Hi :D Updated!

Sorry it took long. I hope you like this chapter. It's boring but I think it's needed.

I already forgot my original plot for this XD But I'll remember it eventually.

Enjoy reading!

Chapter 9

It's another morning at the Tsukimori mansion. Both Len Tsukimori and Kahoko Hino were quietly eating their breakfast while not minding each other or the upcoming audition. Kahoko took a peek at her fiancé who sat opposite to her to see what he might be thinking but the guy didn't give her anything. Just a calm expression as he ate his bacon and egg sandwich. Her eyes went to the blue mug beside her fiancé. Untouched. So much for waking up early to make him black coffee. He never touched the coffees she made and her hard work is wasted.

The silence went on till they were outside the house, waiting for the driver to stop by and take them to school. Kahoko couldn't avoid Retsu now that his mother is around and by the feeling she's getting she knew the beautiful woman was watching them like a hawk. She followed Retsu around but she kept her distance enough that the Ice Prince wouldn't react. It still made her sad and disappointed that the Retsu she knew is the man standing beside her. The guy who actually said her playing was horrible. He was kind enough in their chats that he didn't even say how horrible she was for real.

Life sucks.

"Is your homework with you?" Retsu or rather, Len asked but his tone told Kahoko he didn't care much. He sounded rather forced.

Kahoko looked at him then nodded. She wanted to just run ahead. Being with the Len Tsukimori is torture enough.

"Don't scowl," the Ice Prince ordered her. Now he sounds annoyed, irritated…

Unable to stop herself she told him, "Why do you care? Get lost."

Len remained quiet.

The car came by. Kahoko was about to open the door to the backseat when Len Ice-Prince Tsukimori suddenly grabbed the handle and opened it for her. She thought he was going in first but all he did was stood there while holding the door open. He motioned his head to tell Kahoko to go in first since his other hand is full with his school bag and violin case but Kahoko just stood still. She couldn't believe what is happening. He's being… kind. What did he eat? Bacon and egg sandwich, right? Not some kind potion or something… right?

"You first," Len said when Kahoko didn't do anything but just gawk at him.

Kahoko looked behind her and to the front door of the house where her employer, Len or Retsu's mother, her soon-to-be mother-in-law stood. No wonder the guy is acting differently. The woman must have scolded her son for his personality.

Kahoko just sighed then went in the car, moving at the farthest side, almost gluing her whole body at the other side of the car. Len came in after her then shut the door.

On their way Kahoko looked out the window to avoid looking at her fiancé. She needed to be away from him since every time she sees him all she remember was Retsu and his rude comment about her playing.

Is she really that bad at playing the violin?

Is she that hateful that her own fiancé hates her?

Why is she acting as his fiancé again? Not that she's doing her job well. She still felt indebted.

For the first time since she agreed to do this job she felt like she sold herself just for money. She felt like how Retsu described the girls he got surrounded with. Girls who only wanted his money. She only wanted his money. Do I want his money? Kahoko asked herself. She knew she didn't really want the money. She just wanted a decent life. She just wanted to have money to be able to eat properly, maintain her violin and learn music since money is the only way she could get what she wanted and needed.

Right now she's getting what she wanted. She's been eating properly ever since she lived with the Tsukimori family. Her violin is well maintained because Len's mother had it checked and tuned. She's now studying music because Len's mother transferred her to the Music Department. Since she didn't have a part time job to worry about she has time to practice and improve her music.

And her own parents doesn't know what's been happening to her. Kahoko wouldn't tell her parents she actually sold herself because of music. Her parents have worked hard to let her enter Seiso Academy even if she ended as a General Education student. Their hard work had managed to take her close to music. With Shinobu's help she was learning how to play the violin.

Shinobu! Kahoko thought, suddenly remembering the guy who acted like the brother she never had. The guy might be on his way to the mansion without knowing Kahoko is already on her way to school.

"Shinobu Ousaki," her fiancé suddenly said as if reading her mind.

Kahoko looked at him. "What?"

"You two are not siblings. Who is he?" Len asked while looking at some papers in a folder he's holding. Kahoko couldn't see what he's reading.

"My…" Kahoko gave a thought to how she sees Shinobu. "He's like a brother I never had," she said.

Len nodded.

"He's also my boyfriend."

Len looked up at her. "What?" he asked. His face didn't show the shock in his voice.

"He's also my boyfriend?"

Len's brows joined as his confusion took over him. She is his fiancée. His mother told him that but no one told him Shinobu Ousaki is his fiancée's boyfriend. He couldn't believe she agreed to this arrange marriage while having a boyfriend. He didn't like messy relationships. What did Shinobu think after all this? He used to admire Shinobu because when they were young he used to have violin lessons with him.

"So you have a boyfriend and a fiancé?" he asked.

