Keys

Everyone has their own way of relieving everyday stress. Before En had Atsushi, his way of relieving stress was by playing the piano.

~~~

Finally, after a long day at school, Atsushi and En were finally walking home. En was going to hang out at Atushi's house for a while before he went home himself. After a bit of walking, the pair made it to the bluenette's home. Atsushi's sister was out working at this time, and his parents were away for the time being. The boys walked in, took off their shoes, and sat on a large couch inside. As En walked in, he saw a new object that hadn't been there before.

"When did you get a piano?" En asked, a hint of curiosity swirling into his tone.

"Oh, my sister got it for her birthday. She's always wanted to learn how to play." Atsushi answered. En nodded in response, still staring at the electric piano. Something about the piano soothed him. "So, what would you like to do?" Atsushi asked, snapping En back to reality.

"You said you had that new game that came out yesterday?" En recalled.

"Oh, yes! I'll go set it up. I'm gonna use the restroom first so, feel free to take your time." Atsushi said to En as he headed up the stairs to his room, his footsteps getting softer until they stopped with the click of a door closing.
Before he knew it, En was alone.

It was almost as if the piano summoned En to walk closer to it. His eyes drifted over each and every key upon the old piano. It was clear that Atsushi's sister wasn't the only one who had once owned this instrument. He sat down on the cushioned stool in front of the piano, and began to stretch his fingers. When his knuckles began to pop, an age-old feeling rushed back to him, a feeling he hadn't felt since elementary school.

"I'll be back soon!" Came a familiar voice. It was En's mother. See you next week, if you don't find another way to go off somewhere else until then. An unhappy, young En thought to himself. His father lay on the couch, sleeping as if he was in a coma, yet again. It was just like every other day. En's mother would leave, his dad would get home and sleep the entire day, then he would leave for work when the night arrived. Multiple times had his father almost fallen asleep when he was taking En to school. En's only source of comfort at home was the old, rugged piano in his room.

The piano was at least five years old, but if played just right, it would sound as if it was brand new. En knew every key's sound by heart. When he was feeling alone or unhappy, he would stretch out his fingers and play. He would press on the keys, his thoughts streaming down from his mind and into his hands. He would lose himself in his music, and more than a few times his teardrops would fall on the keys. He would play for hours before his hunger or exhaustion would catch up to him. After playing everything out, he would lean back from the stretch of keys, and take a deep breath. Relief would flood over him, washing away his stress and troubles until they would return again. He used to play that piano every day, until his mom sold it.

En blinked. He felt as if years had passed, but yet here he was, fingers still resting on the keys. Only a minute had passed. He watched the old set of keys again, but with new respect in his eyes. He felt himself smile as he knew what to do next. His fingers pressed onto the keys, beginning to play a new song.

Hello again, piano. It's me, En Yufuin.

En's fingers flowed smoothly around each and every key, making the most beautiful sound.

It's been years since I've played you last. I've changed a lot since then.

He played a slow melody, it's notes floating through the air like tall grass swaying in the wind.

My life is a lot different now. Well, my mom still leaves, but not as much anymore. My dad, well, he didn't change, but, I met someone. I met someone I never knew I needed in my life.

His pace changed suddenly, his fingers beginning to bound across the keys. His hands leaped across the piano.

His name is Atsushi Kinugawa. He's the most amazing person I've ever met.

He wouldn't know it, but En's smile grew wider as he continued to play.

He always listens to me. He's always by my side when I need him. He never leaves me. I never feel alone anymore.

His pace grew faster, and he began to sway with the music. He became completely oblivious to the world around him.

He showed me a part of myself that I never knew I had. He taught me to smile. He motivated me. He got me out of bed every morning.

En's pace slowed, and the notes grew longer. Time seemed to stop as he played the final measures.

Without Atsushi, I don't know where I'd be today.

En leaned back, and took a deep breath. A sniff sounded behind him, and he turned to see Atsushi, tears streaming down his face. He ran to En and hugged him tightly.

"That was the most beautiful song I've ever heard." He told En with a broken voice.