The Melancholy Schmaltz
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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: Forever and Always
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Dear Diary,
Hi. Its been a long time since I last wrote something on you. Well, I've been way too busy lately. It seems to be that I can't just leave Azuma alone. I wanted to be beside him all the time. To be honest. I am afraid... so afraid. I don't want him to go but every time I look at him and he's aching, its seems that my heart is all squeezed up. I cry. I cry because I cannot do anything for him. No matter how much I try, I cannot stop anything. I am of no use. All I can do was... love him. Is love even enough? Because as time goes by, I doubted it. Know why? Because every time he cries, I die...
It was a fine morning. The sun was beginning to creep above, letting its shine cover the skies. The dews sparkled and finally dropped themselves to the ground. The birds chipped and the mild wind blew the branches of the trees.
As the sunlight passed through the glass windows, Kahoko gently opened her eyes. It was far too bright. She placed her arms above her head and peaked. It was already morning. She looked to her watched and saw that it was already 6:45 in the morning. She gently went off her bed and walked her way to the balcony. She looked at the vast meadow. The scene was beautiful. As the wind blew, she closed her eyes and savored the feeling of the wind which was gently brushing her skin.
'Good Morning'
She heard his voice at the back of her head.
"Good morning, love." She whispered to the wind as she opened her eyes.
Suddenly, a knock startled her.
"My lady, its time for your breakfast."
Kahoko turned around. "Tami-san, you may get in."
The door slowly opened, revealing an old butler who was dressed in fine garments and was bowing down in her presence.
"My lady, please come with me, breakfast is serve." he said gently.
"I am not hungry yet." she answered.
"But the baby probably is." he replied.
Kahoko ran her hand on her oversized stomach.
"You're probably right." She smiled.
"Or do you want to have your breakfast here, my lady?" he wondered.
"Nope. I would rather have it in the garden." She walked her way to him.
"Your robe..." Tami took it and half ran to Kahoko, placing it around her shoulders.
"Thank you." She smiled gratefully.
Kahoko was finally seated on her chair in the garden. She was having strawberries placed in a nice porcelain platter, 2 pancakes, a honey in a silver cup and a glass of milk and orange juice.
"I want chocolates on my pancakes." she said.
"But my lady, you are not to eat chocolates." Tami answered.
"The baby wants chocolates." she tilted her head.
Tami looked at her then sighed. "Chocolates, please." he ordered the maids in waiting.
"Just kidding." Kahoko smiled, pouring some honey on her pancakes.
Kahoko was 8 and 2 weeks pregnant. She was bound to give birth 2 week from now and everyone in the Yunoki household was watchful of her condition since she was bound to give birth to a Yunoki.
"How are you doing?"
Kahoko turned around and saw Suzuma approaching.
"Suzuma-sama," Tami bowed as the master entered the garden and sat beside Kahoko.
"Great, thank you." she smiled. "Have you just arrived?"
"Well, I had just decided to drop by because I had to see how you were doing." he leaned back on his chair and looked around the garden.
"You drop by every now and then." Kahoko shrugged playfully as she took a bite of her strawberries.
"I had to." He smiled a little.
"You don't have to. Everyone's pampering me and I don't think its necessary. I am not a Yunoki." she said as she turned to the bush of roses.
"You were bound to be." He was looking at her. She turned to look at him. "And besides, the child is a Yunoki."
She smiled weakly. "Suzuma-san, I was wondering... can I name the child after his father?"
Suzuma was caught in surprise. "Please be more specific."
"I want this child to carry the family name of his father, ah, I mean, I want his name to be after his father." she wondered. "Yunoki Azuma." her eyes softened as she said those name.
"The child is a boy?" he asked, kind of surprised at the thought.
"Yes." she smiled.
"I think it'll suit him right." he smiled back.
Yunoki Azuma died 7 months ago. Kahoko was not there when he passed away. He asked her to buy him roses. For what reason? That, she does not know. When she came back, he was as though asleep. His features were calm. She cried of course. She was not able to talk. She dropped the roses and made her way to him. She sat beside him on his bed and laid her head on his chest. Azuma's family was there. His father, two brothers, his sister and her husband were all there. Including Len. Everyone didn't know what to do. It was upon Leina's arrival that she picked Kahoko up and embraced her. She cried to her as she hushed her.
Kahoko was still acknowledged by Azuma's family as his fiancee. Upon his death, Kahoko never talked. She refused talking to anyone but Leina. She was drained and hurt. It was as if the colors around her faded with him. She couldn't look at his face. It pained her. She stopped playing the violin. Kanazawa did not force her to playing once more. He understood her. Everyone would.
Len was there. He watched her. She never smiled, talked nor cried after Yunoki's death. She was just looking at something from afar, lost in her thoughts. It was there that he saw how much she loved him.
Everyone from Seiso came. The three queen bee fans of Yunoki who used to be so obsessed with him, came. The concourse participants and the students who knew Yunoki too. They all paid homage to the late Yunoki Azuma who was known to be a very wonderful person.
It was a month after Yunoki's burial that Kahoko learned that she was pregnant. She was called by Azuma's father in his office to talk about matters when she had spotting and was immediately rushed to the hospital. It was there that they learned she was pregnant. At first, Kahoko did not react to it. She did not know what to do. She did not know how she could do it. She was alone and Azuma was gone.
Suzuma and Leina stayed with her. Azuma's father told her that they will support them and that Azuma had wills. He had prepared everything for her when he would pass away. He even had bought a house for them. It ought to be their family residence after their marriage but since no marriage occurred, he will be giving it to Kahoko. His father promised that the child will be acknowledged by the entire clan. Suzuma swore assistance too since he made a promise to his brother. Kahoko refused everything but the Yunoki are head strong. They will take a 'no' for an answer so she had to accept it.
Kanazawa visited Kahoko. It has been a long time since he last saw her.
"You're glowing." he noted as he finally saw her smiling.
"Any time soon, I will be giving birth." she informed him.
"I heard that its painful. Goodness." He made a face, grimacing, as if he couldn't stand the thought.
That made Kahoko laughed. Seeing that, he smiled. She had been sad for so long and seeing her that way, seemed refreshing.
"How is everything going?" he questioned.
"Everything's fine." she ran her fingers to her stomach. "The Yunoki are taking care of me."
"And your own family?" he wondered.
"We're fine now." she gave a sigh.
"Come on, you have to forget everything that happened." he tilted his head and crossed his legs.
"What happened to us... I forgave them already but I won't forget Azuma." her eyes were beginning to show sadness.
"I am not asking you to forget him. I am telling you to forget all the bad things. You're alive and you must live your life. I am sure he wants you to do the same." he was giving her a sermon. He was like a father to her.
"I know..." she muttered.
