A/N: I do not own La Corda. If I did... I still won't though... So, I should stop dreaming.. *sigh*
I so enjoyed writing this chapter, I got so carried away that I kept on writing and writing.. Til I realized its gotten SOOO long. Sorry!
*sigh* I'm having so much fun looking at myself in the mirror, I feel like I'm starting to emulate Azuma's personality. Hahahaha!
I want to thank the following people, for making me their favorite author, for making this their favorite story, for the story alerts, and author alerts and the reviews!. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
** ozzyfan97
** LacusClyne26 - hahaha.. is the suspense killing you? I hope not.. the next chapters would definitely answer some things that I wish I could answer for myself! hahahaha!
** CrimsonQueen24
** AND FOR ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO JUST READ THIS BUT DIDN"T ADD NOR REVIEWED ME, STILL, MANY THANKS! ^_^ I can feel your presence.. :)
P.S, don't be scared of my 7th sense... just kidding! :)
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Chapter 2: The Heart that stopped beating
PART 1
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Nami lay in bed, dark circles around her eyes.
Today, today of all days!
She then groped around her bedside table, till she felt the silver clock.
6:15! Why do I have to wake up at such a ridiculous hour!
Standing up, she shook her head mentally. Cursing under her breathe at the predicament she had gotten herself into.
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FLASHBACK
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"Moshi moshi! Amou residence!" Nami chirped happily while cooking.
"Good day, Nami - dear!" a kindly voice spoke on the other hand.
"Uncle!" Nami greeted, eyes shining.
"I wonder if you can do me a favor, my darling niece.." the man spoke apologetically.
"Whatever you say, I'll do it for you Uncle!" Nami piped up excitedly.
"I do hope you remember your dear cousin?" the man cautiously asked.
"Eerr.." Nami scratched her head.
Him?
"Of course, Uncle!"
Who would forget such a pompous brat! Nami thought out savagely.
"I was hoping you could agree to have him for the remainder of his summer?"
"Agree? Remainder? Summer?" Nami stuttered.
"Yes.. So, will you?" the man asked kindly.
"She will!" a voice shouted behind Nami's frozen figure.
Turning, Nami found her mom clutching the other telephone extension and gave her a naughty wink.
"Wonderful! I'll have him there in 2 days! Thank you so much, Mitchiko - darling!" the man spoke cheerfully before hanging up the phone.
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END OF FLASHBACK
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"MOTHERRR!" Nami wailed helplessly, causing her mom to run pelmel to her room.
"What is it, Nami - dear?" her mom, Mitchiko, asked wide-eyed.
"Why did you agree?" Nami looked pleadingly at her mom.
"Its nice to have somebody else around here when you're at school.." Mitchiko sighed in relief at the reason Nami shouted.
"But..."
"No but's Nami - chan.." Mitchiko wagged a reprimanding finger at her as she walked out of Nami's door.
"But-"
"And I hear he's gotten cuter!" Nami heard her call out.
"MOM!" Nami shouted.
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"Today! Why does it have to be today!" the man with mahogany brown hair cursed silently as he endured the longest flight in his entire life.
"We'll be landing shortly at Narita International Airport in Narita City [1]. Kindly check your belongings before we land. Thank you very much!" a woman's voice filled the airpline, making the man's brows furrow even more.
Checking his stuff, the man soon trooped behind the others as they stood up to leave the airplane.
Walking towards the huge tarmac of Narita International Airport, the man shielded his eyes from the glaring sun, and thankfully brushed off a misplaced strand of hair as they entered the airconditioned waiting area for new arrivals.
Heading towards the huge conveyor after having all of his documents checked, he peered agitatedly for his luggage, and smiled as he saw the 3 huge black bags with his trademark scarlet ribbon adorning the holder bearing his carefully embroidered name.
But much to his surprise, he was caught off-guard by something else attached in his so-called luggage.
"私はBoufルHiriko午前" the man looked flabbergastedly at the name tag in his luggage clashing with his own personalized one's and emitted a low pitch growl, knowing exactly who would do such indescribable crime.
