Hello! I'm sorry for the long hiatus on this series. I'm caught up by life for a moment...thank you for keeping up with me! I earnestly hope you guys are doing well. Since the last chapter is quite long, I choose to part it into 2 final chapters. I can't believe it's already a year since I published it *watery eyes* Enjoy this chapter and I'll update the last one very soon! xoxo

Totoro and Me: High School Romance

Chapter 13: Maestro

By Minnie Haris

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basket nor Totoro

The day when Teppei met Kouji after the game, he accidentally brought Tamara's first kiss up to find out the lucky boy. The disclosure was something the second year never thought he knew.

"Certainly, you won't remember that. She secretly kissed you," Kou chuckled. "She's a bit cunning, don't you think?"

Teppei tilted his head. He couldn't recall when Tamara kissed him. That must be one time at summer holiday. His thought was hazy, but he might remember something. Was that happened when Teppei took the girl to the park? She didn't say anything that moment. Tamara stole glance at him and bit her lips shyly when they walked home from the park.

"So," Kou brushed his chin. "What do you think of my sister?"

"Tamara?" Teppei looked up. "Hmm, she's very nice."

Kou tittered. "Nice?"

"Yeah. Do you know she can make tasty cakes? She made me dorayaki," he chuckled. The younger male out of blue became chatty. Seirin's center complimented Tamara's skill in playing violin and how she looked cute in man's suit. The eldest of Kannou furrowed his brows as the other guy talked cheerfully. Kou chuckled and shook his head. That's Teppei he knew.

You've got a long way to go, Sis, he thought. A long, long way.

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Tamara looks at her own reflection once more. The make-up has set nicely on her pale skin. Kanna, who helps her with the look, confidently tells her that Burgundy Makeup is the latest Fall-Winter makeup trend. She heard this before, something about makeup trend from her mother's e-mail. Throwing suspicious narrowing look to her best friend, the tall girl grins. There's no way Minerva Levine will let her daughter performs in national event wearing her usual look. But since the choice of colors suits her, Tamara can't complain.

The dress is also stunning. Perhaps Tamara's most favorite evening gown so far—long, wine colored velvet dress that falls perfectly on the ground. It comes with a pair of heels. Not the kind of heels she usually wears, yet for tonight she doesn't mind. Her hair is styled by Mizuno's older sister who works as a hair stylist. She adores Tamara's natural curls, so she makes half ponytail and let the rest loose on the back. Per the violinist's request, the ribbon is tied on her ponytail.

She walks out of dressing room to the backstage to see the other music club members. The boys have been sitting there chatting. When Tamara comes, they turn to see her and give the violinist awed glance.

Kanna stands up and applauds. "Bravo!" She quickly takes her digital camera and snaps some pictures. All of sudden the small girl senses her cheeks heated.

"You'll steal the spotlight tonight," Suzuki smirks, looking content at Tamara.

The girl brushes the dress with satisfied and flushing cheeks. Tonight is indeed special. It's her first national performance in the country and Teppei's final match—the game Tamara forgets he's playing two blocks away at the precise time. She rushes carefully to the changing room to get her phone. There are some e-mails, Tamara sees Teppei mailed him and so did Kise, several times. She checks on the blond's last mail. Tamara gasps in surprise.

We lost the game. I'm sorry.

She breathes heavily, grips her phone tight inside her palm. It must be hard for Kise and the team. Unfortunately Kaijou's ace stays on the bench the whole match due to his injured ankle. Kasamatsu and the rest work their best, but without Kise in the team, the power gaps too far. Tamara grimaces at the thought of Kise, smile has gone off his face, probably blaming himself for not playing the last game. She wants to reply but does not really know what to say. The dark wavy lock shakes softly. Her performance coming up soon and worrying her dear friends is the last thing she needs to do.

Tamara opens Teppei's mail before running back to put her phone away.

Hey, I'm sorry I can't be there to see you play. Good luck! I hope to see you soon.

The typical mail from Teppei, she knows it. It is plain and simple. He does not say anything about last night. The tall boy probably forgets about it. Somehow it puts the younger girl at ease because Teppei does not bring that up in his mail. She avoids him since this morning to give her full thought on the event tonight and frankly, thinking about the guy distracts her so much. However, she wants to wish him luck. Teppei knows she's no doubt supporting him. Still, Kaijou's main violinist

"Tama." Kanna pokes her shoulder. "It's time."

She gives anxious look to her best friend. "What's wrong?"

Looking at her phone, an idea comes in her mind like a sudden turned on light bulb.

"Can you help me with something?"

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Winter Music Festival is starting. The music performers from several schools all over Japan have gathered there in spacious hall. The show has the same prestige as Winter Cup or Interhigh for athletes, this one is for musical students. It is the chance for young musicians to show off their talents, for names of famous music directors and music school chiefs attend the annual event.

People may not know this, Tamara's school is one of many school performances most music professionals much anticipating. That mainly because the girl's name is on the performers' list. Ever since her video performances uploaded on video site under Kanna's channel, her videos hit thousand views and her name recognized by music lovers. Not to mention she is the daughter of the famous fashion designer, but because Tamara always refuses to show up in public, netizens are now getting more curious with her profile. Good thing Kaijou performs the first that night after the opening, marking their first national debut.