The two had a brief silence until Kahoko broke it.
"I'm having a baby boy." she looked at Kanazawa.
"A boy?" he was awed.
"Yes." she smiled which appeared to be as that of a child.
"Do you have a name for him already?" he curiously asked. "Well, you must be ready for it or else someone else will, right?"
"Yes." she looked down at her stomach and continued. "Yunoki Azuma."
"After his father then?" he said. "What if he ought to be a girl, what will you name him?"
"Yunoki Ayame." she answered.
"Not bad." Kanazawa smiled. "I'm sure, he's going to be a beautiful child."
Kahoko merely smiled. She knew that she's bearing a beautiful child since his father is a beautiful man.
Its Thursday and Kahoko was walking around the garden accompanied by two maids when Tami came to her and told her that she has a guest.
"Who is it?" she asked without looking his way.
There then stepped, a young, beautiful man with blue hair and topaz eyes.
"Kahoko," he said.
Kahoko turned to the glass window and was amazed.
"Len." she said.
He looked at her. Her stomach was huge and she was wearing a white sun dress. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail.
"What brought you here?" She walked her way to him.
He walked closer to her and handed her the paper bag he was bringing.
"I bought you raspberries." He said as Kahoko took the bag. "I heard you're fond of berries now that you're pregnant."
"Well, yes." She nodded. "Thank you. And oh, come here and have a seat." She led him to the bench. "Its been a long time since I last saw you. How are you?"
"I've been busy with work." He answered.
"So I've heard." She looked up to see his face. He was still as handsome as he was before. Nothing changed. He still had that firm look in his face but the way he looked at her was still the look he used to give her: soft. "Are you still playing the violin?"
"I barely have time for it." He said as he averted his gaze. He was kind of embarrassed at the way she gazed at his eyes.
"I miss hearing you play." She smiled.
He looked at her from the corner of his eyes and saw the way her lips move into a soft curve.
Len stayed with her until dinner. They talked about everything and nothing. He missed her company and she feels the same.
"I have to go." Len bid.
"Thank you." Kahoko smiled.
Len nodded his head, moved back a few steps, turned around and then left.
As she watched him leave, she couldn't help but be happy that Len was still the man she was knew and loved. Not to mention that he stayed with her despite everything that happened between the two of them. She hurt him and yet he never left. What more can she be thankful for?
•
Kahoko was sleeping in her bed when she left a sudden strong contractions. She had been feeling contractions for quite sometime now. She groaned then forced herself up. Suddenly, she felt something leaked from within her followed by a painful contraction radiating.
"Ahhh!" She was starting to panic. "Ahhh... please don't come out yet." she went off her bed and began walking to the door in a seemingly odd way that her legs were parted as she struggled. "Tami-san! Help me!" She screamed. She grimaced as she could feel something blocking her opening. "Help me, please!" she exclaimed as she reached the door.
Tami and a helper came to her room and held her.
"Call the driver! We have to go to the hospital now!" Tami instructed as he panicked along Kahoko's painful mutters. "My lady, please don't push just yet. We-we have to g-get you to the hospital f-first!"
Kahoko was brought to the hospital. Everything was already set for her labor since Suzuma had already prepared everything in case she would give birth. She was immediately brought to the labor room as Tami, who was in his pajamas, walked back and forth as he called the Yunoki household to inform them of Kahoko's labor.
"Hino-san, please follow me. Breath slowly and push hard." her doctor told her. "Please don't push just yet. Your cervix is not yet fully dilated. Doing so will only inflame it. Making it difficult for us."
Kahoko was slowly breathing through her mouth. She was sweating hard. She was lying there with her legs wide open. She couldn't understand what she was feeling. All she knew was her baby was bound to come out.
"Please, please, I cannot take this anymore..." She begged. She wanted to push already.
The doctor inserted her hand to her opening to determine the dilation. (the procedure done is called 'Internal Examination')
"The dilatation is now 8." The doctor said. "Hino-san, lets wait a little while okay?"
Kahoko cried. It was already very painful and she couldn't bear it anymore.
•
"Is she okay?" Leina asked Tami.
"She's inside the labor room, my lady." Tami replied.
"Tami-san, are the baby's clothes ready?" Suzuma wondered.
"Oh no, I forgot to bring the bags here." He answered.
"I see. Please go home then and ask someone to bring Kahoko's bags here. You don't have to stay up here. We can manage." he said.
"But master..." Tami tried to say something but Suzuma shook his head.
"We can manage. Please rest." He patted his shoulder.
Tami is already old and he needs rest. Suzuma knows that.
"Yes master." Tami bowed down and immediately left.
As soon as Tami left, Suzuma pulled Leina to a chair. The two of them sat down. Leina held his hand and squeezed it. He turned to her and she gave him an encouraging smile.
"You're doing well." She whispered. "I'm so proud of you. Azuma would be too."
"I'm nervous." He admitted.
"You sound as if you're the father of the baby." Leina chuckled. "I wonder how you'd react if I am the one inside."
"I will be inside with you." he pulled her hand and kissed her head. Leina then smiled.
•
"Now, push!" The doctor coached.
Kahoko then pushed. Giving her everything just to bring out her child out of the world.
"Now, breath slowly Hino-san. Gather all your strength. I can already see the baby's head."
Kahoko closed her eyes. "Azuma... Azuma..." She mumbled.
"Ready, one, two. Three... PUSH!"
Kahoko pushed way so hard.
"Yes, yes! The head of the baby is out, please continue."
Water came out along with the baby. The doctor then laid the baby on top of Kahoko's stomach. It cried. Kahoko smiled weakly but fell unconscious. She was way too tired.
"Please check the vital signs of the baby and the mother." The doctor order the team.
Kahoko gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
•
Kahoko was standing on a wide empty meadow with dandelions flying through the air as something familiar filled it. She could hear someone playing the flute. The music piece played was, Morning in Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg, she figured.
She was dressed in an all white long dress and was alone. she closed her eyes and followed the sound of the flute.
"Azuma?" She called out in a whisper.
"Kahoko..."
Kahoko turned around and opened her eyes. There she found him walking his way to her with arms wide open. She smiled softly with longing in her eyes and she ran to him in an embrace.
She fell in his embrace. She wrapped her arms around him as he did the same. He leaned his head to her neck. A gesture which she recognize as he would smell her hair and kiss the small of her neck.
"Strawberry..." He muttered.
Kahoko laid her head on his chest. Her Azuma.
"Please don't leave me?" she whispered.
"I never did." he shook his head a little. "I am always with you."
"Oh, Azuma." she tightened her gripped. She does not want to think. "I've missed you."
He pulled back and gave her a gentle smile.
