DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything. üöüöüöüöü
~ A TWIST IN STORE IN THIS CHAPTER! ~
Chapter 9- Limitations
Kaho's POV
"Get away from her Len!" The soprano voice bellowed angrily. I know that voice. She is saying that Tsukimori-kun should go away from me. No, not saying, 'ordering' is more suitable. The familiarity of that voice sends chills down to my spine. Saruwatari Miharu. I instantly pushed him away. "Kaho? Why?" He whispered lowly. I can hear footsteps of tapping shoes in the puddles of water, she's walking towards us. I purposely made my voice louder. "She might get angry. You're girlfriend. I don't want to be the person who will ruin your relationship." I said, faking my smile so that she won't notice anything. "Kaho!?" He whispered annoyingly. "Len, please." The soprano voice female said. "I should be heading back to school. And I'm drenched." I said, purposely agreeing as I backed away from the both of them. "You're not leaving, Kaho!" Len shouted. I stopped walking when I felt his cold hand on my wrist. "Let go Len!" Saruwatari-san shouted, pulling his cold hand off my wrist. "If you don't, I can do something unimaginable." Then, his hand left me. "Len, I'm the type of person who will do something inconceivable when I can't have something/someone. And if I can't have you, she will suffer." She threatened, pointing at me. Len's eyes widen. "Don't do anything to Kaho!!!" He bellowed angrily. She smiled contentedly. "If you leave now, I can spare her." She said contentedly. He glared at her. "I'll leave. Just don't do anything to her." He said, giving me a pained look. "Sure, I'll just talk to her, girl talk to be exact." Saruwatari-san said. Immediately, Tsukimori-kun ran out of sight. When he was nowhere to be found, Saruwatari-san glared at me, letting go of her umbrella.
"You're a bitch, Hino-san." She said, pushing me. "You already stole his heart away. And I'm not standing here, doing nothing." I looked away. "It wasn't my fault he loved me!" I said angrily. My violin case fell with a loud clunk when she slapped me painfully. "You're getting angry at the wrong person. And that's the biggest mistake you will be facing, Hino-san." She said, anger filled her eyes, her smile wicked. "I'm the type of person who can do anything I want, even to the extent of hurting somebody just to get the thing/person I want, got it? And now, you, facing me like that, is the worst mistake you've done." She threatened. "I'm not scared." I said, confidently. I'm not scared at all, really. Who does she think she is? She laughed loudly. "Really? What if the risk is in that violin?" She bellowed happily, kicking my violin case. "Stop it!" I shouted, as I pick up my case and hugged it tightly. "You don't know who you are talking to." She said, punching my violin case but to my relief I dodged it. "I don't care about the consequences I'm facing, but I will never place my violin in danger." I said calmly. She smiled wickedly. "We will be facing sometime again." She said, picking her umbrella from the ground and walking towards me, she stopped by my side. "Be prepared that time, you will never know what will happen. And maybe it will be your death day." She whispered wickedly. I froze, is she threatening me again? I shuddered. I stood there, in the middle of the rain as she disappears in sight. Am I scared? What will she do? What if she will hurt Len? Or any of my friends? Or even mother and onee-chan? Shit. I'm dead. I have to protect them no matter what. After all, I am the person who placed them in danger.
-x-
The same afternoon…
I returned to school, with my clothes drenched with rain water. I was welcomed at the gates of the school by Tsuchiura-kun, his face expressionless. When I arrived by the gates, I didn't stop by beside him, instead I continued my way to the music department building. "Wait, Hino." He said, grabbing my wrist. I stopped walking. "Are you okay? And you're drenched! Where did you go?" I looked at him. "Sorry, I came back later than expected. I went to do some errand mother asked me to." I lied. "And I didn't anticipate that it will rain." He peered at my face. "Why is your right cheek swollen?" He asked, confused. "Really? I didn't notice it." I lied again. "We need to go to the auditorium, right Tsuchiura-kun?" I hold his hand tightly and pulled him to the direction of the auditorium. "Let's go!" I chirped. "Uh, yeah. Sure." He muttered as he walks by my side under his umbrella. The silence between us is too awkward that made me feel uneasy after all the threats Saruwatari-san left me. "Ne, Tsuchiura-kun," I mumbled. He stopped walking as he faces me. "Yes?" He answered. I smiled at him. "What if something bad happens to me…and—and…" I stuttered until he placed his finger on my mouth. "Stop talking. Nothing bad will happen to you as long as I am here." He said. "Besides, who will hurt you anyway?" I looked away. "Right," I agreed half-heartedly. Someone might hurt me or other people connected to me. A love-crazed French person can easily hurt me, according to her. "Come on, Tsuchiura-kun." I said, pulling him.
