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Crescendo con Affectto

By: Yuuna Miyako

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Summary: Both Eriol and Tomoyo attend Clow, a conservatory of music and arts. Both have amazing skill, but both have hindrances that prevent them for using their ability to the fullest. When both of them meet, what will happen?

Parings: E x T – S x S

Authoress Notes: Eeek…where did all my reviewers go? I am really happy for people who actually put this story to their favorites or alerts, but like any other author out there, I really appreciate reviews the most. So review please? If you guys got confused in the last chapter, I want to note that Tomoyo and Syaoran are just friends—their relationship is completely platonic, eh? And sorry for my wrong grammar for the last update, its one of the updates I didn't proofread before I posted it. Domo for that mistake! Ano, I haven't updated for months—maybe even a year—well, I don't know if I lost my writing luster. But, please, I tried my best writing this—I hope you guys enjoy it!

Please do enjoy chapter three!

EDIT** Added more emotion to the chapter.

III. il suo primo giorno -- -- his first day

Eriol Hiiragizawa can't help but grin as he stepped out his shiny black sports car which was parked perfectly in the student's parking lot. The morning, in fact was very beautiful—the sun's golden rays were blocked by the tall old oak trees that were planted around the conservatory grounds. He then, closed the car door shut behind him as he grabbed his leather school bag as he headed towards the campus building.

It's going to be another great year with her. Just like last year.

Her—her means no other than Kaho Mizuki, the elite level's English and piano instructor…her also means Eriol's love interest ever since he entered Clow. It was a love in first sight kind of moment and he hit jackpot when he heard she'll be instructing the piano music sessions. It's because of her that he became more and more serious about playing the piano which led him to what he is right now—the top student of the Elite class.

Last year was one of the best years he had; because that was the year he actually had after class music sessions with Kaho. It was the year he composed many wonderful pieces of sonatas and songs that he and Kaho made together. And he also remembered when he actually confessed to her how much he liked her in which she replied with a smile and a knowing 'really.'.

The year ended with him having no idea how she felt about him. So he was determined that this year is when he'll finally know.

Eriol neared the building, catching the attention of both dark blue and red colored students, causing the eruption of whispers.

'It's Hiiragizawa.'

'Did you remember his final performance last year? Wasn't that awesome?'

'Oh yeah, he performed a concert with the professionals just this summer.'

Eriol kept a straight face as he continued walking, being greeted by some people he knew and he greeted back with his usual small ever knowing smile and the twinkle in his cerulean colored eyes. It didn't take long until he passed through the main building and entered to the elite building. To his surprise he felt a tap on his shoulder, causing him to turn towards that direction.

"Yo." A very familiar voice spoke up.

"Yamazaki," He grinned as both he and onyx haired countenance shared a firm and warm handshake, "How's summer?"

Takashi Yamazaki is one of the pianists of the elite class and as well as one of Eriol's best friends. Both he and Eriol are quite well known as their reputation as the 'Did you know…?' duo that is often stopped by the one and only Chiharu Mihara, Yamazaki's ever dictating childhood friend and a clarinet player. Even though he does tell lots of lies and don't look talented at first glance, he's unusually skilled in the piano. Both continued walking to class as they carried on their conversation.

"Survived through piano camp, you're lucky you have performances all summer." Takashi said briefly, "Did you know the location of the camp was originally a tuba camp? And did you know that one of the counselors didn't even know how to play the piano at all?"

Eriol clicked his tongue "Fill me in later—anyways, let's hurry to class. We're still classmates aren't we?"

"Yeah of course." Takeshi paused as thought deeply, "Have you heard that Mizuki-sensei left?"

"Eh…? What?" Eriol quickly said, not believing his own ears.

"Mizuki-sensei left." Takeshi repeated, "I heard some of the teachers talking about it while I was headed here. They were saying that she was such a good teacher that it was hard to find a replacement for her. Do you still have that thing for her?"

Eriol chuckled nervously, "You're joking right—gosh Yamazaki, you really got me on that one. You're really getting good, you sound so convincing."

"You still haven't got over it huh…well, I can't blame you. But really, I'm not." Yamazaki said slowly, "Why—"

"Are you telling lies again?" A female voice spoke up, stopping both males completely and causing them to look back. The voice was owned by the one and only Chiharu Mihara, who ran towards them trying to catch up. Her coffee colored braided pigtails bounced as she ran, and her eyes were shining.

"Oh, Chi, hi." Takeshi said as Chiharu stopped right front of them.

"Mihara-san, did Mizuki-sensei really resigned?" Eriol suddenly asked in a serious tone.

