Disclaimer: I don't own Kiniro Corda (La Corda D'oro)

Summary: When secrets had been revealed, Kahoko struggled to survive Len's special treatment. But as their high school days ended. Kaho decided to disappear. Will Len finds her before its too late? Will he ever say what he really feels after all this years? LenXKaho

Author(ess) Note: I want to thank you to all those who reviewed. All comments were much loved.

Kahoko

Kage Mistress of Shadows

CharmingCandle

Countess Zephyr

Setsuka-san

PurpleBlackGoth

Kathieclint

Sen18

AniMangaFrEAk19930

Reader713

Aireeana

UnbreakableTrio

Ecyoj06

Chocopuffs

Kutchi

lacus-destiny

kae1523mae

IceDollSayaka

Ruegene

mon14mon

chocobang is sakura hayashi

bluelover123

aya.099

idzny

musariven

: I really tried to get on my hands with my laptop as much as I can. But, my schedules are just killing me! Hope you all understand. Love you all. Reviews are needed to keep me motivated. xoxo Azriel

: Paragraphs typed in italic are meant to be flashbacks.

. Ding Dong.

"Huh?" Kahoko was surprised by the doorbell. In her favorite pajamas and messy hair, she hurriedly went downstairs and headed towards the door. As she opens it, she raised her head a little and to her surprise, she looked at the man–she certainly knew, awkwardly.

"Len-kun!" she bellowed, covering her mouth with both hands.

There Tsukimori Len stood in front of the Hino residence holding a bouquet of roses in his right and a box of chocolate in the other.

"I-I want to make it up to you…"

"YOU'RE MINE"
Chapter 3: Stubborn Feelings

Kahoko's living room was filled with the sweet scent of citrus. It was well lit by the illuminating rays of the sun coming from one glass window in the right side of the door and another in one of the corners on the left wall. The curtains were yellow and slightly translucent tied simply by a red ribbon. The wall was painted beige and the ceiling was no different. From the entrance, a soft calico-made sofa is sitting from the right, and a small wooden side table atop a vase filled with daisies and violets. Half of the floor was covered with a carpet made of woolen. A 20-inch T.V. stands opposite the sofa, and underneath was some of her collections of CD's and score sheets. On it's left side, a painting of a rundown village and huts within a forest filled with trees, flowers and a river was hanging in a divider between the staircase and the doorway to the kitchen–which was nearer from the main entrance. It was plain and simple, and for Tsukimori Len, there was no hint of elegancy in it.

But, that is not what really matters to him right now. This was just the start of Len's–with the assistance of Kazuki and Yunoki's, plan to convince his darling Kahoko. And it is as vital as it is until Saturday, the day before the green-locke pianist comes back from his concerto. Tsukimori sighed as he recalled the events yesterday.

"Tsuki! This team is not enough to formulate a good plan for Len-steals-back-Kahoko-fast!" Kazuki blurted out.

'Such bad taste for naming…' "I don't get what you mean sempai." Len answered while the trumpeter sighed for a while–making him thought of a brilliant idea, before he scurried out of Tsukimori's room in a second, leaving the blue-haired guy inside puzzled.

Warily, Kazuki called Yunoki to ask for help, while the other was too busy thinking in his own accord. He decided that a shrewd, avuncular-like person would definitely be an asset to them.

Minutes later, a long purple-haired guy coming out of a limousine, wearing a simple white fitted turtle-neck sweater and leather black fitted pants paired with a black leather shoes stood in front of the Tsukimori Residence. And seconds later, Hihara gaily greeted his best friend. "I'm so glad you're here!"

"I never thought the ice prince would ever have problems with love." Yunoki said in his usual soft tone voice, with a hint of chuckle and amusement coming along.

"And I would never thought someone like you would be interested to be of some help" Len responded hoarsely.

The other simply giggled, "Anything for my sweet dear Kahoko", with alacrity in his voice, "First things first then shall we gentlemen?"

Kazuki nodded jovially, "Yeah! We should eat first!"

'I can't believe this guy' Yunoki and Tsukimori thought in chorus. Both heaved a sigh.

