Seasons Of Chances And Love #1: Classic Love in Spring

8/10/2019 Seasons Of Chances And Love #1: Classic Love in Spring

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TITLE:Classic Love In Spring

FANDOM:Prince of Tennis

STATUS: FINISHED!!GENRE:Romance, Drama, Teen Fiction, Fan Fiction

LANGUAGE:English

PAIRING:Tezuka Kunimitsu/Hondou Kazumi (OC)DESCRIPTION:First story in the "Seasons of Chances and Love" series

SUMMARY:"I need to make sure you're okay that you're not going anywhere. That you're

not going to leave me again. I don't want to lose you again like that. I'll stay with you like this ifthat would ease your fear of losing me in any way at all. You're not going to lose me if you will

promise me that I won't lose you again..."

CHAPTERS:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2 Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8 (final chapter)

Disclaimer: I do not own Prince of Tennis and its characters. I only own the OC of this

story.

-x-x-

CHAPTER 1

"Welcome back to Japan, Kazumi-sama," a portly middle-aged woman greeted me with a smile

as she opened the door of that houseor should I say a house turned into a memorial hall after

my grandfather died eight years agoafter I did a few knocking. I only smiled a little wide whenI heard her gladness to see my finally returning to my hometown. Oh well. At least someone was

glad to see me.

That's right. I went away from my hometown for two years. Those two years, however, onlyintensified the feeling of loss that I had when the person important to me disappeared from my

life completely. I didn't run away. But still, it didn't change the fact that I hurt him when I

decided to leave. I was hurt, too. But then I guess he would never know that at all.

Love comes, love goes,

But a sudden f eel ing never lets me be

"Are you going to stay here in Japan permanently, Kazumi-sama?"


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"Maybe. I can't really tell since being a pianist is already my profession even though I just

graduated from middle school. But I'll study here until I graduated high school. Dad want me tofinish schooling here in my hometown, after all," I answered before looking around the house. I

smiled when I realized that there haven't been any changes done in that house.

Somehow, I know,

Qui te a part of me isn' t changed since you' ve been gone

Though I have to admit, that realization alone made me remember a lot of memories with him init. After all, that house held moments that I knew I would forever treasure here in my heart.

Weird, right? But for me, it wasn't weird at all. This house held too much memories that only I

could probably remember now.

"Would it be okay if I roam around the house for a bit before I go home?"

The woman nodded and proceeded to go somewhere. And just like what I said, I roamed thehouse. But I didn't have any plans of roaming the entire house. There was only one place I would

like to goa place where I could probably convey my message to him even though I knew he

wouldn't hear me at all.

L ike a sturdy tree that' s seen a thousand seasons

I ' ve to she'd my leaves in win ter

And grow them back in spri ng

I went up to the second floor of the house. My feet seemed to have a mind on its own as it led me

to a certain room familiar to me.

My grandfather's piano room.

My grandfather Hondou Renji was a renowned pianist during his time. Eight years ago, he diedof lung cancer. Because of his fame and his contributions to the music industry, his house was

turned into a memorial hall. Even though I was really young when he died, I knew and I could

feel that he loved me so much. My talent as a pianist was already a proof of that.

When I reached the piano room, I just stopped in front of it. I didn't move an inch. I couldn't tell

why. I just wanted to see the piano room but why couldn't my body let me do so? As I closed my

eyes and leaned my forehead on the piano room's closed door, a memory started rushing in mymind.

A memory that started all my dreams when I was in elementary

To welcome li fe again

To welcome you

-x-x-


3/87

"Mama, what was Ojii-chan like when he was still alive? Of course, besides that fact that he's a

really good pianist," I asked while going to the piano room that my granfather used to stay and

play his favorite classical songs.

But before my mother could answer, I saw a boy standing outside the piano room while lookingat the grand piano inside. I could tell that since he was facing straight / heads on, not sidewards.The pianofrom what I could tell from his positionwas just on the line of his sight. That piano

room was already open for the guests but this boy wasn't even moving from his spot. Was he

scared?

Then I faced my mother. "Mama, can I talk to him for a while? I think he's scared to enter the

piano room," I said as I pointed at the brown-haired boy.

"I think you should. I don't want the others to believe that a ghost exists in that room," my

mother whispered and I smiled before making towards the boy.

I didn't know why but I really have this urge inside of my to approach that boy. His hair and his

stature made me feel like I was being pulled to him. All those weird feeling because of a boy

Take note, I haven't even seen his face yet.

And yet

I was already standing behind the boy without me knowing it. Did I walk towards himunconsciously? No, that wasn't the reason. I knew it. But how come I couldn't even remember

how long I walked towards him? Weird me.

"Umm Do you want to enter the piano room?" I asked since I needed to break the slightly eeriesilence surrounding that place.

The boy seemed to have been startled when I did that so he turned around and faced me. My eyesslightly widened at the sight of that beautiful dark brown eyes of the boy now looking at me.

Wow! I thought his hair was the only thing beautiful about him. Turned out I was wrong.

"I can't enter," the boy said that broke my trance (thankfully) before I could even act weirder

than what I was doing now. Wait, was being in a trance because of a cute appearance of a boy

considered weird?

Can't enter? What was that supposed to mean? But I never realized that I uttered those words

before I knew it.

"I can't enter because I want to play the piano but I need to ask permission to someone first,"he replied with a slight blush on his face while he averted his gaze from me.

He looked cute with that expression that I couldn't help but to giggle. This was the first time Isaw a blushing boy.


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"You know, I could let you play the piano but you're not going to use the grand piano in the

middle of that room," I suggested with a smile. "We'll use the uprright piano west of the room.

By the way, what's your name?"

"Tezuka Kunimitsu," he answered.

I laid my hand in front of him as I said, "I'm Hondou Kazumi. You can call me Kazumi or Kazu-

chan. But never call me in my family name. I hate it when they always connect me to my dead

grandfather whom I can't even remember the face. I was only little when he died. Okay?"

Though I saw him quite surprised, I also saw that Tezuka managed to recover from that soon

enough. "I guess I'll go with Kazu-chan," he said as we shook hands. His hand was soft and has

warmth that I haven't felt before. It was weird but I liked it.

After that, we headed inside the piano room and played some classical music using the upright

piano I mentioned earlier. That piano was my grandfather's gift to me when I was three yearsoldhoping that one day I could play it in front of him. It only happened once, though. But my

grandfather was really happy to see me play it. And now, I could see Tezuka Kunimitsu happy as

we both played it.

But never did I realize that this simple meeting would eventually become a reason to change

something about my life. And I knew he was going to be a part of it.

After that, I learned that he liked playing tennis. There was a tennis court near the memorial hall

where he would always practice. Everytime I saw him play there, I would play musical pieces

from either Mozart or Chopin. Those music started our friendship, after all. But then time had

passed when I realized why I loved playing the piano whenever I see him playing tennis.

Weeks Months A few years I have been looking at TezukaI call him Kuu as an

endearment the same was he called me Kazu-chanmore than usual. We studied at the sameschool and at the same classroom. Academically, we looked like competing but both of us knew

we were not. Only those other students thought we were. But that wasn't the issue here. My heart

would flutter and beat crazily fast like ten horses chased me every time I looked at him. I felt likeI couldn't breath.

I thought it would go on foreverthat I won't be able to realize what was going on with me

whenever he was beside me and whenever I see him do the things he loved happily. Okay Hemight not be showing that he was happy but I knew that he was happy. I could feel it.

And one December, I finally figured out the answer. I was in love with him. We were both at our

sixth grade that time. I knew we were still young that time but I knew it in my heartand I knewmy heart better than anything. And I could feel that I would never be able to encounter

something like this for twice in my life. Only Kuu could make me feel like this.


5/87

But then a year after that, I needed to freeze everything I feel about him for me to fulfill my dying

father's dream for me. We were both attending Seigaku at that time, both of us in our first year

but in different classrooms so no one actually knew we were close friends.

"Kazu-chan, you don't mean that, do you?" Tezuka asked me one September night. His voice has

tinge of disbelief and painthings I didn't even want to hear from him.

He was hurt, I knew it. But what could I possibly do? I couldn't just disappoint my father. Forget

the fact that he was dying and all I could do for him was to fulfill his dream for me before he

died. But for me to do that, I needed to leave those people important to me. It was the only wayno matter how much it would hurt me in the process.

"I mean it, Kuu. I have to leave this place first thing tomorrow morning. And I thought I should

let you know about it first before I leave," I said without even looking at him. I couldn't do it,especially now I knew he was hurt.

