Ultra A/N:
This is an alternate retelling of Bridging the Gap. It's uploaded here as it was meant to be read before I realized I was getting nowhere with this plot. This story ends at Chapter 8; I do not plan to continue writing it.
Chapter 2: Deal with the Devil
A/N:
I seriously enjoy writing this - though I'm not sure it shows. Writing for pleasure is the best break a student can get from reading and writing too much textbook-like material, the bread and butter of college life. I pray you'll have more patience with my seemingly monotonous writing. The ice will break soon, methinks.
Disclaimer:
I do not own La Corda d'Oro; the whole concept belongs to Kure Yuki-sensei.
Previously:
Chapter 1: Alien Abduction
"The point is I'm here right now because I have an issue that only you can help me with."
"And that… is?"
For a moment, it seemed as if Erika would not reply. She turned her face towards the ocean, and with sad eyes gazed at something far beyond the waves. Pensive, she sighed.
"Help me win Len's heart," she whispered. "Please?"
Chapter 2: Deal with the Devil
Kahoko's heart skipped a beat.
"Len… Tsukimori?" she said slowly, unbelieving. Why, after all these years, did his memory come back to torment her?
Sawajiri Erika nodded sadly.
"We went to the same music school. In Vienna," she explained. "There wasn't much opportunity for us to meet, actually, because he plays the violin while I play the piano. But given that there weren't too many Japanese music students there…"
Lost in thought, she began twiddling her thumbs involuntarily, staring at her fingers as she did so.
"At first, we hung out only because of mutual friends," Erika continued. "And back then, I honestly didn't like him. He was cold, and he always sulked, even when others tried to reach out. But then…" she paused, looked up from her hands and gave Kahoko a small smile, "I presume you know the feeling?"
Kahoko did. She knew what it felt like, the joy of discovering the soft heart tucked beneath the man's icy façade. Len may seem unkind, but for the few he chose to open up to, the handful of people who were important to him, he was the kindest, most gentle person.
To think, I was once…
"...and I tried to get closer to him, to become part of his world," Erika was saying, completely oblivious to Kahoko's change of mood. "I can't say my plan ended up in a complete failure - after all, he does confide in me – but I'm progressing at such a slow pace. I can't afford to lose more time," Erika said, frustration evident in her voice.
"That's why, Kaho-senpai," Erika finished, reaching out for Kahoko's hands, "won't you help me? Please?"
Although Kahoko had done her absolute best to listen, most of the information she had just received was lost on her. Why the rush? Why Len? Why me?!
She cleared her throat.
"I don't really understand what you're trying to say, Sawajiri-san-"
"Please!" Erika chided cheerfully, regaining her some of her initial energy. "Call me Erika. Do you mind my calling you by your first name?"
"Not really, Erika… san," Kahoko replied, the name rolling awkwardly on her lips. "The thing is I don't understand why… you chose to ask for my help. I don't even know how to help you. Tsukimori Len and I are-"
"Just friends?" Erika supplied. "Pardon my bluntness, but I doubt you two are even friends at this point in time."
Aha.
"Well then," Kahoko said, "you understand why I can't help you with your problem. Now if you'll excuse me," she said, slipping her hands out of Erika's grasp, "I have to get home. My friends are probably worried sick."
Still feeling lost, Kahoko stood up and began to walk away. She couldn't believe what was happening. This girl, Sawajiri Erika, was truly… extreme. Now, Kahoko thought, looking left and right to familiarize her location, how do I get out of here?
"Kaho-san," called a voice from behind her. She turned around and saw Erika on her feet, straw hat in hand. "I realize it's very selfish of me to ask for your help regarding this matter. But," her hands tightened around the hat, "you really are the only one who can help me with this. You and Len… dated."
It wasn't a question.
"You're the only person I know of who's ever been attached to him," Erika continued with a louder voice, strangely emboldened by Kahoko's silence. "He hasn't dated anyone in Vienna – I made sure of that. And from what I've heard, you were his only girlfriend in Japan. That's why…"
It made sense. But-
"If you know all that," Kahoko began slowly, "don't you feel... threatened?"
To her great surprise, Erika laughed.
"No, not really," was the singsong reply. "You may have known him when he was younger, but I've been by his side for a much longer time. I'm better acquainted with the man he is now than you are," she added, smiling at the thought. "Also, please forgive me for saying this, but I'm from a prominent family, and I have a good educational background. Not to mention," Erika said, tucking a strand of her magnificent hair behind an ear, as if to prove a point, "I daresay I'm prettier and more charming. No offense, Kaho-senpai."
"None taken," Kahoko muttered sheepishly, forcibly reminded of someone else.
