Len passed by Kahoko's classroom. He tried to ignore it but his gold stern eyes rolled her way. He gazed at her from head to toe; bothered why Kahoko has never smiled the way she always does when they were still high school students. Even if she was just an inch close to him, it felt as though she was far and unreachable. What has happened to you, Kaho?
"Tsukimori-san, nani sh'te imas' ka? [What are you doing?]" The principal asked upon seeing Len at the corridor, staring bleakly in the classroom.
"Nothing." He bowed down and left the principal. Curios, he looked where Len had been looking and saw Kahoko.
Now I get it. That Tsukimori-san is such a secretive cold-blooded guy. I wonder how long had this been going? The day he came? Yesterday? But they've known each other even before. He thought. The principal wanted to know, though it's really none of his business. A year ago Len came to this school, applying as a teacher even if he had a great career as a violinist… What was he thinking?
The bell finally rang, reminding the principal of the work he must do. He forgot about what he'd been thinking and preceded to do what he ought to.
Kahoko dismissed her class and proceeded to the faculty room. As she was about to open the door, she heard someone playing the violin: Ave Maria. It was Len. He did it beautifully, the way he always does. Every sound he made was just so perfect and wonderful. Len is as good as ever and anyone listening to it would be encouraged to play and learn the violin. Kaho felt the magic once again. She closed her eyes, dreamy. There was a part of her that wanted to play her own violin but she realized she couldn't. I have no more violin. I destroyed it two years ago. I promised myself I would never hold a violin ever again. I have let go of that dream. Tears welled up in her eyes and no matter how hard she tried controlling them, they just wouldn't stop flooding from her eyes.
Then Len stopped; she didn't want him to, she wanted him to play more but the piece has ended, She got her handkerchief and wiped those tears off of her face. She held the door know but her second attempt to enter the faculty was brought to another halt, she heard Len speak to himself aloud.
"Why can't I place that smile on her face again?" Len looked out of the window, taking the silence and serenity that had always kept him company all the time.
The door slowly opened, making him turn towards the door to see who has entered the room. It was Kahoko.
"Before you could put that smile on whoever lady that is, you must put a smile on yours, Tsukimori-san." She uttered as she gestured to her seat, telling him she heard him.
"How long have you been there?" Len demanded harshly. Could she have heard everything I've said?
"I only head that last statement." Len sighed, glad that she did not hear the first, but of course he did not show it. He still wore a bleak expression.
"Stay out of my business." Len ordered fiercely, his cold golden eyes intently looking at her. She was transfixed to stay in her standing position. She tried telling herself to move but she was not in control of her body, they just won't move. She was motionless and she can't help but look at him back straight to his eyes, those expressionless cold golden eyes. Her heart was thumping fast, nervous and scared. Len's gaze showed anger and irritation.
"Gome Nasai, Tsukimori-san. However, it… it… b-bothers me… t- to see you like that." Kahoko stammered, suffocating. She could feel sweat drop from her forehead.
"I don't care. Just don't be too nosy." He walked out of the door, leaving Kahoko half-dead.
As soon as he was out of sight, Kahoko found herself breathing heavily as thought she had been deprived of the air. It felt like she has finally been released from her confinement in a very small space.
What's wrong with him? I can't believe he's the same man who plays that wonderful piece, serenely. I wonder, what's bothering him much? She thought as she finally slumped herself into her chair.
What have I done? That was too callous of me. He was disturbed at how he reacted a while ago. He shouted at her for no reason at all. Nowadays, he felt he easily loses his temper; he easily gets irritated. He looked up the sky, the sun was glistening brightly and warmly. Is it the weather? No, it can't be a reason. Maybe, it's just me going all stupid again.
He looked around and was glad students of their school don't come to the rooftop very often. He was just alone and that was what he wants the most. He got his violin and was about to play another piece when all of a sudden his cell phone rang.
"Dare des' ka?" [Who is this?] Len answered.
"Tsukimori-san, this is Azuma Yunoki." His caller revealed. Len frowned upon learning of the identity of his caller.
""Dosh'te? [Why?]" He coldly asked.
"I've sent you an invitation, to my company's party tomorrow night, I'd like to know if you would come." Azuma informed, his tone full of mockery.
"I can't answer that." Len wants to put down his phone already. He hates him.
"I would be glad to see you again." Yunoki calmly said. "Ciao."
They switched their phones off. That Azuma, he might be plotting on something again. I do not how it happened, but I'm glad Kahoko broke up with him. Len took a deep breath in and looked around, serenity.
