Chapter Seven

At Day Break

"I'm glad you've accepted the offer, Yunoki-san. I never thought you would do so" Ryo spoke as Yunoki and he entered the school vicinity.

"I'm just bored at the office." He casually smiled; as usual he was as charming as ever. That signature smile that captured everyone's eyes and that charming aura that had made almost all girls go crazy. The female students were looking at them, giggling. They had recognized the handsome violet-haired bishonen.

"Is that Azuma Yunoki-san?" One had whispered into the ears of her companion. Both of the girls giggled demurely with excitement.

"I hope he's Tsukimori-sensei's substitute." The girls giggled more. Azuma looked their way and smiled sweetly at them. The girls blushed really red. Entering, the hallway they remembered their very own high school years at Seiso academy. It felt freshening, reminiscing those years that they've lived in opposite worlds until the day Kaho ha brought them together during the concuors. They never thought they would be walking in the same path, not even in their wildest dreams.

They slid the door open, entering the principal's office.

"Yunoki-san, you'll substitute Hino-sensei's class while you Tsuchuira-san would substitute Tsukimori-sensei's class." He assigned them to their respective schedules and giving them the materials the two teachers used.

"May I ask a question?" Ryo raised a hand.

"Yes?"

"We are not violinist but why choose us?" He asked. The principal looked Yunoki's way then to Ryo's. He smiled slyly. There was something hidden beneath that smile, something disturbing and eerie.

"Because I like." That was his answer.

I could not believe I am once again here, the place I had treated as my sanctuary, the place I had learned to love, the place that had patched up that deep wound he had caused me. I've buried those memories here and started the new beginnings of my new life here and I never thought I'll be back here, sooner than I expected, sooner than I wanted. I didn't expect, I'll even be packing my broken violin. I don't know. Seeing it there on my table abandoned and left alone, I felt something choking me and I packed it up. I never expected I would create new memories here in Venice Italy. And this time, I came along with my soother, the man who had comforted me from afar without even his knowing. The man I call as my cold-hearted blue-haired violinist, the virtuoso that had healed me. My heart sings for joy jiving with the melody of my mind. Tsukimori-san, Arigatou. These thank you's would never end, how many times I might repeat this I know it just won't suffice to whatever you've done to me…Kahoko was stopped, mid-sentence. Her door opened wide. She looked its way and saw Len standing there with a blue sando-shirt revealing the muscles you thought he never had, his cold eyes gazing her way.

"Tsukimori-san, what is it?" Kahoko asked, closing the bag that had been opened a while ago.

"I entered, your room was not closed. Coffee is good here, would you want to go?" He asked coldly, a slight blush was painted on his face.

"Really? Then let's try." Kahoko checked her watch and realized, it was already 9:30 am. She walked nearer the door and said, "I'll change for a while." Heclosed the door behind him as Hino gestured to lock it. He stayed outside, waiting for her quietly.

The hotel they were checked in was undeniably luxurious; famous engineers and architects exquisitely designed the structure. Looking around it, you'll find yourself in a dream. It was too beautiful and too good to be true.

Being here with here… Is this really real? Or am I just dreaming? If it were then I wish I would not wake up from this dream…

The door slid open. Kahoko wore a pink spaghetti-strapped shirt with a black vest on top of it. She paired it with a knee length denim shorts and a pink flip-flops. Her hair was done in a ponytail. She looked simple and yet she was so beautiful. Kirei [Beautiful]… Len stood frozen, his jaw almost dropped open and his eyes were fixed on her. He shook the thought off his head and escorted her down to the cafe.

They entered a ship inspired café and at one of the side a mini lagoon was placed. There was little stoneware of mermaids there. It created a fresh aura and a touch of sceneric fantasy. Kaho was undoubtly amazed. She looked around and saw lamps illuminating the place together with the Venician chandelier. One of the walls was embedded with a big glass window where you can clearly see the beautiful views outside the café and so they sat on one of the chairs near the window. It was a beautiful place with lots of beautiful infrastructures that defined true architectural designs and engineering skills. As they entered the vicinity, the aroma of the sweet honey flooded their nostrils. It was delicious and it sent Kaho flying up at the peak of cloud 9. It was painted on her smile and seen on her dreamy eyes.

"Bongior no [Good morning]. May I take your order?" A waitress approached with a smile. Kaho looked her way and reciprocated it with a sweeter smile. Len looked at the lady coldly, his stare made the waitress uneasy. She then showed them their menu.

"I'd like to try your chocolate coffee and your blueberry cheesecake." Kaho uttered. "How about you, Tsukimori-san?"

"Brewed coffee and garlic bread." He ordered.

"It will be served in five minutes." She left, still putting on that smile.

