Hopeful Love

♡No More Regrets♡ {Chapter 1}

-Kaede Akamatsu's Point of View-

When I tapped the 'contacts' icon on my phone, I couldn't help but sigh in sadness as I found no one's name appear other than my parents' and their old workplace. Not a single name of a friend appeared. But that's because I didn't have any friends.

My family and I are moving very far. We lived in an average home. My parents had a decent job. I received average grades, which meant I wasn't a genius but I wasn't dumb either. We aren't wealthy, but I wouldn't say we're exactly poor either. Just in the middle. Common, plain, and simple as that.

Throughout my life, I was always known to be quiet, introverted, a loner, 'the girl with no faith in humanity', and even as far as a social pariah because I would avoid socializing with my peers at school. Because of this, I had no one to talk to and I would always eat lunch by myself in the bathroom stall. At first, I thought, "It's fine." or "It doesn't matter. Nothing really matters anyway, right?". And instead of hanging out with friends after school like what most people usually do, I would run home as fast as possible to play the piano.

I absolutely love to play the piano, it's all I did for a living as a child. If it weren't for my piano skills, I would not be stuck in a five-hour car drive heading to my new home, where I will attend to my new high school as a first-year in Hope's Peak Academy, starting tomorrow.

Deep down inside, I feel lonely, I feel regret for not making any effort to make friends, especially since being bullied left a mark on me. A way I've been treated all my life, other than being ignored. And I want to change this, I don't want to be bullied anymore. I want to be able to stick up for myself and make many new friends. I won't be an awkward mess but I'll be confident in my own skin. Instead of always receiving average grades, I will be the perfect student and receive perfect grades. My dream of becoming student council president of this new school will become no longer a dream, but in a few years, a reality if I just let loose. And hopefully, if I keep up this new optimistic mindset, I will even have my very first boyfriend... Challenging, right?

I turn off my phone, not wanting to discourage my new goals for tomorrow and choose to look out the car window instead. All that came to view were countless amounts of trees. All just the same. After a few minutes of just staring at the dull trees, I yawn, beginning to feel tired.

"Kaede, dear, are you excited for tomorrow? The first day of school?" My mother in the front seat asks me.

"It's not the first day of school tomorrow mom, it's my first day of school, remember? School already started for me as a first-year, this is just the second semester. But other than that, I actually look forward to making friends." I sigh again as I was reminded of having no friends.

My first semester of high school was spent at my old school, but now that I've officially been enrolled in Hope's Peak Academy, I will be spending my second semester at this new school. And I will carry around the title "Ultimate Pianist", which I look forward to. Even though I doubt I'm an adept pianist.

My father snickered in the driver's seat. "Making friends? That's new, but it's great to hear sweetheart."

This time instead of feeling a tint of disappointment from hearing the word 'friend', a smile crept onto my face.

Even my parents are proud of me, for wanting to make this change.

"Yeah... Yeah, it is..." I responded a bit groggily.

It was already late afternoon, and there was still a long journey ahead until we would arrive at our new home.

As my eyelids felt heavy, I decided now would be a good time to rest, especially since when we arrive, all we'll be doing is unpacking belongings and setting up furniture, if it hasn't been done already.

I close my eyes as I allowed darkness to take over and I fell asleep.

-Later-

I felt a light tap on my shoulder, which causes my eyes to open up slowly.

"Kaede, dear, wake up. We've arrived. Welcome to your new home, I hope you like it..." My mother tells me as my eyes adjust to my surroundings.

By this point, it was already night since the long drive was finally over.

I got out of the car as I made my way to see the house. It was a white painted house, one story, it wasn't a mansion, but it wasn't small either. It looked nice, but for some reason, it reminded me of a Japanese shrine.

"Can I go in?" I turn to face my mother.

She replies with a smile on her face. "Of course, go right in. Your father just finished setting up your bed, but tomorrow, right after you arrive home, you better start unpacking your clothes and belongings, and help clean the house, got it?"

Excitedly, I rush as I head to the entrance of my house as I holler back to my mom, "Alright, you got it!"

Room after room, I explored my new home, and I would be lying if I said I didn't like it.

Then the last room came into view, which is my new room. Filled with curiosity and excitement, I turn the knob and what I saw was unexpected.

The wall was freshly painted a lavender purple, my favorite color. There was a decent bed, a desk where I could work hard and do my studies, and a clothing rack for my clothes. But what I loved most was the grand piano! I can finally have my own piano, instead of constantly renting one! My room, out of all the bedrooms, was the most spacious.

Immediately, the corners of my lips spread from ear to ear, moving here wasn't a mistake, but the greatest decision ever.

I knew, my life was going to get better. After seeing how much things were changing, it must mean that things will continue to get better, right?

I decided to do what I love at the moment, it wasn't like I knew what to do anyway, my parents were busy and I have no friends to share this moment with...

Smiling to myself as I took a seat in front of the piano and lifted the lid of the piano, I decided to play my favorite song, 'Clair de Lune' by Debussy.

I didn't even need the sheets for it, I knew this masterpiece by heart.

Slowly, my fingers glided across the tiles, as my most treasured piece came to life.

It was as if, all my worries were gone at that very moment.

It was as if I could finally be in peace, be happy.

It was as if I could never have that stinge of pain, the feeling of regret.

After satisfied with completing the piece, I decided to play a few other pieces I loved to hear, but I was stopped when my mother came into my room and told me to go and rest.

I changed into comfortable clothes, then I found my mother waiting beside the bed for me, to tuck me in like old times.

After being comfortable and lying on my bed, my mother lightly kissed my forehead as I smiled at her.

"Mom, I can't believe I have my own room, a desk to work on, and my own piano. Thank you so much, this is great, I can't believe how lucky I am." Even though our house was still small compared to the other ones in our neighborhood, I loved my new home very much.

My mother pats my head, which felt very relaxing, something she would always do to me as a child. "I'm glad you love it dear, we'll be spending the rest of our lives here for a very long time."

With that, she booped my nose as I couldn't help but giggle.

"I promise I'll make you some nice breakfast for tomorrow morning, sounds good?"

"It does. Thanks, mom."

In response, my mother kissed my forehead one last time as she began to head out the door and turned off the lights. She closed the door behind her.

Smiling to myself, I couldn't help but feel excitement for tomorrow. Tomorrow, was the start of something new... A new change in my life, and for once in my life, I look forward to something.

Here at this new school, I'll make friends and enjoy my high school life. Just you wait Hope's Peak Academy! Kaede Akamatsu is going to shine!

Closing my eyes, I drifted to sleep. I needed to sleep, tomorrow was a big day, my big day.