Chapter Five

 

Maestro Schinkel frowned. The practice today was not going well again. This time it was worse because his only hope, the only person who was supposed to understand his requirements was doing a terrible job.

 

“Stop, stop! It’s all wrong!” Maestro Schinkel scolded and banged his baton against the music stand in frustration. Turning to his most trusted student, Maestro Schinkel asked in displease. “Len, what’s going on? Don’t you understand that you are the first seater of the first violinists, the concert master?! Every single member here follows your lead and if you are not doing your job properly, it destroys everything!”

 

All the orchestra members felt cold sweat and exchanged a look with each other. Knowing although Tsukimori Len came highly recommended by Maestro Schinkel himself, still, when he made a mistake, Maestro was twice as hard on him as to anyone else.

 

“It’s alright, Maestro.” Smoothly soothing the atmosphere with a warm smile, Yunoki suggested as he comforted the angry conductor. “Why don’t we take a half an hour break? The orchestra has been working extremely hard for the past few days, we still have plenty of time, let’s take it easy.”

 

With a sigh, Maestro nodded. “Alright, we will take a thirty minutes break. Meanwhile, Len, go and cool your head.”

 

“Yes, Maestro.” Standing up from his seat, Tsukimori gave his teacher a bow in apology.

 

As everyone left to take their break, ’s eyes followed Tsukimori in concern. Knowing Tsukimori’s music like no one else, agreed with Maestro Schinkel that Tsukimori was performing abnormally today. He seemed…agitated and aggravated.

 

“-san,”

 

Turning to the voice that called her, she found Yunoki standing there with his usual friendly smile as he handed her a bottle of green tea. “Here, have a drink. There are some finger food over there too if you would like some.”

 

“Thanks,” Nodding with a smile, accepted the bottle of green tea.

 

“Actually,” To ’s surprise, standing on her other side was Kaji as he handed her a warm bottle of royal milk tea instead. “In a cold weather like this, I am sure -san prefers some nice warm royal milk tea.”

 

“Really? From my memory -san likes green tea.”

 

Noticing the hidden meaning in Yunoki’s words, felt blood rushed to her face immediately, reminded of the time she spent with Yunoki drinking green tea all night.

 

It was then; noticed Tsukimori’s focus on her. Looking up in surprise, saw the unpleasant, troubled look in Tsukimori’s eyes. However it was only for a short second as Tsukimori got up from his seat instead and left the room.

 

Seeing that, Yunoki gave a sigh and commented in concern. “I hope Tsukimori is okay. Performing like that was not something he would do.”

 

“True…” Hihara agreed and joined in the conversation. In sympathy Hihara whispered. “I was surprised how harsh Maestro was to him. I mean, I know Maestro Schinkel is a perfectionist and stuff, but at least Tsukimori is his student, I thought he would be a little more lenient.”

 

“Maybe because Tsukimori is his student, that is why Maestro had to be very strict with him.” With an understanding smile Ousaki said. “He knew what Tsukimori’s true capacity was, so he would want him to perform to his fullest.”

 

nodded in agreement to what Ousaki said. Still, felt her heart bothered when she could clearly remember that look in Tsukimori’s eyes. Maybe she was being paranoid, but she noticed Tsukimori’s focus on her throughout the day. It was unavoidable for to think that Tsukimori appeared to have something to say to her. However, he never approached her for a conversation and neither did he come anywhere near her.

 

At the same time shook her head at the idea. Why would Tsukimori have anything to say to her anyway? Why hasn’t she learned that since they last spoke three years ago, Tsukimori would never want anything to do with her?

 

“Oh yeah, Kaji-kun.” Knowing that miserable thought was going to eat her up again, turned to Kaji and asked quickly hoping to take her mind off the thought. “Amou-chan wanted me to check with you whether you have a favourite restaurant or something that you want us to hold your birthday dinner?”

