Disclaimer: Legal claims on La Corda d'Oro and its characters are not owned by petiamo.

Chapter Nineteen

Kaji has been restless in the small staff room for over five minutes. His whole body seemed to have memorized the drill. Take eleven steps to the east side. Look out to the glass window overlooking the almost empty parking lot. Turn one hundred and eighty degrees and take another eleven steps to the white door on the west. Then back again.

Things have gone through his mind. Tsukimori had to tutor her when he should have walked her home. When he asked Hino for a trip to the park, his family has to attend a government meeting. Then, he had a fight with Etou when they planned to go to the Music Centre. What is it this time? Why has not she arrived?

He looked at his wrist watch. It was already quarter past five. And, as if not believing his time piece, he opened the door and took a peek at the huge wall clock hanging at the wall by the nurse's station. Of course, it showed the same.

He went out of the room to the waiting area. At least if she arrives, he would see her immediately. As he rested on one of the plastic seats directly in front of the automatic glass doors, it opened to reveal an assembly of teenagers. Hihara led the group. Tsuchiura and Yunoki are next to the trumpet player. The last to enter is Shimizu.

"Kaji!," Hihara hollered as he waves his hand frantically.

"Oi, senpai," Tsuchiura put a hand on the senior's shoulder, "not too loud. This is a hospital."

Kaji stood up and met them half-way. "Why… are you here?"

"Hihara-senpai and I met Hino at the shopping centre earlier. She invited us."

"And I brought Yunoki as well." He gave a peace sign.

"Hihara dragged me." His tone was rather cold.

It was obvious Hino told them what the gathering was for. Everyone brought their instruments. Hihara and Yunoki have their instrument in one hand. Tsuchiura has a long black container on his back. Kaji assumed that he brought a 61-key portable keyboard. Shimizu's cello mounted on his rear.

"How about Shimizu?" Everyone turned their heads to the drowsy blonde.

"Kahoko-senpai asked Fuyuumi-san to ask me to come. She said there is going to be another quartet." His eyes sparkled as he uttered the last word.
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Hino and Fuyuumi hurriedly stepped out of the cab. They got held up in traffic because of a car accident in the highway. From the trunk of the car, the driver assisted the two ladies in putting out a large picnic basket. The taxi then sped out of the drive way. Hino and Fuuyumi took a handle each and diligently carried the basket towards the hospital doors while they handled their instrument on their other hand. As they got closer, Hino saw him. Etou is leaning on the concrete wall beside the glass doors. His violin case is put down in front of him.

Etou breathed on his palms and rubbed them against each other to keep them warm. He has been standing there for nearly twenty minutes. When he saw Hino looking at him in confusion, he retracted his gaze and focused on the nearby lamp post standing among the bushes.

"Oh good! You came." Her face brightened.

"I really have nothing better to do tonight." Etou said the words impassively while directing his eyes to the ceiling lights to his right this time.

"Why are you waiting here outside?"

"Never really like being in this hospital." It has been years since he last dropped by this place. He is not afraid of treatment. Rather, he feels uncomfortable with the company waiting for him inside.

"Well, we're not here for treatment. By the way," she noticed him look at the other girl, "this is Fuyuumi Shoko-chan. This is Etou Kiriya-kun."

Fuyuumi bowed. "N-n-nice to meet you."

He gave a slight nod.

"So, let's go in now. It's really cold here."

Etou lifted his violin fron the ground with his left hand. He flexed his bandage-free right hand. The wound is already close thought it left a pinkish scar visible under the bright light. He walked closer to the two ladies and took the basket from their hands without a word.

Hino came in first. She scanned the area but found no one familiar. "A-ano, is Kaji Aoi-kun here," she asked an attendant as she reached the reception desk.

"Oh, you must be the ones Aoi-kun is waiting for. They are at the staff room." The attendant pointed her index finger to the hall across. "Just go straight there. You'll see the white door at the end."

"Thank you!"
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The room was packed. Aside from rows and rows of employee lockers, there was a rectangular table on one side of the room. Each seat is taken by Kaji's guests except for Etou who opted to stay standing at one corner of the room. Music instruments are everywhere. For thirty minutes, the group decided to practice the pieces they are going to perform. It was the hospital owner's grandson's idea to play Christmas songs at the children's ward this Christmas Eve, a gift to those children who have to spend this special day at the hospital. It was supposed to be a duet, only a violin and a viola.

"Kahoko-senpai improved a lot," Shimizu spoke slowly, "You have better sense of rhythm now."

She blushed.

"That's right!" Hihara put his thumbs up. "Kaho-chan really got better."

"I'm sure this will be a good performance. Right, Hino-san?" Yunoki smiled at her.

"H-hai!"

"Well, then we better get going." Kaji took the lead as he stepped out of the room and proceeded upstairs to the Children's ward.

The ward is a long room with hospital beds lined up on both sides. The walls contrasted the dull, white beddings. It is painted with bright colors and pictures of cute animals and beautiful sceneries.

