Epilogue

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Per Amore

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Kahoko looked at the sea and took in a deep breath. Her now long red hair almost reached her waist. It was much straighter and the messy style was replaced by a cleaner cut, giving her a mature look and was kept from her face by a hairclip. The first year college student looked over at the Tyrrhenian Sea for the last time and made way to her grandparents' place. She was no longer in Yokohama, Japan. She was in Rome, Italy.

After her second year in Seiso Academy, she transferred to the Music Department in her final year, along with Ryotaro. She had already decided to pursue music in college but was reluctant to change departments, especially in her final year. Her aunt had literally begged her to do so, because she knew that things would become hard in music college, especially if Kahoko did not get proper music education at high school first; a thing Kahoko was unaware of. But in the end, when she enrolled in Seiso Daigaku, she was glad she took her aunt's advice. After graduating from college, her violin teacher, Zaoyinu sensei, had advised her on getting some foreign exposure before she proceeded with a career. Kahoko knew that even though her aunt would be thrilled at the idea and would pay through the expenses, she could not accept such an offer. Her only solution was only if she could get a scholarship. She preferred Rome, because that is where her aunt and her grandparents were residing. Chances favoured her. Within a couple of months of applying, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, accepted her application, and granted her a full scholarship after she passed the entrance exam. She was currently living with her grandparents in their beachfront villa. Her aunt's mansion was a twenty minute walk from the villa, also situated near the beach.

"Thinking about something, onee-chan?" A joyful voice cut through her random thoughts. Kahoko turned around to find a pair of light jewel-like purple eyes staring at her beneath deep red curls, hair held back from her face by a white headband. Aiyaka gave her a toothy smile.

Kahoko grinned back at her. "I love your uniform, it suits you well, kitty." Aiyaka giggled at the use of her nickname and answered, looking over Kahoko, "Personally, I like it, but what I don't like about my uniform are these bows." The second year undergraduate said pointing to the red ties at her wrists that kept her full sleeved shirt in place. "I mean, who uses ties in place of buttons?!?! Seriously, if they had told me, I would have sown buttons, but now I learnt that it is not allowed. Sheesh." Aiyaka let it all out in one go.

Kahoko laughed out loud on hearing her younger sister's rant and said, "Well, it is a good thing they have disallowed usage of buttons. 'Coz as far as I know, you can't sow." Kahoko stuck out her tongue playfully at her, who pouted indignantly. "Yes, well—oh, you know what I mean!!!" She looked at Kahoko's uniform and said, "Can't wait for post graduation, that uniform rocks!" Kahoko smiled at her sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment, "Yeah, well, I like it a lot too."

"Where is Mori-senpai? She is usually with you this time of the day." Aiyaka asked, changing the subject. "She said she has got something to do. So I came without her." Mori Minami had also passed the tough entrance exam and was completing her post graduation at Accademia.

"That's my way. See you onee-chan!" Aiyaka said, turning into one of the roads that forked out and waving to her older cousin. Kahoko waved back at her and continued on her way, taking the other road.

………………………………………………………………

"Ah Misa, Len come on in!" Ayame chirped in. Ayame welcomed her former senpai and her son into her mother's villa. Misa smiled at her, while Len simply nodded.

"Good thing you are came. It's been a really long time since you visited me, Len." Ayame said, after they had comfortably settled comfortably on the sofa in the living room which led out to the garden. "It sometimes too much to handle, the schedule. I wish I could have visited you earlier." Len said, having known his mother's kouhai since he was much younger. "You look a lot more mature now. Got a girlfriend?" Ayame asked while handing Misa a cup of tea. Len choked on his tea on hearing her say that. He gave her an incredulous look. You have got to be kidding me!! C'mon, I know you act ditzy sometimes, but this is too much, he mentally rambled. Ayame and his mother laughed at his reaction.