Some boys steal glances to the girl with long velvet dress and violin in her hand. Tamara is not the only girl that looks pretty in the backstage. Other girls dress as good as her, even better with side cuts, showing their smooth long longs or well toned thigh since most girls wear short night dresses. The costumes are colorful. Girls from other school next to Kaijou music club wear low cuts dresses. Males easily leer at their bare shoulders and collarbones, but then curiously turn to the violinist who standing there gracefully, her deep red wine long dress tails her behind. Tamara's figure portrays a royal lady waiting to be throned.

Kaijou is called, the members walk up to the stage followed by crowding applause. They position themselves and prepare their instruments. Tamara checks on her shoulder rest. Tonight both groups perform together with Yanagi in charge. The tall boy tilts to Tamara, responded with a quick nod from the girl. Mizuno runs her talented fingers on the piano keys.

Seconds later, Kaijou plays Do You Want to Build A Snowman from a very popular animation movie Frozen. Tamara suggests the others to play this song since the film hits top ten box office movies not only foreign countries but also locally in Japan. And again, playing familiar songs surely takes people's attention with their advantage for being the first one to perform.

Their performance of that song gets very positive views from the audience. Tamara as the main performer stunningly gives the cheerful and mellow vibe to the song. And Suzuki is right: she shines bright tonight.

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Court referee blows the whistle, signing the second quarter time is up. Seirin is losing far behind. Rakuzan leads the game into their pace. Akashi, feels challenged by Kagami and Kuroko's fighting spirit, decides to not back down. With his absolute power he shows no mercy toward the opposite team.

Seirin is pushed back cruelly, if not painfully.

Teppei bandages his knee tighter. He can't be submitted out yet, not for this final game. His injured knee throbs when he pulls off the sticky stripes. The tall boy grunts, his hands carefully taping the throbbing knee. Getting another tape, the other hand dives into the bag. His phone blinks mail notification.

It's a mail from Tamara, with attached file inside. He opens it, which directly brings him to video player.

"Hi, Teppei." She greets in English. The camera angle moves and zooms out Tamara's figure, showing him the girl's look on purpose. She looks beautiful in that dress, the light brown haired thinks.

"I know I don't have to send you my encouragement because off course I'll cheer you up, but just in case you forget—ha ha—I'm telling you now. The dream is coming true, Teppei. Good luck! And see you soon."

Tamara keeps looking at the camera for seconds, before the message is over and she asks 'is it okay' to the person who records her.

Teppei's chest thumps.

Last night Tamara left with forced smile, hurting because her feelings are not return. In the video, she chooses to give him her best smile, the sincerest one. Tamara genuinely wants Seirin to win the final. The girl promises to support the tall boy along the way, aside from the unrequited love.

Teppei thinks he must have hurt her last night. Her frightful expression still clearly haunts inside his head. Now what Seirin's center has to do is to make up his mind to play his best tonight, for his team, himself, and the people who support him—for Tamara.

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Rakuzan's music team steps up as the third performer. This team has more number of members than Kaijou. In fact, it is almost an orchestra. As expected of elite school, they whisper to one another.

While her friends enjoying the performance on stage, Tamara looks off. Couple times she bites her lower lips in distressed, or asks the boys what time is it, as if she wanted the event to be over soon.

Tamara aches for going to the gym as soon as possible.

She needs to know how the game going. Mails from Kise and Alex do not put her mind at ease. The brunette wants to jump out the Hall and makes a run to the basket court. But she's wearing a dress, a long night gown and high heels. Running bare-footed is not a wise option considering the weather outside. She may ends up getting frost bite.

However, Tamara must say something.

"I have to go."

Her music club mates turn at her. They know tonight is Winter Cup's final, and the violinist's friend is playing. Kanna has told them about her crush in Seirin basketball team, but only that. She's kind enough not sharing about his name or his profile data, not like they need to know.

"Well, I won't say that I'm not allowing you," Yanagi says. "But we have one more performance on the second round."

"Yes, I know that," Tamara remarks. "But I must go. At least until the last quarter."

The silky black hair man checks on his wrist watch. "The fourth quarter is about to begin, I suppose?"

Tamara nods.

"Okay. Once the game ends, you have to come back real quick."

The girl beams. The thing is she has to go to the changing room to get her flats, but with the crowd at the backstage, it may take some time.

"Always spontaneous as usual, eh!"

Kou shows up there, followed by Kanna behind the tall man. The jet black suit compliments his good look plus his Canadian accent, the older Kannou the center of attention for a second.

"Kou?"

Replying with smirk, the eldest Kannou hands her a pair of sneakers.

"No one can stop you from leaving," he says. Kou brings her the orange sneakers she always wears. Tamara can't help but whimpers tearfully. Thanks to her heels, Tamara easily hooks an arm to Kou's neck and lands a peck on his cheek. Without saying anything, he knows she means thank you.

Tamara replaces the heels to sneakers. She's fastening the laces when Kanna stands before her, holding her coat and her phone.

The shorter girl stands up. Kanna opens the coat and titters. "I should have stopped you. I mean, keeping you from leaving."

Tamara wears the coat and puts her phone in the side pocket. Kanna cares for her deeply. She stayed with weeping Tamara the whole night, said nothing but held her hand, hugged the dearest friend and stroked the wavy brunette tenderly. It have been bugged her since Tamara made video message before the event began, now she wants to run to where he's playing. She can advice her to move on. She will ask the small girl. Not tonight, though.

The tall girl shrugs. "I let you off tonight."

Tamara holds to beam and hugs the taller girl instead. Kanna complies. She hugs her little best friend tight and lets her slide out her arms to turn and pulls up the gown.

Through the backstage crowds, Tamara takes off to the gymnasium.

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