The group set up at the side nearest to the doors. After a few introductions, mostly childish talks from Hihara, they started playing for the children and their families. They started with the Christmas classic Silent Night by Franz Gruber. The gentle sound filled the air with calm. The different ranges of the instruments added effects to the already beautiful song. Then they proceeded to a medley of other famous songs entitled The Joyful Sounds of Christmas arranged by James Ployhar. Everyone in the room swayed with the quick and lively notes. They played for the next hour with a few minutes of rest in between.

The audience applauded in awe as the group finished their performance with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. They stayed a while longer to have a chat with the children. Cute, innocent faces thanked the musicians. For a moment, they are relieved of the reason they are here. The group went back to the staff room downstairs at seven-thirty.
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"Heh, I'm really tired." Hihara parked himself at the nearest chair. The rest followed suit.

"You fit to be there, Hihara."

"Yunoki!"

"I think everyone loved Fuyuumi-san as well," Shimizu observed bluntly.

All eyes turned to her. Her face went cherry red and she felt her eyes get teary. She was about to lose consciousness when Hihara's stomach grumbled. She heaved a deep sigh.

"Ah, that reminds me." Hino went to Etou's corner and picked up the picnic basket. She set it on the table and opened it. She brought out nine neatly made makunouchi bento boxes. "Fuyuumi-chan and I made these earlier. It was her idea." She winked at her kouhai.

Again, all eyes were directed to Fuyuumi. "T-That's right." She was dearly trembling.

"Ah… I wonder how it tastes," Shimizu said dreamily, "a bento made by Kahoko-senpai and Fuyuumi-san's hand."

"It looks well-made." Yunoki critically gazed at the colorful arrangement.

"Isn't this too much, Hino, Fuyuumi?" Tsuchiura asked.

Both ladies shake their heads.

"Hmm… ano, it's really fine." The truth is Hino really wanted to buy everyone a Christmas gift to thank them for this year's blessings. It turned out she planned too much that she was not able to pick anything from the shopping centre except for her older brother's gift. When Fuyuumi called to her this morning to ask about something, the idea of cooking for their friends came up.

Hino and Fuyuumi started distributing the boxes. Each makunouchi bento contained fish, meat, egg, steamed vegetables, pickled fruit, and a serving of chestnut rice. After a lot of commotion, every one of the boxes reached its owner except for one.

"Etou-kun, get yours." Hino turned to him only to find that he is already holding his share. "I'm sure we made just enough for everyone." It puzzled her so much, she began counting with her fingers. "Let's see… There's seven of us in the concours. Then there's Kaji-kun and Etou-kun. That makes nine. But why..."

Tsuchiura went behind Hino and placed his hand on her head. "Hino, Tsukimori's not here."

The room fell silent. The words fell heavily in Hino's mind.

"Ahaha, silly me, neh Fuyuumi-chan?" She forced a laugh. "I guess we wasted time preparing an extra."
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The past year has been a roller coaster ride for everyone. From the concours to today's gathering, each had their ups and downs. After this night, every one parted having different concerns in mind.

Hino spent her alone time thinking about those words that made her heart sink. Maybe a part of her still feels his presence. There was nothing more between them than the music they share. Until he comes back, she has to get better. It is a promise, after all. But, will he ever go back? Vienna is definitely better for him.

Kaji and Etou did not try to bring back the friendship they had before. They started anew, as better persons. A lot have changed so they are working on knowing each other better, one step at a time.

Hihara started rebuilding his courage. Few months left and he has to make his move. It maybe too much to let his future depend on one girl, but love has its reasons. Most of them are inexplicable.

Just like his friend, Yunoki is counting down the days. Plans for studying in London have already been arranged by his grandmother. It always amuses him that such a girl could let him off his rhythm. He maybe too proud to say it but whenever he thinks of going away, he feels this longing for that redhead.

Shimizu still goes with his routine: wakes up, eats, practice, sleeps and over again. The only difference is that he is trying to play his cello, no longer strictly according to the music sheet, but according to how he feels. He tries to achieve a carefree tone, just like his senpai's.

Fuyuumi is trying to fight her being introvert. Why cannot she be like her senpais? Every one of them does not mind being the center of attention for a moment. Everyone handles pressure very well. She is sure she can be like them, too. She just has to put effort to it.

Right now, just keeping her company satisfies him but Tsuchiura wondered would there ever come a time when he would think the same as Sakimoto. Would friendship be enough in the future? He spent his holidays pondering over the question everyday.

The rest of December and the month January passed in a blur.
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petiamo no memo

A breather chapter – just have to add a bit of drama in the end. Christmas – a day of festivities, foods and the most important, faith.

I'm not sure if I can update immediately. Academic year will start here soon. I still have to attend classes [and get use to my new schedule]. I don't want to go empty on chapters in hand. Sometimes I feel like adding small details to it that is important in the future chapters.

Well, thank you very much!

Domo [bows]!