Now, now... I know, I've said that I won't make more than 1 story at the same time, but... You know, this idea suddenly popped up into my mind. So here's this story, lol.

Disclaimer: La Corda d'Oro's not mine, tee-hee…

BIG HUGS to my lovely beta reader, Andie! Her pen name is annalisemarie99! She has helped me to check my grammatical errors and changed some words/statement to make this story better. Big thanks to her! ^++++^

IMPORTANT NOTE: This story takes place after chapter 59 in manga! Please read the manga first, it's available at www. mangafox. com (without spaces).

Somewhere Deep Within My Heart

Chapter 1: Her Feelings

She remembered the times when he was always there for her. When he stood there and walked to the stage for her. When he offered to listen to her problems patiently. When he always pushed her back slightly, physically and mentally, to make her come to her old self again. When he said funny things to make her happy and forgot all of her sadness. He…. He was the person she treasured the most. Because he was always there for her.

"Kaho-chan!"

She turned her head to face her two best friends. Mio and Nao walked towards her, holding a pack of cakes and juices. "Kaho-chan, let's eat at the rooftop!" Mio giggled, showing Kahoko the cakes.

Kahoko smiled to Mio, "Alright! Wait for me, I'll pack my things first!"

Kahoko had been in the practice room since the class over. She tried to practice as hard as she could, because she was afraid to her pushy-cum-perfectionist-tutor, the great violinist Tsukimori Len. He always spared his time after class to tutor her, even though he was really busy. He supposed to leave for studying abroad at the end of the second semester. Kahoko knew she shouldn't bother him, as she knew that his times were really precious for him to prepare himself to go abroad. But he told her that he didn't mind… Because he had already decided to help her.

If your violin could respond to mind, that would not go to waste.

She was dazed, and blushed hearing his statement. She felt really happy, incredibly happy. That was why she decided to practice harder, so that she could lessen his pain in tutoring her, even for a bit. And of course, to help her undergo his strict tutorial. She was a bit scared to feel the hurt every time he scolded at her mistakes. She felt that she added to his burden.

"Kaho-chan, how's your practice?" Nao asked as they three walked to the rooftop.

"Mmm… I tried hard, but still I couldn't do as Tsukimori-kun told me to do. To think that he has wasted his times to teach me….," Kahoko lowered her head. Nao and Mio could see her disappointed face under her bangs.

"Kaho-chan, you shouldn't say that. I'm sure Tsukimori-kun will help you to get through this nicely," Nao patted Kahoko's back.

"Well yes," Kahoko smiled, thinking that she had to work on her mistakes again after eating cakes.

"And the violin romance finally comes true!!!" Mio's eyes sparkled, imagining Tsukimori touched Kahoko's hand and they both blushed, staring at each other eyes.

"Not that again, Mio….," Kahoko sent her best friend a tired smile.

"Whatever, we just will cheer you on if you find the guy you like!" Mio added, sending a glance to Nao. Nao only nodded as she too smiled.

Kahoko smiled sheepishly and opened the rooftop's door. She held her violin case tighter, and her eyes were softened, seeing who was already there.

"Yo, Hino. Are you going to practice here?" Tsuchiura grinned. He waved to Kahoko, and nodded to Mio and Nao.

"No, I will enjoy the cakes Mio and Nao brought me," Kahoko pointed to the cake box Mio held. "Care to join us?"

"No, my soccer club's practice will be started soon. Thanks though," Tsuchiura walked closer to Kahoko. Mio and Nao smirked at each other, seeing Kahoko's expression.

"Aah, that's too bad," Kahoko felt her face was filled with disappointment. But she shouldn't do that, she scolded herself. "Well then, good luck with your practice," She smiled at him.

"Haha... Just be careful not to eat too much if you don't want to be a pig," Tsuchiura ruffled her hair as he chuckled.

"Tsuchiura-kun! That was rude!" Kahoko pouted.

"Sorry then, well later!" Tsuchiura walked towards the door as he waved to the three girls.

Kahoko smiled, he never failed to make her smile. He was, after all… Her most treasured person.

