A/N; This idea inspires me when I was watching La Corda D'oro
Our Duet
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Chapter 1: A world with sound
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What happens if there is a place without sound?
Will it be good or will it be bad?
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I have always asked these questions inside my head — A question that no one will answer.
People say, music is the sound of life and I hate it. Why? It's a secret. I want to live in a place where there is no music involve, the music that relates to playing the instrument. Violin, piano, clarinet, flutes, cello, trumpet and many more, all of these instruments is the very thing I hate the most.
Sorry, if I haven't introduce myself. Mikan Hijiri, first year freshman in high school of Gakuen Alice, age 16.
Gakuen Alice is a prestigious school combine with elementary, middle and high schoolers. Also it splits in two categories: the general department and the talent department.
The General department is basically where average people attend school normally; joining clubs, study… you know the rest. I'm also a gen-student who went through scholarship. (It's short for general student)
The talent department is for gifted people in music — who plays any musical instrument since their childhood time. Our school receive the top marks thanks to the music people.
If you attend Gakuen Alice, you either have to belong in a rich family or you are bless for being gifted — that's for going to the talent department. For the gen department, normal people can attend with or without scholarship — believe me, it's best to get a scholarship since the tuition fee is high who has the best results in the country.
Alright, that's enough of knowing how the school systems work.
Where am I now?
Well, I am strolling down the park, carrying two heavy grocery bags on each side. Why? Easy, it is because we are nearly out of food supply.
I walk to the park since it is the best route to go reach home. Everywhere I look around people is minding their own business.
I walk and walk until I hear people playing instruments. I growl under my breath. People are playing their instruments along the pathway in groups or by themselves, at the burning afternoon.
I walk pass the happy people while muttering under my breath, "I hate the sound of music." The sound of the instrument is getting louder and louder in every passing second until I finally snap.
I carry the two bags in one hand while using other hand to cover my ear. Unfortunately one cover ear is not enough to block the horrible sound. I decide to change my route.
I walk to the bushes, finding an unused path and happily walk the narrow pathway. I remove my hand away from my ears as it the sound slowly begins to faint. I look up the sky, seeing the burning afternoon sky slowly turns dark.
I fasten my walk and smile to myself, enjoying the sound of silence.
Until one tune reaches my ear.
I jerk my head up, hearing the dim sound prickling in my ear. The tune plays by one person, a tune playing the violin.
I follow the trail of the melody, as the music become clear. I soon found myself at an isolated place, with a small stage up the small hill. The moon shines brightly, clearing the shadowing person who is playing the violin.
The person didn't seem to notice my presence as I unconsciously walk a bit closer.
I've become awestruck as he plays his piece. The way he plays the violin with his bow is very professional and his face shines like jewel under the glistering moon. His messy raven locks ruffle in the wind and his eyes is close like he is in peace.
This piece he is playing sounds very familiar and I'm sure I've heard it somehow. The tune finally struck me.
The guy is playing Schubert's Ave Maria. Schubert's Ave Maria is a wonderful piece of music that creates a very wonderful melody of gentleness but somehow his playing sounds sad. I turn head away from the boy's play or else it will make me feel emotional.
Clumsily, I disturb his play when I unnoticeably step on a twig when I try to walk away. The tune stops, leaving a pitching screech from the violin. The boy turn his head at me, who has finally notice my presence and glare at me, coldly. I have become lost in his hypnotising ruby eyes.
"What are you doing here?" he asks me coldly. I snap out of my trance and automatically answer him.
"Home." I said to him, facing my head in a different direction. I hear a low groan coming from the boy's direction. I look at him, seeing his back at me as he neatly places the violin inside the case.
"That's a wonderful piece." I said to warmly. There is a loud shut from the case and the boy swing the case over his shoulders. The stranger makes his way down the stairs, his face showing no signs of emotion and turns his full body at me.
"I don't need a compliment." He responds to me harshly.
"That's not it." I answer him, quickly. His ruby eyes widen in surprise, "your playing brings out a melody which contains not only gentleness but sadness at the same time." The boy looks at me oddly. I quickly turn my head, feeling my face turn red.
"…because not all melodies creates that kind of sadness." I whisper, hoping he wouldn't hear it. The boy went silent.
I look at him from the corner of my eye, only to receive a flick from the forehead. I rub the mark forehead, glaring at him icily.
"That's not a good answer." He replies in a husky voice. I pout at him while he smirks at me.
I give him another glare. Man, I hate that stupid smirk. It's pissing me off I thought to myself.
A light breeze blows in our direction, bringing another silence between us. The guy stares at me deeply — his ruby orbs bore onto my chocolate eyes. The breeze finally dies out, and none of us dare to talk, forgetting about everything including home.
Home?
I finally snap out and broke the silence between the two of us.
"Bye." I bid him and turn my body at a different direction. I am about to make a dash when his husky catch me off guard.
"Later, polka-dots." He said to me slyly and walk in a different direction. I turn my head at him, only seeing his back carrying the black case embedded with flames on it.
It took me three seconds to realize what he meant. My face flushes in anger.
"Pervert!" I shout at him, venting all my anger out for forgetting that I'm wearing a skirt. I could hear his snicker as he disappears out of sight. I heave out a sigh and walk to the opposite way.
