MYABY Chapter 19

Len had kept his word and helped Kahoko with her violin for the next few days to prepare her for her practical exams. During their practices he learned that Kahoko took music as her course and she's been doing fairly well in her music classes. He also learned that this practical exam also determines Kahoko's graduation so he made it his job to make sure Kahoko graduates as a musician. Meaning, he forced her to practice more than twelve hours a day because simply one week preparation is not enough. He made her do fingering exercises, he corrected her posture, made her interpret the song, demonstrated how a part of the song is played, made her repeat playing one part then another over and over again until she had the song in her head and many more.

Kahoko obviously endured all that but when she couldn't get something right after a lot of attempts or is simply tired she snaps at Len and gives him the cold shoulder. She'd apologize later on then continues practicing, thanking Len over and over again when she manages to play right with Len's approval.

Len didn't mind her attitude much since he also used to feel that way when he practiced for competitions and recitals when he was younger. Watching Kahoko made Len miss practicing and playing the violin for hours so after his meeting with Kahoko he made it a point to play the violin and practice for Kahoko's sake. They met every day so Len also used his violin every day.

The day before the practical exam, Len told Kahoko to relax and have a day off from practicing given that she is more than ready. Kahoko complained at Len's words but eventually she complied after having Len explain that by resting she'd be more prepared, relaxed, well rested and less stressed.

"No practice today?" Damon asked Len. He was watching Len practice his violin even though Len was against having someone watch him during practice.

Len shook his head as he looks through the music sheets, trying to find the part he felt he missed. "I told her to take the day off."

"But tomorrow is her exam, right?"

"Yes."

Len watched Damon's expression turn from confusion to realization. "Having a clear mind before a performance is good but I don't think she'll be able to relax now that she has more time to think."

Len frowned. "I told her not to think about the exam tomorrow."

"Do you think that will work? To you it would but to Kahoko Hino who is not used to playing in front of a crowd, moreover pressured?" Damon shook his head 'no'.

Len didn't know where Damon is trying to lead the conversation but he knew Damon was right. Not all people are like him. He could control his nervousness and have a clear mind before a performance. Practicing too much, cramming before a performance is not ideal. The same goes when taking written exams. There's a tendency to make a mistake and forget when one is not careful. Len sighed at the realization. He should have kept Kahoko with him today instead of making her go back home to do whatever she wanted except practicing.

Talking about keeping a certain redhead, he had a sudden urge to take her out to somewhere nice. A place where she'll be happy. A place that would set her mood in good condition. Len found out that Kahoko's mood affects and reflects her performance. He usually found her performances nice despite the mistakes she makes when she is in a good mood.

"I'll find a way to distract her then," Len decided, looking at Damon to see if the young man agrees.

Damon sat comfortably on the couch, opening a book he was holding like an old gentleman about to start his peaceful day with a good book and a coffee. "Better do that," he replied, looking at Len above the rim of his glasses. "You want her to continue your dream so do whatever it takes to achieve it. But don't force her to the point of pushing her away and hurting her. She's someone special in case you didn't notice."

At times like this Len found Damon much older than him as if Damon had lived and seen better years. He felt as if Damon wasn't at least five years his junior. Always cool and perceptive. Len wasn't sure if he was relieved or frightened that Damon knew what he wanted in life. He never mentioned it to anyone. Was Len that transparent?

"Thanks," Len said, unsure. "Is there a good movie showing?"

Damon laughed. "Please, Len. You and movies don't sound romantic."

Len scowled. "It's not a romantic date."

"Still a date."

"A restaurant then."

"Cliché."

"What do you suggest then?" Len asked with a frown. He wasn't used to socializing, moreover pleasing someone, but he sure knows that women liked movies, jewelries and fancy restaurants.

"Have you noticed something down at the park?" Damon asked then continued without waiting for Len's response. "Take her there and make it special."

Len opened his mouth to say something but then decided to shut it knowing Damon's attention won't be on him anymore now that the guy has his eyes on a book.

~oOo~

Kahoko scowled at Len when he approached her. He was late. She looked at her watched and confirmed he was ten minutes late. Len opened his mouth to say his excuse but Kahoko raised her hand to stop him and shook her head. "I don't want your excuses. First you sent me home now you're calling a meeting? Are you nuts?! Make up your mind! You're not about to send me home again, are you?"

Len rolled his eyes making Kahoko more annoyed. She felt fidgety and wanted to practice her violin more than anything even if she had to go behind Len and Shinobu. Kahoko frowned at the memory of Shinobu telling her to just relax for the day as well. Didn't they know tomorrow is judgment day?!

Len took both of Kahoko's hands and held them firmly, surprising Kahoko. "Stop doing that," he said, frowning.

Kahoko took her hands from him and started twirling a finger around some stands of her red hair.

"Kahoko Hino," Len quietly warned. Kahoko stopped then started twisting the hem of her skirt. "You're hopeless," he sighed.

"What's wrong?" Kahoko asked, unsure why the man looked more annoyed than she is. She's the one who had to walk all the way to the park. Len had a car so he should be fine and on time.

Len took Kahoko's hands again and gripped them, refusing to let them go even if Kahoko tried pulling away. "You're nervous for tomorrow."

"I'm not," Kahoko lied. She knew she couldn't just sit still and wait for tomorrow to come. "What makes you say that?" she faked a laugh. "What? Are you nervous for me?"

