I'll never leave your side Chapter 11: Sandwitches and Music Class, a la corda d'oro fanfic

A/N: Try listening to some songs that's soft, light and with a hint of sad in it. It'll suit the chapter I think (^_^).

Chapter 11: Sandwitches and Music Class

Ever since the day at the amusement park, everything went normal for everyone's life. Len and Ryotaro still went to the company to work. Ryotaro had bought a desk for Len, which was set in his office. Ryotaro did need his... friend's help in some situations but not always so that got everyone in the company to wonder especially the secretary and words started to get around about something was going on between those two. Although, none of them care, not the president nor his so-called personal assistant.

However, Len hasn't been hired completely, yet. He only worked from early till ten in the morning so Len was still keeping his other three jobs. One morning, not exactly morning since the sun hasn't risen, yet. Len has just sat up in his futon, his hair was all messy with his palm covered his eyes. He wasn't an early riser, not at all. But he couldn't help it but get up at five in the morning, it has already become his second nature. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't sleep more than fifteen minutes. Curse it. That was the reason why at this hour of the day, he wasn't himself, he was over on his 'human' side ( not the ice cube anymore, that is ). He didn't have his sharp senses, reflexes and highly organized brain. He was well... just a normal person.

The door creaked open then something or rather someone peeked in to have a look. At seeing Len was in his 'human' condition in the bed, the figure smirked and snuck inside unnoticable. The smirk on its face slowly got wider ( if that was possible ).

" YO!!!" Ryotaro shouted into Len's ear, making him yelped inreturn and jerked to look at him with widened eyes.

" Why the HELL did you do that for, bastard?!" He shouted back then panted, he thought he had just stopped breathing all together that moment.

" Wow. Never thought you would curse me liked that." Ryotaro said in amusement as he looked at his friend with the same smirk. Len sent a hard glare at him as he shut up. Getting up from the futon, Len folded it and pushed it into the corner.

After a few moment of collecting his thought and reorganized his brain, the cold and stoic mask was put on again as Len stood next to the small window, looking down at the man before him.

" What are you doing here?" He asked, voice has nothing but coldness. Ryotaro sighed inwardly, ' Well, he's back again I guess', then smiled warmly.

" I came to pick you up." He beamed.

" Sorry, but I do remember telling you to stop doing it."

" I liked to do it, you can't tell me what to do. Besides, your house are way too far from the place."

Here they goes again, the same issue as always. Then again, Ryotaro was all kind and caring for his friend while Len didn't want to trouble him and he wasn't a guy who accepted help that easily.

Len sighed, this conversation was not going anywhere liked usual, he saw no point in wasting his breaths any longer.

" Did you have breakfast." The azure-haired ex-violinist asked casually as the other nodded.

" Good. You go down first and talk to Koibayashi-sama if you want to. I'll go and prepare myself." Another nod received as the pianist turned away as the door closed behind him.

Len turned away as he went to the small bathroom in his small room to take a quick shower, do some personal hygeine then shove the plain clothes he prepared last night onto himself, a white shirt and pants, as usual. The company didn't require wearing uniform, that figured, since it was Ryotaro who owned it anyway.

Swiftly, the azure haired guy went to the kitchen. He still has some slices of sandwitches, vegetables and other stuffs, maybe he could throw something together. Leaving alone without receiving any kind of help from others, Len eventually taught himself how to cook a decent meal.

While he was chatting with the old woman downstair, Ryotaro swore he didn't hear any footsteps from the staircase nor the hall way but the shouji door slid open as Len appeared and scared the heck out of him everytime.

He stood up from the cushion and waved the woman good-bye as Len bowed and murmured something that sounded like 'good morning'. Even though he said in such a quiet voice, Ryotaro didn't quite understand how could such an old lady could hear it. Through some mind connection perhaps? Eh, he didn't know.

They both walked out of the house and to the parking area where the car was sitting. The two men both have a bag in their hands. But one has a laptop and one was loaded with documents. You could guess which was whose right?

Slipping into the car as the doors shut then Ryotaro started the engine and drove them away. On the way, they would started to talk about some random things, well, Ryotaro was the one who mostly did all of the talking. And then, for the first time ever, the guy seemed to run out of stories, subjects to say.

Silence.

None of them talked, until, surprisingly, Len broke the long awkward silence.

" Ryotaro." He called as the other turned to look at him brief with a slight surprise in his eyes.

" Yeah?" Len has never been the one to start a conversation before. The azure-haired man put his bag into his lap and unzipped the zipper. From beneath the heavy files, Len pulled out a medium-sized bag and gave it to his friend.

