Hey guys, here's an update, I know you've all been wondering what happened to Mori in the last chapter :) well here it is! Thank you dear readers for your patience!
*I had actually finished this chapter for quite some time, but when I saved it...I suddenly had to log in again...thus deleting my hard work...all good emotions for the characters went down the drain. Sorry if this work wouldn't be as good. I assure you that my original had been tear-jerking, emotional...but, not to worry, I tried my best. :) Please send me good reviews. Thank you.
Disclaimers: I don't own la corda d'oro
As You Wish Ojou-sama
Chapter 11
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Misa stood in front of their mansion's driveway impatiently as she waited for the arrival of her son and his fiancée. Along with her impatience, she also felt anxious. She shivered as she felt the cold wind blow. Her servants had asked her to stay indoors, but she refused. She wanted to talk to the children as soon as they got there.
"Misa," her husband called from behind her, "Let's go in, it's getting chilly out here." he said, as he draped her shawl over her shoulders.
Misa shook her head, "I..." She turned around, her eyes began to water as she looked at her husband.
He nodded, he understood. There was also sadness in his eyes which reflected in hers. She was about to speak again when they heard the main gates opening. Misa walked down the short steps expectantly, her brows creased in worry.
Soon, a black sleek car stopped in front of their driveway, Misa's personal butler came out of the passenger's seat. He nodded at his mistress, "They've arrived." he said softly. He slowly opened the door at the back.
Len emerged from the opened door. He bowed shortly at his parents before he turned around to help Mori out of the car.
"Mori dear!" Misa immediately hugged the young lady as soon as she got out of the car. Mori's eyes were filled with tears as she hugged the older woman back.
Len watched the scene silently, seeing his fiancée and his mother crying as they held each other tightly. The scene in front of him made his heart ache. Slowly, he could feel his heart clenching.
"Len told you?" Mori said in a small voice as she pulled away, tears still running down her face.
"Your father informed us." Len's father answered softly.
Mori's eyes widen, "Then...then father...he knew...I..." Mori brought her hand to her mouth, unable to comprehend what to say anymore.
"Your doctor wrote a letter to your father. You've been having a regular check up haven't you? And your doctor already informed you of your possible sickness and yet you refuse to have him run other tests on you. You even refrained the doctor from mentioning it to your father... Your condition have become worse now hasn't it?" Len's father said.
"You must've been hurting the whole time...dear, I'm sorry we didn't notice a thing." Misa cried.
Mori shook her head, "No, I'm sorry...I'm really sorry..." Mori couldn't say anything anymore as she cried.
"Let's get you inside first." Misa said, wiping her tears.
Mori nodded as Misa placed her shawl over Mori's shoulders. Her husband led Mori into the house, all the while saying comforting words to her. Misa was about to enter the mansion too, but stopped. She looked back at her son who barely spoke the whole time. She saw his usual expressionless face, but as a mother, she knew what he hid.
"Len," she said softly as she gently hugged her son.
It was a while before Len responded. When he did, he hugged his mother back tightly just like a child. This just made Misa want to cry even more. Her son, her son who had to grow up tough, who had to grow up without a mother, who she hadn't had a chance to hug and watch over as he grew up. Her son, who had to grow up immediately...now hugging her back like a helplessly lost child...
"She'll be fine." Misa murmured, holding back her tears.
"Of all people..." Len spoke, his voice raw.
"It's going to be alright Len," Misa said, gently stroking his blue hair.
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Ryoutaro stood still, his face blank as if he had seen something undesirable. The beeping of a dead phone could still be heard as he still the phone to his ear.
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Despite the upcoming victory of having Kahoko as only his, he was still curious as to what made Tsukimori change his mind. Tsukimori left his butler status in order to become a person worthy of the Hino household's princess. He left her behind in order to become someone suitable for her. Now why would he suddenly change his mind? For someone who had to choose a life-altering path, there had to be an explanation.
He had once told Kahoko that he'd be anything for her as long as she was happy. This time, she's upset because of the earth-shattering news he told her earlier in the morning. Although he can't change what's about to happen, he can at least find out what's going on.
When he was sure that Mori and Len's plane had arrived, he waited a few hours to let them settle, to let them unpack and talk to the people they haven't seen in a while, before he called the Tsukimori mansion.
It didn't take long for him to finally reach Len. As soon as Len spoke on the other end of the line, he immediately demanded for answers. And that was when he learned of the impossible and unbelievable news.
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"What the heck Tsukimori!" Ryoutaro immediately shouted as soon as Len said 'hello'. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I want Mori to be happy more than anything, and that's what's more important right now." Len answered monotonously.
"Then what about your promise to Kahoko? That doesn't mean anything to you now? You're just backing out?"
"It's none of your business, so just stay out of it."
