La Corda D'oro ~
Chapter 11; Happy Birthday, love.
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Author's note
Okay guys, another update ! Okay so this takes place a day before Kahoko's birthday; 5 years later. Kahoko is now a 22 year old violinist who often performs before an audience in Japan. She has had her own concerts but is still yet to be discovered. She's in 3rd year college majoring in music in a university. A prestigious one, she has saved up a lot from her part time job and also from her parent's savings for her college plans.
Tsuchiura happens to be in the same university as Kahoko, and so do Kaji. The three of them in the same class, majoring in different instruments. Kahoko in violin, Tsuchiura; piano, Kaji; viola and violin.
Hihara has remained in Seiso Academy's college; trumpet, and Yunoki decided to stay to his family's plan for him abroad. But still manages to play the flute from time to time despite the warnings from his grandmother.
Fuyumi and Shimizu are classmates in another university, different from Kahoko's, Tsuchiura's and Kaji's. But they, the same as the rest, are majoring in music as well. Fuyumi in the Clarinet and Shimizu in the Cello.
Amo-san got her chance to study on becoming a journalist, Mio decided to major in culinary arts since she really liked sweets and Nao in business.
Tsukimori, still in Europe, has become an outstanding violinist. Having a lot of world tours but is still able to call Kaho. He still feels the same for her as she does to him. He often mails her gifts and souvenirs around the world. Once on Kaho's birthday, gave her a new violin which cost almost as much as a car does. Kaho does mail him pictures about what's been happening to her and also sends him gifts as well. They're still close in touch but they're still longing for the day that they will meet again.
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Kahoko's POV;; February 26
Kahoko waited in the huge room, sitting on a chair, for her agent to come since she called her via cellphone to meet her in her office.
She waited for almost half an hour and began to feel a bit hungry. Instead, she just imagined what would she would do the next day since tomorrow was a special day for her. Her 22nd birthday. She sighed, a bit happy and excited but at the same time sad because she really wanted to save up for a plane ticket going to Europe by tomorrow but her schedule was just too tight and she knew Tsukimori wasn't going to stay in one place. He'd be in London for all she knew and end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was too risky and she still wasn't that rich to even afford a place to stay in such a country. She played with her blouse, nothing much has changed since then.
Well, for one, Kahoko has grown to be a beautiful looking lady. Her red layered hair has grown almost just above her waist and her figure has grown, revealing more mature curves and stayed fit. Her face, her lips grew more red and her cheeks more prominent but her eyes still huge that she still looked the same cute Kahoko she always was. She still has that positive and bright personality that everyone loves about her but she has also learned to stand up for herself and not depend on others. She lives alone in her apartment not too far away from the university where she studies. School is almost over anyways and she just can't wait to go and visit Len even once. Len did mention that he'd help her try to come over to see him if she's able to save even half the price of the expenses she would be spending.
"Hino! I'm so sorry I'm late, anyways, here are the venues that are available for you to perform in. If you keep performing, you'd earn a lot of attention and if you choose correctly, maybe an important person could see you and even offer you to perform abroad. The future's all yours." My agent, Haruka-san, said getting all excited. I shurgged and bent down to get the list of places I could perform in.
The choices were; to perform in a cruise near the city's bay (I can't cause I might get seasick.) , to perform in an institution for the elderly (maybe not that.), in an orphanage (... maybe next time.), ...
Then I saw a venue that looked familiar ... I just couldn't put my finger on it. "Haruka, look, do you maybe have a picture of this? This place seems a little familiar to me." Haruka got something in her bag and it was a folder full of pictures of all the venues and she handed me the one I asked for. I gasped and my hand flew to my throat, it was the last place where Len and I performed a duet together. The one where he'd brought me for our last date. This is definitely the place where I'd play, it suited me and it seemed as if it was calling me to perform there. "Haruka, this is definitely it."
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On second thought, I should've gone to the orphanage, performing for kids would've been so much fun if it weren't my duty to look for a good place to get the attention of maybe another agent who could give me a chance to pursue my talent so that others (particularly important people,) could see my performance and hear my unique music. But this was for my own good and it was a promise I had to fufill.
But there was just so many people ! People who dressed in such formal outfits, (the owner of the place was very kind to allow me play there with other professionals who are beyond my level.) I dressed in a black tube dress that matched with a red belt and black shoes. My hair in a bun and simple make-up. I heard a knock on my door, "Come in!" I said and I saw my friends through the reflection on the mirror. I squealed and jumped up to see all of them wearing suits and dresses too. "Oh my god, why're you guys here?"
Amo-san gasped as she saw me in my outfit and took a picture, "I needed a new feature for my project and this is certainly an excellent one! Kaho, you would make a great topic. Not to mention you look incredible in that dress! I've taught you well, huh?" she teased me, I gave her a hug and winked at her, "You sure did." I turned to Kaji who was right beside me, he looked ... a bit overwhelmed by something I didn't know but he was staring right at me. "Kaji? Uh, Kaji-kun?" I waved my hand in front of his face, he blinked twice and got back to earth. "H-h-h-hino-san, I ... you ... look amazing." He took a deep breath, "You'll do amazing in that stage too." He smiled gently at me and Tsuchiura patted his shoulder and went infront of me, he looked taller than before, more huge. "Hino, why you look like a decent young lady. Your dress suits you." I blushed and replied, "You guys are so biased, It's so plain but if you say so then I have nothing else to say but thank you." Just then Haruka came out of the door, wearing creamy beige dress that made her look like a rich person, and told me to be ready backstage.