"Kaho-chan, you like him, don't you?" Mio asked as her eyes narrowed naughtily.

"Wha- No, what did you say!?" Kahoko stuttered. Her face blushed, turning as red as tomatoes.

"We've seen everything," Nao smirked.

"Nao, you too!" Kahoko howled.

"We're not being best friends for nothing, you know," Nao added.

"I- uh... Well,.. Honestly, I don't know," Kahoko lowered her face, hid her flush face.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Mio asked as she sat on a bench and opened the cakes' box. She then offered the cakes to Nao and Kahoko.

Kahoko took the cake and started to bit the cake. She munched the cake slowly as she fell into her deep thought. I treasure him…

"Kahoko?" Mio snapped her hand in front of Kahoko's eyes.

"Oh, sorry… Well…," Kahoko hesitated. "I might have liked him… I… I treasure him…"

"Oh really? Well, we could see that earlier. But honestly, I thought you're in love with Tsukimori-Kun," Nao stated as she munched her cake and took a sip to her juice.

"Eh, wh-why?" Kahoko stuttered and blushed. She shot her head to face her tomboyish best friend.

"Because you looked so down when you knew about his leaving," Nao added. Her eyes were full of concern.

Kahoko clamed up at the term. Her mind came back to where she was two days before. She was in front of the practice room's door, hesitated to what she was going to say to him. She remembered Yunoki's words. If the one who is leaving is the most important to me, I will definitely cheer him on. His words were playing over and over again in her mind. She closed her eyes, chanted to her own self…This is all I can do…..

"Congratulations on studying abroad!"

"Kaho-chan!!" Mio shouted at her, pouted. Kahoko broke from her train of thoughts at that. "Sorry..," she muttered. She was confused, remembering what she had said to Tsukimori.

Congratulations on studying abroad!

She said the words with so much courage. She knew she lied to herself that time. She said she will cheer him on… she had indeed congratulated him with a smile. But in the corners of her eyes, she could feel tears started to form. But she knew, like Yunoki said… He was an important person to her. She wouldn't want him to hesitate his decisions towards his dreams because of her. She will, she will try hard to cheer him on.

"So, you're still confused, right?" Nao questioned, observing Kahoko's face.

Kahoko stared at Nao and nodded. "Tsukimori-Kun is… Someone very important to me."

"So why are you treasuring this Tsuchiura-Kun?" Nao snapped.

Mio goggled, hearing Nao's snap. "Nao!" she scolded.

Kahoko smiled at Mio, and shook her head slightly. Mio nodded as she accepted Kahoko's sign.

"I have just got this in my mind this afternoon. When I was in the practice room," Kahoko lowered her head. Her eyes slid to the wound on her leg.

"Yesterday, Tsuchiura-kun treated my wound," she continued.

"He did?!" Mio gasped.

Kahoko nodded, and continued her talks. "Actually, Tsukimori-kun had treated my wounds too. First when I cut my finger, and second when I had blisters."

Nao and Mio exchanged glance at each other. They stayed silent to let Kahoko continue her story.

"And then when I said that to Tsuchiura-kun, he looked odd. And then he said that he wanted to tell me something after the concert," Kahoko hesitated and paused. She then looked up to the sky. Staring at the sky made her felt so small. She was nothing compare to the sky.

"I was scared for a second. I thought… he was leaving me like Tsukimori-Kun…"

Nao nodded, and then rubbed Kahoko's back as she tried to comfort her. Kahoko turned her head to Nao and saw her worried expression. Mio gasped and she then scrawled closer. "Kahoko, you're crying," Mio said.

Kahoko touched her cheek and found something wet on it. She closed her eyes and let the tears kept roll down her cheeks.

"I… At first I felt so relieved when he said that it was nothing to do with music. But… Then I realized that it doesn't mean he wouldn't leave me. Maybe it's about soccer, or… anything. I was so scared all night long. And this afternoon, I… realized that he's always there for me. And I treasure him… I'm scared of losing him."

Nao's eyes were softened. "Kaho-chan, it doesn't mean that what you think about his leaving is true."