We arrived in front of the auditorium where there was a blackboard which has the lists of the students who passed the auditions and will be the participants for the Annual School Productions. I waited beside the stairs as Tsuchiura-kun check the lists. He lent me his jacket since I was drenched with rain water. After a brief moment he emerged from the crowd, smiling happily. As far as I know, in the music department of Seisou College, there are 4 sections for the freshmen, 6 sections for the second years (our section is 2-6, me and Tsuchiura-kun), 3 sections for the third years and 1 section for the graduating class. He placed his hand on my back, cheering happily. "Hey, Hino. Congratulations!" He whispered in my ear. "Eh? For what?" I muttered. "We, both us, are the representative of our class." He said calmly. I smiled widely. "Really!?" I shrieked. "Are you sure!!!??" He nodded. "If you do not believe me, might as well check the list." He said, pushing me gently into the crowd. I made my way into the blackboard. "2-6...2-6…" I whispered. Class Representatives: 2-6: Hino Kahoko & Tsuchiura Ryotarou. My eyes are not lying. It really is true! I run towards Tsuchiura-kun, whose face look happy. "It's true!!!" I said. "Yeah, yeah. Let's meet up with Hihara-senpai in front of the gate." Tsuchiura muttered. I nodded and went down with him to the gate. "Ah! Wait! Hino-san! Tsuchiura-san!" In an instant, we stopped before taking another step to on the stairs. "I'm sorry to bother you. My name is Saruwatari Sakura from first year section two. I'm the assistant club secretary and one of student organizers of the Annual School Productions. The participants will proceed to the music room upstairs. I'll see you there." She said. She runs downstairs. Her brunette hair, similar to Saruwatari-san, her ruby eyes, she somehow resembles Saruwatari-san.
I followed her, rushing. "Hey! Hino!" Tsuchiura-kun called out. "I'll see you there!" I said, sprinting. I saw her talking to two students and she, as what she did with us, run. I followed her again. "Saruwatari-san!" I shouted in the hallway. She stopped immediately. "Yes?" She answered breathlessly. "Sorry for bothering you. Do you have a sister, by chance?" I asked. She nodded. "Yes. Her name is Saruwatari Miharu. She's older by one year." She replied. "Can you tell me things about her?" I asked politely. She nodded. "Sure. After the meeting. See you!" She said as sprint to the main floor. I waved goodbye to her and made my way to the music room two floors above.
-x-
"Congratulations for being the selected students to participate in the Annual School Productions. The music department will be so proud." The teacher-organizer said. There were 8 freshmen, 12 second years, 6 third years (one of them is Hihara-senpai (section 1)) and 2 from the graduating class. "So, to proceed, the first years will perform solo performances, the second years: duets, third years: solos and the fourth years: duet. Any questions?" The teacher-organizer asked. None of us reacted. "Sir, for the duets, are we going to pair up randomly or our classmate?" One of the second years asked. "Yeah. About that, according to the headmaster, the duets will be our classmates. So that's settled. Other questions?" None of us reacted again. "Two months from now will be performances. The piece you will perform depends on you already. I'll see you every Friday to check on your performances/improvements." He said. "Yes, sir." We said in unison.
We were allowed to leave the school earlier. I returned to my classroom with Saruwatari Sakura to pick some stuff I left since Tsuchiura-kun will be heading to Minami Instruments, Hihara-senpai will go home early since his older brother will be there while Mio, Nao and Amou are still having classes. The hallways are deserted, obviously. "Saruwatari-san?" I muttered. "Yes?" She answered. "About your sister, actually. Sorry I'm a bit nosy body." I said. "That's fine. You're the same age as my sister, senpai. And actually, we're not really French. We're half Japanese and half French. She was raised in France while I'm raised here in Japan." She said, feeling envious about her older sister. That explains her French accent. I feel sorry for Sakura-san, though. "Ne, Hino-senpai, I am very glad to know you. But maybe after two years, I will be engaged too." She said, teary-eyed. "And right now, onee-sama's engagement is being planned." Engagement? Seriously, I have a bad feeling about this engagement thing. "Really? With whom?" I asked anxiously. She shook her head. "Sorry, senpai. But it will only be exposed during the engagement day itself." She said. "It's fine. I'm not really in the position to know who it will be." I said. "Ne, Sakura-san. Is your sister scary? I mean if you don't mind answering." She gulped. "Yeah. When we were in middle school, there was a time when she her boyfriend dumped her for another girl. She paid someone at a very high cost to kidnap to the girl." She answered. "But, she is the daughter father always loved. I rarely get any attention from him. That's why she is raised in French because she's best in everything plus she has an opera singer voice. I only studied one year in France. And that's when that incident happened. Luckily, the girl didn't sue Miharu-neesama." I sighed.
