Disconnected Harmonies [REWRITTEN]

◈Chapter 11: Rewriten◈ "Night Escapades"

Ever since that day his mother and twin sister left, his father became more and more demanding, more brutal. He even asked his piano teacher to give him the BEST possible treatment to insure perfection with his playing. Meaning, his father let his teacher hurt him in order to be his father's perfect puppet.

But no more. He has been following his father's demands for the past five years. And he is almost twelve years old..

Speaking of his sensei. He hasn't seen him since the day of the recital.

Surprisingly, when Len saw Kiyoteru at his uncle's office that day, he did not get mad. Instead, he smiled and brought him home. His sensei did not say anything. Even when he personally drove Len back to his house. Kaito was the one who asked him to hop in the car and lock himself in his room. Kaito said that they would take care of everything and their only request that Len would say nothing else about the matter. Although confused, Len agreed. He had no choice anyway. So he locked himself in his room and reminisced about his last day with his mother and sister while staring at the snow.

Later that day, his father came and asked about the progress of his piece. He was genuinely impressed, surprised and thankful that his usually strict sensei and his manager didn't rat him out. Especially his teacher. For all the years he was taught by the man, he showed no signs of being this kind. This was the first time. His father had no idea of what he did.  He came home just in time for the meeting. So if his father had any idea of his rebellion, he was doing a good job of hiding it. But he had no reason in hiding it.

He was playing "A winter Story" by Yiruma for the performance. He was playing the piece with a bunch of people who were older than him by ten years or more. In Len's opinion, they were irritating. They kept smothering him like a baby. And he hates it. So he's glad that they only practiced together for three days. It was a good thing that Len already perfected the song for a while. So when Fukase asked him to play he managed to do so without making a mistake. His father even smiled at him and said

"As expected of an Akane. You will do me well."

It hurt Len to hear those words, but it will suffice. It was the closest thing to a praise he ever heard from his father.

Then his mood shifted into a hundred and eighty degrees. He was mad. No, he was furious. Len saw how hard his father restrained from hitting him. His father learned about his little escape and banned him to ever leave this house for the rest of the winter break except for the day of the recital.

And tomorrow was the concert.

Len wondered if it was becoming a habit to him. He was sitting on his window still, staring at the sky. There were a lot of stars that night. Then he managed to spot his favorite constellation (probably the only one he knew), Orion, the north star. He was fascinated about the fact that it always pointed to north. It was like a guide.

In the middle of his stargazing, Len noticed a peculiar blob of yellow hair and white ribbon from the corner of his eye.

'Rin!'

The blonde was casually walking on the street at night holding a small pink bag. Len stared at her figure across the street as she disappeared to the direction of the park.

Len thought to himself for a while.

Maybe no one will notice him missing for a few minutes. Right?