The door opened suddenly to reveal a woman in her late sixties. She smiled at the occupants of the room. Len and Misa immediately stood and bowed to her. "Good afternoon, minna-san. Long time no see, Tsukimori-san." She nodded towards Misa. Misa smiled and replied, "Yes, it has really been a long time, Hino-san. Len has been busy with concerts and he just got free of his hectic schedule. So, while we are still in Rome, we decided to pay you a visit. Len, this is Ayame-san's mother, Hino Michiko-san."

Len was shocked to hear 'Hino'. Not related to her, he told himself. He bowed again to the older lady how smiled and gestured him to sit down. "So, how have things been going on with you, Hino-san? I hear that you have been quite busy with the business." Misa asked her, taking a sip of her tea.

Michiko nodded towards Ayame who handed her a cup of tea, acknowledging it. "Yes, well Takahiro could definitely use some help. It doesn't really make much of a difference, since I used to actively help him out before. Things got difficult when Aki passed away." Ayame looked at her mother, noticing the strain in her voice. Michiko smiled at her, shaking her head, to wave off any doubts she might have. "But I will definitely say this, I am very glad that Kaho is studying here. She lights up my life. Truly she does."

Len looked at her sharply. Kaho? He couldn't have heard right. This is getting really weird. He told himself. Misa asked Michiko, "Didn't she graduate from college last year?" Michiko nodded. "Yes, as a matter of fact she did, but her professor asked her to get a post graduation before starting off her career. She applied at the Accademia and she got it! I tell you I was really surprised. Because I never thought that she would take up music again." She replied sipping her tea. "In fact she would be home any moment soon. I told her to come home early, so that you could meet her." Misa smiled at her words.

Len listened and convinced himself that it couldn't possibly be her. Sure he had lost contact with her in her last college year, but he was sure that it could not be the same girl. To tell the truth, he had wanted to see her for the longest time. Even when he was studying in Berlin, he had wanted to see her badly. No other woman had made such a deep impact in his life--- even if her music was not up to par, she more than made up for it by her expression and passion. Her determination to succeed never ceased to amaze him. It had been infectious, because even though he had been called a prodigy, he had pushed himself hard to match up to her music. He, without conceit, attributed it to her, even though he never would acknowledge it openly. He wanted her to listen to his music, even though he didn't realize that she already loved his melodies.

"Mimi, I am home!" A cheerful voice came from the hallway leading to the living room. Len shifted uncomfortably. The voice seemed too familiar for his own liking."Kaho, sweetie, could you come to the living room please?" Michiko called out to her, noticing Len's discomfiture. "Tsukimori-kun, are you all right?" She asked him. Len looked at her and nodded, realizing that words were failing him. "Coming in a moment!" came the voice.

"Buonasera mimi. What did…." Kahoko stopped mid-sentence, noticing the man sitting there in her living room. She stared at him, eyes widened in shock.

Len looked no less astonished to see her there. He looked at the girl who had been haunting his dreams from so long ago. He turned his gaze on her attire—the Accademia's uniform suited her well. The deep blue skirt, which ended at her knees, emphasized her long toned legs. The full sleeved shirt, complete with a waistcoat and necktie, similar to the boys' uniform at Seiso, looked good on her. Her hair had grown longer and was held back from her face. She looked really beautiful, and the uniform did nothing to hide it.

Kahoko blushed under his intense stare and cleared her throat in an effort to ease up the situation. "Tsukimori-kun! I didn't expect to see you here." He gulped down and said, "Same here, Hino-san. I did not expect to see you here." She smiled at him. Michiko said amusedly, "Well, I think you two don't need any introduction, eh?" She winked at Kahoko, who went red and stared at her grandmother. "Mimi!" She blurted out. "Like a cup, Kaho?" Ayame asked her, a small playing on her lips. Kahoko sighed at her expression and nodded, moving to sit in the loveseat.

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Kahoko made her way to college, getting up much earlier than she usually did. Not that she slept much, with the events of last night still playing in her mind.

FLASHBACK

"So what is your minor subject Hino-san?" Len asked her never taking his eyes off her. It felt as if she would vanish if he stopped looking at her. "I am minoring in the piano." She replied, trying to keep her nerves at bay. He looked a bit bewildered at her words.