 

“Oh yeah, Kaji’s birthday is coming up.” Hihara nodded and turned to Kaji. “What kind of food do you want? Italian? French? Chinese? Indian? Or sushi? Speak forward your request!”

 

“Request…I really don’t mind where we have the dinner except,” Kaji thought for a while, then with a happy smile he turned to . “As a little request, is it okay if -san spends the day with me?”

 

“Eh?” Not expecting that of course, blushed.

 

Kaji smiled from within when he observed the reactions from the other two boys. Hihara’s eyes opened wide in disbelief and Yunoki? Although outwardly there were not much of an expression change, but Kaji knew, Yunoki was not happy.

 

Well, Kaji Aoi wouldn’t say that he was surprised. Before this, he had never made a move on . He had always kept to his position as a friend, a simple admirer. However, Kaji knew it was time he finally does something.

 

Seeing ’s surprised, shy reaction, Kaji apologised with an embarrassed smile. “I am sorry, it is too much to ask right?”

 

“No, it’s okay.” shook her head quickly. “I was wondering what to get for your birthday present anyway. It would be good that we can go choose one together.”

 

“A present?” Kaji smiled in bliss with the word. “Fufu…-san, I don’t need a present. Having you say ‘happy birthday’ to me is the best present.”

 

“But that is what you say every year,” giggled when she heard what Kaji said. “We have known each other for so many years now, and still you have not allowed me to give you one in return after all the presents you gave me, so you won’t get away this year.”

 

“So it is ‘yes’? Where should we meet then?” Ignoring how Hihara had already turned into a stone with shock and Yunoki’s dark aura penetrating him, Kaji Aoi asked in ecstasy feeling that he was the luckiest man on earth.

 

 

 

 

 

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With a sigh Tsukimori put down the violin in his hand. Alone here in the practice room, Tsukimori was annoyed that he was unable to cool down his head and recover as Maestro Schinkel commanded.

 

Holding onto his head Tsukimori frowned. He never knew he was such an emotional person. Nothing ever mattered to him but music, it was because of such belief, Tsukimori was able to perform to his best. He never understood why when his parents performed music together, they were always so happy. They love what they do, and such zeal was clearly expressed from their performance.

 

Tsukimori could never approve of such performance. Inputting emotions into the music would interfere with a professional musician’s standard. Yet, after knowing , Tsukimori had found himself also a person that was easily swayed by his mood when performing. To his pleasant discovery, such a change had only positive effect and result. He was able to achieve the level of music he had been seeking.

 

Unfortunately now comes the side effect. After accidentally picking up the photograph of and Yunoki coming out of a hotel room together, Tsukimori found the emotions he had towards , something forbidden he sealed away had now come undone. When he played the violin, he would think about her, and whenever he closed his eyes, Tsukimori would be reminded of the ‘things’ Yunoki and were doing before the photograph was taken. How Yunoki would lay his hand on ’s tiny soft body, how he would have tasted her sweet lips, and how Yunoki was able to experience such intimacy with .

 

The moment all these thoughts entered Tsukimori’s mind, he discovered within him, there was rage, anger, something heavy and unpleasant like…jealousy?

 

No, I should not be jealous. Tsukimori would convince himself. What right had he to be jealous? When pleaded to break up with him three years ago, when he stood outside her bedroom window, Tsukimori knew he had lost his right over . He returned this time to Japan, knowing he will see her in another man’s arms. He knew all this, but still, why could he not tolerate the thought of and Yunoki together?

 

But wait, it doesn’t make sense. Tsukimori thought it was Hihara that was dating, and most of all, to his understanding, wasn’t Yunoki engaged to Urahara Miyako? If that was the case, why did and Yunoki come out of the hotel room together?

 

 

 

 

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That Kaji Aoi…

 

Yunoki cursed silently within as he walked along the quiet corridor. There was Kaji Aoi, declaring so honourably that he was happy enough to act as a protector, never did he consider himself worthy enough for . Yet, putting on his innocent smile, Kaji Aoi successfully tricked into a date with him.

