"What do you mean?! Why are you not participating in the finals of the Inter High?!" cried Chiharu in disbelief.
Akashi glared at her. "Don't question me. Daiki won't be playing. Satsuki won't let him. It wouldn't be interesting if I played. Also, Rakuzan's victory is already assured."
"Still..."
One sharp gaze from Akashi's heterochromatic eyes shut her up. He then smoothly stood from his seat behind Chiharu and walked out of the classroom.
"Is something wrong?" Kisara questioned eyeing Akashi as he left.
Chiharu turned to Kisara. "It's nothing," she grumbled, sitting back in her seat. Remembering the upcoming school festival, she looked back to Kisara.
"Our class is organising the music compartment, right?"
Kisara nodded her head.
Rakuzan High, as a well renowned and prestigious high school in Japan, had many outside visitors during their school festival. Normal school would have cafes, plays and games organised by the students in their school festival. Rakuzan High, instead provided the platform for students to perform their talents. The outside visitors were usually scouters from companies and the school festival was the best place to showcase that talent.
Every class in the first year was assigned a specific category in which they were to show their achievements in. This included sport, music and artworks. It was to encourage activity and excellence in all areas. It was also supported by the school motto, 'Accomplishment in both Letters and Arms.'
Second years and third years had the freedom to choose which category they want to display their individual talent in. This was to give them a stage relevant to their accomplishments.
As a first year, Chiharu's class was assigned to feature their accomplishments in Music. That was easy enough for her as she had learnt and excelled in piano. She still remembered her harmonisation with Akashi, two years ago. It was one of her best memories that she shared with him.
Others, like Kisara, who excelled in other subjects, weren't happy with the lack of freedom to perform what they had wanted. Nevertheless, they would still have to perform.
...
The students passed around a sheet given by the teacher, stating what instrument they were going to perform with. Chiharu wrote down 'piano' before scanning through what other students chose.
Kisara had chosen to sing, seeing how she couldn't play an instrument and Akashi, as Chiharu expected, had written down the violin. There were a variety of other instruments written down as well, the majority choosing to sing as their class hadn't been put in their favourable category.
Chiharu then passed the sheet down to the person in front of her. She turned her attention back to the teacher.
"In preparation for the upcoming school festival, there will be no school in the next few weeks. We expect you all to practice for your chosen instrument at home. As you've all entered this school from a harsh selection process, I trust that you will be able to manage this by yourself." The teacher paused. She looked down at her notes and finding something, she quickly looked up."Also the principal has specially requested that this be a duet." She stated looking back down at her notes.
The whole class cried out in disagreement. As if on cue, the school bell rang.
The teacher quickly continued. "The principal wants to encourage teamwork with your teammates. He said that's the one thing this school lacks. Therefore, for the first time in our school festival all first year students will be performing their act in a duet. I want a list of all the partners before the end of the week. That is all."
The teacher briefly left the classroom as a crescendo of murmurs came from amongst the students. Kisara in turn stood up, walking towards Chiharu.
"Nee, Chiharu, do you want to be partners?" she asked eagerly. Chiharu looked around the classroom. It seemed everyone else was deciding their partners too. Her eyes found themselves swimming towards Akashi. It seemed he was also talking calmly to a dark haired boy.
She smiled back at Kisara. "Sure!"
...
"Momoi! Momoi!" cried Hayama, as he bounced next to Chiharu. They were walking towards the gym, after being called to run an errand by Shirogane.
Chiharu looked towards the childish blond head. "What is it?" she asked passively.
"What is your class doing for the school festival?" he asked excitedly.
"Our class is doing the music compartment," she replied. "How about you?"
Hayama leaned back on his arms in thought. "Well, since I'm a second year and I mainly excel in sport, I'm probably doing something related to basketball. Eikichi's also doing basketball but Reo-nee has other ideas."
He leaned in whispering to Chiharu. "He wants to showcase his flower arrangement skills."
As soon as those words escaped his lips, he burst into laughter.