(Watashi wa Bouf ru Hiriko gozen - I am Hiriko Le Bouf)
Shaking his mahogany head frustratingly, he proceeded to pull his things along with him towards the waiting area, wondering as he did so, how his over-zealous mother managed to place such a horrible tag on his luggage without his knowledge at the very least.
Heading towards the waiting lounge for the visitor's Hiriko prodded his brain to think of a way on how his ostentatious mother managed to do such crime when she was supposed to be in a presscon regarding a movie for The Strasbourg International Film Festival [2] at Regent Petite France [3] in Strasbourg.
Deciding to think about the rest of the intrepid details, Hiriko sighed.
Looking around for his cousin, Hiriko found two women seemingly fighting over a sign that distinctly read,
我々はここにいる、Hirikoは、SAN！
(Wareware wa koko ni iru, Hiriko wa, SAN! - We're here, Hiriko-san!)
Sighing, he made his way towards a girl with curly waist-long brown hair, and an older woman with the same shade of brown hair, only in a bob.
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"Remind me again why I'm here?" Kahoko sarcastically asked Yukito, giving him a deadpan glare.
"Because you're such an angel?" Yukito smiled appreciatively at Kahoko.
"Note to self, never believe his flattering words.." Kahoko grumbled as she trailed behind her brother.
"Come now, Kaho - chan! You know me better than that!" Yukito winked at her, making the two saleslady behind Kahoko sigh in admiration.
"So handsoommmee..." one of the girls mumbled.
Shaking her head, Kahoko stepped away from her brother before he decides to leave trails of broken hearts.
Giving the two saleslady a flying kiss, he turned his back on them, dragging Kahoko along as they fainted in happiness.
"You really are a womanizer!" Kahoko glared at her brother.
"Come on! When you're as handsome as I am, you have to do it!" Yukito joked.
"YOU ARE SUCH A JERK!" Kahoko grinned.
"Always am!" Yukito smiled with a flourish.
Extending his arms at Kahoko, she took it with a sheepish grin and linked her arms with his and heading happily towards the Woman's apparel section.
"Now, my darling cupcake.." Yukito whispered in Kahoko's ears, sending shivers down her spine, "what do you want?"
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Azuma sighed longingly as he inspected one silk clothe after the other.
"I can't seem to decide what to wear for tonight's Hanami [4], Azuma - niisan!" Miyabe pouted up at her brother, "please help me!"
He couldn't seem to resist Miyabe and here he was now, wasting away precious time by choosing over pieces of silk that would suit her beauty.
Touching each and every silk with interest, he started wondering when has Miyabe ever been this interested in clothes to wear for an event particularly when the event would be tonight.
Hands stopping at a particular pink silk cloth embroidered with roses at the bottom, Azuma smiled at the feel of it against his long tapered fingers.
A sudden evil grin wiped the gentle smile on his face as a sudden thought occured to him.
I read somewhere that silk's can also suit a man's neck. Wouldn't it be extremely fascinating if I could wrap these pretty little things on those men's neck?
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Mitchiko watched her daughter and her nephew through the driver's mirror. Nami and Hiriko were too silent for comfort. She can almost feel a storm brewing. Hadn't it been said before that a cloudless sky means disaster?
Nami on the other looked away from her cousin, sitting with arms crossed on her chest and looking through the passing scenery.
She has to admit, Hiriko has grown more handsome. Its no wonder every girl within the vicinity of Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon [5], Hiriko's former school, would drop like lead whenever he walked past.
According to Hiriko's father atleast.
Sighing, Nami frowned, not noticing the curious looks she gained from Hiriko as he studied her under his long golden lashes.
Nami seemed to be intent on avoiding him.
Its not really her fault now, is it? Hiriko's conscience muttered to him.
Sighing, he too looked at the passing scenery in front of him.
He hadn't visited Yokohama in a few years since he was 6.
A lot has changed.
He watched as cars, houses and huge buildings passed as blurs in front of him.
Mitchiko then took a sudden swerve, disorienting both teenagers, before stopping in front of a neat modern Japanese 2-story house.
