I walked up to his house. It was a large house with many rooms. Bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and so much more. I always remembered his house being like a castle almost. I held my dad's hand as he knocked on the door. My dad's best friend answered swiftly and invited us in. My dad always took me to visit his friend. I walked through the house taking in the glory and the sparkle it had to it. Then I found the piano. It looked untouched.
Me, being only seven at the time, thought that this was the most beautiful creation that the man had held in his home. I took a glance around the room as I carefully approached the instrument. I was almost to short to sit on the bench. I managed to squirm my way up there as the view of the keys engulfed my thoughts.
I wonder what this sounds like.. I pressed one key, and I can only describe what I felt as love. Even at such a young age I fell in love with the sound of the piano. I played a few notes together, which of course sounded probably really bad, but I was just figuring things out.
My dad's friend, Takiyama, he always let me play his piano whenever I wanted. My dad would bring me over to his house so he could be with his friends, and I would just play the instrument. I learned how to play more complex pieces, and Takiyama-san was always happy to listen to my songs.
Today I, Hiro Shikibane, am an eighteen year-old in college. It had been ten years since my first encounter with the piano, and today was a special day. I was in a huge performance at a little concert hall in the middle of town. I had quite a bit of audience as my fingers danced on the keys. I felt like I wasn't even the one pressing the keys or playing the notes but rather I was in some place far away. I still have my love of the piano even now. However, I've found something I love even more than it. Or someone.
I had my backpack slung over just one shoulder as I walked away from my school. I didn't have much homework which was actually quite an event. My blonde hair was kind of ruffled, and it was probably from me having a hard time brushing it well this morning. I sighed. The concert went well, and everyone clapped for me. I couldn't help but feel distant. Distracted. Lately, I've had a lot on my mind. It's silly that I get so worked up over just one thing. I was finally walking to Takiyama's after my concert and luckily not too late. Usually people like to rant over my playing or talk with me for the next thirty minutes, but I had kind of rushed out of there so I could see Takiyama. My mind drifted to school this morning as a young girl in my class approached me. She and I hadn't talked too much, but we were somewhat close. We would sometimes hang out together at school, and we always got along. This time when she had walked up to me she was blushing. Suddenly, she asked me if I'd date her. It caught me off guard, and since it was early in the morning, I barely processed the situation.
"Would you be mine, Shikibane-kun?" She had asked me blushing.
It obviously took all of her confidence to even walk over here.
"Um..Ichita-chan... I'm afraid I just don't really share your feelings.." I had told her," But please let's stay friends."
"Oh...um...O-OK..." She had said but the disappointment and sadness was apparent in her eyes...
I never wanted to hurt her, but I also couldn't date her. It wasn't that she was ugly or unappealing to me. I just had my eyes on someone else right now. Even though I had a few relationships in the past years, I can't shake this one crush I've had since as long as I can remember. I know it's wrong of me..., but I love Takiyama-san!
Just like that I fell onto the sidewalk. My back hit the ground and so did my head. I shook my head and rubbed the back of it. Ow. I ran into a light pole. Damn. I keep trying to not get so caught up in my thoughts, but it just seems like I float away almost. I moved around to see how hurt I was, and I immediately looked around to see if anyone saw that. I don't think anyone did which was nice. I stood up, and I could feel a pretty harsh pain in my back. This really sucks.
I continued to walk, and I eventually made it to Takiyama's house. I knocked on the door. Takiyama-san answered the door quickly.
"Hiro. What a surprise." Takiyama said smiling slightly at me.
"Uh.. hey, Takiyama-san." I said trying to keep myself contained.
"It's been ten years, and you still call me Takiyama-san." He laughed, "Call me Riku."
"I'll try, but it's really just habit now." I smiled slightly rubbing my neck.
"That's alright. I'm just saying work on it." Riku said bringing me into the house.
We walked into his living room, and he opened the fridge.
"I have all kinds of things to drink so just tell me what you-" Riku continued to talk, but my mind started to drift.
Honestly, just being in his house or even within a few feet of him made me happy. He had a smile that brought the whole world to a stop. Or at least my whole world to a stop. I couldn't stop thinking about him either. I had noticed more and more that if I stopped focusing on something for even an instant that my mind floated right back to Takiyama. I mean... Riku..
