The Melancholy Schmaltz

•••

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: The New Start

•••

Kahoko stayed in bed. She felt so tired. Emotionally tired. She was just inside her house for the past week, doing nothing but over thinking for Kanazawa gave her a month off so she would have time for herself.

Kanazawa knew what was going on. He knew everything and all he said as she asked him how, was that 'he's her manager and the manager knows everything about its talent.' He gave her some advice. He told her something about himself. The way he chose his career over the woman he loved most.

••• Flashback •••

"I knew I loved her but I felt that my career was my life. I couldn't give it up for her. I was foolish." Kanazawa said as he stared off the vista. "I didn't know I could feel such pain when she left me to be with my dreams. But my dreams died as I have lost her."

Kanazawa was a professional opera singer. A very known one. He was running his career in London. He was at the peak of his career but he suddenly disappeared and no one knew why.

"My past... its all but a shadow of the Kanazawa that you know now." He forced a smile as he nibbled his cigarette.

"Why didn't you go after her?" Kahoko asked.

"Because I've caused her so much pain. I don't want her to be hurt by me and besides, she was bound to get married."

Kahoko looked surprised. "That's it?"

"Yes." He blew smoke in the air. "Know what? I am amazed at how Yunoki tried his best to be with you."

Kahoko snapped at the sound of his name. "Why is that?"

"He did everything." He was looking at Kahoko who was looking at her hands which were folded on her lap. "If its not love, I don't know what else to call it." He put off his cigar on an ashtray. "Kahoko... love is like a game. Someone has to lose. Stop crying over a spilled milk. Make the best out of it. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is an option."

•••

Kahoko sat up. Kanazawa was right. After days of reflecting about what he meant, she realized that she had to go on. The tide won't stop turning because of the things that slipped through our fingers. She has Yunoki Azuma and she's not going to let him go. Not again but, he's nowhere in sight after their argument. Its been a month. Yes, it has been a month. She received no calls nor text from him and she's wondering what was going on.

She stood up and made her way to the bathroom. She decided to find him.

•••

Azuma was busy working on some papers. Suzuma was with him.

"I heard that the Tsukimori's heir is finally on duty." Suzuma began.

"So I heard." Azuma said.

"How's Hino-san?" he wondered.

"Haven't seen her." Azuma made a small smile.

"I see." He said as he stared at the file on his hand.

"Brother, I haven't seen Leina for a while. How's she?" Azuma said, trying to divert the topic.

"She's busy with their own company." Suzuma calmly said.

"Ah, I see." Azuma smiled. "Please send her my regards."

"Okay." Suzuma nodded.

Conversations between the Yunoki brother never seemed so close. All they have are one question one answer type of conversations.

Suddenly, there was a phone call. Azuma answered it.

"Yunoko-sama, someone is here to see you." His secretary said.

"Who is it?" He questioned.

"Its Hino-san."

Azuma paused. He was surprised. "Send her in."

As soon as Azuma placed the phone down, he saw Suzuma gazing at him.

"Hino-san is here." He said, having the idea that his brother would anyway ask.

Suddenly, the door opened. The two brothers turned their heads. Kahoko went in and looked at them. She then bowed.

"Good evening." She said lightly.

"Good evening, Hino-san." Azuma managed to say.

"Good evening." Suzuma responded as he stood up. "Well then, I better get going."

"I thought we had to finish things up?" Azuma stood up from his chair.

"There's nothing much to work on. We're almost done. I'll just work on this on my own." He said as he neared Kahoko.

"Are you sure?" Azuma curiously said.

"Certainly." He said as he gave Kahoko a small smile then went out.

As soon as the door behind them closed, Kahoko suddenly felt nervous. Her eyes were on the door behind her. As soon as she looked ahead, she saw him standing in front of her. He was staring right at her.

"What brought you here?" He questioned as he scrutinized her. She was wearing a white collared, sleeveless top and a navy blue colored skater's skirt.

"I came for a visit." She gently said, trying not to stutter.

"That's new." He smiled which seemed to her as a form of mockery. "So you're through with the mourning?"