" I took delivery of making something for lunch." He said then turned to see the stare the taller male was giving him. He suddenly felt quite taken back by it. " Or... perhaps you should eat outside as usual. I don't mind." He quickly added in in a quiet voice. Suddenly, Ryotaro laughed.

" Why would I go outside for lunch when I have this, silly?! Thanks, Len, for making it for me." The guy just beamed then took the bag gratefully as Len turned away, suddenly felt like his face was burning hot. " What did you make?"

" Sandwitches. It's not that special, just plain sandwitch with some vegetables and meat. Hope you don't mind."

" Why should I? I mean, it's not like I will receive my lunch from the all high and mighty Len Tsukimori everyday, after all, right?" Len turned back to glare coldly at the guy as a sweat dropped down from Ryotaro temple. Maybe calling him like that wasn't the right thing to do.

" Well, anyway. Thanks again, Len. I appreciate it." A warm and cheerful smile appeared across the tan-skinned face.

He was liked a second sun that would only shine for the one and only person, Len. Ryotaro was just liked a candle in the darkness of his friend's heart as he tried to find the way to the light. Yes, it was hard even though the candle was there to help him clear the path but somehow, Len was still afraid, afraid that if one day, the light of the candle disappear, what would he do then? The answer was still unknown for him. But for now, he may as well just enjoy the light while it lasted. Even so, Len knew one thing, not clearly yet but it will soon, that he was slowly being pulled out of the darkness that he have been living in for the last five years. And someday, maybe... maybe he would be out there again, under the sun, with people, with lights, not drowning in the pit of his heart anymore. Perhaps that day would come...

" You cannot be serious!" Ryotaro's voice echoed throughout his office at his secretary. " I thought that the meeting between me and the S.A Corp in America was dued until two more weeks." He stared at the girl with clearly confusion and somewhat anger in his eyes.

" They had called yesterday and told me about their changing on the schedule."

" Why didn't you inform me about this earlier?!"

" Because you were not in your office at that moment and later on when I tried to call you, your cell phone was off. But I did leave a message, I wonder why you have not seen it, yet." The woman answered calmly thoughout the wrath of her boss with ease then turned slightly to leer at Len from over her shoulder who was not that far away. Sensing someone was looking at him with a rather not-so-friendly gaze, Len looked up to find himself locked with the secretary's burning obsidian eyes.

Just a seconds later, Len tore his eyes out off hers with not much struggle or hardship, which made her even more piss off than she already has. He wasn't afraid of her.

" May I go and book the tickets, sir?" He nodded, then suddenly realized something.

" Matte. Tickets?"

" Yes." She looked at him liked it was so obvious to use the plural noun of ticket. " I will be coming with you." He arched up an eyebrow and stared at her then to Len who was currently looked up to see what was going on. The secretary noticed his look as her eyes widened.

" No can't be serious, sir." For the first time in all ages, Len looked at her with a strange look in his eyes. Never before had he heard the girl talking so informal, obviously showing her displease. " He... Mori is new, he has only been working in our company for nearly two weeks. He has not known that much about the company and even if he did, I do not think for a second that a new employee such as himself can handle the task." She spatted, didn't even give Ryotaro a chance to reply.

The first moment he was a bit surprised by the reaction, and the next he was deep in thought. His eyebrows furrowed for some times then looked up.

" Then you won't be going with me, either." She was shocked. Why? How?

" But I..." She was cut off.

" I had thought it through. It is true what you said about Len being the new employee of our company so he cannot come along, and that leaves only you. But during the time of our absence, who will lead the main company here when the president and his secretary are gone? Therefore, you have to stay and help me with the work here. I can handle it myself." And that was the end of conversation.

Takeshino looked both disappointed and pissed off at the same time. She gave an acknowledged nod and began to walk out of the office and on her way out, she didn't forget to send Len a hard, burning glare in which the guy didn't even flinch.

Len turned to see Ryotaro was sighing heavily with his eyebrows were frowning deeply to concentrate on the stupid-papers liked he had called them in his long murmuring including some colorful languages amongst it every now and then. When the former violinist opened his mouth, trying to say something that would help ceasing the tension- a surprisingly attempt- the phone rang and it gave both of them quite a startle.

" Hello?!" The president answered it, trying to mask his clearly annoyed mood away. He didn't want to go to America for God sake! Not now at least. He was too afraid that... that Len would try to squirm himself out of his reach again. But, this time... he didn't even know whether he could even try to send anyone else to replace him, the meeting was important, it would decide whether a lot of good things were gonna happen or not.

" Sir, there are some problems..."

The voice started to trail away as the other person's voice was barely audience in Ryotaro's head. God damnit! Like the day wasn't hard enough, now, there were troubles down at the office.

