"Could it be, my shining thing?" a Miki Kaoru fic (vignette series)
It all had been stupid. He had been stupid. But he didn't have the strength to stop himself from finally finishing the song he and his sister had written such a long time ago. It was something he had been longing to do ever since he had gotten back into playing the piano. Everything; all the notes were perfect…until the end. The piano seemed to be out of tune. But was it really? Was it really the piano that was out of tune? No. It was never out of tune. It was never the piano. It was him. It was Miki. The flame of music he once had inside him died out a long time ago. The one person that always kept it lit was same person to blow it out so harshly. Ever since then, Miki had been struggling to find that one person to re-light the flame, to set him back on fire. He needed to finish the song. If he didn't, what would be of him then? He could never be the boy he truly was, sitting on the bench in front of the raven-black instrument. The flame was what kept him going, what kept him alive. Without it he would be nothing.
Eventually, Miki was almost positive he would never find his "shining thing" to light his flame. He thought about it. Oh yes, he thought about giving up many times. But he never did. He kept aimlessly searching. And then, something struck his thoughts with a heart-skipping blow. He heard, felt, the last notes of the song play on the piano perfectly. Yes! He heard it! Then, he looked in front of him. Deep, silky purple engulfed him along with the flowery scent of roses. Sun light hit the rim of glasses and reflected into Miki's ocean blue eyes. Instantly, sapphire connected with emerald. An odd pair it was, but dazzling; oh so dazzling. Ms. Anthy Himemiya. The Rose Bride. Could she be the one to light the flame inside Miki? Could she really be his "shining thing?"
A soft, gently smile embraced Miki in its sweet and loving arms as it spread across cheeks of rosiness. He felt safe. He felt whole again. Miki reached down and gathered her messy books and reorganized them, handing them back to her kindly.
After that, the two bonded greatly. Taking strolls outside and gazing at the beauty of Anthy's roses were like seeking solace. Tending to the roses was all Anthy ever knew, and just being in the presence of someone so elegant and graceful was more than enough for Miki. The only think that kept easing its way into the front of his thoughts was Utena's engagement to Anthy. Though Utena is a girl, Miki couldn't help but feel jealousy begin to fill the pit of him. Utena was so strong and determined to free Anthy on her terms but seeing so, it shouldn't bother Miki too much. Unfortunately it bothered him very much.
The study date, he remembers. Anthy's playing….
It was then that he knew what he had to do to finally regain his shining thing.
"I have to have her play for me. She is the one who can help me finish the song. It's the only way. And that is why, Ms. Utena, I challenge you to a duel."
The duel…ah yes, the duel.
'It's the only way,' Miki would repeat over and over in his mind in an attempt to keep his sanity.
'It's the only way. I have to protect Anthy's piano playing. She needs me to protect her.'
Shaking with anxiety, he still forced himself to the dueling arena. Being engaged to the winner of the duels, Anthy is forced to obey her master's commands. He couldn't have Anthy stop playing piano if she was ever told to do so. Not that Utena has the intensions of doing that, but Miki couldn't afford to take any chances.
As his feet reached the top, taking him as far as they would allow, he stopped. Miki's blue eyes were full of passion and his face smothered in determination. He stared into Utena's eyes.
'I can't let myself lose to him,' she thought to herself.
'I can't lose…even to her. I have to protect Anthy.'
Miki's determination was slowly turning into obsession; insanity. It was beginning to scare him.
"I swear that I will make the Rose Bride mine….even if it means hurting you!!" Miki shouted as he lunged forward and stuck out his sword, ready to fight.
"Do you really think this is the way to get her to play for you?" He remembers Utena saying.
Swords clash. Grunts and heavy breathing was all else that could be heard throughout the arena. Swords continued to smash and clang together in a frenzy. A prince from the floating castle above soared down and sank into Utena, giving her the Power of Dios. Lashing her sword, she lunged forward at Miki, who shouted with passion and lunged forward as well. Anthy clamped her hands together and smiled widely.
"Yes, that's it Ms. Utena! Get him!!"
What?! Where did that come from? Miki gasped and turned to glance over at his supposed "shining thing." Within seconds of letting his guard down, the rose was sliced; knocked off his chest with one swipe of Utena's sword. Miki stuttered cluelessly and dropped her sword, collapsing onto his hands and knees. That was it. He lost. He lost his music, his flame, and his shining thing. But most importantly, he lost Anthy.
Anthy walked over to Miki who still knelt on the ground. She smiled warmly, and he looked up at her with such pity and sorrow.
"Nice try!" She began. "I'd like to study with you again!" A small hint of a smile glazed over Miki's lips. That was it. He could finally finish his song. He was almost in tune….almost.