LA CORDA D'ORO FANFIC
The Music I Heard
Description:
Hino Kahoko decided to quit music at the age of ten. Since then, she tried her best to distance herself from anything musical. But she was forcefully transferred to Seiso Academy by her mom. Later she joined the musical concours, of course also against her will. Will she return or run away?
[Not Edited]
Measure 02: Additional Participant
Friday. Kahoko smiled as she stared at her calendar. There are no classes the next day and that means she will be getting her quiet days soon. Kahoko dressed up in a good mood and didn't forget to put on her headphones before going out of her room.
"Mom, I'm going!"
"Have fun at school!"
Hearing her mother's reply, Kahoko opened the front door and ran out. There is no concert today at the plaza but it is still pretty much crowded. But it is a bit tolerable with her headphones on. Kahoko didn't rush to go to school. She took her time walking and having a toast on the way. She really hoped that her Friday would be peaceful and quiet but Lady Luck really isn't showing her any favor.
"Hino Kahoko? Who is that?"
"Dunno. Did she even auditioned?"
"No. I didn't see anyone with that name during the audition."
"There must be some mistake, right?"
"Must be. But they had never made this kind of mistake before."
Kahoko frowned at the mention of her name. She looked over and saw a group of music students talking to themselves. Kahoko wondered why some music students know of her name. She had never involved herself with them so how could they know her name? Unless what she had done yesterday in their building spread?
But what she did is not really a big deal so there is no way that caused them to know her name. Kahoko head towards her building and the noise intensified as she walk towards it. She can see students gathering in the hall, in front of the bulletin board to be exact. As soon as she entered, her friends, Mio and Nao, came running to her.
"Kaho-chan! Big news!" Nao called to her with a tone of mixed worry and excitement.
"Come with us for a moment. Hurry. Hurry!"
"Eh?" Kahoko was not given a time to ask what happen as her friends pulled her towards the crowd. Mio made way for them while Nao pulled Kahoko along. As soon as they were in front of the board, Kahoko noticed the noticed pasted on it.
'INTER-SCHOOL MUSICAL CONCOURS
[Participants]'
"Concours? This is what you were talking about yesterday, right? It's just the list of participants, isn't it? So what?" Kahoko asked her friends, not really showing interest in the notice. Though she is a bit confused why this announcement is also posted her. As far as she knew, only music students auditioned this year. So why also post here?
"W-well, yeah. But look at the bottom!"
Kahoko raised an eyebrow at her friends, not really seeing the point in all of this. Starting at the beginning, Kahoko read the notice.
'INTER-SCHOOL MUSICAL CONCOURS
[Participants]
Music Department
1st Year Group A – Shimizu Keiichi
1st Year Group B – Fuyumi Shouko'
"1st years? That's impressive. I heard most participants for the concours most come from 2nd and 3rd years. They must be a real deal." Kahoko mused as she read the rest.
'2nd Year Group A – Tsukimori Len
3rd Year Group B – Hihara Kazuki
3rd Year Group B – Yunoki Azuma'
'Huh? He is here too?'
"I still don't see why I am needed here. This is just the list of participants for the concours. I am out of here." Kahoko said, getting impatient by all the noises around her. They are all asking if it is 'her'. Kahoko couldn't understand what they are saying but she is too annoyed to even care about it.
"And like I said, look at the bottom, you idiot!" Nao answered her in a bit of annoyance and excitement. Her finger pointing at the very bottom of the paper.
'[Additional Participant]
General Education Department
2nd Year Group B – Hino Kahoko'
"What?!" Kahoko blinked her eyes and her name is really on the list. She read the whole announcement again and look at the bottom. Her name is really printed in there. She reached out and tore the paper from the board and looked again. She is so confused. Why is her name added in the list of participants for the concours? Is it Mom? Or Onee-chan? Did they do this?
She immediately took out his phone and run towards the music department. She managed to dial the phone number of her older sister as she passed through the garden.
"Moshi moshi? Kahoko?"