"Come with me." He held his hand out for her to take. She gladly took it. He pulled her and they walked somewhere. They entwined their fingers together and walked up somewhere overlooking. There, right before the cliff, stood a young tree. They stopped there and squatted under it.
Azuma leaned on the tree and Kahoko laid her head on his chest.
"I love you." she told him.
"I love you too." he answered.
"Thank you for coming into my life." she said as Kahoko looked up to him.
"Please don't say anything..." he looked deep into her eyes. "I want to feel you."
Kahoko smiled as she held his face and pressed her lips into his. Chaste. That's the term. That's what she felt as their lips touched. He held her face, parted their lips and kissed her forehead.
"Forgive me for making you cry..." he said as he kissed her eyes. "Forgive me for every pain." He kissed her cheeks. "Forgive me for leaving you behind."
Kahoko started crying.
"I am okay..." she said. "I am fine."
"You're a strong lady." He pressed his forehead against hers. "You bore me a son." he smiled.
"We could be a family now." she told him.
"Shh... I want you to have a family." he said.
Kahoko moved her head back. She looked at him.
"I want to see you happy." He gazed deep into her eyes. It was as though he could see her soul held out right before his very eyes.
"You're the one I love." she looked away. Tears streaming down her face as she could feel him trying to make her move on from him.
"I won't leave. I am always with you." he held her hands together. "But I don't want to see you sad. I want someone to take good care of you the way I would."
"Azuma..." she shook her head.
He smiled gently. "Promise me that you will live life and be happy, okay?"
"Please..." she closed her eyes.
"Promise me." he said.
•
Its already 8 in the morning. Kahoko slowly opened her eyes as the sun hit her face. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she looked at her side and saw fresh flowers. Roses and lilies. She noted. They looked beautiful.
"I'm glad you're finally awake."
Kahoko turned her head to see who just spoke.
Len.
He was there, standing near the door, wearing his office attire.
"You bore a healthy baby boy." He walked to her.
It was there that she remembered her dream. She saw Azuma and he made her promise him.
"Promise me." he said.
She did not answer.
"when you find someone who will love you the way I would, stay with you through thick and thin... let him in." he said.
"Len?" she called.
He stood beside her. "Yes?"
"Why are you here?" she wondered.
"Suzuma informed me this dawn so I decided to come." He said. "You gave birth at four in the morning."
"Oh..." she turned her attention to the ceiling then closed her eyes. "Where's my baby?"
"He'd be here in a minute." he sat beside her.
"Is my baby okay?" She curiously asked as she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"He's beautiful." He smiled. There, he smiled.
Ten minutes after, the nurse entered the room carrying a small baby wrapped in soft linens. Len assisted Kahoko to sit up as she received her baby with such excitement.
"Ohhh.." Kahoko had a huge smile on as she held her child. The baby was asleep. He was beautiful and she couldn't take her eyes off him. "He looks like his father." she was teary-eyed. She was right, she was going to give birth to a beautiful baby boy.
It was quite a sight. Len couldn't stop admiring her and the way she looked while holding her son. He knew she would be a wonderful mother.
"Len, look!" She glanced at his direction.
He moved to her side and sat on her bed.
"Hi," she said in a low tone. "I am your mommy." She kissed his forehead and caressed his delicate cheek. "I love you."
It was adorable. Len thought. Kahoko was finally a mother and her gentleness would truly make a wonderful fit for her.
•
"What a beautiful baby..." Leina whispered as she rocked Azuma. "Kahoko, he really looks like Azuma but his smile is yours."
"At least there's something left for me." Kahoko chuckled as she fixed Azuma's shoes.
"Get in now, everyone's waiting for the newest member of the clan." Suzuma informed them.
It was Azuma's official introduction to the world as a Yunoki and they have thrown a party just for him.
"You can now give him to his mother." Suzuma told Leina.
Leina gave him a look then handed Azuma to Kahoko. "Here you go sweetie. Your uncle thinks that I am going to steal you from your mother so here you go."
Kahoko just smiled then carried Azuma inside the restaurant.
"You're very stingy." Leina whispered.
"I was not." Suzuma answered as he brought his wife inside.
Inside, the new heir was feasted by his very own family members. Akira, the eldest brother of Suzuma and Azuma, also came with his own 3 year old daughter and 5 year old son. The relatives of the Yunoki clan also came. Kahoko's family was also invited.
"You look like your daddy." Azuma's mother said as he carried her grandson.
"Look at his eyes." Leina commented with a huge smile on her lips.
Kahoko just watched them. She was happy that her son was accepted by the family of his father. Their acceptance also means that they acknowledged her as his mother.
"Kahoko, are you alright?" Azuma's father stood behind her.
Kahoko turned around and smiled.
"Yes. By the way, thank you very much for this." she bowed a little.
"Don't mention it." he answered. "I just want you to know that the entire clan is willing to be of assistance to you and to your son."
"Thank you very much sir but I think I have to refuse." she answered.
"Why is that, if I may ask?" he was startled at her refusal.
"I am not a Yunoki and I am not your responsibility but sir, I am really thankful that you and your family accepts my son as your own blood." she smiled.
"Whether you like it or not, you will still be taken cared by all of us as you have taken cared of Azuma." he patted Kahoko's shoulder and walked to his grand son.
Kahoko turned around and looked at the Yunokis. She does not know how to describe her feelings. She was happy. Azuma may have left but she's not alone. Everything's turning out fine, except for the fact that he's not there for her and their son.
"Auntie, auntie!" Kahoko's niece walked to her. She was Kotoko's 4 years old daughter.
Kahoko looked down and found a little girl who was bringing a purple colored cupcake. "Yes dear?" she stooped down.
"Will Azuma eat this one?" she asked.
"No dear. He's still a baby." she patted the little girl's head.
"Too bad he won't be able to taste these yummy cupcakes." the little girl frowned.
"He will soon, Keiko, now, now, go to Uncle and let him wipe your mouth clean alright?" Kotoko instructed her little girl.
The two then watched as the little Hino hopped her way to her uncle and asked him to wipe her face. Daisuke gladly did though while telling her the importance of being clean.
"Are you happy?" Kotoko asked.
"Yes. I am." Kahoko smiled. "If only Azuma's here..."
"We all understand what you are feeling but Kahoko, the world won't stop upon his death. I'm sure he wants you to continue living life." she advised.
"He wants me to marry someone." Kahoko answered without looking at her.
"How would you know?"
"I saw him in my dream... the day I gave birth." she glanced to see the reaction of her sister.
"And?" she seemed very curious.
"He made me promise that when I find someone who will love me the way he does, I must let him in." Kahoko finally turned to her sister.
Kotoko was surprised. "Well, he wants you happy then."
Kahoko merely pressed her lips and gently sighed.
•
Kahoko continued living her life with her son. Her family and Azuma's family all stayed with her, guiding her along the way.