"I hope you'll stop being so mean." she didn't move from where she was as he looked at her straight in the eyes which felt so uncomfortable.

Azuma snorted. "Oh, please have a seat. I wouldn't want my guest to feel as if I'm taking her for granted."

Kahoko didn't like the course of their conversation. Azuma turned around, and out of the blue, she walked to him and grabbed his hand. Surprised at the gesture, he turned to her.

"I want you to hold me." She dared to say. Catching him in awe. It didn't take Azuma long to respond.

"Have a seat on the couch." He said as he went to his table.

Kahoko felt rejected. She walked to the couch, embarrassed. She saw him grab the telephone and placed it on his ear. His back was against her.

Azuma was calling his secretary. "Are you through with the things I asked you to do?"

"Yes, Yunoki-sama."she answered.

"I see. I permit you to go home." He said.

"Thank you Sir."She replied.

Azuma then placed the phone down and turned to her. He looked at Kahoko then made his way to his window. He opened the curtains, revealing a beautiful city view.

"Such a busy city even at such hour." He noted then made his way to her. "Coffee, juice or anything that you'd wish to have?"

"I'm good." She answered.

Azuma stood in front of her and traced her cheek, jaw line then grabbed her chin and stooped down for a kiss. That abrupt action caused Kahoko to flinch. Their lips parted but their faces were merely inches away from each other.

"I-I'm sorry." She said, embarrassed.

He smirked then knelt in front of her. "Its okay Hino-san."

Kahoko couldn't take her eyes off him. He looked so handsome. More handsome than before. His hair was no longer long. It was a boy's cut. Neat. His eyes were the same topaz, beautifully rare.

"What made me so interesting?" He was referring to why she was staring at him.

"Where have you been?" She questioned.

He placed his hands around her waist and stared at her face. "I'm working."

"Ah, I see." She wanted to touch his face yet she was hesitating.

"It would be nice to hear something different." He said as he ran his hand from her waist to her thighs then to her knees.

Having her there meant something. He could tell. But her shyness wouldn't let her admit it.

"What made you come here?" He asked without looking away from her.

"I just thought of visiting." She was lying and she's aware of it.

"Oh?" He caressed her knees.

Kahoko felt shivers running down her spine.

"Yes." She tried her best to keep calm.

Then he parted her legs and moved closer to her.

"I see." He noted as he caressed her upper thigh.

'Oh no.' Kahoko thought.

"Is there anything you want to say?" He wondered.

"Li-like what?" She was beginning to stutter.

"Whatever it is that you've been meaning to say?" Reverse psychology. He was using it to her.

"What I've been meaning to say?" Her face was flushing.

"Yes." He buried his head on the side of her neck and pet her.

Kahoko's fist balled. He was trying to win something she wished she knew.

"I have nothing to say." another lie.

He snorted then licked her earlobe. "None?"

"None." She closed her eyes.

"Hm." He was inhaling her sweet raspberry scent and tasting her accordingly.

"Wh-what are you doing?" She questioned despite knowing what he was doing. She could feel her willpower escaping.

"What...am I doing?" That sort of question. He up to something.

"Azuma, behave." She managed to say as she lifted her head a little.

He smirked. "Hino-san, your blouse's button are all made. Let's loosen it up." He was beginning to unbutton her blouse one by one.

"No.." she mumbled.

"No?" He said as he slid if off her shoulders.

Defeat. That's the appropriate word. She's going to get defeated. She wouldn't win against him no matter how much she tries. Ever since, she never won. He gets what he wants.

"There's something you want to tell me." He caressed her shoulders and sucked her skin.

"What is...it?" She want to hold him but she's trying not to.

"Just say it." he lifted his head and looked at her. She was as red as a freshly ripen tomatoes.

Was there something she was meaning to say? Well, there is but she's afraid to say them. Unfortunately, he was keen enough to feel them.

"Say it." He challenged her.

She looked at him. Her gaze what with affection. She brought her hands up to his face and caressed them. "I-I..." giving a brief pause. "miss you."