" I'll be right there." The guy almost hissed through the phone and hung it up as he stood up and stormed out of the office, completely forgot that there was a pair of golden eyes were watching his every movement.

Len couldn't blame him, it was a hard time, there were too much work to do and too much strain. The way he acted wasn't a way for a president to react but it certainly was Ryotaro. Somehow, a strange warmness that he hadn't felt in a long time rushed into his empty soul, Len was glad when he realized at least there was still one thing that didn't change in this mad world. He turned his gaze from the now closed door back to the computer screen on the desk in front of him and began to work again.

It wasn't until a while longer when the door clicked open. Golden eyes looked, hoping to see the presence of his friend but instead, it was Takeshino.

The woman walked delicately into the room and slipped some other papers onto her boss' desk and the moment she was about to go out, the secretary suddenly stopped. A pair of dark onyx eyes stared at Len from behind the glasses as an evil smirk appeared on her lips as the door went shut and found itself opened again just a few moments later as she walked back in. And her hands were holding what seemed like a moutain of papers as she swiftly approached the man with azure hair.

" Hello." She smiled fakely and Len didn't bother to even peer up from the screen. That annoyed the hell out of her as she let the huge stack of papers landed harshly onto the wooden desk. " Here's your work." She said curtly and turned away. " Tsuchiura-san won't be back until later." The woman added in quickly as if saying that there won't be anyone to help Len out this time then tapping her heels on the floor again and left.

A small sigh escaped from Len. It was going to be a long working period this time.

Lunch was over an still no sign of Tsuchiura. Len eyes traveled to his friend's desk to see his bag was still there, along with the home-made lunch. He was busy, no need to make a fuss about him not having the chance to eat the sandwitches, right? Len convinced himself with that thought but even so, a feeling of disappointment still flashed through him as he let out another sigh. He was late for his other job at the CD store but he had called and informed them about this so there was no fussing about it. And he had finished his work, too, by the time he was done, his shoulders were stiff and his left hand was numb. He went to the window and took a good look at the bustling street down there with what seems to be quite a long way down. His golden eyes searched around aimlessly but then something caught his attention.

Ryotaro was sitting there quietly in a café with his files and enjoying a nice plate of sushi with a hot, steaming cup of tea. No one would blame him if he was with other people for a friendly out-for-lunch meeting, but instead he was alone.

A sudden emptiness washed over Len's heart. He felt so cold somehow even though it was almost noon outside and the sun was piercing down mercilessly. He wanted to get out of this stinking office immediately. Gathering his stuffs, which was not much except for the documents he had to carry, Len left and closed the door behind him. Although there were mixed feelings in his heart at that moment, the guy didn't show any traces of emotion at all when he walked past Takeshino. Swiftly, he entered the elevator and soon found himself out of the building. He was right to leave since his working period there has ended already. He was doing the right thing.

Saying so but his heart was thinking otherwise, the reason he left was entirely different which the azure-haired man have yet to realize.

After a nerve-wracking morning, Ryotaro needed to rest his mind as he went to a café shop that was just across from his company. The food there was nice and the green tea did make him feel better, but during the whole time, the guy got a strange feeling about something was wrong and that he had forgotten to do a very important thing. When he couldn't remember what the hell was bugging him, he just shrugged it off as he headed back to his office. Letting out a sigh, he walked inside the building that was full of people.

Opening the door to his office, he found that Len had left and the whole place was empty. He should have figured, the guy wouldn't stay back for anyone if it means that it would probably slow him down.

/ The azure-haired man put his bag into his lap and unzipped the zipper. From beneath the heavy files, Len pulled out a medium-sized bag and gave it to his friend.

" I took delivery of making something for lunch."/

Amber eyes widened in shock. 'Oh, God! The sandwitches Len made!' Ryotaro shouted in his mind as he ran to his still bag on the desk.

" Damn it! That was what I forgot!" He hissed under his breath and mentally cursing himself. Len must has been pretty upset but then again, he wasn't exactly a person to care about such things. Right? Then he remembered the expression his friend had when he thought that he wouldn't accept the sandwitches.

" I'm in deep trouble."

'Click.'

The door produced the sound softly as the light switched on, making the pitch black room lightened up. Len went in and set the heavy bag down on the tatami floor. He was tired, it wasn't that he was physically exhausted from working ( okay, maybe he was ), but it was something intirely different that he still couldn't have a hold on it. Normally, he would have changed out of his outfit but now, he wasn't paying that much attention about it anymore as he lay wearily down the floor with his face looked straight up to the ceiling. He couldn't help it but to let his mind wondered back to what happened at noon.

