Rhythms of hearts

Cherry Blossom Tree

Wednesday, 18 November 2020, 3pm

It has been three days. Semi still felt something was off. But he doesn't know what. He even got in some professional artists to help him, but they also cannot figure it out. He had to postpone the album; he didn't have any other choice. Some fans were mad, some fans understood.

Semi sighed. He didn't know what to do. He stared at the cars driving by from his window, trying to feel like the main character but he cringed in the end. Nowadays, he takes a nature walk around his neighbourhood to get something to inspire him. It obviously wasn't working. He wanted to give up but gave it another chance that day. He put on his tracker pants and a leather jacket and went out. Today, he was going to go to the park where the Shiratorizawa members always jog at.

As Semi wandered along the familiar pathway, the scent of pine needles and earth enveloped him in a comforting embrace. It honestly has been eight years since he last visited his place. He was forced to live in the city, or else he will be seen as the 'poor' rockstar. Each step was like a memory to him — the laughter of friends, warming up for volleyball practice, playing at the playground just for fun, and the bittersweet ache of his first love, Shirabu. Semi walked towards the cherry blossom tree which where he asked Shirabu to meet privately. The Cherry Blossom tree had a legend, where if you confess to your crush under that very tree, you have very high chances of your crush feeling the same way. That was what Semi wanted to do, but he failed. Just as he was about to confess, Shirabu received an email, where he got accepted to one of the most prestigious medical schools in Japan. Semi didn't want to ruin the moment, so he celebrated with Shirabu. It was painful to see the cherry blossom tree once again. Now, Shirabu don't dare talk to the Shiratorizawa members, so they don't know whether he became a doctor or something else.

Lost in thought, he almost didn't notice the figure approaching him from the opposite direction. It was only when they were almost face-to-face that Semi recognised him — Kenjiro Shirabu, his high school sweetheart, or more like crush. Time seemed to be slow as their eyes met. Semi still felt the warmth in Shirabu's emotionless gorgeous brown eyes.

"Semi-san?" Shirabu's voice broke the silence, tingled with a mixture of surprise and nostalgia.

Semi didn't respond. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know that Shirabu would walk this pathway. That meet-up was unexpected. Semi's fingers intertwined, he was too nervous to even make eye contact now, when Shirabu spoke. His voice was so rich and melodic, which made Semi blushed.

Shirabu held his hands, he thought Semi was having an anxiety attack. Semi was flustered. Shirabu wasn't this nice as before. Shirabu wanted to say something, but someone ruined the magical romantic moment. Somebody old was actually having a seizure! Shirabu jumped into action. His actions were so fast, Semi felt like it was hard to catch up on what was going on. It felt like he knows all this stuff. Probably it was the basics in Medical School, Semi thought. Shirabu ordered Semi to call the ambulance because the old lady was losing her pulse. Semi dialled 911 as quickly as he could.

When the ambulance arrived, Shirabu guided the paramedics to bring the old lady into the ambulance. Shirabu hopped into the back of the ambulance. He waved goodbye to Semi and gave him a smile.

Semi didn't even have the chance to talk to Shirabu properly. Another failure.  Something hit Semi. 'Why did Shirabu instructed the paramedics and hopped onto the ambulance?' Semi thought. 'Maybe he was just concerned for the old lady. I mean...' he believed. But he was still upset at about the missed opportunity to talk to him.

Suddenly, an idea popped in Semi's mind. He was going to include a love song about Shirabu in his album.  Of course, he won't make it too obvious that it was about his first love. He immediately went home and was skipping with joy because he didn't need to stress over the song he was planning.

When he got home, he started writing a whole new song for his album. Due to his high passion and determination, he managed to do everything in a day. He was so excited to present his new song. The only opportunity he had was to do it is at the charity event.