The Art of Music

Sorry for taking so long to update, hopefully I will update more before school starts. Anyway my Summer Art Program had just ended and now I'm busying myself with reading fanfics, my mind is also filled with plots and stories just waiting to write them. Oh well, enjoy yourself and please review!

Chapter 10: He Who Plagues My Mind

"Well, what a surprise meeting the prodigy violinist that quitted the violin."

"That's none of your business." For the first time Aoi's voice was cold, gone were his gentle and flirty tones.

"I agree, if you don't mind I'm taking my cherry somewhere else." Without another word, Etou dragged me out of the store. Now that I think about it, he must have been referring me as cherry, wait what!

"I can't let you do that." Aoi said, his hand holding mine—and successfully stopping Etou.

Did I tell you I didn't like to be in the middle of everything? There was this one time with my neighbors, and now this? Hopefully they won't start pulling my arms off…

"Why?" Etou countered, his eyes narrowing as he pulled me toward him. I softly landed against his well-toned chest, before I was soon pulled away.

"Because I love her, and I can't stand the likes of you touching her." Aoi stated, before caging me inside his arms.

Etou stepped up, his gaze burning as he said, "You love her? But that doesn't mean she is yours does it? If you have the wits to quit the violin, then you should do the same here—coward."

My heart was beating faster than ever, but it wasn't for the excitement of having two men fighting over me. It was the fact that Aoi had confessed his feelings toward me. Yet I was confused as to who I love. I once might I have loved Aoi, but what about now? I was infatuated by the talented males around me, but I couldn't call it love.

"I had reasons for quitting the violin, and Kahoko is someone I will never give up." The handsome emerald eyed male informed.

"Reasons? If one of your reasons is because of another prodigy violinist, then I must say you are running away even now." Etou pointed out, harshly pushing Aoi's shoulder and taking advantage of his releasement on his cherry. He placed both of his hands on my waist, and rested his chin on top of my head as if challenging the other.

"I'm not." Aoi deadpanned, as his eyes turned a few shades darker. I shivered as I watched the sudden change in Aoi's demeanor.

"Prove it in the next Fall Music Competition held in Paris." Etou smirked, before placing a soft kiss on my cheek and walking away.

I stood there as I wondered what had just happened, but there was no more time as Aoi's emerald gaze landed on me. He stared intensely on the cheek Etou had kissed, until finally coming with a decision.

He slowly walked toward me, taking a handkerchief and in one smooth motion wiped off the place Etou had just kissed.

"What I said before is real, I do love you." He whispered, yet his voice sounded defeated like he had been hurt.

"I believe in you." I replied, not only for his confession but for the heated talk I just heard.

I was walking back to my apartment, until I bumped into something solid when I turned. I looked up only to meet warm amber irises.

"Good evening." Tsuchiura greeted in his gentleman way.

"Ah, hello." Was all I could come up with at the moment.

"Meeting someone?" I casually asked, before Tsuchiura guided me to another part of the street.

"No, will you care to dine with me?" He asked, slowly moving to a well known street.

"I can't say much can I?" I joked, but deep down I was conscious of his hand placed on my back. I noted the perfect size of his hand for playing piano, and how warm it was for a chilling night.

"True, is it okay if is an Italian restaurant?"

"It's fine."

Once we arrived, I stared up and down the very well-known restaurant. Not only is it well-known, it costed a lot to dine there, but for some it was worth it since the food was first rated. Now the only question is how Tsuchiura was able to get a table without first calling. Is the male beside me that famous or just rich?

"Welcome Mr. Tsuchiura." The manager greeted with a polite bow, before guiding us to a table near the window.

I noted the change in the environment as soon as we settled down on our chairs.

Everyone's gazes were drawn to the forest green haired male before her, and some of the females were even blushing and sending flirty smiles. I agree that Tsuchiura is an extremely handsome male, and not to forget the fact that he is a gentleman and as it seems rich as well. But that couldn't be all the reasons for such an attention.

"What would you like to order?" The pianist questioned, his gaze never taking a second glance at the menu.

"Ummm I'm not sure; I will just order the same thing as you." I answered, before closing the menu and looking straight in the eyes of beautiful amber eyes.

Tsuchiura broke the gaze to call one of the waitresses, and as he ordered the meals, my gaze was drawn to the busy streets. Everyone was going about their own business, lovers held hands, some of the women gossiped, and businessmen hurried their ways. It seems normal at first glance, but there was a deep story to tell in each person.

Forgotten were the stares of customers or the blushing waitress as she wrote down the orders, and even the talks of the pianist before her.

"What are you thinking?" The pianist asked, as he too stared through the glass and into the busy streets.

"Look at that man over there." I pointed to the male sitting on the bench, his head bowed in defeat.

"What about him?"

