The Disconsolate Maiden

Chapter Seventeen

Homura pulled out the piano bench in front of her upright piano. Sitting down on the stiff, hard surface hurt her back quite a bit after several minutes, but really, she didn't mind.

Carefully, she lifted the lid covering the piano keys, staring intently at her reflection in the shiny wood as it passed on by.

"If I want to be an idol, I have to at least be able to do something else with music...I can't keep going on like this.." Homura thought, not allowing her eyes to meet the family photo that rested on top of the piano, dust covering part of the frame. "This is a part of me...and not someone else, right...? I'm Homura Kanojo...I am Homura Kanojo..."

"Dear, hurry up and get your practice done before your father arrives home. He's going to be very late, but I would appreciate it if you didn't disturb him tonight," Mrs. Kanojo said, wheeling up next to Homura, smiling gently through her cracked, wrinkled skin.

"Yes ma'am," Homura said, bowing her head to her mother as she reached down, grabbing her piano books.

"Start with Sergei Rachmaninoff," her mother instructed, pointing to the thick book at the very bottom of her small collection. "I want to hear Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in A minor, Op. forty-three, variation number eighteen."

"Yes, mother," Homura said softly, quickly turning to the page in her beaten up music book.

Slowly, Homura softly hit the opening notes, an immediate sensation filling her soul. She hadn't played this piece in what seemed like years.

The more she played, a vivid memory begin to open up inside of her mind....

"Homura! Homura!" a familiar voice giggled. It was a voice soft and clear, much like Homura's, only this voice was happier, more energetic and alive. "Play with me again! Please! Let's play our Sleeping Beauty duet again!"

"We have to go to school now though..." Homura sighed, her back turned to the girl, her twin sister. "I don't think we have the time..."

"Well, you better promise me, we can play it when we get back home today!" Homura's sister laughed a little, jumping away from the piano bench, causing it to scrape the floor a little bit, leaving marks.

Homura's sister took her sister's hand in hers and literally dragged her into the living room where their mother was.

"We're going to school now, Mommy!" Homura's sister said, waving at her mother with her free hand. "I love you!"

"Goodbye, Mother," Homura said softly, about to bow, but her sister had already dragged her away before she had the chance.

"See you later, my girls," their father said as he passed them, walking into the living room with a hot mug of coffee. "Stay strong. I love you both."

"I love you too, Daddy!" Homura's sister giggled, pushing open the front door, leaving absolutely no time for her sister to say her farewells as well.

"Goodbye, Father!" Homura had tried to call out weakly, but her voice couldn't be heard.

"I can't wait until we get home today, Homura," her little sister said, beginning to slow her run to a carefree stroll, enjoying the morning sun. "I always love practicing with you. You're my favorite!"

Homura smiled a little, squeezing her sister's hand a bit more tightly.

"One day, I want to play with you on a stage," her little sister went on, her voice getting serious. "Our daddy says we make a great team! You're so amazing with everything you do, Homura! I know I can't do much...and I probably just slow you down..."

"You don't slow me down!" Homura nearly scolded her sister. "You're way better than me and you know that! You always play with such emotion...I honestly wish I could mirror your style."

"We're pianists," Homura's sister grinned, leaning into her as the walked down the street, hand in hand. "And that's that. I'll always love you just how you are."

"I'm the insignificant one here..." Homura sighed under her breath. "You know you'd be better off without me..."

"No! I always want to be with you! You're my very best friend! Even when we part ways later in life, never forget how much I love you! I always want you to keep smiling, because you're the best!"

"Y-You mean that...?" Homura stammered, moving even closer to her sister, if that was even possible.

"You bet!" her sister laughed.

Homura finished playing, not realizing she was sobbing right in front of her mother. Fat, salty tears ran inside her mouth as she quickly closed her book.

"Homura," Mrs. Kanojo said softly, resting her cold, feeble hands on her daughter's leg. "what's the matter?"

"N-Nothing," Homura choked a little, standing up from the piano. She bowed to her mother, then turned away, making her way to her room. "Excuse me for a few minutes, Mother."

"If you say so, my girl," her mother said, smiling sadly as she watched her daughter begin to run to her room.

"Why did I have to remember that...that day..." Homura thought, quickly locking her bedroom door behind her.

Leaning against her door, Homura slumped to the ground, unable to take another step. Burying her head in her hands, she broke down sobbing, choking as she struggled to breathe.

"We parted ways fifteen years early..." Homura gasped weakly as she fell to her side on the floor, trembling in sorrow.