Thanks for the reviews! Sorry I couldn't update sooner, I was too addicted in watching SHINee's Hello Baby reality show. Can't take my eyes off. But here I am, anyway. While youtube is loading slowly...got no school for the next two days since our school got caught in a fire...well almost...the windows shattered from the heat. :( But anyway, I figured I have to update.
Thank you:
Renna Tanaka, WatashiNoTenshi07, RaeCapello
and to the rest who may review in the near future...
Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda D'oro
Chapter 10
"You will always own my heart ~ Kahoko"
"Calm." Kahoko breathed deeply. She closed her eyes and heard the rapid beating of her heart. When she opened her eyes to look at her reflection, she could see her flushed face.
"Stop that." Harumi said, standing up after doing Kahoko's toenails. "You're going to sweat off your new face!"
Kahoko bit her lower lip and tried to sit still as her sister moved to fix her hair, her eyes wandered from the mirror in front of her. She remembered that they came early to the hotel where her debut will be held later on, they had a room for her to fix herself up. Harumi had excitedly ushered her into the bathroom so she could get started.
As soon as Harumi began to twist her hair in different directions, her mind was free to think. All she could think about are the two boys who dominate her heart, and thinking of them made her fidget. She has decided. After much thought, she knew that only he, could be in her heart, the one she can't bare losing.
Soon there was a knock on the bathroom door followed by Kai's voice, "Are you two done yet?"
"No!" Harumi shouted, "I'm still thinking of what to do with her hair!" she sighed, combing Kahoko's hair once more.
Kai chuckled from outside, hearing the frustration in Harumi's voice. "Come on, let me see her." This is his field of expertise after all.
Harumi opened the door and sighed again. "Don't tell me your fiancee lets you do her hair every morning."
Kai laughed as he entered the bathroom, but he doesn't bother to answer Harumi. He saw their sister sitting on a chair, the mirror reflected her face which was already with make-up. He saw her expression, he smiled, knowing she's deep in thought. "I think you better let her wear the gown first." he said, brushing Kahoko's hair with his fingertips.
"Alright, I was thinking of the exact same thing." Harumi agreed, "Now, get out."
"Can't I stay?" he grinned at Harumi from the mirror. Harumi's eyes widen in disbelief. She was about to say something when Kai laughed again. He shook his head as he laughed, leaving the bathroom. Harumi slammed the door shut behind him.
She sighed seeing her sister spaced out. She got the gown from the hanger behind the bathroom door and walked to Kahoko, "Kaho," she said softly.
Kahoko flinched. "Oh, sorry." she said, when she saw her sister holding the gown, she stood up and started taking her clothes off automatically. As Harumi helped her to the gown, Kahoko tried to focus on the party instead of her choice at hand...
"Hey Kaho," Harumi said softly. Kahoko placed her full attention to her older sister, knowing what that tone meant. Harumi didn't say anything until Kahoko already wore the gown and she had already fixed the necessary adjustments to it. "I know I should let you be, but I really want to know..." Harumi trailed off. She knew Kahoko understood what she meant.
"It's Aoi. It will always be him even if I lose myself, take on the awful detour I just took...it's always going to be Aoi." Kahoko said surely, she looked at the mirror and saw her sister's troubled expression. "Why? What's wrong?" Kahoko asked worriedly, "Will he be the wrong choice?"
"No!" Harumi immediately defended, "No, it's not like that. It's just, I have something important to tell you, it's about—"
"Wow! You look stunning Kahoko! Every eyes at that party will be on you!" Kai suddenly entered the bathroom, cutting off whatever Harumi was about to say. Harumi looked at Kai and he shook his head slightly.
Luckily, Kahoko was distracted by her brother's flattery. She blushed again. "That's too much onii-san." Kahoko said.
Kai chuckled, "My turn." he pushed the sleeves of his white polo shirt to his elbows and pushed back his dark red bangs. "Go, shoo." he said to Harumi, gently pushing her outside, but he left the door open.
"You should've just let me tell her."
