Once, all my days were quite the same: me, my friends and the piano.
The piano was the thing to which I related the most from when I was just a little child. It doesn't matter how much I tried to think about other things, it was the only love of my life.

And now my life is different. There's a big gap with my past. What is it? What changed my mind?

"Good morning, Akamatsu-san."
"Good morning, Saihara-kun! Today it seems to be a very shiny day!"
"... you've already noticed?"
"Yeah, the sun is shining! I really want to play the piano."

"...? What's wrong?"
"Ah, it's nothing. Nothing, really! I was just thinking the same. And I'd be happy to listen to your piano."
"Thank you, Saihara-kun. Then, I'll go ahead! Would you like to come? Would you like to play with me!?"
"Uuh… maybe not today, but I'll do my best if I'm free later."
"Okay… I'll wait for you, then!"
"I said "maybe"... But I think it could be fine. We'll, then."
"Thank you! See you later, Saihara-kun!"

So I left and went to my research lab instead. Research lab? I think I'm still not used to everything inside this "school" that is more like a prison to me. Why did this happen? Why am I here? And, above all… why can't I remember?
My questions are almost useless. I can't help myself because I really can't remember. The only thing I can do is trying to do what I like. Piano baka is the nickname my friends gave me because I'm obsessed with just that thing.

But…

These days were just a few, but the time I've spent with my new friends is something new to me. In which way? I don't know. Maybe it's just that I need to do many other things instead of doing only what I feel inside of me.

Without even noticing it, I was looking at my own hands.

I told to Saihara-kun that I realized something. I like to do other things instead of just playing piano. Or at least… I don't like them as much as I do with it, but… how can I put it? For example, I like a lot when I talk with him. It's like Saihara-kun can see through me. I thought that it could be just one thing that my piano was able to do.

Never could I even imagine that I would ever realize something like this.

The eyes of a person can tell you a lot of things. Maybe it is because of this that Saihara-kun seems so sharp? I want him to believe in himself more. I don't know if we'll ever be able to grasp our freedom, but… What I know is that I want to stay with him, no matter what. And together with our friends too.

I sat down at the piano and started to play Clair de Lune. I think that the timing was perfect. This music… I want him to listen to this song. I'm sure it would help him in some ways. Music is always a good way to see through things and to express your feelings. And again… That's not the same for everyone, I know. But it's so difficult to explain feelings with words.

Thinking of Saihara-kun makes my heart pounding. It is a different sound. Different from the one of the piano.

While thinking, I started playing Presto Agitato from Piano Sonata Op. 27 No. 2 by Ludwig van Beethoven. My heart was racing like that, probably.
It is a strange feeling, but I'm confident I can overcome it.
I just need to…
And in that moment I realized that the door was opened. It was him. It was Saihara-kun.

"Ah, so you came!"
"Yeah, I told you that I would if I had the time…"
"Come, sit here next to me!"

I don't think I could describe my happiness in that moment. He surely knows how to keep a promise.

"Wait, Akamatsu-san…!"
"Uh? Why?"
"Because there's something I need you to talk about."
What, exactly?"
"While I was coming here, I saw Momota-kun… and… he was acting strange."
"Strange?"
"Yes, how to put it…?"
"Eeeh…"

I didn't know how to put it either, but he surely was strange. And I'm not talking about Momota-kun.

"How should you put it?"
"Why don't you find it out for yourself? I'm sure you can understand better!"
"Me? But I'm not sure… Though I can try!"
"I knew that! Thank you, Akamatsu-san!"
"Don't mention it! We're friends! So I'll do my very best to help him, no matter what!"
"Good luck!"
"I'll come back so that I can tell you what's going on. Please, stay there!"

I tried to look for Momota-kun. And I surprisingly found him not that far from there.

"Momota-kun!"
"Akamatsu! You know you can count on me! How can I help you?"
"Help… me?"

Surely Saihara-kun was right. Momota-kun was acting strange, though I don't know the reason why.

"You came here all at once. Did something happen?"
"The truth is that… it's nothing, but maybe it's not related to me, you know…"

I was trying to see if he was going to tell something. I tried to talk with him for about half an hour, but nothing.

"And so, what?"
"Well, Saihara-kun told me you were acting strange and I thought you needed some kind of help…?"
"Shuichi did? We talked a bit before, but I don't think I'm strange at all! Maybe we should ask him directly."
"You're right… Maybe he was just worried over nothing. But this would be really… strange."
"I don't know what you're talking about!"/p

I realized he was averting his gaze, but why?

"Okay, let's ask him to be sure."

I was a bit worried. What was happening? So we were back in my research lab. I suddenly opened the door and almost shouting.

"Saiha-"
"Happy Birthday!"
"..."

What was in front of my eyes? Everyone was gathered there. Saihara-kun was smiling at me.

"Happy Birthday, Akamatsu-san!"

I was speechless. But I really was happy.

"Thank you very much, everyone…!"

As soon as I thanked them, Saihara-kun sat at the piano. The place I loved the most… was so different. There was that special someone. It was just him there.
He started to play a different tune that the one we usually played. It was not the one I taught him. It was Happy Birthday to you. He was serious, so focused on the keys that it was sure he was doing his best. Everyone was singing… for me.

"Do I really deserve this…?"

Saihara-kun was still there, smiling at me.

"Akamatsu-san… I will… I will fulfill your wish. It is a promise."

*cough*

In that moment I realized that it was just my mind. I felt like my throat was not working any longer. I couldn't breathe and everything was painful.
Before my eyes, something really bad was happening... and it was my fault indeed. But I wanted everyone to be free, to be happy.

Nothing about my disillusion had happened. But my heart wanted to believe that Saihara-kun's promise will come true one day.