Flows From Heaven to the Soul
Author's Note: Thank you for the 60 people who took the time to read through the prologue, and to the two reviewers:
suena, rinsess4Ever, sweet-, Lilac Cherry Blossoms, Odi et amo.
I'll continue to expand this story in the next few chapters. The titles might be unfamiliar to some, but this fanfiction will be set up like the movements of a sonata; but more about that later.
Chapter 1 : Introduction
Kuroyama High School
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
The entire student body at Kuroyama High School was buzzing with the latest news. In fact, the entire prefecture was charged with a shocking proposition.
"The renowned pianist, Mr. Itou, just issued a contest. Anyone who can travel to his Nota music studio every single day for an hour is eligible to win a year of free piano lessons!"
Rin sat silently at her desk. 'Could this be true?'
"You're lying!"
"No, I'm not! I have proof and I'll show you!" A girl rifled through her backpack and produced the front page of that morning's local newspaper. She unfolded it with a grand flourish and began to read. "Mr. Itou, one of the world's most celebrated pianists, is offering a year of free piano lessons to one lucky person in the Osaka prefecture. The only requirement is that you must show up every day for an hour. In order to enter such a contest, you must write 500 words or less of why you believe you deserve such lessons and mail it to the Nota music studio by the end of the week. The winner's name will be published in that day's news."
Shouts erupted from Rin's classroom as classmates argued over who would win. The number of entries this kind of a contest would rake in made Rin's hopes fall. Certainly her entry would be one of hundreds, maybe thousands. Besides, she didn't feel that her life situation was so special or particularly deserving above that of anyone else. It was Monday and because the contest ended on Sunday, she was sure many people would rush in and bombard the studio with entries. Nevertheless, she harbored a small dream of winning too, and began to brainstorm.
Tetsu Academy
Miles across town was the Tetsu Academy, a private all men's college, and the same news was being circulated and discussed.
"Isn't Mr. Itou your teacher Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru was moving side to side in his plush, rolling chair. His neck was bent back and he didn't bother to sit up. "Yeah. He's ancient and backwards. I actually pity the person who is going to win that contest."
His male classmates laughed. "Yeah but it's pretty unfair that he charges everyone else thousands of dollars for lessons. How does your dad feel about that?"
This time Sesshoumaru sat up. He was stone faced and his voice came out in a sharp growl. "He's got the money to spend on my hanyou brother and his pitiful human wife. I could care less how much I cost him. You remember that before you ever mention him to me again."
"S...s...sorry Sess...Sesshoumaru." His classmates bowed a little and shuffled out of the classroom. Nobody got the dog demon mad. The last person that dared to had ended up in the hospital... and he was still there.
Sesshoumaru mulled around in his chair a little longer and looked at the clock in the room. He had another lesson with Mr. Itou today at the regular time. Grumbling he picked up his backpack, swung it over his shoulder and headed out the door.
Sterling Avenue
"Sesshoumaru I'm in my office!"
Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and let the door slam shut behind him. He walked along slowly into the dimly lit office of Mr. Itou. "What?"
Mr. Itou was used to his arrogant student and ignored his comment. "Please sit down. I have something important to tell you."
"I'll stand."
"Suit yourself Sesshoumaru." Mr. Itou put his wire framed glasses on and picked up the front page of the newspaper on his desk. "I assume you've heard of my proposition to the community? The contest?"
Sesshoumaru stared straight ahead and shrugged his shoulders, unwilling to answer.
"Well you're going to help me pick the winner. So instead of being here for one hour, you'll be with me for two or three... perhaps more, depending on how many entries we get a day. We'll pick the top entry of each day until the last day and then we'll have 7 total. You'll probably have to stay late Sunday night to help me pick the final winner. I expect that you'll also drop off the winning entry at the newspaper's office that night as well so they can publish the winner." Mr. Itou didn't bother to look up at Sesshoumaru.
Good thing he didn't because Sesshoumaru was livid. "You can't make me stay. I have other things to do. This isn't part of my lesson anyways!"
"Well then let's get to the lesson shall we?" Mr. Itou stood up and walked pass Sesshoumaru and into his studio room. "Don't bother mentioning your dad and don't dare to not show up. I'll just tell him you're not quite working to your full potential. Now let's get started."
Thank you all for your support.
Ina Moramento