The Art of Music

I hope you enjoy this chapter! And I apologize for the late update. Also hopefully the next chapter we will see more of Aoi Kaji, Yunoki, Hihara, and maybe Etou Kiriya.


Chapter 7: Rivals + Love = Competition

At first glance Kaji Aoi could only be described as 'super model hotness'. That's probably the way you would summarized him at first glance, but at second glance he is not only physically gifted but personality wise as well. Then if you were to take one more glance you will find yourself falling head over heels for this male. He is a great danger to the women population.

Or so I have realized now that I am sitting across from the said male. I nervously laugh it off, feeling myself sweat under the nasty glares of the females infatuated by him.

"…have you talked to Mio and Nao?" His gentle yet husky voice pulled me back from my musing.

I find myself blushing seeing that I was caught daydreaming, I sometimes really hated how my cheeks will burn and match the color of my hair.

"Ye-yes, I talk to them once in awhile but not as often as before…" I answered before taking a sip of my ice tea, hoping it would somehow lessen the blushing.

"I see, anyway when I first heard that you were studying in Vienna it was shocking news to me."

"N-not at all, I was more surprised to see you—and being pulled out of the practiced room out of nowhere." I pointed out.

We both stared at each other for a second, before we both burst out laughing. It reminded me when we were kids, how Aoi will always pull me out of the practice room and drag me to god knows where. He hasn't changed at all.

With that thought in mind I smiled warmly at the nostalgic feelings. I blinked a few times before realizing that the laugher had abruptly stopped. I turned my gaze toward my silent companion, he looked surprise and a tint of red was powdered on his cheeks.

"Aoi?" My voice was filled with concern as I called his name; he stared back at me before sending me one of his trademark smiles.

"I was just zoned out by how cute that smile of yours was." He complemented good naturedly, but even so those words made my cheeks immediately heat.

"A-a-aoi!" I exclaimed before lowering my head so that my bangs would somehow cover the redness on my face.

I hear a masculine chuckle from across, which made me flinch in embarrassment. I meekly peered from my bangs, wondering what the bronzed haired male could possibly be thinking.

"I came to Vienna to see you, but not only that I decided to finish my studies here." He said softly, his emerald eyes steadily watching me.

"Oh, that's great! You will definitely like it here." I chirped, already forgetting why I was so embarrass before.

"I already am." He smiled, one that was unreadable—his answer had a double meaning but I didn't look too much into it.

"I see, and where will you be finishing your studies?" I questioned, mildly curious of which school he had chosen.

"At UMPA, which I supposedly heard you were attending as well." He said jokingly. At the news of which school he will be attending, my smile brighten even more.

"And may I ask were you got your information from?" I asked, my voice filled with banter.

"I have my sources." He lightly stated, his trademark smiled never leaving his features.

"I see how it is then, so I guess you won't be needing me as your guide huh?" I teased, before taking a bite of my cheesecake.

"No, on the contrary. Without you this young man will be at lost." He stated in a joking way, before moving his hands to show how troubled he was.

"Ha, says the straight As student, with great sense of direction, and a genius at sports."

'How perfect could he get?' that's what I wondered at times, he was perfect at every single little detail. Seriously, even as a kid he was flawless, but that wasn't the reason I had a major crush on him. No, it was the fact he was the one that supported me when everyone said I was horrible at violin. He was gentle and sweet, with bright smiles decorating his face. Not only that, his music had given me a new meaning to play violin.

Music is a form of Art, and with Corda I will express my feelings through it—and create the most beautiful piece yet.

"Now, Kahoko I'm not as perfect as you say—I'm a human too." He defended.

"Name something you are not perfect at?" I challenged, slightly crossing my arms.

"Cooking, uh…umm…ugh…"

"You see? I told you—"

"Violin."

"Huh?"

"Aoi?"

"I'm not good at violin…"

"But you are the best at violin; you even won the Youth Music Competition." I reasoned, feeling slightly confuse and shocked by his confession.

"I placed second."

"That's still very amazing!"

"No, there was one person I could never beat in violin. Kahoko, even thought I worked so hard, I practice so much I couldn't win against him. I went against my family for music but—but it always took me twice as much effort in practice…and the pressure and disappointment. I gave up playing violin."

I stared at the person I admired when we were kids, the person I had a crush on, and everything seems to shatter. He gave up on violin?

Even though he was so good at it, he was considered a prodigy and one of the best in Japanese Youth. What happened? Why?

"…A-Aoi?"

