Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda D'oro. And I also don't own David Archuleta's "Crush"

*Edited - 8/2/11

Chapter 2 - Realization of the Heart

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After that encounter with Kahoko, Hihara's mood was always light and happy – more than his usual jumpy self, of course. Yunoki watched his friend in amusement from the sidelines. Also, there were times when Kahoko would go up to that usual place just to talk to Hihara or play their instruments. They quickly became friends.

"Um, I notice that you're never around any friends of yours," Hihara observed, he quickly added when Kahoko frowned, "You do have one right?" He asked, during one of their practices.

"About that," Kahoko sat down and looked at the floor.

"EH? Don't tell me you haven't made any friends yet." Said Hihara after a few seconds of silence.

"Well, I…I'm actually a nervous and a shy person…" Kahoko said in a small voice.

"Really? But you don't seem that way to me." Hihara chuckled.

Kahoko looked up shyly at Hihara, who was standing in front of her, "Thanks," she said gently.

Hihara blushed and turned away, "W-well…"

"For now, you're my only friend Hihara-senpai." Kahoko said, stretching her legs as she sat on the bench.

Hihara turned around and saw her smile; he smiled too, "You're not lonely aren't you?"

Kahoko shook her head, "You have a cheerful character senpai, and somehow it affects me too."

"Glad to hear that," he said, smiling fondly at her.

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That day, their friendship grew deeper. They started walking home together too. The only time they're not together was during lunch breaks, which Hihara dedicatedly reserved for his best friend.

"Hihara, you have been very close with Hino-san aren't you?" Yunoki observed.

"Well, she's a nice girl," Hihara said indifferently, not wanting his best friend to see that he could practically fly at the moment with happiness.

"Have you told her how you feel yet?"

"Eh? No," said Hihara, surprised and embarrassed at his question.

"Why not? You two are getting along well."

"Well…its nothing." Said Hihara, shrugging.

"You can't hide your feelings for her forever, you know. What if she might get taken away?"

"Its different, anyway, I'm going ahead of you, aniki is expecting me home early!" then he ran off.

Yunoki sighed, "Hihara's avoiding that topic huh," then he smiled to himself, "This might be interesting then."

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Hihara walked home, all the while trying to forget what Yunoki had just suggested to him. He walked into his room and decided to listen to some music as he placed his earphones in his ears, the song that played was coincidentally—somehow related to his situation.

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Why do I keep running from the truth,

All I ever think about is you,

You got me hypnotized, so mesmerized

And I just go to know…

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I'm…running away from the truth…huh…what truth? That Hino-chan might not like me back? Is that it? Her music…enticed me…

He closed his eyes, trying to absorb the lyrics more.

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Do you ever think when you're all alone,

All that we can be where this thing could go,

Am I crazy or falling in love?

Is it real or just another crush?

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I'm in love with her…

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Do you catch a breath when I look at you,

Are you holding back like the way I do?

Cause I'm trying, trying to walk away,

But I know this crush ain't going away…

Has it ever crossed you mind?

When we're hangin, spending time girl,

Are we just friends, Is there more? Is there more?

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No matter what I think…I'm really in love with Hino-chan...what is really in her mind when we're together? Hino-chan…what does she…think of me?

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Hihara sighed. After listening to that music, he just had the urge to leave the house. As he walked without any particular place in mind, he didn't realize, but his legs took him to the park, and there, he saw a girl, playing her violin with such passion…

After she played, she turned around, "Hihara-senpai?" said Kahoko.

"Ah, Hino-chan," he said, a bit stunned that of all places, he ended up here, and the same time, she was here.

"Is anything wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"No, nothing at all," he said it with as much cheerfulness as he could, though he could feel his heart throbbing.

He approached Kahoko and sat down at the bench nearest to her. He watched the sunset as it turned the sky into an orange kind of view.

"So, do you play here often?" he asked, glancing at her.

"Yes, it's a nice place to play. You know about how I said that I'm a nervous person?"

Hihara nodded. Kahoko leaned on a tree, and looked afar, "Well, I get less nervous around people when I play..."

Hihara smiled gently, She's…passionate, her playing, her expression, it reflects everything within her…

"Senpai," Kahoko looked at him with determination.

"Y-yes?" he asked, wondering what she had to say with such fire. It had taken if off guard for a moment.

"I want to be like you." Said Kahoko.

"Huh?" said Hihara, surprised, he blushed.

"Your music, when you play, the people listening will surely find themselves smiling. You're great senpai!" smiled Kahoko "Senpai?"

Hihara had his hand covering his face, he was blushing so much. I really am in love with her…but why is it…that I can't find the courage to confess to her?

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"Hihara-senpai!" called Kahoko.

Hihara was walking towards the school, he turned around when he heard Kahoko's voice.

"Hino-chan?" he said, wondering why she seemed so out of breath at the moment.

"Senpai, I have a question," she said, trying to catch her breath.

"What is it?"

"Do you know…Len Tsukimori?" she asked.

"Huh? Well yes, he's in the music department too right? I haven't really talked to him, why?"

"Um…it's nothing," Kahoko started blushing.

"Eh? Hino-chan…what is it?" asked Hihara, he felt a sudden urge of panic, he couldn't understand why.

"Well…he's cool…" said Kahoko, she blushed slightly. "I, I mean, he's really great in playing the violin. I admire him a lot."

She's blushing…don't tell me…

A/N: REVIEW please! Headed for the next chapter…hahaha. I was thinking of only Kahoko and Hihara scene…but I can't help insert Len…