"Hayama-kun!" Chiharu reprimanded. "Mibuchi-nee has other ambitions other than basketball!"
Hayama nodded his head as they reached the gym.
"Akashi!" Hayama yelled from across the gym. Akashi looked up.
"What is it Kotaro?" he questioned, annoyed. Hayama quickly bounced up to Akashi, Chiharu following closely from behind.
"What are you doing for the music compartment?" Hayama asked enthusiastically.
Akashi went back to reading some newspaper clippings and information about other high school basketball teams. "The violin," he stated indifferently.
Hayama looked back at Chiharu. He held a hand to his mouth, trying to contain his laughter. Again.
"What is it now, Hayama-kun?" asked Chiharu.
"I heard the principal wants the first years to work as a duet," he said in between laughs. "Are you and Akashi doing it together since you are in the same class?"
Chiharu coughed whilst Akashi looked up at Hayama, threateningly. There was an awkward silence before Chiharu replied, "No. I'm doing it with a friend, Kisara."
Hayama suddenly exploded into a cackle of laughter, immediately silencing himself with a deathly glare from Akashi. Chiharu looked between the two, confused.
"It's nothing," Akashi stated before walking away from the two and finding another corner to read his newspaper clippings.
Hayama grabbed Chiharu around the neck, and leaned down facing the other direction.
"Akashi still hasn't found a partner," He whispered.
Chiharu jolted back in shock. "What... why? Isn't he the best of the best? Shouldn't people want to partner with him?"
Hayama furtively glanced towards Akashi before looking back at Chiharu. "It seems people are too scared to partner with him. I mean if you were to stuff up during the performance... Akashi would kill you," he muttered. "I thought he would pair up with you, since you are like the only person he accepts in his class. But it seems he hasn't even asked you."
Chiharu glanced at Akashi before turning back to Hayama. "You're right. He would kill them..."
...
Chiharu stood, arms folded, in front of Akashi who was reading at his table.
He looked up. "Momoi. What is it?"
"I'm your partner," she stated.
"What?" he questioned in disbelief.
"You wouldn't have found a partner anyways..." she muttered before turning around and taking her seat at her own table.
Akashi studied her. "Kisara?" he breathed.
"Kisara is partners with Mana." She answered. She would never tell him that she told Kisara everybody was too afraid to partner with Akashi and that's why she had agreed. It would rid of his pride and perhaps make him reject her as a partner.
She turned to look at him, surprised to see his heterochromatic eyes watching her.
Warmly.
"Akashi-kun," she asked, shocked that she had caught him in a daze.
He blinked. The cold seeping back in his gaze.
"Come to my house to practice," he said before turning back to the book in front of him.
...
"Chiharu-san!" cried Fuji as he opened the doors to welcome Chiharu in. "Young master Seijuro told me you were coming today, and I was so excited that I prepared you the best assortment of snacks!"
"Fuji-san," Chiharu greeted, entering the house. "You don't have to do this every time!"
Fuji grinned. "Young master Seijuro smiled more this week than any I have seen in the past two years!" he exclaimed.
Chiharu followed Fuji into the spacious house.
"Momoi," Akashi greeted when she turned the corner into the lounge room. Chiharu, in turn, also greeted him. He was sitting on the three seater couch with a few music sheets laid on the coffee table. She sat down beside him.
"What song do you want to play?" he inquired, handing her the titles of several songs.
Chiharu scanned the list, recognising them as famous classical pieces. Seeing the one song she wanted to play not on the list, she frowned and faced Akashi.
"Beethoven's 5th symphony," she stated.
He frowned in return. "Not that song. Pick another."
She confronted him. "Why?"
"Because I said so," he replied smoothly.
She stood up. "We played it perfectly last time!" she exclaimed.
"Chiharu, sit down," he said, trying to calm himself.
"No," she replied.
She would not back down.
He stood up. "No one looks down on me. I am absolute," he emphasised, glaring at her.
