Author's note: Long Easter weekend being trapped indoor is marvellous, perfect chance to churn out part 2 of chap 5. I wish everyone a blessed and happy Easter holiday, ne.

I wonder if there is any of the early readers of my fic still here? Give me a wave if you are guys, that would give me the much-needed courage to finish this (oh-so-long) fic; and did I mention I'm grateful for everyone's support and patience?

Thank you once again

4 years later.

Yunoki Azuma Studio Head Office, Tokyo

Azuma heaved a heavy sigh. His elegant eyebrows were crunched together, his intense amber eyes focused on the report placed in front of him. Pages and pages of data that could give even the most outstanding accountant a hard time to fully analyse, Azuma finished in minutes. In fact, Azuma had a brilliant mind for numbers, and was a gifted businessman. However, people tended to assume that since he studied music since young, he must be artistic by nature, that, coupled with the fact that he had tried his best to stay under the radar and not outshine his elder brothers, he surprised everyone by landing the top spot for 30 music producers under 30s by the prestigious Kin'iro no Koruda Magazine1, only 3 years since he started his own company.

The most surprised of all, had to be the matriarch of his family – his grandmother, not of the fact that he was brilliant, she knew that better than most, but of the fact that he decided to break free of the family pecking order and started his own business, despite her objection.

Azuma touched his left cheek in reminiscence, when he informed his grandmother of his intention, the slap his grandmother gave him was just as vivid as if it had happened yesterday.

As his grandmother raised her hand one more time, Azuma closed his eyes shut, awaiting another blow, but that slap never landed on him as he had expected. Instead, it landed squarely on his father's cheek, who had chosen that exact moment to butt in and shield Azuma from his grandmother's wrath.

"Takuma-san. How dare you took cover for this impudent child. Step aside right now!" His grandmother had screamed, besides herself with fury

"No, Okaa-sama. Not again. I won't let you repeat the same mistake with Azuma" Azuma's father said, his eyes shone brilliantly with unwavering resolute.

"You…you…" Azuma's grandmother seemed to be torn between the urge to slap some sense into both father and son, and a great internal struggle, so much so that for the first time in his life, Azuma found her lost for words. Then, to every body's astonishment, she broke down in tears.

"Why must the men in this house keep tormenting me? Why?" She wailed, to no one in particular. Violent sobs racked her frail body. Azuma had thought nothing could shake his determination, but the sight of his crying grandmother both frightened him and at the same time, beckoned his guilt.

"Let me settle this, you should go first" His father whispered in an undertone. Taking his cue, Azuma quickly left the house; for if he had stayed longer, he was not sure if his resolute wouldn't be shaken.

Growing up, Azuma never once witnessed his father defying his grandmother. Forever the dutiful and filial eldest son of the Yunoki clan, Azuma's father always followed his grandmother's orders, no questions asked; that is, until that day. The moment his dad shielded him from his grandmother's fury, was probably the first time Azuma really felt the fatherly love he had been yearning for since childhood. His was not a normal, common family, to say the least, his grandmother ran the house with an iron fist, and there were probably more formalities in his house than in any royal palace in the world.

Countless parents meet-and-greets had gone by, all attended by the family's butler and never his parents, Azuma had got by his lonely childhood by resigning himself to the fact that his family operated purely on order and logic, love was a luxury, a foreign notion even.

So, imagine his surprise when his father came to him, with a suitcase full of cash, "Capital", his father said succinctly, true to his laconic nature.

Azuma smiled, trying his best to contain the well of emotions rising fast inside him, he felt giddy, like he did when his father bought him his first toy car when he was five. He bowed in gratitude, then pushed the suitcase back towards his father

"Otou-sama, I cannot express how much I appreciate your help, I truly do; but I'm afraid I must turn down your offer"

"Azuma, now is not the time to act prideful. Without capital, you cannot get your business off the ground, trust me on this" His father countered sternly.

"I did not refuse out of pride, Otou-sama" Azuma answered calmly "if I take, even a penny, out of Yunoki's family money, I would never actually as free and independent as I wish to be"

"Your obaa-sama does not know about this. This is my own savings, you don't have to feel burdened" His father persisted.

"But, you and I would know, Otou-sama. I could never live with that" Azuma said. Something in his tone let his father know that any further attempt at persuasion was futile.

His father let out a helpless chuckle "I really can't win against you, can I. No wonder you are your obaa-sama's favourite"

Azuma shook his head slowly in disbelief "She has a strange way of showing her affection then" He pointed at his left cheek, still red from where his grandmother slapped him.

"Really, as much as you vex her, she adores you. Out of all her grandchildren, you are the one that resembles Ojii-sama the most. He was handsome, suave, a real gentleman, but beneath that was a free and rebellious spirit…however, he only showed that side when Akane-san was around" His father smiled sadly, seemingly lost in some distant memory.

