I'm sorry for not updating soon, it's because my computer had been taken away. It's being used in my parents' office... So I'm now doing this in their office. _ limited computer time...I'll try to type as quickly as I can.
*note* Someone reviewed, stating the Mori is the last name of Mori Manami, and that is indeed true, but since I started this fic with her first name as Mori...I hope you guys could just adjust. Thank you very much.
Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda D'oro
As You Wish, Ojou-sama
Chapter 9
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"I heard that the Tsukimori lad is going back to his household."
Mori looked up from her piano keys as her father entered the library, two cups of hot chocolate on his hands. She smiled as he set one cup on top of the piano.
"Added sweet milk, just the way you want it." He said, with a smile that wrinkled the skin near his eyes.
"Thank you papa." Mori said, taking the warm cup in both her hands.
"The pieces you play always reflects your moods," he said, scanning the piano sheet Mori laid out, "Why the sad tune?"
Mori took a sip of her drink before answering, "I just feel confused, that's all."
"Confused?" her father leaned on the piano, sensing a long story ahead.
"You see, it's my fault why Len has decided to come home." Mori said in a small voice, avoiding her father's eyes.
"Fault? I don't see how it can be a fault. If he decided to return because of you, well, that's a good thing isn't it? I know how much he means to you. His father and I had been making some arrangement." he grinned as Mori blushed.
"Papa," Mori said, with a hint of whine in her tone, "Well, you see, Len wanted to stay there."
"Stay? He wanted to be a servant for the rest of his life?"
"Don't judge him too much," Mori said softly, seeing her father's surprise. "He has his reasons."
Her father studied Mori's face for a while, letting silence fill the room. He shook his head, "If I put all the puzzle in, that would mean that the Young Lady of the Hino household has taken over his heart."
Mori bit her lower lip, she didn't know if she was suppose to reveal this to her father. But ever since her mother passed away, there wasn't a secret she kept from him. So she nodded in reply.
Her father sighed, reaching out a hand to stroke her hair.
The soothing gesture made Mori's eyes water. "Do you think you did the wrong thing then?" he asked softly.
"I don't know...but I'm certain that if he stayed in the Hino household, he'd only suffer more. He...truly loves her."
"You'll be helping him, won't you?"
Mori nodded.
Her father chuckled gently, "That boy should've appreciated your unselfishness. Your just like you mother."
Mori met her father's sad eyes. She frowned. "Papa..."
"It's okay. It's the past. But, I want you to know that you deserve to be happy."
"Mother was happy when she married you, and had me." Mori smiled softly.
"Yes, I guess so." he said, equally soft as he stroke his daughter's cheek.
Mori looked at her father with a slightly pleading expression, "Please don't tell his parents about this. I...I have a plan...Len has to become a respectable person by himself and not through his parents, for him to be able to be with Kahoko-san. Even if Kahoko-san's parents disapprove, they can't do anything since Len will be 'suitable' for her... Please, don't tell."
"Alright," he said after a few seconds, "I'll pretend I didn't hear anything today."
"Thank you." Mori smiled.
"Though, just a little head's up? Misa is planning on taking you and Len to abroad." he said, before leaving the room.
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1 month later...
Walking along the quiet hallway, Len touched the wall as he passed through. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, taking in the feel of the familiar pillar. This is probably the last time he'll be able to last appreciate this place, this mansion, where he grew up.
Yes, tomorrow is the day when he will be leaving.
When Kahoko had accidentally heard about his decision from Mori, she began avoiding him, refusing to talk to him. To the point that she had requested to change her personal butler—to Shuuri's satisfaction.
Len sighed. What kind of mess did he get himself into? It hurt him, yes, but he has to endure it. This will lead into something more fruitful, wouldn't it?
Finally he stopped walking, and was surprised to see that he had unconsciously stopped in front of his former Mistress' room. From the other side of the door, he could hear her grumbling about what clothes to wear and what matches with which.
If it were an ordinary day, he would've laughed. She was always a dependent person. It made him frown knowing that she's shutting him out of her life.