The sound of Kahoko's footsteps coming from the kitchen disrupted Tsukimori from his thoughts.

"Have some tea first, I don't have anything much to offer except this cookies I made yesterday, have some" Kahoko smiled hesitantly, "don't worry, it doesn't taste that bad"

After Len thanked her, the silence grew awkward by the minute. And it was the golden-eyed violinist who broke it. "Kahoko"

"Hmm?"

"I…" Len paused. Yunoki's words suddenly rang in his mind.

"Remember Len-kun, you shall not invade thy lovable lips of Kahoko tomorrow. No, not yet, understood?"

He chided himself. 'No I can't! Not today!' His heart beats way too fast for him to hold. Feelings overwhelmed inside him, and without thinking he had already cupped her face with his right hand, closing the distance between their faces, "I lo-"

'He's so warm…' A strange feeling wells up inside Kahoko as she waited for the words to come out from him. Is it excitement? Anxiousness? Guilt? Hope? No words could actually describe it. 'Does he love me now? Or does he still see me as his…' It was too much for her to handle right now. Furthermore his face is way too close to hers and she was thanking her best friend Mio, very thankful to the person who just intruded her home.

"Kaho-chan! I can't wait to buy this dress I saw the other day! We'll have to check that-" Mio stopped, realizing it wasn't just a Hino in the HINO RESIDENCE there. "Tsukimori-kun?"

"…"

"…"

Mio saw the position they were in. "Oh my God. Did I interrupt you guys?"

Blood rushed up to Kahoko's face as she noticed the less than 12-inch distance between their faces, "O-of course not! Stupid!" the golden-eyed exclaimed as she stood waving her hands frantically.

"But I just saw him almost ki-" Mio was brought to a halt by Kahoko's hands in her mouth.

The red-haired lady laughed nervously, "He was just wiping something in my face! It's impossible for us you know, Ryotaro and I are going out for almost 4 years now, we love each other!" Kahoko confided.

Mio responded, still confused "Really? But you never told me! You never mentioned anything at all!" her best friend pouted.

"I really haven't got a chance…" Kahoko sighed.

"I understand, but I thought you loved-" once again, she found her lips sealed by Kahoko.

"Yes, I did… but I have Ryotaro with me now, and I love him too." she unknowingly confessed.

Hearing every word, it felt like the world was slowly crashing into him. It strikes him more than he expected. And just by mentioning the man's name infuriates him too.

Len stood curtly "Mio-san, it is my sincere apology, but I'm planning to have Kahoko's time for the whole week. It won't matter much to you right?" Len stated as politely as he can, "After all, if I fail, I'll be leaving for good."

'Leaving for good? What does he mean by that?' Kahoko wondered, shrugging it off after awhile 'It is none of your business Kaho, don't be too affected!'

"…too affected." Kahoko made a slurred whisper. 'Why do I have this sudden urge to keep him close to me now?'

"Don't worry! I'll root for you! Besides-" Mio decided not to tell 'besides, when she mentioned Ryotaro, something isn't right. There was sadness in those honest eyes of hers. ' Before closing the door from the outside, she waved her hands, gesturing goodbye, "Take care of Kahoko for me until then Tsukimori-kun!" with that, she left.

"I can't believe her!" Kahoko said in disbelief. 'More like, I can't believe this man!'

All of a sudden, Len asked from behind "Shall I take you out for lunch?"

Uncertain of her own decision, she decided to give him a chance, "Okay." 'Yes, we could still be friends.'

Without noticing the time, it was already afternoon, they spent too much of their time in the fancy restaurant where Tsukimori led her. It wasn't that bad, to Kahoko's point of view. It was like, she saw a little of his other side.

He was entertaining her, and his working hard. Unfortunately for him, his efforts were too obvious to her. Another advice from Yunoki flashed through his mind just then.

"Never forget, girls don't like to be bored, and they should be treated with utmost respect. Listen carefully and look interested." Yunoki lectured, while Len and Kazuki sat straight, looking interested, way interested to his opinion. "Also, talk. Never forget to talk. Do you need to practice that too Tsuki?"