"What about your promise to me? You promised me, didn't you? That you would never leave meand you would stay by my side. You're just going to forget about it?"

"NO! I don't have that intention, okay? There's no way I could forget about it. But Kuu, please

try to understand. I don't have any choice. I need to do this. I'm" But then he cut me off.

"Don't! Don't you dare say you're sorry!" he suddenly blurted out that surprised me. Then all of

a sudden, the atmosphere around us became tensed. I could feel that he was somehow emitting adangerous aura with hints of frustration and pain. I couldn't help but to feel scared. This was the

first time I saw him like this.

I was about to approach him when he spoke coldlycold enough to create an imaginary iciclethat stabbed my heart. Yes, the pain I felt in my heart when he spoke coldly was exactly like that.

"If you want to leave then I won't stop you. But when you do, don't expect me to wait for you. So

it wouldn't be hard for both of us, try to forget everything about me. That way, you won't have ahard time moving on. I'll do the same thing. It would be easier that way" Tezuka said coldly.

But then as he said it, it was slowly turning from cold as ice to just a pained whisper, especially

the last sentence. Without a word, he turned around and left me there in a hurry.

I couldn't move. His words froze me on that spot. I was standing there for nearly thirty minutes

before I realized that my tears fell hard. I was hurt to the core of my being. Why? Why did

everything between us has to turn to this? I never meant to let it end that way. I just didn't wantto disappoint my father because I loved him.

But then I guess I succeeded in a wayeven if it means I terribly disappointed the one person

who captured my heart for the first time and yet in the end, tore it apart to pieces in a singleinstant

-x-x-


6/87

So goes, my l i fe

Still beli eve in dreams of having you around

My tears incessantly fell even after remembering that. Until now, it still hurt me knowing I

disappointed Kuu. That past remained inside of me for the past two years. No one knew that.

And no one has to know.

When I looked around, that was when I realized where I was. I couldn't believe I entered my

grandfather's piano room without me knowing it. I was probably too engorssed in remembering

the memory that I didn't know what I was doing.

Too bad, memor ies feed the mind and not the heart

Where I want you to be

I looked around the room after completely regaining my composure. But I couldn't stop my tears

from falling no matter what I do. Every corner of that room reminded me of him and I could see

his different expressions that I wanted to see once againhis serious face, his stoic face, hisblushing face, his panicking face and most of all, his smiling face which I think you could only

see once in a blue moon. And by now, he must have forgotten about mejust like what he said

to me two years ago.

I sat in front of my grandfather's grand piano and tried playing it. I smiled when I heard the tune

coming from it. It looked like the piano was maintained to be in tune after all this time. It was

still the same as I remember it.

So I ask myself what you' ve left behind for me

To go on each day and l ive as if

I have you once again

I wasn't sure what had gotten into me. Before I knew it, my fingers were moving expertly on its

own as I play one of Frederic Chopin's pieces on my grandfather's piano (the oneentitledNocturne op. 9 no. 2 in E-flat major). Though I wanted to stop playing, my handand

most importantly my heartwouldn't let me do so. There was this voice inside of me saying that

I shouldn't stop. This was the only way for me to convey my bottled-up feelings for him, thevoice was saying.

All this time, I never had a chance to tell him how much I loved himnot just as a friend but

more than that. But I guess he would never know that, huh? Even though I returned to the placewhere we first met, it only made me realize and feel the distance that separated us before had

gone even wider than how I used to see it. It made me feel like I would never be able to reach

him now.

But then, I was still hoping this song would reach him

Tezuka Kunimitsu my Kuu


7/87

my eternal love

What else is there that' s real

But al l the pain that I feel

-x-x-

Tezuka halted to a stop upon hearing an extremely familiar classical music being played in that

house. When he faced the house after looking around, that was when he realized that his feet led

him to the Hondou Renji Memorial Hall. But who could be playing a Chopin piece at this time?

The music was undoubtedly beautifulas beautiful as the brown-haired girl he fell in love with

for the first time. But Kazumi didn't know that. He never had a chance to tell her that at all. And

now she was gone. It was too late.

So let the pain remain

Forever in my heartFor every throb it br ings is one more moment

Spent with you

But even though it was late, he never gave up. He lied to her two years ago. And that lie wasenough for him to suffer. He didn't mean to utter those words to her but he was hurt that she was

leaving him that time. He knew she was hurt, too. He just couldn't see it. He was blinded for

some reason so he said that it was over and he would forget her. That way, it wouldn't be hardfor him to move on. It would be easier that way, he even added. But he completely knew that it

was a blatant lie.

He never moved on for he couldn't do so. How could he? Kazumi was the very first person whocaptured his heart and made his life beautiful that he even once thought he was dreaming. Until

now, he couldn't forget her and his dream of reuniting with her one day. Their worlds had

become wide apart for a long time after she left but he would try to do something to reach her.

He would do it no matter what it takes

I let the pain , bring on the rain

I f that's the only way

"I'm sorry, Kazumi. Please Please come back to me" he whispered inaudibly as he looked atthe second floor window on the right where the piano room was. His eyes have longing in them

as he looked at it. How he wished he could say those words to her personally. He wished for it

since the day she left.

He wanted her to come back to him. He wanted to be with her again. This time, he swore he

would never let her go.

"Tezuka, is there something wrong?" Oishi asked; his voice has obvious hints of concern in it.


8/87

He looked at Oishi with his usual stoic face despite the fact that the vice-captain startled him and

disrupted the flow of his thoughts. When he turned around, that was when he realized that Fuji

and Inui were him him, as well. Right now, they were looking at him with confusion andconcern.

"Nothing," was all he said before he started walking away from that place. At the same time, themusic stopped playing that made him sigh.

I f there's no other way

To be with you again

Little did he know, a maiden was crying in front of that piano

She was crying then she sobbed

Kazumi missed Tezuka so much that she couldn't take it anymore. She stopped playing the piano

to let her tears fall once again

"I'm sorry, Kuu" she whispered as she cried silently.

The gently blowing wind somehow carried away that pained and regretful whisper

carried it to let Tezuka hear for the first time after two long years

And heard it he did, causing him to stop to his tracks once more. Soon after that, he looked up to

the window on the left of the second floor. He couldn't possibly be imagining things, right? What

he had heard They weren't just illusions or hallucinations or maybe even simply the idea that

he was about to go crazy, right?

Just what in the world was happening to him now, of all times? Could a song really trigger this

so much emotions he had reined inside his heart for so long to show up? Did he really missKazumi that much that a song currently playing made everything around him stop? It was just a

song, for goodness' sake! It was just a combination of melody, harmony, rhythm, timing and

tempo

But who was he fooling, anyway? It wasn't just a mere song with no meaning at all. Her songs

The way she played them onto the piano with a sweet smile on her lips The satisfaction that

was in her eyes whenever she was done playing it eloquently He could still remember them.Everything was clear in his mind after all this time. Kazumi was the only girl who never left his

heart at all.

So goes, my l i fe

Still beli eve in dreams of having you around

Too bad, memor ies feed the mind and not the heart

Where I want you to be,

So I ask myself what you' ve left behind for me


9/87

To go on each day and l ive as if

I have you once again

What else is there that' s real

But al l the pain that I feel

Forever and beyond that.. He knew every memory that has something to do with Kazumi wouldnever leave him.

From now on till beyond eternity

Just like what he had promised to himself in secret that one night

-x-x-

July 7th, Tanabata (Star Festival)

It was the first time Tezuka and Kazumi would celebrate Tanabata together. And to top it all, itwas also the first time he would see her wear a yukata. It would be a wonderful sight, indeed. Or

at least, that's what he thought.

"Kuu!"

From where he and his family were standing at, he heard that angelic voice calling out to him. It

didn't take him long enough to know who it was. After all, only one person had actually calledhim Kuu in his lifetime by far. He turned around with a small smile on his facea habit that

he had seemed to develop ever since that girl became his friendonly to have that smile fade

away at the sight of the person approaching him. Slowly, though he didn't realize it, he gaped at

the sight.

Kazumi was surely a vision in her elegantly-tailored yukata. It was light blue in color with a

pastel pink obi sash tied around her waist. Her yukata has sakura flowers as its design all over.Her hair wasn't braided like what she used to wear. This time, she donned a pastel pink-colored

hair bow with its excess extending to her waist. Looking at her like that, she was indeed an

enthralling vision to see.

