Garden of Memories {Ensemble Stars x Reader}

Chapter 4: Life

Once we were dismissed, I made my way to the noted destination. My initial plan was to search for Anzu but curiosity got the better of me. Glaring down at the little note, I let out a sigh.

I'll have to make it up to Arashi for turning down her offer just for this. 

There was a faint sound of pressing keys beyond the walls and I pulled myself into a halt, "Is this the place?" 

I gently opened the door to not disturb the pianist, the figure was so lost in the piano that he didn't flinch when I entered. Never would I have guessed that the cat-like boy was capable of such skill...to make such a simple piece sound so beautiful. 

My blank eyes continued to absorb the boy wordlessly, thinking, Anzu would have loved to hear it as well. Soon I realized that there was a hidden disappointment, I was hoping that the mystery note would lead me to her. Everywhere I went I was reminded of her, my dearest friend...

"I want to learn this song so Anzu can see!"

Heavy throbs erupted from my chest, *Ba-dump* *Ba-dump*, and I instinctively balled my fist on top of them as if to calm them down. What was that?

"Hn? Producer?" His fingers ceased movements. The red eyes that were once closed opened in slits, "What are you doing here?"

When the music stopped I was awakened from my daze. Strange enough, the heavy beating in my chest stopped as well. My expression was probably a dumbfounded one when I did not reply for a few minutes. I quickly regained my composure and held up the sticky note, "Did you write this?"

Sakuma tilted his head and replied nonchalantly, "Mmmm...I think I did," then he taps the space of the seat three times, "Come here."

I was given no context, nothing to expect so, of course, it did not feel urgent to me anymore. There were more important things to d so I was about to reject until my arm was pulled, "W-Wait!"

"Yosh, there you go," Sakuma paid no mind to my struggles and places me beside him, "You're a producer, right? Do some producer things."

"Even so, I'm no expert," I argued back. Years have passed, the last time I touched an instrument was probably in elementary school. Along with that, I don't think I went very far with the piano either.

"I doubt that," he stated confidently. 

My eyes lit up with amusement, "What makes you so sure?"

Sakuma shrugs while facing the keys before smirking, "Just a hunch."

Turning to where he was looking, I examined the music sheet: Tchaikovsky Rose Adagio. What a difficult arrangement! "Where do I start..."

"Here," Sakuma stood up and came from behind, he snakes his arms around me and takes both of my hands. Slow and steady motions curled my fingers into a ball, similar to how a cat would wrap itself around the owner's legs. He shamelessly continued to mend them as he pleased.

The act was so shocking yet intimate that I was frozen on the spot, "W-What are you doing?!" I yelled and pushed away his head. 

Sakuma, "Ouch"

"Don't touch other people without their consent!" I really should leave and I was about to until he spoke.

"Why are you so worked up? This is how we taught each other when we were kids," Sakuma rubs his forehead with narrowed eyes.

"Don't make excuses to cover your mistakes," The only friend I had was Anzu, nobody else, everything he said was invalid.

"Whatever," He sighs and sat down beside me, "Just play and follow the rhythm."

At first, I had no idea what he meant but regardless Sakuma started the melody. I took advantage of the break to remember how the song sounded like when I first entered. Closing my eyes, my fingers began dancing on its own.

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Years ago

"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream~♪"

Two young children sat by each other's side in the practice room. They would always hog the piano before their lessons just so they could hold their performance.

"Ah! Ricchan messed up!" (Y/n) who was singing pointed blatantly at her friend.

"Why did you suddenly start singing? They don't even match with the rhythm," Ritsu complained.

She only beamed in response, "That's because it sounded so nice, I had to!"

They were known to be prodigies due to the fact that they can play many difficult pieces at a young age. But what brought them together was their love for the piano.

Ritsu possessed magnificent technique and was able to memorize pieces faster than the average adult pianist.  (Y/n) may not be on his level in those terms, but her musicality was one of the most beautiful he had ever heard.

"Okay~ From the top!"

"Wait, there was a mistake you made," Ritsu pointed, "Here was a wrong note."

"Eeeh? What are you talking about? I did it on purpose of course," She giggled, "It sounds so much better don't you think?"

Ritsu, "No it doesn't. Only you'd think that."

(Y/n) lets out a 'hmph' in a stubborn manner, "Well I don't think I'm the only one," then she turns around to the person watching them, "Right Mao?"

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...

What am I doing? 

An unknown amount of time has passed and my fingers refused to make a mistake. This isn't the time for leisure activities, I have to go look for Anzu!

With that, I stood up and jogged down from the stage. Sakuma stopped as well and called out to me, "Where are you going?"

"There is something I need to do," But right when I was about to take another step, my path was blocked by a familiar face.

"Maa-kun, you came!" Sakuma chirped happily. 

"What's going on, Ritsu?!" For some reason, Isara sounded baffled. We made brief eye contact but after one blink, he was already looking at Sakuma. 

"Our performance," Sakuma told, "What do you think of it?"

Isara rubs his head using his palm, his eyebrows knitted in exasperation, "So that's what you called me all the way here for?"

"Why else would I call you here?"

Then I remembered, wasn't Isara the one who had some ties with Anzu? This was the perfect time to interrogate.

"Well if that's the case, I'm going back to finish my paperwork," He waves offhandedly giving me no chance to say anything. I instinctively tried to grab him but his footsteps became even faster, disappearing behind the door with a click.

I turned to Sakuma and gave a slight bow, "Please excuse me," before taking off.

[Third POV]

As the saying goes...That's just how life is. 

There will always be things beyond your control because the predetermined fate wills it. Humans must learn to adapt to that concept in order to continue living on.

But not all of them are so complacent. 

Ritsu watched his two best friends exit the room, leaving him all by himself. He pulls the case over the piano and used it as a flat space to rest on. Burying his head in his folded arms, he whispered, "What a drag..."

I just want to help you, Maa-kun.

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Short A/N: Okay sorry for somewhat slow updates but this is exam month T-T my profs are being merciless with these last-minute cram lessons and I was too exhausted to write. But don't worry, Christmas is coming soon so I will have plenty of time to write >.o

Ciao!