Tsukimori just glared.

"You practiced for the earlier conversation haven't you?" interrupting, Kahoko's question was more like a statement. Bluntness. She learned that from Amou-san. She's not that good though.

Tsukimori cleared his throat, denying, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kahoko giggled. Decided to leave the subject. They were walking now at the warm sand of the beach quite near Seiso Academy, the place where Tsukimori first decided to open his heart a little. The place where he cried for the first time, right after he realized his mistakes, mistakes that changed his life for the past four years.

He was given a chance now, the chance to reconcile for his faults. She was standing there, right there in front him, walking ahead and even though the words that came out from her earlier, hit him, crashing little piece of his hope into fragments. It never occurred to him to give up. He was given a chance to be her lover again.

Or at least he thought.

"Len-kun." Kahoko stopped walking, turned her heels and now she stood there facing him. She smiled, it was a warmth smile but her honest golden eyes can't hide the wavering feelings inside her and he can see it clearly with his own same colored eyes. "Thank you for the treat today. It would be better if… if we stay as friends now. Right?"

It felt like a knife stabbed his heart, crushing his very entity.

The words replayed over and over before Len's atavistic instinct made him react, "I won't and would never accept that Kahoko." he grabbed her shoulders, seizing them tightly, putting their bodies closer. It was just the right distance for their lips to touch and their eyes to meet, seeing their reflection with the other. "I'm not here to be friends with you…" Len had the urge to kiss her, but he decided not to. Slowly, he released her, seeing her eyes twitch in pain. "I'm here to get you back to me."

"Why don't you just say you love her damn it!" Kazuki almost exclaimed, fortunately Yunoki was there to stop him from yelling. They were both following the two since that morning and for the handsome Gemini, it was a good way to waste time. But, it was not a good idea to show themselves just then. It would really be a bad timing.

Kazuki was silenced at last, and he was in deep thought. 'If you keep on saying that Tsuki, she would really think that…'

"I am just nothing but a plaything to you, aren't I?" Kahoko looked down, struggling to stop her tears, but it was too late. It was already running down her chin, and some were dripping towards the sand.

Without second thoughts, she decided what was best for that situation. She has to run. Run away, far from him. 'This was just like before, surely he'll never follow me…'

Realizing that she was getting far ahead, Len suddenly remembered the last few years of his life. His life without Hino Kahoko. 'I can't afford to loose her again!'

"Kahoko! Wait!" Tsukimori shouted as he ran, following her from behind. It seems like hours and she was still running, not knowing Len was afar, following her, he was almost out of breath, swiftly as it is, he began to see the surroundings in blur, he couldn't see her form clearly in front and the last thing he remember, the ground was already waiting for him to meet.

"Len!"

"Tsuki!"

"Len-kun!"

He heard three voices before he passed out.

"This is my fault!" the voice of a girl sobbing just outside the door from somewhat a familiar room. He heard another voice and it's from a man now. "Relax. It's no big deal, he was just exhausted." And from another one, "He just need some time to rest. Beside his the root of all this."

Tsukimori Len was awake now, and to his surprise, he was already in his room. Regaining his full consciousness, he then recognized the three voices he heard earlier and the time before he passed out.

"Len!" Yunoki exclaimed, still with modesty, running towards Kahoko and Len who was lying on the ground.

"Tsuki!" Kazuki was running faster than Yunoki but with no sign of modesty or whatsoever, he was just focused on getting his hands to him and to carry him to his home, which was nearest.

Kahoko was weeping, her pace, slower. After hearing the sound of a fall from the ground, she decided to turn around and there she saw a familiar body in the ground "Len-kun!" she screamed, rushing towards him. Kahoko never felt so afraid, afraid of losing someone, and there she held him as Kazuki and Yunoki ran towards them.

As the door slid open to his room, Yunoki smiled softly, Hihara exhaled in relief while Kahoko slowly sauntered towards him.