Kai looked at Harumi with a weird expression, like she was talking in some unknown language. Harumi kept her eyes straight, watching their little sister as their mother fussed around her. Kai and Harumi stood at one side of the room.
"Why? It won't make any difference, you should just have it announced formally." Kai said, he copied Harumi, looking at their sister too.
"But it's still different if I tell her privately. And this will affect her too."
"Like I said, what's the difference if you tell her formally?"
"I...I don't know...but I just feel that if I were on her shoes, and seeing the boy I rejected everyday because of a particular circumstance with my older sister, it's like I'd feel the past haunting me. He'd see me happy, but deep inside I know that I've hurt him by not choosing him. And I would want to be told beforehand, before the whole world knows about the situation of my older sister."
"Harumi..." Kai sighed, "We're not that weak. I admit, females are stronger than us, but we're not that weak as to mope around all the time just because we got rejected. We know how to move on."
"It's not just males I'm talking about, it's Kaho...It's just that..."
"Well, it's going to be your choice, but I'm telling you, don't tell her, don't ruin her day."
"I thought you just said it won't make any difference?" Harumi frowned at Kai.
Kai shrugged beside her. "Kaho's unpredictable."
"I have to tell her, it's going to be like lying to Kahoko if I don't. You know about it, Mother knows about it..."
"It's going to be your choice."
"Kai-chan!" their mother called, beside Kahoko.
"Mother, please, I'm no longer in preschool. I already have a fiancée." Kai said, he looked at Harumi one last time before he sighed and walked towards their mother.
"You did well on Kaho-chan's hair!" Their mother said, looking at Kahoko. Kahoko's hair was intricated and placed around her head, crown-like. "Well, that's done, can you look at the venue with me? We just need the finishing touches, the guests will be coming in a few minutes already."
"Yes, you better go there first, the waiters might be slacking off already," Kai suggested. Their mother nodded in agreement and then left the room.
"Thank you very much Kai-nii-san. I'm glad you and Harumi-onee-san could make it here." Kahoko smiled. Kai looked at Kahoko and smiled a small smile.
"Well, you're growing up. And who knows, you'll suddenly have your own fiance in no time." Kai teased. Kahoko blushed at that. When Kai nudged Kahoko, he glanced at Harumi, her eyes accusing. He shrugged without Kahoko's noticing. "Anyway, I have to get going." Kai said, "Good luck."
Kahoko cocked her head to the side, then she looked at her sister, "Good luck? Am I suppose to know what he meant about that?"
Harumi stared at her hands and said, "That was for me, I guess. And I'm needing all the luck, if I need them."
"There's been something you've been wanting to tell me right?" Kahoko said, she gathered her long gown and lifted them a bit to walk towards her sister who stood beside the window which covered a whole wall.
"You see Kaho, I...wait, first of all, I want to tell you that everything was just a coincidence and it just fell the way it is. It's like fate playing around with us and I—"
"Onee-san," Kahoko said, stopping Harumi, "I don't understand." her brows furrowed.
"I'm getting engaged." Harumi said.
Kahoko blinked a few times then she smiled, "Really! That's great! Wow! Another addition to my sibling-in-laws!"
Harumi watched her sister's excited reaction. Then she spoke, "You're choosing Aoi-kun right?" Kahoko looked at her sister and nodded. "Then, what will happen to Kazuki?"
Kahoko hesitated. Why is her sister asking her that all of a sudden? "I...I don't know...but!" Kahoko looked away, "I want to be good friends with him...I don't want our friendship to go to waste..."
"You'll be seeing him more often," Harumi mumbled.
"Eh?" Kahoko was confused, what is her sister talking about? And what is the connection of her engagement with Kazuki? And then, she'll be seeing Kazuki more often now? What is that suppose to mean? And then it suddenly dawned on her, her eyes widen, "You're getting engaged with..."
"Will you guys stop fussing already?"
Aoi sighed frustratedly, he chose the right clothes to wear by himself, he knew which right attire to wear since he's been to formal parties because of his father's work. Beside him were his two equally dressed friends.
