Like a caged bird (Tokyo Revengers)

1

-Aena! You're on in 5 minutes!

-Yes!

I tune my violin one last time to be sure. In a way, it reassures me.

After all, who doesn't get nervous before going on stage?

Especially today. I used to play in front of wealthy people, but this is different. They're not ONLY rich people, no. Most of the people here tonight are members of the mafia.

I wish I'd never had to play in front of people like that, but unfortunately, money rules the world.

And I hear they've paid a fortune to see me play. Unfortunately, my reputation also precedes me in the underground world.

I'm considered a prodigy, and I have to admit that I am one. I was only thirteen when I won the Henryk Wieniawski International Competition. (If anyone knows of a more prestigious competition, please tell me).

After that, my career took off. I'd won one competition after another and played in the most prestigious venues in the world.

I was always told that my music was so alive that you could see it.

That makes me happy, even if that wasn't why I became a violinist. The best reasons are the most intimate ones.

Oh, how thoughtless of me, I forgot to introduce myself.

My name is Aena Fujimoto, I've been 20 for a few months now and, as you've probably guessed, I'm a professional violinist. A soloist to be precise, specialising in classical music.

Honestly, right now, I don't feel very comfortable.

Yes, the mafia counts but it's a more childish reason that wins out.

The problem is my dress. I usually wear a long black dress but someone spilt coffee on it. In a panic, I was given a short white lace dress.

It may seem harmless, but I only wore black to my concerts, so it was confusing.

The door suddenly opened, letting in my manager, a man with greying hair and tired features, but whose eyes still shone with a reassuring warmth.

He smiled when he saw me, a habit I'd had since I started.

-You've always had this habit of tuning your violin at the slightest opportunity,' he said gently, with a touch of affection in his voice.

I looked up at him, a shy smile on my lips.

-Given the audience I have today, I prefer to make sure that everything is perfect.

I gently put down my violin and stood up to face him.

His smile faded, and I saw a shadow pass over his face. He came over to me and put a comforting hand on my shoulders.

-If it were up to me, I wouldn't make you play in front of these people. But...' sighed Mr Takashi, as if carrying a weight too heavy for his shoulders. But I can't fight orders, unfortunately.

I took his hand that was resting on my shoulder, squeezing it gently between mine.

-I know... I murmured, seeking his gaze to draw some courage from it. But what I also know is that I'm not a child any more. I've played in front of thousands of people in the biggest halls in the world. Tonight will be no different. I won't make any mistakes, no matter who's in the audience.

My manager scrutinised me for a moment, as if trying to read beyond my words, to detect the slightest trace of hesitation in me. Then, with a slight nod, he replied:

-You're much stronger than you think, Aena.

His voice was full of pride, but also a fatherly concern that he couldn't hide.