"Don't look like that, is not like I gave up on music…" His hand reached toward mine and gave a squeeze. Assuring me it was okay, but even so he looked sad and defeated.

"…I play the viola."

Silence filled the space as I stared at him; I was no longer confused, but shocked even so. I have never seen him like that, and somehow I wish I had been there for him. I wish I could have supported him during those tough times like he did for me.

"I'm—" sorry. I never got to say it.

"Is okay, the viola is an amazing instrument. Actually when I play the viola I feel like no one could defeat me."

"Uh-huh." I nodded, giving him a warm smile. That was all I could do for him, because I don't know how to stop his sadness that lingers in his eyes. I feel like I can't reach him.

"Hey, after your practice wanna go with me and look for an apartment?" He asked, his trademark smile back on place.

"Eh? You haven't found a place yet?" I exclaimed, Aoi was impossible at times.

"Yeah…so can you?" He repeated again, this time embarrassment lighting his cheeks.

"Sure."


"And that's why you weren't in the practice room when I came back?" Jin-sensei questioned, his face not pleased at all.

"Yes." I replied, my head bowed not daring to meet his fierce gaze.

"And it took you two hours?" His voice boomed again.

"Yes." I whispered, fearing what might happen to me. There was no question I will be suffering, this time it will be extreme.

"You won't be leaving until I see you master Tzigane." My teacher stated before walking out of the room. Once the door was close, I sighed. I haven't played Tzigane that many times. It's a hard piece to play, with a fast rhythm at the middle—the part I usually make the most mistakes.

"Aaaaah…it's impossible." I cried out before dejectedly taking my violin out and music notes of Tzigane.


"Tsukimori? What are you standing there for, you still have to pack up—your flight is tomorrow morning." Rui stated, before eying the same place the blue haired was staring at.

It was faint, but you could hear a violin playing.

"Go ahead first." The prodigy violinist finally said, before heading toward the direction the music was coming from.

"Hey!" Rui called out but his day pupil was already gone. "What's wrong with him?" He asked himself, like he might somehow find an answer to the prodigy's weirdness.

"Oh…" Even thought the sound was faint, so soft you could had missed—Rui had finally understood what caught the prodigy's attention.

"It was her."


It was all about practice, if you could just carve the song into you it will become a part of you. But that wasn't it. You had to love it, to make it yours before you try anything else. If you force it, the sound that will come out would only hurt you. If you don't love it, you can't express the song, there's gotta be a connection.

As I thought this like a mantra—an enchantment—I kept playing. I had memorized the song after two hours of playing it. My fingers ached and hurt like hell, but finally I was getting the song—understanding it. I made many mistakes the following hour, it was frustrating.

But I didn't give up. Once my fingers knew how to play it, I stopped thinking and played it out. I let my feeling pour like a heavy cloud that couldn't hold onto it anymore.

Feeling started raining out. It was a passionate sound, a little bit of anger, and a little bit of love. Passionate because I was driven to my limits, to work until I got it down to my fingers. Anger because I stumbled too many times, wanting to be set free. Love because this piece is me, I accept it.

The singing of Corda filled the room, a beautiful sound, fast, and strong. A sweat rolled down from my forehead, but I pay no mind. My fingers cried out pain, my neck was tense, and my shoulder burned but I wouldn't stop.

I was at the final note. This is it, once I get this last piece I will be done—it will be perfect.

As Corda's singing came to an end, the music died down and finally my knees gave out. I didn't know when I started panting, or why I felt so tired, I just knew I had perfected Tzigane. Happiness flooded through me.

The door opened, causing me to turn my gaze only to be greeted by Tsukimori instead of my teacher.

I smiled but it faltered as soon as I met his gaze. He was unreadable, but I could somehow tell he wasn't at all happy.

"Ts-Tsukimori-kun?" I asked nervously, but no reaction came from him.

"Tsukimori-kun?" I tried one more time, but nothing happened. So instead of calling his name again, I tried to stand up. Keyword: tried.

I couldn't keep balance, since my feet were still tired so the next thing that happened was me falling forward. I shut my eyes tightly and waited for the fall.

But I never made contact with the floor; instead I was caged by strong arms. I hesitantly opened my eyes, to see who my saver was. To my surprised it was Tsukimori, and he did not look pleased.

"You are a klutz." Was the reaction I received by the prodigy violinist.