"I guess we're home!" Mitchiko turned around as she announced the obvious, and chuckled at the sight before her very eyes.
Nami sprawled atop Hiriko's long legs and Hiriko's face eating Nami's long curly brown hair.
Both blushing furiously.
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A/N: I HATE mYSELF! I practically pressed "BACK" in my internet browser and forgot to SAVE all the wonderful things I've written down! buhuhuhu! I hate it! I've beed so happy writing down and I did that stupid thing! I hate it!
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Len ran a frustrated hand over his immaculate cerulean hair. His concentration was WAY off today. He can't even finish practicing this stupid music sheet in front of him!
This is a very first! He mumbled tiredly to himself as he gently placed his violin inside its case.
Pushing himself back unto his bed, Len felt his hands over his pale face which in his opinion was WAY too warm in his opinion.
Only one name seemed to crop up in his brain every time he closed his eyes.
Kazuki - senpai.
Its not like he particularly fancy that energy-filled battery-like senpai of his. He seemed too much most of the time since he keeps on bounding here and there for no particular reason.
No, he has a particular reason. Len felt all sorts of emotion as he lay there still and thoughtful.
Its just that he didn't know that Kazuki - senpai has.. feelings.. for Kahoko.
Its not that that's really bothering you, is it? Len can almost hear his conscience voicing out loud and clear.
Come to think of it, Len knitted his brows, his conscience never sounded uncannily like his mother.
Standing up in surprise, he caught his mother standing mischievously in his door, wearing her particularly annoying smile that irked Len to quite some extent.
"You should be more careful, Len - chan.." Misa Hamai looked at her son with laughter in her eyes.
"You tend to talk while asleep.."
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Kahoko walked amongst the crowd as they milled along the tents surrounding the event. Glancing around her nervously, she peeked at her back, sighing in relief for the umpteenth time that night.
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Twirling herself in front of the huge ceiling-to-floor mirror inside Maruchuu [6], Kahoko excitedly left the dressing room and danced happily in front of Yukito.
"It fits me sooo perfectly, Yuki - oniisan!" Kahoko bounded happily towards him, flushed with excitement.
"Its supposed to fit you because I'm already having a headache watching you look like crap from one dress to another," Yukito sighed in relief. He felt a vein popping in his temple a while ago as he tried to keep his composure after seeing Kahoko look crappy indeed at the dresses the saleslady handed her.
By the looks of it, they were intentionally sabotaging his sister's good looks by handing her clothes she barely has no idea what might look like on her. He had to restrain himself since they were in fact ladies, and it would totally ruin his good looks reprimanding such childish behavior.
So in the end, he went towards the racks and racks of women's clothings inside the store and picked one dress which was shoved unceremoniously back down. By the looks of it, some evil saleslady.
Let it pass... He massaged his temples.
Handing Kahoko the gorgeous cream colored silk dress with beautifully hand-embroidered cherry blossoms at the helm of it, Yukito shot one of the saleslady with his icy glare before resuming his seat in front of Kahoko's dressing room, massaging his temples.
Now, surveying the gorgeous dress on his gorgeous little sister, Yukito can't help but stifle a grin at her flushed face.
Watching Yukito's eyes twinkle with delight, Kahoko obliged under his gaze by modelling in front of him as he held his right arm like an escort, twirling like a ballerina.
But before she could finish, she felt Yukito's hold on her turn into a tight one, hurting her small hands.
"Yuki - oniisan!" Kahoko whimpered as she faced him, noting the blank look in his face.
"Gomen, Kaho - chan.." Yukito ran his long tapered hands over his head, ruffling his shiny crimson locks.
"You forgot to zip your back.." Yukito whispered in her ears as he leaned over her.
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Watching the growing crowd, Kahoko looked left and right as she tried to look for any signs of familiar heads amongst the throngs of people pressing together as they crowded one tent after another.
Walking towards the clustered group of trees near the Ōoka River [7], she hopefully browsed the many people seating on mats as they eat and danced under the starlit sky.
Suddenly, she caught sight of a familiar brown hair reprimanding what seemed like a man with messy emerald hair surrounded by familiar faces.