We were in front of my classroom when we finished our conversation. "Hino-senpai, thank you for the time. I need to excuse myself already. I need to return to home for the time being. Excuse me." Sakura-san muttered. "Ah, sure. Goodbye. Take care." I said as I wave goodbye. I entered the classroom which was empty already. I approached my chair where I left a book of musical pieces. "Hino-san…" A female voice said lowly. I looked at the door where I saw the familiar girls this morning. The girls who called me bitch and slut. And they weren't alone; there were three other students behind them, two boys and another girl. "So, here is the bitch." The first girl muttered wickedly. I wanted to defend myself, but I just ignored them instead. "I can't believe you were chosen for this class. It's such a shame." She said, disgustedly. I smirked. "I—I" I stuttered. "I what? Why don't you continue what you were saying?" The second girl said, chuckling with the first girl. "It's nothing." I said. "You know, this girl with us, she's your classmate, right?" She said. I recognized the girl behind them. "Sayo-san…" I said, peering at her tearful expression. "She was supposed to be one of the representatives of this class together with that green haired guy, but you stole her spot." The first girl said, beckoning Sayo-san. "I—I was supposed to be the—the person who—who will play for this class—but—but you STOLE THAT OPPORTUNITY FROM ME!" She bellowed, pointing at me. "See? It's your fault she's depressed like this." The second chuckled. She faced the guys with them then whispered something to them. After that, they left, leaving me alone inside the room. "My fault?" I whispered.
-x-
Len's POV
I can't believe I left Kaho alone with Saruwatari-san. What if that French girl hurt Kaho? I entered the living room where mother drinks her tea and relaxes herself. "Len, I want to talk with you about something." Mother said. "Please sit here." I agreed, I approached the futon and sitting beside her. "About what?" I asked, perplexed. "I had a talk with Mr. Saruwatari this morning. He came to give this." She said, handing me a letter. "A letter? Addressed to me?" I asked, opening the white envelope of the letter. "Mother, do you know anything regarding this letter?" I asked. She nodded. "It's an invitation." She said. Invitations? For what? I started reading the letter.
Tsukimori Len-sama,
Greetings! Your family and my company are partners to spread the wonders of music through concerts that my company organizes. As part of the partnership, I would to request your family's presence in the upcoming birthday party tomorrow of my beloved daughter, Miharu. I will be expecting you presence. Thank you.
Saruwatari Arashi
Venue: The Beach
Time: 5:00pm-onwards
Is he joking? Why will I attend the party of that love-crazed girl? "Birthday party," I muttered. "Tomorrow." Mother nodded. "We need to attend, Len. His company is our associate." She explained. I wanted to say no but mother wants to strengthen the partnership between us and Saruwatari-san's company. "Fine." I answered. "I'm sorry, Len. I know you wanted to fix things between Kaho-san as soon as possible. But it's urgent." She apologized. "It's no big deal." I said coldly. "Please excuse me."
-x-
Kaho's POV
After what happened in the classroom, I really feel guilty but at the same time anxious. How can it be my fault, I just played my violin in the auditions. I walked down stiffly home, Tsuchiura-kun's jacket still on my shoulders, covering me. The sky might be cloudy, but I am lucky it wasn't raining. I was drenched the whole day, but thanks to Tsuchiura-kun, I don't have any chance of getting sick. I passed by the park, memories returning on my head. I wanted to cry already but I have other problems to handle so crying won't help at all. I paused in front of the railings of stairs, sighing. Why do I even need to go to the park when I want to go home already? Honestly, am I going crazy? Nah! Whatever! I'm going home!
-x-
"Kaho, you have a mail. I placed it in your room. And the letter includes a box. Actually, the mailman insists that I we should handle it with care. Dunno what's in the box, though." Onee-chan muttered when I entered the front door. "I'm home?" I said after hearing what onee-chan said. Letter together with a box? "I'll be in my room!" I shouted as I climb the stairs. "Whatever!" Onee-chan shouted back. I grimaced. I entered my room, the box catching my sight. I checked the box, opening it. That small box contains the half-heart pendant, the one I have, which is somewhere in my room.
