me!"
"That was!" she also flared up but soon her voice dwindled into murmurs. "Because I was angry... and you shouted at me, too!"
With his lips pursed in a straight line, Kuroki put his arm around Tanya's waist and she readily snuggled up to him.
"You should learn to control that sudden outbursts of yours..." he told her quietly.
"Yes, only if you'll stop being so taciturn!"
"Never at a loss for words, are you?"
"Well, Never!"
Kuroki looked down at her affectionately with a smile. He'd been very fortunate that he was able to marry the woman he loved. And if these little antics of hers were adoring in his eyes, then he must be seriously in love indeed! When he shyly broke the news about his engagement to his peers, there was no small amount of surprise. 'Unbelievable!' was just one of the many exclamations he'd received to his face. And when he'd told his parents...! Just as conventional and conservative as his old self, his family was in dismay over him marrying a foreigner.
They patiently listed, in order to dissuade him from the marriage, the cultural difference, problem of bringing up their children, the limitation to the language and communication, and so on. All very valid and totally pointless. Of course, he knew all that too - he was not stupid! - and decided to marry her despite them. Because he was quite sure there was no better person to share his life with than this vociferous, passionate and, sometimes thoughtless and naughty Russian pianist.
All those years ago, Megumi-chan had moved him so profoundly with her performance, inspiring such respect and awe as a musician. On the other hand, Tanya had touched his heart instead, as a woman. He couldn't explain it very well, but when Tanya played, he was more attracted to the person who could create such passionate music, than the quality of her playing in comparison to other pianists. Remembering how they used to bicker all the time, he laughed to himself and agreed love is strange indeed.
"Why are you laughing to yourself, like a fool?" Tanya interrupted his thoughts.
"Fool?" he raised an eyebrow. "A husband is never a fool."
Tanya rolled her eyes and said: "It's times like this that I really think you are weird too..."
"A husband is never weird!" he added stubbornly.
"Gosh, you are annoying."
"A husband is…!"
"Alright, alright! You are right, you are perfect, and I love you!"
Kuroki blushed a little and grinned sheepishly. Tanya snuggled closer to him.
"Yasu my darling, I also think it's awfully romantic to be sitting on a bench near the Seine, but…" she sneezed boisterously. "Can we go somewhere inside? I'm freezing!"
"It was your idea to leave them alone," replied a heartless Kuroki.
"But we don't have to freeze to death over their reconciliation!"
"Reconciliation…" he pondered. "Perhaps it's too much to expect them to be 'reconciled' to each other at this point…"
"Damn them! If they haven't by the end of the day, then they'll have to be responsible for my cold and Nodame shall nurse me back to health!" she cried vehemently.
He chuckled and wondered if they should move to a café at least. A sudden thought, however, entered his head and he asked: "Tanya, will you still love me after 8 years of estrangement?"
Instead of answering, Tanya looked at her foolish, weird and annoying husband for a while, as if he'd sprouted a second head on his shoulder, and spoke very slowly.
"No… I think I'll go and get a new boyfriend."
"Argh, I knew it!" Kuroki exclaimed tragically. "I've married a fickle woman! You'd probably jump at the opportunity too, right?!"
Tanya pressed hard on his nose with her index finger.
"If we've been estranged for 8 years, it'll only mean that we don't love each other anymore, or one of us is dead, because there's no way I'd be separated from you otherwise. I won't let you get off that easily, you know."
He acknowledged this, with a shudder, and said: "But then what about Megumi-chan and Chiaki? Shouldn't we also consider the possibility that they might have fallen out of love? I wonder if we've done wrong to throw the two of them together, when it may be better to bury the past in the past."
"Don't worry about them; they are on an entirely different planet from us," Tanya waved her hand about dismissively. "We all know Nodame is weird and her brain works in a unique way only comprehensible to herself. And maybe Chiaki," she added as an after thought.
"Do you think she still loves him?"
"I think she's a total moron and a gutless loser!"
"Huh?"
Kuroki was somewhat surprised and puzzled by her intensity but did not press her for an explanation. It was pointless; she wouldn't tell him anything. Over time, he'd learned that Tanya was fiercely protective of Megumi-chan and angry with her at the same time, which was quite odd. Yet, he didn't like to pry too deeply into what she obviously chose not to tell him out of her own will. He idly wondered if things were going well with Chiaki and Megumi-chan, and decided to find a café for hot cups of coffee when Tanya sneezed again, three times in row.
A/N: Aheh, I've already written the end part of Chiaki and Nodame's encounter, but it was too tense and heavy, so Tanya and Kuroki have agreed to put in an appearance as cameos! I was writing it with tears in my eyes, as a compensation for not being able to write lovey-dovey scenes with our fav star-crossed pair! T.T It breaks even the author's heart to see them apart -sniff- who keeps telling herself that she's not suited to write angst, but she's just conceived a new idea for an angst drama... What's wrong with me?! -.-
In case you guys haven't realised... Tallulah is the name of beauty salon XD After the sentence, "Chiaki was nothing if not practical and well-organised" I was so tempted to add "even in his two-timing affairs" but I persevered! LOL it's off the record...