Azuma smirked then kissed forcefully. Kahoko did no longer flinch. She instead, wrapped her arms around him. He too wrapped his arms around her, allowing his hands to explore the smoothness of her back then suddenly, the strapped of her bra let loose, surprising her. She gaped so he grabbed that opportunity to enter his tongue on her mouth. She responded to him.

After minutes of kissing, Kahoko grasped for air. Azuma pulled out then kissed her shoulders and slid her bra off her.

"No..." She muttered.

He groped her breast. "No?"

She was silently panting. There was a rapid rising and falling in her chest. "Not here..."

"Why?" He questioned as he bit the valley between her breasts.

"Its—its your office." She reasoned out.

He was sucking, licking and biting her while caressing her left breast with his fingers. "I wouldn't mind."

"Your suit..." She said which sounded like a moan.

"doesn't matter." He lifted his head and licked her left breast.

There was no way that he's going to listen to her. He was going to make love to her with that expensive Armani suit of his.

Kahoko managed to look down at him as he took in her breast. She could feel his tongue circling her nipples as it puckered. She ran her hands through his hair and wrapped his legs around his waist. She could feel his erection. He then paid attention to her other breast. Licking, biting and sucking it the way he did with the other.

Azuma could feel his pants tightening. He didn't like their position. He was on his knees while she was seated on the couch so he grabbed her waist, carried her and laid her on the floor.

"The floor is so much nicer than the couch." He said, smirking at her.

Kahoko's skirt pooled on her stomach. Azuma watched her trying to cover her lower part with tension as he pulled off his neck tie and took his suit off. She watched him unbutton his top one by one and tossed it away from them.

"Don't stress yourself. Your skirt will have no meaning sooner." He said as he traced her legs to her thighs to her hips. He then grabbed the hem of her underwear and pulled it off.

Kahoko bit her lower lip to stop herself from any unnecessary moans.

"Don't bite your lip. I want to be the one to do it." Azuma left her underwear inches above her knees and stooped down to kiss her. As they broke their kiss, he whispered, "Stop thinking. Just focus your everything on me."

Kahoko's unconsciously cried. "Love me."

Azuma wiped her tears. "You talk too much. What do you think am I trying to do?"

Kahoko smiled. She then sat up, took his belt and unzipped his pants. He smiled then kissed her sensously. She broke their kiss and kissed his neck. Doing what he did to her. She petted him. He closed his eyes and allowed her. She lowered her body and sucked his right nipple. Azuma looked down at her.

"Stop." He said.

Kahoko stopped then looked at him. He then pushed her on the floor, Parted her legs and stayed in between them. He then grabbed her bottom, raised it from the floor.

Kahoko was confused on what he was trying to do but she watched him. It then occurred to her that he was positioning his erected membrane to her opening. Odd as it seemed but she was anticipating for it. It wasn't long till he pulled her to him. She could feel his length enter her. Minutes later, he was pushing and pulling himself in and out of her.

Kahoko placed her right hand over her mouth to cover her moaning. Azuma was groaning. When both came around, he collapsed atop her. Both were panting from exhaustion.

"I love you" She said to his ears.

He smiled then turned his head to kiss her.

The two then fell asleep.

•••

"Miyabi's happy with Kenji." Azuma said as he played with Kahoko's hair.

"She's lucky." she smiled.

The two were inside Kahoko's apartment. At around 4 AM in the morning, the two went out of the office to prevent anyone from seeing them at their distorted appearance.

"Azuma, how is your other brother?" She curiously asked.

"Who? Suzuma?" He looked at her.

"Nope. The other one." She comfortably placed her head on his shoulder.

"Well, he's married." He shrugged.

"And?"

"What 'and'?" he was confused.

"What I mean is... is he living a happy married life? Or was it arranged like Suzuma and Miyabi?"

"He married someone our grandmother chose for him. If he's happy... I don't know." He answered nonchalantly.

"I see." Kahoko no longer wants to dwell on the conversation.

"I don't want to like that kind of life." He placed his head on her. "That would feel like a trap."

She embraced him. She understood the dilemma of being 'him' and its sad.