Something from within Len's chest clenched. He didn't understand why he felt so hurt when he saw that. Maybe he was just being paranoid. Yeah, that was it, paranoid.

Suddenly, his stomach grumbled slightly, making the guy opened his eyes tirily. He has only been drinking water since morning, because he gave all of the sandwitches he made to Ryotaro, Len knew for a fact that his friend was a big eater...

The azure hair stood up and headed to the shower. He could eat later, right then, he just wanted to relax his tensed muscles.

Ryotaro closed the door behind him and straight into the living room and threw himself onto the soft couch. His back needed a rest. The guy lay still there for a few moments with the back of his palm on his eyes. Then something hit him as he looked up at the bag that was sitting on the table next to him. He sat up almost immediately to pull out the pack of sandwitches. His eyes suddenly saddened as he let out heavy sigh. Len must have been very disappointed about this.

Ryotaro stood up and went to the mini-sized kitchen within the living room and made himself a cup of tea. The cup was set down onto the table along with the heated sandwitches. They were sharply cut in perfect triangle shape. He didn't even want to bite it but he still went on and opened his mouth to have a taste. The sandwitches were normal just liked any other ones but somehow he felt the difference in them.

It was already nine-thirty as Ryotaro sat there alone in the living, eating the suppose-to-be lunch that his friend made for him. And he could feel, possibly, a part of Len sadness in every bite he took and it pained his heart so much...

Ryotaro

" Morning." I said and stepped into the office. Len didn't reply, he just blinked then returned to work. That particular morning, I didn't drive Len to work since when I arrived there, Kobayashi-sama said that he has gone already.

Slipping my heavy bag down onto the familiar desk then sat down with a small sigh.I knew this would happen, it was bound to be so. This confirmed that Len pretty much upset about me forgetting his effort of putting those sandwitches together. Kuso. I cursed under my breath, I didn't mean to do it! But... then again, it was my carelessness that led me into this mess in the first place, so turned out it was my fault.

" Damn it." I hisses through my gritting teeth. So much for helping Len when I myself couldn't even get close enough to form a strong bond with the guy.

And for the rest of his working period, I tried many times to open my mouth to speak but my voice just got stuck and sometimes he would just kind of ignored me. Even so, one time when I accidentally looked up and saw his eyes were wandering to me then quickly turned away when he saw that I was looking. I smiled inwardly, maybe he wasn't that upset. There was still hope even though it was just a small trace of it.

Ten o'clock as Len stood as he bowed slightly to my direction then turned around. When he was about to open the door and walked out, I called him.

" Len." I stood up from my seat as I saw that his shoulders stiffened as he stopped on his track. " I-I was wandering... Uhm... c-can I, you know, continue to... uhm... drive y-you to work?" I pronouced every word with great difficulty then he turned his head to the side and looked at me at the corner of his eyes. The look itself was chill down the spine but I did saw a glint of somewhat between softness and amusement.

" Hn." With that he walked away as the door closed behind him. What the hell was that supposed to mean?

" I'll take that as a 'yes' then." I said to no one in particular but myself. I felt relief somehow liked a huge rock had been lifted off my shoulders. I let out a small smile before turning back to work.

( Two days later...)

I looked at Len from the corner of my mind. We were in my car but it wasn't 'driving to work this time', it was something else entirely different. I dragged him out of his apartment earlier this morning to take him to a special place, but I was kind of glad that he didn't refuse my offer even though he was quite irritated at first with my sudden appearance, rapping constantly at his door since it was Sunday after all.

Although the strange thing was that it was somewhere early in April and the guy claimed that it was a bit chilly. Sure it rained slightly every now and then at this season but seriously, chilly? It was barely even cool out here and he said chilly. Was it because his apartment didn't have a heater or was it because the temperature in my car dropped? I kept on wondering to myself until I made a turn on the right.

We arrived at our destination and stepped outside the car. Len looked at the place with widened eyes. He had to recognize the place because this was where he and the others, including Hihara-senpai, Shimizu and the kitsune as well, came and taught some of the children how to play the violin.

Len turned around but I stood right there in front of his face as he arched up and eyebrow. I stared at him, trying to make him understand that I wouldn't be going anywhere.

His lips parted but before he could say anything we heard a loud bang noise as the both of turned to see what was happening when I saw a bunch of kids about seven or eight ran out from inside the communal house.

" Tsuchiura-sensei!!!" They all sang in unison and looked at me with bright smiling face. I couldn't help it but to chuckle slightly. These kids were too nice and cute to resist.

" Hi, you guys! How have you been?"

" We are fine, Tsuchiura-sensei! How about you?" Ryuuki, a very hyper-active boy replied in place for the others. I smiled.

