Once again, I re-read 63…since 62 and 62.5 are now available! Yay! Made my day (had a lot of trouble going on with school). It had been depressing and tiring. Thank goodness 62 and 62.5 arrived. ^^
Now onto the story. Enjoy.
.
.
.
---
String
---
Kaho held out her gift to him. The gift with wrapping he recognized. Kaho had her eyes turned away. "I'll forgive your rudeness that day. This was…for you after all."
"Ah. I'm sorry. About that."
She turned and smiled at him. He felt himself smile back. "About what?" she said, letting him know the matter wasn't a concern anymore or ever was.
Len took the gift. "Thank you."
A silence enveloped them. It was awkward. And sad. Already, Kaho felt herself beginning to feel a certain loneliness. Not looking at him, she said, "I'll miss your lessons."
He looked at her in surprise. "I had thought that you might not. My teaching…"
"It was really good." Her smile came back as she remembered. "You're good at it. You were strict."
Len looked away, embarrassed and a little irked at himself. But then she continued, "But I liked it. I liked that you were always truthful." She turned to him. "Ah. But maybe it won't compare to sensei's?" she teased.
Len, ever serious, thought about it. He looked down at her. "You'll do fine," he said, smiling.
Kaho, her eyes taking him in, felt the sudden urge to cry but stamped it down. Not yet. Not yet. "Hmm."
The call came for passengers to board. Len picked up his things. "I guess…this is goodbye then."
"Nope."
"Hmm?"
"I hope you like it. The gift. I wish you the best of luck and happiness. I'm looking forward to your work overseas."
Kaho was slowly stepping back as the call came out again. Len wasn't surprised to feel a moment of indecision. Since accepting his feelings, he had come to expect conflicts in his thoughts. Even though she wasn't with him, she still found a way to disrupt his life.
And to be honest, it didn't feel all that bad.
"Len-kun…"
Len looked at her in surprise. She gave him a big smile and said, "I'll be seeing you, Len-kun. And remember! I won't lose to you." Her smile became a cheeky grin.
He felt his smile burst out. It was an alien motion, but it was there. "I'll be seeing you." He stepped forward and gave into the impulse. Holding her tight, he said, "I'll remember too, that song. Thank you." He let her go and stepped back. "I'll be waiting, Kahoko."
Fighting her tears, Kaho saw Len off. Watched him leave her as he began his journey abroad. She waved goodbye till she could no longer see him. The tears she'd been fighting began to pool in her eyes. Not yet. Not yet.
Turning around quickly, she headed for the exit. Headed for home. She wanted to play. Needed to play.
Ave Maria.
Even when she'd let herself cry, she would play. His song. Her song.
*
Now on his way, Len sat in his seat, watching the scenery pass by. His hand was closed in a fist, holding on tightly at the special gift she'd given him.
A golden string.
She'd hidden it inside a note she'd tucked into the scarf she'd bought for him.
Closing his eyes, he could imagine her saying the words as he mentally recalled her note.
Like your song that touched my soul,
I hope that one day, I can play
good enough to touch yours.
~Kaho
"You've already touched mine, Kahoko." In so many ways…you've already touched mine.
.
.
.
END
.
.
.
a/n: Nyaah~! Hope you liked it. =^w^=