"Don't break her heart." Etou grinned beside Aoi.
"Like I have any plans to." Aoi said, rolling his eyes as he face Etou.
"I wonder who she chose in her 18 roses. Especially that last special dance." Etou taunted.
"I'm sure she chose her friends and the last dance might be..." Aoi trailed off.
"You can't say it's for her father." Kazuki grinned.
Aoi sighed again as he turned to look at both of them, "Stop this. I'm not expecting anything okay? I just want to see her happy."
"Be the one to make her happy, you mean." Kazuki said, folding his arms in front of his chest.
"Haaai." Aoi said in a bored-child's tone.
"Man, good luck." Kazuki said, putting a hand on Aoi's shoulder.
Aoi looked at Kazuki and smiled. Etou smiled for a while and sensed that the two had to talk privately, so he left the room.
"Hey, thanks." Aoi said.
Kazuki shrugged. "It's no big deal. I have bigger news to tell you." Kazuki said, looking at the floor.
"Is something wrong?" Aoi asked, sensing that something is wrong. "And bigger news?"
"You're never going to hear the end of it. I just knew about the news a while ago, so..."
"What's up?"
"Well you see, the thing is..."
"Snap out of it Kahoko."
Kahoko flinched as her brother snapped his fingers in front of her face and she realized she was dazed in the middle of the room where people were beginning to enter.
"Sorry," Kahoko mumbled.
"Some of our relatives greeted you already and you weren't responding quite right. Good thing they just brushed it off as you being nervous." Kai said, shaking his head, "This is the day you're suppose to be worry free." Kahoko looked down at her feet, unable to respond. "Let me guess," Kai continued, "Harumi broke the news to you."
Kahoko looked at her brother in surprise, "You knew about it?"
Kai shrugged, "I knew about it even before anyone mentioned that Kazuki is your boyfriend. Ex, in that matter. and I couldn't just tell you for the same reason Harumi couldn't tell you. You were too broken down, too wounded... This is Harumi's choice, you have yours. She respected yours, so I hope you'd respect hers. I know this isn't the time for me to lecture you or anything, but I just want you to know...don't let Harumi down as her sister."
"But...what I'm about...the choice I'm about to make will be huge. In both choices..."
"Kahoko." Kai said firmly, "You've chosen Aoi. Don't waver from that. Don't ever put into your mind that you don't deserve him. Don't be the noble princess in the story. Because it's not going to be worth it."
"Respect her choice..." Kahoko said softly.
Kai's expression softened. "Look, everything will be okay. Don't worry about the future. Just trust what your heart wants." Kahoko looked at her brother and nodded. Kai smiled and kissed her forehead, "Happy 18th birthday little sis." then he walked away.
Kahoko watched his brother go and saw him stopped by the door as guests arrived. "How is it so far?" Kahoko turned around and saw her mother's glowing expression.
Kahoko smiled and hugged her mother. "Thank you! Thank you for having the time to do this for me."
Her mother laughed gently, hugging her daughter carefully, not wanting to ruin the gown, "Careful honey. Well, what can I do? My youngest daughter is finally a legal adult. Your father would be so proud of you."
"You think?" Kahoko asked with doubt.
Mother frowned for a while but smiled again, she held both Kahoko's arms. "Kaho, don't think for a moment I have no idea what you're going through. It's just, your siblings commented enough, so I didn't say anything anymore. But I just want you to know that I'm proud of you for holding on for this long."
Kahoko smiled back, somehow feeling reassured that with whatever choice she was about to make, she won't be letting her mother down. "Thank you."
"Now," Mother said, turning Kahoko around to get a full view of the party, "Go and enjoy yourself before the dance comes."
Kahoko kept glancing at the door as the others greeted her, even when her friends chatted with her. She just could keep still. Kazuki and Aoi haven't arrived yet. The two people who's going to change her life a lot.
And when it was time for the dance, Kahoko looked around. Searching hard into the crowd. "They're not here yet." Harumi whispered beside Kahoko as the others took their place on the dance floor.