Sensing his reaction, Michiko answered, "Kahoko started playing the piano when she was five. And she was good. So it was a natural choice for a minor subject." Kahoko gave her grandmother a grateful look, thanking her silently for stopping at the right moment. She had borne a lot in her last school year at Seiso Gakuen; the incessant questions and attention was something she dreaded.

"Len and I are having a concert at the Parco della Musica this coming Friday. It is an exhibition concert. Many famous musicians will be performing, including your aunt here." Misa said, nodding towards Ayame. Kahoko nodded and said, "The Accademia is participating in an ensemble performance, and as it happens, I am included in that group." Misa looked elated by the news. "That sounds wonderful dear! I have a favour to ask of you, if you don't mind." She paused. Kahoko nodded at her, urging her to continue. She continued, "I would like Len to be your escort to the afterparty, if it is not too much to ask." Kahoko looked at her in shock, while Len gave her a are-you-kidding-me look. Ayame laughed at their expressions and patted Kahoko on the back. "I will be fun for the both of you. After all, even Kahoko hasn't had a boyfriend before."

Kahoko went red at her aunt's words. "You needn't have said that, zia." She spit out, not able to hold back any longer. Len looked at her with amusement dancing in his eyes and then said, "I don't have a problem with it, do you Hino-san?" So, I still got a chance. He thought silently.

She looked at him in shock. What was he saying? She looked at the three women, who were looking at her with expectantly. She sighed. It isn't exactly a choice, is it? Not that I mind, but… "No, I don't, Tsukimori-kun." Misa clapped her hands gleefully. "Wonderful!"

END OF FLASHBACK

I really don't mind, but…what if he is not the same person I knew before? People change, I for one, know that best. She thought silently as she made way to her classroom. But, I will say this, I am really glad he is here, for I have lost count of the time from which I wanted to see him after he left Japan.

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"He is going to do what?????" Mori Minami stared at Kahoko through saucer like eyes. Kahoko sighed and rubbed her temples while putting down the violin. "It is NOT a date, Minami-san. His mother asked me to allow him to be my escort to the afterparty."

Minami looked away from Kahoko and at the piano's keyboard. A small smile played on her lips. "But you do like him, do you not? So it should not be as troublesome as you think it is going to turn out to be."

"No—don't you say no to me!" Minami waved a finger at Kahoko, seeing she was going to shake her head. "I know perfectly well why you refused Tsuchiura-kun when he told you. You told him that you didn't feel the same way for him. But the truth of the matter is that you were waiting for Tsukimori-kun to make a move. Don't you deny it Kaho-chan!"

Kahoko sat down and looked out of the window of the practice room. "People change, Minami. I know how much I changed when Dad died. Time changes people. Who knows whether he has changed from what I knew him to be?"

Minami stood up and walked to the window, standing beside Kahoko. "You are talking like an old man, Kaho." She joked. Looking at Kahoko's serious face, she sighed and said, "You think Ice Cube could get any colder than that? And besides, believe me when I say this, he likes you enough."

Kahoko gave her a small smile. "Minami-san, what if he doesn't, you know…" she trailed off, realizing what she was going to say.

Minami grinned at her and said, "Finally realized, huh?" Kahoko went beet red at her words. Minami put a comforting hand on her back and said gently, "Once you get the chance to do so, tell him how you feel. Trust me." Kahoko began shaking her head. "It will be worth it. Even if he doesn't return your feelings, you will free yourself of the burden." Kahoko looked at Minami for a long time and then finally nodded. "But what will happen to my heart. I may be free of the burden, as you say, but will I be able to accept his decision?" Minami said nothing and looked out of the window. Kahoko lowered her head, hiding her eyes in her bangs, knowing that there is nothing that she can do about his decision, if he does not feel the same way as her.

