A Love Song

Prologue

Ten years Ago~

The grand piano sits lonely in the center of the party. Old people mingle, drink, hide their true appearances and motives behind a toothy smile. While my dad talks to the other heroes, I am left here sitting down; expected to keep a straight posture, a flawless smile. I was to set our name high and elegant meanwhile the kids my age were engaging in joyous conversations and running off to the garden nearby to play. 

I wanted to sigh, join them, or let out a frown –the opposite of what I was doing. Sure I was used to this life, but it's not normal. A five year old shouldn't be feel such pressure at this age. But it was sure for me to experience it since my dad wanted me to follow his footsteps.

And yet, despite being a child, I know this is a life I do not want. Then again, at times I do not know what I want. I have no dreams, I have no wishes, I have no strength to retaliate. How I wish I could find a reason to truly smile? Be a normal kid for once.

My unhappy thoughts are broken when I see a man I've never seen before walking towards the piano. He sits down in front of it. Slowly, the music seems to fill the room to the brim, then spills out through doors and windows and cracks in the walls, all while his slender fingers dance sweetly on the keys.

The song finishes, people clap and he gave a bow. Many strike a conversation with him. He smiles at them, probably due to their praise. My eyes widen and my stiff composure breaks. I'm stunned; his smile screams sincerity. Never had I seen someone smile so truthfully.

My tiny feet makes its way through the crowd of people. I reach the piano and eye it with wonder. My mind thinking how could a thing such as a piano make a beautiful melody.

"Hey little one, do you like the piano?" the pianist suddenly asked me.

Looking at him closely he did not look too old. He seemed to be around his early thirties or probably late twenties. He has short auburn hair, green eyes, and a kind voice. I glance at him timidly and nod my head at his question.

"My name is Asai Kanato, nice to meet you." He greets me with a smile.

"(L/N) (Y/N)! Nice to meet you too! You're the one who played before! You're awesome!" I exclaimed joyfully –I completely forgot about the serious façade I was instructed to hold by my dad. Timidly I finished saying, "You...you play so beautiful."

He smiles again; a sincere smile again, "You know, I was about your age when my interest for music began. At first it was only a dream and within a matter of practice and motivation, here I am. A professional pianist."

"Really?" I asked excitedly, "Playing the piano does sound nice. I hope I can someday play the piano just like you! Although... I don't know... I wish I had a dream as cool as yours. I don't have one yet." I dejectedly looked down.

He crouched down to my level and patted my head. "Well it looks like you just found your dream, little one. I bet you'll play the piano beautifully someday, even better than me. Keep holding onto that dream little one, it just may come true one day. Never give up. You too can make your dream come true. Whether it's playing a piano or something else."

It was those words, that awoke me. It awoke the dream I had sleeping in my heart. It was then where it all began and where I also began to grown numb.

No matter how hard I kept holding onto Kanato's words and fighting for my dream, there was always an impediment from reaching my dream, my happiness, and that had a name –it was my dad.

Along the years, within my dad's difficult training I would manage to sneak in piano lessons at school. I was highly skilled for my age and praised by many of my peers and teachers. Many of them tried encouraging me to play in public, to join the music club, to play for school events.