I'm Glad You're Here

Kaede just seemed to have a sixth sense for things.

After coming home from the detective agency, she would be able to pick on even the smallest of unintentional signals from me. I wouldn't have to say a single word, and she would just know what kind of day I had, which could really only have one possible explanation: Kaede was my soul mate.

Needless to say, when she sensed I had a long day, Kaede just flashed her usual knowing smile and wordlessly moved towards her grand piano. Already knowing what was to come, I couldn't help but smile right back at her. Despite having had such a harsh day, seeing Kaede at the end of it simply made all my negativity vanish. She effortlessly had that effect on me, as if it were magic.

Placing her slender fingers over the piano keys, Kaede began playing my favorite song: Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy. The soft melody resounded throughout our home-- our home had such a nice ring to it-- and left me mesmerized. Her heartfelt performance, directly solely towards me, combined with her peaceful expression... simply put, Kaede could perform this song one hundred times, and each time I'd fall in love with her more. I couldn't get enough of the sweet notes dancing around her fingers, reaching my ears that weren't worthy of such a beautiful tune. Nonetheless, the notes took their usual effect on me, causing my body to relax and a sincere smile to spread on my face. Eyes closed, Kaede was so invested in her music that she couldn't see my smile, but... I knew that she could feel it. Kaede just had a sixth sense for things like that.

As quietly as I could, I made my way towards her. The closer I got, the more I was able to take in and appreciate her breathtaking beauty. In that moment, I just felt so eternally grateful to have met Kaede. To be her boyfriend. To have her in my life. She gives me the strength to power through my day, doing everything in my power to help others. And she gives me the peace of mind that I need when I come home, by greeting me or playing a soothing melody. Being able to accomplish so much for others surely isn't an easy task, but Kaede does it so flawlessly. Just as flawlessly as her fingers, easily gliding along the piano keys. Of course, as she'd played this hundreds of times for me, Kaede has perfected the song. My song. Our song.

Although I wasn't able to verbally express my appreciation for her existence, I hoped Kaede would be able to feel my emotions when I wrapped my arms around her beautiful figure from behind. I closed my eyes in order to fully embrace the sound of the notes. It might seem silly, but holding her like this, neither of us having yet said a verbal word, only an entire conversation using music as a medium, I felt like we were connected. No matter how far apart we could be, no matter the troubles facing us, in that moment, I knew. I knew that nothing could keep us apart so long as moments like this were kept in my memory. With that thought, another smile crept onto my face, and I focused all of my emotions for Kaede into planting a kiss on the top of her head. Suddenly, a new line of thought overwhelmed me. 

...How could one person possibly be filled with so much love for another person? Such a pure, whole hearted type of love that I held for the woman in front of me? I wasn't aware that a love like this could exist, and it simply didn't seem real to me... But here was Kaede: living, breathing, irrefutable proof that it was possible.

Eventually, almost as if the two were perfectly timed together, with the conclusion of my thoughts also came the end of the song. As Kaede gracefully played the last notes, I couldn't help but feel a tad bit disappointed. In the silence afterwards, I continued to embrace her.  The mood was tranquil, and I wanted to live in that moment forever. However, after a few minutes of basking in our own thoughts, Kaede finally spoke up. She turned her head slightly in order to see my face, and flashed that stunning, encouraging smile of hers. "You're the best audience I've ever had, Shuichi...

...and I'm glad you're here with me."