Hitching a smile, she approached the congregating crowd.
"NAMI - CHAN!" she shouted as she neared them.
Unfortunately for Kahoko, her feet tripped on an unsuspecting rock just as she was running towards them in her 3-inch high heels.
"AHHHH!" Kahoko covered her face as she readied herself for the impact, which didn't come.
"You should be more careful!" a man's voice struggled as he held her in the waist, stopping her just in time.
Blushing furiously, Kahoko lowered her head.
"Would you please right yourself now? Our stance isn't exactly easy considering your weight!" he hissed in her ears.
Blushing crimson now, Kahoko pushed herslef upright, and brushed a non-existent dirt on her dress.
"Uh.. Thanks for that." Kahoko bowed low.
"No problem.." the man replied, walking off in the dark.
"Wait! I don't -!" Kahoko tried to call after him as he was swallowed by the dark, "know your name.."
"Hey, Kaho - chan!" Nami's called out to her.
"Oh! Nami - chan!" Kahoko jumped with a start.
"We've been waiting for you for quite a while now.. We've set-up the picnic for us. Gomen.." Nami apologized.
"No, its alright.." Kahoko smiled understandingly at her friend.
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"Qu'est-ce qui vous est arrivé, l'homme!" a man's voice filled the other end of the line.
(What happened to you, man!)
"Rien ... Juste aider une jeune fille maladroite .. Près de ruiner mon kimono .." Hiriko straightened out a crumple in his immaculate deep blue haori [8] partnered with crisp white hakamas [9]
(Nothing... Just helping some clumsy girl.. Nearly ruining my kimono..)
"HAHAHA! Je ne peux pas imaginer une fois que vous porter un kimono! Vous pouvez être à mi-japonais, mais vous êtes encore français à moi!" the voice on the other end barked with laughter.
(HAHAHA! I can not imagine for once you wearing a kimono! You may be half-Japanese, but you are still French to me!)
"Oh très drôle! Vous pensez que je voulais m'habiller comme ça?" Hiriko snapped sarcastically at his friend.
(Oh very funny! You think I wanted to dress like this?)
"Qui sait? Vous pourriez avoir disparu de l'autre côté ..." the man paused, "Faire d'autres hommes moins fortunés heureux."
(Who knows? You might have gone to the other side.. - Making other less fortunate men happy.)
"Lorsque l'enfer gèle!" Hiriko retorted, snapping his phone shut.
(When hell freezes!)
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"Where is he?" Nami mumbled as she peered hopefully amongst the dense trees.
"Who are you looking for, Amou - san?" Azuma asked genially as he approached her and Kahoko.
"Oh nothing, Yunoki - senpai!" Nami replied distractedly, walking off and leaving him with Kahoko.
"Wait! Nami - chan-!" Kahoko called after her unsuccessfully, as the dark trees swallowed her.
Sighing in frustration, Kahoko shook her head for it seemed like this was the second time she called after someone and those damn trees swallowed them too.
"What's wrong, Kahoko? Afraid to stay too long with me?" Kahoko instantly froze the moment Azuma's mocking voice carried to her.
Gulping, Kahoko looked around. Indeed, everyone else seemed to be occupied with someone else.
Keiichi was making some weird conversation with Fuyuumi.
Mio, Nao and Mori were giggling with what seemed like jokes from Kazuki - senpai.
Len and Ryoutaro were having their usual verbal abuses as both of them have their arms crossed, brows knitted.
Aoi on the other hand disappeared.
"N - no!" Kahoko shook her head in denial.
"Oh come now. I can read you like the back of my palm.." Azuma smoothly answered, smiling as he watched Kahoko tremble with nervousness as he stepped closer.
"Please stop teasing me, Yunoki - senpai.." Kahoko mumbled weakly at her senpai, taking a step back rather hesitantly.
"Oh, but I enjoy these moments.. Humor me instead.." Azuma smiled dangerously at her.
"Hino - san!" a new voice called her, looking back, Kahoko watched as Shinobu - sense's figure appeared amongst the thick trees, waving excitedly at the others too.
