I ran as fast as I can in the rain, trying to catch up the yellow taxi car as it sped off, taking him away, away from me. I watch helplessly as my best friend look back at me from the back of the car. His eyes are enough to send his message towards me.

'Please don't leave me, Allen!'

Gritting my teeth, I push myself to the limit as much as my little feet can. I'm already losing my breath and stamina that it was impossible for me to keep on.

Impossible for me to reach out to him…

The car is now almost out of my sight as it continued to move away; its figure become smaller and smaller to the horizon. I gasped for breath, my lungs is burning for the little to almost no air and my feet sport few cuts and bruises for stumbling and falling too much from trying to catch up with the taxi. I bend over, holding my quivering knees, feeling exhausted.

I'm sorry…

I'm sorry for unable to catch up…

I'm sorry for unable to reach out in time…

I'm sorry…for being not fast enough…

Collapsing on the gravel, I can hear my heart beating furiously in my chest before slowly relaxing back to its usual rhythm. Despised it was summer and the heat was unbearable and it was raining cats and dogs, I somehow feel cold. So cold and… empty. I closed my eyes; all my guilt, pain and sorrow embedded in my heart with a heavy numb feeling, making my chest tighten at the hurt, and a lone tear slip my left eye.

I'm sorry, Lavi.

…

Blindly in Love – Prologue

Home

…

It was Monday morning; the sun is up, shining and smiling, giving its light and warmth to the earth, the sound of birds chirping, the sound of people around the street, the sound of cars zooming, and the sound of music in the cramp small shop where I was working; it was like any other day.

It is so peaceful… and comforting.

Well, to me it is peaceful and comforting. For someone who's world is surrounded in darkness, that is. Yes, you heard –read- me right.

I'm blind.

But despised me for being blind, I can tell everything that surrounds me just by my feeling, hearing and senses alone. People can't tell that I'm blind because of that. My life is like everyone else, as normal as I can with exception of sight.

The store filled with Chopin's Waltz (Op 64 no. 2 C # minor), soothing me to the core. I hummed the music in my head, feeling myself of utter contentment, closing my eyes to heighten the feeling, any other sounds become blur and vanish in my mind.

But everything shatters when a loud crash came from the back room reach my ears, then a few curses following after that. I sighed.

"Are you ok in there, Komui-san?" I yelled, making my way to the store room.

A grumble and a few curse later, Komui replied, "Yeah, I'm fine Allen."

This thing happens every day in my life that I'm actually used to it. Komui is such a klutz sometimes. He's my manager as well as the owner of Music Theatre, the name of the store.

Based from Lenalee, Komui's little sister, he has dark purplish hair, fair skin, wear glasses and always wears white lab coat. For what, I don't know. I mean, it's not like he's working at the science facility anymore. He had retired for three years now but I guess his passion for Science is just as strong as his passion towards music and his little sister.

He's a weirdo, if you ask me.

Anyway, Lenalee is my friend since elementary school. I still have my sight back then when I befriend her. She's a nice and kind and cute girl. She has a long greenish hair that was up in two high pony tails. She's always wears skirt too. As nice and kind-loving person she is, you don't want to mess with her. Her kick –especially her kick- is a deathblow to every mankind walks on earth. I still remember the pain I went through when I accidentally pissed her off by eating her cheesecake.

It still gives nightmare.

I heard shuffling of boxes and papers as Komui trying to organize the stuffs back to its place. I bend down in front of him and touch around the floor to help him. I might be blind, but I'm not useless.

"It's ok Allen, I can do it," I heard him said, taking the papers from my hands.

"Komui- san-" I began but he cut me off.

"I know you're not useless, Allen. I know you're better than that," he said, his voice soft and understanding. "But I need someone at the front in case some customer comes in."

Smiling, I sighed, "Ok then, Komui-san."

I walk back to the front, careful not to bump into anything. I heard him said in a low voice, making me laugh, "I told you to just call me Komui, damn brat."

He's like a brother that I always wished to have.

Keeping my smile intact, I walk towards the piano that lay in the middle of the room. It's a black shiny piano.

My piano

Since my apartment is small, Komui agreed to allow me to keep it in his store so I can play it whenever I want.

