The Sea of Tranquility (MayuzumiXOCXAkashi)

Part 26

It was one beautiful morning, with the ray of sunlight illuminating Akashi Seijuro's room. Birds were chirping outside, as the echoes of the hardworking staff in the house accompanied it, a mark of the usual busy and early day.

The scarlet pupils revealed itself, adjusting at the brightness of the room.

Sasazaki-san, a middle-aged man, his personal butler, would always be the first person he'd see, offering a smile and following it with a greeting of how good the morning was.

By then, he would sat up as Sasazaki mentioned his schedule for the day. After some time, he would proceed to changing the sleeping clothes in a casual one.

As far as Akashi Seijuro remembered, this was how he used to begin his daily life.

However, before he could actually start the day and proceed to fulfill his long list of duties, he would always see his mother firsthand.

Reaching the end of the staircase, he was welcomed by the fresh scent of red roses scattered every corner of the mansion. His mother had changed everything in the vases again. More than a habit, it seemed like her tradition everyday.

As if on cue, wind blew from the opened sliding door. White curtains danced and flopped freely, his eyesight was called at the living room where he heard a soft voice humming a gentle la la la la.

He went and stood quietly behind a woman who was creating the sound.

Disrupting her never crossed his mind as he wanted to hear more.

Indeed, this gentle lullaby in the morning—with the scent of roses amidst her presence, was what made the morning pleasant every time.

Like the usual, he stayed in his position, admiring the sight quietly.

Her feet stomping from time to time at the pedal under the piano, while her hands seemed to be scribbling the notes upon the black and white bars of the massive and elegant black instrument.

He walked forward a little, stopping behind a tall indoor plant to hide his presence. His hands crept its way behind him, twiddling fingers on and on, while being captivated with the sound created by his mother. This was how morning had always been like, refreshing from the eyes, soothing in the ears. The air was so gentle against his body.

Until suddenly, the music stopped. The pianist was nowhere near the closing note so why did she stop, he wondered.

Her hair bounced as she lifted her head. Even without turning, she seemed to be aware of her little and quiet audience from the beginning.

"You're awake, Seijuro? Good morning."

The boy instantly inched up the sides of his lips as he dashed to her spot, eager to see her smiling face. "Good morning, Mother." His cheeks emitted the same color of her hair. The kid couldn't think what a beautiful morning would be if not this.

He was ready to jump for a hug or accept a pat in the head when he suddenly noticed the peculiarity in her figure.

There was a sudden accumulation of fog hovering over her face. He couldn't see clearly. More importantly, why would there be a fog inside the mansion?

He slowed down, raised a hand and attempted to break the cloud-like matter that was blocking her image.

"Mother?" He tried reaching for her face. Then, in less than a second, she suddenly disappeared. How could that be possible?

He was confused.

Instantly, the curtains beside stopped swaying. The outside scenery became different. Instead of birds chirping, he was hearing nothing. From the window, he could see how the bright azure sky turned dull and clouded.