One that he wouldn't stop doing, of that he was sure of.

"Hmm I can see she's a beautiful girl. No wonder our Kunimitsu here is speechless now that hesaw her wearing a beautiful yukata."

The teasing words of his mother and the snicker filled with amusement of his grandfather

somehow broke him off from his trance as he continued to watch Kazumi approach him alongwith her parents. He chose to ignore his family's teasing about what had just happened a while

back.


10/87

"I'm glad you made it here, Kuu," Kazumi said with a smile even though she was slightly panting

in order to even out her breath from running a while ago.

With a smile, he replied, "I made a promise to you, didn't I? A promise is a promise."

Though she was slightly surprised for a few seconds, it was soon replaced with another sweetsmile. He noticed it all and because of that, he couldn't help but to smile even more, as well. Itwas like her smile was a contagious disease.

"Why don't you two hang out together first? You can meet us near the ice cream stand over thereonce you're done," Tezuka's mother Ayana suggested as she pointed to the aforementioned place.

He looked at the place then to Kazumi.

"Are you sure?" Kazumi asked with slight worry.

"It's okay. I know my way around here," he said in order to assure her, with the intention of at

least easing her worry. And somehow, it worked. He sighed in relief. After that, he held out hishand. "Let's go?"

Kazumi looked at his hand for a few seconds before she took it and smiled at him once again.

Yes, he was aware that Kazumithe dark-brown haired girl wearing a wonderfully made yukataand standing in front of him nowwas so beautiful in her own way that it made him blush

somehow. But that alone was enough for him to be aware of another feeling.

It was his heartwhich was pounding wildly as it does nowthat gave of that feeling. Every

time Kazumi would smile at him like that without a care in the world except for the two of them,

his heart felt like hammering inside his chest like crazy. Of course, he was oblivious as to what it

actually meant.

But he knew one thing about that weird feeling, though. It was surely going to change his life for

good.

"Now this is a touching scene to watch," he heard from one of the adults (not only sure who)

followed by a flash and a click.

He was startled at that and so he rashly faced the adults since they were the only ones who could

pull off such tricks at the moment. To his slight surprise and annoyance, his mother was actually

holding a Polaroid camera. They were just waiting for the picture to be developed from thecamera. Sly smiles soon formed on the lips of the adults (namely Kazumi's parents, his parents

and his grandfather) as soon as the picture came out and in clear color that only fueled his

annoyance.

"What's with that smile on your faces like you're about to commit something that's obviously not

good?" Tezuka asked as he raised his eyebrow.


11/87

"Don't be like that, Kuu. Adults can sometimes act like kids, especially at this point, you know,"

Kazumi pointed out. But he knew that she couldn't believe how the adults were acting at the

moment. Or at least that was what he could see on her expression. "Just let them. It's not like

they could tease us like this much longer."

He frowned the moment he heard that and let the thought finally registered in his mind. "Whatdo you mean?"

But no words came out of the girl's mouth. Instead, surprise filled him as Kazumi held his hand

and without a word, ran away from the adults who were still looking at the picture developedfrom the Polaroid camera. He didn't have a chance to look at their faces since the girl was still

dragging him away from there. And he was amazed at the fact that Kazumi has the strength to

pull him away like that, as if she was just pulling a cart.

"Oi, Kazu-chan, where are we going?" he tried asking but he didn't get any answer. They just

continued to ran away. But as he allowed her to do that, he couldn't help looking at Kazumi's

hand holding his. Not just that, he couldn't help feeling its softness and warmth, as well. Andbecause of that, he smiled even though they were running.

Finally, they halted to a stop underneath a large tree when they felt they couldn't run anymore.

Both of them were panting heavily with their hands on their knees as they tried to even out theirbreath.

"I I haven't ran like that for a long time now" Kazumi said despite trying to even out herbreath the fastest time possible.

As soon as she was done saying that, he looked at her intently. Why does he have this weird

feeling that her words had other meanings to it? But how was he supposed to know that?

"What's wrong, Kuu? You're spacing out."

Tezuka blinked several times upon hearing that. He smiled as soon as he recovered from his

deep thoughts. "Nothing's wrong." And then he looked around the area before looking up to the

sky filled with stars. "So I guess this is what you wanted to show me."

Kazumi looked up, as well and smiled. "That's right. I saw this spot two days ago with my

mother. I said to myself that I want the two of us to see this place more than anything. This is the

place where I made an important promise, after all."

"An important promise?"

She nodded. Soon after, she looked at him. "Ne, Kuu Would it be okay if I ask you somethingfoolish? Of course, you can say no if you don't want to hear it."

"What about it?" were the words that came out of his mouth long before he could think of whatto say.


12/87

"Are you even glad that you met me?" she asked in a soft tone.

Her eyes widened upon hearing that. Now what came over her to even ask something like that tohim? Was he glad he had met her? It wasn't a tricky question. As it was, the question was really

simple. But it was a deep one, too. In any way he answered it could change a lot between himand Kazumi. He doesn't know how but a change could definitely happen.

"Of course, I'm glad that I met you, Kazu-chan," he answered with a gentle smile. A smile he

rarely show to anyone. He could only show it to Kazumi, especially now that he answered herquestion as honest as he could. "What about you? Did you even regret you met me?"

"Hey, are you trying to do reverse psychology here? You could have asked the same question

that I asked a while back, you know."

"At least I tried to change it. To make it a bit original," he responded straight.

"Oh, really? You're so gloomy," she muttered as she pouted. But after that, her face was serious.

"I guess I could say you're the one who asked a foolish question instead of the other way

around."

"Huh?" Seriously, this girl could confuse him sometimes.

"But you know" she continued. "regretting something like meeting you was definitely onething I had never ever felt in my life. The day I met you in that piano room and played Chopin's

Nocturne in front of you, it was one of the days I considered truly memorable and also one that

I'd forever cherish here in my heart. So don't you ever dare think that I would regret meeting

you." She smiled as she looked at him. "Okay?"

And sometimes, Tezuka thought, this girl could give him lots of surprises with just her words. But

even so, he was glad at the answer he got from Kazumi. Too glad, in fact that he felt his heartswelled with so much joy and gladness. Weird It was a different kind of gladness that he

usually felt while playing tennis.

"I'll be with you, Kuu forever It's my promise," she soon said as she looked up to the night

sky. "This is definitely one of the best Tanabata I'd ever celebrated."

Another smile soon formed on his face as he heard that. He chose not to say a word even thoughhe totally agreed to what she said. He didn't usually enjoy Tanabata before. This was the first

time that Tanabata was something so memorable to him.

Always and forever Words that were synonymous to each other yet their meanings wereimmense.

Always Forever Eternity


13/87

Besides tennis, only those words seemed to have a big impact to him. So big that he knew it

wouldn't leave his mindand more importantly, his heartno matter what.

Underneath the starry night sky that one special nighton July 7th, the day of the TanabataTezuka made a promise. He peered at the unknowing Kazumi who was still looking up to the sky

with a smile. Everything about this girl beside him right now was something he would never dareforget. Whatever happens, he would make sure of that.

For this girl named Hondou Kazumi was the one he knew now that had left a deep mark in this

hearta mark that could never be removed even throughout the crosscurrents of fate and time

-x-x-

And now, it seemed that he had managed to keep that promise. Kazumi never left his memoryand his heart despite the hurt that he had felt ever since she left. He knew he had hurt Kazumi,

too. The words he said could never be retracted. He couldn't go back in time and fix it.

But he has to fix it. If God would allow and give him a chance, he would never let it go. He has

to do what he could to bring Kazumi back to his life back to his sid e. He just needed the

chance so he could do that.


Forever in my heart

For every throb it br ings is one more moment

Spent with you,





"Tezuka, are you sure you're alright?" Oishi couldn't help but to ask that. Being the worrywart heever was, it was a natural thing for him to do. The only thing that wasn't natural in his perception

was the fact that Tezuka was actually staring at the left window on the second floor of the

memorial hall with his eyes showing emotions. Longing, regret, sadness and pain were the mostevident of them all.

Something about the memorial hall and the music earlier triggered those emotions to show itself.

Emotions that were so unbearable for Tezuka and now he couldn't rein it in any longer. Oishi,Fuji and Inui all thought about that.

A heavy sigh was the only reply they got from Tezuka. Soon after that, they heard the stoic man

utter some words. But they were surprised to hear a name that Tezuka mentioned in front ofthemalbeit unconsciouslyfor the first time in two years.

