Disclaimer: I don't own anything except this story of mine. La Corda D'Oro, as we all know, rightfully belongs to Yuki Kure and to Koei.

Chapter One: Fun

-Keiichi Shimizu's POV-

Eyes scanning the room, I tried looking for Kaho-senpai. She had been missing for almost half an hour, yet nobody noticed. Why is it that, I wonder?

Slow footsteps I took, roaming around the room in search for our Birthday Celebrant. Minutes had passed but I didn't stop, feeling eager to give her my present. It's truly a mystery; I had not felt this way before. Why am I eager to see her reaction? I don't really understand it myself. . .

Tightly clutching the paper bag containing the present, I've decided to take a stroll in the gardens; the smell of food and the music making my head whirl. Usually, I wouldn't mind the music—I've always admired the musicians performing on stage. But this time . . . I thought of being alone and engulfed with absolute silence.

I was about to head to the garden when someone called out my name. Turning to look, I saw my older sister, Tomomi, waving her hands frantically and running to my direction.

Sighing, I waited for her until she was a few steps away from me. I stifle a yawn and asked, "Is there anything I can help you with, Nee-san?"

"Ah! Kei-chan~!" she grinned, winking at me in approval as she studied my attire. "I'm so happy you're wearing the suit I made you! It suits you very much!"

"You think so, Tomomi-neesan?" cocking my head to one side, I asked. I was wearing a navy blue, low-cut waistcoat ornamented with gold and lace and gilt buttons, a white, long-sleeved shirt underneath, a navy blue bow-tie, same navy blue trousers and matching black shoes. I thought I looked pathetic in them, but hearing Nee-san's compliments somehow made me say 'it's not that bad'. A little.

"Of course!" nodding vigorously, Tomomi-neesan answered. She intertwined her fingers and grinned wider. Somehow, this gave me a very bad . . . feeling.

"Thank you," bowing slightly, I said; a small smile appearing on my lips. Although I had to admit that this whole attire feels uncomfortable, just this once, I'd tell her I liked it.

Straightening up, I turned around, ready to continue my short journey to the garden. "Then, I'll be leaving. See you later."

"OK! Good luck, Kei-chan!" Nee-san cheered, giving me a thumbs-up from the corner of my eye. I was slightly confused until she said assuring words to my past worries, "Don't worry, I'm sure Kahoko-san would love your gift! You've been pondering a lot on what she'd like best, haven't you?" Pausing to giggle, I could feel her eyes on me — soft with affection.

I took this opportunity to thank her once more and proceed to the destination in mind. But I could've sworn I heard her muttering something to herself:

"Kei-chan is all grown up!"

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-Kahoko Hino's POV-

"Eh?" I muttered blankly, eyes widening slowly as my brain began to register Lili's words.

"EEHHHH?" I exclaimed, unconsciously gripping the flying fata above me.

"H—Hey! Let g—go, Kahoko Hino!" Lili gasped as my hands tighten around his small body. He struggled to break free until I was finally able to calm down and loosen my hold.

"I'm sorry, Lili; I didn't mean to. . ." I smiled apologetically, letting him float above me once more. Taking in deep breaths, I asked as calmly as I could, "How . . . did this happen?"

Looking thoughtfully at me, Lili questioned back, "Um . . . I can tell you, but . . . is it all right for you to talk to me with them around?" He pointed his wand behind me and I had to glance back.

"Oh," I muttered, blood rushing to my cheeks causing the all-too-familiar blush. I forgot about them—almost! They must've thought I was going insane, talking to a creature they couldn't see. I felt like an idiot; nevertheless, I tried shrugging the embarrassment off.

"A—Anyway!" closing my hands into fists, I whispered; attention shifting between Lili and the two Yunoki-senpais behind me. "You've got some explaining to do!"

"I guess I do. . ." scratching the back of his head lightly with one hand, Lili began to tell how it all came to be. . .

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-Flashback- -Third Person POV-

"WWWAAAAHHHHH!" screamed a small fata in blue clothing, flying as fast as he could to escape the trailing enemy. He waved his wand about, fluttering his wings faster as he glanced behind him. There, a robin was chasing after him, its eyes locked on Lili as it stared hungrily at the frightened fata.

"I AM NOT FOOD, YOU STUPID BIRD!" Lili exclaimed furiously, trying to lose the bird as he flew to hard-to-reach-and-squeeze places with no such luck.

"Kami-sama, why oh why do animals have to see me?" Lili made his way to the Academy's back garden, not knowing of the troubles that would be taking place soon. . .