"Len…" I whispered.
I opened the note attached to it.
Meet me tomorrow in front of Seisou University at 6 pm. Bring the two half-heart pendants.
Seisou University? Len's meeting me? Maybe this is an opportunity to fix things and be with him again, though there's a love-crazed French girl out there. I now know that I need to fix things already, and that I should find that half heart pendant. I searched my room to find that pendant. I need to find it. I have to. I smiled, finally, when I found it, under my bed (It was there, probably when I threw it away in my room). I know that things will be finally settled once I talk to Len. For now, what I need is rest. I want to rest, to sleep.
-x-
Len's
POV
The Beach…
I arrive half an hour earlier with mother and father in the venue of the birthday party of that love-crazed girl. The beach looked different, tables neatly arranged, various people scattered around the beach just to fix things. It feels nostalgic. The last time I was here, it's just a plain beach, I was with her. I can clearly remember the pink shell she was trying to retrieve from the sandy ground, but I stopped her. Her hands might be wounded, and I don't want that. I smiled slightly, I meeting her later, that's what matters. I want to see her. To see her smiling face, her golden eyes, her fiery hair. I want to see her without her pained face, her teary face, crying face. I snapped back to reality when mother leaned on me. "Len, please. Just act natural." She whispered. I'm acting natural, for Pete's sake! "Ah, yes." I responded. "Ah, welcome." A man said. I looked behind me. Mr. Saruwatari Arashi and two unfamiliar ladies beside him. "Thank you for coming, Hamai Misa-san, Mr. Tsukimori, Mr. Tsukimori Len." He said, shaking hands with mother and father. "It's our pleasure." Mother said enthusiastically. "Let me introduce to you my wife, Saruwatari Kyoko." He said, putting an arm around the waist of a brunette haired woman with emerald orbs. She's in her mid thirties and somehow she resembles the love-crazed Saruwatari-san. "And my youngest daughter, Saruwatari Sakura." She smiled shyly. She's very different from Saruwatari-san. She seems gentler. "It's our pleasure to meet you." Mother voiced out, shaking hands with Mr. Saruwatari's wife.
Their butler led us to our table together with the Saruwatari people. When we were settled, my parents and Mr. Saruwatari and his wife started a conversation with themselves, leaving me out with their youngest daughter. Then, Mr. Saruwatari faced me then looked away. "Miharu is here." He said. I looked around the beach, different guests arrived, rich-looking people to be exact. Indeed, Saruwatari-san emerged from the stage with people around her. She approached the microphone, and looked at our table, smiling happily. I looked at her sister, who seems to be frustrated for an unknown reason. She's smirking at her. "Thank you for coming." She said, bowing, her voice dazzling men out there, except me. "Excuse us," Mr. Saruwatari said, beckoning their youngest daughter and his wife to come. They approached the stage, Mr. Saruwatari retrieving another microphone. "We really thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This day is special indeed, since it is the birthday of the next successor of our company, Miharu." He announced delightedly. The crowd clapped in excitement. I looked at my wrist watch: 5:45. I need to go now. I looked around, finding a way to make a run for it and I spotted Yunoki-senpai together with another man. But that doesn't really matter.
"I have a very special announcement to make." Mr. Saruwatari muttered which caught my attention. "As you can see, my company is a very close associate to the Tsukimori family." What is he plan on doing? I looked at my parents' face. They seem to be pained. Did I miss something? "Since my daughter, Miharu is the next successor of the said company. In behalf of the Tsukimori family and my family, I proudly present the engagement of Tsukimori Len and Saruwatari Miharu. And the engagement of my youngest daughter, Sakura to the successor of our associate, Ijichi Ryouji." He finished as claps and applauses came from the crowd. "The engagement celebration will start once the birthday celebration will end."
"ENGAGEMENT!?" I bellowed. "Mother, what's the meaning of this?" Fury gathered around my chest. "I'll explain later." She muttered. I glared. The hell? They can't do this to me! Mother and father are already approved of Kaho and now they are engaging me with this love-crazed girl! I stood up from my chair, walking away from the crowd. There are things that should have limitations.
I approached our car, where Kabuki-san is waiting. I entered it hastily. "Take me to Seisou University." I ordered. "But bochamma—" Kabuki-san muttered. "JUST TAKE ME!" I bellowed angrily. I checked my wrist watch: 6:10. That took enough time. I know that it's insolent for a guy to make a girl wait. The trip was fast enough. I exited the car, peering at the gates of Seisou University. She's there. I looked at Kabuki-san inside the car. "Return to the beach." I ordered him. "Leave me here." Indeed, he followed.