 

It was all too unpleasant for Yunoki Azuma. The fact that was always too naïve and friendly to everyone, and most of all…Stopping, Yunoki smiled mockingly to himself, the fact that he was getting all covetous and possessive like a little boy in love.

 

Whilst Yunoki walked along the corridor, allowing all these thoughts to run wild in his mind, he saw the door to one of the practice rooms opened as a familiar figure walked out of it. Immediately smile returned to Yunoki’s face as he greeted. “Tsukimori, how was the practice?”

 

Yunoki noticed that adding to Tsukimori’s already cold and aloof countenance, the unpleasantness strengthened when Tsukimori saw his face. “…Yunoki senpai.”

 

“Knowing your skills, today was just a bad day for you,” Pretending he did not notice the unfriendly expressions on Tsukimori’s face, Yunoki said. “It was rare though for you to involve emotions into your performance.”

 

Tsukimori did not respond immediately. Looking away, Tsukimori replied coldly. “I am just an amateur violinist. I still have a lot more to learn.”

 

“You are too humble, Tsukimori.” Giving Tsukimori a warm smile, Yunoki said. “Well, the break time is almost over, I guess we better return to the concert hall.”

 

“Yunoki senpai,” As Yunoki turned to walk away, Tsukimori suddenly stopped him. “I believe you are engaged to Urahara Miyako-san, right?”

 

A little surprised with Tsukimori’s question, Yunoki stopped walking. “Yes, I am.” Pausing, with a smile Yunoki nodded in realisation. “That’s right, you were still in Vienna when I had the engagement party.”

 

However it still does not explain the odd and random question that came from Tsukimori. Most of all, Yunoki pondered when he saw the look in Tsukimori’s eyes with his answer. There was, disturbance, annoyance, and…anger.

 

Anger? Yunoki frowned with the thought. Turning to face Tsukimori straight on, Yunoki asked. “What’s the matter, Tsukimori? I am surprised that you would enquire about my engagement…”

 

Tsukimori did not answer Yunoki’s question. Instead, Yunoki could tell from Tsukimori’s facial expressions that he had something to say but he was unsure whether it was appropriate. Unfortunately for a clever and observant man like Yunoki, he did not need Tsukimori to speak a thing for he already knew what Tsukimori’s concern was in relation to.

 

“In that case…” As expected, after Tsukimori had finally collected what he had to say, in a cold and interrogating tone, Tsukimori asked. “What is to you?”

 

Resting his hand against his chin, Yunoki smiled to himself. Humph… So, this was the reason why Tsukimori was performing badly today…

 

Calmly and unstirred Yunoki gave Tsukimori a beautiful smile. “-san? I cannot say that I understand the meaning of your question, Tsukimori.”

 

Upon Yunoki’s answer, the frown on Tsukimori’s face deepened. Looking straight back at Yunoki in challenge, Tsukimori stated coldly. “I think you do, Yunoki senpai.”

 

“You have changed a lot, Tsukimori.” As if he did not notice Tsukimori’s confrontation, Yunoki gave a sigh instead. “It’s not like you to mind other people’s business. But I guess,” Stopping, Yunoki added. “You always become emotional and irrational when it concerns -san.”

 

Tsukimori’s eyes widened in surprise upon Yunoki’s statement.

 

“And if you must know,” Unmoved, Yunoki gave Tsukimori the same calm and professional smile. “-san is a very important junior to me, just like you, Tsukimori. Although we are no longer in the same school, but if you ever need any help, do not hesitate to come to me.”

 

Leaving Tsukimori that superficial, surfaced answer, Yunoki turned and walked out of there. Knowing he was finally alone, that fake, pretentious smile disappeared from Yunoki’s face as he thought to himself.

 

No, it is not time yet, I must be patient. As long as that old woman is still in power, I must make sure nothing is revealed. But when the time comes, on that day…

 

Slowly lifting his head, Yunoki’s perfectly shaped lips lifted as the smile returned to his face.

 

I will strike.