"Kahoko… I…"

She kneeled beside the bed and silenced him with her finger on his lips and smiled. "You need to rest. It's good your okay now. I'm sorry for making you ran, I never thought you haven't slept well enough this past few days" she paused.

'Past few years, should you have known...' Kazuki thought sighing yet again.

Breathing deeply, Kahoko stood unhurriedly. "I'll take my leave then. This two would take care of you well enough-"

"-Goodbye then…Tsukimori-kun."

Kahoko bowed to Kazuki and Yunoki before leaving the room. But before she took one step further from the outside gate, the green-haired trumpeter called out on her.

"Kaho-chan!"

"Hihara-sempai, do you need something?" She asked, looking down, trying again to hided her face.

The urge to comfort her came instantaneously to his mind, deciding what he should do, he hugged her and it startled her for a second. But the warmth of his body was too good, and she felt like bursting out in tears. And she did. She was so close to breaking down just thinking about how Len sees her.

Does she really mean nothing to him?

Tightly embracing her, Kazuki, with what little energy left he have, told her "Kaho-chan, Len doesn't know how to express his love. He's a callow to this kind. Give him a chance… get to know him better... he's really trying hard to convey his feelings…" Releasing himself, he held her shoulder and met her eyes. The moon was reflected in his eyes and at that moment she had a glimpse of his eye's sincerity, "Len is the Ice prince, but I'll share you a secret. You Kaho-chan, you were that one tiny flame that melt his heart all the way this past four years."

Bidding goodbye, Kahoko was left wondering. So many questions came across her mind. Is Kazuki telling the truth? Does Len really love her? How much was she important to him? Does she still love him? Who does she love best?

And the most bothersome question… Will she ever have the chance to have the choice that would be best for all? One that no one would be hurt…

That evening, she couldn't sleep and it was already 1am to booth. 'It would be around 6pm there then… Maybe I should just try calling him.' As if on cue, her cellphone, to her surprise, began to ring. Picking it up, a familiar deep voice started talking.

--Kahoko, why are you still awake?--

"Ryotaro! I can't sleep… Did you not want me to pick it up?"

--No. No, of course not, I'm glad I could hear your voice again. Is there something bothering you?-- A hint of concern in his voice.

Kahoko sighed, "You can say that… Sorry if I haven't replied to you yet… but I really miss you…"

--I miss you too, but I have to go now, my second concert would be up soon. I love you! Don't ever forget that okay? --

"Good luck, I wish I could listen to your pieces, but I have to go to work too."

--I understand, at least you should know that the entire piece collection I'm playing is dedicated for you. Goodnight Kahoko, sleep now. I'll end the call first. --

"I know. Bye." Just when the line ended, 'I couldn't even say 'I love you' to him anymore… I'm so confused…' It was not his words that torment Kahoko. It was Len himself, his mind, his way of thinking… she was never given the chance to know him and as she lie down, Kahoko buried her face into her pillows, and a certain blue-haired man in her mind.

o0o

"Three words, and you can't even say that upfront?" Len scolded himself as he felt disappointed towards his own self as he stood beside his window, letting the cold wind pierce through his skin.

Yunoki, sitting on a single chair behind smiled faintly, answering for him and caught him by surprise, "Well, because you're stupid." He did not falter to show his other darker side now due to his growing impatience.

"Tsukimori Len, what kind of a man are you? Are you the kind who's hurting a girl one claim to love the most? Are you the kind that backs out from a losing battle? Or are you the kind that tends to keep a promise even if it was broken once?" With the mention of that certain word, Yunoki smirked. Looking at his reaction, he seemed to get the message. 'I know your smart Tsuki.'

"Of course! The promise!" Len could not believe it, how the hell did the purple-haired man knew of it, it doesn't matter, he was glad Yunoki knew.

"I have to convey my feelings… properly." Len told himself, confidence was welling up inside him, but something wasn't right. Yes, it was the last three words Kahoko said earlier that evening…

"Goodbye then… Tsukimori-kun."

Softly whispering, "What does she mean by that?"

Thank you very much for reviewing. Please continue to do so. This keeps me motivated. much loved from Azriel