"Nee-chan, did you know about this?" Kahoko didn't bother reciprocating her greeting and went straight to business. She found a quiet place and stayed away from people.
"What is it?"
'"The concours! Did you put me in?" Kahoko asked, anxious.
"Concours? You're writing music again?" Her older sister asked. The hint of shock in her voice is pretty noticeable.
"No! I-I don't." Kahoko answered her sister, her voice is a bit rising because of anxiousness. "What about Mom? Did she put me up to this? Is this why you transferred me to Seiso?"
"I don't know. But I assure you, we did not transfer you because we want you to join a concours or something. But isn't it good? You can write again –"
"I told you, I don't want to go back. So please remove me from the list. I don't want to do it anymore." Kahoko pleaded, the anger in her voice disappeared leaving the anxiousness and melancholy. The line was silent for a while and all Kahoko can hear is her own breathing.
"…okay. I assure you, Mom and I don't know anything about the concours. For now, go talk to the one in charge of the competition and ask what happen. Calm down okay? We will never force you to do something you really don't want."
"O-okay." She shakily answered. Kahoko took in a few deep breaths and nod. "I'm sorry, Onee-chan."
"It's okay. It is nothing to worry about."
"Bye."
"See you at home."
"Okay."
Kahoko ended the call and wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes. She cleared her throat and fix her hair. She look at the crumpled paper in her hands and sighed. She again placed her headphones on her head before walking. Kahoko ignored the noises as she look at the floor plan at the entrance of the building. Once she located where the faculty is, she rushed towards it.
"The one in-charge of the concours? Oh, you must be looking for Kanazawa-sensei." The teacher she asked answered her as she pointed at the man lazing around the window.
"That is Kanazawa-sensei. He is a music teacher."
"Thank you so much, sensei." Kahoko bowed to the teacher before walking toward the man she was looking for.
"Good morning, Kanazawa-sensei. Sorry for coming to find you so suddenly. I am Hino Kahoko for the Gen. Ed. Department. I want to ask you about the list of participants for the concours."
"The Concours? Oh, you must be a participant." Kanazawa-sensei said as he lazily stood up from where he is sitting. He took out a cigarette and pop it into his mouth.
"Yes. Regarding this matter, I feel that I absolutely cannot be chosen. May I ask if you confused me with someone else?"
"No. No mistake about it. It's you." Kanazawa answered her while scratching his head. He was about to leave but Kahoko ran in front of him.
"But this cannot happen. I didn't even auditioned!"
"There nothing you could do about it. Besides, I wasn't the one who selected the participants. Moreover…" Kanazawa sighed and hung his head. "Why am I place in charge of the concours?"
Kahoko stared at the teacher with a hint of annoyance. It is really uselss for him to ask her the last question since she isn't the one who forced him to be in-charge. And although this teacher seems reluctant about his job, she is even more reluctant to join this competition.
"But the reason you were selected, should be because you saw 'that', right? How sad. Even I pity you."
'That'? Kahoko perked up as she realized what he just said. 'Don't tell me…'
"Sensei, you can see 'that'?"
"Me? I can't. I was just relaying what the principal told me. But even so, try and make an effort. Since you're selected, you must have something in you." The teacher candidly said, making Kahoko more annoyed.
"Make an effort? It is you all who put my name on the list and you're telling me to make an effort?" Kahoko lashed out when she realized the teacher is unwilling to help her. Kanazawa stared at her and sighed, not really taking offense by Kahoko's rudeness.
"Look, we're both forced here and I understand you are angry but I really cannot give you help here. If you have any questions, just go and ask 'that'. The principal also ask you to go to that practice rooms building. 'That' must be there, right?"
Kahoko stared at the teacher while calming herself down. She took note of what he had said and nodded. She apologized and was about to leave when a pair of music students came, waving at the teacher beside her.
"Kanao-san~ we have been selected to join the concours!"
"I heard that you are the one in-charge of this."
One is the cheerful but sporty type while the other one is a pretty and elegant type. Kahoko looked at the former for a second before going to the second. She can recognize that fake kind smile anywhere.
