My name is Kaede Akamatsu. I'm just a regular high school girl. Though... I'm what people call... A piano freak. Sure, it's a bit insulting, but I don't let it get me down! It probably is true though considering I play the piano all the time...
Right now...
I'm lazing around on the couch... I had spent my days of summer vacation bored. In a few weeks, I have to go back to school. I still haven't decided if I want to go to an academy or not... I sighed and slouched back some more while my parents were watching TV.
Well, there's no point thinking of it now, I'll figure it out eventually! I smiled to myself. Suddenly, my doorbell rang which made me fly out my thoughts.
"Kaede, honey, can you go get that please?"
"Yes, mom!" I happily walked towards the door. My grandma should be moving in today because of her back problems. We all suggested she live here so that we can take care of her. She didn't specify what time she was coming but I didn't think it would be this soon.
I slowly opened the door stepped back to get a running jump to hug her.
"Welcome home grandm-" I jump at her before I open my eyes to instead see two men in suits towering over me.
oh.
I had to stop myself midair to prevent myself from crashing into them. I looked at them embarrassingly. I compose myself and took a step back awkwardly.
"Aha... I mean uhh, how can I help you today, kind sir..s?" I asked with a red face.
My mom walked towards us with a confused expression. "Hello, what do you want from us?"
"May we speak to Kaede Akamatsu?" one of them said with a stern voice.
"I-I'm Kaede Akamatsu!"
"I see.." the other casually handed me a paper.
What's this...?
I look at it and see the Hopes Peak Academy Symbol.
"Wha?!"
My mom and I looked at each other at the same time with our mouths wide open.
My dad walked in too to see what was going on and gave the same expression as the both of us.
"Kaede Akamatsu, please, come join us at Hopes Peak Academy as the Ultimate Pianist." they both bowed at us. "We have watched over you, and you are truly worthy of this title." one of them said still with a blank expression. "Please accept this opportunity from Hopes Peak Academy." the other said.
I tried to get my words out but I just kept stuttering. "I-I-I-I-uh-I would-"
Before I could finish my sentence, my mom pushes me out the way and nods like crazy. "YES, YES, YES, SHE ABSOLUTELY WOULD LOVE TO THANK YOU SO MUCH!"
Both of them finally made a happy expression and bowed at us "We hope to see you there at the beginning of the year. Give us a call for your confirmation." they said at the same time and give us their card before finally leaving.
My dad is on the floor holding his chest while my mom was wiping away her tears. "Kaede, this is great!!!! I'm so proud of you honey! Do you know what they say about people in Hopes Peak?!?!" my mom had finally said and wrapped me in a hug. I hugged her back.
"T-T-Thank you mom I know! It basically gives me a guaranteed career!" I still could not believe that this had just happened. Only a select few get picked at Hopes Peak Academy every year, and I was one of them?!
How could I not accept?
...
After we both calmed down, my mom was making calls to everyone. It's understandable, as I was texting my friends all about it too. My dad was still on the floor holding his chest. He's not dead.. is he?
Now I was REALLY hyped up for school, I could hardly contain my excitement. I was jumping up and down while punching the air. I'm so excited! I needed to get outside and move to control my excitement.
"Momm, I'm heading out for a bit, call me when grandma comes in!" I yell out to her before heading out the door.
"Okay be safe... Ultimate Pianist!"
"Haha, I will!"
My dad's poor body was still in the way so I had to awkwardly kick it inside the door. I run out to the sidewalk. I stop and look up to the sky ready to give my motivational speech.
"Hopes Peak Academy, I am ready to-!"
But before I could finish my sentence... again... I hear rapid footsteps coming towards me which instantly makes me look at the source of the noise.
A boy dressed in all black with a black cap on was running straight at me with rapid steps and before I could even process what's happening he got way too close to me.
"AHHHHHHH! PERVERT!" I screamed and on mere instinct, I slapped him as hard as I could.
"OW!" He fell on the ground and looked up to me while holding his cheek where I had slapped him. My face was red and I was breathing heavily still a bit scared.
"W-Who are you and what do you want?!" I yell out at him
"A-Ah!" he got up and immediately bowed at me "I-I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going, I was just trying to chase that cat!"
"Cat..?" I looked behind me and saw a black cat getting away and eventually leaving my view.
I flared up in embarrassment for the second time today. Now it was my turn to apologize. "I'M SO SORRY!"
I bent down and grabbed his hand to pick him up.
He nodded his head in thanks and just looked towards the ground and shook his head. He pulled his hat down to cover his eyes. "No it's fine, I understand that I would look like a pervert or something, I was running full speed towards you.." he awkwardly laughed.
"No, it's my fault for hitting you, I'm sorry." I said to him giving him an apologetic look.
How awkward... Well, my excitement is mostly gone now.
"It's okay," he replied "I need to get that cat though."
"Oh did your cat run away? So sorry again for getting in your way! What's their name?" I asked excitedly.
"A-Ah, no it's fine like I said. And no, it's not mine. It's for a client."
"Ohhh," I reply, "are you like a firefighter? A pet finder?"
He laughs and finally stops looking at the ground towards me, his hat still over his eyes. "I'm a detective... Kinda. An apprentice at a detective agency.. I mean."
"Woahh, a detective! That's so cool!" I exclaim. It's kind of funny that we are just talking normally like nothing happened.
"Th-Thanks. But I mainly just find cats and dogs and those sort of things.." he looked down at the ground again.
"Oh really? Detectives do that sort of stuff?" I was genuinely curious. I looked at him and he chuckled.
"Yea, I'm not surprised you react that way. Not what most people expect detectives to do.." he put his cap over his eyes.
"No, I still think it's impressive to be a detective. It's cool!" I reassure to him.
"Th-Thank you.." he said looking towards the ground. I guess this boy is a bit shy. I could've sworn I saw his face turn red for some reason.
After staring at him acting flustered, I noticed that he was actually kind of cute. Even though his hat covered most of his face.
N-No, what am I thinking?
All of a sudden, he looked up rather quickly with a scared expression that made me forget those embarrassing thoughts I had a moment ago. "Ah shoot, I forgot about the cat! S-Sorry but I gotta go now, bye!"
He starts running down the sidewalk and I don't know why but I just felt a need to go with him. I quickly start running and catch up so I'm beside him. "W-Wait! Let me help! It's the least I can do for hitting you!"
He nodded and muttered out a "Thanks." before we dashed off after the cat.