Remembrance

Kousei walked amongst the crowd towards his beloved piano, painting a scene that famous celebrities know. Crowded amongst the little space he smiled, this is what she meant to be remembered, to be adored?

No, even to touch just a single person's heart with her performance, this was merely fame, few truly had their hearts touched by the music he creates.

He sat on the familiar black piano bench, opening a locket he always had, a miniature picture if the picture Kaori gave him that was slotted inside. A memoir of sorts, the original was still in his house, yet the locket and the letter never left him, weighing in his heart.

He'll definitely never forget.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at the music sheet once and read the title, a classic opener for events like these, Moonlight Sonata, 3rd Movement. Nostalgia hit him, seeing the familiar notes on his music sheet.

His fingers danced, and knowing this is not a competition, not like he cared, he was famous for always going off the sheet music and playing with his heart, only playing to the sheet music when in prestigious competitions, he played his way.

Her way.

The crowd was entranced immediately by the different playing, a piece that was still Moonlight, but no longer Beethoven's. It was his, and his alone.

Spring and seasons blossomed everywhere around them, colors dancing in multiple hues as he played. He played to his hearts content, adding his own twist to the piece, giving a fresh scent of spring to his audience, as they all held silent.

His fingers danced in the ivory keys as he played, not even looking, instead, letting his mind and creativity do the work.

"Life is like a piano. The white keys represent the good things that happen in life, and the black keys represent the bad things that happen in life. You can't have only white keys ― you need black keys as well to play a beautiful symphony."

He smiled at that, how that quote seemed to be so true for everyone he met. The people he had met during his career had their hardships, and struggled to get where they are now. Life is all about struggling.

His fingers slid across the keys as he pressed the pedals to their timing. A beautiful symphony, that's how to describe him right now.

Finishing off his performance, he performed a little extra from him as an ending, a simple piano solo to go off course. The crowd cheered at the marvelous performance he gave. Seeing the crowd happy. He was glad.

He then remembered the very same scene, except that there she was, standing in a very familiar white dress that she wore in competitions, her head held up high as she smiled side to side, her blue eyes shining with brightness as she saw the crowd touched by her music.

A single tear fell from his eye.

Wiping it away, he smiled, as opened his locket that was hidden underneath the suit he wore, remembering her words as she smiled at him, as she pushed him to play once more. She remembered her qupting famous characters and musicians, going with her antics with childishness in her voice.

Maybe there's only a dark road up ahead, but you still have to keep going, and believe that the stars will light up your path, even a little bit. Come on...let's go on a journey!

"There was only a dark path ahead, but you were that star that lit up my path. So thank you for reaching me, Kaori."