Setting: the story is set ten years after Hino Kahoko graduated from Seiso Academy.

CHAPTER 1

"Kahoko, isn't this the famous violinist who was your schoolmate in Seiso? He's coming back to Japan"

Hino Kahoko was having her breakfast that morning when her mom who was reading a newspaper saw the article about Kahoko's former schoolmate Tsukimori Len. Her mom showed her the article with a picture of Tsukimori who was holding a violin.

" 'World-renowned Japanese violinist, Tsukimori Len will be coming back to Japan tomorrow after his three-week tour in Europe. The famous violinist, who was a graduate of Seiso Academy, was the second Japanese who won the prestigious Paganini International Violin Competition in Italy eight years ago at the age of twenty. He came from a family of famous musicians, his father a well-known and respected violinist like Tsukimori himself and his mother the famous pianist, Hamai Misa. Whether Tsukimori's stay in Japan will be for good or not has not yet been confirmed though it has been confirmed that he will be having a concert here in Japan…' "

Kahoko's mother finished reading the article aloud. Kahoko, who has stopped eating her pancakes, was now lost in her own thoughts after her mother finished reading the article. So Tsukimori-kun is coming back to Japan. Tomorrow. She thought to herself.

It has been ten years since the last time she saw Tsukimori. It was the day of their graduation at Seiso Academy and it was also the last time she spoke with him. She congratulated him as a fellow graduate and he congratulated her back. That moment she was happy but she was also sad because she knew that Tsukimori will be leaving the next day for America. He decided to continue his studies abroad. He enrolled in the prestigious music school The Juilliard School in New York City. The only time Kahoko knew Tsukimori came back to Japan was four years ago. He only stayed in Japan for a couple of days to perform in a concert with his parents and then after that, he left again. She was not able to see and watch the concert because that time she was in Singapore performing with the Singapore Symphony. When she got back to Japan, Tsukimori has already left the country.

During these ten years, Kahoko, her friends, and schoolmates from Seiso Academy had led different lives. Most of them are still in touch with each other but some of them have already lost contact. It is safe to say that at least all of them are living a good life.

Tsukimori became a very famous violinist in the world. He entered and won the Paganini Competition when he was twenty years old. He has given many performances as soloist with internationally acclaimed orchestras. He is always on tour around the world and sometimes, he would be performing with his parents in a concert.

She, on the other hand, was quite successful herself. Modesty aside, she was a well-known violinist not only in Japan but also in many parts of Asia. After she graduated in Seiso Academy, she enrolled in Seiso College as a music student majoring in violin. It was not easy for her to keep up with her fellow violin students at first but she worked hard to make her performance better and her love for violin helped a lot to achieve it. Her performance was eventually recognized by one of her music professors. Her professor encouraged her to join the orchestra which she did. She then started playing as a soloist. She had a successful debut recital-tour in Japan that launched and expanded her activities in Asia, enabling her to perform with renowned Asian orchestras. She was awarded 'musician of the year' when she was 25. She was also featured several times in music magazines and one even called her as 'Asia's heart and soul' because people who listen to her playing can feel that her music coveys her emotions and love for music. At 26, she then decided to stay in Japan and became a violin teacher. She has her own violin tutorial center and gives violin lessons to kids which she enjoys very much. She chose to stay in Japan so she can be with her family and friends and gave up the opportunity to be known and recognized around the world, though she was still often invited to perform and play the violin in concerts.

As for her other Seiso alumni, Kahoko is still in touch with most of them. She just saw Shoko Fuyumi a couple of days ago at the grocery store. Fuyumi is already married with Keichi Shimizu. They got married last year and now they are both playing in the same orchestra. Fuyumi is also a music teacher in Seiso Academy while Shimizu manages his own music store where he sells all kinds of music instruments and books about music. Shimizu, after he graduated from Seiso Academy, went to Europe for two years to study more about music. He then came back to Japan and transferred to Seiso College. He and Fuyumi met again there and they started dating since then.

Kahoko still sees Hihara Kazuki from time to time. Hihara also plays in one of the major orchestras in Japan, the same orchestra as Shimizu and Fuyumi. After Seiso Academy, Hihara also enrolled in Seiso College. He and Kahoko always saw each other there, although Hihara was one year ahead of her. Kahoko remembered back in college when Hihara confessed his love for her. She was speechless that time and didn't know how to respond. She cannot imagine Hihara to be more than a friend. She always sees him more of a brother and a friend. Hihara gave her time to think about his confession of love. After several days, Kahoko told Hihara that she could only be his friend and she treasures their friendship very much. Hihara was distressed for many days after that. He avoided her for several days but when he finally got over his broken heart, they became friends again like before. Now, Hihara has a girlfriend. He's dating for over two years now the sister of Azuma Yunoki, Miyabi. Miyabi helps managing one of their family's businesses.

Azuma Yunoki, as far as Kahoko knows, manages their family's businesses along with his brothers and sister. After Seiso Academy, he went to America to get his MBA. He stopped his music and instead, he focused on managing their business. He is a known and respected businessman. Kahoko seldom sees him. He was always out of town, and most of the time, out the country. The last time Kahoko saw him was last year, at Miyabi's birthday party. She was invited at Miyabi's party and Yunoki was also there. They talked for several minutes but other girls demanded his attention. Yunoki was always featured in business magazines.

