A/N: Hey guys ! Here is another chapter, the eighth, for Taking chances and I really enjoy writing this for all of you. :-)
Thank you !
P.S. Sources from Venice info comes from wikipedia. Not me. I don't own la corda as well. :-)
I did my research is all.
Kahoko's POV; Training Camp.
Kaji-kun and I were seated in a huge room where there were several seats for the newcomers and the upper class; those who are old members of the camp. There were at least 15 newcomers and 15 upper class members as well with 5 teachers. Although the upper class hasn't arrived yet.
A man,who looked like he was in his late 30s, cleared his throat and spoke in a loud voice, "Greetings everyone, I am Edward Worthington and I am the director for this camp, it's a pleasure to meet you all for the first time." he spoke in english. "Today is a wonderful day, don't you agree?" The audience murmured in agreement. This was one happy teacher alright. "Yes it is and so today also marks the first day of class. Since this we also have a handful of newbies here, why don't we get to knew each other a little bit more?"
Everybody around us, mostly the newcomers, started murmuring. It was just the first day and it was already this tense? I think I miss highschool.
"Your first task is to perform a piece here in front of everyone. That way, you're introducing yourself through your music. You only have two hours to go to the three libraries, pick a piece which you think is suitable to your personality and to practice. No extensions and if you fail to come back here on time you will face the consequences. Please, no sad pieces or whatsoever. This is graded and you will be classified according to your skill level. I won't be the only one judging you, the upper class will help me. They'll be arriving soon so we need to hurry, am I clear?"
"Yes sir."
"Excellent, you may begin." and with the snap of his fingers, everybody rushed towards the libraries with their instruments.
Kaji took my hand and pulled me out of my seat, "Come on !" he said with a big smile on his face. I didn't understand how he could even smile when I was almost frozen with fear. It's been awhile since I performed in front of a big crowd. I only usually performed in front of my young students or by myself in my balcony back in Japan.
He tugged at my hand again and I was forced to grab my violin case and run with him. We entered the nearest library and separated to get a music sheet of our choice. Almost everyone was done scanning around the libraries and proceeded to the practice rooms but I will still looking for mine. 'Ahhh, where could it be?' I was looking for the one I found the first time I came here but it wasn't in it's proper place. 'What if someone got it already?'
I continued to jog around the enormous library when I slipped on something, "Oops!" and landed on my butt. "Oww..."
"Hino! Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine, I just--" I looked behind me and found it! "--never mind! Let's go to the practice rooms now!"
"We can't, I bet everyone went there and it's crowded." Kaji thought for a second, "Let's go to the roof top!"
"WHAAT?!" but it was too late because I had to chase after Kaji-kun. He knew what he was doing anyway, right? ...right.
Tsukimori's POV;
When we entered the palace, we were escorted, together with the other upper class members of the camp, to proceed to the music room to meet the newcomers. We were asked to judge the following students who were to perform in front of us with their own choice of music; the theme was to show their personality through their music.
It was almost 4 years ago too when I was new here and I had to perform also in front of the upper class members. They gave me a high grade which led me to be put into the advanced class with all the other prodigies around the world, I did my best until I was able to finish the camp with flying colors.
It was also 4 years ago when I was still in touch with Hino until just a few months later...we parted ways.
"It's nice to see you again, guys. Did you miss me?" Mr. Worthington grinned towards us and everybody laughed.
Kiriya Etou chuckled, "Well Mr. Edward the question is, did you miss us?"
"Well, Etou, of course I did. I wouldn't have been more excited than to see you guys once again every year. I never get tired of seeing my students grow and bloom into wonderful musicians of the future generations." Edward cleared his throat, "Was that a good enough speech?"
Laughter filled the room, "Thanks but I'm not kidding, it's nice to see you kids again. Now excuse me while I call everyone back."
As soon as Sir Edward rang the bell, we saw the people--some who were our age and others younger---enter the room and sit quietly on their seats. While the rest were coming in, I saw Miaka emerge from the crowd. Her eyes met mine and even if I knew she'd avoid me, she still put a smile on her face. I nodded back at her and turned back to listen to Mr. Worthington.
Kahoko's POV;
"Well, now that everyone is here. I guess we should start, I will be calling names at random order and you can start whenever you want." sir Worthington said.
The room grew quiet and the people seated at the left side waited anxiously for their turn, "The first to perform...is Kaji Aoi."