"Yes, Kaho-chan. Besides, maybe you're just feeling trauma," Mio added.

"Trauma?" Kahoko faced her two best friends with a questioned look.

"After all, you're still struggling to go through your pain of losing Tsukimori-kun. That's why you're so scared that Tsuchiura-kun will leave you too," Nao explained what Mio meant.

"Yes, Kaho-chan, perhaps you're just being paranoid," Mio agreed as she smiled and wiped Kahoko's tears with her handkerchief.

Kahoko nodded and smiled. "Yes, perhaps I'm a little too paranoid. Maybe I'm suffering from a trauma. Thank you Mio, Nao."

"It's nothing! Well, let's just finish the cakes!!" Nao laughed as she put a big slice of cake to her mouth.

"Ah, Nao!! You could die if you eat like that! Pig!" Mio screamed and tickled Nao's waist, making the tomboyish girl almost choked.

Kahoko laughed seeing her two best friends. She really thanked them for being such good friends. She gazed at her wound and mused. I treasure him… Maybe… Maybe he's more important than any other guys in this world… Maybe... Mio's right about my love to him…

She kept her mind busy at finding the truth. The truth about her feelings.

Maybe…

Yes… Maybe…

"Tsukimori-kun." Kahoko knocked at the practice room's door, the one Tsukimori usually booked every time they had their private lessons. She opened the door slowly, and peeked into the room, where the violin prodigy had waited for about 20 minutes.

"Hino," Tsukimori snapped his face to Kahoko and frowned at her. "You should have been here twenty minutes ago. What were you doing?" He scolded.

Kahoko stuttered. She felt so embarrassed, guilt slowly eating her up. She lowered her head and scolded herself over and over again. Stupid Kahoko!

"Hino, answer me," Tsukimori walked closer to Kahoko and folded his arms in front of his chest, completely impatient to wait for Kahoko's answer.

"I'm sorry, Tsukimori-kun, I... I forgot about the time...," Kahoko tried to apologize to her strict tutor. She couldn't believe she was late even for Tsukimori's tutoring lesson. She had decided to lessen Tsukimori's pain for tutoring her even a bit, and yet... Here she was... Adding more pain to Tsukimori.

Tsukimori sighed. He closed his eyes and turned his back to Kahoko. He took his violin case and packed his things. He then turned to face Kahoko, passing her, and walked out of the room.

Kahoko's eyes widened, she immediately tried to catch Tsukimori's sleeve, but failed. "Tsukimori-kun! Whe-where are you go-"

"I'm not intended to teach someone who's not even serious to improve her skill," Tsukimori cut her word, without even care to turn his head to face her. He stayed at the door, backing Kahoko.

"Bu-but...," Kahoko eyed at him in disbelief. She couldn't believe she had made Tsukimori got mad. She felt really stupid and useless. "Tsukimori-kun,... I'm really sorry."

He gave her no answer. Kahoko felt her heart in pain. This was what she deserved for being such a stupid girl, drowning into thoughts of first love. She was too busy thinking about her feelings towards Tsuchiura. She even forgot about her lesson with Tsukimori. To think that Tsukimori had offered himself to tutor her... She was so stupid.

Tsukimori sighed. Then he stole a glance to Kahoko from the corner of his eyes. Kahoko was busy staring at the floor. She muttered her apologise again and again, in a really soft tone. He felt something heavy in his heart. But, his anger was greater, he never ever forgave anyone who disgraced music. He never forgave anyone who slackened off practice.

But... She was someone who taught him about enjoying music.

"Hino, I'm not in the mood for tutoring you right now. If you don't mind, we'll have another practice tomorrow. Make sure you're not late," he said as he left the practice room, not even bother to see Kahoko's face. He was too afraid. Too afraid of feeling something unusual if he saw her watery eyes. And he never ever wanted such emotions to distract him; they always got in the way of rational thinking.