That night Kahoko couldn't sleep at all. Something was bothering her, but she can't point out what it is. When she closes her eyes, her heart starts pounding abnormally, as though she was about something. She counted jumping a flock of sheep in her head, but it did not do much. She started playing Len's version of the Ave Maria in her thoughts and successfully, she was finally fast asleep.
I was running at an unending road of emptiness, all alone. This was a pointless, endless run. I looked around couldn't find anything. I felt nothing. There was no air to breathe in. I could feel my tongue drying up. I could feel my chest burning with pain. I felt exhausted, but I couldn't stop. Instincts told me I must run away from a hidden beast. I don't even know why? How and when did this start? I stumbled and couldn't get back up again. I felt like I was glued on the dark black floor. I was submerging into the dark. I tried to resist but I can't. The darkness looming around me was eating me up. Then I saw fierce golden eyes staring at me, prying. I didn't know where it came from; they just looked at me mercilessly. I felt like a helpless prey waiting for her predator to finally devour her.
My heart was thumping faster now. It was the only sound I heard. Sweat flooded all over me.
'Die.' A hush voice repeated again and again. The second sound I heard. It grew louder and louder. And as its volume increased the rage grew tenser. Then came a loud shriek, covering my ears as though it would help. It didn't, the shrilling scream had penetrated my eardrums and it sent me half dead. I watched the darkness around me crumble into pieces. I felt emptier, lightheaded. This was a sickening psychotic game. I was trembling for the fact that I know nothing about what was happening and for the fact that I was alone.
Suddenly, I heard tapping footsteps. I searched for where it came from, hoping that this was company. Just as I was about to give up on my search there stood a man. I couldn't see his face. It was hidden under and "oni" masked. His presence brought danger more than security. We were silent, just standing before each other.
Then he got something from his pocket, metallic and heavy. He held it before me. A gun. He pushed the trigger slowly. Instinctively, I closed my eyes ready to embrace whatever might befall on me after this. "Die." That was the same hush voice as that from a while ago. He pushed the trigger. [Bang]
Criing… Kahoko's alarm clock had been ringing loudly for thirty minutes now. It was 5:00 in the morning and she was still sleepy but she opened her eye, not wanting to go back to sleep. She touched herself hastily, gasping, sweating. She realized she was not on her bed anymore; she has fallen to the floor but she cared less about that. She was glad the ordeal has been over.
"I'm still in one piece." She sighed. "That was just a nightmare, a stupid nightmare." She stood up and as she was about to head to her shower, she spotted her broken violin lying untouched on her desk. Emotions rushed, memories flooded.
"No… Kaho, you have to let go of the past." She talked to herself again, motivating herself to move one step forward. She wanted to throw it away but she can't; it's too precious to her. She went to her shower and freshened up. Good thing thoughts of her previous ordeal were still drifting back in her head, she could stand the pain of a nightmare more than the pain of reality. The cold water made her shiver.
She then dressed into her pants and a pink blouse, casual attire that she wears every Thursday. She accessorized her red hair with a pink headband. She got her bag and proceeded to her kitchen to grab her coffee. Finally, she was ready for school, her career and the replacement of her being a violinist.
As always, the street was still not busy. The air was cold and the atmosphere was silent. There were a few people going to their own jobs. But as she turned to a corner, a block from her condominium, she saw something out of place. It was familiar black car. However, she can't remember where she saw it. She stared at it, trying to remember where she saw it. Someone was inside. She looked away, finding it rude.
Len looked out of the faculty room. He was always the first personnel who arrives at school. He wants to spend some time alone, thinking. That's his favorite hobby. Earlier he stood before, Kahoko's desk, placing a large parcel on it. Is it right for me to ask her for Azuma's company party? It bothered him. He did not want Kahoko to feel that remorse again.
The door opened and he knew who had arrived. "Ohayou Gozaimasu, Tsukimori-san." It was Kahoko. He looked at her, not intending to say a greeting. Kahoko, immediately saw the package on her table. What is this? She was about to ask Len regarding it but Len has gestured near her.
"Wear that later." He ordered.
"Huh? Why?" She was surprised.
"We're going to a party." He informed her, not giving her an option to accept or decline the offer. It was a must.
"Tonight? You did not even ask me about it, Tsukimori-san." Bewilderment was obvious in her tone.
"I need to bring someone along and no one else is available. Are you having plans for tonight?" Len asked, his tone much lighter than it always was.
"Iie."
"Good, then you're coming with me at the Azuma party." He said.