"Well ain't it right timing." he winked at me and stood up with his viola, people were staring at him and I felt just as nervous as he was but he hid it better than me.
"And what will you be performing today, young man?"
"Traumerei, sir."
"Hmm, good choice. You may proceed."
I kept my gaze at Kaji as he positioned himself around the viola and took a deep breath--and played. I guess I wasn't supposed to be nervous for him at all. He played Traumerei (Dreaming) in F major which, as far as I remember, he played in the first few days I met him. The first time I heard him play the viola and saw the genuine smile that was on his face as he played and now, as my thoughts went back to the present, I saw the same smile now.
With the swing of his bow against the delicate strings of the viola, he produced such heartwarming music it was hard to believe he had struggled in music before. Unlike me, Kaji had been exposed to music much at a much earlier age than me but stopped when he quit the violin. Although he kept this a secret, he practiced the viola instead but the thing about him was that he had such extraordinary hearing skill that he could easily recognize a music piece from tune to tune. He had seen me play the violin in the park in Japan and heard the sounds that the magic violin produced then but wasn't my own. He transferred schools to Seiso to meet me and from there, we became close friends. Together, we worked hard regain our musical talents and to increase our skills. Years after, we met again and Kaji offered to help me get to Venice.
He has everything I want in a best friend and more.
Once I heard the last few sweet notes of Kaji's performance, I applauded loudly for him and felt my lips break into a smile. He smiled back at me and bowed down, the applause faded down.
"Well, I must say that was an amazing performance, Kaji. Well done, you'll see your results shortly after this activity."
"Thank you, Mr. Worthington." he nodded and walked back to sit beside me, "How was it?" he whispered to me.
"Awesome." I gave him a thumbs-up and giggled a bit. "Kaji-kun, you've been practicing more than often haven't you?"
He shrugged and put a finger to his lips, "Sssh, it might be your turn."
"Don't say that, I'm too nervous right now." I shivered a bit while Kaji continued to chuckle.
Thank goodness I wasn't next, a girl named Mia Matsunami was next. She played the flute just like Yunoki-sempai did. I listened to her performance and felt all my worries fade away. This song was a nice choice because it made her seem like she was a friendly person who was easy to talk to; a person who would make you feel at ease.
The next performer was a young man named Giorgio Santiago who played the violin and he played Gavotte. The thing that made me appreciate his performance was that he was all smiles while playing; he seemed to remind me of Hihara-sempai.
After his performance was finished, everybody kept applauding and cheering happily for the newcomers. At least the upper class didn't seem so intimidating.
"These people are amazing, their performances were far from amateur!" I said, clapping my hands loudly.
Kaji nodded and winked at me, "You might be one of them."
I blushed, "Whatever." As the next person was about to be called, I glanced at some of the people who were seating at the right side; people who have been entering this camp longer than us. While I saw different people who came from different places, I saw a young man who had familiar looking purple hair and a certain smirk I've seen before. He faced back to whisper something at his other classmates and snickered, his eyes lit up with a mischievous spark to it.
It was no other than Kiriya Etou.
He looked...the same yet he seemed more childish and even more naughty than he was before. The last time I saw him was when I was in 4th year and he was about to go abroad to study here in Venice as well. He bid me goodbye in such a caring way that it surprised me to see his usually bad boy face turn softer and even the small smile he gave me before he hugged me close. After we pulled away, his smirk was flashed upon his face once more and proudly declared, "I have to admit, I do have a huge crush on you Hino. I am looking forward to see you someday in the future and maybe you'll develop the same feelings to me as well." He shortly winked at me and added, "I've been chasing after you so it's your turn to chase after me."
Of course my reply to him was a definite no but I said that I too was excited to see him in Venice. I wonder if he still remembers me...
"Hino...Kahoko?"
I felt a nudge on my arm, "Hino, it's your turn."
"Oh!" I shot up to my feet and anxiously got my violin as I strode in front of the audience. I placed my violin between my chin and shoulder and fixed my posture. I took one look at the audience, mostly at Kaji for comfort, and closed my eyes as my hands moved accordingly the way my mind told it to. I was focused and driven by such a strong passion for music that I would not dare let myself slip in a performance, not even allow myself to become complacent. I was supported by a number of friends and I told myself I wouldn't let them down. I wouldn't let Kaji or Mio or Nami be disappointed and most especially not my family. Somewhere, where ever they are, they're cheering for me.
