KAHOKO'S POV
***
In the end, I told Tsukimori-kun everything. And for some reason, we are both walking down the hallway together.
Ano...what's with this cold atmosphere?!
"Excuse me sir, maam," A man wearing a blue suit approaches us with a bow and he smiles at Tsukimori-kun. "But are you the young Tsukimori I've heard so much about?" Tsukimori-kun's reaction to the man's compliment was something I wasn't really expecting. Instead of promptly telling him that he was, Tsukimori-kun graciously bows.
"Hai. Pleasure meeting you Sir Williams." He replies and I look astoundingly at the man before us. I follow Tsukimori-kun's act and bow as well respectfully.
"No need to be so formal young Tsukimori. I've always been a fan of your mother's. Do tell her that i'm looking forward for her performance next month in Australia." Sir Williams laughs and Tsukimori-kun nods.
"I'll be sure to relay the message Sir. In behalf of my mother, thank you." He bows yet again. This time, Sir Williams eyes me and I turn red. His eyes twinkle and he offers to shake my hand.
"And who might this beautiful lady be?" He asks and my face burns deep red.
"Kahoko Hino." I bow quickly and I hear Sir Williams chuckle.
"Ah now, young Tsukimori..." He smiles at Tsukimori-kun who is curiously looking away. "In all my years of being closely associated with your family, I never thought I'd see the day when you'd finally choose a girl!"
Wait!!! Choose..a...girl?!
"EH?!!! It's not what you think!!!" I stammer but Tsukimori-kun steps forward.
"Gomen Sir Williams but I think you are mistaken. Hino is just my -" He cuts off and I begin to stop and ask myself....what am I to Tsukimori-kun? I feel my chest tighten as I brace myself.
" - fiancee!" Sir Williams finishes and I turn red again. Oi...oi...This isn't what I had in mind. But no matter how hard I tried to convince Sir Williams that we weren't into a relationshi, Tsukimori-kun had it worse. Sir Williams kept on insisting that he was too prideful for his own good to admit - something I wasn't sure what the meaning was - and he left by whispering something into Tsukimori-kun's ears. Something that made him, for the first time ever, turn red.
"Gomen Hino. Sir Williams can be so..." Tsukimori--kun speaks up as we make our way further down the hall and I laugh. He looks at me quizzically.
"I never thought Tsukimori-kun could be flustered as well." I say and he stops walking. He pauses for a while, then continues walking.
"He's a famous piano tuner and has helped my mother in many occassions. I apologize for the...misunderstanding." He adds the last word cautiously and I smile to him.
"Don't worry," I chuckle nervously. "I know that it isn't true that Tsukimori-kun likes me."
***
TSUKIMORI'S POV
***
"Tsukimori-kun! Look!" Hino enthusiastically runs towards the railings and I sigh. Really...What are you thinking now? Despite it already midnight and the want to sleep is already kicking in, I approach her and look at what she's pointing at.
"Isn't the ocean like a glass? It's so beautiful." She breathes out and I just stare at the moon. Beautiful, huh? For a full minute, we look at the scene before us when suddenly -
"Violin?" She and I chorus and we look at the deck above us. We listen for a while as the music fills the air.
EEEEEEENG!
A screech echoes the ship and I sigh. Then, Hino moves towards the staircase near the door.
"Let's go meet the violinist, Tsukimori-kun." She calls as she hurries up the case. I sigh again and follow.
Do I have any other choice?
Upon reaching the upper deck I notice that there is only a round table and nothing else. Well, except of course for Hino...and the violinist who is standing at the farthest place.
"GAAAAH! Why can't I ever get you right?" The violinist curses as he tries to play the piece all over again. Hino takes a breath beside me.
"It's nicely played." She comments and I cross my arms.
"Too fast. Too sloppy. Not enough strength exerted. He's vibrato is worse than yours." I add and she looks at me weirdly.
"Now, now Tsukimori-kun..." She raises her hands, "Don't you think that's too harsh? I mean what if he's a newbie at playing the-" I grunt at the idea. Really, isn't the truth that obvious yet?
"He's an experienced player judging from his posture. He's also playing Paganini's 1st Caprice which is a high level piece, something that average violinists take at least a year or so to even play the first 5 measures properly." I point out and she gawks at the violinist who once again, makes a screech with the same note.
"Sugoi..." She says softly but I grunt.
Why do I feel annoyed?
"Argh! I can't do this anymore!" The violinist suddenly screams as he packs his violin. I look at his case and realize -
"Eh?! That's my violin!" Hino calls and the violinist freezes.
My muscle tenses up and I study the man before me.
Who was he?
And more important, what was he doing with Hino's violin?
YOU ARE READING
Salut D'Amour
FanficHino Kahoko has already fallen inlove with the violin and has set her heart to continue playing it even after the concourse has ended. Set after the concourse, the participants are to visit Gendoue Island for a one-week summer training camp at Gendo...