Fuji came through the corridor bringing in plates of food from the kitchen. He paused at the confrontation between his young master and Chiharu.
"Uhh... food?" he suggested, breaking the ice between them.
Chiharu sat down as Fuji laid out the food on the coffee table. Akashi sat down after her.
"I rather like Pachelbel's Canon," Akashi stated, holding up a sheet of music.
"Beethoven," grumbled Chiharu unhappily.
"You're acting like a kid," Akashi commented.
Chiharu glared at him. Akashi wavered. After a few moments he gave up and sighed.
"Since this is a duet, I will account for your decisions. Fine. We will do Beethoven's 5th symphony," Akashi said.
Chiharu grinned. "If you would agree, I'll be more than happy to act like a kid!"
"Kid," Akashi stated whilst smirking.
After finishing the snacks, Akashi led her to a chamber, leading to an upstairs compartment. Soon she found herself in a room filled with instruments
"You're playing the piano right?" he asked, whilst motioning to a sleek grand piano in the centre of the room. Chiharu was hoping to see the familiar white piano she had played two years ago, but she guessed it would've been too difficult to move the piano to Kyoto.
"I assume you still know the piece without the music?" Akashi asked.
"Yes," Chiharu replied. "I play it regularly at home."
Akashi walked over to a matching violin set.
"Let's start."
...
The harmonious music filled Akashi's house, echoing throughout the chambers and dancing through the gardens. It didn't take long for Akashi and Chiharu to master the piece.
Fuji secretly opened the door and poked his head into the music room, tearing up at the sight of his young master and Chiharu playing with perfect timing. As he always had since years ago, he pulled out his camera and snapped a shot of the pair. He closed the door and waited until the music stopped.
Before Akashi and Chiharu could repeat the piece after they had finished playing, Fuji knocked and opened the door.
"Why don't you go to the gardens to take a break?" he suggested.
Chiharu looked up in excitement. She had remembered Akashi's majestic white horse, Fujimaru. She turned towards Akashi, like a puppy waiting for a treat.
Akashi wiped the sweat of his brow with the cuff of his shirt. He looked up to see Chiharu's pleading face. He couldn't help but smile in response. Chiharu was better at playing the piano than he had expected. In the time they had practiced she hadn't made any mistakes.
He observed her eager face as she waited for a response.
"Fine."
...
"Yukimaruuuu!" Chiharu cried, running up to the snowy white horse.
Akashi watched from afar as the horse jolted from her exclamation. He still remembered how awkward and scared Chiharu was when he had first introduced Yukimaru to her. He smiled as he recalled her figure, shakily clutching the stable pole, her eyes watery from fright.
Now she was different. She wasn't afraid. And maybe someone like her was what he needed.
He watched as Chiharu scratched the familiar spot behind Yukimaru's ear. Yukimaru's muzzle rubbed against her face in response and she smiled in enthusiasm.
Fuji walked up next to him, with a basket.
"Chiharu-san reminds me of the madam," he stated. Akashi's eyes narrowed.
"My mother?" he questioned.
"Yes. When your mother was alive, she used to love playing with Yukimaru. Don't you remember? You would always follow her lead," Fuji asked.
Akashi shook his head. "No. I don't remember. My mother is dead."
She's dead in my memories. And my father will follow her lead.
Fuji shook his head sadly. He had served three generations of the Akashi household. It seemed to be coming to its end; all burdens rested on his young master's shoulder. Only Chiharu could bring back the smile the young master had once held. He had seen it just earlier in the day when they were playing music.
Fuji walked forward, a basket of apples in one hand.
"Chiharu-san. Feed Yukimaru some apples," he said, whilst holding the basket out to her. Chiharu took it gratefully.
"Thank you, Fuji-san!"
A/N
Hey guys!
I know this chapter is about Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, but I couldn't help but put Pachelbel's Canon in the beginning (Love that song XD)
Anyway, as always thanks for reading and please vote, comment and share!
Belfoo