He touched the door, resisting the urge to push it open. Instead, he leaned his forehead and murmured, "Do you love me?"
"Len?"
He flinched as he realized he actually said it out loud. "Ojou-sama," he said, internally praying that she didn't hear his exact words. He waited, but then, only silence filled the air. Len shook his head. "As of today, I am no longer a part of the Hino household."
On the other side of the door, Kahoko, who had been in front of the mirror, went to the door while Len talked. She already had her hand on the door knob, but she stopped when he pointed out that he's no longer part of the Hino household. She leaned her back on the door instead, letting silence fill the air. Even with the door separating them, she could very much feel his warmth from the other side.
Len sighed again at her unresponsiveness. Unaware that she's already only a door away from him. "I'll be leaving tomorrow," he said.
Kahoko brought her hand to her mouth to stop herself from talking. She really wants to tell him to stay, but it was his decision to leave... She couldn't afford to be selfish anymore. She's avoided him for this long just for that purpose of being unselfish. She knows that if she ordered him to stay, he will. She closed her eyes tightly, biting her lip.
There are so many things she wants to tell him. Everything went by so fast. A month had already passed since she heard about Len's decision. And for a month she had been busy trying to avoid him at all possible cost, to the point of escaping with Ryoutaro—yet again, to her mother's satisfaction.
Kahoko suddenly looked back to a month ago, when Ryoutaro had followed her when she ran after hearing the news from Mori.
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"Kaho. Kahoko!" Ryoutaro called, finally taking ahold of her wrist.
"Let go!" Kahoko demanded. She used
her free hand to wipe away her flowing tears.
"Kaho." Ryoutaro repeated, this time gently. "Talk to me, please." he begged. Seeing as how she refuses to look at him.
"What did you tell her to do?" she asked in a low tone.
Ryoutaro froze up for a moment before replying. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
Kahoko turned to glare at him. "Don't you dare lie to me! You must know her! The way you two were talking just know, you must've known each other for quite a while! I rejected you and she suddenly appears! So I want to know why Len suddenly wants to go back to his household! What did she tell him? Did she threaten him?"
Ryoutaro's look darkened. "You haven't properly rejected me yet. And I'll have you know, yes, Mori is a good friend of mine. So, I won't allow you to think ill of her, nor say ill things about her."
"Then answer me, tell me my suspicions are wrong."
"You don't want to hear what I have to say," he said, trying to soften his voice.
"Tell me!" she demanded, as more tears came to her eyes.
Ryoutaro pinched the bridge of his nose for a few seconds before answering her in a serious and calm tone. "He decided it himself. Do you think he's the kind of person who will be swayed or forced into something that he doesn't want? Do you think his pride," Ryoutaro snickered, "Would allow it?"
"He submitted to my orders."
"That's because you've bounded him to yourself. You haven't left him any choice."
Kahoko looked at the floor as Ryoutaro's words struck her guilty conscience. Yes, she did bind Len to her words, using the absolute orders... but, she remembered that Len told her once that he enjoyed following her orders...
"He wants to be by my side. I'm sure of it." Kahoko said with confidence.
Ryoutaro struggled with himself. A part of him wants to laugh and tells her she's hallucinating, but a part of him also knows that she's hit the right spot. He studied her face, her usual hard strong eyes, now streaked with tears. Her lip quivering with the tears yet unshed. He shook his head. And all along it was him who wants to make her happy, but now...she's unhappy because of his interference.
"Kahoko," he said more softly. "I care about you, you know how much important you are to me. I can't let you get hurt."
Kahoko glared at him, "Do you think Len will hurt me?"
"He's not the right person for you. More like, you're not right for him."
"What?" Kahoko looked at him with shock coloring her expression. She! Kahoko HINO is not right for HIM! Almost every available heirs out there wants HER. How is it possible the SHE is the one who isn't right for HIM?
Ryoutaro could see that Kahoko's prideful self was resurfacing. So he immediately continued, "What you want, is to let him stay by your side, is it not?"
