Chapter 2: Virtuoso

Ayako had never been too excited to meet a new neighbour, it's only been a few months ever since their old neighbours moved away; yet it felt like a year. But it's been awhile since Ayako made an acquaintance, but for all she knows – she's psyched to meet her neighbour, like she's been electrified ever since her mother mentioned about introducing themselves to the neighbours.

Ayako wasn't indecisive, but now her mind is rummaging through ideas – she needs to make a good first impression, she needs them to know that she was a good person; unlike the awkward encounter with her French friend, Serena. But they somehow became best friends nonetheless.

Her hazel eyes gazed at a small portrait of a little boy and girl, and the girl was assumed to be her. Ayako had to be honest; her eyes welled up just by looking at it. You may think that it's merely a plain picture that stands in her room, but Ayako thinks of it as a memory charm – to keep him in her heart forever.

She ran through the eerie-like hallway and then descended down the stairs, that's when she was greeted by a slightly impatient mother.

She said with a calm yet quick tone of voice, "Oh you're done? That's good, let's go!" Michiko opened the door and a gust of cold wind blew inside – sending chills to the mother and daughter. Her mother chortled, "Haha, just the wind. That's not going to stop the Hayashis! Let's go, Leafy!" her mother boasted and went out.

It was an easy travel, despite their legs being their only transportation at the moment. Their neighbours were just next door, who would think of it as a long trip?

They saw a bunch of men lifting furniture and whatnot, they looked tired from the tedious job – but Ayako assumed it was for money.

Ayako finally caught up with her mother, she believed that her mother was excited to see their new neighbours, especially the fact that her mother started a 'Mothers' Gathering'; she seeks for new members. Ayako wouldn't dare to condemn with that.

"Excuse me, neighbours, coming through!" Michiko politely said, slightly shoving men for entrance.

Ayako had to admit, but her mother could be slightly – prodigious. At least she's relieved that her mother is vaguely like her loony father, it's more enjoyable to have funny and loving parents. Sad to say, that her father is not here for awhile, at least.

The door was open, luckily, but they still have to knock for a polite entrance. Michiko took the chance to knock, awaiting her neighbour's coming. It didn't take long for them to answer. The woman accompanied by her son, answered the door with vague faces of surprise.

"Hello!" said Michiko, giving off a good vibe with her demonstrative personality. She was friendly all right; proof is how countless of friends she has. "My name is Michiko Hayashi, and this is my lovable daughter, Ayako! But feel free to call her Leaf!" she beamed indulgently.

"M-mom!" Ayako mumbled in complaint, the only people she knows who call her Leaf is just her relatives and parents. And him.

The woman smiled adoringly, she seemed to quickly enjoy her mother's presence, "Enticing, my name is Hanako, and my son here is Hiroki. Coincidence is, I call him Fire; since it's a name his old friend gave him."

The young man remained silent through the conversation, almost like he's lost in thought – it's hard to focus when he gazes into your eyes, those hazel eyes are alluring but Ayako doesn't know what's behind them. Loathe? Lust? Emptiness?

That's what she thought, to say the least.

"Hanako? Oh, Hanako!" Michiko smiled widely, she held Hanako's hands. "It's been awhile, how have you been?"

Ayako was shocked at first, but that melted into an affectionate smile. Interesting enough, a reunion is not an abstract; but a time where two people share their long lost friendship together. Although Hiroki sounded awfully familiar, that was when Ayako felt herself snap in reality.

"Ah, Code 67 Fire! Old buddy, how're you doing?" Ayako spoke with a goofy grin, but the male remained quiet and – depressing?

"…" Hiroki said verbosely.

Hanako's smile turned into a frown, with a sigh she said, "Fire? Leaf is your old friend, isn't she? Care to give her a warm greeting?" she tried to enlighten his mood with her own voice. Since she knows awfully a lot about him, she knew that he would oblige with her commands, but this one is not a command; but a polite request.

"I..." he hesitated with a frown that perfectly showed no expression, "I'm sorry, hello Leaf." he simply greeted.

Ayako gave a sad smile which they thought was one of her brightest smiles, but this one said the contrary. There's something up with him.

The young man left with a sigh, probably going to his room to organize things that he was supposed to do.

Hanako frowned and looked at her old neighbours, "Sorry about him, he's been – going through a lot." she poured out a low laugh to perk up the mood, "Well, come inside! Make yourself at home, oh, don't mind the.. messy area! We just moved, after all!"

Ayako and her mother can't help but laugh, they were able to recollect their memories and picked this one up – Hanako was a woman full of vitality.

"Oh, and Leaf?" Hanako turned to face the young woman with a soft smile; somehow that smile could be deceiving in certain situations.

Ayako smiled back, "Yes, Mrs. Fukui?" she politely responded.

Hanako laughed at Ayako's kindness, "Oh dear, just call me Hanako." she grinned in abundant happiness, "It's been awhile since Hiroki ever communicated with a girl, hehe; so be a dear and talk to him." Ayako knows that it was supposed to be a friendly request, but somehow she thought of it as the other side of a coin.