Opus 24 Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major ("Spring") was what I performed and I chose this since it had such a high emotional intensity. Mr. Worthington accompanied me in piano and he grinned as he watched me play; so did the audience.
I felt my heart beat faster and faster each note I play, but I was used to it. I remember having stage fright but it was unnecessary since once I heard the sounds my violin produced, it was as if my emotions were pouring straight out of the violin. The violin was an extension of my heart; it's the only one that could truly show my feelings to the world through music.
Even if my performance couldn't match up to Kaji-kun's, at least I did my best right? right.
The last few notes were played and the song ended. There was silence followed by an uproar of applause from the audience, I smiled.
Mr. Worthington was clapping as well, the grin on his face never disappeared. "Bravo! bravo!" I giggled and blushed.
I heard a few cheers and bowed in gratitude towards the audience and Mr Worthington gestured them to stop, "That was certainly a powerful performance, Hino-san. Powerful indeed, I think it's best if you were part of the upper class."
"Hardly, sir." I replied hesitantly, I never received such amazing feedback from my performances before. I must be dreaming.
"You may return to your seat, Hino."
I walked back beside Kaji who was smugging the entire time ever since I stepped forward, I ignored the urge to pinch his cheeks. Instead, I made a face at him.
"Kid." he teased me.
"Freak."
"Gee, thanks."
"Anytime, kid."
Tsukimori's POV;
I felt myself stiffen when Hino's name was called forward. I didn't miss the heavy feeling from my chest as I saw the beautiful sight of seeing her wear a white tank top, gray cardigan, denim shorts and black sneakers; especially excited to hear her play. Just seeing her take one glance at her violin before she gracefully moved to the melody of "Spring" sonata showed her love for the violin.
As her eyes closed to concentrate on the piece, a smile lit up on her face. I felt attracted to her smile, to her presence. Her music showed a certain feeling; happiness and excitement. I knew she was happy to have reached this far in her career and I couldn't have felt any better for her. Hino appreciated the simple yet iridescent things in life such as her friends and family, each day in highschool, and even each night where we would talk to each other on the phone.
I would never get tired of seeing her play, it was her music which convinced me that music wasn't something that needed perfection but was something to be enjoyed with. A favorite hobby, an important event. She gave me a new perspective of life.
Hino made me change my ways everytime I was around her.
But the longer I was separated from her, the more I was my old self and I hated it. I loathed myself and ended up regretting leaving her because I needed her, she was someone who I needed to be with. I wouldn't rise up to anything if it weren't for her.
Once Hino opened her eyes and looked a little anxious, everybody started to clap for her. So did I.
She didn't seem to notice that I was in the camp but it was okay. As long as I was able to watch over her.
Break;
"Okay ladies and gentlemen, you will be having lunch break for 50 minutes and for the newcomers, I expect you to come back here to know where you would be placed and we will give you guys your dorm rooms, there are two buildings that are used as dorms; one for the boys and one for girls. Please follow instructions and avoid doing anything unnecessary, k? See you guys later."
I turned my gaze to Hino and saw her laugh, the dimple on her cheeks evident from smiling too much. I chuckled myself at the sight of hearing her adorable giggle even from afar.
But then I saw who she was laughing with and it was the same man I saw at the carnival; Kaji Aoi.
I watched him wrap a shoulder around her as they walked out of the room while leaving me speechless.
Miaka tapped my shoulder but I didn't face her, "Tsukimori, are you coming?"
I hesitated, "I'll follow behind, don't bother waiting for me."
"O-okay."
I waited until Miaka walked out of the room as well as the other remaining people before I was about to make a really, really stupid thing.
Normal POV;
As Hino and Kaji walked with the other newcomers towards the cafeteria, Tsukimori walked among the crowd to stay hidden from Hino but close enough that he could see her. With his hands on his pockets, he had a blank expression on his face. He kept cursing in his mind how reckless and irresponsible he was in agreeing to stalk Hino but a part of him just wanted to know how she was.
Once they were at the enormous cafeteria, filled with delicious and exquisite dishes made by none other than Venice's top chefs. Venetian cuisine is obviously characterized by seafood, but also includes garden products from the islands of the lagoon, rice from the mainland, game, and polenta. But for today, the cafeteria was filled with desserts and a whole lot of chocolate.
Hino took in a deep breath, absorbing the mouthwatering aroma of food. "Hmm, the whole place smells good. Ahh, I can get used to this."