Kahoko nodded.
"I'm telling you, he has decided this choice by himself, no strings are attached. And do you know the reason why?"
Kahoko's eyes narrowed, "No." she said in a stiff voice.
"Have you seen his talent? Heard it, rather. He is of excellent breeding. Both his parents are great musicians. Len is what you can call a genius. A prodigy. If he goes back to his parents, he can tour with them and let the world know of his talent, he can go on farther! But. If he remains as your butler...A servant...he can never shine."
Ryoutaro's words sunk into Kahoko's mind. A perfect sense. She can't deny that she had never thought about that before. She'd just been to selfish to see reason. Of course. Of course he's right. Len deserves better...
"Then what should I do?" She ended up whispering.
"What do you think you should do?" Ryoutaro asked.
Kahoko looked at Ryoutaro, and he saw that her eyes were mixed with several emotions. Hurt, lost, confused, sad. He couldn't bare seeing this much pain anymore.
"Kaho," he breathed out, voice full of pain. He reached out his hand, and stroke her damp cheeks. "I don't want to see you like this. I'm sorry. From now on, I promise to be what you need to be. I won't force you to be engaged with me anymore. Just let me be the one to replace him, let me be the one to make you smile this time. I don't want to see you lost like this."
"Ryoutaro..." Kahoko said, unable to comprehend his sudden change of heart.
"Please." Ryoutaro begged, "Let me be the one by your side this time. Let me be the one to grant your every wish."
Kahoko closed her eyes tightly. Thoughts of Len flooding into her mind. All these years, it was her wishes that had been followed. Len never complained. He always had her happiness on top of his own. This time, should she wish for her happiness? Is it really time for her to let go of him?
"Len...will do well..." Kahoko said, her voice breaking as she said the hurtful truth out loud.
Ryoutaro saw that Kahoko was already at her limit as she started crying again. This time, he slowly wrapped his arms around her, slow enough that she could still refuse him. When Kahoko felt his arms around her, she cried on his chest.
"He'll be happy." she sobbed.
"Yes," Ryoutaro murmured, stroking her hair as she cried her heart out.
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She had decided that she won't take this chance for Len to be happy away from him. She decided that it was for the best. But, no matter who or what Ryoutaro becomes for her, he can never replace the special place, that will always be Len's, in her heart. When she opened her eyes, she saw her sight blurred with stinging hot tears. She quickly turned around and jerked the door open.
Only to find the hallway empty.
Kahoko fell to her knees. Bringing her hand to her mouth, she started crying again.
"Len, Len, Len," she repeated her name over and over again, as if the it will let him appear in front of her again.
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"Well, thank you very much for taking care of Len for me until now." Misa said, shaking Shuuri's hand as a butler load Len's things in the trunk.
Shuuri giggled softly, "Oh, that's not a problem. I've raised him like my own child. I'm sad that he has to go. But I'm sure he's happier with his real family. It must've been like prison for him here, unable to see those important to him." she said, gesturing to the inside of the house.
Misa followed Shuuri's gesture and found Len and Mori talking at the foot of the stairs, their heads close together.
Misa nodded her head in agreement, "Those two had been inseparable ever since they were young. It had been a complete shock for Mori to suddenly lose Len. I'm glad that you gave her a chance to see Len last month."
"It's not a problem. Ryoutaro told me that Len means so much to her. And I thought 'why not give Len a chance to see someone who means a lot him, just this once?'."
"Thank you very much." Misa thanked.
"Just do me a favor."
"Anything." Misa smiled.
Shuuri laughed, "Invite my family for their engagement or wedding someday."
Misa laughed along, "Of course I will. You're like Len's second family already. I'm sure he was glad to experience what it was like to have a little sister. He's an only child after all."
"I'm sure he experienced a lot of new things." Shuuri said, though to others who knew, they know that Shuuri's words had a double meaning.
