LOVE TRIAL

- try again

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kusuo

"LET'S TRY IT AGAIN, PLEASE?" THE h/c haired girl begged, clasping her hands together in a pleading manner. i rolled my eyes, grabbing my school bag and slinging it over my shoulder. why did i even bother to stay if i knew she was gonna act like this? no— why did i even enter the room knowing y/n of all people would be here?

ah, that's right.

footsteps echoed throughout the empty hallway. that's odd, no one should be here since it's afterschool, the only reason why i am here is because y/n insisted we walk home together. seeing as i didn't want to face her little complaints the next day, i hesitantly obliged.

my x-ray vision didn't detect anyone inside the rooms— that is, until the footsteps echoed again, and then the sound of a sliding door closing gently. confused, i followed the sounds and found myself in front of the music room; the same music room that people have been spreading rumors about, saying how it plays at night on its own.

that's ridiculous because the one playing the piano is y/n. i squinted slightly, trying to see through the doors and catch a glimpse of what she's doing. she sat down, stiffly pressing the notes, unsure of what she was doing was right in the first place.

then, she took in a deep breath and continued playing, fingers gradually moving with such fluidity that it you wouldn't be able to tell she had difficulty playing the instrument a few seconds ago. melodic notes surrounded the almost empty room she was in, said sounds seeping from the crack of the door she failed to completely shut.

i stood there, stunned, not knowing what to do. it was almost... ethereal. i didn't know she played the piano. maybe she did when she left first grade.

this girl... did she forget that we were going home together?

suddenly, the piano made an odd sound, indicating y/n pressed the wrong key. a frown etched onto her lips as she sighed once more. i should probably reveal myself, i want to go home already. acting upon my decision, i slid open the door. y/n's eyes widened in surprise, "wait, kusuo? what are you doing here?"

"i should be asking you the same thing. you're the one who told me we should walk home together." i stared down at her. y/n gasped, as if those plans slipped her mind, "ah, i completely forgot!" she exclaimed, slapping her forehead in shame. "well, since we're both already here, wanna play with me?" shooting a hopeful glance at me, she scooted to the edge of the piano stool, patting the seat.

i grimaced, not wanting to get into another one of her antics. is this another ploy to make me fall for her?

"no, thanks. if you're gonna stay here longer, i'll go home myself." turning my heel, i began to walk to the door when y/n called out to me. "oh, c'mon! just one song!" that's what you always say, you idiot.

"fine." receiving a smile from the girl, i took a seat and stared at the piano keys. i don't even play the piano, what was i thinking? "do you play the piano?" shaking my head, y/n laughed, "it's fine. you can just watch me play then." i don't want to.

unable to refuse once again, i sat beside y/n playing the piano with the same tune as before. i could only watch, after all— might as well take it in.

y/n moved her hand further to the spot i was hovering my hand, inevitably brushing against it. "press a note." she whispered, halting her performance. confused, i pressed the a black key that emitted a high tune. a giggle escaped the girl's lips as she made up a tune that started with the key i pressed.

just how impressive can she get?

y/n is already very skilled in art and now she's skilled in music? how many hidden talents did she have? it's almost inhumane to be good at both music and art in the same level of expertise as well. yet, even when she's this skilled, she gets treated like a normal classmate. maybe it's because she never outright shows off her skills or no one actually pays attention to her. even after interacting with teruhashi for a couple of months, no one lumped y/n together with her.

it's like she's normal and special at the same time that it frustrates me.

"let's go home now." i finally said, making y/n stop playing the piano.

"what?" frowning, she stared at me with a pleading look, "let's try it again, please?"

that's how i ended up in the music room with y/n. good grief, i let my emotions get the better of me again. why did i have such thoughts of jealousy and confusion with y/n anyway? she's so irritating yet calming at the same time that i don't know what to think of her at this point.

she was a bother at first, trying to befriend me for no reason, trying to get close to me. i didn't even want to but she somehow forced her way into my life. again. she did it twice. once when we were children, and the other when we're in high school. and she befriended me without even knowing i was the kid she made a promise to be lovers with during her childhood.

it's like the universe was mocking me, trying to challenge me.

what am i supposed to do with her? nothing i say or do can make her hate me.

... although, as much as i would want her to leave my life as soon as possible, i want her to stay for just a little longer. just a little more so i could finally have an answer as to why my feelings are so puzzling whenever she's near. it's like i feel like i can control them but ultimately i can't, seeing as how they get the better of me.

"you can play it again tomorrow." i finally replied, wanting to go home already. grumbling, y/n grabbed her school bag and slung it over her shoulder, walking out the music room with me.

-

"i missed playing the piano! it was really refreshing to try out again." y/n let out a contented sigh and stretched her arms. it seems like her annoyance towards me was short lived. does y/n ever get mad? i've never seen her get mad at me for a long time— the longest being an hour.

"hey, i remember i used to play with someone during second grade or so. that can't be you, right? i transfered schools." she mumbled to herself, looking as if she's recalling the memory. i read her mind and all i saw was her child self playing the piano with a blurred silhouette next to her— they were laughing.

"i'm glad i was able to make it!" the voice in the memory cheered with relief in their voice. that was all i saw before y/n's thoughts shifted to what she should paint next.

i stared at the concrete sidewalk that we walked on, the sunset still capable of shedding some light on the path, making our shadows visible. continuing to stare at it, a shadow with two fingers appeared on top of my head. confused, i looked up and saw y/n's hand behind mine, a smile on her face.

...

i wss the one who played piano with you during second grade, y/n.

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“so whenever you ask me again how i feel, please remember my answer is you.”