Sighing, Azuma gave Shinobu one of his plastic smiles before whispering in an undertone to her, "How lovely it would be to tie my wonderful silk kimono around the other's neck.."
Snapping her neck back at Azuma's direction, Kahoko's eyes grew wide.
"Yunoki - senpai-?" she asked uncertainly.
"Ever heard of a joke?" he grinned evilly at her flushed face.
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"Ah! Kanazawa - sensei!" Nami jumped in surprise as his towering figure appeared through the thicket.
"Oi! Nami!" Kanazawa waved his hand in recognition, his other hand clutching a pack of cigars.
Looking at him thoughtfully, "Were you the one talking out there with someone on the phone?" Nami asked.
"Oh, that. Well, yeah.." Kanazawa scratched his head before sighing in resign.
"Well, Seiso's having its annual theater-thing. And Kira here suggested I handle it since I used to be in opera. Seesh! They're not even in the same league!" running a hand over his gray locks, Kanazawa popped out a cigarette.
"Can't even teach without having my previous profession being dragged in!" Puffing smokes now, he looked at Nami carefully.
"Say, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be out there with the others? Enjoying the event?" he puffed once more.
"I'm looking for my cousin." Nami answered simply, returning to her task by looking left and right.
"You on the other hand, Nami, don't know how to act." Kanazawa stated simply and walked away with a wave.
"No I don't!" Nami huffed angrily.
"Stupid old man!" she called after him.
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"I can't believe we're actually taking part in this.." Ryoutaro moaned in frustration.
"I've got exams and now these?" he waved the papers in Kanazawa's face.
"I'm really sorry.." sighing, Kanazawa leaned back in his table.
Shifting uncomfortably as he faced 10 uncertain teenagers, "Kira wanted a twist to this play, you see."
"And precisely what twist is the Chairman planning now?" Ryoutaro butted in with exasperation, waving the sheaf of papers once more.
"I know all of you can relate to the story even if I just tell it to you.." all of them nodded at him, "except maybe Tsukimori.." he nodded in his direction, grinning as he noticed a sudden vein pulsating in his temple.
"Just because I act aloof to most people doesn't mean I can't relate to anything!" he snapped, glaring at Kanazawa.
"Oh sure! You can relate to a love story because..?" Ryoutaro rolled his eyes at him.
"I can't see why I have to explain my side to someone like you who kicks a stupid ball for fun!" Len snapped back.
"Who said you have to explain anything to me!" Ryoutaro heated up, his ears turning red.
Looking back and forth at the two arguing a few chairs apart, everyone marveled at how their ego's seem to exceed the other like a tennis match.
"Then why ask if you really aren't that interested in answers!" Len coldly retorted.
"Just admit it, Tsukimori! The closest thing you can understand when it comes to a love story is your violin and it isn't even human at that!" Ryoutaro stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
Instantly shutting up, both of them looked away from each other.
"That's settled then!" Kanazawa drawled on.
"I still can't see where the twist is, Kanayan.." Kazuki pouted as he leaned forward from his chair.
"Seat properly or you might fall off your chair!" Kanazawa irritatedly pointed back at him.
"I swear you've got a 5-year old's brain in that head of your's!" he muttered under his breath.
Looking anywhere but Kazuki, Kanazawa plowed on.
"The characters here will be playing musical instruments to tell their pain and suffering.."
"So, that's like the concourse competition all over again.." Ryoutaro flicked his hand annoyingly.
"I think it sounds great!" Kahoko beamed at everyone.
"Thank you, Hino - san!" Kanazawa nodded approvingly.
"Seeing as some of you are eager for the play, all of your roles as already assigned to you beforehand.." mutters and comments of incredulity filled the air as everyone seemed perplexed at the sudden news.
"Well, start reading the story so you can get the gist of it.." Kanazawa picked up his packet of cigarette from the table and moved towards the door.
"Where are you going, Kanazawa - sensei?" Azuma finally spoke.
"I'll be out in the grounds if you need me.. Just a bit of a smoke.." he waved the hand that was holding the cigarettes.