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"Once again from the top!" Her music professor boomed out and the musicians on the stage winced at his loud voice. "Oi, Kahoko, you look kinda depressed. Is everything alright?" Kahoko's classmate and fellow violinist in the ensemble, Amelia Kaufmann asked her. Kahoko smiled at her, "Everything's ok, Amy. Don't worry."

It was two days to the concert and they were practicing in one of the Accademia's three auditoriums. The old styled auditoriums looked majestic. The auditorium was designed in a manner to resonate the sounds because when it was built, almost two hundred years previously, public adressal systems were not available. Kahoko loved to perform here, and was looking forward to performing at the newly constructed Parco della Musica, knowing that it matched up to the Accademia auditorium's grandeur.

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Len winced internally as he hit another wrong note. What the…not again! He thought irritably. He had been hitting wrong notes all morning. His practice this morning was flawed to say the least; he just could not concentrate, something that he had never experienced before. The conversation he had with his mother the night before still preyed on his mind.

FLASHBACK

Misa let out a tired yawn as she sat down on the sofa. "Was a long day, wasn't it Len?"

She looked at her son, who looked annoyed. "Ask. I know you want to."

Len sat down and looked straight at his mother. "Why did you not tell me that Hino-san's grandmother is Daidouji-san's mother?!" He asked angrily.

Misa answered, a smile playing on her lips. "To tell the truth, I forgot. I also did not know that Kahoko-san is studying here. Ayame and I have been friends since I participated in the concours in my time. That was the only reason I went to visit her and her mother."

"Kahoko-san's father was Ayame's twin brother. He died when Kahoko-san was nine. It devastated them all, especially Kahoko-san. She was very good at the piano, starting at five. She quit due to her father's death."

"Since when did you know this, mom?" Len asked, surprised by the information.

"Five years back. In the exhibition concert where the participants of that year's concourse. We were in Tokyo. Ayame and I were talking about things when she told me. She loves Kahoko-san most, because she is most like her father in demeanor."

"Now are you glad that I asked Kahoko-san to be your date?" Misa asked mischievously.

"You shouldn't have. You practically forced it down her throat." Len said coldly.

"Aww. Don't be like that Len." Misa made a childish face. "Besides, if I didn't someone else may take her away, you know."

Len gave his mother a questioning look. Misa sighed. "Someone asked her out in her third year, I am not sure that you know. It's – what was his name—Tsuchiura-san, I think."

Len looked at his mother shocked. "How did you know that?"

Misa looked at him seriously. "I stumbled upon Ayame and Kahoko-san talking in the seaside café. Kahoko-san was very upset, because I think she counted him amongst her best friends. Ayame kept on telling her that it was alright if she did not feel the same way about him. She refused him after that, and they still keep the friendship, from what Ayame tells me."

"You are too slow Len. You think things will fall into place, but they will not if you do not make an effort towards it." Misa told him. "On a lighter note, I would not mind at all if Kahoko-san were to be my daughter-in-law." She winked at him.

Len looked at his mother incredulously, muttering, "You are truly too much, mother." Misa chuckled at his words.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Is it love? What is love? I have no bloody idea." Len muttered, feeling even more cross and irritated than before. He rubbed his temples and sat down on the sofa, hoping that the coming Friday's afterparty would not turn out to be a disaster.

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Kahoko rubbed her eyes wearily and got up from bed as the alarm clock blared to life. Stretching out like a cat, she looked at her alarm clock; 6 AM. "Ah…sleep of my life!" She mumbled. But as soon as she got up from bed, the first thing that struck her mind was that she was going to the afterparty with Len later that evening. "Ack! I just hope that I don't make a fool of myself." She said worriedly.

She had attended a few business dinners with her older brother as her escort. Hino Kanata was training to take over the company after their grandfather retired. She had gone with him because she wanted to know the business. Even though she may never actively run the business, Kahoko felt that she should know the basics of it.

She quickly freshened up and changed into a long cotton skirt and a white shirt, making her way downstairs.

"Buon giorno, mimi, nonno." She wished her grandparents, who were in the living room having tea.

Both her grandparents greeted her and her grandmother asked her to sit with them, while having tea.

