Chapter 5: The Violin Romance

Disclaimer: I don't own la corda except Ayame Daidouji…

"I met him…25 years ago…when I was participating in the interschool concours. I was in my second year then. I overslept that day, because I had been practicing too hard, too long and too late in the night. Your father tried waking me up that morning, but didn't succeed. He just let me sleep in that day." Said Ayame, walking forward to lean on the rails, and continued with her story to an utterly bewildered Kahoko.

"I woke up soon enough and realized I was getting late so I just simply ran. Then I remember tripping and falling down near the statue of the fairy at the entrance of the school. Because I was sure that my mind was playing games with me. A real, miniature form of that thing near the entrance. Impossible."

She patted the place beside her, beckoning Kahoko to stand beside her. "We had lots of chats after that, though at first I considered him nothing more than a headache, believe me." She rubbed her temples after finishing. "So is your story anything like mine, Kaho?"

Kahoko muttered lowering her head, "More like déjà vu…except for the practice part…Though…" She continued, raising her head, and looking at her aunt straight in the eyes, with a smile, "I have him to thank for opening those closed doors to me, breaking down the walls I had created around my music. It felt like I was liberating my heart when I first played on this magic violin, though it is not one anymore, because the strings snapped during the third selection, when I couldn't control my emotions. I guess I am happier now that I am not lying to anyone about my ability and am really giving it my best shot."

Her smile changed to a sad one as she said, "You must consider me a liar, for not being able to get in the competition on my true talent."

"I don't." she looked up to see Ayame smiling at her. "Have you ever considered why Lili chose you and not anyone else?"

Kahoko shook her head in reply.

"Well, we both know that Lili is a musical fairy and that he had blessed the original founder of the school. He possibly thought that since you could see him, you must have some sort of musical ability. He wanted you to feel the love and spread it through music. And you ended up falling in love with the violin, am I right?"

"Man, you should have been a psychoanalyst and an astrologer! But, yeah, you are right, as always..." replied Kahoko, wide-eyed.

Ayame chuckled gleefully at her response. "It's only a theory! But hey, it does come handy when it comes to raising those four hooligans!"

"Yuki and Yuka can be a handful allright. Even onii-san to an extent. But Aiyaka isn't like that at all. She more...uhm…" said Kahoko, not sure about the choice of words at the end of her sentence, taking care not to make a stray comment about her cousin.

"Bossy?? Yes, that word fits her good allright. But try saying it to her, and she will deny it vehemently. Though I would say that I am damn glad she is like that…she manages to keep her onee-chans' under control, something I failed to do, I am afraid. They are always joking and having a fun time with me, which I love, of course, I don't deny it…but I wish they would listen to me a bit more. You know I don't like to shout…and Aiyaka uses that method only." She chuckled. Kahoko laughed in response.

It was always fun to hang out with her aunt. She never behaved in a motherly manner to her, yet she loved her a lot. That's why even after her aunt moved to Italy, they would correspond regularly. It was a bond Kahoko cherished, more so because she was her father's twin sister. To her it felt like she had a piece of her father near her.

She really reminds me of Dad...they are so alike and still so not…I am really glad I have her near me…mused Kahoko as they spent the next hour chatting, admiring the golden sunset and Ayame giving her tips to improve her playing.

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"WHAT!!!"

"Don't make that face Kaho-chan! You of all people should know! After all, she is your aunt. And not just any aunt, but your blood relative!"

They were seated in the bell garden having lunch. Kahoko, her two best friends, Nao and Mio, and Amou Nami, the press club reporter, and her close friend.

Kahoko almost choked on her sushi roll when Nami uttered those words.

"The violin romance is named after…WHO???"

"Come with me, I will show you the proof." Said Nami as she got up and began to lead the way, pulling Kahoko with her, while Nao and Mio followed them excitedly. Nami went into the press club's headquarters. (A/N: The same room where Kahoko went to return Nami's lost negatives and where they heard Kanazawa singing in the tape in the anime.) She closed the door behind her and pulled out a big book, battered looking, while motioning them to sit.

It was old scrapbook, evidently a sort of diary, where all the important dates and events were noted, complete with photographs. Nami selected out a particular page, and pulled out the photograph in the page. She handed it to Kahoko saying, "Check THAT out!"

It was a group photograph of all the concours participants of that year…25 years previously. Kahoko recognized her aunt in the front row, standing with another girl with short blue hair, smiling at the camera. Her eyes widened when she saw the guy behind her aunt—her father.

"That blue haired girl happens to be THE Hamai Misa, Tsukimori Len's mom, then a piano major in her third year. That's your aunt beside her, as you have already guessed…her hair was a lot shorter back then. Behind your aunt is YOUR dad, Hino Akitaka. He was your aunt's accompanist during the concours, but was chosen to compete even though he was from the general education department. That is the only instance in Seiso academy's musical history that a Gen Ed Student participated in the concours. The next instance being you, and consequently Tsuchiura-kun. The guy beside your dad is Daidouji Takeshi, who was a violin major in his second year. Now, though, he happens to be…"

"My uncle." Kahoko finished for her.

Nami nodded in response. "The story is that they found a fairy behind the school who granted them a wish. Though they were both competitors, they fell in love and got married after they graduated. Apparently Daidouji-kun and Hino-kun didn't go along together very well, the reason of dispute being your aunt. You father obviously was worried seeing his sister falling for a guy whom he didn't trust. But eventually he realized that she was happy just being with him, and that Daidouji-kun really did care for her. That's the violin romance for you. Though I don't quite believe the fairy part. What do you think about it, Kaho-chan?"

