The Melancholy Schmaltz

•••

CHAPTER EIGHT: WINTER TEARS

•••

"It's necessary you know." He said.

"Hmm, I see." She responded.

The two then fell silent. Yunoki then stared at her.

"Kahoko," He began.

"Yes?" She turned to him.

He stared at her. "Nothing."

'Huh?' Kahoko wondered.

"Kahoko, what are your plans for the future?"

"Uhm.. actually, I am still confused." She moved back.

"Oh really? That's something to ponder." He said as the autumn wind blew.

"How about you?" She asked.

"I don't know either."

"Ha? How come?" She became worried.

"My future is already planned Kahoko. Everything has been planned." He calmly said.

"By who?"

"By my family." He honestly said.

"That's not fair." She mumbled. "So, is giving up your passion for music their will as well?"

"Yes." He simply replied.

"They can't do that."

"They can." He closed his eyes. "As the youngest among the male Yunoki's, I have to follow their will. No matter what it takes. That's why I do not know what my future is… for it's up to them to decide."

"But they can't do that because your happiness is at stake here." She pressed her lips.

Yunoki opened his eyes. He stared at her. He then smiled. "I am happy though."

Kahoko remained silent.

'For now I am contented.' He thought. "What's with that look?"

"What look?" She returned his question.

"You are funny Kahoko." He grinned.

"There you go again." She turned to her side.

"You're the best stress removal for me." He said.

"Trying to make fun me again?"

"I am serious, you know." He chuckled.

"Doesn't seem to me." Her brows curled.

•••

It has been six months ever since they've been together and so far, the two is okay. They may have little conflicts but the resolves it. But, a problem will go in between them since Yunoki's grandmother knew all about them. She hated the fact that Yunoki refused to see nor talk to Ayano as what Ayano told her.

•••

Yunoki finally arrived home. As he entered the house, his grandmother surprised him.

"Good Evening Grandmother." He bowed down.

"Azuma-san, I would like to have a word with you." She seriously said. "Please take your seat."

Yunoki obeyed her. "What is it about grandmother?"

"Who is Hino Kahoko to you?" She asked.

Yunoki was caught off-guard. "She's a friend of mine."

"Don't deny her. She is your girlfriend isn't she?" She said.

Yunoki remained silent.

"Azuma-san, you know your duties, am I right?" She sounded strict.

"Yes." He politely replied.

"Her existence is way far beyond imagination and she does not suit our family nor does she suit you. Are you even aware of that?"

"No, I am not grandmother. And I don't seem to care." He boldly said.

"You are going to marry Ayano in the future whether you like it or not. So, why are you playing with that lady? Don't make her assume that you will be together. Toying around is not good. Break up with her and go to London."

"I am not toying with her." He said.

"Break up with her. It's for the good of all. Don't forget that this is for our family." She stayed firm. "Go to London. I want you to continue your studies there."

"No, I refuse." He looked at her.

"I don't accept any refusals from you. Follow me or else…" She was going to force him at any cost. "I will make her regret that she met you."

Yunoki was very much surprise.

"Grandmother! You can't do that! Kahoko is a good person." Miyabi came out of nowhere.

"Miyabi-san! How dare you interrupt?" Her grandmother scolded her.

Miyabi looked down. "Forgive me grandmother but Kaho—"

"Enough. I am serious with this kind of matter. I don't want the Yunoki clan to be put to shame." She stood up. "For the last time, break up with her and go to England. Don't even think about refusing again. You know what I can do Azuma-san so don't try me."

Yunoki looked down. Miyabi neared him.

"Brother," She patted him.

"If you would excuse me Miyabi." He stood up and went to his room.

•••

He wore his black kimono. He went to his very own garden and thought about it. He actually knew that this time would actually come and that he will have to make the hardest choice of his life. He loves her but he will have to let her go. He has to follow what his family wants. He doesn't want to hurt her? But the thought of making her regret the she met him caused him pain. He closed his eyes.

•••

"Okay, the former concourse participants are asked to play again next week as requested by the board." Kanazawa said.

"Really?" Tsukimori asked.

"So there will be a reshow?" Shimizu sleepily questioned.

"Looks like it." Tsuchuira said.

"And… Kaji will be playing instead of Yunoki." Kanazawa brought it up.

"Yunoki? Why? Is Yunoki not allowed to join?" Hihara questioned.

"He withdrew, don't you know that? He will be leaving to London and continue his last months of being a high school student." Kanazawa answered.

Everyone was caught. Kahoko could not believe it.

"It's impossible. Yunoki said that he will be leaving after high school." Hihara stood up, feeling bad.

"That can't be." Amou interrupted.

"You are not a part of this discussion Amou." Kanazawa shoo her.

"Senpai withdrew?" Fuyuumi gently said.

"It can't be true." Kahoko mumbled. "That's not true."

They turned to her.

"He went to my office this morning and gave me his withdrawal papers. He said that he will be leaving as soon as possible. I even told him about the reshow but he just smiled." Kanazawa crossed his arms.

Kahoko clenched her hands into a fist. "No, I think you got it wrong." She stood up.

