A/N: Consider this as a celebration. Because the school year is over. I hate my university for compiling the schedule all final exams in one last week. :(
First AU yay. Hope you like it. you probably know this song already, but I really love deriving meanings from music (especially Taylor Swift) ~
approx. 14 Chaps more or less
search the songs in youtube if you want to listen to their pieces
this one's cool: watch?v=M9RTvk6HGXw
Frivolous laughter and the messy echoes of music notes filled the air in Aoyama-sensei's usual music session. It was held annually in summer, treated as some kind of workshop to develop children's talents, though most of the time, it was a playground. Probably because the program catered to all types of kids who play different instruments, the trumpet, the clarinet, the flute, etc. She strived to make them listen, to learn the identity and importance of music, and even master a few known songs, but only two of her students fully captured and loved what she taught.
"Yamato-kun, it's break time, don't you wanna go join the other kids?" She tilts her head, confused at the blonde boy who was staring out the window.
"I want to learn a new song." The 11 year-old says, not turning to face her.
Aoyama pats his head. "You're such a good boy. But it's okay to play now, too."
"I only enjoy music." The blonde replies, nonchalant. His teacher takes a step back, slightly shocked of his seriousness.
"Aoyama-sensei!" Cute little footsteps run toward her. "What song are we going to play next?" The girl smiles, sparkles enveloping her aura. From the sound of her voice, Yamato rolls his eyes to himself.
The older woman pats her head, endearingly. "Mimi-chan, excited as always, aren't you."
Mimi giggles. "Of course. After all, I love music the most. I am the best in your class." She proudly, and loudly announces on purpose, strucking Yamato's nerve. Aoyama-sensei sheds a drop of sweat as Mimi expectantly smirks to Yamato.
"What best is, is subjective." He stands up and walks toward Mimi's side. He gives her an annoyed glance. "And no one asked for your opinion." He grunts, leaving the room.
Mimi sticks out a tongue. Their other classmates peek behind the door. "Mimi-chan, we're playing tag!"
"Coming!" She cheerfully replies. Mimi bows to Aoyama-sensei then leaves. The teacher runs a hand through her brown hair, sighing contently.
Outside, Yamato looks up the tall oak tree, ignoring the noise of the other children. He climbs carefully with one hand and foot at a time. He reaches the top in 2 minutes, and makes himself comfortable on his favorite branch, crossing his legs. Looking at the bright sun and blue sky, he recalls the day his dad gave his instrument. It was a day just like this, with tranquil warm weather, and his mom and dad weren't fighting yet. He remembers his dad's enthusiastic way of holding the harmonica, how smiling because of music felt. Yamato firmly believes he wouldn't experience days like those again, that's why, in his mind, all he can turn to is music, which encompasses time, and keeps dear, his memories.
He glances down and sees Mimi glaring at him, turning away with a 'hmph'. He sighs, pulling out his harmonica, relieved he can finally be alone in his world. He plays 'Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring' by Johann Sebastian Bach. All the kids around the building look up at him, astonished of the harmony produced by one little instrument.
"Is he... really just a kid like us?"
"Unbelievable."
"Like a true artist."
Mimi crosses her arms, and runs back to the open-windowed piano room, jealous that her friends were also admiring Yamato. I'll show them, she thinks, folding her skirt while sitting on the stool. To become the very best was Mimi's destiny, according all the people around her. Her parents raised her to want more, to aim highest, because she can be everything she wants to be, that big dreams do come true, because people who think them, are the ones that are able to make them happen. She was five when she first learned the piano, enchanted by how music affected her ears, and those around it. Music is making other people feel.
She stretches her fingers and immediately plays 'Rondo alla Turca' by Mozart. Yamato stops playing, hearing her first key. The kids turn their heads to her, leaving the near area of the tall oak tree. Yamato narrows his eyes at the sparkling princess Mimi, who was lost in her own playing. He innerly admits that she plays really well, but of course, he didn't want to increase her ego. The first time he enrolled in this workshop, she already had everyone love her, and she enjoyed that company, contrasting with his preference of solitude. He was in peace with himself, and she wouldn't be content if people started treating other people, as the personalities, and the fact that they both strive to make the best out of music caused them to repel each other. Their classmates were well aware of this fact, but overall as the audience, they enjoyed the rivalry that always ensued during these sessions, because it brought good entertainment.
