Rhythmic Hearts

♫ myself

"I've always liked you."

My breathing stopped, and I looked at him without blinking.

He.. likes me.. too?

He helped me stand up, and as soon as we're facing each other, he nervously held the back of his neck, barely glancing at me.

"I know, I'm such a fool, right? Before, I was one of them. I would often call you 'mute' like how our classmates would call you. But now, I regret all of my past actions, and I'm sorry. Seeing you now crying, it really.. breaks my heart." He again wiped my tears using his thumb. I can't look at him, my cheeks are probably red right now, and my heart is beating in an abnormal rhythmic pattern.

I'm falling to the point of no return.

"A while ago, I said that I wish I should've met your parents, because truthfully, I've never experienced having one. My parents passed away because of a train accident after my 11th birthday, so till then, my grandfather took care of me. I used to play the piano, when my parents were still alive, I would always play a classical piece to make them feel relaxed after they got exhausted from work. Back then, I thought that playing the piano was no use because to whom will I play the piano now that they're not here anymore? I always ask myself that question, 'to whom will I play, now that they're gone?' But then, I met you. At first, I thought you were mute, and unexpectedly, you drew my attention. I stopped teasing you, when I heard you sing from the music room. I told myself that on that day, that will be the last time that I will play the piano. And surprisingly, you were there. As soon as I heard you sing, everything changed. Your voice, it made me realize that I should still continue to play the piano." I don't know if it's because of my blurry vission but tears were forming in his eyes.

"Suzu, you were the reason, why up until now, I'm still playing the piano. I found a reason to play the piano again because of you." He smiled, as a tear suddenly fell from his eye.

I couldn't help but feel glad, but at the same time, I feel sad too.

Glad that he also feels the same way towards me, and sad because.. Maori.

"And the answer from the question that I've been asking myself for a long time ago is now standing infront of me." The sincerity in his voice made me feel really happy.

"To whom shall I play the piano now? The answer is you." He whispered.

I wiped my tears and smiled at him.

I've always liked you too.

But then, I remembered Maori.

"K-Kento, I..." I looked down. I heaved a deep sigh, before looking back at him.

He softly chuckled. "I'm not telling you this to like me back. I just wanted to tell you how I really feel about you. The real reason why I came here is to tell you that I truly love you. It's not just about the performance why I came here." I wanted to tell him that I love him too, but—

"Look, there's.. something—" I trailed off. I want to tell him that Maori likes him too, but—

Why's it so difficult?

"It doesn't matter to me if you don't feel the same way I feel about you, just remember that I'll always love you." Tears were forming in my eyes again. No.. it's not!

I cleared my throat. "Kento, listen to me.." I looked at his eyes.

"Listen to what I'm not saying, okay?" His brows furrowed.