"Coward. I've been patient. It seems like I misjudged you, I thought you were capable of making Kahoko happy, this time I won't hold back. I won't let you stop me from taking Kahoko anymore."
"Go ahead."
Len's answer only served to ignite Ryoutaro's anger. "What the heck is wrong with you? Get Mori on the phone! If you're not giving me answers, I'm sure she will."
"She can't." Len answered shortly.
"Oh, so now you're restraining her?"
"If you have nothing better to say—"
"The hell! I'm going there!"
"She's at the hospital." Len said sharply.
"What!" Then the first thing that entered Ryoutaro's mind was what he immediately blurted out, "So this is what it's all about! You got her pregnant? Is this what the sudden engagement is for? You are so sick Tsukimori!" Ryoutaro shouted angrily.
"Think what you want." Len answered.
"The hell with you! I swear, if I see your face right now, I'm going to punch you! Dammit! I should've known! Just because you can't have Kahoko, you used Mori! Just because you know how much she's in love with you! How much she would give to you! Damn! I can't believe this! You knew that she could care less about herself as long as she got to stay by your side even if it's just for a while. I should've stopped her idea of trying to help you! Should've guessed she'd just be your rebound. Damn you Tsukimori! Damn you to hell!"
"Are you done?"
Ryoutaro gave a frustrated shout. "Do you even care about her! Do you even look at her? Making her happy, is it just because you feel responsible? Don't you even care about how she feels? I don't like you Tsukimori, you've taken two important girls in my life. The love of my life and my best friend! Loving Mori is one thing, but using her—"
"She's got leukemia." Len finally said it. He wanted Ryoutaro to stop talking already, because what he had been saying had truths in them, and every time he got hit, he just can't forgive himself more.
Ryoutaro was speechless for a few seconds then spoke again, "You're kidding."
"Believe what you want. Yes, I know how much she's in love with me. Whether I look at her or not is none of your business. But get this through your stubborn prideful head, I want to make her happy, while I still can."
"While you still can? What do you mean while you still can? She must still be in the early stages. There's still a way to prevent the cancer from spreading right? No, wait wait wait, how can this happen so fast? How did she even have leukemia in the first place?" Ryoutaro asked, already in a panic.
"It's too late," Len said shortly.
"What do you mean too late?"
"She's been hiding it for a while. We've been away for four years, she had never gone for a check-up. The cancer has already spread." Then he immediately hung up.
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"Ryou?" Kahoko's head suddenly poke inside his room.
Ryoutaro shook his head, as if waking himself up. He closed his phone and looked up at Kahoko, "You're not angry at me?" he asked in disbelief.
Kahoko frowned, "I am. Still."
"Then what are you doing at my house?" he asked.
She looked at him with hurt written across her face, "I just...I don't care."
"Don't care? About what?" Ryoutaro looked at her with a confused expression as she entered his room.
"Whether they're engaged or not."
Ryoutaro snorted, "So, you decide to commit adultery or something?"
"No!" Kahoko's cheeks redden, "No," she said more softly. "Len...I just want to see him. I missed him so much. I don't care if I'm attending Len's engagement celebration. I just want to see him...you know." Kahoko's eyes were sudden filled with tears.
"Hey," Ryoutaro said softly, reaching out his arm.
Kahoko immediately rushed into his arms as he enveloped her into a hug. "I just miss him so much. Yes, it hurts that he didn't keep his promise. It hurts so much! But above that hurt is my longing to see him. I've been waiting for so long..."
"Are you sure you want to go tonight?"
"Yes, I'm sure." she said, her voice muffled by Ryoutaro's shirt. "And I'm going to demand answers from him."
"No!" Ryoutaro suddenly pulled Kahoko.
"Wh-what?" Kahoko was confused by the sudden reaction Ryoutaro showed.
Ryoutaro, upon realizing what he just did, tried to pull himself together. "No, I don't think it's the right time."
"I deserve to know!" Kahoko said, wiping her tears, "I deserve to know why he broke our promise!"
"It's their engagement party! You're just going to ruin the celebration by making the mood to negative!"
Kahoko's eyebrows furrowed, "I thought you were going to support me."
"I'm bringing you down to reality, Kahoko!"
"I deserve to know why!" she repeated, tears still dripping from the corners of her eyes.
"Alright. Suppose you know the reason why Tsukimori changed his mind. Why he chose Mori over you!" he didn't stop, even though he saw the pain in her eyes as he said it, "What are you going to do about it?"
"I..."
"Act accordingly and rationally." Ryoutaro said softly.
"Why?" Kahoko started crying again, "Why did he choose her over me? He promised! He promised to come back to me! I know that he loves me—"
"Has he ever said that to you?" Ryoutaro interrupted.
Kahoko froze.
"Don't assume, Kahoko."
"I know him better than you do." Kahoko answered back.
