OMORI: RECITAL

2 Months Left + Growing Impatience

2 Months Left

A month has passed since they began practice. Mari seemed dissatisfied with some of the melody and reshaped it into something else. Hero had said that she can be quite the perfectionist but it lead to Sunny, Mari and Aubrey having to learn the new bits and forget the old ones. The percussion instruments were mostly the same, Mari wanted the image of building waves with what they had. But she was so meticulous about the whole thing that the smallest mistep would lead to them stopping and starting over whenever they'd practice.

Sunny was still fine with playing the violin but it began taking its toll on his fingers, he just had to hope he didn't get blisters. He was starting to doubt his own abilities in a way, 'You are rushing, now you are dragging. That's the wrong note, that was flat, re-tune the violin the notes aren't sounding the same...' Where was his big sister from a week ago who had dove into the water to save his life? It doesn't matter right now, once these two months have gone, once the recital is done with, he could have his sister back... Hopefully.

Basil had noticed the growing rift in the group however. He had raised concerns to Kel who thinks that everything would turn out fine and that even if they fight they'll still be friends. As much as Basil took comfort in Kel's overwhelming positivity, this was a lot different as Basil felt a lot of doubt. His friends meant the world to him and he'd be distraught if something were to happen to any of them or if something went really wrong.

Aubrey had more on her plate however. Sometimes she would come home and see her parents argue, it's nothing bad but she begins to fear if it would ever escalate. 'They love each other, right?' She thinks to herself, 'Mums and Dads should love each other...'

Hero seemed to be the only one keeping Mari sane. He knew something was off but he was unable to press any issues, he could at least take Mari away from the piano so she could take a break from time to time. All he could do for her right now is give her the support she needs even if she wasn't as willing to accept to it.

Other than Kel, things seemed to be taking a mental toll on everyone. Mari was taking a small music piece before a school play too seriously but there was a bigger reason for that. One day Sunny had overheard one of her conversations with Hero, turns out teachers from a prestigious performing arts college were going to this play being done by the high schoolers, likely scouting students to offer opportunities and possible placements. She wanted to impress them and get into a good college on her own merit.

Sunny simply knew one thing, 'it's all about her, isn't it?' As much as he would be happy for her success it seemed wrong for her to try to use them like this, was this whole thing out of love or was it out of gain? Something he couldn't find an answer for, all he could do right now is just do his best, no matter the motive his sister held.

...

Growing Impatience

Mari and Sunny were in the piano room, no sheet music to be seen, Mari would start playing the keys elegantly as her piece began. She nailed the first bit and began playing the chords and melody, Sunny patiently waiting for his cue until- plink! Mari groaned, she resumed playing again, Sunny didn't mind if she made a mistake but then he heard it again- plink! "Hmmrph." Mari took a deep breath. She tried to do the same as last time and made another mistake, "Stop struggling..." She said to herself, Sunny looked over at Mari in concern. Mari kept trying but she kept on making mistakes whenever she would start again, soon she started mashing the keys on the piano, "Graahhhh!"

Sunny slowly shifted away and left the piano room. Hero and Kel were sat in the living room, "Hey Sunny, how's practice going?"

"Mari's uh, a bit frustrated." Sunny said to him, "Could you um... Calm her down?"

"Leave it to me." Hero got up, Sunny and Kel watched the TV until a few minutes later Hero came back, "Yeah... No, I couldn't calm her down."

Kel looked a little concerned, "That's weird, Mari usually, well, she always listens to you."

Hero nodded, "Well Mari said she wanted to continue practicing even when I insisted for her to calm down and take a break." He then turned to Sunny, "Mari would probably want you to practice right now. Don't overdo it and don't get cranky like her, okay?"

Sunny smiled a little, "Right..." He went upstairs and put his violin on his neck, part of him was relieved that he'd be practicing on his own this time. Sunny and Aubrey are at different skill levels but he's been seeing how she's improving. Even though he'd be using sheet music with Aubrey during the piece, he would try to practice without it, close his eyes and play so he wouldn't be able to see the crowds of people that would be watching and listening in his head. 'There are still two months, take your time.'

His thoughts were interrupted by Kel who walked in, "Heya Sunny, I thought I'd give you company while you practice."

"Thanks, Kel..." Sunny began to play again, he thought he'd try to get the bit he kept messing up by doing the lead up to it and at a slower tempo. But once he got back to normal tempo he still messed up, Sunny let out an annoyed groan.

"Woah Sunny, that was a Mari groan you let out there."

"A... Mari groan?" He titled his head.

"Whenever we mess up too many times or in a bad way we hear her groan in... What I think is annoyance?"

"I see..." Sunny replied, well she was getting annoyed at herself this time round.

"Either way, I believe that we can do this. It takes time to get things right, right?"

"Yeah." Sunny smiled at Kel's trademark positivity, "Are you... Happy that we're all doing this?"

"Hm? Of course I am. Though we might not do this again... So when we're all up on that stage. I'm gonna have the biggest smile on my face, even if we fail!"

The two chuckled, soon after Sunny began practicing again with Kel watching on happily.