Chapter 2 HER Present
Hino Kahoko just sighed as she watched her overly active son play in the swing. She almost had a heart attack when she saw her son, Koutarou fall of the swing.
"Koutarou, are you ok?" she shouted as she gazed worriedly at her 5 year old son.
"I am ok mama! Do not worry about it!" shouted Koutarou while smiling at his worried mother.
Kaho just shook her head and smiled at the clumsiness of her son. But as she watched from afar, she can see more and more of Koutarou's striking resemblance to his father. He has a turquoise hair and seemingly cold sapphire blue eyes. When looking from afar, anyone can say that he is a carbon copy of a certain famous violinist. Koutarou's violin playing is also not the playing for a 5 year old. He has the precision and the techniques of his father, while he also got the passion and emotions of his mother.
Tsukimori Len. Yes, Hino Koutarou, the son of Hino Kahoko is the famous Tsukimori Len's son. Five years ago, when they made love before Len left from Japan, they made Koutarou. Three weeks after Len left, Kaho found out that she is pregnant. Her mother encouraged her to report it to Len but Kaho refused. It is not that she doesn't want to acknowledge Len as Koutarou's father; she just thinks that she and Koutarou would be a hindrance to Len. That is why she chose to hide it.
Kaho remembered the interview to Len yesterday. She blushed as she heard Len saying about his only love being in Japan. So he still remembers their bond. Kaho smiled as she relished her happy memories with the turquoise haired violinist who holds her heart, even now.
"Mama! Look, look! I caught a dragon fly!" said Koutarou while running happily to his mother. However, Koutarou stopped mid-way when he saw his mother day-dreaming about something. Despite his young age, Koutarou is unusually smarter than any child in kindergarten is. He tries his best to hide his intellect to his mother because it might freak her mother if she finds out that her 5 year old son can already play the Canon in D, Divertimento I, II and III, Spring and different pieces made by famous composers. He hides it to his mother that he purchased his own violin with his own savings. He also hid that he is practicing everyday at the park, when his mother is at work.
Kaho snapped back in reality and checked her watch. Her eyes went wide as she realized that the time passed by quickly.
"Koutarou! Come here quickly! Wee need to leave now or else we will be late with my reunion with my high school friends!" said Kaho while waving at his son. Koutarou just followed and they soon left the park.
Kaho is driving slowly to the Haven's Café. That is the designated place where the reunion will take place. Fuyuumi-chan called her last week, telling her that there will be a reunion with her fellow concours participants. She readily agreed and she is looking forward in meeting again her friends. She almost jumped in anticipation as she saw the sign on the Haven's Café fast approaching. She parked her car with ease and helped Koutarou unbuckle his seat belt.
They walked slowly towards the entrance of the café. Kaho was already holding the handle of the entrance door but she hesitating whether to open it or not. Seeing that her mother will just stand there doing nothing, Koutarou took the liberty of opening the entrance door.
The smell of roasted coffee welcomed them as they opened the door. Kaho finally snapped of her daze and tried to find the familiar faces of her friends. At the farthest table in the corner, Kaho saw Fuuyumi waving excitedly at her. Kaho took Koutarou's hand and guided him to the table of her friends.
"Kaho-sempai!" exclaimed Fuyuumi while excitedly enveloping Kaho in a hug. Over the years, Fuyuumi Shouko overcame her shy demeanor and managed to get out of her shell. She is now world famous clarinet player and is engaged to the love of her life, Shimizu Keeichi.
"It is nice to see you again Kaho-sempai," smiled Shimizu while sipping his chocolate latte. Kaho smiled at him and told the same. Kaho also nodded her acknowledgement to the greetings of Hihara-sempai, Tsuchiura-kun and Yunoki-sempai. She now turned and guided Koutarou forward.
"Everyone, please meet my son, Hino Koutarou," said Kaho while smiling at her shocked friends. Yunoki was actually the first one to recover.
"Ah, it is nice to meet you little boy," said Yunoki while introducing himself properly to the child. The others also overcame their shock and did the same. Koutarou offered them all a smile. Kaho and Koutarou sat down as the old friends try to catch up with each other's lives.
Kaho is chatting happily with her friends but she noticed that they are all smiling from ear to ear. They are definitely hiding something from her.
"Ne, I know that you guys are hiding something. What is this all about?" said Kaho while looking curiously at her friends.
"What are you talking about Hino?" said Tsuchiura while smiling innocently at her. Kaho narrowed her eyes. This Tsuchiura-kun is definitely not normal. She glanced at her other friends and saw that they are all wearing that stupid innocent smile. Kaho just sighed in defeat and turned to her son.
"Koutarou, do you want to drink something?" asked Kaho while turning her attention to her behaved child.
"I want a milk shake mom," said Koutarou. Kaho nodded and proceeded to join the ridiculously long line. Now that her mother is gone, Koutarou dropped his childish façade and faced her mother's friends.
"Aren't you going to tell her that my father coming to Japan?" asked Koutarou. They all gaped; the cute child awhile ago is actually talking to them as if he is one of the adults.
Take note, he is actually talking about his father as if it is they are discussing about the weather.
"What are you talking about Koutarou-kun?" asked Hihara who is laughing nervously.
"Kazuki-niichan, I am not an idiot. Of course I know that my father, the Tsukimori Len is coming to Japan this week," said Koutarou as if saying duh. Hihara had his mouth hanging open, Yunoki just smirked, Tsuchiura was wide eyed, and Fuuyumi and Shimizu became speechless. Koutarou is Len and Kaho's child with no doubt, they all thought. The child is a freaking genius! They even bet that he could already play the violin expertly like his parents.
"So?" asked Koutarou impatiently. He glanced at his mother and sighed in relief that the line is still long.