Although I haven't played it for six years now…

I ran my hand through the soft surface, relishing the feelings it gave. Yes, this is my piano. It's actually belonged to my uncle, Neah. He's good in composing songs and music that he always asked by many famous artists and companies. But among the songs he composed, he made a special song just for us, his family. And I inherit that song.

After he died, his song has become a will for me to keep. He gave the piano to my dad, Mana. To keep his will, I play the song, to remember him in our heart. Hell, even Master Cross smiled!

But not long after that, Mana died in a car accident. And I'm left with both the piano and the song for only me to keep… alone.

I gripped my hands in a tight fist. My heart constrict painfully in my chest as the memories of my past flash in my mind. I still can't and won't forgive those bastards.

No, I will never forgive them.

Calming down my breath, I run my fingers through the white keys, searching for the C key, the very first key that I touch when I was little. I smiled at the smoothness of it, and press it. It gave a soft sound. The sound echoes around the store, sending a chill run up my spine.

It's been a long time since the last time I touch the keys. Before, when I still have my sight, I couldn't bear to see the piano. It leaves painful memories and leaving me feeling all the more empty.

And now, since I can no longer see, I miss the sight of my piano. The only thing I can do to relish the feelings of regret was by touching, using my sense of feel from my hands. But I never went far than that. Always afraid, always hesitate, to touch the keys again.

Afraid of the dark memories it will brings and…

…hesitate to accept the painful truth.

Unconsciously, I run my fingers through the keys, emitting a beautiful string of melodies and before I knew it, I play the piano. My hands move with swiftness of the song in my head.

I can feel my body move on its own at the sound, almost as if I'm possessed. Maybe I was. Possessed by this black monster with its black and white teeth, grinning at me as it play a song to control me, beckoning for me to follow. And without restraint, I obeyed.

It sounds so lonely and filled with empty and hopeless longing.

The soft melody fills the room, giving an eternal serenity to whoever hearing it. In my heart, in my mind, the sound of a woman's voice sing the song so beautifully, dancing around in a field filled with white roses.

An eternal love, I remembered Mana said. That's the meaning of white rose.

I shouldn't play this song. The memories, the loss, the pain… I don't know if I could bear them after this. If the sight of the piano already gives me such intense pain and nightmare of the past and touching it give me the feeling of regret and longing, then playing it would destroy me completely.

I should stop…

But I can't

Once I start playing, it's hard for me to stop

In the distant of my mind, I heard the jiggles of bells, signaling me a customer is here. But I can't move away. Planted on the bench in front of my piano, I continued to play, ignoring my surrounding. As if I'm in the only one here. As if I'm in some kind of dark room, with only me, my piano and the song.

And my body moved on its own, following the melody of the song.

Possessed…

The melody become a soft tune, becoming slower and slower.

And cursed…

Giving the keys a final stroke, I end the melody. The last key rings throughout the now silent store. Opening my eyes, I turn my head to the direction in which I believe was where the customer was standing, I smiled, trying to hide and push every feelings of pain, longing and empty hope from rising and greet the customer.

"Welcome to Music Theatre!"

…

There was silent hovering over the store.

I don't even know why it was silent.

"Um… sir?" I asked carefully. How I know it's a guy? Simple; from the footsteps and his breathing, I can tell the customer is a guy.

"Sir-" I was cut off when a pair of hands grab mine, cupping them in tight grasp. Somehow -and I don't know why- I picture this person in front of me smiling widely, grinning from ear to ear.

...Weird

"Um..." I started, uncertain on what to do of his action. Did I do something wrong?

"That was beautiful!" he said, loudly in front of my face which made me flinched a little at the loudness.

"Uhh… Thank you?" I tilt my head to the side, showing my confusion and hesitation. I mean, this is the first time I play since six years ago and also the first time I play in the presence of someone other than my family. I'm speechless and I don't know what to do.

"No, no, no! Thank you!" he said, still clasping my hands in his large ones. I don't know why but I suddenly become wary of this person's touch and closeness that it made me blush.

"What is that song called? Can you teach it to me? Oh! What is your name? This is a very awesome piano you got here and- OW!" His ramblings were suddenly stopped and both of his hands disappear from mine.