"Kazumi" Tezuka uttered rather sadly.


14/87


Forever in my heart

For every throb it br ings is one more moment

Spent with you,


I f that's the only wayI f there's no other way

One thing those three could tell, that girl named Kazumi was someone who must have the ability

to bring out Tezuka's bottled up emotions. Only Kazumi could trigger those emotions to showefortlessly.

Just who in the world was this Kazumi that Tezuka mentioned?




-x-x-

I'm not sure about the ending but I still hope you like it. By the way, the song featured here

is entitled "Let The Pain Remain" by Side A. It's an OPM song (as far as I know) so I guess

only a few could relate to it. But it's in English so I guess you could still listen to it. This is

one of my favorite love song... despite how sad the message of it.

==================================================

CHAPTER TWO

And what if I never kiss your li ps again

Or feel the touch of your sweet embrace

How would I ever go on

Without you there's no place to belong

SorryA seemingly simple five-letter word. It was easy to say this because sometimes, you

didn't really mean it. But when you do, that's where the struggle starts.

My struggle about this word started upon enrolling to Seigaku. I was already in first year high

school and it was a good thing I managed to catch up on the enrollment before the enrollmentdays were over. Another good thing was that only a few people could recognize me as the fairly

famous pianist abroad, Hondou Kazumi. One of those few people was Miyuzaki Kana, my

childhood friend.

Of course, I still considered himas my childhood friend. Or at least, he was to me


15/87

"Kazu-chan, do you have any plans for today?" Kana asked me as soon as the class was over and

the teacher finally left the room.

I faced her while fixing my notebook into my bag. "I need to head to the memorial hall to fix

some things there. Besides, Mama's coming home tonight so I need to do some preparations in

her return from the tour."

Just like my grandfather, my mother was also a famous musicianan exceptional violinist and

cellist, to be exact. Recently, she was having a tour all over Japan along with some other

musicians since she decided to do a charity concert in order for her to build a music school on

one of our adopted orphanages. She was doing it to fulfill one of my deceased father's dreams

to convey our family's way of music to others who were aiming to become a wonderful

musician.

"Is that so?"

Sorry, Kana. I had to create that lie. Well, there was one part of what I said that happened to betrue. I do need to head to the memorial hall. But not because I have to fix some things. There was

another reason that I couldn't exactly tell her. Not yet.

Well someday love is gonna lead you back to me

But ' til it does I ' ll have an empty heart

So I ' ll just have to beli eve

Somewhere out there you th inking of me

After I was done fixing my things, I left the classroom at my usual pace. But as soon as I opened

the door, I saw a tall guy with auburn hair who looked awfully familiar walked past in front of

me. His face was stoic and he wore eyeglasses. For some reason, time had stopped moving in my

perspective after that. When I finally regained my composure, it was when I saw that the person

that walked past me was already a few steps away from me. Our distance grew further apart as

he walked away.

I could only see the back of that person. But the hair style and the way he walked Why do I

have a feeling that I've seen it from somewhere a long time ago? I looked at the person as he

continued to walk away. He was carrying a tennis bag so I figured that he was going to the tennis

courts since he might be a tennis player.

I blinked when I realized that thought. Wait a minute! Tennis? I shook my head when thatpersonappeared in my mind. Why would he appear in my mind right now, of all times? Well, it

wasn't that I don't want to think about him. But because of the person who walked past me, I

couldn't help thinking about him.

Until the day I ' ll let you go

Until we say our next hello

I t' s not goodbye


16/87

' Ti l I see you again

After heaving a few sighs, I headed the other way. I saw a guy running towards the person that I

saw a while back. I think his name was Oishi. Well, I have to blame Kana for letting me

remember his name since he was Kana's crush. But I didn't have anything to do with him,

anyway.

Or at least, that was what I initially thought

until I heard Oishi called out an extremely familiar name that made me stop to my tracks and

stand there frozen. Not to mention, I couldn't even breathe because of my heart beating at an

accelerated rate.

"Tezuka!"

Wait That was a joke wasn't it?

He didn't just call out Tezuka, right? But my ears had definitely heard it. I knew I was awake but

why did I feel like I've suddenly stood in a world that could only exist in my dreams? A world

where I could be able to cross paths with Tezuka Kunimitsu again

I ' ll be ri ght here rememberi ng when

And if time is on our side

There wil l be no tears to cry

On down the road

There is one thing I can' t deny

I t' s not goodbye

But then, I needed to confirm it. I didn't want to think I was just hearing things all because I

missed him so much. So I slowly turned around and peered behind me. What I saw made me

think that my heart had definitely stopped from beating.

It was the guy I saw who walked past me a while ago. That explained why I felt something

unexplainable and yet familiar. The feeling I've felt a while backnow I know why and where it

came from.

It really was Tezuka Kunimitsuit was Kuu I could never mistake that appearance for

someone else.

But before I could even think of what else to do, I ran away from that place so I could leave. I

wasn't thinking properly after that. All I knew, my feet took me to the place special to meto

my grandfather's memorial hall.


17/87

Right now, that was the only place where I could burst it all out. I didn't do that when I saw him

because I was unsure. I had a lot of questions inside my head that I wanted to tell him. But just

like what happened two years ago, I cowered.

I was always weak when Kuu was involved. I just realized that right now. How pathetic of me.

You'd think I 'd be strong enough to make it through

And rise above when the rain fall s down

But i t's so hard to be strong

When you've been missin ' somebody so long

I was snapped out from my musings when my phone suddenly rang. I took it out from my pocket

and I saw that it was a call from Kana. I decided to answer it since I didn't want my friend to

worry about me. She probably saw me suddenly running away.

"Hello?" I asked as I tried not to let my voice quiver.

"Kazu-chan, are you alright?" Kana asked me back in an extremely concerned tone.

"I'm fine, Kana-chan. I just suddenly remembered something that I need to do in a hurry so I

ran," I lied. No matter how bad it was to lie, I just had to do it.

"While crying? You can't fool me with that answer, Kazu-chan. You ran away after you peered

at Tezuka-sanwith tears flowing on your cheeks. Is there something you're not telling me?"

That was when I unconsciously touched my cheeks and my eyes widened when I felt it. It was

wet. Had I been crying while running and without knowing it? But why?

When I looked around, I saw myself standing in front of the memorial hall. Two days ago, I went

here just as soon as I arrived from the airport. Seriously, why did my feet keep on leading my

here? I knew this place was extremely special not just to me but to my family, as well. Although

I wasn't sure if it was extremely special to him, too

I t' s just a matter of time I 'm sure

But time takes time and I can' t hold on

So won' t you tr y as hard as you can

To put my broken heart together again

"Kazu-chan"

I was startled when I heard Kana's voice on the other line. Oh, yeah I forgot that I was still

talking to her over the phone.

"I'll be fine, Kana-chan" I answered. But this time, I failed in hiding the quiver in my voice. In

fact, it started to crack as soon as I remembered Kuu's face as how I saw it a while ago.


18/87

Even though I haven't seen him in two years, why did he still have such effect on me? I just saw

hima mere glance, at the very leastand yet, I broke down like this. It made me feel like I

went back to the time when Kuu said that he would forget about me. It made me feel as if I was

going to break down completely.

"Do you want me to have sleepover with you? That way, you can tell me about what's bothering

you personally," Kana suggested, concern was still in her voice.

"No" I mumbled but I guess she still heard it. I heaved a few deep breaths first before I spoke

again. "Kana-chan, would it be okay if I ask you something?"

"If that would ease your mind, it's okay."

I thought about the question that I was about to ask her carefully for a while before I finally had

the courage to say it. "Have you ever made one big mistake in your life that you desperately

wanted to undo even if it means giving it all for that to happen?"

Kana went quiet for a little while before she spoke. "I know I made a lot of mistakes in life that I

wanted to undo because it changes me in a way. But Kazu-chan, we don't have that kind of

ability. Yes, we have the tendency to wish for it since it tore us apart in some way. But if you're

going to ask for my opinion, I think the only way for us to undo what we have doneespecially

if we made a mistake to a special someone in our livesis to say 'sorry' to that person. Though I

have to admit, 'sorry' is one of the hardest words to say aside from 'I love you' and 'goodbye'

especially if you really meant those words," Kana said to me seriously.

I knew she could have this kind of moment. But as I thought about what she said to me, I

realized that she has a point. "Sorry", "I love you" and "goodbye" were definitely some of the

hardest words to say. I never said those words in front of Kuu the day I left Japan. And I guess I

would never be able to do so.