"Well guys, I think it's my turn. See you !" I said while I hugged and kissed all of them before going to my place. I took my violin with me and took deep breaths. You can do this, Hino, you can.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have another performance from a student who comes from a 3rd year *(-insertuniversitynamehere-); Hino Kahoko."
I stepped unto the stage while the audience clapped for a minute and stayed quiet. I positioned myself, placed the violin on my left shoulder and held the bow with my right hand and ... played. My performance for today was Romance No. 2 in F major; Beethoven, this piece was familiar to me because it was the piece Len had performed on the last training camp we had after the last selection more than 5 years ago. The notes were high and were a little fast paced but I could feel the emotion the composer wanted to express through the song. With the piano playing right behind me, it was perfect.
And before I knew it, it was done. I put my arms down and smiled, the audience stood up and applaused for me. I was overwhelmed, I also saw my friends cheer for me. I waved and bowed and went backstage.
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After the concert, we were invited to a buffet in the venue and I ate in the same table with my friends. I was thanked and given appreciation and even some flowers to me from the people who had seen my performance. Hihara teased me when the tall guy gave me flowers. I ate some cake because I wasn't that hungry. And as the night ended, we went our separate ways.
I wore my coat to hide my too revealing dress and shivered because it got a little cold, "you shouldn't stay here out in the cold." said a voice, I turned around and saw the same tall gentleman who'd given me flowers awhile ago. I was still carrying the bouquet and he'd noticed it, "Oh, you'd kept the flowers I gave you. I feel so honored." He smiled at me, he looked really handsome with dark blue hair and fair skin, he reminded me of Len except for his dark eyes. "Well, I feel even more honored to perform in front of such a wonderful crowd and a very humble gentleman." I returned his smile. He introduced himself, "My name is Toya Riku, I just came from Europe to stay in my hometown. I play the piano amd your violin playing up there could match up to my piano playing, don't you think ?" He winked at me and my eyes widened, I just met this guy. "U-uhm, I'm not so sure, I haven't heard you playing." I shurgged and tucked a strand of my hair back behind my ear. He smiled, "I wasn't in the audience, I was the one playing the piano behind you." I gasped, "Oh really? I didn't notice you. I was about to thank the one playing but they told me you've gone outside or something." I smiled at him, "Thank you ... so much for that. Without your outstanding skills, my performance would've been nothing but ordinary." Then the cold wind blew past us and I shivered even more in my coat, Toya shrugged off his coat and placed it on me, "Toya-kun, y-y-you didn't need to." I couldn't finish my sentence through my chattering teeth, he chuckled but shivered too, "Don't mention it."
He led me to his car and sat with me to the backseat, "Drive." he told his driver and I took off his coat and he took it back and placed it on his lap. "I'll take you home, where do you live?" He asked with a small smile on his face, I stared at him closely. "You're not going to kidnap me right? You just took advantage of me." I raised an eyebrow and he laughed and shook his head. "Rest assured I did not take advantage of you but I simply lent a hand and offered you an easier ride home, is that what you mean by taking advantage?" then he twisted to completely face me and swung his arm around my shoulders and bent closer to me, I leaned away; glaring at him. "This is taking advantage." I felt his breath but he backed away and sat neatly back into his seat. "Could we be friends and trust each other this time?" He asked and I nodded and told him where I lived. The car immediately went to my destination in minutes. Toya escorted me inside the building.
"Well, here it is. It was a pleasure meeting you, Hino." He took my hand and kissed it, I blushed and slowly took it off his hand, I nodded at him. "Thank you, Toya-san. Have a safe trip home." He pressed the button for the elevator and the doors slid open and I went inside, Toya waved at me, "I'll visit you soon again, Hino." He winked and blew me a kiss. I glared at him, "Hey-" but the doors closed, interrupting me. I leaned back at the cold metal walls, exhausted and completely confuzzled. "Who is he?"
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Normal POV
Toya's cellphone vibrated and he glanced at the screen and flipped it open, "Yes, dear friend?" he murmured, already inside his car.
"How is your trip there in Japan? Seen anything interesting?" said the voice on the other end, Toya's close friend.
"Why yes. I've seen something that really caught my eye." He paused and changed the topic, "You have to come here as soon as you can. I have a ... friend to introduce to you. She's extremely gorgeous and plays the violin too." He chuckled and the person on the other end seemed to be a bit irritated but calmed down, "Well, I've got to introduce you to a special person too. I'll be there tomorrow, it's the birthday of my girlfriend, Hino. I've told you about her."
Toya shook his head, a bit drunk. "Hm, I forgot the name of the lady I just met. Too bad, but I'll probably meet her again." He shrugged, "Well, dear friend. I have to go, my parents have arrived in Europe and given me permission to take a little break. See you there tomorrow."
"I'll see you too, Tsukimori." He hung up and closed his cellphone, "You sure changed over the years."
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On the other hand, Kahoko lay down quietly on her bed and slept peacefully. Not knowing what could possibly happen on the day of her birthday.
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Author's note
Okay, I'm guessing this is a bit of a twisted plot I made up for you guys. ^_^
Sorry about the *(-insertuniversitynamehere-) thing because I couldn't make up a university name for Hino and I'm not familiar with the places in Japan that much so, Gomen ! -bowsdown-
Anyways, I hope you guys liked this chapter. Toya is mine ! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, kidding. But he's my crush, a fragment of my imagination, he almost looks like Len but has darker blue hair color and has dark eyes.
I shall update soon !
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT -HUGS-