Kahoko's eyes bored the door. She was speechless, knowing that Tsukimori would never forgive such an attitude towards music. And yet, he still offered his times tomorrow. She pulled herself together, and then ran to the practice room's door. She could see his back far in the end of the hallway. She gathered her courage, and shouted.

"Thank you very much, Tsukimori-kun!"

He was surprised to hear her shout and turned his head to see her. She was there, bowing at him to show her gratitude, and then she raised her head, sending him the biggest smile she could do.

He was startled.

Not because of her loud voice, not because of her deep bow, but... because of her smile.

A sweet smile, with pinkish colours plastered on her cheeks. It had been a long time since he saw her smile that big at him. It was when he walked her home after practice. And now... She was able to daze him once again with her smile.

Kahoko kept smiling to Tsukimori. She couldn't see his expression clearly because of her watery eyes, but she was grateful enough for knowing that Tsukimori turned his face to see her. Even only for a second. A very short time, before he turned his back to her again, and disappeared from her sight.

"Thank you very much, Tsukimori-kun," she whispered.

"Now, Kaho-chan, what are you doing in here?" Hihara patted Kahoko's shoulder and sent her a big grin.

"Hihara-senpai, Yunoki-senpai!" Kahoko smiled to her two senpais.

"You're not practicing with Tsukimori-kun?" Yunoki smiled as he sent his eyes to search for Tsukimori's presence. "But he would never be in a place like this, I assumed. Why are you here at the soccer field?" Yunoki switched his eyes to Kahoko again as he knew that Kahoko was not going to practice here.

"Well, I'm...," Kahoko peeked to the green haired boy who was running for a ball. "I just wonder if I could..."

"So you want to go home with Tsuchiura-kun?" Yunoki followed Kahoko's eyes, staring at Tsuchiura. He touched his chin and shifted his eyes to gaze at Kahoko again. So am I missing things? Two days ago she was busy with her thoughts to Tsukimori's leaving, and now she...

Kahoko blushed. She could feel his face was hot and she couldn't do anything to cover her flushing face.

"Eh? Why do you want to go home with Tsuchiura? We'll walk you home if you want to, Kaho-chan!" Hihara grinned as he pointed his index finger to his nose.

"Ah, no, Hihara-senpai, I'm fine!" Kahoko shook her head immediately. Still unable to overcome her blush.

"Aah... Well, alright then, if you change your mind, I'll be waiting for you!" Hihara's face was sad, but then he replaced his expression again with his big grin.

"Now, now, Hihara, just let her be with Tsuchiura-kun...," Yunoki hung his words as he stole a glance at Kahoko naughtily, causing Kahoko to blush even more. "I will ride you home," Yunoki continued as he then chuckled, facing the no-clued-Hihara.

"Well, okay then!" Hihara nodded. "See you tomorrow, Kaho-chan!" he waved at Kahoko as he and Yunoki walked towards the school gate, leaving Kahoko behind.

"See you tomorrow, Hihara-senpai, Yunoki-senpai!" Kahoko waved to her two senpai. She kept staring at the two until they went inside Yunoki's car.

I wonder if my feeling is that readable? She blushed again, remembering how Yunoki acted just now. Yunoki was really mature for his age. Despite the fact that he was a bipolar, he was still a great observer. He was the one who made her realize her feelings towards Tsukimori.

Suddenly, she felt her heart in pain, thinking about what she had done to Tsukimori. I'm such a shameless....He was really important to her, and yet, she forgot about him... Too busy thinking about Tsuchiura... The one she treasured the most, and the one whom she probably fell in love with.

She stared at the dearly green haired boy on the field. He was running, jumping, and running again, pursuing the round shaped thing on the ground. His eyes were sharp when he released his best shot to the goalpost. His eyes were widened and full of joy when he was able to score. His eyes were narrowed when he was tackled by one of his team mates. His eyes were beautifully shone with light brown colours, with a hint of green. And Kahoko couldn't help but thought... It would be beautiful if I could see my reflection in his eyes...

"Hino?"

Kahoko jerked out of her dream. She snapped her head to the voice's source, and there he was. Glancing at her with his beautiful, admiring eyes. He wiped his sweat with a small, black towel. He looked so exhausted, yet fresh red colours were plastered on his cheeks. His lips were forming a smile.