"Kazu-chan, did something happen between you and Tezuka-santhat I didn't know?"

Until the day I ' ll let you go


I t' s not goodbye

'Ti l I see you again

I ' ll be r ight here remember in ' when

It took me a while to think about her question and if I should answer it. But in the end, I decided

to keep it a secret even to my childhood friend.

"You'll know in time, Kana-chan" I only said, almost in a whisper before I ended the call and

turned off my phone.


19/87

Time will come and they would know the hidden truth

-x-x-


There wil l be no tears to cryOn down the road


I t' s not goodbye

I tried to act normal these past six days. Well, at least normal to those people who didn't really

know me at all. But to my childhood friend, I was definitely acting weirder than my first day of

school. Of course, she could tell that. Aside from Kuu, Kana was one of the people who could

read me like an open book or a clear mirror.

Those past six day had made me do a lot of thinking about Kuuor maybe I should call him

Tezuka-sannow since we weren't that close anymore. Everytime I looked at him from afar, Icould really feel that he was extremely far away from me. We were living in a completely

different world now. I would never be able to reach him now even if I communicate to him

through the use of music.

But that one particular day made me want to do something. Of course, I would be needing Kana's

help since Tezuka didn't really have any idea at all (or at least that's what I know of) that I was

studying here at Seigaku's high school division. I was in a different class, anyway.

After the bell rang that said about the end of that day's last class, I called Kana's attention who

was currently talking to one of our classmates and also a friend of mine, Yamazaki Hanako.

"What's wrong?" Kana asked after Hanako left the room to proceed to her afternoon tennis

practice.

"Can I ask you a favor?" And then I took a light blue paper bag under my desk and handed it to

her.

"Can you umm give this to Tezuka-sanfor me?"

Kana's eyes widened a little when she heard that. "Why me? If it's for Tezuka-san, aren't you

supposed to be the one who should give it to him?"

"I can't!" I suddenly said. "I I can't face him yet Not yet or else, I'll break down in front of

him."

"Does this has something to do with what we talked about before?" she asked me, her concern

for me was really showing in her voice.


20/87

All I did was to nod once and sadly looked outside the window. Then suddenly, I saw Tezuka's

smiling face as the wind caused the green trees to rustle. Along with that, I remembered a certain

memory with him in ita memory that I have no plans of forgetting even if everything comes to

its end

-x-x-

Flashback

"Kuu, look! That's the biggest sakura tree I've ever seen. Let's take a picture of it," I said

excitedly as I pointed at the aforementioned tree a few yards at the back of the memorial hall.

"Can we do it later? I still need to rest, you know," Tezuka said to me while catching his breath.

Oh, yeah. I forgot that he had his tennis practice a while back. It was a rough one and right now,

he was tired because of it.

I scratched the back of my head and smiled to him apologetically. "I'm sorry. It's just that I'mactually a little bit excited that I have to take a picture of you and me under that sakura tree for

the first time. We never had time to do that before, right?" And so with that said, we decided to

sit under that sakura tree for the little while.

From there, we could see the sun dyed the earth in scarlet that the view was amazingly

breathtaking. I decided to take a picture of it first since I couldn't possibly miss out this beautiful

scenery. When I looked at Kuu, I saw his eyes closed with his back leaning on the sakura tree. It

looked like he was peacefully sleeping and to be honest, he looked amazingly handsome. The

wind was gently blowing and a few strands of his auburn hair had swayed along.

Before I knew it, I was taking a few snapshots of that position of his. This was one moment I

wouldn't definitely miss, after all. We stayed there for a few more minutes since I let him rest for

as long as he liked. When he woke up, he had this frantic look on his face that I couldn't help but

to giggle.

I wished I could've taken a picture of that.

"I have to go!" he blurted out and immediately stood up after taking his tennis bag.

"Wait up, Kuu!" I shouted as I tried to catch up with him.

But doing so only made me trip because of a large tree root that I didn't see as I ran to catch upwith Kuu. It was a good thing that I didn't fall flat on my face. But then, as I try to stand up, I

ended up falling down on my knees. I guess I twisted my ankle, then. Now how was I supposed to

go home with a twisted ankle?

"Are you alright, Kazu-chan?"


21/87

That was when I raised my head as soon as I heard that familiar voice. My eyes began to water

upon landing my eyes on that handsome face of Kuu, now looking at me with worries and

concern. Before I knew it, I was crying for some reason I couldn't explain at all.

"I I-I thought you y-you left me" I said in between sobs and sniffles. Geez! Why was I

being dramatic and a crybaby all of a sudden?

Then I saw him turned around while crouching down. "Come on. Hop on my back. I'll carry

you."

It took me a while to absorb what he said and my body just obliged to that. Was this guy a

marionette or something that he could actually let me do what he wanted me to do? But I knew

he wasn't. I guess he just had this sort of power that had drawn me close to him.

Whatever that power was, I could feel its warmth engulfing me. How I wish I could stay close to

his like this forever.

As we were about to reach the memorial hall where my mom was surely waiting for me, Kuusuddenly but gently put me down on a bench and said, "Wait here." I was confused but then I

decided to just let him be. At least I was glad that he wouldn't abandon me in this state.

A few minutes later, he came back. But then I frowned at the sight of a flower on his hand.

Seriously, he left me here just to retrieve a flower from somewhere? But soon after, my

confusion turned to sheer surprise when he handed me that flowerwhich turned out to be a

purple hyacinth.

Because I couldn't find a word to say something about that, all I could do was to look at him with

questioning eyes before looking at the flower I gladly took from his hand.

When he probably realized that I was confused about his action, he averted his gaze from me as

he blushed. "Don't look at me like that. I know I don't look like the romantic guy and I'm not. I

guess I won't ever be that kind of guy."

"Then why are you giving this to me?" I asked despite feeling elated all of a sudden for some

reasons.

"The meaning"he mumbled as his eyes softened and became sad. "I'm giving it to you because

of the meaning."

I didn't say anything as I looked at the flower. He gave me this purple hyacinth because of its

meaning, huh? Because of that, I couldn't help but to smile at him. He looked so cute when I saw

his faceparticularly his cheekshad turned into an even deeper crimson color.

"Don't worry. You're forgiven" I said before I put the flower on my chest and closed my eyes

for a few moments. After that, I opened my eyes again and faced him. "Thank you for the

beautiful flower, Kuu. I'll treasure this forever."


22/87

"I'm glad to know that," he said before he carried me again on his back.

At that moment, I knew I would never feel that warm feeling to any other person again other than

Kuu.

Only he could make me feel that warmth and no one else

-x-x-

I shrugged off the thought in my head after I heard Kana's exasperated sigh.

"When do you want me to hand this to him?" Kana asked after I regained my composure.

"After I leave this classroom Possibly ten to fifteen minutes after I left the classroom," I said

and then I handed the paper bag to her. Kana took it from me and didn't dare to take a peek inside

of it.

"Are you sure about this?"

I just nodded and took off before I break down in front of my friend. I didn't want Kana to know

how weak I was when it comes to Tezuka. I didn't want her to pity me because I didn't need it.

Just like the first day, I ran away from that place as I let my feet take me to anywhere

That's right. Anywhere would be fine as long as I could burst it all out in one cry. I was tired of

crying because of regret for two years. I couldn't believe that I was still crying because of him

until now.

When would I be able to stop these tears from falling? When I finally managed to let him go?

Well, that was the problem. I couldn't let him go. Why couldn't I let go when I knew I have

nothing left to hold on to?

Was that how love supposed to be? That no matter how hard you try to let him go, you could

never just do so because of the fact that you still love him?

I t' s not goodbyeUntil the day I ' ll let you go


I t' s not goodbye

'Ti l I see you again

I ' ll be r ight here remember in ' when


There wil l be no tears to cry


23/87

On down the road


I t' s not goodbye...

I wasn't the type of girl who could keep it all inside for a long time. So here's my question:

How was I able to keep the fact to him that I love him? How was I able to bear it all and didn't

let go despite the fact that he hated me now?

But I guess even if he hated me now, I could never hate him back. At the very least, that was

what I figured out even after he said that he would forget about me which brought

insurmountable pain in my heart.

I couldn't believe love would be this ironic and possibly pathetic

-x-x-

"Tezuka, someone wants to give this to you. It was kind of important that you have to receive it,

according to Kana's friend," Oishi said as he handed a light blue paper bag to Tezuka as soon as

they were done fixing their things so that they could proceed to their tennis practice.