"He's a businessman that had just lost a big part of his money because of the drop of stocks. Not only that, he's filing papers to divorce the women he loves. His love for her is still there, that's what he thought, but she had found someone else. He's taking his son while his ex-wife will be taking his daughter, but if worst comes to worst he might lose his job and even his son since he won't be able to support him." I finished, as I returned my gaze to my partner.

He looked incredulous as he asked, "You know him?"

"Nope." I answered truthfully.

"Then how do you know?"

"I came up with it."

And then there was a rich laugher from the pianist, the customers turned to stare and some commented on how beautiful he laughed—are they serious?

"Tell me another one." He finally said as he calmed down, and we both glanced back at the busy streets.

"See that lady in the red dress?" I pointed to the lady standing outside, like she was waiting for someone.

"She had been waiting there for hours, her boyfriend was supposed to meet her at five but it was currently seven. He had called her and told her the date was cancelled, but she still waited for him. She told him so. Her feet are sore, and she's at the edge of crying but she still waited. Some guys flirted with her, but she ignored them and kept waiting. But then her boyfriend finally came, apologizing and holding her hands to warm them up from the chilly night. He kissed each of her fingers before guiding her to a café, and buying something warm for her, who had stood outside with a red dress." Just as I finished, a male came up to the lady in the red dress.

It looked like he was bowing and apologizing, and just as I said, took the lady's hands into his. He did not kiss them; he warmed them and took her to a café.

"It was pretty accurate, don't you think?" Tsuchiura commented as he sipped the ice water.

"I guess, want to hear another one?"

"Why not."

I stared at him instead of looking at the streets, before finally saying:

"You started playing the piano at a very young age; you were talented and even better than older kids." At the last comment, something in Tsuchiura changed.

"You were compared, and even though you were better than most they did not give you an award. You were supposed to win first place, yet you landed as third. You wanted to give up, felt that you have been cheated and yet you kept playing. Until finally they had to acknowledge you, but you aimed higher and higher—never stopping. And today you had become one of the most famous pianists at the age of twenty." I finished, before taking a sip of my water.

Tsuchiura looked shocked as he said, "Can you read the past?"

This time it was my turn to laugh, I ignored the stares as I replied, "No, I read that in a magazine."

We both laughed, before calming down as the food arrived.

"Why's the reason that you started describing people's past?" Tsuchiura asked as we walked toward our apartment building.

"Is a game my friend Mio started, she's a writer now so I guess it was an exercise for her." I replied as I gazed ahead, Vienna was especially beautiful at night when the streets are lit by the stores and street lights.

"I see…" Tsuchiura whispered, studying me at the corner of his eye.

"Are you going to have any recital anytime soon?" He asked, as we both entered the apartment building.

"No, it seems my teacher has something else in mind." I pressed the button, as we both patiently waited for the elevator.

"Would that mean you will be unable to go with me to an Opera House?" Tsuchiura questioned playfully.

"I will love to go, what's the play going to be about?" The elevator arrived, and we stepped in as we discussed about the play.

"Salome will be the play we will be watching." The pianist informed as he pressed the floor number.

"Salome…sounds familiar." I mumbled, pondering where I have heard that word.

"This opera is one of the most famous for its Dance of the Seven Veils, but currently is better known for the shocking scene at the end. The large orchestra that will be accompanying this play is pretty famous too."

"Then I can't wait to see it." The elevator finally arrived to the seventh floor, and we both moved toward our apartment that was situated to the left.

"The play is in Friday, at eight, I will come pick you up at seven thirty." Tsuchiura stated as he walked to my door and said his goodbye.

Once inside my apartment, my gaze travel throughout the living room. Everything seems fine, the same way I left it. That is it you did not include Shimizu laying flat on his stomach sleeping.

I moved toward the couch, ready to place a blanket on him, until I met sleepy aqua blue irises. His hair was tousled, and his clothing wrinkled, but he still appeared like an angel. So cute…

"Kaho-sempai…your back…" He mumbled, before his stomach growled loudly.

"You didn't have dinner yet?" I asked, my voice laced with concern as I kneeled before him.

"I was…waiting for Kaho-sempai…"

"You didn't have to, there were some leftover in the fridge. Actually, I will go cook something for you now." I said, after thinking about this morning mess I will never let Shimizu near the kitchen. Not even for the microwave. Fridge? Possible, but not the stove or the oven.

Or the toaster. Or the blender. Or the dishwasher. The list could just keep going, might as well ban Shimizu from the kitchen all together.

I made some Caesar salad, grill chicken, and some rice. I went back to the sleeping figure on the couch, and without warning ticked the blonde. I have learned that Shimizu was a deep sleeper, and most options were impossible against this cellist, so my only choices were to call his name a thousand times, or just tickle him.