"Eh?" Chiharu asked. His question really caught her off guard.

"Well, he didn't believe me when I told him that she left school." Yamazaki spoke up.

Chiharu rolled her eyes, "Well, that's expected from someone like you telling him something important."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Anyways, about Mizuki-sensei—I have to say, Yamazaki is telling the truth." Chiharu murmured softly, "No one knows the reason why, but she just left. I had to double check the elite teacher list and also the regulars. I didn't find her name at all."

He wanted to burst, but luckily he kept his calm and collected façade covered tightly atop of his angered emotions he was feeling this very moment. He felt confused, not knowing what's happening anymore.

Eriol wished that his friends were just joking or probably misinformed. His mind blanked as he set one goal in front of him—he had to talk to his uncle. He must know what's going around in his school doesn't he?

Many thoughts ran through Eriol's mind as he started walking in a faster pace, towards the school office.

"Eriol?" Takeshi asked worriedly trying to catch up and grab his shoulder. But before he could even have a chance to do that, Chiharu took a hold of his hand, causing him to look at her.

"But—"

Though Chiharu was as worried as Takeshi, she knew one thing. Eriol had to deal this matter by himself. Any unnecessary factor might end up being shattered—even though it was friendship bonded through years of memories. That's how serious Eriol thought of Mizuki Kaho, somehow, Takeshi failed to understand this, thinking it's just some childish crush.

Chiharu knew it was selfish love.

She just shook her head as both of them watched the lone countenance of Eriol Hiiragizawa disappear in the sea of students.

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It took all of Eriol's willpower to burst in Clow Reed's office without venting his anger on something or someone. At the very same time he entered, Clow was taking to Yoshiyuki Tereda, about some school details that were somehow missed during the preparation.

Tereda jumped when he heard the door slam behind him, while Clow just calmly sat in his leather rotating chair, his expression the same. The blonde man saw a very forbidding Eriol Hiiragizawa with flaming anger in his eyes. This brought chills in his back, causing him to slowly wish to leave the office.

"Looks like I have a visitor," Clow smiled at Tereda, "Will you excuse us?"

"S-sure." The man replied as he gestured a small greeting at the enraged young man before he hastily left the room.

"What's your business in my office Eriol?" Clow's cool voice danced through the mind wrecking atmosphere, "Bursting in here with such an expression isn't very polite."

Eriol knew the ways of his uncle very well. Because of this, he knew that in his calm exterior he's obviously very serious, mostly when it involves disturbing him. Eriol kept his ground, still taking control of the atmosphere of the room.

"What's the meaning of this?" Eriol asked as calmly as possible, as he looked at Clow Reed eye to eye. Calm cerulean eyes studied the dark and cloudy ones, trying to find the reason for the sudden visit. An oppressing silence grew between them, yet not one bothered to speak.

"Looks like you found out."

Eriol remained silent, wanting the explanation for all of this. Why did she leave? Why didn't she even say goodbye? Where was she? What's going to happen now? These question clouded Eriol's thoughts but one thing is for sure—she's gone. He felt a little anger spark inside of him.

"You let her leave?" Eriol asked huskily.

"She asked if she could leave," Clow explained, "This is a school with standards Eriol, not a prison for murderers. If Kaho-sensei wants to leave, she may do so, and that's what she did."

"You didn't even stop her."

"I tried Eriol, but I could only do so much. She has every right to do what she wants. She's not indebted to this institution and she's a fully fledged adult with the rights of every citizen. I have to admit she's a great teacher and it's a lost for the school. But with or without her, everything must still go on. Eriol, it's your senior year—don't ruin it. You'll regret it if you do."

"That's easy for you to say," Eriol barked, "Damn it!"

"Eriol—"

"I'm leaving." Before Clow could even open his mouth to protest, Eriol walked out his office and slammed the door.

Clow Reed sighed—it turned out worst that he thought. The thing he feared also happened—Eriol played not for his own love for music but his love for someone else. This very factor was the downfall of Eriol and his bright future. Clow knew everything why Mizuki left, and one of the reasons is Eriol. He needed to find a firm foundation on why he plays music—or else in the peak of his fame, he'll simply crumble down. After a few minutes, a knock came from the same door that Eriol walked out off.

"Yes?"

"Reed-san," Tereda-sensei's voice called out the door, "The opening ceremony will be starting soon."

"Okay, I'll be there." Clow stood up, "Tereda-sensei, can you please go up to the coordinator of the whole thing and cancel Eriol's performance for me?"

There was a silence before Tereda managed to let out a yes.

end of-- il suo primo giorno

next chapter—Le Joueur de cornemuse Bigarré de Hamelin