I wonder what happen…

"Damn it, Yu! That hurt!" he yelled.

You? Does he mean me? But I didn't do anything!

"Hn," a new voice said.

How did he slip from my sense? I never miss anyone before. This guy is good. Maybe he is some kind of ninja or better yet, a samurai wannabe. Heh…

"You're gonna bleed the poor girl's ear with your ramblings if I didn't stop you. You didn't even wait for her to reply," the new guy said.

"But Yu," the first guy whined, "the song he played just now is so beautiful! I just can't help it!"

Ohh… the new guy's name is 'Yu'. What a weird name for a Japanese guy. I guess to them, my name is a lot weirder than theirs. I wished I'm in London right now. Japan is just too…weird for me.

"No buts, Baka Usagi. We're here to get your stupid guitar fixed, not for you flirting with a young girl."

Ok, I might be blind and unable to clearly comprehend what happen in front of me sometimes but I know when someone bad talking me. Turning my head to the direction of this Yu guy, I glared. "Excuse me, I think you have problems with your sight or your term for 'girls' in your brain but I'm a guy, not a girl."

I can sense Yu look at me with glaring eyes if his words were any indication, "I have no fucking wrong with my sight. And to me every female population is the same. Maybe it's you who have eye problem. Why are you glaring at my chest anyway, sprout?"

Ok, I have to admit, that one had hurt me.

Maybe it's you who have eye problem.

On the outside, I put a blank face. Inwardly, I grimaced as I said, "Yeah, I'm blind. But even though I can't see doesn't mean I can't tell that you're a guy with girlie looks based from the constant whining and bitching you made."

"What the fuc-"

A joyful laugh reached my ears after I said those words. It sounds so cheerful and full of…life.

"Shut up, Lavi! Why are you laughing?" Yu asked angrily.

The guy, now I know is called Lavi, continued to laugh. Somehow, I can picture him bending over his knees and clutching his stomach from hurting, his eyes closed and his lips stretched into a wide grin. I blinked; that was kinda weird for me to able to imagine things based from single fact.

"Stop laughing, Baka Usagi!" Yu said. I followed the sound of his footsteps as he approach Lavi and a smack was heard, followed by a few string of curses. I'm surprised Komui didn't come out and check what was wrong.

I'm guessing this Yu is smacking Lavi over the head.

"Yu! You don't have to hit my head!"

Score! Heh… So predictable.

"I will if you had stop laughing when I told you to," he sighed. "I'm gonna wait at the café over there with Alma. You better get your stupid guitar fixed or I'm gonna kick you out of the band."

With that said, he left the store, jingling the bells as he went.

"Well, that went so well," Lavi said. He walked over to me and sat at the bench next to me, right in front of the piano. "I'm sorry about that. Yu is always like that but he's actually a nice guy, though I'm kinda surprised."

"About what?" I asked.

"I thought you could see. I mean, I didn't expect to meet a blind guy. I mean- argh! You know what I mean…" he said, sighing. I chuckled.

"I get what you mean. I'm actually surprised that you can tell that I'm a guy..."

"Of course I can. Anyway, that's not just about it. When I stare into your eyes, it looks like you really see me there. Like really, really see me there, right in front of you," he said. "That's why it surprised me when you said you're blind."

What?

I sat there, stunned at what he had just said. Staring into his eyes like I really can see him… I turn my head to Lavi, and look at the direction where I assume was his face. "Am I looking at you right now?" I was meaning to say it in my mind but somehow, the words slip from my lips.

"Yeah," he said, his voice gentle. "You're actually looking right at me."

I'm looking at him… like I really have a sight and see him like a normal person!

I know it's rude to stare, though I can't see anything. But somehow the very thought of someone saying that I actually see them send warmth throughout my body. It made me feel something, a feeling that I lost over six years ago. A feeling that I know so well and yet felt so strange to me.

Happiness

For the first time after the lost of my family, I smiled sincerely, from the bottom of my heart.

"Thank you, Lavi."

"Y-You're welcome," he cleared his throat and move to stand up, walking around the store.

"So anyway," he started after a few minutes of silent. "You haven't told me your name."

