Symphony of Blood
Chapter 1: Awakening
2 months ago – Midou Musical Academy
The young woman sat on the edge of a large stage. Her head down, her blond hair up in a classy bun, she watched her fingers trembling. She knew that tonight was the night that will decide her future, her graduation from the Academy. She was also very aware of her nervousness and the growing pain in her stomach. But, she didn't care, because all that she could think of was the music she is going to play tonight. She was good, better than the most, she played the piano very beautifully, but there were better than her. She had to win in this contest and become the lead piano.
-Already sulking, Emi? You should at least wait until I win.- a familiar voice said in a sharp tone.
Emi ignored her and sat at the piano, closing her eyes and slowly beginning to play. She felt a smile forming, and her smile widening more. She was happy and she knew that she was growing and becoming better.
A loud crack stopped her, and made her open her eyes. She was alone, it was dark, except a few lights pointed at the stage. Her heartbeat became more uneven.
-Who's there?- she asked, her voice echoing melodically through the room. She removed her hands from the piano and slowly sat up from her seat. As she did that, she heard another crack. Just like someone was walking on the wooden stage. But, Emi knew she was alone.
-Come on guys,- she said, her voice trembling a little –It's not funny.-
She was always easily scared. She felt an arm pushing her back to the piano chair. A soft chuckle and a sigh. Like the sound was coming from all around the place. Emi was still touching her shoulder unable to comprehend what pushed her. She let out a small moan, her eyes filling with tears. Another chuckle, this time louder, clearly female.
Play.
Play for me.
The cold air made Emi shudder. She nodded in thin air and turned to the piano, her hands trembling above the keys. She began playing, and crying in the same time, wetting the keys and making her fingers slip.
Worthless! The woman was now mad, and shouting at Emi.
The female voice shouted pushing Emi so hard that she flew a few meters before she hit the floor. Now she was crying and sobbing and trembling, unable to stop.
You are worthless. The voice was cold again.
I will show you that beautiful music comes only from pain.
Emi stared in blank space feeling so afraid. She screamed, knowing that no one will hear her.
Present day – SPR office
Mai glared intently at her boss over the table. They, along with few other SPR members sat at the main room, awaiting their client.
-Yes, Mai, is there something you need.- the young boss said impatiently, his eyes never leaving the book in his hands.
-Oh, it's nothing.- she said with a confused look –It's just strange. You never leave the office to socialize with us.- a small smile forming on her face.
- I am not interested in socializing, Mai. We are waiting for a client.- he said sharply –And since you obviously have nothing better to do, go and make tea.-
Bou-san gave Mai an encouraging smile, while Ayako just rolled her eyes at their grueling boss. Mai just sighed and got up. Today everyone seemed to be in a foul mood. Bou-san tried to hide it with smiles and jokes, but the laugh never seemed to touch his eyes. And Ayako seemed to be infuriatingly cold toward everyone. Not even the jokes about her age and looks seemed to have any effect on her. On the other hand Yasuhara, the young college student with a mischievous and witty tongue was working on the laptop in the corner of the room, obviously uninterested in anything around him.
But, Mai thought, Naru was more agitating and unnerving than anyone, and that's what worried her the most. Her boss usually kept his calm façade, no matter the circumstances but today he wasn't just cold, he was an arctic storm.
Mai heard a knock on the door. Changing directions she opened it, only to come face to face with the most beautiful woman she ever saw. Her beige pants, black pumps and white blouse were all screaming that she was rich, and the elegant diamond earrings were shining in many colors. Mai stood there a bit dazed for a few seconds.
-My name is Midou Aika.- she said gently removing a strand of her shiny, straight, rich chocolate hair. She slowly removed her dark shades revealing two beautiful green eyes. –I suppose I have a case for you.-
-I am Tanyiama Mai.- Mai nodded, remembering herself –Follow me, please.-
Mai smiled to the beautiful young woman, and to her surprise Aika returned that smile. Looks like the day was getting better, Mai thought to herself, perhaps everyone mood will now lighten. She lead her to the room, but the woman froze at the door.
-Ayako-chan?- the woman asked widening her eyes towards the red haired miko in front of her.
