Here is chapter 3! Sorry for taking so long to update, I've just been kind of lazy lately. Please enjoy!

Randomness: It's funny how I've been learning a lot about music while writing this thing. Did you know a violin bow can cost 16,000 thousand bucks? That's just crazy. Are they made out of gold or something? Sorry if I sound ignorant haha.

P.S. I do not own La Corda d' Oro!

-Hino's POV-

The day seemed to run slower than usual, maybe because it was cloudy outside, but I think it's pretty much because Aika-chan was hunched over her desk, as sulked as a person could be. She wouldn't say anything, so I began to worry.

"Aika-chan..." I whispered so the math teacher couldn't hear me.

"What is it?" she answered back.

"Are you okay? You seemed worried."

"Kind of. Tsukimori-kun found out about me being a composer." she said while dropping her head on her desk.

"So that's why. But, is it really that bad that he found out?" I asked cautiously.

"It is!" said Aika loud enough for everyone to turn their heads in our direction, but soon they were all back to their studies.

"Sorry about that. It's just that I don't want this to get out of proportion." says Aika. "I guess I'll have to talk to Tsukimori-kun later."

She was beginning to get all gloomy again so I changed topics. "Are you staying after school today."

"Nope. Today I can't" She smiled widely. "Today a whole bunch of new merchandise arrives to the store, so I'm helping to get everything settled. You should pass by, Hino-chan! I'm sure you'll find something. I'll even give you a discount!" Suddenly, I remembered I needed some new songs to play.

"Sure, I'll go check it out today!" I answered.

"Great!" then she turned around and began to pay attention to the class.

Of course, I won't be going alone.

-After school-

Aika-chan had just left the classroom. She seemed so eager to see the store's new arrivals.

I headed to the practice rooms and found everyone hanging out in the hallway (even Tsukimori-kun).

"What is everyone doing here?" I asked as I joined them. Hihara-senpai turned around and answered.

"Seems like they are having a little problem with the booking of the rooms. We are just waiting for them to fix it up."

"I see..." So that's why even Tsukimori-kun is here. Then I remembered what I was going to say.

"Hey, let's go to Aika-chan's music store after school! I've heard today they receive new merchandise."

"Hoshino-senpai owns a music store?" Asked Shimizu-kun with eyes half closed.

"That's right. It's near the station. Why don't we go there after we finish practice?" I offered.

"Sounds nice. Let's meet here at 5:00 pm., shall we?" said Yunoki-senpai. Why is he smiling so slyly? I bet he is up to something...

"Great!" jumped Hihara-senpai. "It's been a while since we all hung out together."

"Well, count me out."

"Oh, don't be like that, Tsukimori-kun. I heard you were planning to buy a new bow for your violin." I tried to persuade him.

"Come on, man. Just relax for one day." Hihara-senpai placed one arm around Tsukimori's neck.. "It will be fun!"

It took a while to convince him, but he finally gave in. We are such a persuasive crowd.

"Excuse me, looks like we can enter the rooms now." said Fuyumi-chan shyly.

"Then see you guy later!"

-Len Tsukimori's POV-

So here I am. Walking towards the music store of a complete stranger with a bunch of goofy dorks. I don't even know why I let them convince me of going. Well, I'm going anyway, so I might as well use this chance to get some information from Hoshino-san. Oh, and a new bow as well.

"I'm hungry..." Hihara-senpai complained.

"It's alright, senpai. After we visit the store we could get something to eat." offered Hino-san. Immediately Hihara-senpai turned a shade of intense pink. God how can this people be so dense...

"Looks like we're here." said Azuma-senpai.

The store wasn't a fancy building, as I expected. I was a small two-story house with pale yellow walls. It was surrounded by delicate looking flowers and had a small sign that hanged from the white wooden door. It said "Welcome". This place is definitely owned by Hoshino-san all right.

"The store really reflects the personality of the owner, doesn't it?" asked Azuma-senpai.

"You're right! It's so cute..." agreed Fuyumi-san. What is she blushing about? It's not like she is naked or something.