.
When the break is finished they sit in front of Aoyama with their respective instruments, chairs arranged in a circular manner on the wooden floorboards. Mimi was by the teacher's side, seated in front of the piano, and Yamato was directly beside her, with his harmonica. Each student was allowed to bring his or her own instrument, as long as Aoyama, quite the prodigy, was familiar with how to play it.
"Alright, let's try to harmonize properly, shall we?" She taps her conducting stick twice. The room starts to resonate peacefully, everyone concentrating on playing Amazing Grace. Some of the eyes were locked on Yamato and Mimi who were able to add in impromptu notes. Aoyama smiles in satisfaction.
After playing two more pieces and a period of further polishing, the kids were packing up, as usually scheduled. "Before you go," Aoyama starts to announce something. "The annual music festival will be held soon at the Odaiba shrine nearby." Mimi and Yamato perk up. "A friend approached me that he wanted one student of mine to play their instrument, as a part of the introduction of the event. Next meeting we'll have a little optional contest for me to choose who'll perform." She smiles, handing each one of them a flyer.
.
"Tadaima." Yamato steps in his apartment. He looks around, hoping he won't have to hear his parents' shouts to each other this night.
"Aniki. Okairi." Takeru, his little brother comes into view, looking sad. "Dad hasn't come home since last night ever since he walked out on mom... And just a while ago she left for work." The low worried voice of his Ototou breaks Yamato's heart. The fights started when Hiroaki started focusing more on his job, and less of actual feelings, as well as Natsuko, putting too much meaning in everything. Yamato still wonders if they love each other, and by the actions of his parents, he wonders if true love really does exist, or not. He wouldn't bother to find out, not at this state, at least. It was lonely and tiring to ponder about his parents, and he was glad that he could share his effort of trying to escape the reality with Takeru.
He tries to smile for Takeru. "Don't think too much about it." He pats his head, and carries him to their room. "Want me to play a song for you?" Takeru lights up at his gesture. He grins, nodding. The walls in the room of the siblings were plastered with rock posters, from the time of his dad. Yamato loved playing the old cassette tapes, albums and vinyls, someday he dreamed of playing a more mature and well-known instrument, like the bass, which his dad used to play. Hiroaki actually taught Yamato to play it, but not in an in-depth manner, he didn't have time for that. Not now.
"Aniki, I want to hear Guns n Roses." Takeru jumps on his bed, just beside Yamato's. The older smiles endearingly, turning on the CD player, for a reformatted version of the audio. The blonde bites his lip, while playing air guitar with the music, keeping his rockstar stance on the bed. Takeru claps at his brother.
For now they would forget the fights. "She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky" Yamato sings, with Axl Rose on the audio. Takeru joins his brother jumping on one bed, smiling goofily.
"You sing really good, Aniki." Yamato smiles at that and carries his brother on his back, the two brothers dancing like idiots. Takeru was laughing as he realizes something. "Can you play this on harmonica?"
Mimi steps out of her black limousine, and is guided buy two men in suits. Along the stone path to her mansion was maids bowing to her. "Okairinasai, Mimi-sama." She dismisses them with a hand. The first one to greet her with a certain intimacy was her 50 year old nanny, Mizuki. She smiles at her when Mimi hugs her stomach. "How was music class?"
"As usual," Mimi smirks, lifting her chin. "I improved." Mizuki smiles fondly, and pats Mimi's head. "Where's mom and dad?"
The staff of the mansion share a look with each other. "Something came up. They both needed to run to work today." Miyuko crouches, meeting Mimi's eyes.
"... Oh." Mimi was promised by her mom would cook dinner tonight, but she was used to this. She was used to her parents doing their greatest in their jobs, and she promised herself that she'd also become like them. Successful, and blessed with a child who understands. "Okay. Anyway when they get home sooner or later, I'll show them how much I'm better at piano." She climbs up the grand carpeted staircase to her room, unaware of the worried looks of the staff.
She hangs her sachel by her bed and sighs, staring at the various certificates of honor and trophies she earned throughout being, well, Tachikawa Mimi. She wasn't just a renowned pianist, but also a praised honor student. Mimi believed there wasn't anything else to do in life, but to be better, and she was going to do everything until there is no better, until her parents, and the world says its enough.