"Who is Akane-san, otou-sama?"

Kazuma's father seemed to be jerked back to the present by Azuma's question.

"Nothing…Are you sure you don't need my capital? This is the last offer" Azuma's father's clumsy attempt at diverting the subject did not escape Azuma' perceptive eyes, but he knew better than pressing the matter further.

"Positive, Otou-sama. I have to make it on my own if I want to prove obaa-sama wrong" Azuma affirmed. The brightness of his eyes was like the harsh sunlight, beaming with confidence.

"You have really grown up. I'm proud of you, but remember, Yunoki is still your family name, whenever you need us, we will be there for you, even obaa-sama, she will turn around sooner or later, so you'll see" His father told him when they bid farewell at the doorstep. Their hug afterwards was awkward, but Azuma didn't remember a time in his life he had been more content, or confident that everything was going to turn out right.

Dragging his mind back to the present, Azuma dropped his fountain pen on the report in resignation, he sighed again, for what was like a hundredth time that morning, which was a rare thing for Azuma

"Should have taken father's offer when I had the change, ne" Azuma muttered to himself. The numbers did not look good, no matter how many times Azuma went over them, again and again, they kept telling him the same story – his business was in trouble, serious trouble.

Four years ago, he had borrowed equity from banks to kick start his company, Azuma, a true blue bocchan, who was used to being waited on hand and foot, went through days when sandwiches were all he could afford. Those were the hard days, or so he thought. He now stood on the verge of a hostile takeover, which could potentially bring him to an even worse position than when he had started.

Miyaji Koichiro, president of Miyaji Group, the giant of Japan's music industry, was the throbbing pain on his side, for that reason. One word from him and all the banks over Japan would extend credits to Azuma, but for some reason, the old man was hell bent on driving Azuma's company over the edge. Azuma considered his options if he indeed would go bankrupt. He had confidence to start everything again, after all, he was only 23, if there was a time to fail and learn, it would be now, but Kahoko's future…he could not let anything happen to her. Worry gnawed at him like hot lava, he could not give up, not for her, not ever.

Miyaji Group Head Office, Tokyo

"Excuse me, President, Yunoki-san here to see you…again" The secretary knocked on Koiichiro's office door with apprehension, knowing full well the stern president did not exactly enjoy being paid a visit by Yunoki Azuma even one bit.

"Didn't I tell you already, Miss Kinoshita, that I have absolutely no wish to see Yunoki-san. Please ask him to leave"

"But Sir…he has waited for more than 3 hours already…" Kinoshita-san offered weakly.

One look from Koichiro, however, silenced her immediately. "As…as you wish, Sir" Kinoshita stammered and quickly closed the door, knowing better than crossing her boss when he was in this mood.

"Yamada-san, today report please" Koiichiro said to his long time faithful personal assistant, without looking up from his desk.

Yamada-san was a kind, old man of mid 60-s, he was brought into the Miyaji household since young to act as a companion to the bocchama Koiichiro. More than 50 years of staying besides Koiichiro, through all thick and thin, through the joy of holding Koiichiro's first born and the tragedy of losing his only daughter, whom Yamada-san regarded as his own, had transformed their relationship to beyond normal master-butler relationship, to the that of blood brothers. It was safe to say that Koichiro almost trusted no one except Yamada-san, and to Yamada, Koiichiro's interest always came first, other than the late ojou-sama's that is. Still, Yamada-san never once considered to be Koichiro's equal, maintaining impeccable servitude throughout the years.

"Yes, President. Here is the stock market analysis for today" Yamada-san waited patiently while Koichiro shuffled through the report

"Did you release media notice that we are going to carry out the hostile takeover of Yunoki Azuma Studio as I instructed?" Koichiro was not pleased with what he was reading.

"Of course, Sir, on Monday morning" Yamada-san answered calmly.

"Then why is it that Yunoki Group's stock price did not plummet one bit?" Koichiro threw the report down, agitated.

"President, from day one Yunoki Azuma had made it clear that his company had no affiliation with the Yunoki group, despite the similar last name. Yunoki Group's investors are aware of this and thus they did not react to the news of Azuma-san's company in peril"

"You mean Yunoki Azuma is not related by blood to the Yunoki clan?" Koichiro scowled in confusion, his intel could not be wrong.

"It's not that, Sir. He is the Yunoki-san's maternal grandson alright, but my understanding is that he left his family 4 years ago to set up his own company"

"Another black sheep in the family huh…Serve her right" Koichiro thought, snarling. The old-yet-familiar resentment, like poison, distorted his normal stern-yet-kind features.

