Sorry for the delay in chapter four. I've been under such a tight schedule, especially since the holidays are getting nearer and nearer (and family affairs start to fill my weekends, which were initially intended for story writing). But I'm so so happy that this story's getting such good reviews. Thanks to Reina Shirahime and XxLadyYuixX —who had been submitted their comments in the last chapter. It really encouraged me to continue this story. I owe this one to you! Happy Halloween!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Fushigi Yuugi, but I do admit to being a discreet fan. Yui is my favorite character and I made a pact with myself that I would write fictions about potential love interests for her. Warning: I'm not a Tetsuya and Suboshi fan. Sorry. But this story revolves around Yui and Amiboshi – hope this story opens possibilities… ^_~
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A Hidden Melody
By Slavedriver2008
Yui opened the small paper on her hand. Written on it, in cursive black script, was one word. "Monsieur Francois, what does this mean?" She asked the producer of the concert.
The man looked at her and smiled. "The theme of the concert will be Elements. The four of you will play a piece that perfectly embodies the elements on your paper. What did you get?"
Yui looked at the others but evaded Kaika's eyes, which happened to be a feat since he's sitting across her. "Water."
"What did the rest got?" Kaen asked. Yui rolled her eyes. She was not invited yet she insisted on attending the meeting. Gate-crasher. "Kaika?" Yui suddenly felt annoyed. There she goes again, flirting with him. Not that she cared, it's just annoying.
"Fire." Kaika said nonchalantly. He placed the paper on the table. "Can I play wind instead?"
"No, no. I'm amazed you're getting the elements I want you to get." Clarisse said. "I just thought it'd be challenging if you get elements that are hard to play with your instruments. Chuuin? Shun?"
"Sorry bro, I got the wind." Shun said. "Sheesh, this would have been easier if I got water."
Chuuin placed the paper on the table. "Well, I got earth, obviously." The black-haired bishonen smiled at Yui and she blushed. Oh, goodness.
Kaika made a sound. "So what do we do now?" he asked, annoyed.
"Well, all of you have a week to decide on what pieces to play. We'll meet again next week. Probably after the festival?" Master Francois asked the group. He was pertaining to the annual Tokyo Classical Music Festival.
"Next week?" Yui asked the man. "I have exams next week. I'm sorry but can we move the meeting?"
"And I'm playing at the festival, I might not have enough time to practice two pieces." Kaika said. Their eyes met but Yui looked away.
Clarisse frowned. "Unfortunately, we need to finalize the concert. It still needs to be publicized. You see, we already decided on a date."
"And when will that be?" Kaen asked. Yui momentarily forgot she existed.
"Second week of February." Clarisse said and Yui's eyes widened. That's too soon! They only have less than a month to prepare! "It's in time for Valentine's day." She finished. "Apart from that, you'll be doing some duets. It will be the second part of the concert. And you'll all be playing a quartet for the final piece."
"The concert is about harmony, an invisible bond. It is not only the bond between each other, it's also the bond between you and your instruments, and most importantly your interpretations." Master Francois said. "I hope that helps you in choosing your pieces."
The group ate quietly. Yui wondered what piece to play. She stopped playing the violin when her grandfather took her in. She can't remember some of the pieces she used to play – and even if she can, those were too easy anyway. It's not the type of pieces for a recital, just something to play in gatherings and house parties. She sighed.
"Yui, what violin will you be using? Sorry I'm asking, but it's one of Master Shinji's right?" Clarisse asked her. She looked at her, face blank.
"Actually, I still haven't told him the news." She said softly. "Oh, and I don't have a violin." Everyone looked at her. She gasped. "I don't have an instrument for the concert!"
Shun laughed at her and Kaen sniggered. Kaika simply looked at her, he was about to say something when Chuuin butted in. "I can help you buy a violin tomorrow if you like. We both play strings instruments."
Yui looked at him, his raven eyes looked at her softly. "Chuuin has a sharp ear for violins." Clarisse said. "He can really help you choose."
"But…" Yui stammered. How can she tell everyone she doesn't have enough money to buy a decent violin? Even if she drained her savings, it won't be enough to buy a good one for the concert. Classical instruments were not really cheap buys.
"It's a yes then." Chuuin declared. "I'll pick you up from school tomorrow. What time do your classes end?" he asked.
