Summary: Kahoko is one girl, she will date one guy but what about the rest. New characters...

Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda D'oro.

Sorry if there is any kind of mistakes .


A Heart- warming Discovery:

Why did I behave like that? I shouldn't have. But I don't know why I felt like showing myself to her... But it's amazing she wasn't even baffled.

"I thought that there was something mysterious about you. You always hide this self of yours behind those fake smiles, don't you?"

"How did you know?" Azuma asked still in unexplainable shock.

"You remind me of very special person to me; someone who was made bitter by the cruel world, just like you." This time Zoyi's voice was shaking, her eyes almost tearful.

"Like me...!! May I know who it is?" How did she comprehend me so well... so very well?

She shook her head, then stop and looked down at her feet; as if a sense of confusion overtook her. "My mother" She was still looking downward, her hands gripping the camera tightly.

What? Oh my God... What have I done?

"I'm extremely sorry." Azuma spoke now as if all the wickedness has been sucked out of him. I remind her of her mother... but how?

Zoyi couldn't keep standing, so she collapsed down, now sitting on the rooftop floor. Azuma ran to her. "Hey you ok... Come sit on the bench." He supported her onto the nearby bench. "I'm really sorry I didn't mean to be... rude."

"It's ok... You really remind me of my mother... she was a really bitter person but I know deep down in her heart she was very warm." She spoke in a way that touched Azuma like no one else did.

"I'm really sorry about it... But you know something Zoyi, you are the only person who could see through me. I have been suppressed all my life by my family."

"Azuma I believe that deep down you are very warm as well? Those smiles of yours aren't fake after all. I can tell you have suffered like my mother and me. Those beautiful eyes of yours give away a lot of things about. One just have to see through them that's all" She spoke with a slight more stability in her voice.

"So you think I'm warm... you're too kind. And don't tell me about my eyes; your eyes are a thousand times more beautiful than mine." Azuma said. They truly are... Now if I look at it, you are more beautiful than anyone I know.

"Flattery is your weapon, isn't it Azuma Yunoki? " Zoyi smiled.

"Not really it was just a way to make you smile. Anyways I know it must be painful but could you tell me about your mother?"

"I... I..."

"It's ok if you don't want to."

"No it's fine... Hhuuuuhhhh... My mother was the most wonderful woman I have ever met. She was a photography teacher. We were a happy family until my father started having an affair with another woman. He started ignoring my mother and me. My mother was shattered when she came to know about it. She became an insomniac. She started behaving very aggressively. I knew although she became so harsh she loved me. There were fights between them everyday... and all I did was stand at a corner of the room and watch them... I was only ten then... And one day she just died... simply died probably because of grief. It didn't take my father more than a month at to bring another wife. Then my life was so solitary... so very lonely... just like any girl who had a cruel stepmother." Zoyi spoke this very fast as if the lesser time it takes to finish the story the lesser pain she'll feel. Tears ran down her rosy cheeks.

Azuma couldn't help himself. Coming in front of her, he bent down, took her small face in to his hands and gently wiped the tears off her face. "Do you know that tears don't suit you?"

His hands are so warm... so soft. Zoyi could feel a wave of relief overtake her, as though all her sorrows were washed away with it. She closed her eyes letting this warmth engulf her heart. It has been so long since I have felt such warmth... it is so much like mother.

"I apologize to have force you to talk about your life... I didn't know!" Azuma said regretfully letting go of her face.

"It's ok. You're the first person with whom I'm talking about it. And you know it feels... quite good... I feel as if a huge burden just left my heart. Thank You." I don't know why I feel such a relief in my heart.

"Hey Zoyi may I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"Will you teach me photography? I hope I am not asking for too much."

"Hmmm... let me think...what do I get in return?"

"Flute lessons... that's all I have to give... or I can influence people to increase you rank in the newsletter club." Azuma said mischievously.

"No thank you very much... I can climb the ladder myself... but flute lesson seem alright." Zoyi replied. It's so strange I feel so comfortable with him at the moment... not even talking about my mother made me feel bad...

"Ok so we start now!"

