HY : Here's part 2 of the songfic. I know some have requested a longer story, but it'll only be in three parts - sorry! But thanks heaps for your wonderful reviews 3 ! This is one of the writing styles I'm experimenting with :D Thanks so much for your support! *bows*

Disclaimer : I don't own LCDO.

Chapter 2

Len turned bright red at the bartender's remark. Seeing the violinist's discomfort, the older man told him, "Lookee here, sonny, no need t' be tight around o' briches! Tell ya what, I'll pour ya a light beer and ya won't 'ave any 'angovers. That good?"

The Asian slowly nodded. He wasn't really sure what O'Reilly meant about a light beer. The only forms of alcohol he was acquainted with were wine or champagne but he kept those minimal as he never liked the tastes although those were what he thought the 'refined' alcohol types. Beer, whiskey and vodka were more hardcore.

O'Reilly grabbed a bottle by the side of the counter, whistling a jig and sloshed out a golden brown liquid which – to Len's suspicious eye, looked like concentrated urine but he just kept quiet – before grabbing a flimsy paper coaster and plonking the glass in front of him. "There ya go! Bottom's up!"

Len tentatively sniffed at the drink before taking a small sip. And choked. It was so bloody bitter and stung his salivary glands! How was it called light beer?

The bartender chuckled at his unusual guest. "Only 3% alcohol, man! O'Malley's brew – local beer." Usually for the men who wanta swig o' beer 'fore returnin' to their misuses w'out sayin' they were at a bar…Those thoughts of his he kept silent. Besides, the famous violinist in front of him – he recognized the younger man as soon as he walked in but acted as though he didn't know Len – Len didn't look like those pretentious types he encountered on a daily basis.

Len took another sip, trying not to scowl at his failure at his first taste of beer and forcibly decided he could tolerate its taste. After all, he was already in a bar, wanting to drown his sorrows away.

"So…th' missus and ya havin' some problems?" O'Reilly asked in light tones, knowing that such a man was not the type who would go to dingy places like a bar unless something was clearly wrong.

Len stopped drinking. How did O'Reilly know he was married? Oh, right…His wedding band. The simple but elegant matching gold band both Kahoko and he wore with devotion, their names inscribed on the rings.

After their wedding, the other members of the Stella Quintet including Aoi Kaji had as-sincerely-as-possible congratulated both of them. Kahoko remained happily oblivious to the fact that five other men were in love with her but he knew. The other men couldn't hide the truth from him – the way their eyes were dull although they were smiling at the newlyweds.

They loved Kahoko…but she had chosen him as her life partner. She was in love with him, not any one of them.

He had been astounded to learn that Keiichi, their kouhai also harboured feelings for her as he knew that Aoi and Kazuki blatantly displayed their affections whereas Ryoutaro and Azuma were more subtle. However, it was he, Len Tsukimori who beat the rest of them to capture Kahoko Hino's heart.

Like a child

I know it's selfish to say

But sometimes I want you all to myself

For awhile

Couldn't we go back and play in yesterday

Oh yesterday…

His grip on his glass tightened until his knuckles were white. Oh Lord, what happens if the rest of them knew that they were getting divorced? What would happen then? Hihara and Tsuchiura are still single…right? He had lost contact with them, only Kahoko was their connection as they wrote to her occasionally – something he frowned upon but they were her friends. No, no, no, I can't be getting paranoid about this matter After our divorce we'll be living separate lives.

"You're gonna divorce ya missus?" The bartender stared at him wide eyed. Then again…maybe this clean looking reputable violinist wasn't as innocent as he initially thought.

My God…I actually spoke my last sentence out loud! Len was horrified, but thankful he was still the sole customer in the bar. "We had a misunderstanding."

Full stop.

He hoped that would shut O'Reilly – who was nosy in his opinion – up.

O'Reilly shook his head, tsk-tsking under his breath as his belly shook with him. "You youngans! A tiff here an' there a' ya're getting' a divorce?"

Irritated now, Len looked at the man's pudgy fingers – no ring. What would the bartender know about married life? O'Reilly noticed Len's stare and took out his wallet and flashed the violinist an old photo. "Tis is me missus…" He pulled out a chain from his grimy shirt. "…An' this is me' weddin' ring."

"Sorry." Len was crestfallen. "How long have you two been married?" The photo of the bartender's wife showed a plump, rosy looking woman with a motherly smile. She looked as happy as her husband.

"Tis year'll be the 35th anniversary, mate! In fact, me sonny's abou' as ol' as ya are."

The violinist's embarrassment increased. What was eight measly years of marriage compared to thirty five?

O'Reilly gazed lovingly at his beloved's photo and smooched it before tucking his wallet back into his trousers. He poured Len another drink. "Ya wanna spill out ya worries? I ain't claimin' t' be any expert o' sort, but…," he hesitantly asked Len.

Len nonchalantly shrugged. What did he have to lose talking about his going-to-be shattered marriage to a stranger? Kahoko was going to leave him…and probably take the children with her.

How much further could he fall?

He opened his mouth and began talking about how he met Kahoko – the first think he noticed about her was her flaming red hair and her beautiful golden eyes. And yeah, his first words to her – You're in the way.

O'Reilly sat opposite him and poured himself a drink, listening attentively. He took back all his negative thoughts of Len being a sleazy fellow.

Walking on the beach alone together

Sunsets that would last forever

No where else to be

Side by side just you and me

And I miss lying in your arms till morning

With nothing on our minds but making love

Baby most of all

I miss us…

It was the concert which Len personally invited her to see him perform which was the silent truth he acknowledged to harbour feelings for her. Their private moment at the beach…He never forgot a single memory he had of her.

Their honeymoon had been indescribable – it was perfect – a private villa with a beach nearby to signify their memories before…and their wedding room had a spectacular sunrise and sunset view because to him Kahoko was like the sun – cheerful, bright and radiant. The one who melted his cold, frozen heart.

Well, he obviously omitted details of their night life which the bartender knowingly smiled but as he talked about his children, his mind went slightly astray recalling the fact that Noriko-chan had been conceived due to a random rendezvous romp in the morning…

"Mate, ya obviously luv ya wife! Why t' divorce?" asked O'Reilly, making Len realize he had been rambling about everything except the root of the problem. It was most probably the drink which loosened his tongue otherwise he wouldn't be taking to anyone as easily as he conversed with Kahoko, let alone a stranger.

"Because my work…I forgot a few important family events due to…work." Len didn't want to reveal that he was a famous musician. At the moment, he didn't even feel like a world class violinist. More of a world class jerk.

Again the tsk-tsking. "Tha's a huge mistake there, mate! Y'know, ya kids only grow up once. If ya ain't there to see 'em…ya ain't a good daddy." The bartender shook his head.

"But I return home with presents for them, and we have dinner together! We do plenty of things together!" Len defended himself. He practiced the violin and piano with Kei-chan and Noriko-chan, he took them out to buy new strings or music books, they went for concerts…

As he thought about it, he realized his attention was only one sided – they revolved around music because that was his career. So in actual fact…

"T' be considered a good daddy ain't meanin' that ya give 'em presents or family dinners! Tell me, when was the las' time ya watched your sonny play football or ya sweet lil' girl performin' on stage, mate?"

My son doesn't play football. Len wanted to say but he realized O'Reilly meant something more – When was the last time he had seen them being proud of their own accomplishments, like when Kei first started reading or Noriko's first art piece of crayons. He had never been around to see all those – it had always been Kahoko who was with them. Kahoko…who gave up the opportunity numerous times to become a sought after professional because she wanted to be a good mother.

I'm such an idiot…


Please do read and review so I can improve! Arigato loads!