"Azuma, be careful." She called out as Azuma struggled to stand up near the cushions.
Kahoko was watching her boy play as she laid on the pile of cushions on that soft feathery carpet. They played random music pieces in the background since she noticed that Azuma seems to be calm when such music was played in the background.
Her little boy was now two and a half year old and he's growing more and more like his father. He's such a charming boy, very much like his father.
He and his mother share such a great bond that he also couldn't sleep without his mother around. She reads him stories or they would listen to music together or she would hum him a song.
Suddenly, the music played on the speakers were that of Ave Maria, the piece which Kahoko loved and would seem to grab Azuma's attention which would make him sit still or lie down.
Kahoko closed her eyes and hummed at its tune. She felt at peace. Everything was going well except for the fact that she's alone, not to mention parenting a baby.
While she was stuck on her reverie, Azuma crawled to her and held her face, catching her in great surprised at what she just heard.
"Ma-ma.." he said as tilted his head a little.
She opened her eyes and stared at her little angel. But somehow she doubted if she heard him right so she dipped her ear a little, hoping to hear it again.
Azuma stuck his little tongue for a while and held his mother's nose. "Ma-ma.."
Kahoko was so delighted that she immediately propped up. She clasped her hands together and placed them on her mouth. She had a huge smile of great happiness radiating within her. Her son could finally talk and his first words were 'Mama'.
•
"You're slaking my dear." Kanazawa noted as he patted Kahoko's back.
"Its been a long time since I last played the violin." She gimaced as she continued. "And my back hurts."
"That's why we're practicing." He walked to the window. "You're Hino Kahoko, remember? The sought after violinist here in Japan and by hearing you play now..." he paused together with a sigh. "Oh goodness, my eardrums are breaking."
Kahoko looked at her violin and tried to remember the reason why she wanted to play in front of lots of people. She used to love it. She loved the feeling of conveying music to everybody and now she miss it. She wanted to go back to playing the violin and amaze people with music. Fascinate them as she had been fascinated by it before. It was music that paved way to her meeting with her ever loved friends and of her beloved person as well which makes her want to come back.
Azuma was playing on his play pen as his mother practiced in her own studio. She had decided to bring him along in her practices, thinking that he's going to enjoy her playing, however, she did not expect herself to produce such deafening tones.
As she finally decided to do it right, Kahoko settled her violin on her shoulder, tilted her head a little to the side, locked its base on her chin, lifted her right arm to a familiar arch and closed her eyes as she began to play her favorite piece. Ave Maria by Franz Schubert.
As Kahoko continued playing, Kanazawa closed his eyes. She was now playing the notes right. Her music filled the air in such stillness that even Azuma had stopped playing and seemed to be listening and wondering where the sound comes from.
'I remembered how music used to mean the world to me.' Kahoko thought as her arms gently brought her arms back and forth. 'I owe it and I should not abandon it. It would be something I will pass on to my son.' As she played, she couldn't help but recall everything that had went on with her life. They were as if flashed before her very eyes as she saw them in her head.
When she was finally through, she paused for a long while before opening her eyes, Suddenly, she heard a clap resounding from the far distant of the room. She opened her eyes and saw Kanazawa eyeing the door so she followed it. It was then that she grasped at the person she saw.
Tsukimori Len.
"It would be the first time in a long time that I've ever heard you play and its..." Len slowly walked near the crib as he continued. "More beautiful than I've last heard it."
Kahoko slowly placed her violin down to her side, stunned at the comment.
"Good afternoon, Kanazawa." Len politely dipped his head in a light nod.
"I thought you won't make it?" He asked in return.
"I finished my meeting rather later than I've expected it." he explained as he took noticed of the tiny boy who had just forced himself upright just to reached out to clasp his velvet colored business coat. "Hi." He gave Azuma a small smile.
Kahoko, who was just confused and was wanting to understand what brought the handsome lad there in their studio. "Hey, what brought you here?" She finally said.
"Kanazawa texted me and told me that perhaps I could be of help since our dear violinist seems to be in dire need of violin tutoring? Just to perhaps..." he made a clear emphasis as he patted Azuma's head lightly. "polish her prowess in handling the violin once again?"
Kahoko immediately raised a brow. Horrid at the thought that her prowess in handling the violin seemed to have rusted that he, the violin prodigy, had to rescue her because she's been playing pretty odd tones.
"I am merely..." She stammered, not able to find the next words to utter. "I merely lost my grip because I am unable to play the violin for so long but I'll get by. In no time, I will be able to perfectly play the violin once again. You'll see." she said with an assuring tone.
"Really?" Tsukimori raised a brow which is an indication that he's doubting.
"You seemed to be questioning my judgment." She asked in a tone which sure to demand an explanation. "You said a while ago that I have played such a beautiful melody than ever."
"Yes, I have. You're an expressive violinist but sorry to say this..." He tilted his head, looking as if he was trying to recall something. "I heard certain flaws in there. Minute flaws. You did a little ad lib. Yes?"
Kahoko straightened. "Y-Yes! But that's just because I forgot the dance of the notes." That was true of course. Len can easily point it out because he's got an exquisite ear for it. Ave Maria may have been the very first piece she had ever mastered but at the course of time, she forgot some of it notes.
"Therefore, you need... a tutor." Len had a sly smile which may not show but have glowered in his eyes by the way he was looking at her and Kahoko can see it. "You intend to make a comeback, I heard? And for a great violinist as yourself, you can't simply give people such a mediocre performances."
"Why do I need a tutor when I have you?" She turned to Kanazawa who was also considered as her mentor. "And Ousaki-san too?"
"Well, Ousaki had to go to America so he can't come to your aid." Kanazawa leaned on the wall to have a view of the busy streets. "And I, am your manager and mentor but I'm no expert of the violin. I can hear flaws when their obvious enough to my ears but not as precise as Tsukimori can."
"But I swear that in no time, I-" Kahoko tried to explain but Tsukimori had cut her by leaning down to Azuma who has learned that the coat he was holding onto had a pocket and that he found a hanky.
"You've grown I see." He told the little fella who seemed to be fascinated with the handkerchief that he has found. "And do you like how your mother played?" he asked as if the little boy could understand the complexities of his words. "She needs polishing, right?" He ran a finger to the boy's right cheek. "But she seems to be torn by pride..."
"I am not!" she hissed.
"by simply refusing me to be her tutor for free." Tsukimori shook his head.
Kahoko was annoyed but her fascination at the sight before her was far greater that she couldn't help but think that Len too could become a good father since he seems nice to children despite his cold demeanor.
