La Corda D'oro ~
Chapter 10.5; Gift
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Author's note
This is just short update, that's why I named it chapter 10.5 like a feature or a bonus chapter. (I thought it was pretty clever.)
This'll probably show the events a few days after Len's departure and between the passing years Len has been in Europe and Kaho has been in Japan, trying her best to get into music majors or music related stuff for college. (I forgot what you call it.)
Anyways, their relationship is still strong despite being away from each other. This chapter begins a few months after Tsukimori's departure and he arrived in Europe already. He is spending most of his time training and Kaho is continuing highschool life as a junior then a senior and so on to college life.
Anyways here, hope you enjoy it.
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Kahoko's POV
(This is a flashback.)
Right before Len boarded the plane, I forgot to give him something.
His Christmas present. It was in my bag and I forgot to give it to him. "Kyaah !" I ran towards the door heading to the plane.
"Len ! Len !" I was inside when the security guard stopped me, "Hey lady, you're not allowed to go inside there without your plane ticket." He said with a low rouch voice. He sounded lazy. "But wait ! My boyfriend forgot something!" I showed him the present but I didn't have enough time so I just hopped inside. "Hey!" The security guard said. I ran my fastest to him, "Len ! Len !" then I realized I lost him. "Oh, noo ... " I fell down to my knees. A stranger placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Kaho, I'm right here." Len said, his voice stiff and a bit irritated. I stood up and gave him the present. "Gomen! I forgot your gift." He looked at it and his eyes went wide, as in wide. "Uh, Kaho, you didn't need to. I ... don't have anything for you." He paused. "... yet." he added, I giggled. "You don't need to give me, anyways here." I smiled. "Merry Christmas !" I hugged him one last time and saw him leave, for real this time. But I was okay.
The rest were waiting for me outside, some of their faces worried and others, annoyed. "Hino," Tsuchiura said, his expression annoyed. "You almost got yourself into trouble." I sighed, "... Sorry."
Hihara went to my side, "Kaho-chan, where's our gifts?" He asked. I opened my bag and all of their gifts were there. "Here!" We all exchanged gifts for Christmas even though it was a little late. We all went home happy and so was I.
Not to mention a few days after, Len mailed me a gift. He also wrote a letter regarding my present for him;;
"Kahoko, thank you so much for the gift you gave me. The gloves, I shall wear it everytime here in Europe. Here is also a gift for you, hope you like it.
Len."
And when I opened the small box, a bracelet with a charm the shape of a violin, was inside.
(End of flashback.)
Seiso Academy; January 5.
*Summary;;
Kahoko is already in 3rd year, a junior. She is in class 3-3 with her two best friends, Mio and Nao.
Tsuchiura is in class 3-1 and is now in the soccer club since the concours are over and he has time to return to his favorite sport. Hihara and Yunoki are now Seniors in the Music department as well as Fuyumi and Shimizu are now in 2nd year, Sophomores. Kaji is also in third year but with the same class as Tsuchiura, class 3-1. They get along too since they're both hardworking athletes.
Len is in Europe and has begun for his training. Him and Kahoko are still in touch and they call each other from time to time.
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My flashback was interrupted when Mio poked my arm, "Ouch!" I hissed and Mio shushed me, smiling a bit. "You're spacing out again! We've just begun school and you've got your mind somewhere else. We're going to have a pop quiz, you better be prepared~" She sang the last sentence, teasing me. I giggled and turned my attention to the sensei telling his sermon to us. Just then the bell rang and I was saved.
"Haaaaaaa," I exhaled, relieved that class was over and I had time to practice with the violin again. The concours are over and so we weren't really given anymore assignments that included performing before an audience or having school concerts and such. The music department was in charge of that. I followed Mio and Nao, still my classmates and happy that they are, to the school cafeteria. I forgot my lunch today so I had no choice but to go to the crowded canteen.
"Kaho, have you heard from Len?" Nao said, taking a bite from her sandwich. I nodded, smiling a bit.
"We call each other all the time, I'm supposed to be calling him tonight."
"That means it's bright and early in Europe when it's nighttime here right?" Mio said, I nodded in agreement. "Yup." and we arrived in the canteen in disbelief, looking at the huge crowd of people, (Compare it to a crowd of people in a concert, you'll get the picture,) and tried to squeeze in to order. But to my dismay, I have failed.
"It's okay, Kaho. Here, I have another sandwich." I stared at her, "You could've offered me this earlier, I feel so bruised." I winced, sensing the bumps on my upper right arm. I felt a warm sensation on my head and it was a bag of warm meat buns. Tsuchiura gave it to me, "Here, I have extra." He smiled and I got the bag from him, I bowed down and waved my arms as if to worship him, "You. Are. My. Savior. Tsuchiura-kun." I continued to do that until he told me to stop, "Silly, next time I won't be able to do that so don't forget your lunch, okay?" I nodded at him, "Yes sir!"
Some time later; Kahoko's house;
I headed back home, it was sunset and I couldn't wait to call Len tonight. I stopped by the same spot, near the sea where Len and I was before he had gone. I brought my violin with me, (As always, I never left it at home or just lying around somewhere,) and I brought my violin out to play.