"And the roles you'll be playing is at the very back of the paper." and with that, he left the room with a bang.
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"Do you honestly expect me to be here for you? To be waiting here for you?" Kahoko spoke softly, barely looking up at him.
"CUT! What do you think you're doing? Is this a play or a GAME?" a man with thick agapanthus screamed at Kahoko from the audience seat, eyes bulging with controlled anger. Pointing his finger from Kahoko to Aoi.
"Gomen -" Kahoko flushed, sweat literally dripping from her face, barely able to look up at Aoi standing beside her. She then felt a comforting squeeze from Aoi, comforting her as the director's tirade went on and on.
"We've done this scene for like a million times AND YOU STILL CAN"T GET IT!" this time, not mistaking his tone, Kahoko flinched at him as he screeched.
"You're going to have a heart-attack at your age.." a drawling voice called out from behind the seats, precisely from the open door of the auditorium.
Looking at the source, the man who was previously screaming his lungs out glowered at the other.
"You told me they are the best! I can't see where you banged your head lately, Oi!" the man glared back.
"I told you they are the perfect students to play.." Kira approached the older man. Signaling for Kahoko and the other's to leave, he waited for the entire auditorium to be completely empty except him and his uncle.
"And I mean play!" he emphasized.
"Oh... Ohhh.." the older man's eyes widened.
"So you mean to tell me they play instruments?" he asked like a child.
"Yes. They were this year's concourse participants." Kira remembered Kahoko's pale face.
"And please cut these kids some slack, they play, not act!"
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"Kaho - chan!" Kazuki called out as soon as he saw her walking towards the school gates.
"Hihara - senpai.." Kahoko returned weakly.
"You seem a bit pale.. Are you okay?" Kazuki peered at Kahoko's eyes.
"I'm okay.. I guess I got a bit overworked by that scene.." Kahoko sighed, but smiling reassuringly back at him.
"You sure?" Kazuki asked worriedly.
"Yeah.." Kahoko nodded.
"Is it okay if I walk you home?" Kazuki asked quickly, blushing as he lowered his head in embarassment.
"Sure.." Kahoko answered, not noticing the happiness and excitement in his eyes.
"Yes!" Kazuki shouted, but stopping suddenly at the look of confusion in Kahoko's face.
"Nothing.." he grinned from ear to ear.
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"Look!" suddenly, a pair of angry voices broke through a tree as both Kahoko and Kazuki made a detour and passed by Yamashita Park[10], stopping their conversation.
"I didn't ASK for it! You bring it up to him!" this time, a male voice angrily answered back.
"Why can't YOU ask HIM yourself! He's your FATHER!" a female voice spoke this time, making both Kahoko and Kazuki's eyebrows raise at the familiar voice.
"Nami - chan?" Kahoko looked at Kazuki questioningly.
Shaking his head, Kazuki motioned for them to go nearer.
"How the hell am I suppose to do that? He practically left Lyon the day he told me that!" the man frustratingly answered.
"You have such conniving parents!" Nami sighed.
"Nami - chan?" Kahoko called out uncertainly.
"Ah!" both Nami and the man he was with jumped in surprise.
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"You should've told us you've got a cousin THAT cute tucked somewhere!" Mio complained between mouthfuls of tonkatsu.
"I mean, he's been the talk of the entire school! He's so good-looking! He can rival Kaji - kun, Yunoki - senpai, and Tsukimori - kun anytime!"
Flipping her hair in an I-really-don't-care-if-he-exists manner, Nami shot Mio a calculated look.
Beside her, Kahoko and Nao cast an exasperated look at Mio; while Aoi looked at her in surprise.
"Don't tell me you like him?"
Nodding in response, Mio leaned closer to Nami.
"So, what does he like? What is he like?"
"Ask him that yourself!"
"How can I do that when he's not even here!" Mio complained, pouting at the obvious.
"Just look for him somewhere in the school. He's here somewhere!" Nami ate mouthfuls from her bento.
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Humming to himself, Hiriko applauded his ingenuity at escaping such brutal girls yet again. Some where actually fighting tooth and just to get close to him ever since he arrived a week ago!