"Hino-san," Hihara and Tsukimori uttered.

She went out.

"Oi!" Tsuchuira called her.

'That's impossible.' Hino thought. "It can't be true." She looked straight then searched for him.

•••

"I'll be off then." Yunoki told Miyabi.

"But—what about Kahoko? You did not tell her, did you?" She asked.

"I think that there is no need for that." He said.

"She has to know. You would break her heart for not telling her that you are leaving." Miyabi tried to persuade her brother.

"It does not matter because in either way, I will still break her heart." He looked away.

"But brother,"

"I can't allow anyone to hurt her Miyabi so I would just do it myself." He closed his eyes then turned back to Miyabi. "You take care of yourself okay?"

"…I will. You take care of yourself too."

Yunoki stared at his sister. "Goodbye Miyabi."

Miyabi just nodded.

•••

Hino knocked at the Yunoki residence.

"What brought you here, Hino-san?" Yunoki's grandmother questioned.

"I am looking for…." She hesitated.

"Azuma-san? Well he's gone." She answered.

"What do you mean he's gone?" Hino wondered.

"He's not coming back so you better forget about him." She said it straight.

"He can't go without telling me." Hino murmured.

"Quit LIVING in your fantasies. You can never be a part of our family." She turned her back from Kahoko.

"You forced him to leave?" Kahoko boldly asked.

"He went to London at his own will. Don't even think he would fall head-over-heels for you. You don't even match him. You are just… a toy?" Her words caught Kahoko.

"You are lying." Kahoko looked down.

"Live with the truth. Don't day dream Hino-san. He did not even claim you as his girlfriend." She took few steps away. "From this day onwards, never involve yourself with anyone from the Yunoki clan." She finally left.

Hino went out of the house. Suddenly, she and Miyabi saw each other.

"Kahoko…" She mumbled.

"Is it true?" Hino asked. "Is it true that he left at his own will?"

Miyabi looked down. "Yes."

Hino looked down. "When did he leave?"

"An hour ago." She answered.

"How is he doing?"

"He's fine." Miyabi could not help but just answer what Hino was asking.

"Did he… did he tell you something?"

"Hmm… He told me to wish you a good luck. He also said that he wants you to be happy." Miyabi looked at her straight.

"Is that all?" She asked. Miyabi nodded. "I see. Goodbye Miyabi-san." She left.

"Ah—Kahoko, You… you take care okay?" Miyabi forced a smile. Kahoko nodded before leaving.

•••

Kahoko wandered around with her head full of him. She got a lot of questions but he is no longer there to answer them. Her tears fell together with the snow. She reminisced their moments together.

She wanted an explanation. Was that it? He will just leave her dubious? Was he even playing at her?

She hope she could hear him say that he wanted her and that he love her. She even doubted if he really loved her.

The snow continued to fall. She bathe herself to the coldness of the first winter of the year.

'If only I knew that I would be abandoned this way… I hope I did not fall for him at all.' Kahoko thought. Her cheeks were bright-red and her eyes were swelling because of crying.

•

Kahoko somehow managed herself to go home. As she entered their house, his brother saw her.

"Kahoko, at last you're home." Daiichi said.

"What time is it?" She was gently panting.

"Eight-forty," He answered. "Kahoko, I am hungry. Can you—Kahoko!" He exclaimed as she fell on the floor. She fell unconscious.

Kahoko got sick. She caught a fever. She felt very weak. Kotoko and Daiichi were beside her when she got her hallucinations. She kept on saying his name.

"I wonder what happened." Daiichi said.

"Me either but I guess he left her." Kotoko stared at the sleeping Kahoko.

"That's stupid." Her brother mumbled.

"She must be very depressed." Kotoko fixed Kahoko's blanket.

"She'll get over it." He turned around.

Three hours later, Kahoko woke up. She was still weak and her fever was still high.

"Kahoko," Kotoko mumbled. "Thank goodness."

Kahoko turned to her with no expression at all.

"Kahoko…" Kotoko whispered. "What happened?"

Daiichi was bringing the ice when he heard Kotoko ask. He hid himself and listened.

Kahoko refused to talk.

"Kahoko, tell me. What's wrong with you?" She urged her to talk.

Kahoko turned to her side. "Nothing happened. I am okay too."

"What happened between you and…" Kotoko asked in concern.

Kahoko cried. Kotoko and Daiichi then understood.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

It's been a long time. I'm so sorry for the late update. I was quite busy because of school. Hmmm… there was a questions raised in the previous chapter and I am going to answer it.

Kouji is not inlove with Kahoko. He is only trying to win her favor. You know what I mean right? Since Kahoko is Kotoko's sister, he has to do everything for Kotoko's family to like him.

I really thank everyone for supporting this fic. Thanks ipple for saying that this fic is your favorite. You made me smile. Though, I don't think that this fic is nice. I love you everyone. You motivated my sleeping heart. Please review and let me know your reactions too. if you like… I would love to hear them. Criticize it if you want to. I'll give you the freedom. Thanks a lot for reading this fic [again.]