Oishi's words were a little serious than usual and his voice had a kind of sad hints in it that even

Fuji, Inui, Eiji and Kawamura knew was weird.

"Nya! Isn't that from your girlfriend, Oishi?" Eiji suddenly blurted out that made Oishi blushed

slightly.

But weird enough, Oishi decided to ignore it for now.

Tezuka took the paper bag from Oishi without a word since he could tell that the latter was

serious in some way. But then he asked himself who would actually give something to him. For

sure, it wasn't from any fan girls since he clearly told Oishi not to give him something from those

people. But who was this person that gave this mysterious gift to him who happened to be

Miyuzaki Kana's friend if it wasn't a fan girl?

You say it ' s over

I say we've just begun

'Coz it ain ' t forever

Un ti l our li ves are done

He placed it on his desk and opened the paper bag to see what was inside. The others seemed to

be holding their breaths in anticipation since they wanted to know the content of that paper bag.

But then they were surprised to see that Tezuka froze in shock as he kept on staring inside the

paper bag.

It couldn't be, right?


24/87

Wait a minute! He wasn't sure if it was really her

I know I did some things

That I never should

I 'd undo them if I couldI 'd turn my life around for you

Anything you'd ask me to...

Just tell me...

He took the contents out of the bag and looked at it. One was a mini-bouquet of purple hyacinth

and the other was a music box in the shape of a grand piano. He decided to put down the flowers

first and opened the music box.

Upon hearing the melody it played, Tezuka felt like he went back to that timethe time that he

wouldn't dare forget no matter what

"Nocturne op. 9 no. 2 in E-flat majorby Frederic Chopin Isn't this the song that we heard at

the memorial hall a week ago?" Fuji said as he looked at Tezuka who remained stoic.

"Memorial hall? You mean Hondou Renji Memorial Hall? I heard from Aika that Hondou

Renji's granddaughter has returned from America two days before the semester started,"

Kawamura informed calmly.

Though that information alone was enough to shake Tezuka's world from within, he didn't show

it. He tried to focus his mind to the music and the flower.

What must I do to make you want to stay

And take the hur t away

And leave it all to yesterday?

So she didn't forget about me? After all those things I said to her? And to think she'd come back

and give me thisTezuka thought before he noticed a postcard of some sort inside the paper

bag. He took it out, only to see that it was a light blue envelop with a card inside.

He opened the envelop and saw a cardor probably a postcard like he originally thought

inside of it. But then he was wrong. What was inside that envelop was a picture of him sleeping.

Wait! When and where was this picture taken? But upon analyzing it, he realized that it wastaken during that special timethe day he gave Kazumi a purple hyacinth.

He turned it over and saw something written at the back of the picture.

What can I say to make you change your mind?

To have the chance to tur n the hands of time


25/87

Back to the days when you were mine?

Just give me one more chance for one last time.

It really is her Kazumi really returnedhe thought as he noticed the familiar handwriting on

the picture's back. He wanted to cry as he read the messsage but chose not not. It was a good

thing the Fuji and Inui didn't see what was written on it since he has no plans of letting themknow that.

Without a word, he put the music box inside the paper bag after he closed it along with the

purple hyacinth bouquet and the picture. Soon after, he faced the others.

"Let's go," he said rather nonchalantly that wasn't new to the others.

Oishi could only sigh as he saw Tezuka left the classroom with that mysterious gift.

"I wonder what happened for Tezuka to act like that after looking at the picture," Kawamura said

with hints of concern.

"Who knows Has anyone of you read the message at the back of that picture?" Fuji inquired.

The others shook their heads except Inui.

Without a word, Inui opened his notebook to show the others what he had seen at the back of the

mysterious picture. They couldn't help but to feel sad for the sender after reading it.

I wish I could say "I'm sorry" but I guess you'll never listen to me now that you don't want to

open your heart to me anymore. I know I made a mistake when I chose to break my promise to

you that time. But still, can't we start over again? I hope you still remember the meaning of

purple hyacinth I couldn't say it straight to you right now so I hope this will suffice for now

"The meaning of purple hyacinth? You mean the flower's representation?" Eiji asked after

reading it.

Inui took back his notebook and closed it. "Probably."

"So that's what Kana meant when she said that her friend would always look at Tezuka from afar

with pained expression on her face, as if she made the greatest mistake to him. It's like she

couldn't find it in her heart to forgive herselfin any way," Oishi said in a serious tone that

made the others serious, too.

"Nya! What do you mean, Oishi? Did your girlfriend know what happened between her friend

and Tezuka?" Eiji asked innocently, immediately breaking the serious atmosphere surrounding

them.


26/87

At this point, Oishi blushed even harder that he wanted to punch Eiji to the face and also because

the person that the red head mentioned suddenly entered the classroom with an annoyed look on

her face.

"Eiji-kun, keep calling me Shuichiro's girlfriend and expect that the Golden Pair will break up

anytime soon," Kana said in a threatening tone with her hands on her waists. Eiji hid behindOishi. Soon after, however, her face turned solemn as she put down her hands to her sides. "I

don't know what happened between her and Tezuka-sanbefore. But I could tell that it ended

painfully. And she wanted to apologize to him about it. I guess the purple hyacinth's

representation says it all."

"Miyuzaki-san, do you know what the flower means?" Kawamura asked.

Kana nodded sadly. "A purple hyacinth meansI'm sorryandplease forgive me Or at least,

that's what she told me yesterday when she bought a bouquet of it."

"Oh" was all the others could say after that.

"Let's just hope something good happens after all this," she said before exiting the classroom

with a solemn expression and yet her eyes were sad. Oishi couldn't help but to feel worried for

Kana.

But that was when Inui realized something. "I forgot to ask Miyuzaki-sanabout her friend's

name who gave the music box and the flowers to Tezuka."

"I doubt if she'll tell you something about it"

"Maybe we'll find out soon," Kawamura added to what Oishi said. "After all, this is about

Tezuka's past with that girl. Whatever it is, time will come and we'll know the truth. Of course,

it's still up to Tezuka."

"But this is something that we shouldn't let go. I must find out what happened," Inui insisted as

he mumbled something while writing on his notebook.

But with this situation, they doubted if Inui or any of them could find out the real story anytime

soon.

Only time could definitely tell what story lies within that purple hyacinth

-x-x-

I won' t deny it

I know that I ' ve done wrong

But you have to admit it

Th is love is just too strong


27/87

But that story, however, wa something that Tezuka couldn't reveal to his friends yet. He never

did so for two years and he would let that be until he could finally have that one chance to

change and settle everythingto fix everything that he had broken. Kazumi already made a

moveand everything else somehow followed even though he haven't seen her yet.

He stopped walking and raised his head to look around. Again, to his surprise, he found himself

standing outside the tennis court that was familiar to him. It was the tennis court he used to go to

at the back of Hondou Renji Memorial Hall. The tennis court that held an inspiration for him to

play tennis.

That inspiration was none other than Kazumi herself and also, the music she usually play

whenever he was practicing with his friends in that tennis court. Not only that, he also had

several tennis matches there with Miyuzaki Kana's older brother Takumi who has a skill already

close to a pro. And of course, Takumi knew his secreta secret about his feelings towards

Kazumi that he only realized a bit too late.

To just fade away in to the night

Without putting up a fight

We can make it all alri ght

I f we just give it one more try...

Tezuka sighed and before he knew it, he proceeded to enter the tennis court. From what he could

see, only a few people usually went there to play tennis nowadays. It had been a long while since

he last went there. Two long years That's how long he had last heard Kazumi play the piano.

That's how long he had last seen her smile and heard her laugh. The only thing he could ever

remember about the day she told him she would leave was he face contorted in surprise, hurt and

regret. It was that face that had haunted him ever since.

He should be the one apologizing to her, not the other way around. But that wasn't how it all

happened. It was Kazumi who made the first move. She did it using the one item which held a

beautiful memory to both of them. And from what he could see, Kazumi still treasured it

despite

So...

What must I do to make you want to stay

And take the hur t away

And leave it al l to yesterday?What can I say to make you change your mind?



Just give me one more chance for one last time...

He sighed once more and then took the photo inside the paper bag. Despite having a painful

reminscing, he smiled at the sight of him in that photo peacefully sleeping. She definitely


28/87

captured the right lighting and angle of that scene that made it somewhat giving off a serene

atmosphere. After doing that for a minute or two, he looked at the back of the photo.