I chose the latter, which proves to be just as effective and faster. After getting the blonde to open his enchanting blue eyes, I guided him toward the counter or the kitchen island in other words.

He ate slowly, painfully so—therefore I decided to start washing some of the dishes left from breakfast, and the other that had been used for dinner.

"I guess I cook too much…" I stared at the food on the dish.

I got used to cooking for two people now, so it seems I will I have to give these to one of my neighbors.

I first headed to Tsuchiura's door, but then I remembered we both just had dinner together so instead I headed to Tsukimori-kun's apartment.

After knocking a few times, the door finally opened. I expected to meet Rui or Tsukimori, but instead my eyes connected with grey eyes. He appeared to be in his mid forties, with a cold look in his eyes, he questioned:

"May I help you?"

After waking up from my shock I said, "Oh, I cooked too much and wondered if you may like some?" thought it sounded like a question; I wasn't prepare to see a stranger. I double checked the door number, and noted that I wasn't mistaken—so who is he?

"That will be fine." The cold looking male answered, before another voice sounded from behind him.

"Hino?"

I cocked my head to the side to peer inside the apartment and see who had called. There, a blue haired male dressed in sweat pants, and white T-shirt came into view.

Who knew my neighbor was so fit? The shirt made his flat stomach apparent, and the muscles that flexed as he moved his hands. A small towel was around his shoulders, as he dried his hair with one hand and walked toward the door. The older male moved back into the apartment, and in his wake was Tsukimori.

"I cooked extra and was wondering if you might want some." I replied, hoping that my cheeks weren't burning like my neck was.

"Thank you." He replied, before taking the food from my hands. He purposely avoided from touching me, and then before I knew it he had said, "Good night." And closed the door.

Why was he so cold hearted? I thought we were friends now…or does he think of me as a rival?

What is it?

"Finally got yourself a girlfriend?" Tsukimori's teacher commented from the leather sofa.

"She's not my girlfriend." The blue haired violinist coldly replied, covering his blush with his towel over his head.

"Then is she just a neighbor?" His teacher made the emphasis on 'just' evident as he switched the channels.

"I'm not sure." Tsukimori Len was confused for the first time in his life as to where the redhead landed in his life.

The prodigy violinist sat on the longer leather couch, as he studied the music sheets before him. Rui had retired to his room, when he had arrived back.

"How come you are not heading back to the hotel yet?" He questioned, but did not bother to lift his gaze as he kept studying the sheets.

"I have a few questions for you, before I leave." His teacher told him with clarity, the voice he used so often in his teaching. This time, Tsukimori could not just avoid his teacher calculating eyes.

"Yes?"

"Are you planning to participate in the Fall Music Competition?"

"Yes." Was his firm answered, as he crossed his legs and took the coffee on the glass table.

"Are you ready to face him?" His teacher shot another question without hesitating.

"Yes." Tsukimori nodded, yet his inside shook at the mention of him.

"Then you must know he will be one of the critics, and that his student will also be participating." At that moment, Tsukimori was at the verge of dropping his coffee.

He will be a critic at the competition, and his student will be there…the person he acknowledges.

Tsukimori had thought he was finally prepared to face him, but he was wrong. His play haven't changed, it was still the emotionless and perfect textbook violin. Not only that, the mention of his student was enough to unsettle him. When he had first met him, he had criticized his skills, saying he could never reach higher. It pained him; he who was praised and named the most gifted was ignored.

And when Tsukimori had first learned that he had found a student, one that was better and much more talented it brought his world to the edge. If he acknowledged that person, then he too will consider that person as his rival and an obstacle.

"He told me himself." His teacher confirmed, without the need of hearing his question.

Tsukimori stayed quiet for a moment, not even bothering to say goodbye to his teacher. Aaron turned to leave, knowing that his student needed sometime.

"Do you know who his student is?" Tsukimori stood up, calling out his question before his teacher could leave.

Aaron opened the door, turning to meet Tsukimori's gaze before answering:

"Even I don't know, after all he likes to keep it secret."

And the door closed with a silent click.

Tsukimori sat back down, his eyes trained on the food the redhead had given him. It was probably cold now. But he didn't care, there were so many questions. Who was his student? Is it as amazing as he imagined? Will his world collapse if he ever met said student?

Tsukimori decided to abandon all his questioning, and take a bite of the rice and grilled chicken before him. Even cold, it tasted good. It released him from whatever worries he had before.

"Kahoko…" He whispered into the quiet living room.

To be continued…

Now who is this he Tsukimori is talking about? Oooh we are going deeper into the story, I wonder who will have Kahoko's heart at the end… The next chapter will be about Yunoki and Hihara since we haven't seen them much, and maybe the date that is coming up with Tsuchiura. When will we get to see Fuyumi…and the other characters? Oh and who is the mysterious student…oh so many questions~

~Lots of Luvs~