Kahoko was quiet the entire time, allowing her mind to carefully take in all that Nami had thrown at her. She jerked away from her thoughts when Nami questioned her, and replied, "That seems kinda far-fetched, don't you think so Nami-chan? About the fairy part, I mean…"

She bravely met up Nami's questioning glance and tried not to show the rush of emotions through her heart.

Nami observed her and then gave a wicked smile. "If you say so, Kaho-chan…"

The bell suddenly rang, sparing Kahoko from the reporter's questions---an opportunity Kahoko took full advantage of saying she had Maths next, rushing out of the room.

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"Your elbow should be a bit on the inside, don't pull it out so much…and honey relax, you still have a couple of months till the big day! Okay then, let's start again!"

Kahoko was practicing at her aunt's apartment near the beach. It was the ensemble piece Eine Kleine Nachtmusik that all the concours participants were practicing for the concert. Though the piece required two violins, a viola, a cello and an optional double bass, Ayame and Kanazawa had changed the piece a bit so that all the instruments played by the participants could be accommodated yet not make the melody awkward. It had worked so far, with Kahoko doing quite well, yet still missing out on some of the major notes. She was thankful that her aunt had been infinitely patient with her.

They had practiced the entire afternoon and though the piece was not perfect, it sounded melodious. She had made every participant play their part separately, correcting their mistakes in the process. When it sounded more or less allright she made them practice as an ensemble.

Her aunt had been keen on making her improve, because even though her music was beautiful, it was still not upto par. And the occasion was big.

After a couple of hours of practice, Kahoko had gotten most of the notes correct. Her aunt smiled at her. "It sounds much better now. Technically it's fine now. What you have to do now is make it sound a bit more grand. We can work on it next time. That should be enough for today, it's already getting late. Let's freshen up for a bit before you go home. Will ice tea do mia?"

Kahoko nodded in response. "If the honey is bit on the more side that would be great, zia." She smiled.

Her aunt looked at her for a moment and smiled back at her. "Sure, know, Aki used to like his iced tea the same way."

They went to the kitchen to make some tea, with Kahoko helping her out. "You are awfully quiet today. Did something happen?" Kahoko looked up to see her aunt staring at her, a worried expression on her face.

"I heard that the violin romance is after you and zio. Is that true?"

Her aunt turned a shade of red the same colour as her hair. "You heard, huh?" She gave her an embarrassed grin.

Kahoko stuck out her tongue playfully and gave her a grin. "Gotten all the details. The fairy part is true, that I know." She answered.

"Yeah, well... Uhm, doesn't that up the pressure on you a bit?" She winked at her.

"What??!?!? Wh..Why should the pressure be on me???" Kahoko stuttered, looking wide-eyed.

" Tsukimori is the one who taught you after Ousaki left,huh?"

It was Kahoko's turn to blush. Her aunt smiled widely at her reaction. " You like him, don't ya?"

"He's a real nice guy…but that doesn't leave me any chance with him…he is so good…I am nowhere near his level. In fact I loved his melodies. I just wished he stayed a little bit longer…" Kahoko mumbled incoherently,lowering her head to hide her blushing face.

"It's about love, and for someone like him to coach a beginner like you, no matter for how short an expanse a time, speaks volumes for itself, don't you think so?" Ayame asked her, smiling.

She looked up at her aunt and considered her words. She then smiled back at her. " But how did you know about Tsukimori-kun? I didn't mention much about him to you!"

"I learnt about him from Zaoyinu-sensei." Ayame answered, watching Kahoko closely for her reaction.

Kahoko's eyes went wide. "He TOLD you??????????"

Ayame nodded. " He also said that he had struck a deal with you, and that if you fit his conditions, he will take you in and train you. About Tsukimori, he said that he had himself told him that you were the first person whom he respected."

Kahoko rubbed the back of her neck tiredly when she felt her face starting to burn up again. "I…I don't know what to say…" She mumbled again.

" How about you tell me about the deal you struck with Sensei?" Asked Ayame, enjoying the scene, but feeling that she had embarrassed Kahoko enough for the day.

Kahoko took in a deep breath and answered, " He said that I will have to give a flawless performance at the concert, in both the solo and ensemble recitals. That is condition 1. Condition 2 is that the people who will be coming to listen should give positive reviews about my performance in the review cards that will be given to them. He has asked for 90% positive views. Condition 1 is something that I can control, about condition 2 I hope I impress them enough, otherwise I have no idea what I will do."

Her aunt looked at her thoughtfully, and smiled. " Well then, you know what to do."

Kahoko smiled back at her and nodded.

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Author's note: Fifth chapter completed...Whew!! I apologize for taking so long to upload the chapter. I have rejoined my karate classes after almost a year , and did well on my first day back, I can say that without conceit. But the consequence is that I have pulled the muscles on my shoulders, legs and arms, so I was in bed, trying to recover. Am better now, though I am trying to avoid walking. Enough about me!! About this chappie, I have mentioned a few new characters. They will not have a major role because I don't want to complicate the fanfic. Yuka,short for Yukari, and Yuki, short for Yukina, are twins and second born to Ayame. Aiyaka is the youngest .Yuka and Yuki are of the same age as Kahoko, and all three of them share the same birthday (I hope this bit of info is not too OOC… :S). Do tell me how you liked the fic, and leave a review. As I always say, Happy reading!!