Love, Music, And Cancer | OHSHC

LMAC | Chapter Sixteen

---Chapter Sixteen; Cry---

私は申し訳ありませんが、私を許して、泣くつもりなどなかった。ごめんなさい

(I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cry, forgive me. . .I'm sorry)

Tamaki Suoh

My finger's flew across the long ivory keys, my feet pressing down once in a while on the gold levers. I can't remember the last time I played a duet with someone beside me, I've forgotten the feeling of two enchanting tunes being heard and played together. So, I wasn't shocked at all when I felt a twinge of excitement burst in my stomach as we began to play. The melancholy melody that we both made seized out towards the audience before us, screaming out like a wolf howling to a full moon.

I breathed out hastily, catching my breath steadily as I glanced to my side, the feeling of my eyes sparkling reached me when I laid them on Haruka-Chan. Her chocolate skin glistened gently with light sweat and her night-black curls bounced violently with her quick movements. Even in a tired state, under the spotlights, and on a stage, she still looked beautiful. . . beautiful as ever. . . she was even more beautiful then her magnificent playing. . .

The exquisite tune that pounced off the strings of her violin sent shivers down my spine. The way she whipped her arm back and forth and how she somehow kept focus on the instrument in front of her, it's even better the first row-seats at her performance, playing alongside her. . it's an amazing thing to do. . . something I never thought I would ever have the chance to do. Her eyebrows knitted together when she pulled her bow gracefully across the music-turned strings. Her eyes were clenched shut which reminded me of how she use to do that years ago.

On television, her eyes were always closed during her performances, you could tell she was in deep thought. . . or deep memory. I didn't think she still did it though, I thought maybe she had grown out of it. But, as if on cue, her eyes suddenly slowly opened up as she continuously played the song and I widened my eyes. Her soft caramel orbs slyly met mine and she gave me a smirk and yet smile combined together, causing me to curse in my head when my cheeks flushed red. I sent her a smile back and she chuckled, resuming to closing her eyes and playing.

The eyes of hundreds of people watched in aww and sadness as the song started to slow down on its pace, signaling that the piece was coming to a broad end. Haruka began to abruptly slow her arm movement down, stringing down on the last string, creating a loud sound that bounced off the walls. I smirked when I pressed down on the last key which mixed in with Haruka's playing and gave it a boost no other instrument could do. I panted tiredly, wiping a string of sweat off my forehead that I hadn't realized had gathered there.

Before I could even stand up properly or Haruka could bring her violin fully down the crowd jumped out their seats, an enormous sound of clapping erupting suddenly inside the large room. "W-Woah. . ." I mumbled breathlessly, watching in amazement at the crowds reaction to our playing together.  I even spotted Haruhi, Honey, and the others who also joined in on the clapping. We created that, we caused this. . . Haruka smiled widely, a smile I had never seen on her face. . .

"Welcome back Haruka-Chan!"

"Haruka! Haruka! Haruka!"

"That boy is so hot! Who is he!?"

I grinned widely, dramatically bowing before blowing a kiss towards the blushing females. "Tamaki Suoh! At your service!" I cooed to them, and that only made them blush even harder and squeal. I awaited for an insult from Haruka, or even a short laugh escape her plump lips, but instead I only heard the continuing clapping. Huh? "Haruka-C-" I stopped my sentence when I noticed how her eyelids were half-lidded and how her body looked like it wanted to just. . .  . . . . fall out.

I pressed my lips together and grabbed ahold of her shoulder which must've brought her back to her sense when she shot her eyes open instantly, shock and worry being expressed in them. "T-T-Tamaki?" she stuttered and I couldn't help to bite my lip. How come she's the first to make me feel like this? "A-Are you alright? You looked a little nauseous. . . " I stated, squeezing her shoulder. She looked at me in a weary way but then planted a smile on her lips. "I'm fine. . " she reassured, but I couldn't tell if that was true or not. I soon brushed if off and just assumed it was probably because we were tired. . .

I grabbed her hand tightly and walked off stage with her, winking at girls who had been staring at me in a dream-like way. My heart was thumping loudly against my chest and I didn't know if it was because I was still recovering from the amazing experience I just had. . . or. . . if it was because of the soothing warmth Haruka's hand was creating with mine. "I guess we can rest up a little before going out and rejoining with Haruhi and everyone els-" Haruka held my hand even tighter then before when I attempted to go backstage with the remaining players, a sniff from her nose alarming me to turn around to face her. . . only to widen my eyes.

A river of tears streamed down her cheeks, her crippling lips struggling to form her words correctly. "That was my grandma's favorite song. . . I-I didn't want to cry on stage. . . I just. . . I just want to cry with you. . . " she croaked, dropping her bow and violin on the floor and gripping my shirt, digging her face in my chest. "I'm sorry. . . I'm sorry. . . " she repeated. Haruka. . . I wrapped my arms around her short figure, allowing her tears of sorrow to slide down and wet my shirt.

"Let it all out Haruka. . . cry all day if you want to. . . I'll stay by you side. . . even if I have to do so all night. . . "