I'm back, with chapter 3!

It's really short, sorry about that, but it's Akio and Yuu's first meeting! Tell me what you think!

Warnings: This is shounen-ai/yaoi which there isn't a lot of this chapter, but there will be later. And also, this is classical music. Please do not read it if you are offended by either of the above.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sekai ichi Hatsukoi, sadly. I do own Akio though (YAY!)

Chapter 3:

After the winners had been announced and the awards had been distributed, Yuu and Kanta headed backstage. As predicted, Kanta had thrust the flowers he had bought into his sisters free hand and began ranting, waving his hands all over the place.

"Chi-chan, I still can't believe you only got second place! Who was the guy who won anyways? Those judges must be crazy or deaf or something. You were amazing! Everyone in the whole auditorium could vouch for that." Here he spun towards Yuu. "Don't you agree, Yuu?"

Caught off guard, Yuu blinked blankly at the expectant brunette. "Erm…"

Chizuru giggled. "That's enough Kanta. You probably weren't there when Tamura-san played. When I saw his name on the contestant list, I knew that I would be lucky if I even placed. The guy's well known in the music circle in Tokyo. In fact, he goes to Geidai* and even has had solo concerts before. Too bad you didn't hear him play, Kanta. I was backstage with everyone else, and I swear, no one was even breathing. I'd be so happy if I could capture the audience the way he does. He's so amazing." Here she giggled again.

Kanta scuffed his feet on the stage and shoved his hands in his pocket. "Whatever. I still think you did great" he mumbled.

Yuu looked away from the sibling exchange, noting the leaving participants. After Chizuru-chan and Tamura-san, there had been some alright performances. There was a clarinet player who was quite good that placed third. Nothing spectacular. However, the average quality of the competition was pretty low, Chizuru and that Akio Tamura being outliers by quite a bit. It made him wonder why the two had participated here in the first place. Was it because there was less competition? For the first prize money? Even then, the money wasn't very much, and even though Tamura-san won, it wouldn't gain him anything much.

The judges appeared backstage, and upon seeing Chizuru-chan with her brother, they headed over to congratulate her.

"Kabayashi-kun! Congratulations! Your performance was very moving. The piece you chose too suits you so well." A heavy-set, middle-aged man with round glasses and a red face clapped her on the shoulder. "Too bad Tamura-kun chose to come back this year, ne?" He turned to the tall, thin elderly woman beside him.

Chizuru looked up in surprise. "Come back?"

The man nodded. "Believe it or not, the Tokyo Young Musicians Competition has a rather long and prestigious history. Unfortunately, the level of artistry has declined greatly as less and less young musicians take classical music seriously. Tamura-kun was just seven when he first performed. He placed all six years he participated, and won first place five years in a row. He's quite the legend, but unfortunately, a few years after he left, the sponsors of the competition withdrew their support and our management changed. Now the competition is open to everyone in order to appeal to more young musicians. Such a pity." He clucked his tongue and wiped his forehead with a lacy handkerchief.

The old lady cleared her throat. "We are very pleased to have Tamura-kun back on stage after his ten year absence. He has grown a lot as a musician, and his performance on stage is just as captivating as it had always been. Kabayashi-kun, we are honored also to have your participation this year, and we hope to hear more of your music in the future." With that, she guided the portly man towards the green rooms in the back. The third judge, a nervous-looking, younger man gave Chizuru-chan a quick "congratulations" before trotting after them.

"Who would have thought that Tamura-san had such a history here?" Chizuru smiled and began guiding her brother and Yuu towards the green rooms as well. "I was wondering why he chose to participate here with his level."

Yuu spoke up for the first time after when he had introduced himself. "Me too. Speaking of which, why did you choose to join Chizuru-chan?"

She smiled. "My violin teacher thought it would be a good experience. She had previously competed here during the better day and thus knows the environment. Unfortunately the whole place has changed quite a bit since she'd last been here."

It was obvious Chizuru had much more tact than her brother. However, both brother and sister were not bad people, Yuu noticed. Perhaps he didn't give the Kabayashi family enough credit.

Chizuru opened the door of the green room, but as she was about to step inside, a figure rushed out her, knocking her aside.

"Sorry." The young man gave a quick bow before continuing his race out of the auditorium. As he passed by, Yuu suddenly recognized who it was.

Though Tamura Akio had not raised his head during the whole encounter, the messy hair was a dead give away. But as he ran by Yuu, the bangs that had covered his face were blown upwards, revealing a pair of puffy, red-rimmed indigo eyes. Only after he disappeared out the back door did Yuu realize that the wetness that had splashed onto his cheek were tears. Tamura-san had been crying.

* Geidai = the prestigious Tokyo University of the Arts

It's short. I know. I'm sorry. But still, please REVIEW!