"Azuma party?" Shock. Then there was sorrow in her voice. Hearing that name once more made her heart thumping fast, her stomach full of butterflies. She does not know how she would react. "Tsukimori-san…" Her voice trailed off when she saw Len getting the parcel.
"What are you doing?" Kahoko asked.
"With such reaction I guess you are not coming tonight." Len uttered.
"Wait. Fine, I'll go." He looked at her sternly and placed the package back to her table.
"6:00 pm." He uttered and went out of the faculty, leaving Kahoko with a part of her regretting why she even accepted his force invitation.
She opened the box, revealing a beautiful amethyst gown and a pair of glittering purple high heels. They were so beautiful and for a while, she forgot about the hesitations she felt a while ago.
The principal came in the room and saw Kahoko staring at her gown. "Hino-sensei, what are you doing? What is that for? Are you finally playing the violin again?" Kaho looked his way and smiled weakly.
"Iie. Tsukimori-san and I are going to a party tonight." She informed.
"A date?" He intrigued.
"I don't think so. Tsukimori-san does not like those kind of activities." She uttered.
"Honto Ni?" He smiled sneakily.
Len was in the rooftop again all alone. This time he was not bringing his violin instead he brought a mirror with him. Now how do we do that? You just have to draw a curve facing upwards. Is that it? Len touched both ends of his lips and stretched it to form a curve, facing upwards. As he looked at his reflection in the mirror, he found it horrid and scary.
"I don't get it. According to the dictionary, a smile is formed when your lips form a curve line facing upward, but why the hell am I not getting one?" He talked to himself. He made several attempts but still failed.
The bell rang, telling him it was time to surrender, and he just can't do anything about it. He went to the music room where he was to meet one of his students to train him. His student had been there, waiting for his arrival.
"Ohayou, Tsukimori-sensei." Higari Sho greeted with a smile, trying to mask the terror he had in him. Len stared at him sternly, causing shivers of fear on the boy. This guy could smile, why can't I? Len thought, but he pressed that away from his thoughts. He needs to focus on his job.
"Tell me, Higari-san. Do you think you would learn the piece I'm going to introduce to you today?" Len asked coldly. The kid looked at him.
"I… It depends…" He stammered, can't hide the fear anymore.
"Wrong answer." Len uttered. "It's just a yes or a no, why do you have to speak of so many words?"
"Y-yes." The student faintly answered. The longer you are with Len, the more you get scared and that was what was happening to the boy.
"Why?" He followed up, staring at the boy.
"Because you are good teacher and a good violinist." He answered.
"Wrong. We teachers don' t create magic, we teach. It is up to our students if they learn or not. Only stupid people depends on whatever skills their teacher has. Now tell me do you really like playing the violin? Or you just want the prestige a violinist has? I don't like wasting my time. Unless you give me an answer, I would teach you nothing." Len walked out of the room, leaving his student in deep thinking.
People, just when are they going to find the essence of playing the violin? This is no simple game. This is no simple scientific theory. I hate those kinds of bastards.
6:00 pm…
A metallic gray convertible was parked outside Kahoko's condominium; it was Len's. He wore a white tuxedo and he looked undeniably mesmerizing. As Kahoko opened her door, Len found himself dazed. She was beautiful in her amethyst gown. However he masked himself with an expressionless feature.
"Iko so?" Len uttered.
"Chotto…" Kahoko halted. "May I ask a favor?"
"Hmmn?" Len asked.
"Could you give me a smile, Tsukimori-san?" It took him aback. His were eyes intently looking at her, cold and bleak. How was that? Draw a curve line on your lips upward… That thought repeated in his head. He placed his hand on both ends of his lips and formed a curve line facing upward. Kahoko was surprised. She laughed at him. Len let go of his lips.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Now I see." Kahoko kept laughing. This was the first laugh he saw from her since the day they met again.
"Iko so." Len ordered, blushing. Kahoko smiled, the smile that captured Len years back and the smile that was once owned by Yunoki Azuma.
They drove to the party venue. It was full of light and decorated exquisitely. Kahoko's heart was thumping faster, nervous what might happen next. There is no turning back, Kaho.She conditioned herself. She took a deep breath and clasped her arm around Len's. Don't worry you are with Tsukimori-san.
Azuma Yunoki was busy talking with some associates. He wore that fake smile and that fake happy presence. His attention was caught by the entrance of Tsukimori Len and a woman he knew really well.
"Kaho…" He uttered silently.
This ends the first chapter. Sorry to keep you waiting.
Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
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