Late update. :[ Sorry, my friends were here yesterday at our house. Anyway, read and review!
Short note. I wanna thank the following for their reviews: Pathetic Rainbow, Emjhey, Momoko Vesperina Hashimoto, Annalisemarie99, Saiunkokulover, Barbieblair, Asianpearl, Yueyuuko, and .miss. :]
Disclaimer: Not Kure Yuki. Haha. :)
Hino Kahoko was nervous; no. Nervous was understatement. Today, she was having lunch with one guy she never wanted to have connection with. Kahoko didn't know what made her agree with his offer, but there's something in him that's shouting to do so. Maybe it's his eyes, those golden orbs that looked at her intensely.
She woke up early again, so she decided to take a peak at the black covered photo album. Taking a deep breath, she flipped the cover. She buried that album under her closet for a long time now. It deserved to be opened again.
The first picture was her, Mio, and Nao doing silly faces. They were at a dress shop. Maybe Shouko took the picture. Under it were the words 'BFFs'. Kahoko almost didn't recognize her own self. She was so happy, full of life before that accident. Then in flash, she was this empty shell.
The next page was a picture with her, Ryoutaro, and Aoi. Since general-education students have free periods, they got the chance to take a few pics. With Nami-san's help, they filled an album. That girl could really go overboard with pictures. The other pages were full of her friends. Mostly, the background was the classroom. After a few pages, there's a divider at the middle.
It was the concour partcipants. That page was actually a collage. There's Shouko with her clarinet, blushing as she smiled shyly. Keiichi looked sleepy, but he was holding the cello that time. Azuma was posed like he was about to play. Kazuki-kun had his trumpet in one hand, and a sandwich on the other. Ousaki-senpai and Kanazawa-sensei's picture was the biggest at the middle. Kanazawa was smoking, while Ousaki-senpai smiled sheepishly. Aoi and Ryoutaro were playing. The last picture was the one that got her attention.
Of course it's them. They were playing Ave Maria in that picture obviously, by the looks in their faces. A tear fell from her eyes. Why were tears still present after all the crying she's done for almost a year? A knock interrupted her. She wiped out the tear and faked a smile as the door opened.
"Kahoko-sama." The maid appeared in her door, bowing.
"Hai?" She asked.
"Someone is waiting for you downstairs. Your mother left early, and so did your sister. I let the visitor in. Are you going to meet him?" The maid looked in her eyes. Kahoko nodded and motioned her hand on the door, signaling the dismissal. She took her things and rushed downstairs.
---
Len was sitting at the living room of Hino's residence. He had to admit, the house was beautiful. It had this charm and calming effect. A true classic. Thoughts raced in his mind as he looked around the familiar room. He knew he's been here before. He heard footsteps from the wooden stairs, and the red-haired girl appeared.
"Hino-san." His voice wasn't the usual monotone. There's a hint of confusion and amusement in it. In front of him, Kahoko looked beautiful. She had this morning glow. When did it come from?
"T-Tsukimori-kun?!" Her voice was an octave higher due to surprise. He didn't told her yesterday that he'll be here. He never step foot in this house since that time. Kahoko's eyes were wide, and she was breathless. Oh my gosh.. Neither of the two talked. They just stood there in awkward silence.
"W-What are you doing here?" Kahoko was the first to recover. It's her house, and she didn't have to be embarrased there. So much for starting her day with 'reminiscing memories'.
"I think we should practice some more. The fundraising program's tomorrow, and Kanayan excused us in our classes. I'm here to fetch you so we could go early." Smooth lie, Len thought. He didn't want Kahoko to know that he planned this out. The truth was, they weren't excused. He requested the former singer-turned-teacher to let them practice more. Kanayan was ecstatic, of course. Kahoko giggled silently. She knew the old Len wouldn't just fetch her without hidden motives.
"Alright, Tsukimori-kun. Please let me eat my breakfast first. Can you join me, or you're already done?" Kahoko easily followed Len's lie. Since she knew he's going to spend the day with him, might as well enjoy it. Breakfast was nothing.
"Hn." Typical Len. Kahoko hesitantly took his hand and dragged him to the kitchen. Both blushed because of the contact, but didn't react. Holding hands felt normal, like they've always done it. When they arrived at the kitchen, the plates were set, coffee beside it. Kahoko sat at the center seat, the one her mom usually sits as. Len was in her right side.