"You better agree. He used to give you lectures I bet and it won't seem absurd if he'll do it again, would it?" Kanazawa held his lighter. He wanted to smoke but since the little boy was around, he knew he must not and because if he does, Kahoko would give her a lecture as if she was his a teenager and that she's his mother.
Kahoko did not tear her gaze at the man who was talking to her little boy. He seemed to have like him that he had wiped the man's face with the hanky in his hand.
"Thank you." Len uttered in a low tone.
Kahoko saw Azuma smile. He smiled at him and Len smiled back. It was then that she heard a voice echo in her head.
"when you find someone who will love you the way I would, stay with you through thick and thin... let him in."
She could recall Azuma, her beloved's wish when he appeared in her dream when she gave birth to their child 2 years ago.
"Now, have you decided?" Kanazawa was looking at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Ah," Kahoko's breath slowed as Azuma reached for Len, wanting him to carry him up which Len seemed to have obliged.
"Kahoko?" Kanazawa said.
"Y-yes." She nodded.
Len was looking at Azuma's eyes as he touched his nose and then drew it back in a thought that he might not light it and get mad. He merely gave the little boy a nose to nose that made him giggle.
"Let him in."
Kahoko recalled as her brows curled in such a way that she's kind of fascinated and at time, confused.
•
"Thank you for today." Kahoko said as Len conducted her to the main door of her house.
Its been a month since Len had come to 'tutor' Kahoko for her to regain her prowess in playing the violin and it can be seen that she's finally able to play well. And tonight, he asked her out as a repay for his tutoring which she agreed since he asked for it in return for his service.
They dined at a beautiful restaurant far from the city and had a great time, talking about random things which includes her being as a single mom.
"You're welcome." Len answered her calmly.
"Uhm, I gotta go." She forced a smile, bracing herself for an awkward goodbye.
"Yes." He merely nodded, sensing the tension around her but prefer not showing her that he can feel it.
"Yes." She turned around, about to open the door when Tami-san opened it for her from the inside. He bowed a little to greet her a wonderful evening accompanied by a welcoming remark.
"The young master had fallen asleep at 8 in the evening, my lady." Tami informed.
"I see, thank you." She smiled at him, glad that her boy was able to sleep without restlessness. She then remembered the man who was waiting for her to close the door behind her before he leave. She turned her head and saw him standing still, right where she left him. She blinked her eyes for a second and wondered if she should offer him coffee for a short while. "Coffee?" she right-away asked, seemed to have forgotten the hesitation she should have in mind. He merely nodded and asked for entrance.
The two went to the living room. Tami served them coffee. It was already 10 in the evening but Kahoko was suppressing a laugh as Len called her a virginal violinist. She placed her cup on the saucer and placed it on her lap as she shook her head. Wondering what made him call him as such.
"I already have a son and you're calling me, virginal." She responded.
Len took a sip then lowered the cup a little. "Its in the way you play." He bend over to the table before them and placed his cup on its saucer. "Its normal for violinist to sway but really, I find yours quite odd."
"Odd?" She repeated. "Weird?"
"Yes." He nodded, leaning back to the couch. "Its virginal, remember?"
"Care to explain what brought you to say such remark?" she tilted her head, curious.
"Its hard to explain." He turned to the lamp beside him. "But I want you to know another thing. Your music has this clean sound which seems to convey your mood to people."
Kahoko raised her brows a little, liking how that sounded. "I would rather think of that as a beautiful compliment from the prodigy himself." she shrugged a little. "And may we continue?"
He gave her a dubious look. "Continue fetching compliments?"
Kahoko was amused at his answer. "Well, can be."
"You look like a duck when you frown." He said.
"Really?" she grimaced, looking hurt at the thought of it.
"Yes." He looked at her intently. "Now, should we continue?"
"Certainly not." She shook her head. She was kind of amazed that Len was improving his humor. It was so new to her that she wondered if he was still the genuine old cold violinist she knew since it seems to her that there were lots of changes. "Know what? You're having such a humor."
"Really?" He mimicked the way she said said.
He was still having that cold aura but he was now quite good at dealing with people, she figured. Perhaps business, served him well.
"Yes." She nodded with a smile on her lips as she took another sip from her coffee.
Then there was a long pause. Len looked at her then focused on the cup and saucer on the table. There was something he wanted to say but wondered if he must or if it was appropriate.
"Kahoko," he began as he turned his head a little and looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Yes?" She placed the cup and saucer on the table and looked at him, wondering.
Then there he hesitated. His face showed no hesitation but his eyes showed her that there was something clouding inside his mind.
"Yes?" she repeated.
"I wish, no.. I wonder," he placed his gaze on her, not flickering. "if you've ever thought of sending Azuma to the clan once he's already old enough."
The question made Kahoko stop. "Well... I'd deal with that matter when he's at the right age." She took at short pause. "He's a Yunoki too and he going to sire the things his father left for him but I won't surely force him to do the things he doesn't want to do."
"I see." He responded.
Kahoko looked at him. "What made you ask?"
"I was just wondering. I am very much aware that he's an heir and his father did so much for their family." He answered.
"Yes." She agreed.
When the clock struck quarter to eleven, Len finally stood up and told her that he must leave since he had appointments to attend to. Kahoko agreed and offered to walk him to the front door.
"Thank you again." She said.
"My pleasure." He answered. "I better be going."
"Yes." She knew for it was really late.
Len turned around and took a few steps until he once again turned around, his eyes tightening as he gazed at her. "I would like to court you."
Kahoko gasped. She was wondering if what she heard was right or the wind just carried it from somewhere and whispered to her ear. But the look in his eyes told her that it was from him and that she's not hearing things.
"I-I..." She was at lost for words. Obviously caught somewhere she does not understand how she would be able to handle the situation.
He turned around. With determination in his stance and face. He fully faced her. "It would seem crazy to you as it had already been to me but... I want to be with you."
"Why?" Her brows curling. She was confused why he would utter such absurd words when he knows that she's already with child and that she's under the protection of his business rival.
"I would want you to forget everything. I know you are with child but I love you and would willingly accept everything about you." He said in such a sincere and bold tone that had seemed to capture her heart. Hurting and overwhelming it in the process.
"I do not..." she looked away, in fear that she would see the hurt in his eyes as she intend to refuse. "I do not wish to forget Yunoki Azuma."
"I am not asking you to forget him." He wanted her to understand. He wanted her to see that he loved her dearly and he would be more willing to be by her side through thick and thin than see her alone. Knowing that at the back of her sunny disposition, lies a woman who needs someone strong to be there for her and her child. To tell her that she's been strong enough to depend on him. "I cannot replace him, I knew as you've made your choice 3 years ago. But I want to protect you. Love you..."
Tsukimori Len was never good with words of love. He used to despise any cheesy lines of any sort. Their old relationship was not much of a romantic kind as that of Kahoko and Yunoki but he tried to be a loving partner to her. And now that he's speaking everything that's in his heart and mind, let him release it out.
