Still locked in his room, Edward muses to himself how easy it was to pass stage 1.
Although how I managed to get hold of the precise person I needed was little more than a miracle.
He quickly keyed into his laptop the details of the new event, noting the email that had just come from his father with regards to the guests.
He allows himself to quickly read over, and rolls his eyes when he notices the guest list.
How typical, Father. You just want to show off.
He sends an email back to his father to quickly say that everything was confirmed for the night.
He then allows himself to browse over to Yokohama City University's website, and settles down to write a long email to the Dean of the Division of Economics and Business Administration.
They had stayed frozen, looking at each other for several moments. Kahoko relaxed, and smiled at Len.
"Well, if that's what it's going to be… we should enjoy this last week as much as possible!"
She tries to sound cheery and energetic as she usually is.
One week isn't that long, but I'll be able to spend every moment of it with Len, so it'll be alright!
Len's cool demeanor had evaporated when he saw the message from Edward. He barely registered Kahoko's words, only noting that she had suddenly smiled.
He blinks, and rouses himself.
"Let's do some sightseeing for the next few days, Kahoko."
"Eh?"
He chuckles slightly at her reaction, and walks behind her to hold her tightly around the waist. He leans in her ear, and whispers.
"I'll want you all to myself over these 7 days."
The red blush comes across her face instantly, and he takes his arms off her, and walks to the bathroom.
Edward taps on his desk, waiting for several replies from various universities – Yokohama City where Kahoko is currently enrolled, and a university the Van Diem family has a good relationship with in Vienna.
Now while I'm waiting for Stage 2… I'll need to sort out some petty things.
He heads out of his office, and towards the Grand Ballroom.
I haven't forgotten, cousin.
Finally safe in an area where she couldn't be suddenly ambushed by Len, Kahoko allows herself to take deep breaths. From looking at the mirror, she knows she's still blushing from that comment before.
I'll want you all to myself over these seven days.
Another blush comes across her face again, causing her to nearly trip over in the small bathroom.
She manages to stay upright, and calms down.
Where is that music sheet?
Len flicks through the numerous pile of sheets that lie in neat piles, wondering where he had put that particular music sheet.
How is it that I manage to lose the music sheet that I need right now?
He moves to another room, intent upon finding it.
I'm not going to have a good day if I don't find it. Where are you, Canon in D music sheet?
He had shocked the staff when he suddenly burst into the Grand Ballroom and told them to do a number of preparations.
With the change of event, naturally a few things will need to be changed as well.
He surveyed the table layout, and sighed.
Father will probably want tables along the side, and a large dance-floor or standing area in the middle. Looks like I'll have to move the tables.
Walking over to the first of many tables, he slowly lifted it up and put it to the side.
Soon enough, some of the staff noticed, and they helped him finish off the job. He smiled at them gratefully.
"Arigatou, minna-san. I'm sorry for throwing this on everyone so suddenly"
There was a slight pause, before lots of different comments being said at once. Edward smiled at them all, and headed back to his office.
That's one petty thing taken care of. Now, has the other thing done what it's meant to do…?
Kahoko had quickly located Len's Canon in D music sheet with her music sheets – he had raised his eyes when he realised she was holding it before quickly taking it.
She raised her eyes while looking at him.
"In how many days are you playing this?"
He blinks, before replying.
"5 days"
"You shouldn't pressure yourself to show me around, then… after all, this is an important performance…"
She steps back suddenly as he advances towards her, effectively pinning her against the wall.
Ehhhh? What's happening…?
Len had expected this much. He knew that she knew he valued his music playing among anything else, but he knew even more now that he valued her a lot more than his music.
He had meant to advance forward, but had instead effectively pinned her in place on the wall. Either way, he wanted to get his point across.
"Kahoko… I… My music, my violin, my life… I wouldn't be who I am without you."
It had taken several moments for those words to process in her mind, but when they did, Kahoko's jaw was slack – she was that much in shock.
"Len…"
Right after she had called his name, he leaned over to kiss her.
She didn't protest anymore.
So one side is happy… and another is uncertain. This doesn't actually count as a success, yet…
Edward was staring at his laptop again, the two emails from the two separate Deans on the screen. The Dean from Yokohama was more than happy to let Kahoko go, the other Dean wasn't as accommodating to place her in.
He sighed.
That's the best person I know. He has to accept her. He's the only one Father would actually listen to.
He glanced over at the phone.
It looks like it's time for me to use persuasive means.
Picking up his office phone, he dialed the number of the other Dean…
Even though they had stopped kissing, it didn't mean that Len stopped pinning her to the wall. Instead, he looked at her face, enough that he could see a blush starting to form. He never stopped, though.
He wanted to burn her face in his memory for the tough times he knew would lie ahead.
The times I'll have to spend far, far away from her.
He put his hand on her face lightly and allowed it to slowly fall past her cheek and down towards her chin. He cupped her chin for several moments, wanting to kiss her again but also knowing if he did he may never be able to let her leave his side.
"Let's make the most of these last days, Kahoko."
He tries to sound as encouraging as possible, and knows instantly from the sudden sad expression on her face that he's failed instantly.
There's got to be some way to keep her by my side!