"Now but lunch time is almost over."

"Yes I know; lunch is almost over but is not completely over."

"Yes but still..."

"Oh come on! I really want to learn... teacher!" Azuma mocked and in an instant, he snatched away the camera from Zoyo's grip.

"Hey give that back, would you?" But obvoiusly Azuma didn't return it. "Aright, but you asked for it. I can be a very tough teacher." Zoyi stood up. "Now, hold the camera properly. Both your hands should be on the same level on the either side of the camera. Put the index finger on the click. Ok, now go on." Zoyi literally ordered.

"You really take this seriously. Well then, is this the way?'

"Yes but there is one problem: your wrists. They seem to be quite stiff and at the wrong angle. You should relax your hands like this." Zoyi got hold of Azuma's hands.

Her hands are so... so soft! Azuma couldn't resist letting his thoughts to wonder off. She is so close to me... so close.

"Why do we need to relax our hands?" Azuma spoke getting close to her ears.

Zoyi, standing very close to Azuma, was slightly bent down fixing the grip of his hands on the camera. The question didn't make her awkward, their closeness did. She stopped and started blushing.

What should I do? "Ummm... there you go." She looked up. "You should relax your wrists so that they don't tremble while taking pictures."

"Aha... and..." Azuma was looking down at her so intently that it was almost overwhelming. Suddenly the school bell rang announcing the end of lunch break; also the end of the two's almost- romantic- moment.

"We should head off to class." Zoyi walked away from the young man towards the door.

"Ok... but your camera." Azuma spoke as he caught up the girl. "You are a good teacher... So when is the next class?'

"You tell me." Zoyi spoke, her head down as she walked down the stairs. She was still a bit embarrassed after all.

"Well I 'm going off to camp with the concours participants tonight. So I'll tell you later. Aren't you going to give any homework teacher?" Azuma asked trying to make the atmosphere a bit lighter.

Camp... He'll be away for sometimes. Wait why does that bother me? "Take a camera and practice taking pictures. Make sure your hands are in the right position ok. One more thing; try taking the pictures at different time of the day."

"Anything you say. By the way may I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"You said photography is a channel. Is it a channel to feel nearer to your mum?" Azuma asked.

Zoyi stopped walking. She felt sorrow rushing back onto her veins. "Yes, you guessed it right; it help me reduce pain. It's like your flute... when you play it you feel good" she answered in such an aching tone that Azuma regretted opening the topic about her mother again.

"Ok...hey what's your cell phone number?" Azuma questioned not even thinking about it.

"What!! Why?"

"You ARE my teacher. What if I need help?"

Ok, wait, I'll write it for you." Zoyi started rumbling through her bag. By the time they had exchanged numbers they had reached the corridor. It was time to part.

A certain redhead watched them as they stood at the mouth of the corridor. Kahoko Hino couldn't believe her eyes. Azuma seems so different today... so free.

"I better get to class before your fan girls start to ambush me. Good bye. I'll see you later." Zoyi spoke first.

"Bye" Thus the two parted, heading of to their respective classes.

I wouldn't let anyone ambush you. You are so different from other girls. I'm sorry to be rude to you, to have hurt you, to have made you cry...I'm really sorry. Yet you are so strong... such a gentle girl yet so bold at heart. You are the first one to understand me. I told you everything without hesitation. It's been great being with you, Zoyi Miskaki. Azuma kept thinking... kept wondering what's happening to him.

At the same time the silver-haired beauty couldn't stop thinking about a certain guy she had spent some time with. Azuma... Azuma Yunoki... you are such a mystery... it's confusing how you could make me feel so many different feelings in such a small time. I spoke about my mother to you. I felt relieved rather than grieved. Very strange... you gave me something that only mother could do... comfort. I'll be waiting for the next class.

To be continued. Reviews please.

Author's note: This chapter is especially dedicated to Azuma Yunoki. (He's so hot!) I hope I'm slowly bringing the story to tracks. Any suggestions for the next chapters... who'll end up with whom...: D... and please people...REVIEWS... REVIEWS ... AND MORE REVIEWS!!