"Because even a star that shines so bright, will eventually flicker and fade into the night."
Miyazono Kaori
All I wanted to do was leave my mark on this cruel world.
To touch the hearts of so many people, I would not—could not— be forgotten.
Instead I fell in love.
I fell in love with a boy who loved cats and egg sandwiches.
Who supported me when I had nothing, and offered me a chance when I didn't deserve it.
The one that showed me a world without pain, and a life without regret.
Who changed my world from monochrome to vivid technicolour.
The one that can touch my heart with the just sound of his piano.
Who gave me a reason to play the violin again.
Kousei, the boy who gave my life back to me.
I had given up, resigned myself to a fate of death. Quietly decided to fade from this world, unknown and unremembered. Because it was better for the people I loved, and for the people who loved me. So I accepted to disappear, in life, in death.
But then I met him again and told a single lie.
"Miyazono Kaori loves Ryota Watari."
It was the lie that led Ryota Watari to be my so-called love.
The lie that gave me a new friend and rival found in Sawabe Tsubaki.
But it was the lie that brought you back into my life, so I will never regret it.
And when you came back, my life found colour. Like the rainbow after a rain.
We shared so many memories, each more precious than the last.
The first time. When you were only eleven, and playing your little heart out at your first recital ever.
That moment when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and I saw you again. Grown up, but still the boy I once knew.
Our duet at the concert hall, the exhilaration of your notes beside mine, and the spotlights shining.
The countless hours we spent bickering over insignificant things.
That time I collapsed and you burst into the waiting room, sweaty and breathless, but still shining like the brightest star in the sky.
Your performance with Aiza Nagi, that left me with a new feeling—envy.
Everytime you visited the hospital, I tried to hide my blushes under a smile, while you stared at me like I was already a ghost.
Your last words to me, "Promise that we can perform again together, one more time."
The memories flash through my mind, like snapshots of my life.
Don't forget me, Kousei. Even though I broke my promise, don't forget me.
We'll always perform together again, someday.
Because we're musicians right? And even if we hit rock bottom, that's the solid ground on which we will build our foundation.
So I turned away from what I had resigned myself too, and carved a new path.
A new journey.
Because I was selfish and wanted this love for myself.
Because I was cowardly and just could not let go of the world.
Because if I died now, my grave would be full of regrets.
Because I love you.
"Goodbye, Arima."
Author's Notes: Just a one-shot I had to do because I finished this anime, and it sent me into an emotional train wreck. This was just something I wrote on a whim so it's short, but I quite like it. I also noticed that in the anime, they do not focus much on Kaori's POV about her death, and instead a large amount of the spotlight is on Arima's performance and his final goodbye. It's not a bad thing, it's just that I think the dying girl should get some love before we never see her again, and so I decided to write this. Any reviews are always appreciated and constructive criticism welcome!