"Hiro!" Riku called.
"Hm?" I asked startled.
"Were you listening?" He asked.
"Uh, yeah, I'll just have a soda if it's no trouble." I told him.
"Alright, no problem." He replied as he took out one for himself as well.
I took a sip of my drink, and for a second I let my mind fantasize about what it would be like to kiss Riku. He had black hair that was sleek. His eyes were a beautiful green which had always captivated me. He was clean shaven too. His personality was kind, smart, funny, and he always had your back if you were in trouble. The kind of guy I dreamed about.
"So, what piano song have you got for me today?" Riku inquired smiling widely.
"I uh.." I said remembering that he only thought I came here to play his piano, "I've got a good one."
"Let's go then." Riku said venturing toward his piano.
I followed him into the room, and I sat down on the piano bench. He stood with his back against the wall. I found a piano song that I remembered had reminded me of Riku. So, I played it for him. Again, my fingers just lightly pressed the keys to make the melody I had in mind. I worked extra hard to make this song my best because I knew Riku was watching. In my head, I was lost. I was using this song to aimlessly express my feelings to Riku. I love you..I love you... I've always loved you... I lost myself completely.
After I finished, Riku cheered loudly.
"I knew ever since you were a boy that you had a talent." He said smiling that entrancing smile of his.
"Well, of course, I wouldn't have been able to practice so much if it weren't for you." I responded smiling back.
"Just glad I could help." He replied.
"Riku..I l-l..." I stammered.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Uh.. I.. love...this piano.. It's always tuned well, and it's what... started me in my playing. Without it I wouldn't be as good as I am today." I had said in a replacement for my feelings.
"It's always good to find something you enjoy doing." Riku responded.
The telephone rang in his living room, and he attended to it quickly. I'm such an idiot. What was I thinking almost spilling my feelings like a kid? Not only is he a lot older than me, but he's my dad's best friend. It's not that my dad's homophobic or anything like that, but I always felt like if I told him.. he'd be disappointed in me. What if Riku confessed to me? Yeah right. He's brought home millions of girls, and I think he used to be married too. He'd never confess to me, and that's part of why I can't confess to him. To be honest even if I can't confess to him... just being in his home every other day is enough for me. If I can even just see him smile...it's enough.
Riku walked back into the room with a pouting look on his face. He was always the type to be kind of dramatic. However, he was always the serious type when it came to work and things.
"So, looks like there's another mandatory dinner for my job." Riku sighed harshly.
"What's so bad about that?" I asked.
"Well, you have to dress up all fancy, and those things are a total drag. They're usually for promotion or something along those lines, but they irritate me. Most of the guys that go bring their friends or girlfriends along with them. I'd bring your father, but he's such a prickle-puss and you know how terrible his work schedule is." Riku sighed.
"That's true.. It's always been odd." I agreed.
There was a moment of silence in between us. There wasn't anything else we could say.
"Hey! What are you doing tonight?" He asked casually.
"Nothing. I don't have much homework so I'm free. Why?" I asked him in return.
"Why don't you go with me?" He asked.
"Huh?" I gulped.
"Yeah. You have a suit, don't you? And you could meet the people I work with. I think it would be really fun if you went with me. I could introduce you to everyone too. I'm sure they'd love to meet you. Plus, maybe it'd be a learning experience. Although, there's not much to learn from a bunch of old perverts like them, but hell it could be fun." Riku replied laughing.
"Sure.. I could tag along." I said casually, but my heart raced.
"Nice. I'm gonna head upstairs and get ready. I'll come pick you up in two hours." Riku told me as he walked off.
I grabbed my things from the living room, and I started walking to my house. It was a nice day outside. He wanted me to go with him...He said it'd be fun if I was there. I couldn't wrap my head around it, but I was happy. I was happy I was going with him to this dinner. I wasn't one to dress fancy, but I had a few suits. I smiled slightly just at the thought of Riku coming to pick me up. This was a nice way to spend extra time with him.
It reminded me of when I was eight, and my dad took me to a classy dinner at this restaurant in town that Takiyama..Riku.. was hosting. There was a lot of men dressed up in suits, and even I was too. I was young back then so the suit didn't fit too well, but everyone commented on how I cleaned up well. I continued home, and walked inside.