Stopping just underneath a cherry tree on the side of a certain building, he laid down, resting his silky mahogany head down the tree's trunk, he closed his eyes, smiling to himself at finally gaining some peace and quiet at the pestilential school.
As soon as Hiriko closed his eyes, a soft melody floated to him from an open window, smiling, he listened in as the melody's beginning fill him up like a free-flowing river.
Still with eyes closed, he felt an easy breeze overcome him, soothing his senses and reminding him of distant memories that have been long forgotten in his childhood days in their mansion in Lyon.
Inhaling deeply, his nose was invaded by the sweet smell of the grass mixing with the summer smell of the cherry blossoms above him.
But the music suddenly stopped, making Hiriko open his eyes for a bit as the music continued a little lower than the previous notes, but quickly regaining its previous flow.
As the melody continued, the music picked up speed, which suited Hiriko better, making his head sway along the music.
Before Hiriko knew it, the melody ended, leaving him a bit empty.
About to stand up to find out which window the sound drifted off from, his questions was answered when a feminine voice spoke up, just above Hiriko's head.
"Do you think that was okay?" the girl asked, worry etched in every note of her voice.
"Don't worry! It was great!" another voice spoke up, by the sound of it to Hiriko, she was boosting the other's morale.
"But I went off-key in this part.." hearing a couple of paper rustle, it seemed to him that the other girl was pointing something.
"Don't worry too much! Your playing was good! I bet even Tsukimori- kun would say so!" he heard a soft chuckle as the other girl mumbled something he couldn't quite hear, but which made the other girl chuckle even more.
"No, you shouldn't say that! I bet that you've been practicing too much! You should rest once in a while!"
"Impossible! I don't know how you can cope up with all the stress!"
"You forget, I'm used to this. But you? Its been like a whirlwind of events since last semester!"
"Don't remind me about that.." a sudden snap of something made Hiriko's heart beat fast.
"So, are you still doing practices with Tsukimori - kun?"
"Yeah.. And he's been hinting heavily that if I don't improve before he leaves for Vienna, I may as well forget about seriously moving to the Music Department.."
"Don't mind him that much.. He's always like that!" another sudden snap was made, making Hiriko wonder what it was with all the snapping.
"So, what are you planning this weekend? Practice some more?" a few chairs were noisily being placed back (by the looks of it.. thought Hiriko)
"Yeah.. Most probably.. I think I'll go by the park.." Hiriko could hear a sigh.
"Well, classes are about to start not.." Hiriko checks his watch, "I think we should go.."
Hiriko creeps up at the window's ledge, hoping to catch sight of the person who played the melody minutes ago.
"By the way, I think you should pick up some speed in the middle part of Handel's Sonata for violin and continuo in A major, HWV 361, its supposed to be a happy tune in the middle!" the other girl teased, just as Hiriko appeared.
Barely in the nick of time, Hiriko saw a crimson haired girl pout back at a girl with brown hair, clutching a violin case.
"I don't think that was funny.." the Kahoko stuck out her tongue as she slammed the door close.
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"Man! I'm so tired!" Kahoko stretches as she exits the stage to what seemed like her 50th repeat practice performance.
"Don't stress yourself too much, Kaho - chan!" Aoi instantly materialized beside her.
Jumping in surprise, Kahoko sighs in relief and ascent and nods back at him.
"Its okay, Kaji - kun.. I'm alright.."
"But still..." Aoi frowns worriedly at her.
"Don't worry too much about me!" Kahoko playfully punches him in his shoulder.
"Okay.." Sighing, Aoi ran a fretful hand over his golden locks.
"Say, Kaho - chan.. Why don't we go somewhere fun tomorrow?" Aoi smiles innocently at her.
"Sure! I'll ask out the others if they'd like to come.." Kahoko brightens up.
Grabbing her hand before she takes a purposeful step towards the others at the other side of the stage, "uhh.. I was hoping its just the two of us.." he gives her 'i-hope-its-okay' look.
Looking at him curiously, Kahoko stops in her tracks.
"Why?"