"Ah! You are the participant from the Gen. Ed. Department! It is so nice to meet you. I am Hihara Kazuki from Class 3-B. I play the trumpet, please take care of me." The energetic one came rushing towards her and enthusiastically shook her hand. Kahoko almost couldn't feel her hands from all the shaking.
"Stop that, Kazuki. Can't you see she's uncomfortable?" The pretty looking guy took Hihara's hands away from Kahoko's and flashed an apologetic smile to her. But Kahoko knew he is enjoying the show. Hihara apologized to her.
"Kahoko-chan. Long time no see. I am very surprised to see your name on the list. But I thought you enrolled in an all-girls school for high school?" The pretty guy asked her while assessing her.
"I transferred in more than a week ago." Kahoko answered, not really wanting to talk to him. She is really uncomfortable talking to a fake persona.
"How sad. You didn't even visit me." He said to her, acting like he is really sad and wronged. Kahoko's lips twitched in annoyance. She really wanted to expose this fake but she knew no one would believe her. She knew it by experience.
"Mom did say you are studying here but I do not exactly know what class you are in." Kahoko answered him. Hihara, noticing that they knew each other, came in between them with curious eyes.
"Ne, ne~ You knew each other?"
"Yes. Kahoko-chan is a kouhai in middle school."
"Wow! I am really happy to meet you. A participant from the other department coming to join the concours really makes people happy. I hope that this would be a pleasant competition. By the way, what instrument are you playing?" Hihara asked her, exuding excitement.
"Right. I've never heard you play an instrument." Yunoki asked, clearly confused about why she is on the list.
"Could it be that you're a pianist?"
"No!" Kahoko answered, getting tired of how energetic this senior is. She sighed and turn to the ignored teacher.
"Thank you for your time. I have to go." Kahoko turned her back when the teacher nodded at her. She waved goodbye to the two and left.
-o0o-
PRACTICE ROOMS
Kahoko sighed for the nth time today. Kanazawa-sensei said that 'it' would be here and like an idiot, she really ran here. All the room are soundproofed and unless the door or windows are open, one really couldn't hear anything. Kahoko observed the hallway, looking for the tiny creature that she saw yesterday.
"Eh? Hino Kahoko, you came!" An excited squeak astounded Kahoko. Looking up, she saw that creature again. Though she is not shocked to the point of fainting, she was still surprise to see a creature that is only mentioned in fantasy books and legends.
"I have something important to tell you!"
Kahoko was about to ask the creature when she heard the turning of a doorknob. She immediately opened an empty practice room and entered, sending a glare to the creature while she is at it.
"Wow, you can be really scary sometimes." The creature wondered out loud, hitting Kahoko's nerve.
"I am the one who is scary? You are scarier than me! What are you anyway?" Kahoko asked, brushing her hair up in frustration.
"Me?" The creature asked, ignoring the annoyance being displayed by the teenager and maintaining the excitement in its voice.
"My name is Lili. A type belonging to elves." The creature answered, getting Kahoko's attention.
"Elves?"
"Yes! Some people call me the musical fairy."
"The one in the legend?"
"Exactly. The other elves and I carry out a mission using music to make everyone on this earth be sought after and hence give them happiness. Because elves harbor kind intentions, they can use whatever they know to allow everyone on this earth to gain happiness from music, and direct them to the most basic form of existence –"
"Can you go straight to the point?" Kahoko asked Lili, not really interested in what the creature is saying.
"Ahem, The point is, we believe that everything in Earth can attain happiness. Hence as a musical fairy, we believe that music is the source of the fountain of happiness. That is why we need to spread music far and wide to every corner of the earth to fill up the world with happiness."
Kahoko's face dropped at what the creature told her. 'Happiness through music? I remember it bringing me something else.' Kahoko smiled at herself hearing those familiar phrases. This fairy said the same words as that person always tell her. She looked up and Lili continued to explain, not noticing her change of mood.
