When the Piano Key Chimes || Saiouma & Irumatsu

wake up! || i

It all started when they were 4 years old.

Kaede was playing a toy piano in the corner of the room while talking to the other children. Shuichi just happened to talk to her, complimenting the way she played the childish melody. Everyone adored that. And as they grew older, the closer their parents pushed them together.
Kaede was 10 when she was playing the piano. She was great at it. "Why don't you start the violin? You and Kaede would certainly be a great match together on stage!" Shuichi's father would state. Shuichi enjoyed the violin, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he and Kaede did sound good together on stage.

Then, when they were 17, everyone just assumed they were together. And they just played along. But everything was messy. They didn't really talk at the academy or at home. The phone calls only lasted about 12 minutes. It felt.... uneasy. Not in like, a hostile way, but in an uncomfortable manner. But they still stayed together because they didn't want to make it awkward on stage or have their parents scold them and ask why and reply with, "I dunno.."

But all that changed when they met their actual soulmates.

It was a normal day, until the music teacher burst into the room where the music-talented kids sat and read sheet music. "Oh! Miss Maizono! What happened?" Kaede was nervous. 'Please dont be another performance...' She really didn't want to perform with Shuichi after the petty fight they had last night.
"We will be performing at Hope's Peak Academy!" Mrs. Maizono exclaimed and gave a warm smile. "Oh! That's.... great..!" Kaede forced a smile through her almost-obvious pain. She felt like something just tugged down on her heart. Shuichi sighed and just went through the new sheet music.

'The Butterfly's Response.'

Shuichi just flipped through the pages analysing the notes, not even noticing Kaede infront of him with a small, nervous smile, holding up a sheet music packet.

'The Butterfly's Response.'

'Offf course she pairs us up together..' Shuichi thinks automatically without even thinking. 'Wait! No! She's your girlfriend.. just... do it..!'

Shuichi forced a smile and sighed internally. Hopefully this wouldn't be so bad.

Hopefully.

          After a gruelling read of the sheet music that was given out to them, the bell finally dismissed them. Shuichi stood up and shoved the book into his backpack and zipped it up. He was halfway out the door when Kaede called for him.

          "Hey! Wait up!!" The familiar feminine voice called out. Shuichi sighed and forced a smile on his face. "Oh.. hi..!" Shuichi planted a small and awkward kiss on Kaede's cheek. Kaede smiled a little.

          "So! When so you think we can practice together?" Kaede asked, tapping a pen on her cheek as she walked to the dorms next to her boyfriend. "Oh. Um, maybe like, in a few hours in the music hall? I don't know." Shuichi shrugged and clutched onto his backpack strap. "Oh. Ok! So, maybe 5 PM?" Kaede smiled warmly at him.
"Yeah, sure." Shuichi gave a small smile and he walked into his dorm. And with the door swinging closed, Kaede stopped smiling almost immediately. She rubbed her temples in frustration.
"I just gotta get this over with..."

~ One month later ~

          Kaede dressed in a black dress with a red rose pin over her heart. She wore a white coat over it and knee-high purple stockings with brown Mary Janes. It's been what she wears to piano performances for about 2 years now. Shuichi just wore his school uniform. It wouldn't matter anyway. He wouldn't catch anyone's eye.
Kaede tied her hair into a sleek ponytail with a white ribbon. 'I studied the sheet music. I'm fine.' She rubbed her temples in frustration again.