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"Len, I..." Mori stood speechlessly in front of him. She didn't know what to say. After all, she knew that Kahoko had become distant to him. Shuuri had told her that Kahoko insisted on having a different butler serving her. Somehow, Mori knows that this is her fault, and yet Len wouldn't hear the end of her apology.
Len sighed seeing the guilty expression on Mori's face.
"It's not your fault...entirely." he said. He managed to chuckle seeing her face fall more. "What's done is done, there's nothing I can do about it. Yesterday, I told her my goodbye already."
"What did she say?" Mori asked softly.
Len shook his head in dismay. "Nothing."
"I'm really—"
"Enough." Len said. "It's the future I have to look after now. The past damages can't be repaired. I can only make the future more bearable."
"I—"
"You'll help me, won't you?"
Mori swallowed and nodded, still filled with guilt. Len sighed at the fact that she wouldn't let go of the issue.
"Mori," He said, trying to grab 110% of her attention.
Mori slowly looked up to meet his eyes. Len smiled softly. "Let it go. I need your help in this. I can't do this alone."
The corner of Mori's lips lifted a little, "Since when do you need help." she joked.
"Let's just say I haven't broaden my horizon since the Music School I attend already teaches what I know." Len said, gesturing the violin case he held on his right hand. "I heard you've been in abroad studying music."
"Piano, Len. Not violin."
Len raised an eyebrow at her. "I doubt you haven't touched the violin even once."
Mori laughed this time, she raised both her hands, "Alright. I've been playing. I'll just give you all the notes and pointers I've taken down when I went to England and Vienna."
"Thank you."
Mori shook her head, "No, it's me who should be thanking you. Thank you Len. Thank you for putting your faith in me."
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"I must've told you this already, but you're making the right choice." Len's uncle said, putting his hand on his shoulder.
Len had said goodbye to the other staffs in the mansion. His last goodbye was saved for his uncle who had acted as his father during his stay.
"I hope it will still be the right choice until the end." Len said.
"It will be, just remember to keep your path straight. Never lose sight of the main path. I'm sure she'll be helping you." he said, looking at Mori, who was by the door, talking to Shuuri and Misa.
"I'm sure she will." Len said in a low voice, still knowing how much Mori is sacrificing just to let him have what he wants.
"She's just like her mother." Len's uncle suddenly said.
Len was surprised for a moment. It was a first for someone to mention anything about Mori's mother. He assumed it was because since his father's side were childhood friends with Mori's mother, and it had hurt to talk about her death. All he knew is that she died in an accident when Mori was barely 4.
"I did see a picture of her when I was younger. They do look alike," Len recalled. Mori always had a locket around her neck ever since they were little, and she showed the content inside to him once. It contained a photo of her mother, and the Mori now, really is a splitting image of her mother.
"Even their personality is alike."
"Their personality?"
"Maybe it's time to tell you a deeper connection we have with Mori's mother." his uncle said, "But don't let this affect any of your decision for your future."
Len nodded, those his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Mori's mother, Maika, used to be in love with your father." he saw Len's eyes widen, but he continued, not giving the boy a chance to interrupt, "but ever since we were small, your father only had his eyes set for the wonderful pianist, Hamai Misa. Till the very end, she set aside her own feelings to help your father. It was very obvious to the rest of us how Maika felt about him, though your father had always been dense." he chuckled.
"But is Father aware..." Len said, still a bit shocked.
His uncle shook his head, "It's better this way. Anyway, Maika soon found someone who really treasured her."
Len looked to the floor. Then did it mean that history was just repeating itself in their generation? "Is Mori aware?"
"Pretty much, but like I said, don't let this piece of information affect your decision. I just told you this so that you'd come to appreciate her more."
Len looked at his uncle, "No, you told me this because there was something else you want to tell me, but you don't know if you should."
His uncle chuckled, "Very perspective."
"What is it? I'm sure I'll be able to handle it."
His uncle thought about it before sighing, "Misa had been aware of Maika's feelings all the time. She'd had this guilt in her mind that she stole your father from her. I'm sure you've noticed how pro she is on having you and Mori be engaged. I guess it's her way of saying sorry to Maika in a way."
