DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.

Chapter 13- A New Beginning

Kaho's POV

Okay. Okay. Just relax, Hino Kahoko. It's just a wide auditorium filled with people who wants hear music. You've done this before, right? Four times, during high school, and even the ensemble as replacement for Ousaki-senpai, with those kinds of experiences, you shouldn't be scared, nervous. Besides, Tsuchiura-kun is with you. He'll be playing the same piece with you. You practiced for two months already, in front of small groups of people, and you're well-trained by the skilled violin instructors. So, there's no need to be afraid. Relax, Hino Kahoko. I SAID RELAX!

Damn. Here goes my conscience again. If only it will shut up. I already have enough encouragement to face the whole auditorium. It doesn't need to bug me all throughout the whole program. Not to mention we're the finale. Today was the Annual School Productions. Not to mention, today is also the day before Christmas. It's been two months, since the incident happened, and nothing changed. I'm still the same old me. Nothing changed that much, except that Kaji-kun will shift from the college of medicine to the college of music. So it means that he will continue playing viola. Fuyuumi-chan will be staying here in Japan, though she needs to get out of town once in a while for concerts, and she will be SOON engaged to Shimizu-kun. Hihara-senpai will soon be graduating, and I will awfully miss him. Oh and Len? He will be staying, and wait for me to graduate until he will take me to other countries for his own concerts. I plan to be a violin teacher to kids.

"You're trembling, Hino. Are you nervous?"

"Oh, Tsuchiura-kun. Aren't you? Of course I am!"

He laughed and I pouted. "Just remember who's out there, in front of the stage, waiting for you to perform. Isn't that Tsukimori? Prove that you're something other than an amateur." He said, patting my skinny shoulders. "Besides, the amateur I know disappeared a long, long time ago." I smiled. If Len wasn't here, then I should have backed out a few weeks ago and if Tsuchiura-kun isn't here encouraging me, I should have quitted when the results were released.

'Our next performance, from section 2-6, Hino Kahoko and Tsuchiura Ryotarou, playing Salute D' Amour for the finale.'

"Here's our cue. Let's go, Kahoko."

I smiled when I heard my name. For once, I should call him Ryou too.

"You lead the way, Ryou-kun."

He looked at me, shocked of what I called him. But then, he smiled, at the very least. "You don't need to be nervous you know, I'm here, and even if you make the slightest mistake, I will cover it for you." He said. I laughed. "As if I will make a mistake, thanks though." I said.

We entered the stage when all the people clapped their hands in optimistic excitement and obvious amusement. I positioned myself on the center of the stage, the spotlights on me and Tsuchiura-kun. I looked at him and he nodded. And I knew that was my cue to play. He leads by playing some of the intro notes and I followed.

NP: Salute D' Amour- Elgar

'You really have improved a lot, Hino Kahoko. And right from the start, I knew that giving you the magical violin is the best. Great performance, Hino Kahoko! I'm so proud of you. I knew that you will really use the violin as a media for your feelings. Wonderful!'

That voice, Lili!

I opened my eyes and looked across the room.

It's true, it's Lili!

'Lili!'

'I want to thank you, Hino Kahoko. Music made another door open for you. You're a wonderful violinist.'

'I didn't expect to see you here. But I want to thank you, too. Giving me the violin made me realize that I have bonds so strong.'

'I knew that. And now, let me hear you play your carefree music, Hino Kahoko.'

Lili clapped his/her hands in amusement as he sat on the platforms above.

'Lili…'

I continued to play as I close my eyes. I never done this well before, and will all the people surrounding me now, all I could do is to stand firm and give these people what they truly deserve, my gratitude and appreciation. They've done many things for me already. And this music I am playing is something I will give them; I hope that this music will reach them, my feelings of gratitude.

I opened my eyes when I heard the people clapping and giving applauds as they stand. I looked at Tsuchiura-kun, his smile is like mine, so happy, amused and perhaps, proud.

'Amazing. Truly amazing, Hino Kahoko!' Lili muttered as he somersault in the air and make magical fireworks inside the auditorium. I looked at the crowd, but I didn't see any cerulean haired man, other than Hamai Misa-san and Mr. Tsukimori. He's not there. I feel miserable when I didn't see him attend the performance. We made our final bow and we exited the stage.

"Tsuchiura-kun, he's not there." I said sadly when I looked at him. But he never frowned at me, but instead, he smiled at me.

"He's not there in the crowd of the audience, but he's here."

I looked at where Tsuchiura-kun's finger is pointing.

"Hey. I thought you were looking for me."

I smiled. "I thought you were not there." I said. "I'm not there; I'm here, waiting for you." He replied, approaching me, and hugging me tightly.

"Tsukimori, I can't do anything about this. But I'm giving you Hino. Just don't the hell make her cry or hurt her. Or I'll kick your ass if you do. Promise it to me."

"Tsukimori-san, don't hurt Hino-san. We already ended our chase after her. But if you hurt her again, we will never ever forgive you."

"We trust you with her, Tsukimori-kun."

"Tsukimori-kun, never make a girl cry. I already trust you with her."

"I already made that promise. Hihara-senpai, Yunoki-senpai, Tsuchiura-san, Kaji-san, thank you so much. I give you my word that I will never hurt Kahoko."

"We know we can't change what Hino feels, that's why, and we give her to you. It's the least we can do for Hino. Yes, we love her. But she loves you. And I know; no we know that she will be happy with you. But this doesn't mean you won the fight, Tsukimori. We will wait for her." Tsuchiura-kun said.

"Kahoko, we will wait for you. And until that time comes, be happy, never cry. We love you." Kaji-san muttered. "We love you so much that we want you to be happy. Happier than before. And we know that Tsukimori-san can give that happiness to you."

I faced him, tears flowed from my eyes. "Len…"

"I love you."

"I love you, too. Len."

"Smile for me, Kaho. And that's the best gift I can get this Christmas."

And I smiled.

I guess it means that all lives have happy endings somewhere. And now, I found the start of my own happiness. That's what counts; all people deserve to be happy in life. No matter how poor, how rich, how stupid, how smart you are, every people deserve the happiness I can feel now. The happiness that I can love this person more than before.

Len Tsukimori, I love you.

~end.

A/N: I know it's the worst ending ever. But never worry, I already have the epilogues!