You did expect something like 'Are you okay?' but of course when it comes to this blue haired, that would be the last thing to come out of his mouth. I'm not kidding, not even if I am dying he would not mutter 'Are you okay?' but instead he will be saying 'This is not my business.'

Even though right now my mind is in turmoil I could still manage to blush at his antics.

"W-w-what?" Was the only thing I could come up with. I was never a witty one, with snarl comebacks.

Tsukimori only heaved a sigh, like I was an impossible case just waiting to be filed in the rehab.

"Practicing is fine, but you have to take care of your fingers. If they are gravely injured you might never be able to play the violin again." Tsukimori pointed out before dragging me to the chair. Once I was seated on the chair he took out a handkerchief and a water bottle. He wetted the napkin and slowly rubbed my fingertips.

At first I flinched at the coldness, but then pain shot through where he rubbed. I guess I trained too hard, looking at the redness and possible cuts if I had kept playing.

"Ah…could you be a little bit gentler?" I asked, before promptly gasping as I felt more pain.

"You should have been more careful." Was all he said before taking some bandages out. I guess he's always prepared.

After he had put all the bandages, he stood up and stared at me, like he wanted to say something but wasn't sure.

"Tsukimori-kun?" I said before standing up—this time my feet were firmly planted on the floor—and worriedly study his features.

"The Tzigane you played was nearly perfect; I now understand what level you stand."

"Huh?"

"Enter the Fall Music Competition held in Paris."

"W-wait Tsukimori-kun!" And with that the blue haired male was gone. Was that a challenge? Am I considered his rival or something? What!?

"Now isn't that interesting." A smooth velvet voice stated, before appearing out of nowhere in front of me.

"Eeeeh!" I almost lost my grip on Corda, and I wouldn't know what to do if Corda was to even get a scratch. "Yunoki! Please don't pop out like that."

"Sorry, it was just too funny when you react like that." Said male with long violet hair chuckled.

"Geez…" I mumbled half-heartedly before putting my violin away. Why is it that this stuff always happens to me? First guys started appearing in my ordinary life. Not to forget they are oh-so-handsome, and amazing in playing their own individual instruments. Then one drags me to bake cakes, the other ask me to play violin on the train—and suddenly becomes my roommate too. Another proclaims to be my rival, what will happen next?

Oh, don't even tell me. The next thing that will happen with be a proposal!

"…Would you marry me?"

"Huh?" I froze, right on the spot. If my precious violin hasn't already been inside the case, it would have dropped on the floor right now.

"W-w-w-w-wha-what?!" I stuttered nervously, my cheeks turning into different shades of red.

Just then laugher boomed inside the sound proof room. I stood still as I watched Yunoki hold his stomach and slightly bent over to contain his laugher, while his other hand brushed away tears.

"Y-you are amusing Kaho." Once his laugher died down he said, yet you could still hear the slight humor in his voice.

I was speechless as I watched him move forward. When he leaned down close enough that our foreheads were touching, my cheeks heated up again. But it wasn't because of embarrassment, but because of his closeness.

"You should participate, on the Fall Music Competition. After all I'm competing as well." The flutist stated calmly before putting his lips on my ear. "Let's do our best." He whispered into my ear, making my skin crawl at the feeling.

"Let's go for dinner tomorrow after you finish practice." Yunoki haven't asked, he had commanded and before I could protest he was gone.

This wasn't a joking matter. Why is it that it feels like everyday something has to be bombarded at my face? It feels like a daily basic, and that I shouldn't be flustered by all of this.

I heaved a sigh before hearing footsteps behind me, what could it be now?

"I see you have mastered Tzigane." This time it was my teacher's voice, feeling relief I turned around.

"Well I have solved Shimizu-kun's problem. Now you should head back home and take a rest, your recital is the day after tomorrow." My teacher announced, before heading out of the room.

"Wait? What do you mean everything is all solve?" I called out, stopping my teacher before he will disappear from my sight.

"Oh, Shimizu will be your permanent roommate now. His parents gave him the okay…and he will be taking the entrance exams for UMPA." My teacher answered before shooting me a smirk.

Wait…permanent roommate…UMPA…oh—

"Wait, you can't mean—" But my teacher was gone before I could even grasp the information.

"Please take care of me Kaho-sempai."

No way.

To be continued…


Sorry it was kinda short. Is also a late update and I'm sure everyone was waiting for this. Anyway, the next chapter I will make it up to you but I can't guarantee when it will be updated…but hopefully it will be soon ^^

Thank you for always supporting me, and please review.

---Lots of Luvs---