An Hour After School
The school bell which signals class dismissal rang throughout the campus. Every student let out a groan. Another school day done. The students are now piling through the doorway. I smiled secretly. The school bell means another alone time with him.
I grabbed my school bag and made a bee line to the Music Room. And as expected, there he is, running his fingers through the piano. He looked up and smiled at me.
"Konnichiwa," he greeted warmly. My heart skipped a beat and I flushed.
"K-konnichiwa… Usui-sensei," I greeted back.
He held out his hand. And sitting on his palm is a strawberry flavored candy. I walked towards him and took the candy.
"Arigatou," I said, blushing lightly. He gave me a smile reaching his bespectacled eyes.
"Sit with me," he said. I sat beside him. "Do you still remember the piece we practiced yesterday?" he asked with his gentle voice.
I nodded. How could I forget? It was playing in my mind all night.
He smiled.
"Okay then," he started to play the melody. I looked at his fingers then to his eyes, burning with passion.
I joined him after a few keys. We are playing the soft melody in silence. Our eyes constantly meeting. Please, let the time stop.
The melody goes on sweetly.
Today was the same as yesterday but I would never get used to the feeling of seeing him waiting for me. This time, we didn't play the piano. He was telling me stories of his special days. And he's holding my hands.
Instead of listening, I focused my eyes on his expressions. He's frown, smile, and then sigh. Then he was laughing so hard. I couldn't help a smile curve on my lips. Those expressions, his laugh, those were something you would not normally see him wearing. I feel so special.
Then he was silent. I looked up at him, he's reaching his hand. Before I realize it he let go of my ponytail. I was startled at first.
"You look more beautiful without it," he said gently. He touched my cheeks, and I felt it burn. He was leaning in. I closed my eyes. Soft and warm. My first kiss.
The next days were fun. After the school bell rang, I'd proceed to the music room. It became a habit. And every day, a different flavored candy, a different melody. Same feelings. Do Re Mi an rotation. The volume's rising… then it suddenly fell.
He stopped coming.
I found myself waiting for him in the music room, arranging the candy on the music score. Softly humming to myself. He stopped coming, days ago.
One day, just like the other days, I stopped by the Music room. A single candy lying on top of the piano. The day ended coldly. Just like the past few days…
I see him in the hallway… during classes… but it was the same sensei… He would not even look at my direction. My heart started to hurt.
Why?
I decided to wait for him by the school gate. The sun was starting to set when I saw him exit the building. And the school's now an abandoned place. He stopped when he saw me. I breathed in deeply.
I want to tell him a lot of things. Tell me more about your special days. I want to hear more of your special story. Let's play the piano once again. Let's eat the candies you gave me. I want to hear the rising volume of our melody. Let's stop by the playground once more.
Kiss me again.
But instead, I said, "Thank you for everything."
He tried to speak but he closed his mouth again.
"It was fun, really. And I liked you a lot. But, goodbye," I said, trying to hold back the tears. "… sensei."
I turned my back against him and closed my eyes. A single tear fell.
The melody ends.
Note:
Listen to Houkago 1H by SCANDAL while reading the story. This two shot story was inspired by the said song.