Beside You (Akira Sendoh Fan Fiction)

67

Ayane's POV

Once I reached the stage's center, I bowed. The audience's hushed silence amplified the gravity of the moment I was in.

I sat on the piano bench after adjusting it a little, and once I was ready, the first note of La Campanella filled the hall.

This-- this is what I was made for, no doubt.

My music is my gift to the world. The same with Yoko's art, the same with Sendoh's sportsmanship.

The notes reverberated, blossoming into a story as I tickled the keys. The notes rose and fell-- echoing and resonating within each soul in attendance.

Upon the final note, I experienced a mere second of silence before hearing a thunderous applause, a testament of delight, of happiness-- a proof that I touched a soul through music.

I bowed to show appreciation before taking my exit, the only time when the cheers were hushed.

I returned to the green room to reclaim the stillness I left after leaving a while ago to perform. I heaved a long sigh after closing the door. I could still hear a faint melodious piece from outside. Another pianist took his turn.

Looking at my fingers, I inhaled once more to ease the tension brewing inside of me.

Seconds, minutes, hours-- time seemed to stretch as I waited the momentous announcement: until it finally arrived.

"Miss Koyuki."

A lady, one of the organizers, who wore a suit and held her hair in a neat bun, said, popping her head through the ajar door,

"Can I come in?"

"Certainly" I said, standing up.

Once she came in, she carefully closed the door. Holding a small envelope in her hands, she expressed her gratitude and praised my performance before telling me that I'm part of the successful musicians.

I nodded with every word, telling her I understand.

"They would like you to do an encore, Miss Koyuki. Please also go on stage in 10 minutes to receive your award."

A surge of giddiness ran through my body. I bit my lower lip to contain myself.

I called Sendoh to deliver good news once she left.

🍋

The audience applauded us the moment we returned to the stage. We were each given a chance to have our picture taken with our prizes and we held an encore.

When I was on the stage, the only thing I saw from where I stood were camera flashes. Somewhere in the front row, I heard someone clapped loudly when my name was called.

The acknowledgements and pleasantries lasted for around 30 minutes.

There will be a post-ceremony celebration in one of the halls. I found it convenient since everyone invited to the reception won't need to go to another venue.

I decided to return to the green room to leave my trophy and the certificate I just won. Aside from that, I was given a bouquet!

The bouquet was a woven piece of art, made up of white ranunculus. Pops of color were made by adding clusters of crimson berries. The final touches from sprigs of silvery eucalyptus leaves added a touch of sophistication. A burgundy velvet ribbon tied all of it together.

I was looking for my pass to unlock and access my green room. I was struggling to find it from all that I was carrying.
I was the only person in the hallway I was in, or so I thought.

"Hey, Ayane."

A voice called out, a voice I never heard before.

"Sorry, I'm quite busy..." I replied without turning around to face the person to called my name.

I heard him chuckle.

"C'mon, Ayane...." He said, dragging the sound of my name.

He sounded too confident and too friendly as if we're acquainted.

Hearing that made me turn around, and upon doing so, upon seeing the person who stood before me---- I was hit with a sudden swell of emotions.

There was no denying it.

"Hey, Ayane." He said for the third time.

Shock shackled me from where I stood, and I felt like I was losing my breath. My vision blurry, my arms went loose and it fell on my side.

The bouquet, my trophy, and certificate collided with the tiled floor. I heard the clang of metal from the trophy but it wasn't enough to wake me up from the trance I was in.

Everything was coming back.

I suddenly heard my name being called, but how it sounded--- it sounded like it was taken from the pits of my memory.

My mind is playing tricks on me, this is impossible.

This is not happening.

Not right now.

Everything came crashing back. The memories I was once fond of and the ones I desperately tried to forget.

"Been a while, hasn't it, Ayane?"

I stood, frozen, staring right back him.

Oh, how much he has grown. He's as tall as Akira Sendoh.

That curly, sandy blonde hair.

There is no mistaking it.

His golden amber eyes shone in sync with the silver stud that pierced one of his ears.

"It's so nice to see you again."

He warmed a smile, reminiscent of the smiles he was always fond of giving me from years ago

It's Kei.