Meanwhile, Azuma Yunoki was strolling in the peaceful gardens of the Academy, his treasured flute case in hand. He was really glad that his fan-girls had already gone home; it was troublesome enough to keep his tiring princely façade during class hours, and he wouldn't want to keep it even after them.

Azuma had a meeting to attend as a volunteer member of the Student Council. He wasn't really a member but he thought that if he were to help them out, this might boost his 'perfect, caring and excellent student reputation'. That was the only benefit for doing this. Of course from time to time he'd get annoyed with the Council's members persuading for him to join as a permanent associate.

'Like that would happen,' he was tempted to snort at that.

'Well,' Azuma thought, placing his instrument case on one of the benches, 'this place seems to be quiet without those girls around.' He took his flute out, staring and carressing its smooth surface for a while before deciding to play it. The sound of Gabriel Fauré's Après un Rêve, his favourite composition, distracted yet relaxed his tired mind; he let himself lose in its beautiful melody as he played.

While on the other hand, the angry fata flew by the lavender-haired senior without noticing it, and stopped a few feet above him. He was too occupied with his heavy breathing and panicking thoughts that he didn't know Azuma was there.

Lili puffed his cheeks as he saw the bird launching itself to his direction.

"I can't take it anymore!" Lili waved his wand, casting random spells he wasn't sure what could do. But instead of the bird being affected, a bright glow of light came from beneath him, followed by the familiar voice of Azuma Yunoki.

The fata gulped, covering his eyes with one arm from the blinding light; the hungry bird forgotten as it flew away, escaping the danger it sensed. Lili lowered his arm, looked down at the student below and gaped.

"NO WAY!" Lili gasped, ruffling his hair in agitation. "AAHHH! WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN! Some bad luck I have today!"

There stood two Azumas, each one had a flute resting on the palm of their hands.

What had he done. . .

-End of flashback-

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-Azuma Yunoki's POV-

Kahoko had been talking to no one in particular for the past fifteen minutes, then stayed silent for more than five minutes only to scream at the air in horror for three minutes and going. I wasn't so sure about the last part, though; I lost count when I got bored. I twitched and tensed when I had this feeling that I was, or the other me were, the main topic of her madness.

Tapping my foot impatiently on the concrete path, I heaved out an audible sigh. When would she stop bickering and turn around to pay attention to us—or me? I'm beginning to lose patience.

Not able to bear this nonsense any longer, I spoke up with irritation lacing my voice, "Who are you talking to, Kahoko? Don't tell me you're schizophrenic?" I couldn't help teasing her a bit; she was absolutely fun to mess with.

As if that triggered her nerve, she spun around, face bewildered. I felt amused with her reaction. And to make things more entertaining, she stuttered, "W—What? N—No, of c—course not! W—Why would S—Senpai think that way?"

Great; she's speaking like Fuyuumi now. Not that I mind; it's kind of . . . cute. Mentally slapping myself, I cursed for thinking that way. There's something wrong with my mind; yes, that's it, or else I wouldn't be acting this way.

"You've been talking to thin air for about an hour now. Tell me if you've gone crazy so I can take you to the Mental Hos—"

"Hino-san is not mentally ill!" interjected my other half, Yunoki. Since there were two of us, I guess I'd give him our damn family name while I'd settle for our given name. After all, it's entertaining to see Kahoko get flustered as she attempts to get my name out.

"How so? It's quite evident with her actions." I wanted to add 'idiot' but if I call him that, wouldn't I be calling myself that, too? But I doubt it; Yunoki might be my stupid half while I was the genius. Correction: am not was.

"Still—" The sound of an object having contact with the floor stopped Yunoki's sentence. We all turned around—Kahoko glanced behind us since she was already facing the direction where the sound came from—and saw none other than. . .

. . .Shimizu?

My, what an interesting show this was going to be.

His usual sleepy eyes were round with surprise, mouth agape. He blinked and rubbed his aquamarine eyes with one hand, supposing that he was hallucinating.

I smirked evilly, watching him with both exasperation and fascination. Perhaps he would be adding complications to our wonderful play with this new character's appearance. . .

. . .I look forward to it.

this is the second version of this chapter- the first one was accidentally deleted from my ipod so i have to re-write, or write, another one. it's a lot shorter than my prologue, i noticed. . .and yeah, before i forgot, if someone's interested in writing the story i'm going to put in this note, please let me know. i can't write it since my hands are full; i'd be glad if someone were to do it.

summary: ever since azuma saved ayano from an almost tragic accident, he grew protective of her. they were childhood friends, and care a lot for one another. but after this event, will they come to love each other as they grow?

that's all for now. review, please?