"But Tomo…" Yui saw Kaika raised an eyebrow. She looked away again.
Chuuin smiled. "No buts. I'll see you tomorrow." Yui sighed. "We'll just talk about the other details in the car okay?" Yui wanted to laugh. She had completely forgotten he's taking her home. So sweet.
But Kaika's glare would have killed them if Yui only looked.
--
Yui hastily rushed to arrange her things. She was so worried about Tomo. They agreed to meet at school at four but her teacher extended the classes for another 30 minutes.
"Slow down, Yui. He'd definitely wait for you." Miaka told her. She promised Miaka she'll tell her everything about the concert and last night's meeting was part of what they talked over the phone. "Tama always waits for me." She said matter-of-factly.
"He's your boyfriend. Tomo-san is just an acquaintance." Yui told her friend.
"Whatever Yui. I think he likes you."
"Miaka! Not because he's good to me means he likes me." Yui defended, her cheeks growing pink again.
"Come on, Yui. Why would he volunteer to accompany you to the music store if he doesn't?" Miaka paced with her, they were now walking toward the school gates. "He's making the first move, it's so obvious."
"He's not." Yui said, still blushing. "He's just being nice."
"Anyway, what happened to Kaika boy? Isn't he the one you're running after?" Miaka asked but Yui just rolled her eyes.
"I don't want to talk about him." Yui snapped.
Miaka just looked at her. Realizing her friend is seriously avoiding the topic, the brunette asked her something else. "Is he handsome?"
Yui looked at her friend, they were on the school grounds now, a few more steps and they'll be at the gates. "Who?"
"Tomo." Miaka smiled. "1 to 10." Yui laughed, remembering junior high when they would rank their crushes on how they look. Ten goes to the most good-looking while one, well, goes to the opposite. "Tama is a ten." Yui rolled her eyes. Taka again.
Tomo's face appeared in his thoughts. Long black hair, deep black eyes, soft kissable lips… she blushed. "I don't know. Maybe an eight?"
"What's your name? Do you have a girlfriend?" Girls' loud voices ruined the two girls' conversation. Yui strained forward to see the new unfortunate guy who landed on the school grounds. Jounan is an all-girls school, any handsome man gets mobbed especially when he's single.
Her eyes widened when she saw the victim. Tomo simply smiled at the girls. "Well, I…" he stammered. Their eyes met. "Yui!" His face brightened up and he immediately waded through the flocking girls up to her. "I finally found you."
Chuuin leaned down to kiss her cheek. Yui heard the other girls gasped but she never minded them, she was blushing like hell. "I'm sorry. I'm late." She told him.
"It's okay. You're finally here. I thought your class finished earlier so you went home. Good thing I decided to wait for a bit." He told her. His eyes landed on Miaka and offered her a hand. "Hi, I'm Chuuin Ryo. Are you Yui's friend?"
Miaka closed her mouth and reached for his hand. "Ye—Yes, I'm Miaka Yuuki." She stammered. "Are you Tomo?" her brow creased.
Chuuin was caught off-guard and he looked at Yui. He smiled at her. "Yes. I'm surprised you know my nickname."
"Oh, Yui's been telling me all about you." Miaka said. Yui wanted to slap her. Tomo laughed.
"We're those good things?" He asked, his eyes eager to know. Miaka opened her mouth to answer.
"Shouldn't we be going by now?" Yui asked. She didn't mean to sound impatient but if they stayed, Miaka might say something she's not supposed to spill.
Tomo looked at her. "Ah yes. I'm sorry, I'm asking too much." The smile was still on his lips. "It's nice to meet you Miaka."
Miaka smiled. "Oh, there's Tama!" She squealed. "It's nice meeting you Tomo! And Yui, it's not an eight—it's a ten!"
"Miaka!" Yui screamed. What would Tomo say if he knew they were ranking him physically? She wanted to slap her friend but the brunette ran to a dark-haired bishonen on a motorcycle. Tama looked at Yui's direction and smiled at her. Yui smiled back and she rolled her eyes as the two lovers kissed. Miaka put on a helmet and rode the motorcycle with her boyfriend. Yui smiled to herself as the two sped off. They're so sweet.
Yui didn't notice Tomo looking at her, analyzing her features and marveling at her expressions. She faced him and blushed when she found her staring at her. "Uhmm…let's go?"