Ryotaro Tsuichura is now a professional soccer player. People who are sports fan and soccer fanatics know him. After they graduated from Seiso, he was recruited to play soccer for the national team. At first, he was reluctant to accept the offer because he still wanted to continue his music. But after weeks of considering, he accepted it. He didn't go to Seiso College but to another university where he was recruited. He still plays piano on his free time. Kahoko accompanied him when he went to buy himself a grand piano several years ago. When Kahoko had her first concert as a soloist, Tsuichura was her piano accompaniment. He was also a guest pianist and he played solo. They still see each other from time to time when he does not have a game or when he's not busy training. Sometimes they would even go out together for lunch. Kahoko haven't seen Tsuichura for almost a month now because he was away for the Asian Cup tournament.

Kahoko still sees Shinobi Ousaki sometimes. After Ousaki won the violin competition in Vienna ten years ago, he played in one of the most prestigious orchestras in Europe. But after six years, he came back to Japan and became a music teacher in Seiso Academy. He is still invited to play the violin in concerts often. Now he is already married for two years with his fellow Seiso alumni, Mari Tsuzuki who is also affiliated with music. Mari is a conductor in the orchestra. She and Ousaki have a one-year old son, Kobi Ousaki.

Hiroto Kanazawa still works in Seiso Academy. He is now the head of the music department. Kahoko just saw him last week at the park chilling out with his cat.

And as for Kahoko's high school friends, Mio Takato is already married for almost two years now. She is pregnant with their first child. While Nao Kobayashi works in the bank. Her other friend from Seiso, Amou, is a photojournalist who works in a newspaper company. She and her friends still meet and hang out often when they are not busy.

Ten years have already passed since Kahoko graduated from Seiso Academy but her memories there are still vivid, from the time she first met Lili the music fairy, to her unexpected participation in the concours, until it was time for her to leave Seiso. Kahoko and Lili are still in touch with each other. Everytime Kahoko goes to Seiso, she would see Lili and they would talk. Kahoko misses her high school life. Even though she enjoyed her years in college, her high school was still the special one. It was there where she found her love for music and violin. It was also there where she met wonderful people with exceptional qualities.

Kahoko looked at the time on the wall clock. It's 7:30am. She would be meeting Nao and Amou at lunch later. They probably know of Tsukimori's return tomorrow, especially Nami Amou who was always updated with news like that.

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"So, Tsukimori-kun would be coming back here tomorrow? You must be happy Kaho-chan." Said Amou with a teasing smile on her face.

Kahoko, Amou, and Nao are having lunch together that noon in their favorite restaurant. Mio cannot meet with them as her due date is already near. Her husband, who owns a travel agency, is always with Mio to take care of her.

"What? Why would I be happy?" Kahoko feigned like she didn't know what Amou was trying to imply.

"Aw c'mon, Kaho-chan, we know that you and Tsukimori-kun has something special" Nao emphasized the word 'special', obviously implying something.

"what special are you talking about? I consider Tsukimori-kun to be my friend so it's normal for me to feel happy that he's coming back." She said defensively.

"now you admitted that you are happy he's coming back" Nao smiled widely.

"Yes, because he's my friend." Kahoko insisted, blushing now.

"I'm sure he would be happy to see you again, Kaho-chan. It would be a big news here in Japan. 'World-Famous Violinist Tsukimori Len and Asia's Heart and Soul Hino Kahoko: A Couple!' imagine that! People would love it and the legend of violin romance had finally come true." Said Amou enthusiastically.

"A couple? Amou-chan, that's silly. I'm not even sure if Tsukimori-kun considers me his friend let alone his girlfriend. He might not even remember me at all, it's been so long." Kahoko didn't want to expect something from Tsukimori's return. She's not even sure if they will meet each other after he comes back.

"Oh trust me, Kaho, he would surely remember you. You're, like, the only girl in Seiso who was able to get close to him. Some even noticed the change in his music after he met you." Amou said with confidence.

"Yeah, he was so aloof back then and he seldom talked to anyone unless it was necessary. But to you, he is, somehow, softer." Added Nao.

"I still don't think so. He was still kind of... well, a little cold to me back then."

"But it still doesn't change the fact that he was different when it comes to you." Said Nao.

Kahoko still could not agree with what her friends are saying. It just sounds so impossible that she was somehow different, if not special, to Tsukimori.

"or maybe, Kaho-chan, you don't want to get involve with Tsukimori-kun because there's someone else you like, huh?" Amou said suspiciously.

"yeah, maybe you already have a secret boyfriend that you're not telling us, Kaho-chan?" Nao also started to look at her closely.

"Huh? What? No! There's no one! No secret boyfriend" That just sounded so ridiculous to Kahoko but still she cannot stop herself from blushing.

"That's kind of hard to believe, you know. There are just so many guys around you. What about Tsuichura-kun or Kaji-kun? You're close with them." Amou could be really nosy sometimes.

"They're my friends" Kahoko cannot stop blushing. She hates it when she blushes so easily. Her face could be so red that almost matches her red hair. She almost looked like an apple.

"You kept saying they're your friends. Stop being so showbiz, Kaho-chan." Nao and Amou both laughed.

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so, that's the end of the first chapter. I'll upload the second chapter as soon as I finish it. please let me know if you like it and if you don't, then don't tell me. haha this is my first fan fic here so spare me. lol. Sorry if my english or grammar may be confusing or hard to understand, I'm doing my best here ^.^

xoxox

E.E.