" Me, too. It's good to see all of you." I looked around and spotted Len not that far away and ran after him. Holding on his shoulders as I whispered into his ear. " Taking advantage are we...?" Then I spun him and myself around and pushed the not-so-willing guy back to the group of children that has been staring strangely at us.

" Guys. Let me introduce you to my friend,..." I stopped and started to think about the name I should give to the kids. Something that could satisfy the kids and as well as not bothering Len. " Anyway, he came here today to help me." I beamed out as the children looked at him with uncertain eyes.

" He's very kind and he knows how to play the violin, too. He will help you if you have any questions." Hehehe. I laughed inwardly, the words 'kind' and 'help' didn't go so well with Len in one sentence. But who was I to kid? He had taught some children how to play the violin before at this very same place, right? And I knew for sure that he had a soft spot for kids since I saw him playing in a park one day and some kids started to follow and compliment him as well as asking questions. He sure was very irritated but he didn't put on his cold mask or chase them away. Suddenly, something was tugging at the end of my sleeve.

" Tsuchiura-sensei, what are we going to call him?" The boy, Maki, pointed at Len. I smirked then ruffled the boy's hair slightly.

" Just call him: sensei. It'll do fine. Now, go and tell the others, okay?" The boy nodded and ran back, telling his friend enthusiastically about what I told him. And then they all turned around and smiled brightly and innocently at Len.

" Good afternoon, sensei!" They stretched the word so much that Len had to arched his eyebrow up and stared at them strangely, I bet that he was wondering where the hell did all of the kids get the idea of calling him 'sensei'. I couldn't back the force anymore as I laughed loudly. And at that moment I could practically sense the threatened, burning glare that was piercing my back from a certain person even though my eyes were closed.

I stopped laughing and tried to stop the children to stop as well since they, one by one, joined the laughing fit with me despite the fact that they had no idea what I was laughing at. Eventually, the laughter died down but some snickers still remained.

I pushed they all into the communal house before something else happened, the session was starting late already and I didn't want anymore delays. But really, where was Ousaki-san anyway? He had never been this late. Maybe it was because of the traffic, the road was so bustling today that I had to change the direction and used the long route. Getting from Hiroshima to Ousaka and from there to Kanagawa prefecture wasn't easy. Oh, did I mentioned that I moved to Ousaka just a year and a half ago to work for the main company? Sorry for not telling you sooner.

The only thing that made the kids quiet for quite a period of time was when they play their instruments. I taught them how to play the piano, of course, I only came here once a week during weekend, you know why right? Even so, the kids were doing well, thanks to Ousaki-san I guess. Although he was the one that taught these little artists most of the time but they seemed to like me more. And now, right before my eyes, I was witnessing perhaps one of the strangest thing, those enthusiastic children were almost had their attention paid on Len! The fact that the guy was just sitting there and looked indifferent at them, they were actually drawn to him. I couldn't understand how the minds of children work. I cleared my throat as some of the kids looked at me as I continued the lesson.

I was teaching the kids to get the right keys for the new piece, I heard a little voice spoke up.

" Excuse me, uhm... sensei?" Oh, it was Akane, the rookie or at least that was what I called her since she just joined in since last week. She was trying to get her suppose-to-be sensei to help her with something. Len turned his gaze to look at the girl. " Is... is this the right position?" She raised her violin up and put it under her chin to demonstate her question.

Len looked at her indifferent liked he didn't even understand a word the little girl was saying. Akane was starting to struggle with her small-sized violin, trying to make the right stand. I frowned, Len wasn't going to help her?

" H-hey..." I was about to call out for him when I saw the guy stood up from his seat, moving for the first time after fifteen minutes.

" Your elbow needs to be higher." He said and placed his hand on her elbow and pushed it up slightly and in a soft way. I saw that Akane was blushing a little. Well, of course, it was Len after all, a pretty boy, cool,... other stuffs that draw girls closer to him ( even though he would just shoo them away ). " And hold the bow with more strength."

A flash of pain washed across his face, although it lasted just a few seconds. He must be thinking about that bitch again. I bit my lips, I knew that this would happen. But that was one of the reasons why I brought him here in the first place. He needed to do this, to face his past and move on, he couldn't just drown himself in his self-pity. Although, he seemed to be handling this quite better than I thought he would. Yeah, maybe there really was still hope...

The class went on with me watching the kids tried to memorize and play the piece I taught and Len was instructing the other group how to play the voilin the right way. I think that Ousaki-san has been quite easy on these kids, they knew the basics about how to play a violin but still not familiar with it. And to Len it was liked second nature already so even if he stops playing it for awhile, he would still very capable of teaching these little guys.