"Tsu...Tsuchiura-kun...," Kahoko gasped. She still couldn't pull herself from her dreamy state. Am I imagining things? Why, Why does he look so...

"Hino what're you doing here?" her thought was cut by his words.

Kahoko blushed as she scolded herself for thinking unnecessary things. Her heart was throbbing so fast, making her so hard to breath. She pulled her sleeping-in-the-bottom-of-her-heart-courage. Great, where's my courage when I need them? She found it really difficult to face Tsuchiura since she had already known that she treasured him so much. But still, she couldn't help to wonder why she didn't feel the same when she faced Tsukimori, even when she realized that he was important to her.

"Hino?" Tsuchiura raised his eyebrows, walking towards Kahoko. "Are you sick? You look so red," he raised his hand and placed it on Kahoko's forehead.

OH GOD! I could die from a heart attack!!! Kahoko froze as her eyes widened. She couldn't believe that his hand was touching her forehead, caressing her head and patted it in the end.

"No fever, but still strange," he said finally, observing Kahoko's face. Kahoko stuttered as she felt her heart sank into a deep trouble. Trouble for beating too fast. "I- I'm not sick, Tsuchiura-Kun," she finally could say something to him.

"I see, but... Oh well, what are you doing in here, then? Don't you have a lesson with Tsukimori?" Tsuchiura asked her as he looked around, only to find Tsukimori walked towards him and Hino.

"Well, now he's coming. Speaking of the devil, tsk," Tsuchiura scratched his head as he sent Kahoko an awkward smile.

Kahoko turned to face Tsukimori. He was so calm, expressionless like usual. He didn't look like he was angry with her from the incident before. He carried his bag and a blue violin case in his hands. His uniform was as neat as usual, he never ever looked messy even when the class had already ended for quite long time ago.

His eyes focused on her, without even bother to switch them to the green haired boy. When he finally arrived to her side, he opened his bag and took something from it.

Kahoko's eyes widened when she saw what he gave her. It was her music script. "Ah, I'm sorry, Tsukimori-kun... Did you find it in the practice room?"

Tsukimori nodded. "Yes, I found it in the room beside the room we occupied before."

Kahoko remembered, that was the room she used when she practiced before Mio and Nao came. She should have left it there. As clumsy as ever...

"Thank you very much, Tsukimori-kun," She smiled and took the script from Tsukimori's hand.

Tsukimori cocked his head to see the other man, only for being replied by a glare.

"What?" Tsuchiura glared as he showed his annoyed expression to Tsukimori.

"Nothing," Tsukimori replied as he then switched his stare to Kahoko again. Kahoko's orbs pierced at him too, curious to know what the violin genius would do.

"Actually, I want to..." Tsukimori hung his words.

"Yes, what is it, Tsukimori-kun?" Kahoko smiled at Tsukimori. She could see her reflection in his golden eyes. She felt really comfortable, yet, she felt her soul was sucked into his eyes. So deep, so calm, so beautiful. She felt her throbbing hearts were stopped gradually, being sucked into the calmness his eyes sent to her. Those were the eyes of her most important person.

Tsukimori hesitated to say what he wanted to say. He threw his face again, staring at the soccer field. He didn't want to see her face. He didn't know why, but he was pretty sure that he didn't want to face her.

"Tsukimori-kun?" Kahoko's face became worried. For a moment she felt so calm, so secure, seeing his deep golden eyes. But now, she was afraid that her tutor was still mad at her. For forgetting the lesson and for being such a clumsy girl, leaving her precious music script in the practice room.

But when she took a closer look at his face, she could see small and nearly transparent pink colours plastered on his pale cheeks. But that was just for a second. A very short time. Kahoko thought that maybe she was only imagining things.

Tsukimori still didn't want to see her, nor did he want to see the green haired pianist. He placed his eyes anywhere but those two. He opened his lips after a long silence.

"Hino, I want to..."

(To be Continued)

A/N:

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