"You don't have to if you choose not to." She answered.

"That's why I chose you." He whispered.

"What?" She lifted her head to look at his face and for her to hear him well.

"I said," He placed his head beside her own, his mouth near her ear. "I want to have sex with you."

"What?!" She reacted. "That's not what you said."

"That's what I said." He raised his brows.

"No! It didn't sound like it and—and please don't say it like that!" her brows met.

"Okay then. Let's play on the bed." He smirked.

"Azuma!" She whined. She was blushing hard.

"Make love?" He kissed her neck.

"No." She refused.

"Why?" He questioned with one brow raised.

"You told me that you'll date me." She sat straight.

"Oh, so that's what was getting on the way." He commented. "We'll go out... love."

Kahoko was stopped upon hearing his endearment. Love.

"You're staring. Should we go out or... do it?" He questioned.

She snapped. "I'm changing." She stood up and ran inside her room.

Azuma smiled. He finally has her and it was far enough.

•••

"What?" Leina stared at Suzuma. "Are you kidding me?"

"When did I ever joke around?" he said.

"I'm happy for Azuma-san." She had a beaming smile written all over her face as she heard that Kahoko visited Azuma in the office.

"She just visited her. What are you so happy about?" He questioned.

She sat on the chair and gave him a 'what' look. "If a girl visits a guy. It means that she likes him. She misses him and that she wants to see him. And yet you're asking me on why I was happy for your brother? Why do you think would I effort to see you in your office when you can afford to not see me for 5 months?"

"Oh." was all he could say.

"Please." Leina hates the fact that her man could get so dense. "At least you got out of Azuma's office and left them alone. Not to mention that you volunteered finishing whatever it was that you were both doing."

"Why do you seem to hate me tonight?" he wondered.

"You're stupid." she grabbed a magazine and began scanning.

"Excuse me?" He neared her.

"Want me to repeat it?" She raised a brow.

Suzuma looked around. The maids were stationed all over the house.

"Let's go to your room." He politely said.

"I'm on my period." She answered.

So that was why his woman was stingy?

"Women..." Suzuma closed his eyes.

"And what do you mean with that?"

"Nothing." He lied.

•••

Len was inside his office. It was already 8 in the evening and he had just finished the things that his grandfather asked him to finished. He leaned back on his chair and stared at the ceiling. He gently closed his eyes and saw images of her.

"Why do you look so fascinated?" he asked as he placed his violin down.

"Its so beautiful. Tsukimori-san, you really are amazing." She was smiling.

"You really think so?"

"Yeah. Everybody thinks that way too." She shrugged. "Every time I hear you play, you make me happy."

•

Kahoko was sitting under the cherry blossom tree when he suddenly passed. They were already 3rd year high school that time.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Thinking." She smiled but her eyes showed pain.

"What are you thinking?" he leaned on the cherry blossom tree behind her.

"Tsukimori-kun? Do you believe in love?"

"Why?" He pried. "Do you?"

"Yes." She looked away.

"What makes you believe it?"

"I don't know. I just believe it. You can believe in something without finding the reason why you do, right?" She plainly said. "Now, do you believe in true love?"

"Love and true love are just the same."

"You think so?" She glanced at him.

"Yes."

"Well, I don't. Love is just a feeling while true love is all about sacrifice. When you truly love someone, you must be ready to love without expecting anything in return. To value their happiness rather than your own. Its all about the willingness to lay your heart open and get hurt in the process." she explained.

"Why do you seem to know those?"

"You'll only understand if you've tried loving someone truly." She smiled innocently.

Len opened his eyes. He finally understood what she meant but loving someone truly was not easy. Loving her truly was something different. He wanted her for himself.

Len then took his phone and brought it to his ear. "Grandfather. I'm accepting the offer. I'll go to Germany to train myself as the next CEO."

•••

"No." Kahoko shook her head. "Why in the world should you want 12 children?"

"Its more fun that way." Azuma reasoned.

"No!" She frowned. "Imagine me giving birth to all of them."

"I already did." He chuckled. "And by the way, you're not going to give birth to all of them at once but one by one."