Then suddenly, I saw his position wavered a little then slowly sitting back down onto the chair behind. I told my students to practice by themselvess for awhile as I went to him and sat down beside the guy.

" What's wrong? Are you feeling alright?" I asked with concern filled every word in my questions and Len just shook his head slightly.

" Nothing." He replied quietly. But I didn't really buy that explainantion.

" Don't lie to me. Tell me Len, what's going on?" I pressed on, though, knowing fully that he was trying to avoid the subject.

" I said that it's nothing then it's nothing, Ryotaro. So just drop it." He said back with a slight anger coating his voice. The tension was going, I gulped a bit, I didn't want to make him upset but something was definitely up and with me going to America, which was half a planet away from him, I needed to know, badly.

I opened my mouth to say when something caught my eyes, Ryuuki- the boy was in the violin group- came tugging at Len, and I noticed that his hand was holding an adult-sized violin, I think that it was one of Ousaki-san's. But what the heck was the boy doing with it and why did he bring it to Len?

" Sensei, play a piece for us!" He shouted excitedly aloud, it sounded more like a demand than a request. My eyes widened as I turned to look at Len, who was pretty much as surprised as my, but with a more calming expression.

The others heard the comotion and stared at us as they ran toward the 'center of attention' and started to sing in unison about Len playing for them a song.

" I got this from Ousaki-sensei's, he played for us a song for us the first time we met as introduction and then he teaches us. So you need to introduce yourself, too!"

My mind raced, Ryuuki's was using big words for a kid but his mind was still as naïve and innocent as ever. I looked back and forth at the boy then Len, then focused my gaze on him. How would he react to this? What would he do? Should I do something about it?

" Please, sensei!" The kids pleaded and now I could see clearly that the guy was getting panic, his eyes were too oblivious.

" H-hey, guys..." I tried to say something to stop the children but something hit me, mentally. Why did I need to stop them? Was this a chance that I have always wanted to have? A chance to let Len plays the violin again. He was a prodigy violinist. He got both talent and hard work, he was at the peak of his carrier, if the accident hadn't occurred, he could have been one of the most famous violinist in the world by now. I couldn't just let that talent to wither away into nothingness.

I grabbed his wrist firmly as he looked at me uncertain and in a confused way. I smiled confidently at him, and said.

" You can do this." It came out in a low tongue, just slightly above the whisper level. He didn't reply, instead, he kept on staring at me, he didn't reply but his eyes was yelling all it could at me. ' I can't.' The held his wrist even more tightly, trying to give him some of my confidence and make him understand that nothing is impossible in this world. His surgery scars had healed a long, long time ago, even though they were still hurting him at the present every now and then, but it didn't mean that he could never play the violin again! For God sake, listen to me for once, Len! I wanted to shout that into his face but he had to make his choice on his own.

Moments after, with much struggle, Len reached out his and slowly and hesitately to the instrument that was held right before his face. He looked like he was afraid to touch it at first but he held on to it at the end. Like a miracle had occurred the whole place seemed to burst out with cheering and clapping. I let out a sigh of relief that I didn't even know I was holding. Len looked at me for a second as I signed him to go and do his best and I knew for sure I he understood what I meant. Ryuuki pulled him up from the chair and pulled him to somewhere in the middle of the communal house.

" He made quite a break through by taking the violin, didn't he?" I was startled by the voice as I looked up to see Ousaki-san was standing there, looking at Len with a gentle smile graced his lips.

" Where have you been?" I asked casually.

" Traffic jam." A simple reply as his attention was back on Len. " I had thought I would see him again." He said softly as I looked at him questioningly and as if sensing my troubling thought, the man said.

" Tsukimori was a kind of person that would not give up easily. Sure there would be hardship, denial and other trivial things that would get in his way between him and his important thing. But nevertheless, I knew for a fact that he was up to the challenge."

When Ousaki-san said 'important thing' he eyed me with a strange look in his eyes, I could see it clearly even with the glasses that he was wearing. What was that suppose to mean? I didn't understand so I just shrugged it off.

Len still looked hesitated and a bit confused. Never in my life would I think that there'll be one day when I saw such emotion expressed on his face.

" Go on." I moved my lips when I saw his eyes fixed on my direction.

I could clearly see a sigh escaped his lips as he put the violin on his shoulder and placed the bow on top of the strings, a perfect position just liked before. And suddenly, all of that uncertainty, worried looked disappeared in a boof and replaced with a strange, yet familiar aura that started to envelope Len's feature. It was just liked before, everything... His expression changed as well, it was calm and collected. Everything was just liked what it had been five years ago, when things were alright and nothing has yet to happen.