"We won't," said Yunoki while smirking at the child.
"Why?" asked Koutarou curiously. He knew about her parents' love story and he knew that his mother would get a heart attack if no one will inform her of the upcoming arrival of his father.
"Well, it would be more interesting if your mother doesn't know anything right? I bet she will be shell shocked when she would see your famous father after the years that have passed," smiled Yunoki while drinking his coffee. He watched his reflection in the water and smiled to himself.
To think that that Hino and Tsukimori actually had a child certainly amused him. Furthermore, this child is obviously not ordinary. From his tone, he talks as if he is already the same age as them. Yunoki is pretty sure that the child keeps up the childish façade to fool his mother and hide his true intelligence. How clever of him. The child surely knows his mother very well. Kaho would be hysterical when she finds out what a true genius her son is, like his father.
Yunoki once again stared at the small figure in front of him. Koutarou-kun is obviously the exact carbon copy of his father. He bets that the child also possesses the talent that his parents have.
"I see," was all Koutarou could say. Koutarou looked up in front of him staring at the towering figure of Yunoki Azuma. From what he can remember, this guy is the fellow concours participant of his mother who plays the flute. This guy is obviously good at hiding his emotions. He may not be aware of it, but he can feel that this guy is hiding something from all of them. The two stared at each other, trying to measure up each other's capabilities.
"Ne Koutarou-kun, do you mind if I will ask something?" asked Shimizu while looking at the interesting child. Shimizu can sense that Koutarou already possesses something that it is still to early for a child of his age to possess.
"No, not at all," said Koutarou while breaking his staring match and turning his attention to the silent cello player.
"Are you by any chance, already capable of playing the violin?" asked the curious Shimizu. Koutarou just tilted his head in confusion with the cellist's question but just offered him a smirk as a sign of affirmation. Shimizu just smiled. He knew it. Koutarou radiates a kind of aura that only musicians give off. This may sound strange but Shimizu can sense different auras. Especially with musicians.
Fuyuumi silently watched the exchange between his fiancé and the child. Based on her observations, Koutarou is definitely a genius like his father with no doubt. The child may look like an adorable 5 year old kid; he speaks like a regular 25 year old adult. But Fuyuumi remembered how Koutarou behaved awhile ago. He behaved like a regular child. What happened now? When Kaho left, he suddenly changed his attitude and starts acting like serious adult. He hides his intelligence to his mother, so it seems, but why?
"Koutarou-kun,"
"What is it Shouko nee-san?"
"It seems that you are hiding your talent to your mother, may I ask why?" asked Fuyuumi while focusing her attention to the lad. Yunoki. Tsuchiura, Hihara and Shimizu also stared at him. If he isn't that calm, he should have squirmed on the intense gazes of this four adults.
"I would rather appreciate if you will stop staring at me like I have grown a second head," he said while staring at the four adults. The four reverted their gazes but opened their ears for his explanation.
"As you all know my mother seem strong at the outside but she is just as soft as a marshmallow inside. She acts tough when I am around, but she cries when she alone in her room. She misses my father too much. That is why I vowed to grow up not physically but mentally, just to protect her from all the possible harm that may cause any damage on her fragile heart," said Koutarou while staring at his mother who is already ordering his milkshake at the counter. His mother saw him staring at her and she waved. Koutarou just waved back.
The four people just gaped at the words of Koutarou. Is this child really only a 5 year old kid? Or is he some kind of teenage guy who is shrank by some kind of a syndicate. No! That would be ridiculous! But this child's words are not normal either. So he really loves his mother that much, thought Tsuchiura while staring at the child. The same child whom his once love interest and his rival had created. Somehow, staring at Koutarou reminds him of Len when he confronted him once about Kaho. The guy is totally helpless! He looked desperate he looks like he will face all the battleships in the world just to win Kaho's heart.
"But how are you going to protect your mother's heart if the time will come that she will fall again for your father?" asked Tsuchiura. Koutarou just stared at Tsuchiura's challenging face. The man is actually asking him such question. How would he answer to a question like that? He may be considered a genius but he cannot possibly think of any plausible answer to that. Before he could answer to that, Kaho is already approaching the table.
"That line is surely LONG!" complained Kaho. She sat down beside her son, oblivious of what happened earlier between the four and his dear son.
"Here is your milkshake," said Kaho while placing the cup on the front of Koutarou. He murmured his thanks. She drank slowly and he contemplated on Tsuchiura's question earlier. How exactly is he going to protect his mother on falling for his father again? Koutarou is thinking of his answer while Kaho continued chatting on her old friends.
Time passed by quickly and before they knew it, it is already sunset.
"Ah! Sunset already! We were to engrossed that we didn't notice it" said Kaho.
"I am sorry but I have to go guys! I still have do something," said Kaho while smiling apologetically to her friends. They just shook their heads and assured her that it is ok. She stood up and helped her son to prepare to go back. They all bid fare well to each other and out of the café when Koutarou suddenly said that he forgot something and he asked his mother to go ahead. He went back to the table wherein the four are still lounging in. He walked in front of Tsuchiura.
"Ne Ryoutarou nii-chan, before you asked me a question about protecting mama's heart, right? Well basically, I would do nothing. I will just let fate pave its way. If it is destined for, my parents to be together, so be it. I would stand beside my mother no matter what happens," said Koutarou. He smiled again at the four and bid his farewell.
He may be considered a genius but he believes; he always believes that his parents are made for each other. After all, why would he be here ne?
Meanwhile, Tsukimori Len is on a plane back to Japan. He may not be aware of it but many shocking surprises are awaiting him upon his return. One is about an old flame sparking again and the other is the impending meeting of the prodigy and the prodigy's son.