Through the display window we could see Hoshino-san, who was running all around the shop, carrying boxes from here to there. She had her hair tied up a few sweat drops rolling down her temples. As tired as she was, she still had a smile in her face.

"Um...If it's okay with you guys, shouldn't we go in?" Asked Hihara-senpai. Then I noticed we had all been just standing there, watching the scene. That is so not my character.

Hino-san was the first to enter. A small bell rang as the door opened. As soon as Hoshino-san heard the door, she beamed her best business smile.

"Welcome!" She greeted as she put down a box half her size. "Oh, everyone's here! Please feel free to look around!" then she motioned us to come in. When she caught me looking at her, she looked away immediately.

"Excuse me, Hoshino-san," Interrupted Yunoki-senpai, "Lately, I have had trouble finding new pieces for the flute. Could you recommend something?"

That's weird. Why would Yunoki-senpai ask recommendations from someone like Hoshino-san, who is in the general department? He is quite aware that the pieces he plays may affect his over all performance and reputation. Maybe he knows about Hoshino-san's secret.

"Of course I can, Yunoki-senpai!" She answered cheerfully. "Follow me. Mozart and Bach would be your obvious choices, but if you are looking for something a little different; I could show you the new Faure and Chaminade scores that arrived today. Their styles are-" And she went on and on. She definitely knows about music.

"You sure seem to know a lot about this sort of thing, don't you Hoshino-san?" chuckled Yunoki-senpai. Hoshino gasped as she realized that she had just blown up her perfect, ignorant facade.

"Uh, well, I work at a music store, r-right? Isn't it normal for me to know this type of thing?"

Stupid girl. She won't be able to fix what she just said with some lame excuse like that. Most people that work at music stores know nothing about music itself. Yunoki-senpai won't buy that lie.

"Is that so?" smirked senpai. Either he is stupid (which I highly doubt) or he knows about Hoshino-san.

"Looks like you take your job really seriously, Hoshino-senpai." Shimizu Keiichi said with his usual aloof expression. It was almost hard to see him because of the huge cello he was carrying.

Everyone went their own way around the store to find what they were looking for. At the end, everyone had bought at least one score. Hihara-senpai even bought a new case for his trumpet. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the right bow for my violin.

"Well, Aika-chan, thanks for everything! I found just what I was looking for." Hino-san said on her way out.

"Thanks Aika-chan! I'll be back soon." waved Hihara-senpai. Fuyumi-san just bowed and said quietly:

"Sorry for the trouble." Then she began walking to her house. Everyone said his or her respective thanks and greetings and then left. I was about to leave quietly, but was grabbed by the sleeve before I could exit the store.

"Wait, Tsukimori-kun!"

"What is it?" I asked, a little startled.

"Um, I heard you were looking for a bow and..." She was looking at the floor nervously.

"And what?" I asked. I had already lost most of my practice time. I did not need more distractions.

"And I have something that may be of your liking!" she finally said. Well, I had nothing to lose.

"Fine. Show it to me. But please be quick about it."

"Right away! She went to the storeroom and came back with a wooden box in her hands.

"This is a special bow. I didn't wanted to give it to someone who wouldn't really appreciate it." She opened he box slowly. I was amazed with what I saw. She grinned when she saw my reaction.

"Quite a view, right? It's made of pernanbuco wood, a rare type of Brazilian wood. It weights 56 grams, which is pretty light compared to the average bow, but still gives of that smooth, full sound that violinists look for. But more important than the weight, is its balance. It has the perfect balance from the tip to the frog."

"Can I try it?" I asked. The bow was definitely a rare piece. Obtaining this kind of thing was hard now days. Where did she found it?

"Of course." She handed it to me carefully. I held it at a forty-five degree angle in order to feel it. As she said, the balance was perfect, and it felt so natural...

I had to get it.

"How much?" I asked. A bow like this must cost at least 14,000 dollars. Hoshino stared at the bow for a few minutes with a melancholic expression. Her usually big eyes were now rounder and sadder than before. For a moment I thought she would cry.

"This bow is...priceless." I knew it. "Just take it, okay?"

"Okay, I'll write the amount on a check and-" I looked at her in disbelief. "Did you say 'just take it'?"

