Epilogue Part 1- Len

It all started with this…

Move. You're in my way.

I was so cold that time, I didn't even anticipate whether you were running an errand or not. Whether you are holding something or not or just standing on MY way. I always thought of that. Every path that I'm walking on is MY way. No one should be blocking it. Nothing should hinder me. I should pursue my dream without any hindrance. And the first time I met you, you were a HINDRANCE on my path. I left you the impression that I am cold-hearted, uncomfortable companion, quiet, stoic and an ice cube. You knew me as the ice cube of Seisou Academy. You knew me as a Know-It-All guy and you knew me as Mr. Perfectionist.

And continued with the competition…

'Are you real… or aren't you?'

'She's a genius. She told me that she only started to play the violin recently before the competition started.'

She can't be a genius. Is she pretending that she can play the violin? Or is she hiding something from all of us? If she started before the competition, her level isn't high enough to play Chopin in violin or even higher. She only possesses basic skills as a violinist; she doesn't even know how to position herself when playing the violin? Isn't it a bit peculiar? That's impossible. No one can beat me with an amateur like her, and as if I'm going to be beaten by her. I'll prove that I'm better than anyone. Better than HER.

In the other hand, if she really is a genius, I will not be beaten by her. If she has the talent, then why not make it more productive than just lazing around idly. Even she is an amateur, or even she is a genius, I will win over her.

Ave Maria Duet

"In all respects… heartwarming…'

It's not her skills that can captivate the heart of people, but because she plays wholeheartedly, her music is filled with her feelings and emotions.

'It's no use. Just leave me alone in this closet, Hino.'

'What are you saying? I wanted to hear your music. And then because you are just locked in a stupid closet, you think there's no hope in opening this thing? I want to hear you play your music, Tsukimori-kun.'

"Pull it from the outside; I'll push it from the inside.'

'Tsukimori-kun.'

She's worried. And I can't believe she will help me, no matter how much I pull her down every moment, she still has the initiative to help me. She's kind, warm-hearted. I shouldn't have acted cold on her. Because the way she treats me now, is far from the way I treat her.

What matter most as a participant is your attitude towards music. Then I can't accept you, Hino.

'Why are you quitting the violin? Isn't that tears flowing from your eyes your true feelings? You just can't leave your violin that's why you're crying, Hino. What matters most as a participant is your attitude towards music. Then if you are like that, then I can't just accept you, Hino. I prefer the quality of the competition with you.'

I can't accept such person who makes the competition substandard. If I participate in such competitions, I wanted to have everything of it. No amateur like her should have entered.

'Pink shells tend to break easily. Do you want that your hands will be injured before the fourth selection starts?'

I didn't want her fingers be injured because of her carelessness. There is music waiting to be born from those fingers. What will happen if she will injure her hand, then that music waiting will vanish.

'Your music is carefree, that it can captivate anyone who listens to it. It's unskilled but beautiful, in the other hand.'

'Because she places her feelings in it. No matter how unskillful her playing is, and how many people will criticize the way she plays, it will always captivate the hearts of people, and feel what she is feeling when she plays the violin.

The Beloved Ave Maria

The first piece she was able to perform that afternoon. It's heart whelming, no matter how much problems she faced in the competition, she still stood tall, her held up high. Sometimes, I was the one who gave the problems, but as a strong person, she overcame it, without breaking down in the end. That's why I admire her, no, adore her, like her, and LOVE her. She's strong and with every stroke of the bow the violin, she sends her feelings to everybody listening. And now, hearing her music, I can feel she is happy.

And the competition ended… but nothing ends here yet…

Sweet smiles when I glance at her secretly…

I look at her and a small grin form in my face. I glanced at her secretly, when no one is looking, and to find out that I'm smiling so happy just by seeing her sweet smile, her angelic face, her light laughter, her simple gestures. Everything about her is just beautiful. It was my first time to feel like this, in my whole life. Just by seeing her, I feel like my heart is breaking out of my ribcage, my knees will give up any moment and I will go crazy.

I love you. Aishteru, Kaho.

I hugged her from behind: my arms went round her waist and I rested my chin on her shoulder.

'Tsukimori-kun?'

'Please, Hino. Let me stay like this for a little longer. I-I-I love you.'

Will you be my girlfriend?

I really said it. I feel awkward after muttering such words to her. But I still feel happy that I was able to love someone like HER. I just waited for answer. I feel tense but I also feel the excitement. No wonder you blush when you see the person you love, you feel so jumpy and you feel butterflies in your stomach. It's because of love. And I feel great that she already knows what I feel. I can experience it on my own. I can finally experience LOVE.

'Yes.'

'You will?'

'Of course, Len. I love you.'

'I love you more.'

The pains I gave her…

I'm going to study abroad…

'Sorry, Kaho.'

'No. it's really fine. And I'm fine. You will make your own future. Not me. And I don't want to be a hindrance for you. I want you to happily pursue your dream as a musician. And as your girlfriend, I'll be supporting you from the shadows. I'll give every ounce of support you need just to pursue your dream. Because I love you.'

'Promise me you'll still play the violin.'

'Of course I will. For you, Len.'

Len? You're?

'No, Kaho. Don't believe such malicious lies. We we're never together. Saruwatari-san lied.'

'We're through, Len Tsukimori.'

'Wait, Kaho! No!'

Kaho? Hey. Kaho. Don't do this.

I heard the loud crashing sound of the wooden stick. But, what's uncanny is that I wasn't hurt or injured. I felt strange when I felt a familiar warmness by my side. I looked at her, my eyes widen in shock and guilt. She protected me.

'Hey, Kaho. Hey. You told me not to die, right? But why are you doing this? Hey, open those eyes. Don't close them. I will never forgive myself if you don't open your eyes. Please, for me. Just open those eyes.'

But she didn't and she's bleeding to death, and it's my entire fault. My disability to fight with my bare hands caused all of this. If only I knew how to fight then I could have protected her and she wouldn't meet this kind of situation. And I feel so guilty. I told her that I'm the one protecting her, but in the end, she was the one. I feel helpless, stupid and vulnerable. How terrible I am!

Even though we have been through a lot already ever since the day we met. I know one thing. And it's for sure, not a lie but reality…

I love you, forever and ever, Hino Kahoko.

'And I love you too, Tsukimori Len.'

~.~

I knelt down before her, looking at her golden eyes, admiring how her long fiery hair flow with the movement of the breeze. Loving every single second passing as I look at her sweet, innocent smile. I squeezed her hand lightly, smiling at her reaction.

"Hino Kahoko, this may sound tactless and for the choice of the words, since I am not used to with this kind of words. After many long years, many hard trials that made us think that destiny is against our very existence and relationship, will you allow me to take your hand in marriage?"

She smiled sweetly.

"I'm waiting patiently for this time to come, Len. And my answer is…"

She knelt in front of me and she locked me in a searing kiss. With that kiss, I knew, I already knew the answer. And with that answer, I feel so happy. So complete. So loved. I no longer feel the ice barrier around my heart. I feel my heart thumping hard like a running horse, gesturing that it will come out of my ribcage any minute now.

"Yes, Len. Yes."

~.~

A/N: Very cheesy epilogue. XD