Life Made Anew

9: Kamino and Kazama

Kamino was only 8 years old when she first saw Kazama. She saw him perform at piano contest in the Saitama area of Japan in which her brother was performing as well. His piece was Chopin Étude no. 23 "Winter Wind", Opus 25, no. 11.

When she heard the beginning, she said, "This piece is boring. It's not hard at all." She would soon be proven dead wrong.

It was a slow yet peaceful beginning. Even though she basically insulted the song by calling it boring and simple, she actually loved hearing his playing. He had a gentle touch with his playing, like he was petting a kitten. But he still got the full ring of the piano.

Then, suddenly and forcefully, the true, difficult nature of the piece came! The tone immediately shifted from peace to chaos. The initial theme could be heard in the bass, but the insane amount of technique in the right hand covered it up, not entirely though. The bass resonated throughout the auditorium; it was felt more than it was heard.

Kamino was stunned at his playing. Is he really just my age?! She thought to herself. The audience was completely immersed in his playing, even the intense judges.

This competition was meant for kids, so things like Beethoven Sonata 14, movement 1 and 2, and Sonata 8, were expected. Even Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca was expected more than this. Chopin's Etudes are regarding as being quite tough.

This was Kazama's debut performance. No one had seen or heard him before now, and he came in with a bang. He finished, and the audience stared in awe. They didn't applaud because the performance was still being registered. The crowd soon went crazy. He received a standing ovation from everyone.

That is, everyone but Kamino.

Instead, she stayed seated. No applause was necessary to show how much she loved his performance. She stood on her chair to see him better. Her parents took notice and lifted her to see him.

Before he walked off stage, he looked her in the eye. He smiled and her. She blushed and asked her parents to put her down.

Kazama went on to win the final round with an outstanding performance of Liebesfreud by Kreisler, transcribed by Rachmaninoff.

After the finals, Kamino ditched her parents to see if she could catch Kazama. She didn't see him; instead, he found her and tugged on the back of her shirt.

"Eee!" She shrieked.

"Looking for me?" Kazama asked smugly.

"N-no! Why would I be looking for you?" She said defiantly.

"I saw you staring after both of my performances. I was curious, so I wanted to meet you." Kazama held out his hand. "You probably know from the program, but I'm Kazama. Soruma Kazama."

Kamino took his hand. "Reina Kamino." Seeing his smiling face made her heart flutter. Why do I feel like this? She asked herself.

They left each other after that. Kamino found her parents, and Kazama his, aunt and uncle.

On her way home, Kamino told her parents something. "I want to learn to play music. I want that so that I can one day play on the same stage as him."

Her parents smiled. "Seeing him play, who wouldn't want to learn music," her mom said.

"I'm surprised that we didn't expect you to say that," her dad said.

That day started Kamino down the path of music that will hopefully lead her to playing with Kazama. She attended every contest that he played at. She played in contests, but never ones that Kazama played at. She never wanted to compete against him.