A/N: An attempt to explain Kaho's history. LOL Thanks so much to Lu, apple and cheng for reviewing. :D Two for two, I'm on fire. hahahahaha
Act 33, Winter
Mizuki Kaho from four years ago was already a household name in the classical music industry. She grew up in Japan, but was more familiar with England because of her further studies in an exclusive piano school. Her international exploits as a soloist at a tender age of ten had impressed quite a few piano laureates and attracted a particular celebrated musician. Clow Reed took her in as his first and only apprentice only when she turned twenty-one, which raised several eyebrows at his curious move because he was thought to have never even considered mentoring his own son. At twenty-five, Kaho was an established pianist with awards and distinctions from important competitions and performances. She performed in various concertos and recitals, and was frequently invited to judge a number of contests.
The fact that Kaho, who was practically a stranger, was chosen over him wounded Eriol to some extent. His unscheduled sojourn in England when he was eighteen was a terrible mistake as far as he was concerned. The bespectacled pianist was sent to Austria a month prior to the stopover for his annual summer studies before he decided to see his estranged father. It had been Tōya's suggestion that he try to speak to Clow Reed in his London home, to finally form a relationship with him because it was just about time. A few timid tries would never be enough. In spite of previous setbacks and unsuccessful reunions, Eriol heeded the advice after some careful thought, more confident that he would be able to make a better impression on Clow especially when he had been one of the few who were selected to be trained in an elite conservatoire in Paris. When he had arrived in the Reed Estate, the butler told him that the master of the house was in and had led the young man inside. It felt strangely foreign that he was made to wait in the receiving area, but he hadn't been living in the mansion for a while, and the butler didn't recognize him or the obvious resemblance in the guest and his master's appearances. The design of the anteroom had been altered, the young man noted. His mother used to adorn the room with an elaborate crystal vase of wild lilies sitting on a mahogany table in the middle, but right that moment a modern sculpture with hard masculine edges greeted him instead. Eriol grazed his sapphire eyes on the trinkets, the walls, the floor and the rest of the furniture. The apparent changes somewhat alarmed him, and he took that as a bad omen. The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, coming in sure sweeps toward his direction. The one who came for him wasn't his father but the English butler again, stiffly apologizing in behalf of his master, who was currently engaged with an important guest and couldn't be disturbed. If Eriol needed to speak to Clow Reed, he would have to make an appointment. The servant's words were so flat in his ears that he made it sound like seeing his father should be a business transaction. He had heard them before, too, one time from Clow's publicist and several occasions from his personal assistant. So he had left the estate, sorely humbled that even his own father, at odds or not, couldn't even be bothered to inform his son that he couldn't attend to him, who had flown to England alone to see him after seven long years. He would know later that the significant guest was apparently one redhead, whom he had already met many times. His father's utter rejection had stung and had drove Eriol farther away. Consequently, he declined the chance to study in Paris, settling for Japan even if it meant having just standard education and training for his supposed genius.
Again that was four years ago. Now an unpleasant silence reigned in the Amamiya manor without the music that usually filled the nothingness in the air. Eriol had chosen not to lay a hand on the piano since they had come home that eventful weekend. Two days later and he was still a tad more somber than anyone would let on, and Tomoyo still couldn't figure out what it was all about.
The family physician didn't approve of his cousin's attitude, and resolved to get the information about Eriol's disposition elsewhere because the pianist had refused to be confronted. Fatefully, Terada couldn't be reached through his mobile phone, so Tōya was left with no choice but to solicit Syaoran to speak to the azure-eyed young man.
It was still winter. The snow had promptly melted, yet it left a ghost of rime and a hefty weight of grimness all around.
Tōya was getting ready to leave for work, though a little hesitant to set out again after a long, uninterrupted break and while domestic quandaries needed some attending to. Nakuru had proposed he take a vacation, but he couldn't afford a time off, knowing that he was always wanted in the hospital.
The former heiress watched him fighting a sigh and anyway failing. He was worried, that much was obvious, however he may also had been bothered about his cousin's psychosomatic state now. The bespectacled man had been distant for days and was dangerously lapsing to a similar condition he was in after he had come back from his last summer instruction abroad.
"I know this would be asking too much from you, but would you do me a favor, Daidōji-san?" The doctor asked, not quite meeting her grey eyes yet.
"Of course, sensei." Her discomfort could be seen in the way she held her hands together.
The young doctor straightened up.
"I don't know what the full story is yet, but I think I know that Eriol-kun's father may have something to do about his temper again," he said, suddenly awkward to have included Tomoyo in their family matters. "What I am trying to say is...don't let him give up."
"Give up what?"
"He had been at his limits once before. Though uncle's indifference have frustrated Eriol over and over again, he is still unconsciously bent on proving himself to him. Daidōji-san, if he finally decides to give up music, he will lose himself. Do you understand?"
Before the dark-haired woman could answer the question, Yukito had suddenly appeared to them with an uneasy expression on his usually passive face. He bowed before he said what he came for.
"Sumimasen. There's a guest for Eriol-sama."
Tomoyo knitted her brows in confusion, and Tōya instinctively narrowed his eyes. Why Yukito would come to the doctor to announce this was rather peculiar.
"I thought I should let you know as well," the silver-haired servant told him, seemingly unnerved. "Mizuki-san is paying a visit."
A/N: When I said there was a surprise 2, maybe 3, chapters ago, I meant about Kaho's appearance. LOL I dunno why I am even explaining myself.