"I just want to spend a day with the most special girl in my life..." Aoi softly whispers, looking at her straight in the eye.
Blushing red, Kahoko looks away.
"You should stop calling me that, Kaji - kun.. People here are getting the wrong impression..."
"Then, please have a bit of fun with me.. Even if for a while..." Aoi pleads.
Sighing in surrender, Kahoko nods back, unable to look him in the eye.
"Thank you so much!" Aoi places Kahoko's small hands in his lips and kisses it, making everyone around them gasp in surprise.
"Hey! Stop fooling around there!" a loud voice bellowed from the far exit at the opposite side of the door.
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Flinging her bag on top of her pink flower-patterned bed sheet, Kahoko throws herself on her brown swivel chair and closes her eyes.
Giggling! Kahoko mutters in her head, a vein throbbing painfully in her temples.
Suddenly, a loud laugh reaches Kahoko's ears followed by a tinkling girlish laugh.
Placing her small hands in her ears, Kahoko shuts out the two irritating noise.
Why is SHE even here! Kahoko mutely rages in her head.
As if reading her thoughts, Yukito's voice drifts to her room.
"Kaho - chan.. Come down here please!"
Shaking her head, Kahoko stands up and flops on top of her bed, pretending to be asleep.
"Wait here for a sec.." Kahoko hears Yukito excuse himself.
Now she can hear him coming up.
He's almost here! Kahoko panics slightly on her sleeping position.
"Kaho - chan?" opening the door slowly, Yukito peeks inside her room, eyes stopping as it focused on Kahoko's 'pretending-to-be-asleep' figure.
Sighing, Yukito pushes open the door and heads towards Kahoko's bed.
"Kaho - chan..." Yukito sits near her and flops himself beside her.
Facing Kahoko's face, Yukito noticed how Kahoko's eyelids seemingly tremble.
A slow smile appeared on Yukito's face as he surveyed Kahoko up-close.
"Kahoko.." Yukito softly mumbles, inching his face towards Kahoko's.
"Kahoko..." he can now smell her sweet strawberry scent.
Just the way I like it. he smiles at the thought.
Raising a finger, Yukito places it on her lips and traced it ever so gently.
Feeling her lips tremble at the seductive motions he's making, Yukito places his entire hand on her face.
"Your visitor is here.."
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[1]Narita International Airport in Narita City - one of the internation airport serving the greater Japan.
[2]The Strasbourg International Film Festival - annual film festival focusing on new and emerging independent filmmakers from around the world.
[3]Regent Petite France - is in the center of Strasbourg. I looked it up and I can definitely say its the most appealing hotel in Strasbourg (for me).. you can check it out for yoursefl. I'll be posting up the website in my profile for you to get a gist of the hotel.. ^_^ unfortunately though, the entire site is in french.. you can use google translate for that.. :)
[4]Hanami - the japanese traditional custom of viewing and enjoying the beauty of flowers. Can also mean "Cherry Blossom Festival". It differs in places since they coincide the festival when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. But most of them hold it around the end of March to May.
[5]Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon - also known as the "Lycée International de Lyon", is a leading international school located in the city of Lyon, France. They teach primary students up to high school.
[6]Maruchuu - located at 2-8, Naka-ku Yokohama Isesakicho. Its a women's clothing, women's clothing, fashion accessories. If you want to see a rough description of the place, i'll be posting the website on my profile.. just use google translate again.. ^_^
[7]Ōoka River - is located in Minami-ku, Yokohama. The Ōoka River is the major river in the Ward, and in spring many cherry blossoms come into full bloom on its banks
[8]haori and[9]hakamas - is a hip- or thigh-length kimono-like jacket, which adds formality to an outfit. - is a divided (umanoribakama) or undivided skirt (andonbakama) which resembles a wide pair of trousers
[10]Yamashita Park - Yamashita Park is a public park that stretches about 750 meters along Yokohama's waterfront. The park is about a hundred meters wide, and consists mostly of open green space. I found this great site wherein the tourist actually shot some great view of the park. It really is pretty! :) I'll be posting the site on my profile.. ^_^
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