"Enough of depressing news for today, Yamada, offer me something more enjoyable" Koichiro said gravely

"This might cheer you up a bit, President. The contribution to the not-for-profit Music Institute for Disadvantaged Children is at an all-time high".

"You are right. That does cheer me up" Koichiro smiled. He was and always had been an important philanthropist figure in classical music world; his passion for music, and in turn for empowering young musical minds was well known, sometimes even more than his businessman persona.

"Azuma-san made a rather sizable contribution to the institute" Yamada-san pointed out.

"Just trying to get on my good side, a desperate attempt to save his company" Koichiro scoffed.

"Not really, Sir. He has been contributing to the institute consistently from the early days, and even after our takeover intention was made"

"I feel like you are trying to get to something here, Yamada-san. Pray don't enlighten me" Koichiro's eyes gleamed dangerously. It was the look that normally stopped people in track before they did something foolish, like crossing the most powerful man in Japan's music industry, for example. Yamada-san, however, showed no sign of being intimidated by Koichiro's cold glare.

"Why don't you give the young man a chance? President. Business-wise, it's better to have him as an ally than an enemy, and his company complement our organization's strength"

"You, of all people, Hiroshi, should know why I am doing this. It has got nothing to do with business" Koichiro said stiffly. Calling Yamada-san by his first name signalled that Koichiro had dropped the professional businessman façade. Gone was the powerful man image, Yamada-san bitterly acknowledged that his best friend, standing in front of him was just an old weary man, broken by grief.

"Koichiro, I just think you are being unfair to punish him for older generation's mistake, through no fault of his own." Yamada-san continued, but in a considerably kinder tone.

"Fair? Was fate fair to my Mei-chan? Was any one in the wretched family gave her a chance at all? So why should I?" Koichiro exploded.

"But…Koichiro…"

"Enough, Hiroshi. I don't want to hear another word. It's best if you leave me alone for the time being" Koichiro held up his hand, his eyes were as cold as chips of ice.

"Of course, as you wish, President" Yamadan-san bowed down, and retreated from the room with nary a word.

Yunoki Azuma was a reasonably patient man, especially when it came to getting what he wanted. However, he had to admit that President Miyaji might just have been sent directly from hell to test him. He glanced at his watch one last time, and decided to call it a day, he would return tomorrow to call on the president again, no matter time he had been driven away.

Just as Azuma turned on his heel to leave, a voice called after him

"Yunoki-san, please wait"

It was Koichiro's secretary, she paused momentarily to catch her breath from running after him

"Kinoshita-san? What is the matter?" Azuma asked, surprised.

"I have something to pass to you, from Yamada-san"

"Yamada-san?"

"Our president's personal assistant"

"Arigatou…Konishita-san" Azuma received the neatly folded note from her hand. His brows fused together in confusion, it was the first time he heard of Yamada-san.

"Now that I have passed the message. I need to go, you did not hear anything from me, of course"

"I completely understand. Thank you very much"

Azuma opened the note, it read

"Yunoki -san, if you are still keen on an opportunity to talk to the President, there is a delivery to our office in 5 mins, catch that cargo lift. I have left the door open. The rest is up to you.

Regards,

Yamada Hitoshi"

Even if Azuma had no idea who Yamada was, or why he decided to help a complete stranger, he didn't have much time to ponder that for long. It was now or -never.

There was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Koichiro turned to ask Yamada-san "Why didn't Kinoshita receive the guest?"

"It must be the painting that you ordered yesterday, Sir. Since that is the last item for today, I have asked Miss Kinoshita to take off earlier"

"Come on in please" Yamada-san walked up to open the door.

"Just leave the painting in that corner over there, thank you" Koichiro said without looking up.

"I'm not here to deliver a painting, but something else, Sir"

Startled by the tall, elegant silhouette of a man standing in front of his desk. Koichiro looked up and felt the wind knocked out of him. He couldn't decide whose neck he wanted to wring first, that of Yunoki Azuma, or his own assistant, who carried on preparing tea as if he had absolutely no idea what was going on.

"I have made it clear to you multiple times, Yunoki-san, that I do not wish to speak with you. Security will see you off the premise now"

"Miyaji-san, all I ask is 5 minutes. After I'm done the with the talking, you can decide if you still want to throw me out. I hope that is not too much to ask"

Koichiro waved his hand dismissively "Let me save you that 5 minutes and tell you straight out that nothing you say or do would ever change my mind"

"What if the one who does the talking is not me?" Azuma asked calmly

"What do you mean?" Koichiro looked around the room, no matter how many times he counted, there were only three of them, Yunoki Azuma could not have another accomplice (aside from his butler the traitor that is) hiding in the room, could he?

As if Azuma could read Koichiro's mind, he said "not by conjuring someone from thin air of course, of course. Allow me…"

Azuma took a small recorder from his own pocket and turned it on.