"Yes, I am nervous for you," Len glared. "Action speaks louder than words. Stop fidgeting."

Kahoko just stared at him, trying to sink his words in her brain. Ha! Right. He's nervous for her now. What for? She could understand why he would be nervous a few years ago but now? What's his agenda? She tried reading his expression but Len just stared back at her with a serious face that slowly made her very conscious and blush. She didn't look away though, thinking this was a staring competition.

Len looked away first but didn't let go of Kahoko's hands.

"I won," Kahoko said, grinning, immediately forgetting why she suddenly became overly conscious of him.

"Good for you," Len mumbled, letting go one of her hands then started dragging her along with him.

"You like dragging people, don't you?" Kahoko asked as she tried to match his pace.

Len slowed down. "I didn't intend to. I'm used to people following my pace."

"That's wrong."

"Since you mentioned it, yes. It is wrong. But I can't help it."

"Because you're the great Len Tsukimori," Kahoko said with a theatrical note to her speech.

Len threw a glare towards Kahoko's direction but he didn't stop leading the way.

Kahoko sighed. She knew she wont be able to escape him. For some reason he has the ability to control her. She's aware of it during her lessons and practices with him. If he wanted something, he'd get it. Like how he wanted Kahoko to play faster. She warned him she couldn't do it but who managed to say she could? Len Freaking Tsukimori. And he was right. By the end of the day she could play thrice as faster than she could the morning.

"You're so bossy," Kahoko tried irking him more to decide it's not worth his time to be with her today. She knew he was her teacher but to hell he'll go if she failed tomorrow's exams.

"I have to be or else people won't obey and respect me."

"People already don't respect you."

Len stopped walking making Kahoko halt as well. She suddenly felt nervous for a different reason. She knew she'd hit a mark and she's conflicted to whether feel happy or sorry for the turn of events.

He looked back at her and smiled. "You think so?" he asked, surprising Kahoko. She expected him to glare and yell at her. "I think so too," he told her calmly and they both started walking again.

What was that about? Kahoko thought as they walked in silence. She remembered his smile. It wasn't that happy or annoyed kind of smile. For a moment he looked sad. She looked up at him and saw he was back to his neutral expression as if nothing happened. She convinced herself that his reaction and his words were nothing but as she dwell on it she felt burdened.

I think so too.

Kahoko you're so rude, she scolded herself. To think he agreed to help you for your exams and went as far as to give you his precious time. If he hadn't concerned himself about you would he be practicing his violin alone or doing some work related stuff?

Kahoko remembered again that he wasn't supposed to be helping her. She knew he had a company to run even if he was on his vacation. During their practices she had caught him a lot of times in his phone talking about work.

Why isn't she grateful for his help? She should be repaying him. Not making him feel bad.

"I'm sorry," Kahoko started. "I went out of line."

"You were right so don't worry," Len replied, still not stopping.

Kahoko didn't know where they were going but she let him lead the way. "That wasn't right and I wasn't right."

Kahoko felt him grip her hand harder as if telling her to just stop. But she couldn't. She felt bad and it's going to make her cry if he continued with his cool personality. He should be angry!

"Why aren't you angry? I went out of line there! Look, just let go of me and yell at me. Even say you wont be helping me again because I'm being ungrateful to you. You shouldn't be calm!" Kahoko pulled her hand away but he kept it. "Hey! I'm-"

Len turned around, pulled her and hugged her tight, effectively shutting Kahoko's mouth.

"I am angry. Don't push it. I'm tempted to let you go but that's not an option for me," Len said quietly, trying to keep his head cool. He wasn't sure what Kahoko was thinking but if she wanted him gone, she'll have to try harder because he already made his mind up to helping her not only just for tomorrow but for the rest of their lives. For her future, he'd do anything. He buried his face on her red hair and inhaled, finding calm at her strawberry scent.

After a while he hesitantly pulled away only to see Kahoko's tear stained face. He nervously looked around, thankful to have found a place where they would be alone without any audiences to see what he did to her.

He already went for calm than let his anger control him but he still managed to make her cry.

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" Len trailed, lost for words. He didn't know how to make her calm down and stop crying.

"N-no," Kahoko managed to say between her sobs. She wiped her tears away but they just kept on coming. "I-I don't kn-know… what's wrong… wi-with me…"

Len remembered a time back when he was a child. He cried because of the pressure that was given to him. A lot of people expected him to do well and right before an important performance he broke down. Alone he cried, never showing anyone how bad he felt. He'd let it all out until he had no more tears to shed.

Of course she'd feel that way especially after the practices he dragged her through. He pressured her too. He fished for his handkerchief in his pocket then offered it to her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have… I should have been lenient with you."

"You idiot!" Kahoko yelled. "Why are you apologizing when I'm being selfish here!"

Len blinked. Shook his head. Looked around him. Nothing gave him the answer to why she would think she's selfish. She was kind enough to apologize for her mistake and even cared for him.

He laughed. "You're just nervous," he said, wiping her tears with his handkerchief. "Actually, I'm the selfish one here."

"But-"

Len remembered her comment about him and other people's respect. "If it's about the respect bit, forget it."

"I think people do respect you…" Kahoko let him wipe her tears.

"I don't care about that anymore," Len said, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You can't please everyone."

"But you can please some people." Kahoko instinctively leaned towards his hand.

From her reaction Len instinctively leaned towards Kahoko. "I only want your respect," he said before pressing his lips on hers.