"Sure, Hanako!" she grinned and proceeded up the stairs, eager to finally talk to an old friend. Her best friend.

Hiroki was cleaning up his room; normally some men wouldn't care about their surroundings and throw their belongings around and whatnots. As for Hiroki, sure, he can be like those guys; but when it comes into an unfamiliar environment, he just wants everything in place.

His chore was soon disrupted by a knock from his door, assuming it was his mother, he'd gladly let her in. He murmured a soft "come in".

But it was someone he did not expect to see, it was Leaf; his old friend.

"Hello Code 67 Fire!" she greeted with a chortle and walked around the cramped room, mainly because of the boxes everywhere with sloppy writing of 'Fire's stuff', but she didn't mind.

Hiroki couldn't help but feel – tingly at the nickname. You don't know how long it's been ever since he heard it, around six years? He couldn't quite keep up with time, because from his focusing on – music.

"So, it's been almost six years and all." she averted her eyes away to emphasize her awkwardness from a long lost friend, "Out of the blue, what are your hobbies now? Heh, it used to be catching fishes or swimming with them. Now, that you changed a bit."

This question was comprehensible and made Hiroki afluttered with the conversation, "To be honest," he murmured, "I still enjoy doing that back at our old home, we had a pond full of fishes." he chuckled.

"You still do, huh?" Ayako laughed, at least he was honest.

"Not only that, but I'm pretty skilled with the violin. Not to boast." he glanced at a violin case around the corner as an imperceptible gesture, "I've been into it – for awhile."

Ayako couldn't believe her ears; he was actually into violin music? She needed a mentor for the violin, but an old best friend as one? That'd be great.

"Hey, can you wind up a few music notes before I ask somethin'?" she asked politely. She had never heard a violin hit the notes perfectly in reality, well, not up close.

The young man hesitated at her request, he mentioned he was skilled with the violin, but with her staring; it made him slightly nervous. He was still unsure about it, but he accepted her request.

"Sure, what song do you want to hear?" was his question. He was somewhat panicked to think clearly or go through decisions.

"Well, since you're skilled at the violin. Do you perhaps know some notes about Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata?" Ayako asked, intrigued to know more details about his skills. Ayako has been listening to a lot of violin pieces ever since she heard of a violin, she thought of the violin as graceful and beautiful in tone; that it made it her favourite instrument.

Hiroki averted his eyes to his violin case, he wasn't too sure about that piece; it was very challenging, especially that it's very fast and you have to hit every note without a problem. Oh who was he kidding? He's a virtuoso, he can do that!

"I'll be right back." Hiroki said before standing up, then walking towards the case. He knows this piece, coincidentally; he started learning this piece a few weeks ago.

Ayako eyed closely to the young man, watching him zip open the case's zipper, then pulling at his bow, then the wooden violin; which vaguely looked like hers.

Hiroki let out a long sigh before positioning himself to have an entirely perfect performance, even if it was just one person; he imagined it as a whole audience.

Ayako furrowed her eyebrows with a frown, "You're seriously doing this? This piece is pretty hard; I didn't expect you to do it."

Hiroki glanced at her with one eye opened, "I don't care." It'd be good for practice, at least. he thought before raising his bow as an entrance to start the piece.

It started.

Playing the piece in front of his –

Old best friend.

Ayako was surprised, he hit the notes almost perfectly; no, it was perfect! It was loud enough for their mothers to hear, maybe even their other neighbours! It was surprisingly perfect.

His eyes were closed in concentration, but they looked relaxed. Is he – a virtuoso?! Ayako thought in shock, she couldn't imagine it. But a person she knows is very talented than her, it just didn't felt normal. But she was proud and happy for his talent.

When he goes through the chorus part, where it gets pretty brisk, it almost seemed like he exerted all his energy for the actions he make; like it was almost heavy metal.

The end was intense, but Hiroki managed to suppress it. He looked at her with a confused expression, "Done." he said before turning away to put away his violin, and finally continue organizing his things.

Ayako shook her head to throw herself back into reality; she couldn't believe her ears again. "It was beautiful, it was perfect!" Ayako exclaimed, sparkles twinkled her eyes, "I guess I 'judged the book by its cover'!" she laughed and grinned.

"So need help unpacking?" she asked, since she had nothing better to do at the moment.

Hiroki didn't look back to reply at her, "No, it's fine. You can go downstairs." he mumbled.

Ayako nodded and left the room, closing the door behind her softly; to not disturb him.

He didn't dare to look back at her that very moment, because –

He was hiding his rare smiles.

*explodes in happiness*

BOO YAH! REACHED ALMOST 2000 WORD! *dances*

Well, with that out of hand, I can relax! :D *eats candy*

So, yeah. I've listened some parts of the song, I skipped to the important parts since tat violin piece was 8 minutes! DXX it's still amazing though. :3

That's it, bye byes!

~~Lexi