I'm sorry Can't we start over again?

Those words were surely from someone who had been through lot of suffering and regret. Andthose feelings were something that he had caused her

to his special girl

to the girl he could never forget

to the girl he had hurt and who had been the reason why he shielded his heart and isolated his

true emotions to the rest of the world.

He only wanted that girl to know the real him to see the real Tezuka Kunimitsu. But he had

turned his back to that girl before. He turned his back on her and let her get away. And now

Now she came back. Now she was saying sorry despite the words he had said to her before. And

now he realized that the love he felt for herthe love that only Takumi had managed to figure

outwas even stronger than how it was before.

And that was the main reason why he was hurt when she decided to leave. That hurt he had felt

blinded him to the core and made him say those harsh words to her.

And what can I say to make you change your mind



Just give me one more chance for one last time

He was staring at the note written on the photo for who knows how long and yet he couldn't tear

his eyes away from it. The words would never change and he clearly knew that. But those words

were enough for him to know that the chance he was actually waiting to have could be just

around the corner. He just needed to keep a keen eye to that before it would slip away from his

hand and never let him have it again.

He didn't want that to happen.

Not now not ever

But right now, all that he could care about was to think of a way to apologize to Kazumi. And

this time, he would make sure that it wouldn't be too late for him. He would do all that it takes to

bring her back to his life.

He just needed to figure out of a way on how to do it.


29/87

He wouldn't give up until he brought Kazumi back to his life once again.

Just one more kiss to last a l if etime

One more chance for one last time...

He vowed to do so as he stood in the middle of that tennis courtjust one of the places of his

memories.

Please forgive me Kazumi Just give me a chance to say that before I lose it all and lose you

for good

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The songs featured here were entitled "It's Not Goodbye" by Laura Pausini ( a foreign

song for once) and "One More Chance" by Piolo Pascual (another OPM).

========================================

CHAPTER THREE

Unexpectedly losing something important in your lifewhether it was a person or a thing

would always cause a dramatic change on how we live our lives. We cry, we grieve, and we lose

the ability to live our lives the way it was before. We might have denied it the eyes of many

people, but never to ourselves. After all, we knew ourselves better than anyone else even if we

deny a few things or so.

Tezuka felt the same way. His serious and more often stoic face hid a reality he was dealing with

for a long time. No one knew he was suffering from regret and guilt of losing the one person he

cared the most. And it was all because of what he said that he didn't really mean to. Even still, he

couldn't believe that she would be the first to say sorry after all that had happened.

Yes a "she" A long time ago, he lost a certain brown-haired girl who loved to play the piano

and play the pieces composed by Mozart and Chopin. He lost herhis best friendbecause of

her inability to fulfill her promise to him. She has her reasons for doing that and he should have

known that. But then pain blinded his senses and made him say the words he regretted saying all

his life.

"It's like you've been thinking deeper than you were yesterday, Tezuka," Coach Ryuzaki said that

snapped him out of his musings.

Tezuka's face remained stoic but his eyes already revealed hints of pain and sadness that the

coach still managed to see.


30/87

"I'm sorry," was all that Tezuka said in return. Besides, he could never tell her the reason even

though he had the urge to do so. After that, he went with the others to do some practice matches

in order to straighten up his thoughts.

However, it only caused his friendsmainly Oishi, Fuji, Eiji, Inui and Kawamurato worry

even more for him. Tezuka had been acting a lot weirder ever since a mystery girl gave him agift a week agoor at least that's what they noticed from him. But they couldn't do anything

about it. They knew Tezuka wouldn't let them do anything, aside from the fact that Kana warned

them not to meddle with anyone's businessespecially with relation to Tezuka and that

mysterious girl. Kana's mouth was close about the identity of the girl so Inui had to do his

"research" about her discreetly. The only clue they got so far was the music piece on the music

box and that she was Kana's friend.

By far, Inui already had four leadnamely the data man's childhood friend Yamazaki Hanako,

member of the Karate Club and a tennis regular; Hondou Kazumi, a renowned young virtuoso

when it comes to piano and granddaughter of the famous pianist Hondou Renji; Kawamura's best

friend Sarasugawa Aika, member of the Karate Club and also a tennis regular; and YumemiyaMiyako, the academy's "Siren of the Silver Wind" and a member of the Literature Clubso he

has to carefully do his research or all else would fail. Fuji knew what Inui was doing and

therefore, the tensai was more than willing to lend a hand with this. Eiji supported the two while

Oishi and Kawamura were a little unsure about the idea of spying on Tezuka's personal life. But

then, determination couldn't simply be stirred by mere warnings and "what if's".

Meanwhile, Kana had been extremely careful this past week because she knew that Tezuka's

friends would do anything to know the identity of the girl who gave the music box to Tezuka.

She couldn't tell them that a young pianist and her childhood friend Hondou Kazumi was the girl

who did that. Tezuka and Kazumi had a past that they never dared telling to anyone else and

Kana knew that. It's just that she couldn't figure out what was that past that tore those two apart

for a long time.

But then, only those people involved knew how Tezuka and Kazumi's past had made them both

suffer all this time. They couldn't undo the past that separated them, but they had the present to

find a way to fix what was broken. They only needed to find out how to do that.

Just like what she had done these past few days, Kazumi watched Tezuka play tennis even

though it was just a practice match with one of his upperclassmen. After all, they were still in

first year. She knew it wouldn't be impossible for Tezuka to become a regular of the high school

division tennis team sooner even though he was only a freshman. But just like what she couldn'thelp doing along with it, her face would always have an expression that defined what she had

been feeling for him for a long time.

Sadness

Pain


31/87

Guilt

Regret

And even though it was just subtle, there was also love expressed on her face as she looked at

him every time

But how was she supposed to let him know that? How was she going to do that if there was a

wall separating them now because of those emotions?

"You never get tired of watching him, huh?"

Kazumi turned around to know who said that. It wasn't a surprise for her to see Kana

approaching her.

"Aren't you going to approach him?"

She shook her head sadly. "I don't think I can do that casually. Besides, I'm not even sure if he

was glad to see me. I hurt him before, after all."

"You know, every time you're saying things like that, it made me even more intrigued to know

what really happened between you and Tezuka-sanbefore you left more than two years ago. But

since it's your personal life, I'm not going to do something like that," Kana just said after sighing

since it wouldn't be that easy to force Kazumi to say anything. Then she thought of an idea. "I'm

not sure if you'll agree, but would you like to have a tennis match today? I could ask Hana-

chanor Ai-chanfor us to use the tennis court."

Kazumi frowned a bit as she absorbed the idea in her head. "Okay, I'll do it. I haven't done tennis

in a long time so I guess a little tennis match wouldn't hurt."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Only Kana knew the fact that Kazumi had been playing tennis since she was six years old. The

two of them usually played together at the tennis court near the memorial hall before Kazumi

forced to mellow down in playing tennis. That reason didn't stop her from playing, though.

"Are you sure we're allowed to use the tennis courts for this practice match, Kana-chan?"

Kazumi asked as she hesitantly went with her friend's plan.

Kana just smiled, though. "The truth is, I already asked Nakayama-sensei's permission even

before I asked you to have a practice match with me. She agreed since she was intrigued about

you playing tennis."

"You mean we're not going to be the only ones who will be there?" She didn't know what to

think about that.


32/87

"Sort of. But it's okay. Only the two of us plus Miya-chan, Ai-chan, Hana-chanand Nakayama-

senseiwill be the ones to watch us. Theyre kind of curious to know about you play tennis.

Besides, they wanted to find out how good Hondou Kazumi is when it comes to tennis and not

just playing the piano," Kana explained. Then she handed a blue tennis racket to her. "You can

use my tennis racket for this one."

She took the racket from Kana. But then she noticed something. "You're not actually expecting

me to play tennis while wearing my school uniform, are you?"

Kana laughed at that before handing her a pair of sweater and pants. "Silly girl. Of course not. I

already took my newly-washed PE uniform since I know you forgot to bring yours. And since

we're just the same size, I can let you use it."

"Do you really have to specify the word 'newly-washed' while saying that?"

"Of course!"

Kazumi rolled her eyes and slightly shook her head before the two of them went to the girl's

locker room to change from their school uniform to their sports attire. They were done a few

minutes after.