"Not the boyfriend boyfriend," Kahoko said, rolling her eyes. It didn't help Len. She just confused him more.

Kahoko's eyes brightened. "Are you… JEALOUS?!" Kahoko asked, suddenly looking amused.

Len saw the driver look at the rearview mirror in shock. He looked at the girl his mother chose for him to marry then glared at her. "Why would I? I just needed to know why he's always around you," he explained himself.

"Excuses," Kahoko mumbled.

"Think of it that way," Len grumbled.

When they got to school and got out of the car, Kahoko and Len were being stared at by most of the students who were at the entrance gate entering the school. Kahoko got nervous and thought what might be wrong. Len just ignored everyone and continued heading for his class. Kahoko followed him.

"Why are they looking at us?" Kahoko asked Len as they walk. She tried to ignore the stares and glares she's receiving.

Len didn't answer her and just continued walking.

"Hey! Answer me!"

Len suddenly stopped nearly having Kahoko hit his back. She managed to stop an inch from his back before taking a step back. Len turned to face her. "Are you going to audition?" he asked.

Kahoko nodded slowly. Until now she doesn't know. And if she will she hoped Ice Prince won't be around to watch her. She's playing. She said yes but she's still considering not performing at all. If Len Tsukimori will be joining she knew she'd be crushed. As far as she know he's the best violinist in Seiso Academy and given at the awards, certificates and trophies that are displayed in the living room back at the Tsukimori mansion she knew he played and participated at big competitions all around the world.

She slapped herself mentally. She won't let Len Tsukimori or Retsu stop her from playing the violin. Whether he watches her play or not she's playing her violin. She'll do her best and show him that she's not as terrible as he thought.

"Then stay away from me," he told her coldly then strode away.

Kahoko stood there quietly wondering what got into him.

At the afternoon, classes were suspended for all Music Students for the audition Len's family is holding. Music students from other schools are also in Seiso to audition.

"Where the hell is that guy?" Kahoko asked herself as she looks for the Ice Prince who magically disappeared the moment the school bell rang for lunch break. She needed to make sure he ate his lunch.

"Who are you looking for?"

Kahoko turned and saw Shinobu. On his hand is his violin. He wore a peach colored, pinstriped, button down shirt and black slacks.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Kahoko asked.

"I'm auditioning," he said. "I heard you went to school with your husband."

Kahoko frowned. "He's not my husband."

"Yet," Shinobu added then smirked. "Friends?"

Kahoko shook her head. "No. He didn't drink the coffee I made."

"Too bad."

"I'm auditioning as well."

Shinobu smiled. "That's great. I hope we get in."

Kahoko nodded. "But I didn't get to practice much."

"That's fine."

"You think I won't make it anyway, do you?" Kahoko stared at Shinobu.

Shinobu laughed. "You'll get in. Who do you think taught you how to play?" Shinobu wiggled his brows.

Kahoko laughed at his playfulness.

The auditions started and all Kahoko could think about was the piece she's playing. The theme for today is Opening Up. She decided to play Tristesse from Chopin but she just recently started playing it a few weeks ago. She hasn't mastered it but she was confident she could play it without making any mistakes.

There were a lot of people who will be performing today and most of them looked confident. Kahoko didn't let that disturb her. Most of the participants were seated at the first front seats in the auditorium while the rest of the seats were for visitors. Near the stage is a table for the judges. Kahoko sat with Shinobu at the fifth row.

Everyone was silent as the speaker talked at the front, saying an introduction then the rules. Later on the speaker introduced the judges. Everyone clapped as each judge stood up and smiled at the participants and visitors. Kahoko wasn't paying attention to it all until she heard something she couldn't believe she's hearing.

"And Len Tsukimori, a known violinist who has performed and participated…" Kahoko's ears began to ring. She thought he was participating as a contestant, not as a judge. He'll be judging her performance and later on tell her it's horrible. Her palms started sweating as negative thoughts went through her head. What if she made a mistake? What if he didn't want to hear her?

Realization dawned onto her. He wanted her to stay away from him when she answered him she's joining because he didn't want to be embarrassed, not because they'll be rivals as she first thought. He didn't want the school to see him with a horrible musician. He was embarrassed of her. How could he not be? He's an international violinist and his fiancé is just a simple, poor, horrible violinist.

She looked up when everyone started clapping. She saw her fiancé stand up and when he looked at the audience his eyes were set on hers as if she's the only person in the auditorium.

He was glaring daggers at her.

Uhh... please review? Hehe...

Yeah, what do you think? Boring? Strange?

The next chapter might take long. I'm not much of a writer XD I write when I'm free and bored and can't think of anything to do.

P.S. Tsukihana this is kinda for you. You reminded me to continue this. I'm glad you like my writings despite me not being a good writer (I can't even finish an original fiction I'm making LOL). Thank you!

Thanks for reading!