It is SOP that I tell everyone that I do not own the rights pertaining to La Corda d'Oro or to any of its characters.
Who is your knight in shining armor?
Chapter Twelve
The classes in the music department were really different from that in the general education department. In addition to regular subjects like Math and Science, the music students from Hino's level needed to attend Advanced Music History, Art Appreciation with Focus in Music, and, the subject she dreaded the most, Music Performance.
The Music Performance class was where students who major on the same instrument were put together. There were only three students from class 2-D who major in violin, Hino, the blonde Maki Mari, and the cropped-haired Kurosawa Takeo.
"I just hate that girl! She's bringing everyone down. Why, of all people, does she have to be in our group?" Kurosawa shouted after their performance ended in a not-so-good way.
"You're right. She's terrible. If my grades go down a notch, she's gonna pay." Maki could not help but form her hands into fist.
"Why wait later? If we are going to teach her some lesson, it'd better be this early. I heard she stays here until around seven in the evening."
"What are you planning to do?" She said the words in a shocked, wondering manner.
"We'll wait 'till we get her alone and scare her. That's all." He smiled wickedly.
"Hm. Excuse me. I'm in a hurry." Someone behind them politely asked to go ahead.
"Gomen." The two bowed in apology as they gave way.
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"Hey, Atsushi, is it gonna be done yet?" The guy in the counter tapped the wooden top with his fingers in the left hand agitatedly. His right hand was evidently sore beyond the bandage.
"Chill, man. This one looked like it jumped off Tokyo tower. Involved in a cat fight with a girl again?"
The guy named Atsushi was in his early twenties and has a lengthy dark blue hair tied at the back. He had three silver earrings on his left ear and two on the right. He had a pointed face and sapphire eyes. He stood shorter than the guy opposite him.
"No! It's… It's none of your business! Now, tell me. Can you fix that or what?"
"Look. Although there's no major scratch on the instrument, this part right here took it hard. I'm gonna ask you to buy another one if you want it to function just like before."
"Is that really necessary? Can't you just repair it or something?"
"If you don't want to replace it, this one is better off as an ornament in the museum."
"Hey, I'm just kidding. How much is it again?"
"Around two thousand yen."
"That's hefty money for such a small part!"
"You want it to be fixed or not?"
"Well, fine. How about the other one?"
"That's worse. The screen's gone blank and the speaker is damaged. It's gonna take another week to get it done."
"Can't you make it any faster?"
"Look, I have a lot of work coming in today. I am doing this free of charge for you. Can't you be grateful for that fact already?" Atsushi pointed to the line up of things behind him.
It was a small repair shop at the heart of Yokohama's industrial place. Behind the counter, a collection of broken electronics, ranging from things as small as portable media players to appliances as large as flat screen televisions, were waiting to get attended to. Atsushi worked here as part-time technician for his dad.
"Alright, alright. Thanks, man!"
"Anyway, I'm just curious. Is the pink one your girlfriend's or you have gone soft and crossed over to the dark side?" Atsushi laughed.
"You sound like women gossiping. It's not mine."
"So is it your girlfriend's?"
"How I wish." He fought the urge to roll his eyes.
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"Kaho-chan, how's the practical exam this morning?" Hihara caught up with Hino along the corridor leading to the library during their lunch break.
"It didn't end up well, senpai. Our group was given the lowest score because of me."
"Heh… You don't need to fret about it. It's just the first exam for the semester. I remember being in your position, too. I blew too hard on my trumpet and ended up deafening everyone in class. I just laughed it off."
She could not help but curl up the sides of her lips to form a smile. Hihara never failed to lift her spirit. It was as if his being optimistic was something like a medicine for her gloom. "Hihara-senpai, is that a scholarship form from Sho Daigaku in Kōbe?" She referred to the papers Hihara held in his hand.
"Ah, yes. This came in last week. They are offering me a half-scholarship for college as opposed to the twenty-five percent scholarship offered to me in Seiso Daigaku for being part of the Oke. I'm still thinking about it"
"That's nice, senpai! Sho Daigaku specializes in wind instruments and music education, right?"
"Yup."
"So why don't you take it? Although it's kinda far, it's a prestigious university plus you don't have to worry much about tuition fees."
"I… I'm still thinking about it. Hey, Kaho-chan, mind if I ask something?"
"No. Go ahead, senpai." She faced him.
"Well, it's something like… Uhm… Aw, never mind."
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"Etou-kun still hadn't showed up." Hino walked into one of the practice rooms after dismissal. She had never seen Etou after that punching-the-wall incident a few nights ago and it worried her.
As she was getting ready for practice, she realized she left her music scores in their classroom. She left her violin in the room unpacked and hastily ran back to get her violin pieces.
"Are you looking for something, Hino?" Kurosawa was sitting on one of the desks, an impious smile playing in his lips.
"Kurosawa-san. I… I happen to forget my music sheets in here." Strange enough, she felt the feeling of fear slowly wash through her body.
"Is this what you're looking for?" The guy named Shin held up the plastic envelope Hino is seeking.
"Ha-hai! Thank goodness you found it," she uttered appreciatively.
"Well then, why don't you come and get it?" Kurosawa invited her in.
She did so cautiously. She slowly crossed the room to retrieve the envelope from them. When she was near enough, though, Shin grabbed her barbarically.
"Let go, please. It hurts," she cried helplessly.
"Now, now, Hino. I've been an honor student in this class until you came and pulled me down. I just want you to pay for those little troubles you've caused our class."
"Please…"
"You only need to do something for us. Then we'll let you go." Shin talked from behind her, his arms still holding her.
Tears started to flow in her cheeks. With her petite frame, what dis she have against two muscular lads?
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Kaji walked into a series of empty, locked practice rooms until he reached one with an open door. He knew Hino would be here, as always.
"Hino!" He greeted as he faced the room and was shocked to find the room empty. His gaze fell upon the familiar violin resting on top of the grand piano. "Huh, that's weird. Bathroom break perhaps?" He wondered loudly.
He waited for a few minutes more. Kaji paced the room back and forth until he could no longer contain the uneasiness that emanated from his heart. He decided to leave the room and look for her.
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With what was happening, she could not tell if luck was on her side. She felt his grip loosen a bit and took the opportunity to break free. She stomped forcefully on his foot and ran away as fast as she could from the room. The two guys were surprised by the sudden attack that Hino availed some time to get away from them.
"Darn that girl! She stepped on my foot," Shin cursed vociferously.
"Darn you, Shin. You let her escape." Kurosawa berated his companion as they ran after her.
She had not noticed, nor had any idea, where she was headed. She just ran as swiftly as she could. Doors after doors blur past her as she traveled along a stretch of deserted corridor.
When the last of her strength had been consumed, she stopped and leaned on a door for support. She could not take another step. It would only be a few moments from now until they find her and God knows what will happen next.
She clutched her chest, feeling the thundering beat of her heart. Hino breathed heavily all the while tears streamed down her face.
Amidst the loud hammering in her heart, she could now make out the sounds of hurried footsteps, a pair of them, approaching her. Suddenly, the door slid open and a pair of hands grabbed her in.
"Hush…"
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Thank you!
For everyone who read and reviewed and shared their thoughts, cheers! A dozen chapters already.
Domo! [bows]
Find out in the next chapter who Hino's saviour is.
morendo