"It's the big day, huh, kiddo?" Her grandfather asked. Kahoko replied, "Yeah, and I am feeling kinda nervous…I just hope that I don't screw up my performance. It means a lot to be representing the Accademia."

"Don't worry, you will be great, as always." Came a voice from the doorway. Kahoko looked up to see her older brother smiling at her. "Buon giorno, onii-san." She smiled up at him. He greeted her back while settling himself down on the sofa.

"So, you bought an evening dress for the afterparty?" Kanata asked his sister.

Kahoko choked on her tea and looked at him in shock. "I…I have got a dress for the concert. That will do, won't it?" she asked him weakly.

Kanata looked at her astonished and shook his head. He said, "You need an evening dress for the afterparty. Preferably a floor length gown. You haven't got it by the looks of it." He looked at his sister, who had a look of panic on her face.

"Why don't you wear that forest green gown I showed you the other day? I am going out for some errands right now, I can drop it off at the tailor's to have it altered. It wont take much time, plus they are professionals." Her grandmother asked.

Kahoko looked at her grandmother and smiled gratefully. "Thank you, mimi. I would have died for sure today, had it not been for you."

Michiko looked at her granddaughter and smiled back. This evening will be fun.

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"Kahoko! You are up next!" The backstage assistant called out to her. The postgraduate department of the Accademia was represented in the concert by the first year students' ensemble, which included Kahoko, her classmate Amelia Kaufmann and Minami Mori on the piano. The undergraduate department was also represented by an ensemble, which included Aiyaka Daidouji, Kahoko's cousin. The postgrad students were the last performers of the night.

"Our next performers are from the postgraduate department of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. They are performing a Mozart composition, String Quintet No. 5 in D major." The MC boomed on the adressal system.

On cue they walked on stage. Kahoko was dumbstruck on seeing the concert hall completely filled, but the excitement of having to perform on the occasion choked out any feeling of stage fright. When they started the first movement, it felt like a river of emotions. Music has always been known as a means of conveying emotions. Kahoko felt elated on hearing the music which sounded perfect. The two violins, violas and the cello harmonized perfectly with the piano. It made her remember the time when she performed in a similar concert in her second year. That performance had taught her a lot-----it had taught her to accept her skills and herself for who she was, and embrace a future that she given up. She did feel a lot at peace with herself now, and hoped that her heart would find the same peace that it had been craving for.

A standing ovation greeted the musicians at the end of the performance. Kahoko bowed along with the others, gracefully accepting their applause.

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"Whew! That was so good!" Said Amelia cheerfully, as she and Kahoko made way to the dressing rooms. Kahoko smiled happily at her and nodded. It had truly been a wonderful performance and she felt really happy with the music they made.

"Say, are you going to the afterparty?" Amelia asked suddenly. Kahoko said, "As a matter of fact, I am. My aunt asked me to attend it. You coming?"

Amelia answered, "Yeah, me too. Apparently there were supposed to be scouts in the concert, and well, they can help us in getting selected for orchestras after we graduate. That would be real nice."

Kahoko nodded in reply. "By the way," Amelia began and Kahoko looked at her. "Your cousin told me to tell you that you should meet your aunt in her dressing room after the performance. You went to the washroom so Aiyaka told me." She finished as she opened the door to their dressing room.

"Okay, thanks for that, Amy." Kahoko answered as she gathered her things and went off, waving at her. "See you at the party, Kaho!" Amy responded, waving back.

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Kahoko knocked twice on her aunt's dressing room. The door opened to reveal her aunt who was in a toweling robe, obviously getting ready for the party. "Oh, come on in, Kaho! Mum sent you that dress." She winked at Kahoko, indicating a package on the table.

"If it were not for mimi, I would have…" Kahoko cut off as she took out the dress. It was a forest green, floor-length gown. The straps dipped to the back, showing off her back. Three more straps crossed each other at the back. The dress had a low neckline, which would expose a generous amount of cleavage. Low neckline…oh lord..get me outta this one…

"Why don't you try it out? I must say, the tailors are good: they altered the gown in an afternoon!" Ayame said, cutting through Kahoko's thoughts.