Ryoutaro sighed. "Whatever. Go home and get ready, I'll pick you up by seven." he said dismissively.
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"You should've told me about it from the beginning." Mori's father said desperately.
Mori had insisted on going home instead of going to the hospital just as the Tsukimori couple had suggested. She had wanted to talk to her father immediately. As soon as she went into his father's study, her father immediately hugged her tightly. She saw his red-rimmed eyes, and that just brought her close to tears again. But she held them back, she had to be strong.
"Right when the doctor wrote me that letter, I looked around your things, and I found several bottles of medicine." He knelt in front of his daughter who was seated in one of the chairs in his study. He looked deeply into her eyes, and stroke her cheek. "It hurts so much, doesn't it?" he said softly.
Mori nodded, tears stinging her eyes again. "It hurts so much...papa. Different pains. Here and there. The excruciating pain, sometimes I didn't think I could survive the pain anymore."
Tears fell from her father's eyes, "How long have you been sick?"
"The pain started a week before I left." she whispered.
"That long?"
"I'm sorry papa." Mori finally cried as she hugged her father, "I'm so sorry. I was scared. I didn't want to undergo surgery, I was scared! What if things went wrong? Papa, I didn't know what to do!"
"Mori," as he cried, he stroke his visibly shaking daughter. "There would've been a better chance for you to live." he murmured. "But now..."
"I'm sorry..."
"Is this why you convinced that Tsukimori lad on that trip with you?" he asked gently, pulling his daughter from the hug so he could see her face. "Because you knew your life has a time limit?"
Mori looked down at the floor as she nodded, "I know it was selfish of me. But, but I also want to help him! At first I just wanted to be with him. But as I grew to know how much he loves Kahoko, I...I admire his strength. His willingness to do anything for her. Being with him as he rise to fame was all I could do. All I could do was stay by his side, and I'm happy with that. I knew I can never own his heart..."
"Then this engagement?"
"He...feels guilty..." She looked at her father with pleading eyes, "I know you think this is wrong papa, but...I want this. I don't care anymore. I know that his heart belongs to Kahoko, but, if I'm going to die anyway, I want to die happy."
"Hush." his father hushed, pain evident in his eyes as his daughter talked about her death like it was a simple walk in the park.
"Even if he will stay by your side until the end, will you feel happy about it Mori? Knowing that you somehow cheated in order to have him?"
Mori looked away from his father's honest eyes, "I will feel sick to the core." she murmured.
"Then do what is right," he said gently.
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The Tsukimori residence was suddenly filled with lights and noises as the engagement party began. The sky turned out a nice orange with a tinge of pink as the sun was about to set. On the large balcony of the Tsukimori mansion, a beautiful young lady in a purple halter gown stood, her eyes seemed to be searching for something which was so far away.
"The guests have already arrived." Len murmured as he entered the room where Mori stood at the balcony.
"Mn." she replied.
"Mori, let's go." Len said softly as he stood by her said.
Mori slowly looked at Len. Her eyes seemed to be studying his every feature. "Len, I—" Suddenly Mori felt a sharp pain somewhere near her heart, she jerked away from Len's outstretched hand.
"Mori!" Len's eyes widen, he didn't know what to do. "I'll go call help."
"No!" Mori stopped him. "Wait." she gasped. She took deep breaths, trying to calm the pain.
A few agonizing minutes later, she stood straight again. She smiled apologetically at Len. But Len only glared back at her.
"Had it always been like this?" he asked, anger seeping into his voice.
"Sort of," she murmured.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why did you have to hide it in front of me?"
"What, so you could send me into a hospital and let me live there for what, for years?" Mori shook her head, "Even though it hurts, I'm happy Len. I got to stay by your side."
"Mori..." he looked at her with a pained expression.
Mori reached out and stroke his cheek, "I'm an idiot, aren't I? It seems like I'm keeping you prisoner. You didn't have to do this Len. You don't love me." she said, even though the truth hurts, she had to say it. She didn't want to live a lie.
Len touched her hand which was on his cheek. "That's not true." he murmured. "I love you Mori,"
"But not as much as you love Kahoko." she smiled a small smile.
"I'm sorry."
Mori nodded, "I understand. I really do. This is why we shouldn't be doing this."
"I want you to be happy."
"I'm happy just by being by your side, Len. I'd be unhappy knowing that the one you really love is Kahoko, and yet because of my condition—"
"You've given up more than I have." Len murmured, "You've sacrificed so much. Just like your mother."
Mori's eyes widen, "My mother..."
"I know about her."
Mori was about to speak again when Misa suddenly entered the room. "It's time to go down." she said softly, not wanting to interrupt the two, but guests were waiting.
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"You've brought your violin." Ryoutaro noticed.
Kahoko hugged her violin case tighter to her chest as they entered further into the Tsukimori mansion. "It's a goodbye, I guess..." Kahoko murmured.