Oh… I groaned, how could I forgot to give my name? Sigh…Locating Lavi, I smiled apologetically at him. "Sorry. My name is Allen."

"Hmm… So, are you buying something here? Perhaps the piano?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No, I actually work here and this piano is mine. It's not for sale, just for display and only for me to play."

"Eh? You work here?" he asked, astonish. "I've been here before but I never saw you working here… but I know that piano."

"You've been here before? Probably because I'm either at the back or it's not during my work hour. How did you know this piano?"

"Yeah, sometimes. I'm in a band so I need to check, remodel and fix my guitar. This is the only place that I found comforting and trusting enough for my baby. Oh! Before I forget, I need this baby fixed!" Lavi walk towards the register where I assume he put his 'baby' is and brought it over to me. He takes my hand in his and put it around the neck of the guitar.

It felt so smooth under my touch and I actually began to understand why Lavi didn't just buy a new one rather than get this guitar fix many times. The guitar gives off a sense of relief and comfort, just like my piano.

So gentle

"Hmm… what is your work hour anyway, Allen? I know about this piano because it looks like a piano that my best old friend used to have." There's a sad tone when he said the last sentence. The sadness somehow grips my heart and I actually understand how he felt.

Please don't leave me, Allen!

Unconsciously, I grip the guitar harder. If only I was stronger, faster and braver back then, then my best friend would have stayed here with me or at least we would have been in contact with each other. But now, his face and his name, is lost in a sea of time and harsh reality. So much has happen after his leaving.

And yet, his green eyes still vividly embedded in my mind. Pleading… Hoping…

And hopelessness

"Allen?" Lavi said, jolting me back to reality.

"Huh? Oh sorry," I said. "Well, I only work from the morning till lunch time. Komui never approve of me working until late since it's not safe for me."

"Heh, so typical of him," Lavi scoffed.

"What was that, idiot rabbit?" Komui said. Based from his voice, he was standing behind Lavi. And I was proven right, yet again, as Lavi yelped and hide behind me.

"Damn it Komui! Don't sneak behind me like that, you creep!"

"What was that? You didn't want you guitar fixed? Oh well…" Komui said, walking away. I inwardly laugh. Komui sure does know how to play it right. If only I can do that too so he can get to finish his piles and piles of paperwork back at his home. Sigh~ life.

"Wait! Komui! I'm sorry! Please fix my guitar!" Lavi said, dashing towards Komui from hiding behind me. How he do that so fast, I don't know.

Their rambling and bickering fade off to the back of my mind as I stroke Lavi's guitar in my hand. So gentle and yet…

…there are so much painful memories.

Just like my piano.

To some people, when they play an instrument, they see it as they're the talented one, one who can play something. But to someone who played so deeply, he sees the instrument as a part of him; his feelings he put into the song, the flow of memories he put into his fingers and lips and breath, and the message he tried to send from his song. And most of all Allen, that instrument is also a part of his heart. It shows what type of person he is.

That is the true talent.

"…a part of him …a part of his heart…" I whispered softly. Does that mean Lavi is a gentle guy? I shook my head. That might be true but I've never heard him playing so that still leaves me a lot to see and understand.

You never played the piano for six years. How is that showing you?

Someone who lost his love, his family, his happiness, his friendship…

Someone who loses his will…

"Allen…?"

Someone who had become an empty shell…

"Yeah?"

Someone who loses his heart…

"It is nice to meet you, Allen!" Lavi smiled, his smile is visible from his words.

But maybe…

"Yeah, you too Lavi," I said, smiling back, running my fingers through the strings of the guitar, strumming it.

But maybe a new start wouldn't hurt to try.

"Oh by the way Allen…" Lavi said, slinging his arm around my shoulder, head locking me.

"W-What?" I gasped.

"The way you describe Yu… they are all correct!" Lavi laughed, his body vibrated against me by that. I sat still, trying to comprehend what he just said and chuckled, shaking my head.

I guess being blind is not that bad…

…

A/n: There you go~ the prologue baby!

Warning: un-beta-ed (I'm sorry Missus Ann for not telling you about this. I just didn't want to ruin you precious vacation with my constant pleading and whining LOL)

Disclaimer: I don't own DGM, duh!

Anyway, review and tell me what you think! :)