Chapter01- Title
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A beautiful brown-haired woman sat above the stool by the piano. Her fingers ran across the black and white keys gracefully. By the window, the light wind blew over the curtains, showering pink petals of sakura to the top of the black instrument.
"Mama?"
Suddenly the music abruptly stopped. She felt a familiar presence. Her lips curled into a fond smile when her eyes fell upon her older son peering behind the doorframe, looking at her with eyes of awe.
"Oh, is that you, Shizu-chan?"
Shizuo stirred, shaking his head. His grip against the wooden frame tightened. "No, I don't mean to pry, mama."
The woman chuckled lovingly and patted the empty seat beside her. "Come here darling."
Shizuo gaped, fear and anxiety swum on his eyes. After a moment of hesitation, the shorter boy nodded and scuttled to the stool towards his mother. He slipped easily into the stool and flinched when his elbow brushed against his mother by accident.
The older woman gasped momentarily and caressed her son's bruised elbow. "Shizu-chan, did you get into another fight?"
Shizuo avoided her gaze and frowned. "They bully Kasuka."
His mother shook her head disapprovingly, but her voice trailed cheerfully despite the sullen expression on her face. "It's no good Shizuo. Fighting means violence. You hate violence right?"
Shizuo nodded, still not meeting his mother's gaze. His mother giggled.
"All right then!" his mother said in a happy tone as she placed Shizuo against her lap. Her son batted his eyes in confusion like a lost puppy. Shizuo was not used by this closeness, but instead of asking, Shizuo remained silent.
Despite the extra weight on her lap, the older woman extended her arms to the piano and grinned at her son. "Look Shizu-chan! This is the piano."
Shizuo slowly shifted his gaze towards the black beauty. Like his mother's caring nature, the piano was clean without a speck of dust, as if has more value than a mere diamond. The filtering lights from the window highlighted its corners and made them look like a ray of sunshine.
Shizuo's eyes glowed, fascinated by its beauty.
The mother noticed the expression on her son's face and giggled further. Gracefully, she waltzed her fingers over the black and white keys, playing the first verse of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and humming the latter.
As the mellow sound reverbrated from the big instrument, a wide smile plastered on Shizuo's face. He wondered how would it feel if his fingers brushed against these black and white keys that reminded him of chocolates.
Slowly, he eagerly reached for the piano. Something flickered on the back of his eyes as he outstretched his arms, almost touching the latter instrument.
But Shizuo abruptly froze.
His mother, who had noticed her son's sudden halt, craned her head facing her son, eyeing him carefully.
"What's wrong honey?" her voice trailed quizzically. "Why don't you touch them?"
Shizuo recoiled and revealed his black-blue wrist to his mother. His mother stifled a gasp— shocked, like a typical mother who skimmed through her son's report card.
She felt her son's shoulders stiffened. Before she could say anything, Shizuo snapped involuntarily. "I am afraid I'm going to destroy it. Look, I always destroy everything I touch. I don't want to destroy something so dear to you, mama."
Realizing his sudden outburst, Shizuo clasped his hands over his mouth and looked away from his mother. His mother doesn't look surprised, in fact her cool expression never faltered.
Huffing a deep breath, the woman slowly traced her long fingers to Shizuo's short ones. Taking his fingers, she gently rested them above the piano keys and pushed his pointing finger into the bar. A low tune blared out from the piano. Shizuo jolted, shocked.
"My finger…" Shizuo gaped in awe. "It gives them sound."
His mother nodded enthusiastically and grinned. "Yes Shizu-chan! Do you want to try again?"
Shizuo looked doubtful, but he can't say 'no' to the pleasant expression on her mother's face. Albeit he was afraid of destroying this elegant figure, Shizuo carefully slid his pinky to a random key on the piano.
The high-pitched note screamed from the piano. Shizuo squeaked, almost jumping from his mother's legs.
"I don't destroy it…" Shizuo said. His voice colored with disbelief.
"Of course you don't darling!" The woman raked her son's messy hair affectionately. "Anyone with a gentle heart can bring the piano to life. You just happen to be one of them."
"Really?" Shizuo craned his head, meeting his mother's gaze this time.
"Yes!" his mother smiled reassuringly and formed little circles on the brunet's chest. "Even though you're gifted with this abnormal strength, mama believes you're blessed with this kind heart inside you. It's your emotions that matters, Shizuo."
"Then mama!" Shizuo exclaimed brightly. "Can you teach me how to play the piano?"
Shizuo's mother parted her lips in surprise. Feeling the warm tears welling on her eyes, she threw her arms around the little boy. "Of course! I would be more than happy to teach you dear!"
And so, day-by-day, the little brunet patiently skimmed through his mother's musical notes and song sheets. The neighbors inquired of his docile behavior; it was unusual not to see the brunet throwing street signs and screaming at the neighboring kids.
After weeks of practice, Shizuo was able to get a grip on the instrument. Eagerness and happiness replaced his fury and anger that had been taking over his life. By the end of the first week, Shizuo was able to play one of Mozart's classical pieces.
His mother was more than glad to see her son's progress. His father, who was not too fond of the latter, even praised him. Kasuka, behind his emotionless mask, secretly watched his brother play with admiration.
One evening, his mother asked Shizuo to drop by to minimart to purchase packets of milk. The little brunet was more than glad to accept the request; it has been awhile he was exposed to the open air, for he spent most of his evenings in the study reading some musical books.
Shizuo even greeted the neighbors. The women, who were familiar with Shizuo's attitude, gave him a thin smile. Instead of inquiring his well being, they stalked passed him and approached Kasuka, who was tailing Shizuo from behind.
"Kasuka-kun, you're such a talented child!" one of the women pinched his cheeks cutely. Kasuka tilted his head to the side, confused.
"I am so jealous of Heiwajima-san." Her friend rubbed her chin bashfully. "She has a talented Kasuka who can play a piano so fluently!"
Shizuo stopped dead on his tracks. He turned his head over his shoulder, watching the whole scene with a pained expression.
Kasuka noticed the hurt on his brother's eyes and said curtly. "No, it's not me."
The women looked speechless and switched glances to one another. They started to talk among themselves.
"Then, is it just Heiwajima-san herself?" one of the women frowned.
"Is it her brother? I remember Kasuka has one."
"No! That is impossible! His brother is good for nothing brute who can only injure our children! Let alone playing the piano!"
A tight knot formed on Shizuo's stomach. The little brunet broke into a running fit and fled off from the scene, trying to find refuge to hide the tears forming on his eyes.
Even though he could see the neighboring kids that would make his blood boil, Shizuo took the longer route just to avoid them. He was not in the mood to throw anything; the women were right. He was just a beast.
As usual, the little brunet visited the local playground, which fortunately was empty. He scuffled to his usual hiding place—right under the slide.
After cautiously looking around, Shizuo broke into tears. He wailed, bawled and yelled his heart out—his classmates always called his names, even the teachers. He even heard some disappointing comments from his parents, even his mother.
Why would nobody believed him?
The piano was the only thing he was good at, but so what? At least he has something beside his monstrous strength.
But it didn't matter; nobody would listen. It was like talking to a wall—no matter how loud you scream, nobody would hear you. Your voice would drown into the nothingness.
Then Kasuka appeared out of nowhere, yelling for his name. His face bathed with sweat, a worried expression etched his features. It was rare to see emotion from his face.
"Brother! Mama passed out!"
Shizuo's eyes went bloodshot wide and jumped from his crouching position. Grabbing Kasuka by the arm, the two brothers hurried towards the nearby hospital. They were oblivious for the grim fate awaited before them.