Chapter 9 – A First

Kanazawa looked from one young face to another, disbelief evident in his features. "The two of you are trying to sing your parts for the competition?"

"It's just for practice sensei." Kahoko hurried to make things clear.

"Still…" Kanazawa looked at Tsukimori, who stiffened under his gaze. "You're incredible Hino, to actually get him to sing."

Ignoring Tsukimori's death glare and Kahoko's sudden preoccupation with the ground, he blithely continued. "But I can't help you."

"Eh!?" Both music students were very shocked.

"Not being able to sound together is a problem only the two of you can solve. I'm an outsider so even if I wanted to help, which for the record I do not, I can't." Kanazawa said while nonchalantly lighting up a cigarette.

"What kind of a teacher are you?" Tsukimori muttered under his breath.

After taking a few puffs, Kanazawa continued. "As I see the situation now, the two of you just do not know each other well enough. If you do want me to help, I can only give you advice."

He paused, took a few more puffs, then continued. "First, I would suggest you know each other's part as well as your own. I would also suggest the two of you spending time together outside practicing. Perhaps the both of you could walk to and from school together? Listen and accept each other and soon, you will be able to know the other's thoughts without words and that, will lead to perfect harmony between you two."

Tsukimori stonily replied, "Sensei, are you high?"

Kahoko gaped at Tsukimori, who looked a little shocked himself.

Fortunately, Kanazawa merely snorted. "Perhaps I am, but I meant those words in earnest. Think about it, you two. Now get out of my office!"

--------------------------

"So… what do we do now Tsukimori-kun?" Kahoko asked, the two of them staring at the shut office door in disbelief.

Tsukimori ran a hand through his hair. "I have no idea… Kahoko."

"Eh?" Kahoko was shocked by the sudden use of her first name. She turned towards him, and saw him studiously looking at the ground.

"Sensei suggested we become closer, knowing each other better, so what better place to start than changing the formality by which we address each other?"

Kahoko nodded, what Tsukimori said had made perfect sense.

"Len-kun, Len-kun, Len-kun…" Kahoko tried out Tsukimori's first name.

"You don't have to get that familiar with my name!" A mildly amused Tsukimori protested.

Kahoko laughed his protests off. "So Len-kun, do we continue practicing or singing now?"

"I don't think doing either now would prove very productive so why don't we just stop? Sensei suggested us learning each other's part anyway."

"Oh… Bye then, Len-kun." Kahoko turned to go back home.

"Wait Kahoko." Tsukimori's hand landed on Kahoko's shoulder. "Don't leave just yet. Sensei wants us to spend time together, so we shall."

Kahoko turned to gape at him. Is this like, a date? "O…kay Len, what do you want to do then? Do you want to go anywhere?"

To her surprise, Tsukimori reddened and turned away.

"Len?"

"I wouldn't know what to do; I've never gone out with friends before." Tsukimori said so softly it was barely audible.

Kahoko inwardly heaved a sigh of relief, ignoring the disappointed feeling washing over her. So, us going out is just an outing between friends. "Then where do you usually like to go after school?"

Tsukimori answered immediately. "Home. To practice the violin."

"Then how do you spend the weekend?"

"At home, practicing. Is there a point to these questions?"

"Don't you do anything that doesn't revolve around music?" By this time, Kahoko was torn between exasperation and amusement.

Tsukimori pondered that question. "Well, I've been to the theatres before…"

"Wonderful! We'll go watch a movie!" Kahoko didn't wait for Tsukimori to finish.

Unfazed, Tsukimori continued. "To watch a play."

Kahoko stared at him. Then she sighed. "This isn't going to get anywhere soon."

She glanced out the window, noting the darkening sky. It was already early evening. "It's

getting late. Let's just go get dinner and call it a day?"

"Fine. Where do we eat?"

"We'll decide after we get out of school. Come on."

---------------------------

"Italian, French or Thai?" Our two favourite violinists stood outside restaurants specializing in various cuisines. As Tsukimori patiently waited for Kahoko to decide, Kahoko looked from one elegant restaurant to another, clearly unable to make a decision. I wasn't expecting us to eat at such restaurants. I had expected to go to a fast-food restaurant or a road-side stall or something!

She sidled a glance at Tsukimori. But then, I hadn't taken into account that my dinner partner is Tsukimori – whoops, Len. He would seem very out of place in a fast food restaurant. Darn, I can't afford to eat here, looks like I'll have to borrow some money from Len…

"Erm… which is the cheapest?" Kahoko asked.

Tsukimori looked taken aback at her question. "Why do you ask?"

Kahoko started to explain. "Well, I didn't bring enough money today so-"

"I was actually planning to pay." Tsukimori cut in mid-sentence. "So just decide on what you want to eat."

"…" Kahoko surveyed the restaurants before simply choosing the restaurant in front of them. "French."

"Fine."

---------------------

"Mademoiselle." The slim waiter said as he pulled out a chair for Kahoko.

Unused to this treatment, Kahoko felt incredibly lost. "Erm… Thank you?" She said as she sat down. Opposite her, Tsukimori smoothly sat down on the offered chair and immediately began examining the menu.

"I would like the crudités variées and then the foie gras with leek."

Wow he looks so natural here. Kahoko thought. Suddenly, she realized that both Tsukimori and the waiter were looking at her expectantly. Oh! I have to order… Right.

Anxiously, Kahoko flipped through the menu, but all the menu items looked, well, like French to her. She couldn't understand a thing. Hurriedly, she just stopped at a random page and pointed at a dish. "I would like this please."

"Ahh, escargots. An excellent choice, mademoiselle." The waiter said as he gathered up their menus.

"Monsieur…" Tsukimori started before the waiter could leave. He started speaking in fluent French. When he finished, the waiter merely bowed and left, writing something on his notepad.

"What did you say, Len?"

"Do you have any idea what you just ordered, Kahoko?"

"Erm… To be honest, not really, no."

"Ah. You actually ordered snails."

"WHAT?!"

Ignoring the aghast expression on Kahoko's face, Tsukimori smoothly continued. "Thankfully, I took the liberty of changing your order. Really Kahoko, you should ask for help rather than just blindly trying something. I, for one, would be glad to help you." Tsukimori said this in all seriousness.

Kahoko's reply was stopped by the arrival of their entrees.

---------------------------

Sooooooooo sorry for this incredibly long update! School just started not too long ago and I'm still trying to get used to swing of things. For a heads up, it's likely that all subsequent chapters will take as long if not longer because this is a very important year for me. I hope I don't lose all of you once my updating duration gets longer…