It took me a good nineteen minutes when I reach home. I unlock the front door and quietly make my way to the kitchen. I unload the groceries and put them in their designated place.
I exited to the kitchen and found myself entering the longue room to find sleeping Youichi on the couch. I smile at the sleeping boy, warmly.
"Youichi~" I call him in a sisterly-voice and playfully pinch his cheeks. Youichi stirs his head for a moment before opening his eyelids. He cutely rubs his teal eyes and sits up from his resting place, looking at me half-awake.
"…Mikan nee-san?" he ask me, half-sleepily. I smile at him and nod my head. Youichi return me his smile and greets me, "…good morning."
"It's good evening, Youichi."I corrected him. His face shows that he is spacing out and looks around his surrounding.
"…good evening, nee-san." Youichi finally corrected himself after seeing the black sky from the window and greets me his smile.
I couldn't help but to mess his silver hair and let out a little laughter.
Youichi Hijiri, my little brother. His 14 years old who also attends Gakuen Alice. Youichi always acts like a little child whenever he is around me and he also falls asleep easily during the day.
I stop messing his hair.
"Where's jii-chan?" I ask him.
"Jii-chan went on a family meeting." Youichi answers. My face flips down and sadly said oh.
Jii-chan always went to the meeting whenever it relates to family business. He is the only one who stays and takes care of us all the time. Our parents rarely went home and they are major workaholic. They only deposit our allowances once a month.
A slight tug from the shirt distracts me from all the thinking. I snap out and look at the puller.
"What is it, Youichi?" I softly ask him. Youichi loosen his grip and face at me.
"Could you help me?" Youichi plead me, "it's for my cello."
I let out a shrug and nod my head. His face brightens when he receives my answer and jumps out the couch. I quickly stand up from my spot and notify him before leaving the room.
"I'll make some sandwiches, Youichi." I reminded him and went to the kitchen. I easily prepare all the necessity and walk down the hallway, with the meal in my hand. I stop by my room first to wear some shorts before going to the room. I exit after changing and continue to walk down the hallway.
I spotted an open door and enter it. Inside the room is a music chamber, fill with all kinds of instruments. I found Youichi sitting on the chair playing the notes on the cello. I gracefully walk to him, not disturbing him from his play.
Almost to mention, Youichi is in the talent department. He is a gifted child and he plays the cello when he was ten which it is only four years ago.
I listen to his notes as he plays Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla. I put the plate on the table and close my eyes, resting my back on the wall.
Youichi's playing on the cello, is calm and deep. The way he plays the low note of the cello doesn't drawn enough power and the beat is not in place. Youichi stops playing when he accidently play the wrong note and let out a curse.
"Manners, Youichi." I said to him, softly. He shifts his head at me, surprise and embarrassed by my sudden appearance.
"You're mean, nee-san." He mumbles under his breath. I let out a low chuckle. I walk to his side and kneel at front of him.
"It's terrible. The notes are out place." I comment him with a sly smile on my face. Youichi glare at my sarcastic remarks. I smirk at him, "but I will help you. Playing oblivion with someone else will improve your playing, right?'
His brightens right away when I offer him to play along. I grin wider and walk to the grand piano which it is behind Youichi. I open the board — the one that protects the keys — and put one finger on the key to hear the tune.
Good I said inside my head the tune is normal and even. Youichi handed me his notes and I read it carefully, memorising the notes of Oblivion.
I hand the book back at him and ready myself by sitting comfortably on the stool while cracking my knuckles. I stare at Youichi seriously; my eyes showing are you ready. Youichi position himself with the bow and nod his head, indicating I'm ready.
I place both my hands on the key and begin to play. I start on the low notes for the warm up before the cello comes in. Youichi follow along after the first few notes of the piano. The sound of both the piano and the cello matches evenly.
After our duet, I stop playing the piano and walk away from the grand piano. I get the plate and hand the sandwich at front of Youichi.
Youichi gladly accept the sandwich and much the sandwich in his mouth while putting away his cello in his big grey case.
"Thanks, nee-san." He thanked after stuffing down his third sandwich. I stop munching my sandwich and look at him with one eye.
"You're improving." I comment him and munch on my sandwich. He took the comment and smile at me, feeling oblivious.
However, inside my head, a string of guilt weighs me.
I'm sorry Youichi but I hate playing the piano. Anything that relates to musical instruments, I will burn them all. I don't want you see the darkness that sleeps inside of me. I don't want you to see the hatred that consumes inside of me. I don't want you to hate your passion of music because of me.
I don't want you, my little brother, to be involved with a memory that I want to forget…
I hate it because of the scar that would never heal
I only want a place where there is no sound
The reason why I hate it:
That's for me to know and you to find out
How is the first chapter? Is it good or bad? Remember to Read & Review =)
Here is the website where you can hear the music: (remove the space)
Schubert Ave Maria: www (dot) youtube (dot) com / watch? v=_NDpRaTu2ig = this the Len and Hino ave maria duet
Oblivion: www (dot) youtube (dot) com / watch?v=QlGdKSk-n7o&feature=related = this is solo ( this one have 4 people playing the cello)
www (dot) youtube (dot) com / watch?v=DoPR7CKPB08 = this is the duet of the piano and the cello