Bach's Chaconne from Partita 02 in D major, It's a really hard piece to practice for me but one by one I was able to play the first half. Again like before, my fingers moved gracefully over the strings and my left arm swinging the bow over the strings with the right melody. I felt proud of being able to play some pieces much better than before. The pace got a bit faster then I made a mistake, "Oh." I dropped my bow and violin and put it back in the case, I sighed. "I'll probably practice some more when I have time." The sun was almost gone just then my cellphone rang, I took it and mother's number appeared on the screen. I fipped it open, "Hello? Mom?"
"Kaho! It's getting dark! Where are you?!" She screamed unto the speaker, I jumped and winced. My ear almost bled.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" I said as I got my violin case and school bag.
Nighttime;
After I ate dinner and did my homework, I killed some time by watching t.v. (As I usually did because I was waiting for an hour before calling Len.)
"I'll be in my room now!" I called out to my mother and my sister got home, I greeted her and ran to my room. Was about to dial Len's number till-
Ring ! Ring ! Riiin- "Hello?" I said unto the phone.
"Kaho ..." Len whispered my name and I felt as if he was right beside me instantly. "Hi Len, How's your training?"
"Oh, I just ate breakfast and I'm about to resume training in a few minutes, 5 at least." He chuckled, his chuckles always made me smile. "Anything new at Seiso? How're are the other guys?" He asked, I sighed. "School is the same, a lot of homework. Being a junior is such a stress but when I'm with my friends I feel fine. I feel even better when I practice the violin, I'm trying my best now." I said, "Well, I'm proud of you Kaho. No matter what happens you know I'll still be waiting."
I twirled a strand of my hair and took a deep breath, "I'm scared." Len didn't respond at once. "You don't have to be, give me a couple of years and I'll-" I interrupted him, "No, Len! You don't get it. Don't you know how long years are?" I buried my head on my arms and curled into a ball on my bed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way." Len said, he sighed. "I-I meant, I'll be training hard enough to finish that it won't even take a year for me. Don't worry." I laid down now, getting a bit nervous. But I calmed myself down. "We'll ... work this out. As I have said before, don't mind me. I'll be doing my best, you'll be doing your best and in no time, we'll see each other again. Focus, Len, on yourself, not me."
"But-" I cut him off again, "Len, trust me. I. Am. Fine. I love you and you have to do this for yourself first." I paused.
"I can't wait to see you again." We both said at the same time, we both laughed but Len stopped and muffled a chuckle. "You made me laugh out loud, Kaho. Now my sensei's scolded me." He chuckled. I giggled, "Oh ,well. I've got to sleep, good morning Len."
"Good night, Kaho." He said and I hung up. I turned off my lamp light and floated into unconciousness ...
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Ring ... Ring ... Ring ... Ring ...
My cellphone was ringing and vibrating. I picked it up and Len's number appeared, I flipped it open. "H-hello?" I said, my voice a bit dragged.
"Kaho ? I'm sorry for waking you up. It's just .. I needed to hear your voice." Len said, his voice shaking. My eyes widened and I didn't feel sleepy anymore. "What's wrong, Len?"
"Well, my parents are coming and I'm to perform infront of them again. I know this isn't the first time but, I just needed you to help me get over this ... phobia." He chuckled, "I know I sound a little silly right now but you're the only one who can help me."
"Well, I do have something in mind that I think I can help you calm down. Are you alone?" I asked and waited, "Yes, yes I am." Len said and I yawned a bit. "I'm awake, I'm awake." I assured him, "Okay, now close your eyes."
I waited and he told me to continue, "Okay now, imagine you just woke up. It's the day of your performance, your nervous and you head to the venue of your concert. You head to your dressing room, get dressed up and practice a bit."
... "You sit down, still so tense and worried but suddenly the door opens, but you don't move. Then a pair of arms wrap around your shoulder."
"'Len, It's alright. I'm right here.' I say to you. I smile at you, you return my smile. I fix your suit, your hair, I stroke your cheek." I heard Len chuckle. "'Kahoko, thank you for coming.'" Len said, still lost in the imagination. "'You called for me, so I'm here for you.' I reply and I take your hand ... I walk with you towards the stage. And all you see infront of you are the audience and ... your parents. They smile brightly at you and you know they're very proud of you. I'm proud of you. We all are proud of you."
"You perform with me right beside you, watching. The audience claps out loud and stands up in appreciation of your outstanding performance. Your parents clap for you too. And so do I."
"Len, open your eyes." I murmured and I waited for him, "I'm awake." Len chuckled. "Do you feel okay now?"
"Much, much better." ... "Thank you, Kaho. So much."
"Good afternoon, Len." I said, lying down again, ready to sleep.
"Good night, Kaho." Len greeted me. I sighed, "Len, you mean morning. I have to go to school now."
"I'm really sorry, Kaho."
I laughed, "It's okay. You woke me up already anyway. Bye !" And I hung up.