MY MUSE, tooru oikawa

chapter nine

(chapter ix)

⊱ ────── {.⋅ ♫ ⋅.} ───── ⊰

During the very first set, Yuna found herself slightly disappointed as she observed Oikawa playing. Despite keeping a close eye on him, he failed to produce the distinct sound that she had been eagerly anticipating.

In fact, rather than feeling excited or impressed at his play, she couldn't help but cringe at the way he was handling himself during the current scrimmage. It appeared as if he was completely out of sync with the flow of the game.

Yuna discreetly rose from her seating, taking the opportunity to slip away without anyone noticing as they were fully immersed in the game. She headed straight to the music room, confidently assuming that the former occupant should have concluded their activities, leaving the space vacant.

Frustration and disappointment were beginning to take their toll on Yuna, making her yearn for an outlet to release her pent-up emotions. She instinctively knew that music was the perfect avenue to channel her feelings into something positive.

Once inside the room, she rushed straight for the piano, ready to let loose all her pent-up emotions. Taking a seat, she began playing a series of repetitive tunes, drowning out any thoughts that didn't bring joy to her. It was her way of escaping, a means to let her stress flow freely and find solace in the melodies her fingers created.

There was something unsettling about Tooru's performance, and the once-comforting sounds that echoed in her memory seemed distant, as if fading away. Despite her doubts, the sheer beauty of the sound kept her from fully dismissing it as a figment of her imagination.

The more she thought about it, the more she realized that the sound was beyond her own abilities. It was a level of skill and finesse that she couldn't merely brush off as being imaginary — it was real, and it held a powerful beauty that resonated deep within her.

As Yuna continued to play the piano, she began to lose herself in the music. The repetitive tunes she had been playing earlier gradually gave way to something more complex and melodious. Her fingers danced across the keys, creating a beautiful symphony that filled the room. Each note seemed to carry a weight, a reflection of her inner struggles and the longing for the sounds that once brought her content.

As the minutes ticked by, the music took on a life of its own. Yuna found herself getting lost in the melody, allowing the piano to act as a silent confidant that understood her pain. The notes that filled the air carried a sense of vulnerability and strength, a testament to her resilience and determination to find the elusive sound that she had been craving.

...

As the game concluded, both Tooru and Hajime redirected their focus towards the benches, their gazes immediately scanning the area for Yuna. When they realized her absence, their gazes locked with a mutually shared look, an acknowledgement of the concern they both felt in her disappearance, despite being on opposite sides of the court.

Despite the logical reasons that might explain her absence, both Tooru and Hajime found themselves quickly leaving the gym, paying no mind to their teammates' puzzled calls. It was an unusual reaction, but having known Yuna in a short time, they had come to realize that she was somewhat airheaded and could easily get lost or forget her surroundings.

It was well-known that Yuna had a tendency to wander off, a habit that surfaced even during their brief walk to the gym. She seemed effortlessly distracted, even though the journey was relatively short. To keep her on track, Hajime and Tooru had to walk on either side of her at one point, as if they were her unofficial 'guide rails.'

Caught off guard by the sudden opening of the door, Yuna nearly leaped out of her skin. She stood there, frozen in fright, but quickly exhaled a sigh of relief upon realizing it was Tooru and Hajime who had entered. "It's...just you two," she mumbled, her voice laced with relief as her hands lowered.

Hajme fixed a firm gaze on Yuna, his eyes narrowing as he spoke, "You can't just leave without informing us, you know."

Yuna tilted her head quizzically in response, a hint of confusion in her expression. "Why?"

Tooru let out a weary chuckle, chiming in, "Suga-chan, it's customary to inform others when you're leaving."

"But...I didn't technically leave the school," Yuna defended innocently," I was just coming to the music room."

Hajime let out a weary sigh, his finger extended towards the window behind him, pointing to the darkened sky outside. "Let me put it this way," he said, "It's already dark, and since you're a girl, it's natural for us to worry about your whereabouts."

As Hajime's words sank in, Yuna found herself gazing up in realization. She recalled the countless times her brother had scolded her for leaving home at night, or returning late from school. Although it wasn't solely about her gender, it was clear that her tendency to become absorbed in her own world made her vulnerable.

"Ah," Yuna exclaimed, her expression thoughtful, "I get it now."

The trouble Yuna caused often left a lasting impact on her family, and her admission to Aobajohsai High School had been a monumental achievement for them. Despite the school's relatively short distance, an hour-long train ride, Yuna had a knack for finding herself in inexplicable situations within that brief span of time.

Whether it was getting lost, attracting unwanted attention, or finding herself in dangerous situations, her inability to stay focused when wandering made it all too easy for her to find herself in a predicament. Despite her family's efforts to keep her safe, her airheaded demeanor made it a constant challenge.

Aoba Johsai, as a private school, held higher academic standards for its students. Koshi was never slacking in his studies, but he didn't feel compelled to strive for more. Perhaps he wanted to experience school life without his sister for once, and she felt the same. Having been inseparable since grade school into Junior high, as they grew older, they became more aware of the different paths they each sought to follow.

"I'm sorry, Oikawa-san, Iwaizumi-kun," Yuna bowed, her eyes downcast in remorseful apology.

Tooru and Hajime exchanged a knowing glance before turning their attention back to Yuna. They agreed to take on the responsibility of looking out for her, ensuring she stayed safe and out of trouble. From then on, they made a silent pact to keep an eye on her and keep her from wandering off alone, especially in unfamiliar or dangerous situations.