When the music changed to cue Kahoko into the dance floor, she looked worriedly at her sister. "Maybe, Kai-onii-san should just be the one..."
"Just go," Harumi smiled, gently pushing Kahoko, "He'll be waiting."
Kahoko stumbled into the dance floor where everyone had cleared the way for her, she was about to regain her balance when the lights suddenly turned out. And she fell into a pair of familiar arms. "And the princess falls into the prince's arms." came a cheerful voice.
Tears suddenly felt hot in her eyes, she encircled her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Just like this, she couldn't have a single doubt in her mind. "You're late." Kahoko half-whispered.
A chuckle came.
Suddenly a spotlight was set on them. Kahoko knew that this was part of her brother's idea and she wanted to go scold him, but then, being right here, in his arms...everything felt right.
"What took you so long?" Kahoko murmured, staring into his emerald eyes.
Aoi chuckled, "Kazuki and Etou insisted I make a grand entrance. Does this mean, you're choosing me? Because you don't seem to want to let go." he chuckled again, feeling Kahoko tighten her hold around his neck.
Kahoko blushed a bit, "I..."
"It's alright," Aoi murmured. "I understand, there's no need to explain anything. I was just waiting for you." Slowly, he moved to the beat of the music playing. Kahoko remained speechless. "Nice song." he chuckled.
For the first time Kahoko realized the song playing. First Dance. it wasn't fit for a debut like this, her brother was probably trying to tease her. "Kai's work." Aoi said, confirming Kahoko's thoughts.
Only if you give, give the first dance to me
Girl I promise I'll be gentle
I know we gotta do it slowly
If you give, give the first dance to me
I'm gonna' cherish every moment
'Cuz it only happens once, once in a lifetime
"I'm glad I was born in this lifetime." Aoi joked, circling Kahoko.
I couldn't ask for more
We're rocking back and forth
Under the disco ball
We're the only ones on the floor
Kahoko blushed a deeper red as Aoi gently turned her around. She looked up into his eyes, and then she knew that he really understood. He really forgave her for everything. For hurting him. "I love you." she finally murmured.
"I know." Aoi said softly.
"And cut," a hand went in between Kahoko and Aoi, effectively pushing them apart. "That's the only romantic time you get since you got here late." Kai said, grinning at Aoi, "Now excuse me," he said, playfully shoving Aoi away, "I want to at least dance with my sister." Kai wheeled Kahoko a little further from Aoi who just chuckled and went into the sea of crowd.
"Hey," Kahoko pouted, but she saw her brother's soft and happy expression that she smiled at him, "Thank you again," she murmured.
"And now I guess you're sure of everything?" Kai asked, he gestured his chin towards the other end of the room. There, Kahoko saw her older sister talking to someone intimately, but that person was hidden by another guest.
"Yes, I guess I can live. Time heals all wounds...right?"
"Right, and Kazuki is a man, he'll learn to move forward."
"Of course."
Kahoko looked at the person who just spoke and her amber eyes met golden ones.
Kai effortlessly moved Kahoko straight into Kazuki's arms. They swayed gently with the music. "Hey," Kazuki murmured to her, "Harumi told me that you already know." Kahoko nodded, unable to look at him in the eyes. "I just want you to know that even though things are going to get awkward, everything will be fine. You don't have to feel responsible for anything."
"I'm really sorry Kazuki..."
"Sorry for what? You can't be seriously sorry for loving me. You shouldn't. Your love is what changed me, I've become stronger now. No longer relying on others all of the time. Thanks to you Kahoko, I've become a better person."
"Kazuki..." she smiled, finally looking at him, "Thank you too."
"Just remember, that from now on, I'll always be here for you, I'll always be supporting you and Aoi."
"Kahoko," came Harumi's gentle voice. Kahoko closed her eyes for a while, before looking at her sister. She gestured to the person standing beside her, "This is Haruki Hihara, my fiancé. He's Kazuki's older brother."
A/N: Review please!
Whoa, the story has finally reached its last. Please look out for its sequel Because I can't Let Go