"Arigatou for joining me today, Tsukimori-kun. Ittadakimasu." Kahoko smiled before starting to eat. Len nodded, and it took him a lot of effort not to show that smile in his lips. While eating, he observed the red-haired beside her. She wasn't as childish as the others described. In fact, she was disciplined, never forgetting the poise and grace in her movements. The girl beside her was formal and obviously nervous.
"About the piece we're going to play, is it the only one they wanted us to perform?" Kahoko asked after taking a sip from her mug. Len nodded, never taking his eyes from the food. After a while, they finished. Both stood up from their chairs.
"This is an advance thank-you for the lunch later." Kahoko tilted her head on the side, small smile in her lips before returning to the living room. Len's cheeks were red again. Why can't I stop blushing now?
"Tsukimori-sama." He turned around and met the gray orbs of the maid who let him in earlier.
"Arigatou. For making Kahoko-sama happy again." She bowed before taking the last plate from the table. Questions began to rise in his mind. Again? He shrugged, ignoring the comment before going to Kahoko. She was already at the door. When she saw him, she waved before going outside. Len followed her to the car.
They were sitting side by side, their arms touching. Kahoko's hands were folded elegantly in her lap, while Len stared ahead of him. H tried not to avert his gaze from her hands. They're so tempting; he wanted to take them in his badly. Unfortunately, Len's self control wasn't that good that time. His hand suddenly took hers. Kahoko didn't react, she just stared outside, letting the moment be remembered.
"Arigatou." Len muttered, wishing Kahoko didn't hear. He wanted to thank her for not slapping him straight to the face, or yelling at him for holding her hand. After seeing those pictures and those dreams, he put the pieces together and was sure enough that Kahoko was the girl.
"No. Thank you." She whispered soft enough only for him to hear. She wanted to thank him for taking her hand, spending time with her instead of his violin early in the morning, for the moment. For once after that horrible event, her hopes were up. She almost believed the fact that he can remember.
---
The rest of the car ride was spent by random glances and smiles, holding hands, and leaning closer to each other. No one have spoken a word, for words weren't necessary to express their thoughts. They were content and happy. Kahoko's hidden feelings started to resurface in her supposedly broken heart. Len felt like he was unwrapping something buried deep within his heart. Love, they both thought.
They arrived at their destination later than expected. The beach, one of the most memorable places for the two way back. This was the place were they use to cuddle in the sun, have picnics, practice together before programs, and a lot more. Kahoko still remembered the first time they went there..
Flashback
Kahoko's eyes were hidden by the blindfold. Len, being a good lover, held her on the waist and directed her to the unknown. She was frustrated; when did this guy learned to be secretive about their date? Oh well, he was always secretive, but he never used the blindfold before.
"Remove your slippers Kahoko." She rejoiced inside when she heard him call her Kahoko. It took them a while to let go of the formalities and call each other their first names.
"Len. How am I supposed to remove my slippers? I can't see anything, I might fall backwards while removing slippers and can't you see I'm wearing a skirt? Thank you very much to Nami--" She continued to babble on until his lips caught her and he scooped her petite bosy, carrying her bridal style.
"You were saying, my Kaho?" He teased, happy when that familiar red blush appeared in her beautiful face. Even though he's irritated at times with the nosy journalist, he was thankful today to her. When he fetched Kahoko and absorbed in his mind her image, his eyes nearly popped out when he saw that small skirt.
"N-Nothing." Kahoko took a deep breath, stammering. He was probably laughing at me, she thought. Her body shaking proved it. Finally, after walking for almost the hours, which was only minutes, they stopped. Len placed her down and removed her blindfold.
"Oh. Wow." She was expressionless. At the seashore was a picnic cloth and basket, with a bouquet of red and white roses beside. There were two good looking sand castles beside it, away from the water. It's simple, but fantastic and romantic.
"You like it?" A husky voice whispered beside her, sending shivers down her spine.
"No. I love it! Even wow didn't cover it." She whispered, taking a step forward and looking at the setting again. After getting over the shock, she squealed and jumped in the blue-haired's waiting arms.
"I love you Len." She said, sincerity in her voice. Len was surprised; it was the first time she openly voice out her feelings for him, except when they first confessed. Well, same goes for him.