"Besides," Erika said thoughtfully, as though everything she had mentioned earlier was insufficient, "you have Hihara Kazuki, don't you?"
Kahoko blanched.
"S-so," Kahoko spluttered, attempting to distract Erika before she could delve further into the topic, "what you're trying to say is I'm your only hope."
Erika nodded.
"Assuming I want to help you - assuming, of course," Kahoko emphasized, "what can I do? Asking me to help you 'win' his heart is too abstract. I mean," she paused, unsure of what to say, "I don't even know how I pulled it off-"
"Information," Erika supplied.
"Sorry?"
"I need to know more about Len's dating technique, his likes and dislikes, his plans and dreams, stuff like that," Erika said offhandedly. "More importantly, I need to know more about you: what you're like, your personality, your interests. I have to know how you unfroze that ice cube."
Ice cube, huh?
"You're smiling," Erika observed, cracking a grin herself. Kahoko instantly rearranged her expression. "I'll take that to mean you're interested in helping me."
"I still don't see how this is going to work-"
"Trust me, it will," Erika said firmly, sitting back down. Kahoko thought she may have imagined it, but the girl looked somewhat… unsure. "All I need right now is assurance of your cooperation. That's all."
She was staring at Kahoko again – perfect eye contact. The other woman felt her body tense. This whole idea was absurd, and yet… there was something about Sawajiri Erika that made Kahoko want to help her.
But with Tsukimori Len involved… She had sworn to stay out of his life, hadn't she?
"I know about your agreement," Erika said, reading Kahoko's mind. For the millionth time that morning, Kahoko's heart somersaulted. How…?
"'We shall go on with our lives and stay out of each other's business'," Erika recited. "Something like that, right? Pretty heavy breakup line, if you want my opinion. Still beats 'It's not you, it's me' though," she noted, sipping the red iced tea again.
"Listen," Kahoko said, walking back to Erika in large strides, her face flushing. "I don't know where you get your so-called information, but I want to make it clear that-"
"If you're worried about meeting Len again, I promise you, it's not happening," Erika said calmly. "I may have given you all those reasons, but still, I'd rather not risk my chances. At least now you know why I'm not threatened at all."
She looked at Kahoko, face serious.
"You dumped him, Kahoko," Erika said. "You hurt his pride and broke his heart. Either of the two would have been bad enough, but both? Tsk tsk. Unforgivable. I truly understand why you don't want to see him again."
Kahoko's mouth open and closed, but no words came out. How?
"Never mind where I get my information," Erika said, smiling. She was now standing up, walking forward, and before Kahoko knew it, they were face to face. "That's my business. What I want you to know is that I know more than you think I do," Erika almost whispered into Kahoko's ear, still smiling. "You wouldn't want the media to know what I know, do you… Kaho-senpai?"
Kahoko froze. No. The media must not know. Not even Mio, Nao and Nami knew about it, and if her secret going public meant that Len had to find out as well…
If that means if I have to get into this mess… so be it.
"Fine," Kahoko said in a low voice, her eyes downcast. "You win. I'll help you. But you have to keep your end of the bargain-"
"You won't meet Len," Erika said. "I promise." She stepped back, and Kahoko was relieved to see that her smile appeared much kinder from a distance. "I leave myself in your hands, Kaho-senpai," she said, lowering her head slightly.
Kahoko looked away. It was more the other way around really.
"Jaa," Erika said, clapping her hands. "Let's have breakfast then! Or lunch, I guess. I think we spent too much time talking."
At this, she grabbed Kahoko's wrist and dragged her to a circular glass table loaded with fruits and dishes. Kahoko's jaw dropped. I didn't even notice this!
"Excuse me, Erika-san," Kahoko said, pulling her hand back. "I'd like to call my friends first before anything else. They're probably worried about me."
"Oh, go ahead," Erika said, seating herself. "Talk to Naoto-san, the man who brought you here. He'll know what to do."
"I'll go find him then-"
"You don't mind if I eat ahead?" Erika asked, as servers appeared out of nowhere to flock around the table.
"No, you go on," Kahoko urged, turning to leave. "I don't feel like eating anything."
She had lost her appetite.
A/N:
That one over-expanded. More proof that I tend to 'write as I go'; I totally didn't think their conversation would take that long. There was so much to be explained! And so much to be kept secret… for now. I hope this clears up a few things though.
Next:
Chapter 3: Reunion Season
"You have one message:
"Kaho-chan!" Mio's voice greeted her. "Shouko-chan and Keichii-kun have come home from London. I know it's sudden but we only just heard the news, too. If you're back by tonight, go to Banzai downtown – the lovebirds are treating us to dinner and drinks. We're headed there right now, so you'll just have to catch up, okay? See you, Kaho-chan – just in case you're home."