"Why would you willingly do that?" She asked, disbelieving that he's indirectly specifying that he wanted to be a martyr of love. Asking her to let him in when he knew she loved Yunoki Azuma more, the father of beloved son, though he had died.
"Because I love you and I find no other logic than to say it directly." his eyes were soft, pleading for her to believe him.
She knew he does. From everything, she knew how much she's loved by him. He never left. He might have disappeared for a while but in times of need, sadness, he was there, standing at a distance, waiting for her to take notice. She never asked him to do that but he's doing it anyway.
"I have a son." She said. She wanted to utter an excuse for she was uncertain if she deserves the man right in front of her, but she found nothing so she said the real score between them.
"I would willingly accept him. Give him my name if you want to or let him stay as a Yunoki." He didn't flinch. It seemed that he was ready for that very moment. "I would be a father to him, carrying my family name or that of a Yunoki."
Kahoko was dumbfounded. She was greatly loved. She loves him too but not greater than Yunoki Azuma. "I-I don't deserve you."
With that, a chaste smile seemed to have formed on his lips and his eyes showed such sincerity. "I tried to think of that but every time I do, I am merely reminded of how much I do." He finally found the courage to move forward to her. "Sometimes, I wonder why people can't simply choose who to love."
It was like a riddle. She told him she does not deserve him and he answered her that he does and that he cannot force himself to love someone else but her. It was like saying, 'How can you tell me you don't deserve my love when you are everything that my heart desires?'
Kahoko closed her eyes. She knew she does not deserve such love. She can manage raising a son on her own. She was fine the way she was now, but as she tried to think of things that would keep her mind steady to refusing Len's declaration, she heard Azuma's voice and saw his face the night he appeared to her dreams after she had given birth.
I don't want to see you sad. I want someone to take good care of you the way I would.
When you find someone who will love you the way I would, stay with you through thick and thin... let him in.
He was smiling.
It made her cry. She finally realized why he wanted her to move on from him. He wanted to see her happy. But she refuse to let his will be done because she found it unfair for the person who will take her hand when she loved someone else rather than him alone.
Let him in.
She once again heard. It was as if he was telling her, communicating with her from her mind, that right before her very eyes was the man he approve of.
Someone who will love you the way I would... stay with you through thick and thin... Let him in.
Kahoko opened her eyes, lifted her gaze and saw Len's worried face. There he was, the man Azuma has been referring to. No questions asked, it was him all along. She know. Deep inside she knows.
•
"I'm quite surprised that you asked me out." Suzuma said as he sliced his steak.
"Well, there's something I would like to tell you." She looked down, trying to focus on something for her to be able to gather her thoughts.
"About what?" He wondered. "If its about you returning to your being a violinist, well, its alright. You're free to do whatever you want to do."
"Its not about that." She had a silent gulp.
"Then what?" He looked at her, encouraging her to declare what she had in mind.
"I-I-I'm seeing Tsukimori Len." She declared.
Suzuma did not react. He just looked at her. "Courting you or dating you or marrying you?" He handed the options as if there was nothing wrong with them.
"I do not know yet." she replied then lowered her gaze from him. "Is it possible for me to accept him?"
Suzuma took the table napkin from his lap, wiped the sides of his mouth then placed it on the table as he looked back to Kahoko. "For me, there's nothing wrong with it if you marry him."
"We're still dating." she said.
"It'll reach there." Suzuma corrected, proving a point. "What's the point of dating if it won't end in marriage?" He gave a light shrug. "You can be married again, Hino-san. You're not bonded to us."
"I see." She looked at her hands.
"There's a reason why Azuma did not marry you." He decided to at least give her some explanation now. Not wanting her to feel obliged to the clan.
Kahoko gave him a gaze that told him he wanted to know whatever it is that he wanted to say since it involves Azuma not marrying her.
"He originally wanted you to marry and have a family of your own." He began, watching her eyes soften at the thought. "He wanted you to be happy. He did not want you tied to us just when he's not around."
"I see then." she nodded. She knows that. She understood Azuma's point when he told her that they must not be wed. "But I have his son and he's carrying his father's name."
"Yes." Suzuma answered. "But then again, you're not married to my younger brother." He patted Kahoko's hand. "Before he died, he talked to my father. He explained why he did not want you to be tied to him. He asked them not to meddle with everything that you'd have to do with regards to marrying. Though he asked us to watch over you."
Kahoko realized how much preparations Azuma did for her upon his leave. She did not expect him to plan so much for her. He loves her so much that even till his death, he was taking care of her. Wanting her to be happy.
"The battle is not here Kahoko. It's just within you." Suzuma smiled.
•
"I'm flying to Ireland." Kahoko informed.
"When?" Len wondered.
"The day after tomorrow." She answered as she placed her violin inside its case.
"I see." He answered as he closed his eyes.
Kahoko turned her head to him and saw how exhausted he was. "You better get going. You're tired."
"I will bring you and Azuma home." he answered as he opened his eyes.
Len would always come to the studio and fetch Kahoko and Azuma for him to conduct them home despite his busy schedules.
"Well then, let's go." Kahoko took Azuma and walked to the door. Len just nodded and moved to where she was standing.
•
Kahoko finally arrived in Ireland. She was bound to have a presentation there together with a particular Irish orchestra in one of the old castles for a Christmas eve celebration. She accepted the offer in order to bring Azuma out of the country and hear her music in a different perspective. It was a music for a cost concert.
"Thank you very much for coming over tonight." the maestro said, gleefully smiling at everyone in the crowd.
Kahoko was waiting inside the castle. Waiting to be introduced to everybody. The place was minimally decorated. There were white Christmas lights all over the palace, making it sparkle like gems.
"Tonight, we have a guest, this damsel is from Japan and had performed countless of times around Europe." the maestro glanced at the backstage. Kahoko gave him a smile, cuing him that she appreciated the things he was saying and that she's finally ready. "Some of you might have heard her play so now, give it up, to our beautiful Miss Kahoko Hino."
Kahoko walked up the stage and smiled at the crowd. At the VIP area, there she saw Azuma, Kanazawa and Ousaki.
"Good evening everyone, tonight I am going to perform 3 pieces." She looked around the crowd. "My first piece would be, 'Silent Night'."
Kahoko brought her violin to her shoulder and lifted her right arm in an arch then started playing. As she began playing, people closed their eyes to savor the music. She was playing the notes well. Beautifully to be exact. As she ended the final note, she opened her eyes and saw people clapping their hands.
"My next piece would be, 'My Grown Up Christmas List'." She announced then once again played the violin.
"She's finally back." Ousaki whispered to Kanazawa.