"That's right. It has been stored for so many years now. It deserves to be used."

I couldn't believe it.

"I think I better not." I handed the bow back to her. "I can't accept something like this." Was I a charity or something? Did she thought I was so in need for a good bow? I just wouldn't take such a valuable piece from a girl I just met a few days ago.

"Don't worry, Tsukimori-kun. I mean it." She said once more. Then she placed the bow back in the box. "I'll just go to the back and wrap it up for you, okay?" Then she disappeared without even waiting for a response. This couldn't be happening.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" A young man appeared from behind. He was wearing the same apron as Hoshino. In fact, he looked just like her. "I'm the owner of the store."

"I'm just waiting for a bow." I answered.

"Oh, okay. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need something." Then he headed for the storeroom.

"Wait!" I said. "The other worker, Hoshino-san, just offered me a quite remarkable violin bow. But when I asked for the price, she said it was for free. I just want to make sure she wasn't doing something unnecessary."

"Aika did?" he asked. "How do you know her?"

"My name is Tsukimori Len. We attend the same school." This guy is getting of the topic.

"Oh, that's why." He sighted.

"That's why what?"

"You see, my name is Hoshino Rui, Aika's older brother. That bow she just offered you belonged to my late father." he explained. "For years I've told her to put the bow in display, but she just wouldn't listen to me. I thought it was because of the fond memories it brought us when our parents were still alive. But I guess she was just waiting for someone who would really appreciate it. Be grateful. Tsukimori-kun, it seems like Aika really respects you." Then he walked away.

I was speechless.

"I'm sorry for the delay. I couldn't find the wrapping paper and...Tsukimori-kun, are you all right?" She asked concerned.

How can I be? You just gave me your father's bow like it was nothing! Then I remembered her brother's words:

"But I guess she was just waiting for someone who would really appreciate it. Be grateful. Tsukimori-kun, it seems like Aika really respects you."

It's not like she thought nothing of the bow. She just wanted the right person to own it.

"I-I'm fine." Then she gave be the bag. Her hands were trembling. "Please take care of it, Tsukimori-kun. I can't say how much it means to me."

"I will, Hoshino-san. Do not worry." Then I headed for the exit. Outside it was already dark.

"And Tsukimori-kun?" she called from the door.

"What is it, Hoshino-san?"

"It's Aika, okay?"

Then she closed the door and the 'welcome' signed was turned to 'closed'.

As I walked back home, I clutched the bag in my hand. Now I had the responsibility of meeting Aika-san's expectations. Anyway, this is the least I can do.

Aika-san, huh. What an unfamiliar word. Without noticing, I kept saying the name over and over in my head.

-Aika's POV-

The store was now closed and the cleaning had been done, so I headed up stairs and got ready for bed.

But sleeping seemed impossible. I just curled myself under my covers and laid there.

Knock, knock.

"Come in!" I answered. "What is it, oni-chan?"

"Just checking up on you." Then he sat next to me on the bed. I sat up as well.

"So you gave away dad's bow today." I said as he placed a hand on my head.

"I did." My chest began to tighten up. "Was it the right thing to do?"

"It was, Aika. It means you're finally moving on."

"I know, but I still feel guilty about it. Like I'm letting go of my most important memories." Tears began to sting my eyes. Rui oni-chan wrapped his arms around me.

"It's okay, It's okay. Dad's bow deserves to be used, not stored in some box forever. Besides, our memories are carved within us. Don't worry, I get the feeling that that boy is the right one."

"Really?" I asked.

"No. But I trust your judgment more than anyone, Aika. Now go to sleep, you have school tomorrow." He kissed my forehead and left, closing the door carefully behind him.

I tried to close my eyes again. This time I held my hands together and whispered.

"Dad, today a gave away your bow. Sorry if I hurt you, but it was time already. So forgive me..."

After that, I'm not sure when I fell asleep.

That's it for chapter 3! Sorry if I made any mistakes in the music facts. I'm not a musician, so please don't be too demanding. I try to make it as accurate as possible, though:P Please review on your way out and suggestions are always welcomed.