Kahoko nodded in response and went to freshen up and put on the dress. After twenty minutes, she came out, with her hair flowing freely down her spine. "Uhm, zia, you think this looks alright?" She asked nervously.

Ayame, who had just finished putting up her make-up, turned around at her voice and gaped at her. Then she broke into a wide smile and said, "It suits you a lot. This came with the dress. Here." She handed Kahoko an envelope.

Kahoko tore open the envelope to read the letter enclosed. She recognized her grandmother's familiar clear handwriting:

Kaho

I hope you like the dress. Those tailors did some fast work alright, seeing how I sprung upon them with this sudden request. I first wore this dress, on my first dinner party as your grandfather's wife. It is a bit…unorthodox, shall I say? The way it is designed I mean. I hope you enjoy your evening with Tsukimori-kun.

All my love

Mimi

P.S. I have sent something else with the dress. It will go with it beautifully. Do wear it.

She looked up at her aunt, who asked her to come and sit on the ottoman. "How should we do up your hair? I must say, that dress will knock off every sense Len has!" She grinned mischievously. Kahoko went beet red as she exclaimed, "ZIA!!"

Her aunt merely chuckled at her reaction.

…………………………………………………..

Len straightened his tie as he waited for Kahoko to come down. He was waiting along with Kahoko's uncle. Her uncle, Daidouji Takeshi, was a violinist and they soon started a conversation, much to the astonishment of the people present in the party hall.

"Tsukimori-kun, I think you 'd better turn around." Takeshi said, placing his hand on his shoulder, his gaze fixing on two women coming down the staircase.

Len turned around and simply stared at her. Beautiful was an understatement. She looked ravishing. Her hair was braided on both sides and was pulled up into a bun at the back. Her dress showed off all her curves, hugging her body. An emerald pendant and earrings completed the look. She looked a bit flushed, apparently from all the dressing up her aunt had done to her.

Kahoko stopped a couple of steps before the ending of the staircase and looked at Len; he looked really good. He stared at her openly, admiration in his eyes. Admiration? What am I thinking?!!? She thought nervously.

"Hino-san." Len called, breaking her train of thoughts. To her shock, he gave her a smile; an admiring smile. "You look beautiful tonight." He said, as he took her hand and kissed it lightly.

Kahoko could feel herself blushing as she returned his smile. "Arigato, Tsukimori-kun. You l…look handsome as well." She stuttered.

"Shall we?" Ayame asked them, smiling at the couple, while she held Takeshi's hand.

Kahoko nodded in response, taking Len's arm as he offered it to her.

………………………………………………………….

Kahoko let out a sigh as she looked out from the roof of the banquet hall. But the breathtaking view did nothing to ease the headache that was coming along. "Shouldn't have drunk so much. Man, champagne doesn't go down well with me." She muttered rubbing her temples.

The entire evening had been spent meeting the scouts for the orchestras and talking to people. Len introduced her to many people, and they had very little time together. Even now Len was busy downstairs, meeting people. She was feeling a bit tired so she went to the roof to get some fresh air.

"So there you are. I was wondering where you went." A deep masculine voice cut across her thoughts.

She turned to find Len staring at her. He smiled at her and went to stand beside her. She smiled back and then looked out to the view.

"How are you these days? We lost contact last year." Len started, looking at her.

"I am alright. I wanted to tell you that I was going to study in Italy, but I did not have any means by which I could inform you." Kahoko began, looking at him.

"Did you miss playing the piano before you took it up as your minor subject in college?" He asked suddenly.

Kahoko looked at him, astonished. Then she lowered her head, not being able to look at him. "You know, huh, Tsukimori-kun?"

She looked at him, her eyes glistening. Len nodded, but didn't say anything. "I didn't tell you because I wanted to forget all the bad memories it brought up. I had witnessed my father's death with my own eyes. It was too painful to continue playing it, mostly because he taught me how to play. So I quit." She began, averting her eyes from him.

