Hydrangeas in Bloom | a3! oneshots

sakisaka muku | hyoudou juuza | tachibana izumi | Aria of Memory

based on heaven's aria

synopsis; the memory of your sister's fourteenth birthday was a bittersweet one, yet these memories are what made you, you. How could you ever forget them?

"Uwah! So cool! You're really good, [name]-chan!"

The moment the song ended, your eyes fluttered open to meet the sight of Muku's awed expression. His eyes were bright and his lips were parted to express his wonder with the small performance you put on for both your childhood friends. While you were normally reluctant in showing off something you had little confidence in, you decided to brave the embarrassment for the opinions of your friends. After all, you promised your older sister an exclusive performance for her birthday and you were planning on it being your best.

In response to his praise, your chest fluttered and the firm line your lips were set in began to curve with the makings of a shy smile. You fidgeted in place for a moment as you lowered your small violin to your chest and with flushed cheeks, you averted your gaze from his to meet the sight of your silent friend, Juuza, who stood next to him.

You valued Muku's opinion, though he tended to hold you in higher regard and was seemingly amazed by just about anything you did. Juuza was more honest and so you often sought him out if you wanted a truly reliable opinion.

You hear him hum, his sharp eyes opening to meet your own and then he nods. "It's good."

His words are so very simple, yet it suits him. He was a boy who spoke very little though each word he said carried weight. His compliment made your lips spread into a grin and for the first time since you picked up the violin, you felt confident.

You hugged the instrument close to your chest, your heart filling with warmth as you gazed upon your two childhood friends. Without them, you were sure you wouldn't have had the assurance to go through with your promised song for your older sister. While you may have studied the sheets of music for a month straight, disregarding the free time that you usually used to play with your friends, in order to memorize notes though merely reading music vastly differed from you actually playing it.

Playing the violin was difficult. Your arm and wrist would grow sore from holding the bow for too long, and sometimes your shoulder would give out if you hadn't given it a rest for a few days. You would get frustrated when you messed up, ashamed that you couldn't get a certain note just the right pitch or tune so it would emit that special color you associated it with. Sometimes, you even swore you hated it, yet you'd find yourself playing the very next day.

You were slowly growing to love the violin. Its sound comforted you and the array of brightly hued colors that would burst beneath the lids of your eyes in response to them was a sight you wouldn't trade for the world.

"Muku, Juu-chan," Your tone is soft, gentle and so quiet it almost gets carried away by the wind, yet your two dearest friends hear you loud and clear. "Thanks for listening."

Although Juuza bristles slightly at the nickname both you and Muku forced on him, he doesn't say anything this time. Instead, he lightly smiles at you, joining your side along with Muku who immediately clings to your arm as he gushes over your newest skill. It was the first time you had shown either of them just what it was that was keeping you from coming out of your house most days and so to say they were excited was an understatement. The happiness of their approval made you buzz with elation and cheerfully, you engaged in conversation with Muku, telling him all about the different notes and colors you memorized to get the song just right. Neither of them stopped your rambling even if they didn't understand half of it. For them, it was the first time they'd ever heard you speak that much, especially so passionately.