Salut D'Amour

Measure 6: Cruising on the Cruise Ship

HINO'S POV

***

"But I'm not one."

The wind breezes blow ever so slow but Tsuchiura's words hung in the air. His stare pierces me. My heart beats fast.

"Ano...Of course you aren't one Tsuchiura-kun." I break the tension with a laugh.

"Hino..." He mutters but I stretch his cheeks to which he yaps in pain. "AAARGH!!!"

"See? You're definitely human." I smile and he sighs. "Eh? What's wrong Tsuchiura-kun?" I ask but he just laughs and ruffles me hair.

"Nothing is." He says as he walks towards the cabins. "I'll look for a piano for a while. Shimizu was right, the beautiful scenery makes me want to play for a bit." And with that he vanishes.

"Play, huh?" I continue to look back at the vast ocean. I allow myself to be immersed by the calmness of the sea and the sound of the waves rocking the ship. Up above I hear the seagulls sing. I open my eyes and smile. "Shimizu-kun was right, the beauty makes you want to capture it all with music."

"Hino!" I turn around and see Kanazawa approach me. "You've been standing there for quite some time. Would you be a good girl and tell everyone you see that we'll be having dinner by 8? Thanks. I knew I could rely on you." He pushes me towards the door before I can protest.

Sigh.

***

After a few turns and the occassional asking for directions, I still am lost in the huge ship. I manage to sit down by a wooden bench.

"I am doomed. How in the world am I going to find any of them?" I mutter. Then, I remembered something. I get up and see a man wearing a sailor uniform.

"Ano...Can you tell me where the music rooms are?" I ask and he politely teaches me the way. I thank him and run towards the upper floors. Somehow, I arrive on a floor that's filled with a long hallway of doors. Then I see a sign that says - MUSIC ROOMS TO THE RIGHT OF CORRIDOR. I take a huge breath and start making my way down the corridor.

"Wow...So maybe rooms for music." I wonder and I peek into the first door and see a lady with short yellow hair playing the violin. I quickly look away and find myself doing this for the next rooms. After a few times of scolding and saying sorry, I still haven't found Tsukimori-kun and there's only 3 doors left.

Suddenly, I see Shimizu-kun exit from the third room which catches me by surprise.

"EH?! Shimizu-kun?!!!!" I shriek in surprise but Shimizu just bows.

"Kaho-senpai." He smiles and I scratch my head. "Are you here to practice as well?" He asks and I chuckle nervously.

"Sort of. But I'm looking for everyone else. Kanazawa-senpai wants to relay to everyone that we'll have dinner by 8." I tell Shimizu who nods.

"I'll tell the others Kaho-senpai. Please do practice your violin well." He gives another bow and slowly makes his way outside. I smile. Arigatou Shimizu-kun. As I enter the practice room, I stop.

First reason: I placed my violin case with my bags!

Second reason: I don't know where my room is.

Third reason: There was someone I was looking for.

Tskimori-kun.

I step back and soon a lovely slender lady who had blonde hair stood beside me.

"Are you going to use this room? Everywhere else is full." She asserted in a commanding voice and I take a gulp.

"Ugh no.. I was just -" I begin but she cuts me off.

"Thank you." She says happily and in a more friendly tone as she rushes into the room and closes it.

"Ugh...you're welcome?" I mutter. Then I decide to explroe the last two rooms. One of them was bound to have Tsukimori-kun in them.

The second room was that of a fat man doing the trumpet and I crouched before he could see me. I clutch my heart and look the last door.

Tsukimori-kun.

I slowly crawl my way to the last door. Something about my fear that it wasn't him at the last door couldn't make me garner the strength to stand. I take a huge gulp and muster all my courage to stand.

Here goes.

I look into the window and see that familiar blue-hair.

Tsukimori-kun.

But then, I was taken aback. Because Tsukimori-kun was...sitting.

Just sitting. Holding his violin, but not playing it. Just sitting and perhaps staring at the window. Is he alright?! Suddenly, he looks at me and I feel my face turn red. There is a sudden shock on his face but is quickly replaced with his usual indifferent face. He sighs (I can tell from the countless sighs he's given me) and walks towards the door. I panic as he opens the door.

"What are you doing out here Hino?" His icy comment hits me and I laugh nervously.

"Kanazawa-senpai wanted me to tell you that dinner will be at 8." I twiddle with my fingers and he sighs.

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Okay. If you'll excuse me, I'll be practicing now."   He turns his back on me. But then I feel that I should speak something.

“Tsukimori-kun, the ocean is beautiful, isn’t it?” I smile and he looks at me.

“I…I agree.” He replies shortly and closes the door. I smile and hum my way towards the exit. Because for me, when Tsukimori-kun says that something is beautiful, or agrees that it is beautiful well, that means so much to me.