Ayako lifted her haid from her nails and smiled.
-Aika…- she smiled for the first time in a while –I missed you.-
Ayako stood up and hugged her friend. It was obvious they knew each other very well. After a few moments, someone finally broke the silence.
-Would you care to explain?- Bou-san asked blinking at them.
Aika, now seated next to Ayako, was holding a warm cup of tea and explaining the situation to Naru.
-If you had asked me if I believe in ghosts two months back, my answer would've been a straight no.- she said with a sad smile –But now, I am almost sure there is something paranormal happening.-
-Would you care to elaborate further?- Naru asked coldly, his hand on his chin, his indigo eyes pensive.
-As you know Midou Academy is a musical academy, for talented young men and women. We are one of the most elite and top academies on the continent.- she said proudly, taking a sip of tea –We have a junior school and high school depending on the age and ability of our students. -
-Are you the chairman of the school?- Naru asked, narrowing his eyes in a questioning look.
-Oh, no. That would be my father. I am a professor on campus, and as that is the situation, one of my students was the first victim.- she said sadly, returning the cup of tea on the table, her golden bracelets rattling as she moved her arm.
-Touru Emi was a beautiful and talented young woman, with a bright future in music. – she painfully closed her eyes –Her.. Body was found in the grand piano.- she told the group.
-At first we thought it was a murderer from the outside, but then the forensic scientist found the message on her body.- she said, letting Ayako hug her gently.
-What message?- Naru asked coldly.
-To play, first you must have a heart.- Aika blinked several times to chase away the tears –Emi, her body was missing the heart. It still hasn't been found.-
-What happened after that?- Naru pushed. Mai was mad. How can he be so cold towards her, after everything that happened to the woman. He should be learned some tact. She angrily wrote the information in her pad.
-W-We then thought it was a jealous student. Emi was easily one of the best and she was preparing for a competition for the place of the lead piano in an pre-graduation concert.- she gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. –But then other students began experiencing similar activity. A girl broke her leg, when she was pulled down the stage. A boy got his fingers badly pinched in the door frame, and the doctors still aren't sure will he ever be able to play again.-
Mai frowned sadly. These people were spending their whole lives playing music and learning about it. Imagine if they could never do it again. Mai shivered at the thought.
-This could be just accidents.- Naru said.
-This is what I believed at first. But then, two weeks ago, the girl who got the place as the lead piano was practicing alone in one of the music rooms. She said a voice ordered her to play and then harassed her. She was full of cuts and bruises when another student found her.- Aika said sadly –Also there are more than a few students who informed us about strange noises from different parts of the school campus.-
-I am still not sure…-Naru began, but a mad voice stopped him.
-Come on, Naru. We can't leave them alone. What if someone else dies?- Mai said with tears in her eyes.
-No matter what your decision may be, Naru- Ayako warned –I am going to help them.-
Naru sighed and closed his eyes, thinking.
-Not like you could do anything, alone.- he said quietly, opening his eyes, with a dangerous gleam –Prepare a room for our equipment and two rooms where we will be staying. Also prepare the list of student who reported any activity so we could interview them.- Ayako and Mai beamed at him.
-About that,- Aika looked at us apologetically –There is a slight problem with that. Our school is very elite and if students even begin to suspect you on something, that could be the end of us. Our reputation is already in a very fragile place, because od Emis' death, if anyone hears about ghosts that will complitely ruin us.-
-So what are you proposing, Aika- chan?- Ayako asked her.
-Enroll the school as students and solve the case from the inside?- she smiled weakly to Naru whose head was giving Mai a cold, deathly glare. Mai just shrugged and smiled to him. It wasn't really her fault that he said yes. Right?
A/N: This is my first story ever, so I'm really excited to hear your thoughts on it. There are probably some gramm errors, because english isn't my native language. Please bear with me ^^ I am very thankful for any review because I really want to get better in writting, so yeah, good, bad, worst, just write me a review on your thoughts..
PS I will be updating soon and the chapters will be longer, that's a promise... And yeah I'm sorry if the characters weren't too OOC. ^^