"Tsukimori-san, where are we going next?" She asked giddily. The beautiful infrastructures she saw outside the window made her excited. When she came to this land two years ago nothing seemed so beautiful. In her eyes, one of these wonderful surroundings excited her, not even the Gondola ride. But this scenario, this time was different from how it was before. She was not alone; she was with Tsukimori Len.

"Where do you want to go?" He asked in monotone.

Kahoko smiled and asked, "Are you sure you want me in charge for today, Tsukimori-san?"

"Hino-san, I asked you where you want to go so answer me not with another question." He ordered. As usual his aura was dominating.

"Okay bring me to their local park." Kaho uttered. Then their orders arrived. The scent of their food made them go hungry.

'Enjoy." The waitress uttered sweetly, nervously putting Len's order down on the table. As they ate Kaho then spoke again. "Let's have some rules."

"Hmn?" He looked her way strictly. If there was one who'll make rules, it should be he and not Kaho or anyone else.

"First, you'll have to call me Kaho or Kahoko, whichever you like and I'll call you Len-kun. Second, you'll have to wear this smiling lips mask until you learn how to smile yourself. And third, we'll both have fun." Kaho narrated, intently at Len.

"Yadda."

"Then I'll call you Tsukimori-kun." She uttered giddily.

"Still no."

"Tsukimori-kun, I make the rules here." She sounded happy.

"No. That mask looks awful." He still refused.

"Fine, let's delete the second rule then. Try to smile, though. You see, you're scaring people." Kaho looked at him intently, waiting for an answer. But he was quiet. He refused to answer her and she assumed Len's answer was a YES. Well, silence always meant a yes. After eating they asked for their bill and they decided to go to the park. It was a short walk to the local Park. It was a beautiful place, so many flowers and so many trees. The music that played was Nature's melody. It was the perfect place for Kahoko. She was tumbling and jumping. She was enjoying the space. She was quenched with the freedom she'd been longing for sometime now.

"Kaho…" He choked, not accustomed to hearing that from his lips. She looked his way, smiling her kind genuine smile the way she always does, no matter what. "You might fracture yourself."

"Oh come on! What harm can these little fun do to me?" She stumbled, splashing herself into the water. She was soaked, wet. She stared at him.

"That harm." Tsukimori uttered as he got his camera out and took a picture of her embarrassing moment.

"Oi! Tsukimori-kun, what was that for?" She whined. Len didn't answer, he didn't even help her out of the water. He slumped himself on a tree trunk, hiding under the shade. She pulled herself up and continued her little childish games, not minding how wet she was. Len just watched her, capturing her every move and her smiling expression. Slowly, Len's eyes started closing; he drifted to sleep. It was probably because of the wind that played around him, the breeze might have lulled him to sleep.

Kahoko saw an ice cream truck and decided to buy two cones- one was chocolate and the other was cookies n' cream. She got the cookies n' cream for herself and the chocolate cone was for Len. Upon arriving before hi, she saw him sleeping. This was the second time she did but she was still amazed at how innocent he looked while asleep. She couldn't fathom that beneath those cold stiff features Len had this vulnerable angelic face. She sat beside him, finishing both ice creams on her hands. She just stayed their quietly, just staring at his face. She did not want to leave his side. She enjoyed looking at him.

Then she saw the camera slumped beside Tsukimori. She smiled and took it. She took pictures if the sleeping Len. Now we're even… She then placed it back to where it was and how it was slumped before. She knows how particular Len is.

After awhile the breeze finally penetrated her and she felt cold. Achhooo…She woke Len up. Len opened his eyes slowly, trying to adjust with the light. He looked to his right and saw Kahoko sitting beside him.

"Gome Nasai." She apologized for disturbing him.

"Let's go back to the hotel." He stood up, ready to leave.

"What? But I'm not yet contented." She whined,

"When are you going to be contented? When your sneezing turns to colds?" Len uttered and pulled her up harshly. "We are leaving." All she did was sigh. Upon arriving at the hotel, they were greeted by their staff. "Good day, did your date go well?"

Date? The term both rang in their thoughts. The two never thought of this as a date. They both blushed but Tsukimori immediately shoved it away.

"We're not on a date." Len informed coldly. His hands were still clasped on Kahoko's hand.

"I'm sorry. Seeing your hands held together, I thought you were some of the couples dating here in Venice and you actually look good together. I'm so sorry. Have a nice day." He uttered still with a smile and left them.

Kahoko and Len looked at each other and then turned to their hands. They blushed and withdrew their hands from each other.

"Gome." Kaho apologized but Len didn't mind her and walked ahead, still feeling her gentle soft hands around his cold hands. But of course he hid whatever feeling he had.

After eating their lunch and changing into another set of clothes, Len decided to check a music store he always visited when he stayed here. It was five blocks away from the hotel they were staying.

"Tsukimori-kun, may I go with you?" Kaho asked, eager to explore the place more.

"If you wish to." He bleakly said.