Newspaper clips of tiny articles, and pictures of her accepting this award were placed in a large glass cabinet. She nods to herself, determined to find a suitable piano piece for the next meeting of music class. She closes her eyes for this vision, that she would win, and soon, she would share her feelings to a wider audience. Mimi Tachikawa will shine.
.
Her classmates were gaping, except for Yamato of course, as she was playing Waltz No. 15 in A flat by Brahms. The blonde was sharp in comprehending a musician's character. He was crossing his arms, staring at Mimi intently. She's troubled. He thinks. It was a gentle sound, almost as if her fingers didn't reach the keys completely, the tune was perfect, but not quite her best, Yamato knew if he pointed it out, it'd be regarded as ignorant. What happened to her?
Mimi's face showed no emotion, just like when she plays in recitals. To be focused on the music. When she's done she earns herself a round of applause, like everyone was expecting her to be the one to perform on the music festival. After Mimi, Aoyama looks around for any more volunteers, though her performance was nervewracking for the other students, who were looking down, dejected. The teacher sighs. Yamato raises his hand. Aoyama smiles and nods. Mimi gives him a brief glare before turning away.
He positions himself to the front. "This song is called Sweet Child of Mine." Aoyama chuckles, knowing the track. The blonde takes a deep breath before starting.
Mimi was running. "That was great!" Another tear falls out.
"I heard he can sing as well." A grunt from her.
"Really?"
"Yeah. I heard him singing at that tree one time." I hate him. Mimi passes the kids murmuring about Yamato's Guns n Roses stunt.
"Ishida!" Mimi calls out to him, who was about to exit the gates of the small building.
He turns around, annoyed. "What?"
Mimi had dry tears on her eyes. She clenches her fists. "I hardly slept just to practice for that!"
"What am I supposed to do?"
She wipes her eyes for the nth time. "I just can't easily accept that someone who doesn't love music as much as I do-"
At that, Yamato angrily clicks his tongue and walks away. "I, of all people, don't need your opinion."
"Wh-Wha" Mimi's nerve pops. "You idiot! Someday I'll beat you for sure!" She screams to his figure, almost out of sight. The kids around them shed a drop of hopeless sweat just by looking at the pair. Mimi runs back to the music room.
"M-Mimi-chan-" Aoyama stutters, just as she was about to leave.
"Move!" The 10 year old makes her way to the piano. A dark aura surrounds Mimi, her eyes covered by shadows. She then plays, very angrily, Alkan's 'Scherzo Diabolico'. Someday, I. Tachikawa Mimi. Will be better. Than Ishida Yamato. Aoyama slowly steps back.
.
"You're going to play at the music festival?" Hiroaki's eyes widen at his son. Yamato had said the news while the family was eating, to break the heavy silence. They hadn't talked over the fight yet. He shyly nods, as Natsuko smiles at him proudly. "That's great. I used to play a lot when I was young."
"S-So... Will you and mom come?" Yamato asks. His parents lock gazes. "T-To the festival. With Takeru."
After a moment, Hiroaki and Natsuko smile. "Of course we will." Yamato's mom runs a hand over his hair.
"He's gonna play Sweet Child of Mine!" Takeru grins happily, excited that the whole family will spend a weekend together. Yamato blushes, sinking deeper into his seat, as his dad chuckles.
While looking at his food, "... Do you wanna learn how to play the guitar?" Hiroaki asks.
"... Really?" Yamato leans forward. "I... I like the bass better." He couldn't meet his dad's eyes.
"Then, after the festival, okay?"
"I'm looking forward to it. Thank you."
"Where's Mimi-chan?" Satoe Tachikawa asks Mizuki, who just sighs, because the girl's been in her room ever since she got home.
Mimi was concentrating on the blank paper, as means of meditation. To compose? She was listening to Michael Jackson's 'Beat it' on her headphones, for inspiration. Just thinking of Yamato's smug face makes her eyebrows distort with disturbance. She takes a deep breath. He's just mean.
Music is all I have. How could he take it away from me?
In dinner, Satoe and Keisuke were staring at Mimi who was in a trance, facing her food. She was plainly fideling with her spoon and green beans. "Mimi-chan, is something bothering you?" Her dad finally asks.
"I lost." She simply mutters.
"We've been through this." Keisuke smiles, he doesn't bother to ask, holding her hand. "You don't have to win all the time."
"It's not about that." Mimi snaps away her dad's hand. She clicks her tongue. It's what he has that I don't. "I don't feel like eating."