"Yes yes." He answered while Azuma was struggling to pull his bow tie while sitting on Ousaki's lap.
"And now, my final piece would be. 'O Holy Night'." She said but just as she was about to play the piece, she saw Len standing at the end of the chairs, dressed in white long sleeve top and black slacks. He nodded at her, she smiled then there she started playing the violin.
Len watched her carefully. She was wearing a long white gown. Her hair was tied up in a neat updo style with nice cute frills at the side of her face. She wore a make up on and she looked lovely by just standing there and playing her violin. She looked like a princess who's standing in front of her castle while serenading her own people.
As she finished her final piece, she raised her hands and then curtsied. She smiled at everyone. They all clapped their hands and then she made her exit.
The orchestra played its final piece then off they went, satisfying its people.
"You came." Kahoko said as soon as she met up with Len who was patiently waiting for her along with Kanazawa, Ousaki and Azuma in their seats. It took her 30 minutes to leave the backstage as the conductor talked to her, congratulating and telling her if she wants to come on tour with them the next year.
"It's Christmas." He answered.
"Why? Your family will be missing you." She said as people began clearing the area.
Len decided to catch the next flight after Kahoko and Azuma's departure. He wanted to spend the holidays with them.
"There's nowhere I wanted to spend my Christmas anywhere but here." he merely answered, catching Kahoko off-guard.
Kahoko then smiled. She took his arm then pulled him to where her son, manager and coach sat.
The four of them went to the inn Kanazawa prepared for them. They had a small gathering. It was finally beginning to snow outside. Azuma was wrapped in a thick cotton jacket and scarfs. He also had a white bonnet on. Kahoko on the other hand wore a read jacket with a brown scarf. Len still wore his top but he placed a blue scarf around his neck. Kanazawa wrapped himself in a thick, black leather jacket. He was hovering around the fire place, seeking for warmth. Ousaki laughed at him while sitting at the sofa at the far end of the fire place.
They also had a small exchanging gift. It was already 8pm and Azuma was already yawning after he had opened his gifts. Kahoko brought him to their room and laid him in his crib. After that, she went out and saw the three gentlemen sitting on the carpet while drinking wine. Upon seeing her, Len stood up and neared her.
"I'm sleepy." Kanazawa stood up.
"Me too." Ousaki said cheerfully, sending Len a signal that only the three of them would understand while leaving Kahoko wondering what.
The two men bid their good night them went to their separate rooms. The ones left now are only Kahoko and Len. They squatted on the carpet and finally began conversing.
"How's your mother and father?" she wondered.
"They're doing well." he answered as he sipped his wine.
"Too bad they had to spend their Christmas without you." she frowned.
"They'd understand. I spend lots of Christmas alone, Kahoko." he said as he gazed at the fire.
Oh yeah, Kahoko recalled. Len was already used to being alone and spending a Christmas away from his family is nothing new.
"So what do you think about my performance?" She asked, trying to divert the topic.
"Virginal." He answered, making Kahoko snigger.
"Here we go again." She rolled her eyes.
"I'm wondering..." he began, in a much serious tone that told Kahoko he was up to something. "I'm still not good at this but I want to give you my Christmas gift." He slipped a small box towards Kahoko's hand without looking at it. Kahoko tilted her head and took the box. Her heart then started pounding. "Its the ring that I used to give you when I asked your hand in marriage." He finally turned his head to her direction. She looked up to him. "I'm still not good at it but, I still want your hand in marriage, after all this time. I want to share the world with you."
Kahoko opened the box. The ring was still the same. It was the ring he once bought for her. She stared at it. The feeling was finally right. She felt so light. She felt loved.
"I must be the luckiest woman alive to have been loved by you." She smiled. "Women are probably envious of me as I am loved by Azuma and you." she looked at him. "Don't get me wrong but I am really grateful to be loved by two of the most amazing men in this world."
"That's a very huge compliment." he shook his head. "I don't know why we have come to love you. Why it has to be you."
Kahoko opened her mouth, amused at the statement. "Excuse me?"
He merely smiled as he held her hand. "You're making me nervous."
Kahoko became silent. She stared at the ring.
"You don't have to answer me right awa-"
"Yes." She cut him off, looking up at him, smiling.
•••
Kahoko was already up, she was busy preparing breakfast together with their helpers. She had been walking back and forth from the kitchen to the dining table.
"Uhm, Maya? The milk is not yet here." Kahoko told the young maid. "Are the pancakes done?"
"Yes, milady." Tami nodded. "It will finally be brought out here along with the chocolate syrup that the young master likes."
"How about the bacon?" she wondered.
The maid then went out from the kitchen. Tami then took it from her and laid it on the table. "here my lady."
Kahoko had decided to prepare, bacon, wheat bread, pancakes, cut banana and strawberries, corned beefs, milk and coffee.
"Good morning." Len entered the dining table.
Kahoko turned to him and kissed his cheek. "Good morning."
"You cooked?" he wondered, looking at the table.
"Kinda." She simpered.
"I'm bound to eat it anyway." He smirked as he went to his chair.
"I'm kind of insulted." Kahoko said, frustrated. Feeling as if her effort was wasted.
"Till death do us part, remember?" He winked at her.
Kahoko was in a daze. She was wondering when Len learned how to wink. It was as though Len was never the type who wouldn't know how to wink. Suddenly, her attention was grabbed because she heard familiar footsteps. She turned around and saw two small heads walking inside the living room.
"Good morning." Kahoko greeted.
The 7 year old boy walked to Kahoko and kissed her cheek then went to Len to do the same. Tami looked down and greeted the young master.
"Good morning." He smiled at them.
"Good morning!" a 4 year old little girl who came hopping greeted with a beaming smile.
"Good morning sweetheart." Kahoko leaned down and kissed the little girl's cheek.
"Daaad! Look at my new bag!" She ran to Len and boasted her newly bought bag.
Len kissed her cheek then looked at her blue bag. "Why is this blue?"
"I love blue!" She answered.
Ayame, unlike other kids, likes the color blue and not pink.
"You can wear that dear one but you can't go to school just yet." Kahoko reminded her.
"So when can I go to school then?" She questioned, frowning at them.
"When you're not little anymore." Azuma answered as he took some pancakes for himself.
Ayame turned to him with brows meeting at the center. "I'm not little anymore. I'm a big girl!"
Len and Kahoko looked at her as she crossed her arms in front of her.
"There there... come along and let us eat. Your piano teacher will come at around 8. If you won't eat, you'll make her wait." Kahoko said as she ushered her little girl to her chair right beside hers.
Len and Kahoko have been married for 5 years now and they have a beautiful family. Azuma was already 7 while their youngest is 4. Azuma was growing to be a lot more like his father while Ayame was growing to be a complete mixture of Len and Kahoko.