"Then let's go!" She was excited. She took pictures of the beautiful infrastructures that stood at the path they were taking. It seemed like a haven, a dream too good to be true. She wanted to stay there forever. Subarashii [wonderful]… She thought.

Sinfonia… The sign stood beautifully outside the music store. Kahoko stared at it for a while and she had reminisced the music store where Tsuchuira always spent time. The owner there had been good to her. He helped her in a lot of aspect in life. But the music store reminded her of her broken violin, the violin she tried to forget.

"We're getting in." He informed her, snapping her out of her chaotic memories.

"Hai. [Yes]" She smiled once again.

"Tsukimori-san, it's been awhile since the last time you came here. I never thought the virtuoso would still come back to my humble store." He then turned to Kaho, who stood behind Len. She was looking around the store. "So is she finally your girlfriend?"

"Bouna sera! Mr. Demetrio Giuseppe, this is Hino Kahoko, a co teacher from Japan. Kaho, this is Mr. Giuseppe, the owner of this music store and a famous violinist long ago." Len made the introductions in his bleak monotonic voice.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Kaho bowed down.

"A teacher? The virtuoso became a teacher? Are you serious? I pity your students." He started laughing. He then turned to Kaho, "You know what, Hino-san, and you are the very first person Tsukimori-san here introduced to me. You must be really special to him." She blushed sheepishly looking down on the floor.

"Mr. Giusseppe, I have something to inquire about." Len halted the humor. "What if a violinist stops playing the violin for a long time now, would he still be able to play the same way as before?" It rang in Kaho's thoughts. Whoever Tsukimori pertained, that scenario is also to her. She was intent to listening.

"Probably. It all depends on the person. It's like meeting with an old acquaintance and still recognizing that person once you see him again after two years. Why? Have you not been playing the violin?" He uttered seriously.

"It's not me." He looked Kaho's way and back to him.

"Oh… it's something you would not want to talk about. Well, okay." He respected him. Then he asked Kaho, "Do you also play the violin, Ms. Kahoko?" Kahoko was surprised at the question. She hesitated, not knowing what to answer.

"Well… I did play the violin before." She uttered solemnly. The pain once again came back. Without her knowing, tears slowly ran down from her eyes.

"Oh… sorry, I shouldn't have asked." He apologized. Immediately Kaho wiped her tears.

"No. It's okay." She smiled once again. Suddenly, she heard a song being played, that piece that sounded so beautifully, and that piece that always soothed her. It reminded her of Tsukimori Len… it reminded her of the cold-hearted blue haired violinist that played the song perfectly into her ears, that once he plays it the hurt within her heart all fades away. AVE MARIA. It was no doubt that piece. She turned Tsukimori's way and true enough he was playing his violin. It painted a smile on Kaho's face.

"You still play perfectly, Mr. Virtuoso." He slyly smiled.

"We might come back some other time, Mr. Giuseppe." He uttered.

"Why leave now? You could let your friend here watch some of your performances." He suggested but Len did not want Kaho to remember things further more.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Giusseppe." She smiled as they went out of the streets. "It's a pleasure meeting you as well." He uttered.

"You shouldn't have come with me." He uttered once they had left the place.

"Why?" She asked.

"You shouldn't have. A daybreak promises a start of something new and a step forward not a backward." He refused to answer the question and dropped it by being silent. They spent the rest of the afternoon, calling whomever they wanted to call.

After eating their dinner at 6:00, they decided to sleep since the next day; they will watch an orchestra and experience the Cabalan ride. And besides they were already tired. But their thoughts still drifted to each other. And they can't fathom what it was that kept them thinking of each other, they just can't.

The last image Tsukimori saw in his thoughts before he slept was Kahoko.

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]

Kahoko woke up from that nightmare. It was three o'clock in the morning and she was bathed with her own sweat, gasping for breathe. Who is that masked man? What does this dream mean? She had been asking this question again and again when she heard a familiar music being played from the room that was next to hers. It was beautiful and no doubt it was of perfect strokes. It made her heart jump. She walked out to her balcony, enough to see who it was and to be hidden from the violinist who played it. Polonaise Brilliante No. 1 by Wieniawski. She recognized the piece, she had heard it before. She peeped and saw Len playing it. He was angelic and beautiful. His eyes were closed.

Tsukimori-kun… She uttered under her breathe.

The sun then rose up, promising a new day of memories. At daybreak they both jived into the same music, the music that flushed all her worries.

Thank you for reading and special thanks to my reviewers: bloodyhell, gizelle-chan and moonlight nocturn. Your reviews really meant a lot to me. It inspired me to continue on with the story. And to those who added my story to their favorite and alert list, thank you so much. I hope I'll hear from more of you. I do hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Chapter 8

Reason

More Venetian dates to come and Himai Misa appears once again.

"Let me be the reason, Kaho…" See you in the next chapter!