"Humans cannot see me since I use concealing magic but in order to find the right one, I specially have to weaken my magic to make humans see me. But it has already been days and no one couldn't see me! In the past, many people can see me by just weakening my magic but humans now cannot even feel my presence!" The music fairy lamented with tears and frustration. Wiping its tears, it pointed its wand to Kahoko.
"But you are different! That is why you have been made a participant."
"But what about the other participants? Can they see you?"
"They can see me if I use magic in front of them –"
"Then why not choose them or someone from the music department? Why me? And how can you be so sure that I can play music?" Kahoko fired questions, making the fairy notice the aura coming from her. It frowned, it can't understand the girl but it can tell that she's emitting resentment at the moment.
"I don't understand. Music department or not, it doesn't matter. The purpose here is to make music an interest, to make it something everybody in the whole wide world can enjoy and to bring happiness to those who hear it. It is not only those from music department who can do it."
"And besides, some people may see me when I lower my magic but not anyone can match my presence field. As soon as I saw you, I am sure that you are compatible with me and when that happened, it means you have some talent in music. That is why you are a perfect choice for the concours!"
Lili happily waved its wand and the practice room glowed. In front of the girl is a silhouette that is slowly forming its shape and turning it into something that can be touched. Kahoko is very astonished by this. She cannot believe this fairy could create something just by waving its wand. She grab it but Kahoko went completely stiff when she saw what the fairy had conferred to her.
"This is a magic violin. After my long periods of research and effort, this violin is made magical that anyone can play a tune…."
Kahako let out a low laugh as she stared at the familiar instrument in her hands. It has been a long time since she has seen one, after that incident.
"Hino Kahoko, are you alright?" Lili asked her, noticing the dark atmosphere around her.
"Lili-san, can you leave for a moment?"
"But we have a lot to talk about –"
"I am still upset that you put my name up in the list without my permission and with all these magic and your existence, I really need to compose myself and think about what happened so could you please give me some space?" Kahoko answered the fairy. She is so upset that she didn't noticed her voice turning grave. Kahoko didn't hear any noise from the fairy after that. She continued to stare at the violin in her hands.
'Same color, same size, same texture. Why am I so unlucky today? How could fate play her for a fool by sending her a violin that is so similar to what that person used?'
Kahoko laughed at herself, thinking this must have been her punishment for locking that instrument at their house's basement. She looked up and blinked. The creature is no longer up on the ceiling. Looking down, she saw a pink violin case beside her feet. That fairy must have left it for her. Kneeling down, she placed the instrument in its case. She was about to close it when she heard the door open.
A guy in white uniform came in, blue caught her attention as soon as he entered. It is the rude guy in Class 2-A in Music Department. Of all the people she could meet today, it has to be him.
"What is a student doing here? I have reserved this room for the entire day, can you leave? I don't want to waste my precious practicing time."
"Okay." Kahoko answered him, closing the case and standing up. The newcomer stared at the girl, noticing her black and red uniform.
"Are you the participant from the Gen. Ed. Department?" The guy asked. He has been using the practice rooms ever since he entered this school and he had never seen a student from the Gen. Ed. Department use the practice rooms. So she must be the participant from the other department who didn't go through the audition.
"You also play the violin." He said, making Kahoko stop. She sighed. Tired after seeing the violin, she decided to ignore the provocative tone of this guy.
"I am looking forward to your performance. I expect it be of high standard since you are chosen by the higher ups. But if you can't even play a tune, just quit and don't waste anyone's time." The guy said to her while taking out his violin from the blue case he is carrying.
"Are you done? If you all have complaints about me, just take it to the ones who made me join the concours." Kahoko tiredly answered him and opened the door. Tsukimori Len turned around and saw her leaving without taking her instrument.
"You forgot your instrument," he reminded her. It made her stop but the expression on her face startled him.
"I don't care. You can throw it away or something. So can I go now, Tsukimori Len?" She did not even wait for his reply, she closed the door and left the building. Len stared down at the pink violin case and remembered the expression on her face.
'Why does she look so hurt?'