LOVE SPELL

By Treasure

Chapter 8

03.09.2013

Disclaimer: I do not own Nodame Cantabile.

It was a day before the fund raising play. Chiaki, Nodame and Kuroki went to Lucas' hometown to practice. Chiaki was controlling his temper every time Lucas' cheek would tenderly touch Nodame's. 'How on earth she landed the Maid Marian's role? And now I am even playing music for them?' The famous conductor was asking himself. 'Now I'm suffering because I had been a sucker for her lips!'

FLASHBACK~~~

"Gyabo, you really are a good chef, Sempai!" She gave him puppy eyes full of admiration.

"Didn't you notice that I'm brilliant in so many things? Baka." He rolled his eyes but not for long as he felt arms entwined at his neck, he can also feel her bosom behind his head. "Nodame, what are you doing?" (He asked the question but his mind has a pre-conceived idea that this is the result of the potion – she getting more romantic to him, just like before.)

Nodame continued back hugging him when he stood up, pretending to clear the table. "Ano ... I miss smelling you like this, sempai. Can we stay like this for thirty seconds more?" Nodame tighten her grip, and Chiaki let her have her way. "Okay, just this time; and since we are in this situation, you can kiss me too, only if you want." He said with a hint of resistance.

And like a child given permission, she quickly went in front of him and entwined her arms on to his neck and gave a quick peck on the lips, much to his charging. He was expecting a more passionate kiss from her. After all it had been a few months since she kissed him or was it the other way around?

Chiaki would not let this chance past; he put his left arm on her waist and his right hand on the back of her head and smothers her with his passionate kisses, until they are forced to stop for the much needed air.

He looked into her eyes and he could see something different, it is as if he was seeing heart shapes floating in her eyes. "Nodame" he called. Nodame smiled at him but then she averted her gaze; remembering her previous resolve to give Shinichi time and space, in short - treat him professionally. But then again she thought hard, this chance may not come again; going against her resolve, she gave in and kissed the conductor with passion.

She would have kissed him more, but her phone buzzed indicating a text message was received. "I need to go, sempai." She told him as she place her phone back in the bag. "Why?" He gave her a questioning look. "Nodame needs to talk to Tanya or Yunlong. I need to ask them a favour." She started to explain. "What kind of favour?"

Nodame told Shinichi about her deal with Lucas and now Lucas was making a follow-up about the piano player, would it be her or someone else. If she will talk to Tanya or Yunlong, then she needs to get back to her apartment and he would be left alone, frustrated. Without much thought he suddenly volunteered himself. "No need to talk to them, I think I can handle that. Anyway I would end up going with you to Lucas' place."

Nodame almost jump up and down in delight. Chiaki volunteering, she didn't need to ask. Wow, this is a first. Ecstatic as she was, she peppered him with soft kisses all over his face. "Arigato sempai." The conductor didn't try to stop what she was doing, after all he feels he's a great guy and he deserve all this loving for volunteering to the task that he knows will give him a major headache a few days from now.

He wants more of her lips and was ready for another round of passionate kissing when her phone rang again. Nodame hurriedly went to her bag, smiled and turn it off. She then went to turn on his telly and sat in front of it, and set her focus on what is shown, losing her attention of the owner of apartment and what they have just shared.

Curious as to what she's up to "What's going on here?" He asked. "Ano . . . sempai . . . . A Puri Gorota special will be aired in two minutes. I've got to see it." She barely glanced at his direction. "Dang! Even Puri Gorota is a tight completion!" Chiaki shook his head, the thought of romantic passion gone. He took the rag and wiped the table clean, after that he started to wash the dishes. How on earth could an animated show be an antidote to a love spell?

~~~~~~~ End of Flashback~~~~

The play has only three piano numbers, and Chiaki already had played them before, so a two or three run through would be enough, after all this is a low budget children's play, but as a perfectionist that he is, he had practiced at least once a day for the whole week. He doesn't want to disappoint Nodame nor their audience. What pisses him off and put him in bad mood was the lead stars cheek to cheek scene. (It was good that this is a children's play and not a regular theatre play or else lips would be touching and not the cheeks of the performers).

Chiaki could see that Nodame was enjoying every bit of action that takes place on stage not only to her scenes as she had memorized the whole play by hearth and now, they'll be doing the whole play again with proper audience in less than four hours, the pressure is on.

"Did Nodame do well?" She asked as she keeps on tugging the sleeves of his shirt after the curtains draw to a close.

"Yes Nodame, you did well." He gave her a smirk. "How about me, did I do well too?" This was an uncharacteristic for him, as he seldom asks an opinion about his performance as it was always given right away, but he has an ulterior motive attached to this question. "Hai sempai, everything was perfect except for a note or two, in that particular scene where Robin kissed Maid Marian goodbye, I think no one noticed as Chiaki – sempai is so good!" Shinichi's vein in his forehead was about to pop out from her comment but was pleasantly surprised from her action; like a loyal pet she was nuzzling her face on his shirt.

No, he won't complain about these things anymore. Really one has to value things once they are gone – and now it's back again it's like he hit a small jackpot. The nuzzling continued for a few minutes and probably would go on for a few more not until Lucas' grandfather make his presence noticed.

"I think we have to hurry up. We need to join the rest for a small dinner party." He led the way.

A/N : Thank you so much for being patient. Love to have your reviews. ;-)