"I love you too, Kahoko."
End of Flashback
There was a table under a big tree. Over it was a picnic basket, and two glasses. Kahoko felt the sense of dejavu as she walked slowly beside Len, gripping her violin case tightly. Len noticed it, so he placed his hand above Kahoko's and took her. Again, that blush creeped on her cheeks. They reached the table and placed their violin cases.
"Wow. It's beautiful." She said, staring at space. The sunlight hit her, emphasizing the glow Len thought a while ago. Her red locks danced in the wind. and her face stress-free. Kahoko looked like a normal, cheerful person.
"Let's practice now. We shall not waist time, ne?" Kahoko looked like she's bouncing, taking her violin and bow from the case. Len copied her movement. Their eyes met, both nodded and started to play.
The 'Ave Maria' they're playing right now sounded a lot more better than how they played it yesterday. Emotions were overflowing, and it pierced to the heart of the listeners. Even the kids were silent and swaying. People started to surround the two, watching them with amusement.
"They looked so cute together." A married couple whispered to each other. The others didn't hear. In front of everyone there, two people missing something in their lives formed a whole. As the song finished, claps were heard. They even heard some sniffed. Kahoko and Len bowed before the crowd dissolved.
"That was amazing! You're still as great as before Tsukimori-kun." She said, unintentionally hugging him. When she realized what she's done, she quickly loosened her grip and returned her violin to her case, mumbling 'sorry'.
"I'll be right back." She said before walking away. Len watched at her retreating form, unsure of what to do. Did she just hug me?
---
Kahoko walked pretty far from the table. She couldn't get a hold of herself. That action, it was the biggest mistake she's done so far. Her grandmother's minions might be following her now, reporting to her about what happened. She sighed. Can't life be fair for once?
She felt some movement in her left.
"May I sit with you?" A girl with black hair and soft waves was smiling at her. She saw no harm with talking to a stranger, so she nodded her hair. The girl sat down, staring at the water. Her hair matched her pale skin perfectly, her crimson orbs twinkling.
"Oh. I'm so rude. I forgot to introduce myself. Hi, I'm Michi-san. And you are?" The girl offered a hand to shake.
"I'm Kahoko-san." They shook hands for a while.
"Hm. You look sad, that's why I come here. Bet I can cheer you up." She make a silly move, shaking her balled hands and moving her body. That made my mood lighten up a bit.
"Arigatou. That thing you did. It helped." Kahoko thanked her. How come can a stranger cheer me up?
"Okay. If it's a boy, and you think that you did something wrong, face him. Maybe he feels the same for you too." She stated. Kahoko's eyes widened. Michi knew what her problem is. It's starting to freak her out.
"I saw it. You and the guy playing your violin. And I saw you hug him. He smiled when you jumped in his arms." She added. Kahoko stared at her, disbelief in her eyes.
"You know, you better get your man. That one's definitely a keeper, so suck whatever you're thinking a while ago and go to him. He looked pretty mad, not knowing what to do. You suddenly ran away." Kahoko smiled. It gave her a little confidence.
"Arigatou Michi-san! I'll make it up to you." She gave her a squeeze before running again, back to him. Kahoko removed the slippers and let the feeling of the sand under her her feet. When she's a few feet away, she slowed down and walked behind Len. His back was facing her, and he was leaning forward to the table. Len nearly jumped when Kahoko tapped his shoulder.
"Sorry for runni--" She stopped when arms engulfed her. What's wrong with Len? He wasn't this open.. He took a peak from his shoulder, and saw something she never thought she'd see.
It's a strawberry cheesecake, which was her all-time favorite. Then beside it was the picture of both of them, trying to feed each other with the same cake. He might've not remembered anything, but Len did want to make a new strawberry shortcake moment.
good or not so good?
OOC Len, is it okay? Anyway, Pathetic Rainbow, Len is now Edward Cullen? Think they have some similarities with the flashback of the previous chapter, so yea. Saiunkokulover, Azuma's fangirls are stupid in their own special way. And Asianpearl, yes he will and I agree with you with the OOC Len(previous chapter). :] Tired now. Don't forget to drop by my inbox or the review page! :))
Stay tuned for mooooooooore~ :]