"It is completely irrelevant—"
"It's clear as day that Mori is in love with you, Len." his uncle said in a hard voice, "Misa saw that too. And she knows that if someone were to steal your heart, Mori would back down the way her Mother did. Once upon a time, before you really got to know the Young Lady, she was the only thing in your mind ever since you got here. Now, the thing Misa most feared has happened. You've fallen for the Young Lady."
"I—"
"I would very much prefer if you end up with Mori. She's a very respectable person, very talented in music too. She could follow you wherever your violin takes you because she's also a genius, and catching up to you won't be a hard thing for her." he said softly, "But it's pointless to tell you these things now."
"Len!" Misa called from the entrance, "Dear, let's go."
"Coming!" Len answered loudly.
"I just want you to know what you're risking here. What kind of sacrifices are being made. You should really appreciate what Mori's doing for you."
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"He's leaving," Ryoutaro, who was in Kahoko's room, sitting on the couch, said. He watched as Kahoko looked outside her west window which overlooked the entrance of the mansion.
"I know," Kahoko murmured.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to him?"
Kahoko shook her head, "It's for the best."
"This might be the last time you're going to see him," he said, he stood up from his seat and walked towards Kahoko. He watched as Mori got into the car with Len behind.
"Japan is relatively small, I'm sure we'd meet again," Kahoko said positively.
Ryoutaro shook his head, "This is the flaw from avoiding him," he sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"Mori told me that Misa plans to take them to Vienna, so that Len will be able to polish his violin skills even further."
"No!" Kahoko said in surprise.
Ryoutaro shrugged, "That's why I'm telling you to tell your goodbye before it's too late."
"When!" Kahoko practically shrieked.
"Next week. Do you want to see him?" Ryoutaro asked calmly.
Kahoko bit her lip, trying to hold herself back. She shouldn't be so upset. It's her fault in the first place for avoiding Len for so long. If she goes to see him, will she be controlled enough not to ask him to come back? Kahoko shook her head, Len is no longer her butler nor under the Hino household. He's not bound to anything anymore...
"No," Kahoko finally answered, "I won't see him." Maybe it was time for her to really grow up. Her spoiled self should be sealed away forever, along with Len's leaving. "Seeing him won't do any good." It's time for her to change.
She looked out the window again, seeing the Tsukimori's car roll away from their driveway. "Goodbye," she murmured.
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Len instinctively looked up, where he knew fully well that Kahoko's window was. There, he saw her looking below. He was sure that she wouldn't see him looking up because of the tinted windows. He tried to memorize her face as quickly as he can, the last time he'll be seeing her in a while.
Then beside her, someone suddenly appeared. Ryoutaro.
Len felt his heart clenched at his appearance, but he reassured himself that at least someone will be able to protect her since he's no longer by Kahoko's side. He's also slightly aware that Ryoutaro's agenda has changed. The way he talked to her, the way he looks at her. He could tell as much that he's not forcing her anymore.
"I'll return," Len murmured.
Beside him, Mori heard his words. She smiled softly, and took his hand. Len jumped in surprise at her sudden touch.
"It's going to be fine." Mori assured.
Len looked at Mori, suddenly remembering the truth his uncle had just revealed. "Sorry," he suddenly blurted out.
"For what? You know that you have to disregard my feelings from this point on," she murmured, careful for Misa not to hear, who just sat across them, politely not looking at the two teens.
Len shook his head, "For everything," he whispered, "I know how much this is hurting you, you don't have to..."
He trailed off when Mori started shaking her head with a smile, "It's okay, Len. It's really okay." then she giggled softly, "The least you can do is thank me. That's all there is. We still have a long way to go."
Len nodded as he squeezed her fingers, "Thank you."
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A/N: Review please!
*Mild spoiler alert*
This chapter is just to set the next chapter where Len leaves. A lot of time will be passing in the next chapter, so I think that chapter will be longer. I'm really sorry for not updating as soon as possible.