Rhythmic Hearts

♫ you

⇔ Narrator's

Suzu took a deep breath before straightening her long, blue dress. As soon as she stepped on the stage, the people began to applause at her. She bowed at the crowd while holding her violin, looking resplendent in her dress.

It has been a week after the incident, and today marks her performance onstage.

After she bowed her head, she positioned the violin on her shoulder, resting her chin on it as she held the bow on her hand.

She looked at Czairo and Maori, and nodded her head—signaling them to play the recorder. The two nodded back and pressed the 'play' button.

The sound of the piano welcomed her as she closed her eyes. That should've been him playing. She thought at the back of her mind.

But then, it was her who played the piano afterall.

She practiced the piano after he passed away, she began to teach herself how to play the piano—just like how he taught her how to voice out her thoughts.

She spent most of her time playing the piano, every night and every day, her hands were on the piano keys. She perfected playing the piece that they chose, then she recorded herself playing the piano to play it in their performance.

Her performance.. for him.

She said to everyone that she don't need someone else to play the piano for her. She told them that she could play it instead, even if it would take time.

Because afterall, she thought, 'who will play the piano now that he's gone? I only got myself, so it's me. It's now all on me. My parents taught me to be independent, and he taught me that even though you lost someone special in your life, you still got yourself in the end.'

She then opened her eyes as she heard herself playing the piano from the speakers. And with a swift move, she moved her bow over the strings of her violin—making a soothing sound, almost pleasant to the ears.

The feeling was almost surreal, all the people were intently listening to her. All eyes were on the young lady as she gracefully played the violin.

Czairo and Maori were both listening too. The two of them looked at her astonishingly. It was truly astounding. The way she played the violin was almost flawless.

Then within those huge crowds of people, seating there in the front row was her Dad.

Because as promised, he will watch her perform onstage. He did keep his promise to his daughter. And even though his wife wasn't there, he's sure that she is watching her daughter from above.

Suzu glanced at her Dad, and gave a smile. She was glad that her father was there. She was happy that he kept his promise.

Mom, you may not be here seating beside Dad together with the audience, but deep inside me, I know you're there.. watching me from above. I hope my music still reached you, because as promised, I will perform onstage just like my parents—I will be a musician just like you and Dad. Suzu thought as she gracefully played the violin.