I eagerly approached her. How long is she waiting?
"Kaho." I muttered as I hug her tightly. "Len," She whispered. She called me with my first name. "How long have you been waiting for me?" I asked, hopeful that I didn't disappoint her for making her wait. "A few minutes ago, I just arrived, actually." She said, snaking her arms around my neck. I chuckled. "I thought I disappointed you for making you wait. Did you bring the necklaces?" I said. I distanced myself a little to give her the chance to retrieve the necklaces. She gave the other half. I took her hand where she holds the necklace. "Did you ever wonder why it is half?" I asked. She shook her head. I took the heart of my necklace and the heart of her necklace. In the center is a tiny circle which bore the letters L and K. The L is in Kaho's necklace while K is in mine. "L and K" She muttered. "This stands for 'Len' and 'Kahoko'." I said. "I always wonder why there is a circle in the middle and an L. but I figured it out when you told me." She admitted. I laughed. "You're so slow as always." I chuckled. She hugged me tightly. "I missed you." She whispered. My eyes widen. She wasn't really mad at me or whatever, she's in pain, and it's my entire fault. "I missed you too." I whispered back, kissing her temples.
-x-
Third Person Conversation…
The Beach…
"Where is Len?" Hamai Misa asked his husband. His chair was empty throughout the party and the time has come for the engagement celebration. "He didn't return after announcing his engagement." His father muttered lowly.
"I, in behalf of my family, thank you again for joining us in this celebration. By this time, we are pleased to announce the engagement of my daughters, Miharu and Sakura, with Tsukimori Len and Ijichi Ryouji." Mr. Saruwatari announced.
Flashback…
"Engagement!?" Saruwatari Sakura bellowed, surprised. She just arrived home from school, when her father, Saruwatari Arashi, announced that the engagement of his two daughters will be held after the birthday celebration of her older sister, Saruwatari Miharu. "To whom?" She asked quietly. She looked at Miharu, across the living room, smiling wickedly. As what Sakura thought, it's one of the schemes of her older sister. "As planned, your sister will be engaged to Tsukimori Len and you will be engaged to Ijichi Ryouji." Their mother explained, placing a soothing hand on Sakura's back. "Ijichi Ryouji-san?" She muttered. Her older sister stepped towards her. "He's a lot older than you. About 2-3 years." She whispered.
"He's the son of the world renowned company that supplies parts for musical instruments. Our family is a very close associate to them." Arashi muttered. Sakura shook her head. "No. NO!" She shouted. "I know onee-sama has a reason to have an engagement with Tsukimori Len-san because onee-sama loves him. But what about me? Me?!" She bellowed angrily. "You're selling me for business!!" Arashi glared at her. "If you think it is all about business, am I going to allow Miharu to be engaged?!" He shouted. "Go to your room!" In a blink of an eye, Sakura stomped her way to her room.
End of Flashback…
"Tsukimori Len-sama? I'm sorry master, no one have seen him before the party started." A security officer muttered to Saruwatari Arashi. He left the security officers and approached Hamai Misa and her husband. "Excuse me, but have you seen Len-san?" He asked politely. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Saruwatari-san, but he left even before the party started." She said. Saruwatari Arashi looked at the stage, Ijichi Ryouji and his parents are there together with Sakura and Miharu, together with his wife without the presence of Len. "Excuse me." He said before leaving.
He approached the stage where Miharu, Sakura and Ryouji are settled. He whispered words at his wife and faced Miharu. "Miharu, Len-san left." He whispered. Miharu glared. "What!?" She shouted, enough to be heard at the back. "Why did you let him?" "I'm sorry, he just left. Should we move the engagement party?" Arashi asked. "No! Even if he isn't here, we will continue." She said.
Arashi approached the microphone. "We are very sorry for the long wait." He said, breaking the awkward silence. "Tsukimori Len-sama cannot make it for today, but the engagement will continue for my two daughters."
"Len, what you did was a suicidal act." Miharu thought, grimacing.
-_tO bE cOnTinuEd_-
A/N: Yah… another chapter done. The next chapter will be better than the past two chapters, and that's a promise, seriously. And if this fic reaches a 100-review target, I will add an epilogue plus a sequel for this fic. Reviews please. Thank you…
~tC guys and gals…
I recently changed my pen name… somehow I hated my past pen name (miYaKo4riYoUji)
~miyako45