I found you in April

Fear

Kousei's POV

Up until the minute I went on stage, my hands were shaking. But then I remembered that moment I've held onto for so long. All the grief I've suffered came back to me. When I started playing at first, I was so angry. I let my mother win again.

"Chikushō! I can't let her ruin me forever. This is goodbye!"

I played my heart out. I was sorrowful but I became hopeful as the piece went on. I was letting go of the trauma. I wouldn't let it affect me any longer. Hiroko must have sensed it. She was teary eyed after the performance. I got massive applause but that was not what I had came here for.

"Did I reach you? I hope I reached you!"

**********

"You were saying goodbye weren't you?"

I nodded my head to my mentor.

"I'm so proud of you kid. It takes a lot to forgive something like what you went through." she tearfully said as she hugged me. "I'm so sorry Kousei. You should not have had to go through that. It's all my fault. If I had not pus-"

I stopped her. "Thanks to you I have a skill for life! Hiroko, the experiences I've been through have shaped me as a person. So thank you."

Koharu was getting jealous as this point so she tackled me into a hug! It seems I had made her emotional too.

**********

I felt a bit dizzy at that point. It was an adrenaline rush. And I hadn't eaten in a bit.

"That's what I'll do!" I thought to myself

"I'll ask Kaori and the others out for food! I think we could all use it. I saw Watari asleep before my performance. I know he doesn't mean to and I know the only things that get him out of his half-asleep state are sports and food! So I'll get food for everyone."

I was thinking out the rest of the day as I made my way to the main lobby of the hall and that's when I saw the head judge coming towards me.

"Your playing style has no place in a competition! You're lucky you're the audience's choice to go through." he growled.

"Thank you sir. I'll take that as a compliment." I said as I smiled at him. His face went a tomato red as he walked away while the other judges looked at me with smiles plastered onto their faces.

At this point I saw Tsubaki come up to me with a smile on her face while Watari came behind her looking pretty worried. My first thought was; "Where is she?"

"You played so well!" Tsubaki said while she stared at me.

"Oh thank you." I replied.

I pulled Watari aside for a minute.

"What's going on Watari? I'm getting a bit worried here!"

"She ran off Kousei. I don't know what happened. She just left. I haven't seen her since! I begged Tsubaki to check the girl's room but she just came out here. She wouldn't do it. "I'm sure she's okay" she said to me. I'm worried about her too."

I thought Tsubaki was unique. But it turns out she's just like a lot of girls today. She only cares about herself. But I wasn't going to stand for it! Kaori is vulnerable! Tsubaki knew that! But when her friend needed her most, she abandoned her!

"Tsubaki, where's Kaori?!"

"Baka Kousei, I'm sure she's fine."

"Please go check the lady's room! I'm worried about her!"

Tsubaki scoffed and reluctantly went to check the toilets.

"She's not there. Happy?" the girl I was meant to be on a date with said.

"Where are you acting so horribly to her? You're meant to be her friend!"

"Look at her Kousei! She's an attention seeker! And you've fallen right into her trap!"

"I can't believe you. I'm leaving. Don't follow me."

**********

"Let me help you." Watari said.

"Where would she go? You know her better than I do."

"There's a couple of places she could be."

Watari made out a list which I gratefully took. "If you don't mind Watari, could I do this alone?"

"Okay." he replied. "But call me the second you find her! Please"

**********

After checking all the places on the list, I still had not found her. At this point, I was getting extremely worried.

"Is this what happens when you love someone?"

Eventually I found a quiet part of town. It was so peaceful. I finally had a chance to think.

Watari described Tsubaki as ambitious, sporty and possessive. I definitely understood the possessive part after today. I'd deal with her later.

I was asking people I saw if they had seen her. But nobody had. I walked to the edge of this little part of the town and I froze. There she was.

Kaori was on the ground. She had collapsed.

"KAORI!" I screamed as I ran to her side. "Wake up wake up wake up! Please wake up! SOMEBODY CALL AN AMBULANCE!"

**********

Kaori's POV

Huh.

What was going on?

My head hurts so bad. My vision was blurry. Dammit

Then I looked up. I swear I saw an angel.

"K-Kousei?" I asked weakly

"Oh my goodness Kaori! Thank God you're okay! Why did you do that?"

I could feel tears burning at the edges of my eyes.

"Kousei I'm so sorry. I'm a mess. I'm so sorry about today. I made it terrible for everyone. I hurt your performance by bringing back memories that brought you pain. I'm useless."

"You're not useless. You're strong! So strong! You've been through so much and you're still here. You made my performance better! You inspired me. Do you understand me? Please don't do something like that again. You scared me so much!"

Wait a minute. He worried about me? Before I knew it I was crying. He just held me in his arms.

"That's the first time anyone has said that to me."

"I'm glad I was the one to get the privilege."

I fell asleep in his arms.

**********

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I can't give you guys too much at once. I need to give you guys something to come back to! Chapter 9 will either be here tonight or tomorrow. Thank you for your continued support.

If you can spare a minute please vote and comment if you have any thoughts or suggestions!

Arigatou!