Satoe stands from her chair. "Eh? Mimi-chan-"
"I need to be alone for a while." She says back, already on the staircase.
"She's at it again." Satoe sighs. "I hope it's not going to be bad for her."
"It won't be. She just puts too much pressure on herself." Keisuke answers.
.
Takeru was looking around, not knowing where he would focus on, the pretty orange lights, the people in costumes for performance, the food booths, etc. "It's like the new year's." He tugs on his brother's arm. Yamato smiles, but his stomach was doing flip flops, this much people made him anxious.
"You'll do fine." His dad pats his shoulder, noticing his son's expression.
Yamato nods. "I was told a band was going to play with me along the song too. It'll ease my nervousness."
"Good luck." His mom kisses him on the cheek.
Meanwhile, Mimi begged her parents to go to the event with her. After a few minutes, a band climbs on stage with Yamato. Mimi points at him, alerting her parents. "He's that one."
After a few moments, people gathering closer to the medium-sized make-shift rugged, but decent wooden stage in the middle of everything, Yamato clears his throat before playing. Mimi watches intently, looking for something special. "He's a kid just like her." Keisuke whispers to his wife, who was looking at Mimi skeptically.
While Yamato was playing, some weren't interested in his playing as much. They were in love with the song as a whole, but for a harmonica to deliver, it would take more experience, so some people were whispering negative comments. "It's better if someone would sing."
"I'm bored already."
"Why is a child onstage?"
Yamato notices, but he chooses to focus on his family upfront, just below him. Takeru's bright face, the fact that his dad held his mom's shoulder. He closes his eyes and gets lost in the song. Mimi couldn't handle the voices, slowly getting louder. She turns back, and gives a glare. "Shut up!" She snaps to a number of people. "Can't you see I'm trying to listen?"
"Wh-What? Who are you to say that to me?" The older man says back to her. The people step back, making space for the two sides.
"Music is meant to be for listening, not criticizing!" Mimi answers.
"I didn't like it, and I don't want to listen to him anymore!"
"If you don't appreciate the performance, at least appreciate his effort!"
"You brat-" The man steps forward, nearing Mimi.
Yamato's eyes widen. Even now, she steals the show, he thinks. He looks at the audience, from one face to another. And stops. He sighs. Then grabs the nearest mic.
.
"Tachikawa." Yamato finds her sitting on the grassland nearby. She looks back at him for a second, then turns away. Yamato decides that was the loneliest face Mimi could make. He walks to her, and sits beside her. They look up to the dark sky, with no stars. "Why did you do that?"
"What?"
"A while ago."
"I wanted to listen to you. He was noisy." Yamato almost chuckles. He wonders for a moment where her parents are. They probably gave her space. She does look like someone who would need space. "Sorry." She says, mildly startling Yamato. "You... Really love music don't you."
"You too."
She looks down. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you love it?"
"It's a form of escape, like all types of art."
"Is that the only reason?"
He smirks. "I don't suck at it."
She smiles. "I'm sure there are a lot of things you don't suck at." He raises an eyebrow. "You have a little brother, don't you?"
"Yeah. And you're an only child."
"I wished I wasn't."
"Why?"
She looks up, then at him. "So I could share the world."
He licks his lip. "... Why do you love music?"
"Music makes me feel."
"Feel?"
"Emotions. Not just happiness, but in general, feeling."
"You don't look like your numb."
"Because I'm good at music." He chuckles at that. "... You are too." He looks for any signs of joking in her eyes. She nods. "You're good at that little blow-thing. And your voice... Is cool." She awkwardly continues. Mimi was finding it hard to compliment a boy.
"I never thought you would admit that."
"Neither would I." They smile. "I mean specifically now."
"What?"
"You're good now at this day and age, but I have a dream." She stands up, puts both hands on her waist and smirks. "I'm gonna be the best musician there ever was."
He stares at her and shakes his head hysterically, before standing up as well. They were face to face, eye to eye, though Yamato was a little taller. "Me too." He whispers.
"There could only be one."
He tilts his head, amused. "We'll see."
She steps forward, their faces near. She holds up her pinky finger. "Promise?"
"Promise on becoming the best?"
"Promise me you won't give up on music."
Yamato chuckles. They lock fingers. "You underestimate me." Their eyes glint with a new determination.