My heart raced as I held my breath, leaning slightly toward where he was as he first note came out from the string. He was playing... if I my guesses are right then it must have been Allegreto, Caprice No. 20 of Paganini.

The first motes were so soft and gentle as it made your heart felt so peaceful as the music led you inside its world full of dancing notes when everything started to pick up gently with a high note then slightly faster and in a higher pitch. But at the middle of the piece, it changed completely as the intesity grew, the notes were chasing each other throughout the whole series and the bow that was moving starting to fasten its speed onto the string, the piece still sounded light and delightfull as ever liked it has first started of. The sound went up and down and reapeated like that for several time but it didn't make your ears bored because of the speed and the strength Len was using.

I leapt out from my seat a little and gulped, staring at Len without even blinking for a moment. He was started to sweat, and I could see his brows furrowed for a fast moment before he returned his focus back to the piece. Of all the pieces, why did he choose that one? It was hard, for his hand I mean, after five years of quitting the violin all together and he had to choose that piece liked the gap didn't even exist at all!

Even so, Len managed to make it through half of the climax of the song. I was surprised how he could do that but the possibility was still there, hanging on the line. And just liked I thought, the nerves in his left hand shut down, completely, making him had to stop playing at once as everybody, who was enjoying the song had to look up at him. On Len's part, he didn't look at all that surprise as he stared at his numb, shaking hand with an emotion that I could not read. It was somewhere between sad, disappointment and yet not so stunned by the reaction that was received from his now stiff and useless hand. He looked like he was about to burst out in a maniacal laughter and broke down his knees and sobbed at the same time.

My lips suddenly went dry. Len, his face was void of emotion, then. And I saw the corners of his lips moved up a little to turn into what would have a smile, a bitter sweet one. Something into in my heart twisted, a great pain was filling the space inside it. The tension grew and for the first time in minutes of what seemed like hours, the children started to clap their hands as the thick, suffocating atmosphere was lifted up. They cheered and clapped loudly even though the piece wasn't even finished, but they still did it. Len eyes widened a little then turned away to hide the slight blush that was clearly evidenced on his cheeks. The anxiety in my heart somewhat eased as I went to where he was standing.

I came slowly to his side, he probably didn't notice it because of the loud cheering, and I could see that he was clutching the violin tightly and his hand was shaking up whether it was because of the nerves or the overwhelming emotion that was definitely filling his soul, I didn't care. Because I knew that deep down inside he was happy and glad that he agreed to play, to touch the violin again, even though it wasn't as beautiful as his golden one, but it was a major break through, to Len and myself as well. Because from this event, I now know that slowly but surely, his heart was healing bit by bit.

I leaned forward a little then softly whispered into his ear.

" Are you alright?"

It took several seconds before he gave me a slow nod. " Yeah, I'm alright..." The answer was gentle and his voice was lighter than ever before liked a huge rock has been lifted off his shoulders...

We left soon afterward, which made the kids sad as they used their puppy dog's eyes to persuade us to stay a little longer but it couldn't help, it was time to leave and our houses weren't that close anyway. I was explaining the situation to the kids when I saw Ousaki-san was speaking to Len, they were not that far away. I could hear them if I wanted to but thanks to the little students here, I couldn't, not completely that is.

" It's good to see you again after all this time, Tsukimori." Ousaki- san said softly with a genuine smile on his lips as always as he received a nod. " Still doesn't want to talk much, huh? Well, anyway, thanks for teaching the kids when I was absenced, you were a great help."

" No, it was... my pleasure."

Ryuuki and the others ran to where Len was and tugged his shirt as he turned around to find there beaming, bright smiles.

" Teach us again soon, sensei!" That sounded more liked a statement rather than a question, but to my surprise, Len didn't look a least bit of annoyed, instead he nodded.

" Yes, I will." A brief stopped as a wind blew, makin the dried leaves went swirling in the air. I didn't if I was seeing things or not but I thought I saw him smiled, small but still a smile from every angle you could look at. " And call me...Tsukimori-sensei."

My eyes widened with disbelief as he just softly ruffled Ryuuki's hair with his slender fingers of his good hand then walked away toward my direction.

" Tsuchiura." I was startled by the voice as I snapped out of my daze. It was Ousaki-san again. " You did a fine job of finding and bringing him back." I smiled a little at the comment. " Stay by his side and watch over him. He needs a companion such as yourself more than you or even himself think."