"Oh, Kahoko dear!" Misa gushed as soon as she caught sight of her.
"Misa-san," Kahoko acknowledged with a smile.
"Your just in time. Would it be alright for me to request you to play right now? Or would you like to postpone your number?"
"Playing right now will be great." Kahoko smiled.
"Thank you so much. Mori and Len will be coming down the steps anytime soon."
Ryoutaro watched as Kahoko stood in the middle of the improvised stage. He was curious as to why Kahoko would want to play, especially for this event which had been crushing her heart. He shook his head, "Since when did you learn to become selfless?" he murmured.
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"Mother will be wondering why we haven't gone down yet when she already called us a while ago." Len murmured, he reached out his hand for her to take.
"This doesn't seem right," Mori protested.
"Tonight, just for tonight, this is all about you. Don't think of anything else. Just think of yourself."
"You said that on the plane too."
"It's because you're too selfless."
"If I become selfish, you'll really regret it." Mori said, a small smile on her lips.
Len smiled his rare smile. "I'll take your word for it." he chuckled. Then Mori finally took his hand.
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"So many people..." Mori murmured as soon as they stood on top of the grand staircase, she blushed a bit when cameras were flashing their way and when everyone became quiet as they watched the two walk down the stairs.
A violin started playing.
Len froze for a short second, but was still enough for Mori to notice. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing."
Mori smiled, "Ave Maria, isn't it? You used to play this song for me whenever I was upset."
"You're right," Len smiled at her. "It would always, for some reason, calm you down."
"Ah." Mori outright stopped ever though there were two or three more steps before they reach the bottom.
"Mori?" Len wondered what was wrong, he followed her gaze.
His eyes widen.
"Kahoko." he murmured in surprise. Then memories started rushing into his head.
He remembered the times he played Ave Maria just beside his Ojou-sama's bed when she was having nightmares.
He remembered secretly playing for her.
He always played for her during her sleeps.
Could it be that she knew he was playing for her all along?
Len and Kahoko's eyes met across the room. Kahoko smiled a knowing smile, as if answering Len's question for him. Yes, I knew all along.
Even though no words were exchange, Mori saw everything.
Her chest suddenly tightened as she felt her heart shattering. Why would she be feeling this much pain? She knew all along didn't she? She already accepted that fact, right? But seeing their exchange was like a freshly opened wound for her. It hurt so much.
"Mori dear?" Misa said softly, seeing her stiff as she stood beside Len. She was surprised when Mori looked at her with glassy eyes. "Dear, what—"
Mori shook her head, she gently pulled Len's hand. Len slightly tripped by her side, "Go get her," she murmured, then she let go of his hand.
Len's eyes widen as he watched her gather her long gown and ran out of the room.
"Mori dear!" Misa called after her, surprise was etched all over her face. The crowd started murmuring as to what could've happened, and the media started snapping shots furiously. A hot news was in store.
Len was about to run after her when he felt someone pulled his arm. He looked back, "Ojou-sama!" Len said in surprise. Kahoko's face turned to hurt when she heard him call her that again. "I'm sorry," Len said, "But I have to go after—"
"Your promise." Kahoko said, her eyes hard.
"Ojou-sama." He looked at the direction where Mori had ran off to.
"Ryou went after her." Kahoko murmured, "So please, look at me." she said pleadingly.
Reluctantly, even though he still wanted to run after Mori, he looked at Kahoko. "Ojou-sama."
"Don't call me that. We're no longer that." Kahoko said.
"Is that an order?"
"Len!"
"Why did you play that piece?" Len asked.
Kahoko bit her lower lip as Len looked at her with an intense kind of stare. "I...I knew about it. You were watching over me, you played the song for me. It was my lullaby."
"Of all places, why did you choose to play it here?" his voice became hard.
"Because I want my Len to come back. The one who always watches over me, the one who always scolds me." she looked at him softly as she spoke the next words. "The Len that I love." Slowly, Kahoko reached out and touched his face. "Do you love me too, Len?"
"I..."
"Len-sama!"
They were interrupted when one of the servants hurriedly ran into the room.
"What is it?" Misa asked, suddenly panicked.
"Mori-sama! She collapsed!"
"Where is she?" Mori's father asked, immediately ordering one of the servants to call for an ambulance, "Is someone with her?"
"Ryoutaro-sama is with her. They're by the fountain at the south gate."
"Mori." Len jerked away from Kahoko immediately, this time Kahoko was able to stop him as he ran towards where the servant said Mori was.
Kahoko clenched her now empty hand, which was on Len's cheek just a few seconds ago. She brought it to her side. So, was this the answer?
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A/N: please review! :) The next chapter will be the last one! Hope you guys have enjoyed up until now. I really apologize for the late updates...