Natsuki Inaba was a renowned pianist. At the top of her game, she was performing shows for full crowds and influential people, and being young, she was often called a prodigy. With youth, beauty, fame, and fortune, people think Natsuki has it all.
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Two Years Before April 11 ~ Evening
In a room full of politicians, prosecutors, businessmen, and judges Natsuki could only hear the tune of Sergei Rachmaninov's Morceaux de Fantaisie as her fingers pressed on the piano keys. Her parents were at the event too as they managed to get her to play at such an event.
But Natsuki hated playing for the upper class. She loved playing with orchestras, symphonies, or even playing accompanist for the violin but Natsuki was too "famous" for that now. Getting Natsuki to play at this event was a hassle, she couldn't pick the music she wanted to play, what to wear, or who to greet. Natsuki went against her parent's wishes for the first time in a long time despite the yelling and punishments which forced her parents to compromise.
They agreed that if she played at this event, she could pick the last piece to play. Natsuki was shocked at what her parents proposed, she agreed to their terms which lead Natsuki to play Rachmaninov for her last piece.
She felt as if the piece visualized her inner hopelessness and anger. A prodigy in the music world unable to even lift a finger without her parent's permission, a pianist who resembled more of a puppet. Looking up to the crowd she could see her parent's angry expression as the pieces they chose were quiet and lighthearted. Natsuki ignored their expression and put on a small smile as her fingers continued to dance on the piano, this was her song, her time, and nobody could take away this moment from her.
Unknownst to her, a budding student detective that as also chatting with the powerful elite heard her music. He felt as if it was his own soul scream out to the world, screaming to his father. Shivers went down his spine as he looked in the pianist direction, at that moment he thought she was magnificent. The way she was able to convey her agony made him wonder if they were the same. He wondered if the girl's parents were using her like his father was using him.
Waiting till the end of the performance he could see her in the staff hallway, completely ignoring the staff passing by. Walking up to her the boy stopped in front of her sitting figure as Natsuki looked up to meet his gaze. "Hello, I'm Goro Akechi. I absolutely enjoyed the piece of music you were playing!" He lied. The male only used this as a pretext to introduce himself, the music wasn't bad but Akechi didn't care for the piano as his mind was only on getting revenge.
"It's Rachmaninov." Natsuki answered. "I'm surprised they let someone my age in, I've only ever seen old men and their wives attend." She sighed as Goro let out a chuckle while going to sit down next to her.
"Yes, well... I'm here on business as well, I've started to work for a big politician recently and he's forcing me to come to these kinds of things."
Natsuki began to pucker her lips as she nodded, understanding. "Believe me, I can understand you. Except for me, it's my parents who force me to come and play for these types of events." she sighed.
Goro internally groaned, 'at least you have parents' he thought. Keeping the farce he tilted his head in confusion, "What do mean by that?" He questioned in fake curiosity.
Natsuki hugged herself, a bit hesitant to share. Ultimately she decided to ignore wary instinct, "my parents control almost every aspect of my life from what music I play to what I wear, even to the point of when I eat. They do all this while neglecting my little sister who's only four years old just because she's not a genius like me."
Goro stares down to the side while listening to Natsuki's story and feels for her younger sister as his mother wasn't the best parent either. "Well have you tried explaining your frustrations to them?" He asked as Natsuki scoffed.
"More times than I can count. Hana, my sister, is so desperate she clings to me all the time and even calls me mom. I'm not old enough to even think about having babies yet..." Natsuki ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.
"Well, if it's any constellation. My parents are pretty shitty too. My mom wasn't exactly loving and my father abandoned us to pursue his own feeble ambitions." At his words, Goro's eye widened as he had never mentioned his past since working with Shido.
Natsuki let out a harsh laugh, "Parents..." She muttered as Goro chuckled not remembering the last time he actually felt amused.
"Tell me about it.... adults suck." He said.
After their talk, Natsuki felt surprisingly stress-free. As the banquet was coming to an end and the guests were leaving Natsuki could feel her parents calling out to her as Goro got up from his spot, "I suppose this is the end of our little chat. I enjoyed it." he said.
Natsuki smiled as she saw Goro stretch out his hand to help her up. She grabbed his hand as Goro pulled her up. "I guess it is... may we see each other at another one of these disgusting banquets," she said, sincerely hoping to meet him again.
Goro surprisingly felt himself wanting to see her again as well, "Yes. Or who knows... we may see each other before then." He grinned as Natsuki's parents began walking towards the two. "Farewell..." He said before leaving to find Shido and his disgusting bandwagon.
a few seconds later her parents came
"Natsuki, who was that?" Aoi questions.
"You know you're not allowed to talk to boys." Souma scolded as Natsuki sighed.
"I just wanted to talk to someone, my own age dad." Natsuki reasoned.
"What's his name, I feel like I've seen him somewhere." Natsuki's mom ponders as her father looks at her in confusion.
"His name is Goro Akechi..." Natsuki answers as both parents turn to her in shock. Natsuki's eyebrows scrunched in confusion, "What?"
"You mean the upcoming prince detective prodigy, Goro Akechi..." Aoi said almost starstruck and proud her daughter was making connections.
"Huh?" Natsuki asked.
"Great job honey, for once you made a wise decision about your future. He's connected to the politician Masayoshi Shido!" Souma grinned as Natsuki sighed.
"You've made a great friend, dear!" Aoi gushed.
"I hope so..." Natsuki muttered as her giddy parents lead her away.
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After that, the two saw each other often and became good friends...