Tomo smiled. "Yes, before I get mobbed again." Yui laughed, she can almost imagine his surprise when the girls approached him and started to outrightly flirt with him. It was freaky for a guy. He reached for her hand and pulled her out the school grounds, passing the mob of girls that eyed them as they left.
Yui felt hot yet she felt sadness tugging at her heart. Kaika held her hand in that same way when they went on a date last Saturday. Was it just five days ago? Heaviness filled her. She missed him. As much as she wanted to not think of him, he kept on bugging her thoughts. She can't get him out of her system. She's falling for a man she met in less than a week. Falling? No way. She's not that easy. Isn't she?
The events during the past days flowed through her head and she sighed. Those were wonderful memories. Yui wished the party never happened. But it did, and now she won't see him smile for her again. How sad.
They walked to the music store, they agreed last night that he won't bring a car. She missed walking around Tokyo. When they reached the street to the music store, Yui stopped and pulled Chuuin. "Tomo-san. I have to tell you something." She started. God, this is so humiliating. Chuuin looked at her, waiting for her words. "I can't buy a violin."
"Why?" Confused stares looked down on her.
Yui laughed. "I don't have…money…" She bit her lip. "A good violin costs more than my allowance for five months. I can't possibly save that in a few days!"
"But your father…Surely he can buy you one…"
Yui closed her eyes to control the tears. She hated talking about her family. "I can't do that." She opened her eyes and looked away. "My father left me when I was eight. I never heard from him again. I don't even know where he is or how he is now. My grandfather forbid me to play the violin when he took me in. I haven't played one for six years."
Chuuin pulled her to an embrace. His face rested on her head and Yui can hear him breathe gently. "I'm sorry…" His chest was warm and Yui felt comfortable inside his arms.
"It's okay. It's not your fault." She whispered.
She closed her eyes, she was never embraced by a man before – except the one she and Kaika shared at the park. But that's not even a real one. She felt nervous then and thrilled and hot. Tomo's embrace was different, it felt wonderful, it made her feel safe. She couldn't decide which one she liked more – Kaika's breathtaking arms or Tomo's comforting ones. Right now, she preferred the latter.
Chuuin slowly loosened the embrace and held her face with his hands. "If I give you a violin, would you take care of it?"
Yui's eyes widened. "Tomo, you can't. No. I won't accept a…an expensive gift that came from your pocket." She told him. Why is he so nice to her? They just met two days ago. Why?
He looked away and held her hand. He softly pulled her and Yui allowed herself to be led. She wasted his time, she shouldn't have agreed to him last night, she shouldn't have said yes in the first place. They walked a few blocks and turned right. He was still not saying anything. Yui felt bad, did she hurt him? She didn't mean to. Oh, she'd do anything to make him feel better.
They stopped in front of a big house with high white gates. Chuuin pressed the doorbell and a guard hurriedly went out to open the gates. "Welcome back, Master Chuuin." He said.
Master? "Don't worry, this is my home." He told her. Tomo pulled her toward the house.
"Hey, what are we doing here?" Yui asked. He didn't respond. He was still silent and continued to pull her toward the stairs. Her heart beat faster when he opened a door. Is he planning to do something to me? Oh no. What if?
"Relax. I'm not going to rape you." Chuuin said and Yui almost screamed. He knew what she's thinking. How did that happen? He looked at her. "You're probably the most transparent girl I've ever met. That, or I'm just good at reading people." he said.
"But why are we here? Why did you bring me to your house?"
Tomo smiled and let go of her hand. He walked toward a wooden cabinet and gently opened the heavy mahogany drawer. He pulled an old case inside and turned to her. Yui watched him as he placed the violin case on the table. It was dusty and the latches were rusty. Tomo opened it and Yui gasped. Inside was a beautiful red violin.
"What do you think?" Tomo asked.
Transfixed, Yui touched the strings. "It's lovely."
"Play it."
Yui looked at him. "Are you sure?" Tomo nodded and took the violin off the case. He handed it to Yui who carefully placed it on her shoulder. Tomo gave her the bow and she slowly lifted it over the strings. Her left hand traced the smoothness of the stern and her fingers slowly moved to play the chords.