Kaji chuckled, "C'mon, let's go get some so we won't have to line up for long."
There were different cakes and pastries laid down on the table for everyone to see and, boy, did it look delicious.
Kaji patted Hino's hand, "Have you tried tiramisu yet?"
"Uhh, no."
"Oh, you have got to try this."
Hino giggled, "I almost forgot you had a sweet tooth, Kaji-kun."
Kaji flashed a grin, "Never forget that or else I might not call you my friend."
"Aww Kaji-kun !"
"Ahahahaha!"
While Hino and Kaji continued to hunt for sweet desserts and some chocolate, Tsukimori watched from a corner and sighed. 'I should go back, Miaka might see me here and find out I'm looking out for Hino.' he turned for the door with one last look behind his shoulder at the laughing Hino.
He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy towards Kaji.
Later on; Kahoko's POV
When we got back to the music room, Kaji and I were placed in advanced class with all the other upper class students. I could've fainted if Kaji wasn't rubbing my back for comfort. It was all just so overwhelming, I didn't want these two weeks to end at all.
Not so long after, I had to separate with Kaji so we can go to our dorms. I got my belongings and went with the girls.
The dorm building wasn't that far from the main building but it was bigger since it had more floors and it had 2 music rooms filled with expensive pianos, shelves full of music sheets and classical cds. On the third floor was full of practice rooms for everyone, a total of 8 music rooms.
I was in room 303 with two other ladies.
"Are you Hino Kahoko?" I heard someone from behind me and I turned to see the girl who played the flute from class, Mia Matsunami. She spoke fluent english and looked really pretty and petite. She wore a dress with a floral skirt with black pumps and a black and gold quilted Chanel bag.
"Ah, yes." I felt a little intimidated by her, she looked so young and famous. But I was surprised that she gave a friendly smile and took my hand gently, "It's so nice to meet a new friend! Are you from Japan? It's kind of obvious from your little accent, ahaha!" she giggled. "Our other room mate is still eating in the cafe back in the main building, her name's Mary Petersen."
I nodded, "I see. Well, I'm kind of new here--not just here at camp but also in the city."
"Oh really? I've been here loads of times but never really joined this high-class camp. I didn't give that much thought to it since I always told myself it was for professionals only but since my friend, Mary, convinced me to sign up, I said 'why not?'"
I smiled brightly, "I feel the same way, it's a little intimidating here huh?"
"You said it." she pushed the key in the door knob and twisted it until the door clicked open. I saw three huge beds, each with it's own drawer, a television set, bathroom and a balcony.
"Whaaa...." I said in amazement. Can this day get any better?!
"What did I tell ya? This place is amazing. Neat-o, I've got digs at the bed nearest to the tv!" and we both laughed.
We unpacked our things, Mary still hasn't arrived, and Mia excused herself. She said she was just going for a walk around the garden.
I got my toiletries from my luggage and placed it on my bed. Since I was feeling a little paranoid, I pinched myself to see if I was really awake. Fortunately, I was. I got my pillow and squealed into it. 'I love my liiiiiiife!'
---
At around 6 p.m., we just had dinner and it would be lights out in half an hour. I took some time to look at the view from the balcony. The city was now dark but there were twinkling lights everywhere, as if the stars were shining brightly on the surface.
I looked up at the dark blue sky and sighed, feeling content with myself. But I wasn't satisfied enough, I had to work harder in order to achieve.
I, too, was feeling a little homesick. Fuyumi and Shimizu were to be wed 2 and a half months from now and I missed the both of them. I missed all my friends, Hihara, Amou, Tsuchuira, Nao, Mio. My mom, dad, older brother and sister. Everyone.
I also wondered how Kaji was doing in his dorm. The way I saw him for the last few weeks I've spent here was that he was the same, true friend that I always had ever since. I would do anything for him to feel the same happiness I felt right now, anything at all. I owed him that much.
But for now, I was going to sleep and face a new day. A new day filled with adventure and a lot of hardwork for me.
But as everyone says, wishing and praying can only take you half way, it's hardwork and perseverance that will take you all the way to the top.
'My dream', I thought, 'I'm almost there'. So close yet so far away.
More about the selection camp and more characters in coming in the next chapters. Please leave a review and I shall update again soon.
Thanks you guys !
By the way, Hino's Sonata was from the first movement if ever you guys want to hear it. Beethoven-Sonata for Piano and Violin no 5 "Spring Sonata" first movement.