Azuma was now in grade one. He seemed to be a brilliant boy. He was the number one in his class, a very brilliant boy like his father. He was also attending music lessons in the afternoon, picking flute as his instrument. He had inherited his father's flute, aware that his father was the owner. Len and Kahoko were open about Azuma being the son of the late Yunoki Azuma, Sr. They had explained to him why his family name was different from theirs. It was actually Kahoko's decision to let him stay as a Yunoki even though Len was very much willing to give him his family name. The little boy understood. He was very pleasant like his father. He has a very calm and sweet demeanor that would make everyone love him dearly.
Ayame on the other hand was such a head strung girl. She does everything she wants. A sweet and tough girl combined. Her hair was blue and long. It was wavy like her mother's. Her eyes were topaz and her smile was like her mother's. She had the nose of her father and she inherited his cold, tough demeanor.
"Will you watch me play today?" Ayame asked Azuma while she nibbled her banana with honey syrup.
"Yes, you said you are going to play me a beautiful melody right?" He said cheerfully.
"Yes! That new piece I learned yesterday." She had a huge smile on. "If I play it well, you promised you'd give me a puppy right?"
Azuma chuckled as he poured some chocolate syrup on his pancake. "Maybe."
The little girl was shocked. She then frowned at him, thinking that her brother was bound to break her promise. "You promised!"
"You don't have to frown like that." Len told his daughter.
"But-but he pinky swore!" Ayame's lips turned upside down, indicating that she was sad.
"I was just kidding." Azuma smiled at her.
"Hmmph!" Ayame ate a mouthful of her pancake.
When the teacher came, Ayame ran to him and told him she was excited. Her piano teacher was Ryoutaro. Kahoko and Azuma was there to watch her being tutored. It was on the latter part that Ayame played to them that beautiful melody that she had just learned. She was the one who called it such, unable to recall its real name.
"Your daughter is good." Ryoutaro told Kahoko as Ayame practiced as her brother sat beside her.
"She likes the sound of the piano. She wants to be a great pianist someday but she said she wanted to be a fire fighter too." Kahoko shook her head, smiling at the thought.
"She'd be a heck of a fire fighter." Ryoutaro chuckled.
The piano teacher left the house at exactly 3pm, just on time for Ayame's nap. As the little girl was asleep, Azuma was also having a lesson with his flute teacher who also came from the Seiso academy.
At 5pm, Ayame woke up and went out to find her mother when a cute half-bred golden retriever caught her eyes.
"Puppy!" She ran to the dog and carried it up. "Who owns this puppy?!" She ran around then bumped into Tami. "Mister Tami, who owns this cute puppy?"
"The young master brought that here for you my lady." he smiled at the giddy little girl.
"Yaayyy!" She cuddled the dog and walked around to look for her brother. "Maybe he's in the library." She hurried while carrying her new puppy on her arm.
Azuma likes to read. On his free time, he reads novels, poems and such. Currently, he was reading The Odyssey by Homer when the door of the library flung open, revealing a little girl who ran to him with a very huge smile on.
"I love it!" She said.
"I'm glad." He answered.
Ayame placed her puppy down and then gave her brother a nice, warm hug. "I love you." she wriggled her head. "You smell nice and you're the best brother in the world!"
The young Azuma just smiled.
•
"What a head strung girl she is." Len noted as he stood on the door frame going out of the balcony.
"Her attitude resembles you." Kahoko walked to him and gave him a teasing smile.
"I'm afraid that's the case." Len sighed then looked at his lovely wife who was wearing that red silk robe. She had just finished taking a bath. Her hair was still moist. He thought she looked lovely in those messy hair, making him want to pull her to him and hold her in his arms which was most likely what he just did.
"But she's sweet too, like you but her sweetness more likely came from me." she said with her back against him, holding his arms which were wrapped around her.
"I wanna tell you something." He whispered.
"Go on then." She answered as she looked at the crescent moon.
"It's a story which I would want you to know." He said in a low tone. "When I was on my training as a soon to be CEO of the Tsukimori group, 8 years ago, Azuma went to see me." Kahoko straightened then turned around to look at Len in the eyes. "We dined somewhere to talk. Something which I thought would just be about business but then, no." He looked at her eyes. She looked curious and confused. "He asked me if I love you. The kind of question which at first made me feel insulted because I thought he was going to show to my face that he finally have had you." He held her hands together. They felt cold against his. "But then he told he's dying and asked me to watch over you because I am the man who will love you as much as he would and protect you like he would." Upon hearing that, Kahoko's tears fell from her eyes. "It was him who brought me back to you. That's also the reason why I wouldn't want you to forget about him. That for me, loving him won't make me feel less than a man. Merely because we're loving the same woman."
"Ohh.." Kahoko embraced him and thought about everything. She had just heard this now. "Why have you just old me about this now?"
"To show you how grateful I am of him." he answered as he buried his head to her hair and caressed it. "He gave me the family that I have ever dreamed of."
Kahoko realized that everything happens for a reason and that she was loved by two great men. Men who would do everything to make their dame happy. She owed Azuma a lot. She loves him too and now she also loves the man embracing her. She couldn't understand how possible it was to love two at the same time. Azuma was her first love, her one great love but Len was her present love. Her husband. The man she would spend all the days of her life with. The man she had grown to love every single day.
As Kahoko closed her eyes and prayed, she thanked Azuma for everything. For the love and sacrifices and even for her beautiful family. And it was on her slumber that he showed up to her with a warm smile on, saying 'You're welcome, my love.'
•••
THE END
•••
author's note: Sorry it took me a long time to finish this. I was confused on how I was bound to write the ending. Endings are difficult to write. But finally, I made an update. A long one to be precise.
Back to the story, Azuma died because if no one dies, the title will loose its meaning. Melancholy Schmaltz. Melancholy means sad. Schmaltz means excessive sentimentality, especially in music or films. Kahoko's sentiments with regards to her love to Azuma makes her sad because she had lost him. Azuma did everything for her. He made sure that everything will be perfect for Kahoko even in his leave. He loved her so much that even in the after life, he'd been watching her. He handed her to Len because he knew that it was only Len who will love her greatly as he would and he was not wronged. Len never left Kahoko. He stayed beside her even though he knew he can never compete with Kahoko's love towards Azuma. A thing which he already had faced even before Kahoko and Azuma got together. Azuma also asked his family to take care of her which they amazingly complied to because they saw how much they have loved each other.
Azuma, the son, have grown to be a lot more like his father but was accepted by the entire family. He was also blessed by a sibling, Ayame, which was close to him. A thing which Azuma (the father), had never experienced. Even after their marriage, Len was thankful to Azuma because he gave him the family that he had always been dreamed of.
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