Transfixed, she a one of her father's favorite pieces -- Albinoni's Adagio in G minor. The sound came out perfectly. Yui has never played a well-made violin all her life. Judging from the way the music resonated inside the lithe body, the violin is quite old – and an expensive one. When she finished the piece, she lowered the instrument and looked at it.
"It's…powerful…" She whispered, referring to the violin.
"Do you want it?" Tomo asked.
Yui hastily turned to him. "I can't…don't…it's a good instrument." Her eyes pleaded to him.
"It belongs to my sister." Tomo said gently. "Nobody played it after she died."
Yui gasped. "I'm sorry." Her playing it must have triggered memories in him. "I…" She gently placed the violin back in its case. "How did she die?" Stupid, the man's already hurting and she's rubbing the wound.
"She was raped." Yui's eyes widened and she looked up to him. Loneliness crept up his features. "So she decided to kill herself." Yui embraced him and closed her eyes. "She ran to the street and a truck ran over her."
Yui remembered when the first time they met and her heart ached. She reminded him of his sister. That's why he's so nice, why he's giving her violin…His arms wrapped around her with equal force.
"I'm sorry…" She whispered. "I wish I can share your loneliness…" Yui looked up to face him and was surprised when he smiled down at her.
"Yui…you're like a sister to me. I wish I can protect you." He told her and Yui smiled. "And I wish you'll take care of this violin…It belongs with you. My sister can never play it as good as you…"
"No…Tomo-san, I…"
"She would be happy if you'd play it…She loves this violin…" He softly caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. Yui blushed at the gesture. "Will you, take care of it?" A tear fell from her eye and rolled on her cheek. Tomo dried it and planted a kiss on the spot where it landed. "Does that mean yes?"
Yui laughed. "I don't know what to say…"
Tomo looked at her intently. "How about, Thank you…" He smiled.
Yui looked away. Miaka's right, he's a ten. She resisted the urge to kiss him. Wake up Yui, he only sees you as a sister. "Thank you…"
Tomo sighed, relieved. "This conversation made me hungry. Let's eat before I take you home." He held Yui's hand and pulled her out of the room.
Yui smiled to herself. How can I tell Miaka he can't be my boyfriend? But maybe having an older brother is for the better…
--
"Hey, What now?" Shun asked his brother. They had been following Yui and Tomo for the whole afternoon and he was itching all over.
"What do you mean? This was your idea." Kaika answered back. Yeah, yeah it was his idea alright but he only came up with it because his twin never really admitted liking anyone. And as a good brother he wanted to make sure Kaika would end up with the girl he liked regardless of how many times he denied it.
"Yeah right. You were more than eager to do this, you know." Shun shot back and Kaika looked at him sharply.
"I was not. You forced me." Kaika said.
"Oh, I forced you now?" he laughed. "Really, you appear you were forced into this." He smirked, his brother was very obvious. His attention was completely focused on the white gates that they figured must have been Chuuin's house.
"Just shut up. What's taking them so long…" He whispered. And Shun laughed. His twin never cared for a girl before – except Kaen – but he was not this obvious. It had been more than an hour since Yui and Chuuin entered the latter's house. He scratched his neck. Hiding in the bushes was not a good option. He should remember that if they ever had to do this again.
Shun gasped. "What if they're doing you-know-what?" Kaika looked at him, panic reflected on his eyes.
"No, Yui is not that type of girl."
"But she seems to like Chuuin. And…" Shun smiled naughtily. Kaika was getting defensive and he liked making his brother struggle. He's sure Kaika's struggling with his thoughts.
"And what?" Kaika asked, annoyed.
"And if a beautiful girl like Yui ends up in my house…in my room…" He said, teasing his brother.
Kaika pushed him and his back hit the wall. His brother's fist was clenched against his shirt. "Don't dare—"Kaika hissed.
"Easy…I'm just, you know, thinking of possibilities." Kaika let go of him. "You really like her, ne?" He said, adjusting his shirt, now crumpled at the neck.
"It's not like that. I'm sorry." Kaika looked away. He faced the gates, it was still empty.
Shun touched his shoulder. "Friday." Kaika turned to him, confused.
"Confess your feelings on Friday, at the party."
"What—" Kaika said.
"Come on, bro. Give yourself a decent gift." He smirked. "A girlfriend would be nice."
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Author's Notes: Whew, finally finished this chapter. Do you think Kaika has the guts to tell Yui? Tell me what you think! Ganbatte!