" What..." I didn't even got a chance to finish my sentence when his finger lifted and pointed at something behind my back as I looked over my shoulder to find Len was slightly leaning against the side of the car, he was deep in thought it seemed as his gaze wandered of somewhere far at the distance. Another breeze blew as the crimson lights of the setting sun graced his feature and it made him look somewhat glowed under it. Len looked just like a God with broken wings and could not return to the Heaven high above as he has to endure the pain in the Human world. My heart was beating loudly inside my chest as I held my breath, what was this feeling? It was so strange, so foreigne that I had never felt before.

" He's waiting. Go." And with a slight push on the shoulder Ousaki-san once again snapped me out of my thoughts, signaling me to go over there. I did what was told but my mind was still wondering about what he said as I looked back and forth at Len then him.

All of them, including the children and Ousaki-san waved at us as bid them good-bye, too then got back into the car. With soft clicks, the doors went shut as we drove away. The trip that day brought us a lot of confusion, but nevertheless, it turned out much, much better than I had expexted it would. I'm glad that I had brought him there that day and deep down, I knew that the memories of what happened will remain it our heart for a very long time after. Such beautiful memories would never fade with time, and I hoped that it was the truth, because I didn't want to forget it, ever...

( Two days later...)

The airport was filled with people going in and out constantly even though it was seven in the morning. I was sitting at the waiting chair, waiting for my flight to be called. I had gone over the schedule again with Takeshino to make sure that everything will go just as planned and things were fine up to that point. My secretary left afterward, more liked I told her to leave. I didn't really want to be around her that much sure she was good of a secretary but something about her made me feel really uncomfortable.

Len was the person who I wanted to see but he wasn't there, I didn't pick him up to the airport that morning since I was too busy with things and I didn't want to diturb him over these kind things. I'd only be gone for about a week, he wouldn't even notice that I was gone. That guy didn't care much about anything or anyone anyway. Still... I had to admit that without him there with me at that moment it did felt kind of... sad. I shook my head, what was thinking?

" Baka." I jerked up because of the voice and to my surprise, I saw him standing there in front of me.

" L-Len?" I was stunned, what was he doing here? How could he find me here anyway? I didn't tell him which gate I was going into, did I? Then reality slapped me across the face. Did he... did he run around the airport just to... look for me? Was that the reason why he was sweating and panting hard? Of course he did, that explained everything!

" Wh-why didn't... you tell me?" He asked between gasps.

" I- I didn't..." I was still pretty much surprised by his action and found that the words were stuck at my throat.

" You could've a least told me so I could come and say good-bye." There was anger in his voice and once again, the great Tsukimori Len had caught me off guard by that one simple sentence that anyone could say... but not him. I had never expected that those words I heard would come out from his lips, with his beautiful voice.

" Passengers on flight numer 835 please come to..." The louspeaker picked up as the voice of a woman echoed throughout the whole airport as I stood up and took my bag in my hand and smiled.

" That's my flight. Guess I'll be going then." I said so but I feet didn't even flinch from the spot. I didn't want to go.

Len looked at me with the same stern look on his face. Then his expression turned into an axious, worried feeling. My heart beated louder and louder in my chest by the second as I looked at him in awe.

" Have a safe trip and good luck."

" I don't need you to give me luck." I mocked half heartedly, trying to cover my surprised expression that was diefinitely showing all over my face. His eyebrow arched up and look at me strangly.

" Whatever, it's none of my business, anyway." There goes Len and his signature statement. He stopped briefly then looked closely at my face, studying my feature. " But... come back soon, okay?" He turned away to hide what looked like a blush.

My heart skipped a beat. What did he just say? He wanted me to come back soon or was I just hearing things? I stood there and continued to look at him, completely forgot about my flight.

" Are you going to go or what?" His voice rang, pulling me back to my senses. I nodded slowly then smiled gently at him.

" Don't worry. I'll be back soon and safe." I said then turned around as I started to walk away, lifting up my hand and waved at him casually.

I went into the airplane after I was done with all of the paper works and sat down to my seat, special seat. Well, Takeshino bought this ticket and I didn't have any other choices about this, it'd be hard to exchange for a normal seat since the date for departure was closed. I settled in my seat as the image of Len playing the violin two days ago and when he was standing in front of my face, panting with a slightly annoyed look on his face. Unknowingly, a small smile appeared on my face as I fixed my gaze out of the window.

The sky has never been so high and blue before...

To be continued...

A/N: Sorry that I've taken so long to update but with final exams just around the corner, I couldn't just ignore them since the teachers have been yelling, shouting and running around to review for us, that's why no matter how I much wanted to I couldn't forget it. Well, what do you think about the chapter? Please review, thanks. And by the way, I wouldn't be able to update for about a coulple of weeks or even more. Reason: I have just explained. See you later!