From the recorder, a sweet melody filled the room. Koichiro tilted his head to one side, not able to comprehend why Azuma would make him listen to a violin performance. The player was not bad, but he had heard far better.

He was about to tell Azuma to shut the recorder off, and stop his charade, he was astonished to find out that he couldn't seem to drag the words out. The melody grew on him by the minute. The techniques were not as exquisite as could be, but the violinist was able to convey the depth of emotions really well and moved the audience deeply. This playing is not perfect but it…what's the word…Koichiro mumbled…it is…

"Charming" Koichiro wasn't aware that he blurted the word out loud, until he saw Yamada turned to stare at him in surprise, and Azuma sneaked a triumphant smile.

"Ahem…" Koichiro averted his eyes to hide his dismay "Who is the violinist?" he asked, despite of himself.

"She is Hino Kahoko, a young violinist under our management" Azuma answered, beaming with pride.

"I have not heard of her before" Surely a violist of this calibre wouldn't have gone unnoticed, Koichiro thought.

"That is because she has not made her debut yet, Sir. That is, not until today. She just completed her formal training recently"

"She is a prodigy, then" Aside from Tsukimori Len, Koichiro had not seen such raw talent blossoming at such a young age.

"She may be, but she doesn't realize it herself, and I am the only person who could help her" Azuma said matter-of-factly, without sounding presumptuous.

"You are awfully sure of yourself. How can you be so sure Miyaji group wouldn't do it better than you, we have the resources to bring her talent to the next level, resources that you would never have"

"I don't doubt that one bit, Sir. However, Hino Kahoko would never leave Yunoki Studio to join a competitor, I know that much. Furthermore, I maintain that I alone understand Hino-san's full potential, since I was the one who recruited her and train her myself; and that applies to all other artists under my management as well."

Taking Koichiro's silence as a cue, Azuma continued

"President Miyaji, you have always been the role model I look up to. Even if your and my business visions are different from each other, what I believe we do have in common, however, is a knack for scouting hidden talents, and the desire to propel them to their utmost potential. So please, allow me a chance to continue my mission of finding and perfecting diamonds in the rough like Hino Kahoko" Azuma bowed deeply, for the first time in his life, he had practically begged a man.

Koichiro rubbed his hand on his temple wearily "Yunoki-san, I appreciate your passion and the good work you have done for the music industry. Unfortunately, I can't be the one to help you. The takeover will carry on as planned"

Upon hearing Koichiro's words, Azuma was consumed with an emptiness he had never felt before; his mouth felt dry as if it was filled with sawdust, maybe this time he had to resign himself to defeat?

"I understand, President Miyaji. I won't bother you again, sir, I swear it on my life". He said solemnly.

Koichiro nodded woodenly, trying to avoid Azuma's eyes. Deep down, he knew that what Yamada said what correct, he was punishing Azuma for a crime he did not commit, was not even aware of it ever since he was born even. However, he could never forgive the Yunoki's. Even if 22 years had passed, the agonizing memory was still fresh on his mind, like an ugly tumour that had taken residence inside his heart.

Azuma reached into his coat pocket once more and put a pair of tickets in front of Koichiro.

"This is…?"

"Tonight, we will host the debut performance of Hino Kahoko, the violinist on the recorder that you heard just now. If you can spare some time, we would be honoured to welcome you at the gala"

"Yunoki-san, if this is some ruse to try to persuade me…" Koichiro narrowed his eyes warily.

"Of course not, sir, I intend to make good on my earlier promise. However, I think there is no harm in enjoying a little music. I believe you would enjoy her live performance even more than hearing her on a recorder. In any case, if you don't want to attend, you can always give the tickets to someone else, or throw them out."

Azuma bid farewell to them and left quickly. Left alone, Koichiro sat motionlessly in the chair for a long time, lost in deep thought. Yamada-san spoke first, breaking the silence

"Aren't you going to fire me?"

"I would love to" Koichiro glared at him "but first, we have a gala concert to attend" Koichiro grabbed the tickets and stuffed them into his pockets, his expression defiant, daring Yamada to challenge him.

Yamada shook his head, trying to hide his smile "Right away, President"

Author's note: whew…so that's chap 5 done. This chap seems long and tedious (both to write and to read, I admit) but it plays an important role in laying the groundwork. Do you miss Len? I do, terribly, so I will bring him back in the next chap, promise.

P/S: by now you would have formed some speculation, and you are probably right about that. I'm no master of plot twists, neither do I intend to be one. I only hope to have a coherent plot that is well-thought enough. Having said that, I would not confirm nor deny any speculation questions, be it via DM or reviews. I hope you understand.

Thank you all for reading.

1 The fiction version of The Rolling Stone magazine