* link for the song Yuuri and Murata played: please go to youtube and type SUITE THE PLANET OP. 32 – 4 JUPITER.(: It's a really nice piece. (or my profile)

* italic - thoughts

* okaasan – mother

* SUITE THE PLANET OP. 32 – 4 JUPITER – song title

* legato – smoothly

* con – with

* motto – movement

* poco – a little

* crescendo – getting louder

* mezzo forte – moderately loud

* allargando – broadening

* diminuendo – getting softer

* leggeiro ad libitum– light at pleasure

Kyou Kara Maou's Talent Show

[Chapter 3]

~flashback~

"It was a nice day, ne, Shibuya?"

"Ah, definitely." Both the double blank sat closely to each other, their back leaned against the cool wall of Shinou's Shrine. The flying birds chirping gaily in the mid evening purplish sky caught their attention.

"It feels so nice here, so peaceful," Yuuri commented as a cooling breeze swift passed his face, their hair moving along the wave of the wind. Yuuri closed his eyes, a song crept to his mind, it was a song Yuuri played two years back for a school performance; he was a trumpeter back then. He remembered the feeling, he felt very calm, it was a slow song, yet not boring, his fingers pressed on the three valves to produce harmonious music. How he missed those times. He snapped his eyes open.

"Murata, you play the piano, don't you?"

"Heh?" Murata chuckled, "It was a long time ago. Ne, Shibuya, why do you ask?"

"Remember the talent show for Mother's Day? I feel like playing a song," Yuuri looked into Murata's eyes.

"Owh. Ahahaha," Murata avoided Yuuri's glance.

"I need a pianist."

"Owh, alright," Murata laughed, "All the best in finding one."

"It's okay, Murata, I've already found one," Yuuri winked, "and he's sitting next to me, right NOW."

"Shibuya…" Murata tried his best to plead, "I really can't play, why don't you try asking someone else?"

"I don't know who else plays the piano," Yuuri pleaded, "Murata, you're the only one… Besides, the song is really easy to learn, I promise, alright?"

"Are you ordering me?"

"No! Of course not, I—I just need a—a—pianist." He concluded. "Murata, please? Just this favour? If you are willing to help me this time, then in exchange I'll help the maids to do the cleanings for err, a month. You can take a break from them, I'll do all of it."

It was not bad an offer, actually. Murata placed his fingers on his chin, pretending to think hard, "I suppose I'm able to help, but you'll have to keep your promise." Murata said gleefully.

"Deal."

~end flashback~

Murata wore a black tuxedo, matching his hair. He had his collar opened; he didn't want any bow or tie nonetheless, it's just too suffocating. He had a blue flower stuck to his right ear, it was a clip given by Miko-san.

"Yuu-chan, Ken-chan, during your performance you have to put this on your head, it has mama's blessings!" She handed both flowers to Yuuri and Murata.

"Okaasan, it's just a simple competition, there's nothing to fuss about…"

"Yuu-chan, never look down on other people's playing. Although it's in Shin Makoku does't mean that they do not know how to play well." Miko-san warned her son. "I bet Conrad-sama and Wolf and Mr Long Ponytail can even play better than you!" she felt so excited.

"Okaasan…"

Murata smiled, Yuuri had such a wonderful mother. She's right though, Conrad and Wolfram was doing very well on the stage.

Murata looked at the grand piano and he smiled, I am playing it again. He remembered the mistake he made when he sat for his Grade 5 examination; he shook his head off from the awful memory. I cannot believe I did that sort of mistake in my exam…

A faint trumpet sound brought him back to reality. He knocked the tuning room and entered. "Shibuya, still practicing? I think you should rest. It's our turn soon."

"I'm just tuning it," Yuuri smiled, "I don't want to sound out of tune later."

His friend smiled, "Don't worry, Shibuya, you sounded in tune."

There was a pause, and then Yuuri asked Murata, "Ne, why didn't you continue playing piano after Grade 5?"

Probably I can share this with a friend? Murata sighed, "I took my Grade 5 examination, but I failed my test. I was really prepared back then; I was confident; probably overconfident." He added, "My parents and teacher had high hopes on me, they'd expected me to perform well, but yet I made the silliest mistake a musician can make."

Yuuri was curious, "What did you do that your examiner failed you?"

"Nah… it's a secret," Murata winked, "But I was able to play again, able to face the music myself. Just because of you, Shibuya."

"A-ahahaha," Yuuri scratched his head, smiling. Somehow it felt awkward having his friend to praise him openly, what more feeling grateful of his actions, "Nothing, really, Murata. It's in your heart where the confidence comes from."

Murata smiled at those words. They heard a tremendous clap form the audience, knowing that Conrad and Wolfram's performance had ended; it's their turn very soon.

"Let's do our best, Shibuya."

"Owh! They're so handsome!" Lady Cheri squeaked when she saw the two double black made their appearance.

"Ladies and Gentleman," the crowd cheered even louder when Yuuri spoke, "This is song is dedicated to all mothers, and of course, to you." Yuuri gave a flying kiss to the crowd.

"Shibuya," what are you doing?!" Murata whispered furiously to his friend.

"Trying to get more votes."

"Geez, Shibuya…"

"Fine, fine." They settled for their song, Yuuri looked at the first Italian term, legato con moto. Right, relax. Yuuri started his first note, soft and slow, Murata accompanied soon after. Yuuri's three fingers pressed on the valves delicately, with Murata as counter melody to harmonize his tone. Both musicians increased its volume a little, looking at the music score written poco crescendo.

"Okaasan, Happy Mother's Day. This is for you." Yuuri's heart felt a soft tenderness, he wanted to smile but no, he cannot, he need to keep blowing air to dedicated the song to the audience, to his mother.

"Thank you for everything, mama."

Murata smiled, it's been so long since he had played in front of so many appearances. His fingers were so eager, but he controlled; he needed to match Yuuri's harmonious tune. It was the first time he really felt true to Yuuri's playing, he felt many emotions playing and running about in his heart.

He saw mezzo forte, his fingers exert more force onto the smooth white keys, bringing out the feeling of the music even more, with Yuuri's playing getting more and more bold; allargando written.

SUITE THE PLANET OP. 32 – 4 JUPITER;

"Indeed, Shibuya." Murata smiled to himself, "This song is so heartwarming, it puts everyone at ease."

Upon hearing Yuuri's melody diminuendo-ed, Murata followed suite, his chords toned down, signifying the end of the harmonious repertoire, bringing it to an end. A beautiful end.

His fingers stopped, he looked back again to his piece on the last four bars; leggeiro ad libitum.

Indeed, he felt really at ease. He stood up from his piano, standing next to Yuuri, giving a bow to the excited audience. He was very sure that the audiences felt the sorrow yet mixed with hope and sweetness melody. He smiled, "Thank you again, Shibuya. I enjoyed the moments just then." He turned to look at his friend, just to receive a grin from Yuuri.

"Yes, Murata. I enjoyed myself too. In fact, I think everyone present here does."

TBC

Next chapter: Gwendal and..? Where's Gwendal's partner?!