"But I always felt that there was something missing from my life. When I was practicing at my aunt's house for the exhibition concert at the end of second year, I played it, unable to resist. It didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. " She finished.

"You grew up. When you grow up you come to bear a lot of things better than you earlier did." Len said, looking at her.

She looked at him and smiled. "Thank you for saying that, Tsukimori-kun." She said happily.

Seeing her smile made it hard for him to not return her smile. He could only guess how much she had gone through at such an age. Somehow he doubted any of her friends knew that she had seen her father die.

He reached out a hand to gently cup her face. She looked up at him startled but did not move away, nor did she remove his hand. He slowly caressed her face, before tilting her chin to look into her golden depths.

Kahoko stared back into his eyes, fascinated. She was completely taken aback when she felt his lips on hers. His arms slowly wound around her waist as he pulled her towards his lithe frame. She closed her eyes to treasure the moment, as her hands, of their own volition, slid up around his neck . He deepened the kiss, sensing her reaction. She moaned into their kiss as felt his tongue massaging hers.

After what seemed like eternity, they broke the kiss. Kahoko couldn't take her eyes off him, openly gaping at him. He chuckled at her reaction, and bent down to trail kisses along her neck. Kahoko shuddered when she felt his mouth upon her skin, and gripped him tightly, as the neck was one of her sensitive areas.

He hugged her tightly, while resting his face in the crook of her neck. He loved the way her body felt against his. He drew back but kept her in his embrace while she looked up at him, a small smile tugging her lips.

"I wanted to tell you for a very long time, but did not recognize my own feelings. Also, I heard that Kiriya and Tsuchiura tried asking you out, with Kiriya using his own methods. I just did not want to impose myself on you." Len said seriously.

Kahoko blanched white on hearing about Etou. "H…How did you know about Kiriya?"

"He told me. He also said that you did not feel the same way for him and took him for nothing more than a good friend. We keep in touch, you know." Len answered. On seeing her downcast look, he tilted he face up and said, "You have nothing to feel guilty about, yo…"

"I have liked you from before that. So in a way, I betrayed you." Kahoko murmured. Len looked shocked.

"No, you did not. We were not in a relationship then so you have nothing to feel guilty about." He replied after a while.

Tightening his arms around her he said, "And now that I have you, I will never let you go, Kahoko."

Kahoko sighed softly as she rested her forehead against his chest, finally finding the peace that her heart was desiring for so long.

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Fin

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Author's note: DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This took an impossible time to finish, mainly because I was researching music and Rome in general. I did not want the epilogue to look like it flew right out of Disneyland. I hope you liked it, for I had a fabulous time writing it. Here is some trivia to satisfy your curiosity:

The Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome is one of the oldest musical institutions in the world. Officially founded in 1585, it has evolved over the centuries from an organization of largely "local" musicians to a modern academy and symphonic concert organization of international repute. Uniting an academic body of 100 of the most illustrious exponents of culture and music with a symphonic orchestra and chorus that are among the most internationally renowned, the Accademia carries out professional musical training and conserves an extremely rich historical patrimony, thus reflecting its own multi-century history.

The Auditorium Parco della Musica is a large multi-functional public music complex to the north of Rome — in the area where the 1960 Summer Olympic Games were held. The Parco della Musica was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. Three large concert halls (Sala Petrassi, in memory of Goffredo Petrassi, about 700 seats; Sala Sinopoli, in memory of Giuseppe Sinopoli, about 1200 seats; Sala Santa Cecilia, about 2800 seats) are structurally separated to ensure soundproofing, though joined at the base by a continuous lobby. A fourth "concert hall", called Cavea, is the open air theater recalling ancient Greek and Roman theaters. The Accademia is located at the Parco della Musica.

You know the drill…read and review! Happy reading!

P.S. 'Per Amore' is Italian for 'in love', 'nonno' stands for grandfather, 'buonasera' is for 'good evening' and 'buon giorno' is for 'good morning'.