Kana tied her long blood-red hair into two Chinese buns while Kazumi just tied her hair to a

ponytail with a purple ribbon. Soon after, ther went out of the locker room and headed to the

courts to start playing tennis.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Oishi, you're heading out somewhere?" Eiji asked when he saw Oishi quickly packing up his

tennis gears into his bag. It was the end of their afternoon practice for that day.

"I'm going with Kana to buy something for her project. Nakayama-senseisaid she's at the tennis

courts used by the girls' tennis team so I'll head there first," Oishi explained as he carried his

tennis bag.

"Nya! Then I'll come along with you!" Eiji suddenly declared in excitement. But then he stopped

when he realized something. "But wait! Maybe that's a bad idea since it's a date between couples.

Nyaa, I shouldn't meddle with that kind of situation."

Oishi blushed at the word "date". "It's not a date! And Kana and I are not a couple!"

"At least not yet," Inui mumbled before leaving the locker room. Fuji just chuckled and went out

of the room along with Inui and Tezuka.


33/87

"Aika's at the tennis court, too since she mentioned that she might be watching a good match

today after their practice. I guess Yamazaki-san's there, as well," Kawamura mentioned as they

all walked together away from the tennis courts. "Would it be okay if I go with you, Oishi?"

"Sure. It's been a while since I watched a tennis match with the girls as the players."

"By the way, do you have an idea on who would play at that tennis match?" Fuji suddenly asked.

Oishi didn't say anything for a moment or so since he was trying to remember what Coach

Nakayama said to him. Nakayama Yukino was the coach of the high school division girls' tennis

team, a history teacher, and the adviser of the student council, so it wasn't a surprise for the

others to know that Oishi was updated about the tennis club for girls. In addition to that, his

"soon-to-be girlfriend" Miyuzaki Kana was a member of both clubs.

"Senseisaid that one of Kana's friends hasn't played tennis for a long time. Kana wants to test out

her friend's tennis skills for some reason. She also said that it was an intriguing tennis match to

watch since a pianist will be the one Kana would have a match with," Oishi explained.

Tezuka frowned slightlyalbeit inwardlywhen he heard what Oishi said.A pianist? He

couldn't possibly mean That's impossible. Besides, Kazumi's not the only pianist I know. But if

that was the case, then why was he having a weird feeling about what he had just heard from

Oishi?

"You have a name of that pianist?" Inui asked. Tezuka couldn't help sighing inwardly for having

the data man beat him up to it.

But Oishi just shrugged and answered. "No idea. We'll find out once we get there."

As they continued to walk towards the tennis courts used by the girls' tennis club, the others were

surely feeling a little weird (or maybe not just a little) when they noticed that Tezuka was

actually going with them. But since they couldn't find the guts to ask him for some reasons, they

let it be that way for a while. Maybe they would find out the reason sooner.

As for Tezuka, he couldn't understand why he decided to go with Oishi to the girls' tennis court.

Ever since he heard that Kana's opponent was a pianist, he couldn't help wishing for

something. But who was he fooling?

His friends?

His friends didn't even know what he was thinking aboutor to be precise, who he was thinking

about.

Himself?


34/87

Probably especially since his heart had long been succumbed into regret and sadness the day

he let her get away because of the words he said to her. But there was never a day for more than

two years that passed that he neglected to wish he could undo what he did and be with her again.

A girl's laughter and a tennis ball hitting the racket broke him away from his trance. Not only

that, his heart suddenly skipped a beat when he realized that the laughter he heard was familiar.

Too familiar, to be exact, that he thought he suddenly stood in a dream world. He didn't hear it

wrong, right? He has to know that sooner. And that was when he realized that he already reached

the tennis courts. What he saw had put him in a trance once again that hadn't happened before.

This trance, however, only brought back a lot of emotions he thought he succesfully locked up in

the deepest corner of his heart. Along with it, he remembered something that happened the day

he received the purple hyacinth and the music box

"Nocturne op. 9 no. 2 in E-flat major by Frederic Chopin Isn't this the song that we heard at

the memorial hall a week ago?" Fuji asked as he looked at Tezuka who remained stoic.

"Memorial hall? You mean Hondou Renji Memorial Hall? I heard from Aika that Hondou

Renji's granddaughter has returned from America two days before the semester started,"

Kawamura informed calmly

"She really came back" Tezuka unconsciously uttered in surprise as he looked at the tennis

courtsparticularly to Kana's opponent whose back was facing him and his friends since they

were watching the tennis match on the other side of the court's fences. Kana seemed to be

enjoying the match since she just smiled at Oishi upon seeing him.

So it really is her It's Kazumi!Tezuka's mind had finally absorbed the thought as he watched

the tennis match intently. He couldn't believe it! Until now, even though he already received the

purple hyacinth in which only Kazumi was the girl whom he handed the same flower a long time

ago, he couldn't still find it in him to believe in it. But each time the racket hit the ball to the

other side of the net, it forced him to believe.

After all, tennis was one of the the things that kept his mind in focus. As the brunette continued

to return the ball to Kana's side of the court, Tezuka noticed that Kazumi's movements were

somehow minimal, giving it a graceful and elegant effect. When he glanced to his friends from

the corner of his eyes, he could tell that they were awed at the sight. He even saw Inui writing

something in his green notebook as the match was still going on. It was like the data man wastaking down notes on every movement that Kazumi would do.

He gazed back to the tennis court, just in time he saw Kazumi returned the ball to Kana's court

using a technique that made the ball "glide" to the ground as it lowered from the net and only

bounced a few feet away from the service line. He saw Kana jokingly glowered at Kazumi as the

latter laughed.


35/87

"I hate it when you do that glider shot," Kana complained as she pouted. "Are you sure you

mellowed down from playing tennis for years? With the way you played it, it seem to me your

skills hadn't diminished at all."

"Yes, I've mellowed down in playing but that doesn't mean I stopped. Tennis is something I

could never give up no matter what happens to me."

"The same way you couldn'tgive himup?" Kana cautiously asked that took Kazumi aback but

didn't show it.

Besides, there was no need for her to show it even to her childhood friend. A heavy sigh was

heard from her before answering. "Yeah The same way I could never give him up" But as

Kazumi turned around, she felt that time froze somehow as she looked at a particular someone

outside that tennis court. Her eyes then widened before unconsciously dropping both the tennis

ball and the tennis racket she was holding to the ground. She wondered if what she was seeing

right now in front of her was a part of her fantasy, a dream that she wanted to reach.

The others noticed that reaction from Kazumi, making them all confused and suspicions started

to rise. That was what made them look at Tezuka. He was staring at Kazumi wide eyed, as well.

They were surprised to see that from the bespectacled stoic man who couldn't hide the surprise in

his face at that moment.

"O kay Are we missing something here?" Hanako decided to break the tensed silence and

surprised atmosphere surrounding the two. But then they noticed that it wasn't as easy as that

especially when both Kazumi and Tezuka uttered something thateven though it was almost

in a whisperthe others still managed to hear.

"Kazu-chan" Tezuka uttered in a slightly pained tone.

"Kuu it's really you" Kazumi managed to say even though her voice started to crack.

Without her knowing, tears welled up at the brim of her eyes and blurred her vision soon after.

She then lowered her head for a second to avoid Tezuka's stares at her. "I I have to go, Kana-

chan. We'll just continue the match some other time." And before anyone could stop her, she ran

away before she could let the others see the tears starting to fall from her eyes.

But that action didn't only surprise the others, it also made two hearts yearn even more to be with

each other despite the pain that slowly took them over from within. None of them thought thatthis day would hold the one faithful moment they longed for.

But then, how could this moment made them unable to do what they really want to do? How

could this moment only brought them even more pain? Why were they trying to run away?

"I don't think this is going to be easy" Oishi and Kana commented in unison before they

noticed Tezuka walking away.


36/87

"Is that what I think it is?" Inui inquired as he scanned his notebook before he wrote something.

Kana only sighed as she picked up the tennis racket that Kazumi dropped earlier. "Don't ask. It's

already complicated that I couldn't even simplify it in any way."

"I agree" Fuji said.

================================

CHAPTER FOUR

Tezuka decided to head home after unexpectedly seeing someone at the tennis courts. Who

would've thought that it would only take a tennis match for him to really believe that Kazumi

came back for real? And how come he didn't know that she could play tennis, too? How come he

never knew that part of her life? They were friends before, right?

BeforeThat word made him feel like something sharp stabbed his chest. That's right His andKazumi's relationshipto be specific, their friendshipwas a thing of the

Documents

Seasons Of Chances And Love #1: Classic Love in Spring