"You're crazy." She hissed as she looked away.

He looked at her lovingly. "Psst." He called.

She didn't turn to him.

"Look at me." He said.

"No." She refused.

He chuckled. "Baby, I love you."

Kahoko turned to him, amazed.

"Stop doing that. We're not teenagers anymore." She crossed her arms.

"I know you like the way it sound, right baby?" He leaned on the front of the car just beside her.

"Well, its fine." She shrugged.

"Come here." He held his arms open. She looked at him then obeyed. "When do you think will I be able to go to your family's residence and meet your parents? Its been a long time since I last saw them."

"You want to see my family?" She said.

"I want them to know that we're together." He kissed her head.

The two became silent until Azuma broke it. "Do you have any future plans which were left unattained?"

"Well, no." She smiled a little.

"Tell me how you see yourself 5 years from now." He said.

"Why?" She curiously said.

"Just tell me." He held her hand.

"Hmm, I still want to continue being a musician. I want to a beautiful house of my own, a music school and well... get married." her voice faded as she said the last word.

"I see." Azuma merely responded. He then placed his free hand inside his pocket. "Do you have any dream wedding or the like?"

Kahoko was wondering on what made Azuma curious about these stuffs but she decided to answer them anyway.

"I just want a simple garden wedding." She smiled.

"A simple one?" He said. "Women want lavish weddings, why don't you?"

"I only want close friends and relatives to come. I want it intimate." She leaned on his neck.

"Tell me more." He urged her.

"I want the theme to be beige. I want lots of flowers. I want to walk on a very long aisle. I want butterflies. I want the air to be filled with so much music. I want to hear the sound of the violin, flute, harp, piano and all those instruments I know. I want the ceremony to happen early in the morning. As soon as the sun would rise." Kahoko narrated in a dreamy way.

"You're quite different." He noted. "How many children do you actually want to have?"

"three. I want three children." She had a gentle smile on.

"2 girls and one boy?" He wondered.

"Nope. Two boys and one girl." She chuckled.

"Two girls sounds better." He commented.

"You like girls?" She turned around.

"Adorable girls." He smiled.

"Why are we talking about these stuffs?"

"Nothing. Just curious about your dreams." He shrugged. "Baby, do you think you can make some room for me in your future?"

"What do you mean?" She was muddled.

"Look down." He said.

"Huh?" Kahoko then looked down and saw a silver ring with a huge ruby stone surrounded with small diamonds. Upon seeing that, Kahoko couldn't talk. She was gee-whizzed. "What is that?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He sarcastically said. "Or you still want me to kneel down and ask you to be my future bride?" She still couldn't manage to talk. "Well then." He half knelt. "Hino Kahoko. Will you be my future bride?"

"Are you serious?" She questioned.

Azuma rolled his eyes. "Are you stupid? Who would ever kneel in front of a girl with a ring on his hand, ask her for marriage and joke around?"

Kahoko couldn't help but smile. "Yes!"

"That's better." He pulled out the ring from its box and placed it on her left ring finger.

Kahoko stared at it. She couldn't believe it.

"Is it all too fast?" She asked.

"I won't marry you tomorrow. Your family and mine doesn't know yet. They will be surprised at the news. We'd have to face controversies, then yeah... We'll get married." He smiled.

"That's not romantic." She shook her head.

"I know." He cupped her chin. "Its all going to fast. I know. But I've been waiting for this to happen... for that day to happen."

She couldn't believe the course of fate. She was finally bound to marry the man she loved the most. It was not a dream. Its going to be real.

"We're not teenagers anymore. I want to look forward to making babies with you." He was kidding, she could tell but for her, it doesn't matter.

She kissed him, despite the fact that it was supposed to be him who must initiate the kiss.

"Whatever my family say. Don't let go." he told her.

Author's note: Is it all going too fast? Oh yes it has. But the story is not ending yet. Please tune in for the last two chapters. Will the marriage happen? Are you happy with the outcome?

Sorry if it took me some time to update. been busy with school. But happy to inform you that its now over so I can update my stories already! Horaaay.