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My Last Dance
Chapter 4:
Right Music
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It's a usual winter day in Alice Academy. Four weeks to go before my big day! I still have a lot of things to decide upon. It's a good thing my seniors are here to help me. If not I wouldn't know what I should do. Most adults are busy with their own lives right now so I'm on my own to settle things. Mom's doing her part in planning for my party, but she lets me decide for everything else. She's teaching me how to stand up and live my life the way I like it. However, she still looks after me…she's my mother after all.
Currently, I'm on my way to Mr. Bear's cabin located in the Northern Woods. Misaki-senpai and Tsubasa-senpai are there waiting for me to further discuss the missing themes of my cotillion. As usual, I'm by myself for my boyfriend (who should be the one by my side because well…that's what all boyfriends do!) is nowhere to be found—again. He's been missing lately… I'm getting pretty worried; but knowing him, I shouldn't be.
"Oy, Mikan!"
My stare rose from the ground and it fell upon two people drinking tea and eating cookies in front of Mr. Bear's house. The brown little teddy bear looked at me with its emotionless eyes that sparkled as I approached. Instinctively, my fists were raised up in the air when Mr. Bear ran like crazy towards my direction. Then, he leapt 5 meters and dove like a missile that was headed at me. Though I anticipated its hands were curled into fists, I was wrong when I saw them open wide. I caught him as he fell in my arms like a stuffed toy—well, he is a stuffed toy but what the heck. I guess he really softened up to me now that I'm graduating, thank goodness!
With the little bear in my arms, I strode towards the table and let him jump down the ground. He swiftly ran back inside his cabin to do whatever soul-stuffed teddy bears do best. I sat beside Tsubasa-senpai who was watching us with a happy smile.
"Now that you're here we'll start the meeting!"
Misaki-senpai held out the folder I gave her. It was a list of many things that concerns my big party. My pink-haired senior coughed lightly to signal silence as she read out the next agenda.
"The next thing for you to decide is…" she paused, looked at me, and smiled before continuing, "the Right Song. Hmmm…exciting!"
"Songs?" I suddenly blurted. There were so many songs that I love listening to. This may be a hard thing for me to decide upon. Then, my thoughts suddenly wandered to a certain crimson-eyed guy who should be with me right this moment. My eyes darkened thoughtfully as I whispered, "Maybe I should consult him…"
"Go to the 3rd music room on the top floor of the southern high school building," Misaki-senpai suddenly said while sipping on her cup of tea.
"Eh—"
"It's at the end of the hallway of the north wing. You won't miss it," Tsubasa-senpai added with a wink.
My gaze traveled between my two seniors. Finally, I nodded with a sigh.
"Goodluck!" They chorused as I started to walk towards the high school building.
They looked like they were up to something…Oh well! No matter what it is, I won't be surprised anymore. During my 7 going 8 years of stay here in Alice Academy, I am honed not to be startled by weird stuff that is always happening in or out of the grounds on a day-to-day basis.
My steps echoed through the halls as I approached a great wooden double-door entrance. When I slightly opened the doors, a flowery scent that was accompanied with music greeted me. I lingered on the other side of the mysterious room, entranced by the sound that I recognized was produced by a piano and a violin.
"I think I've heard that melody before," I mused as I peeked further inside.
I saw two silhouettes by the windows; one was standing with an instrument tucked in its neck, held into place with hands and the other was seated in front of a grand piano.
"Umm…excuse me, I—"
As I entered, the person seated in front of the piano suddenly jumped out of an open window. Weird… I brushed the feeling of surprise off as I zoomed towards the remaining person in that room. My eyes widened when I saw a certain blonde-haired guy I know best.
"Ruka-pyon!"
"Sakura…?" He blinked twice before confirming my identity. "What are you doing here?"
"Misaki-senpai and Tsubasa-senpai said I'd come here," I replied as I walked towards the open window to see if the person that jumped earlier was still around. Seeing that no one was there, I turned to Ruka-pyon and asked, "Who was the person who jumped from the window just now?"
He opened his mouth, and paused. After the seconds ticked by he answered my question with a shrug and a brisk shake of his head. There was something weird about Ruka-pyon today…I just couldn't place my finger on it.
"Oh, where's Natsume?" I felt him stiffen at my question. Turning to his direction with confusion, I asked again. "Ruka-pyo—"
"He's been disappearing a lot lately. Not answering my messages or calls," said Ruka-pyon with concern furrowing his brow. He looked like something was up and has no idea what his best friend was doing.
"Psh…he's just making trouble again," I waved off his worry and smirked. "He's not worth your concern."
"Saku—"
"I didn't know you played the violin. What was that song you were playing?" He opened his mouth to say something but I ignored it and continued, "Let me guess…can you play it again?"
Without any further adieu, my angelic blonde Ruka-pyon placed the violin under his chin and began to play the melody that I had heard earlier although now it wasn't as beautiful compared to when it was accompanied by a piano. The piano's sound was somewhat melancholic, and so nostalgic that it crushed my heart…a bit. As the notes got closer to the chorus the song became familiar to my ears.
"T-That's…!"
"So Close by Jon McLaughlin," Ruka-pyon stated as he ended with a beautiful finale. "I was thinking…maybe you could use it for your cotillio—"
Before he could even finish his sentence, I embraced him tightly with my heart at my throat in excitement. I forgot all about the mysterious piano player in joy because I've finally found the perfect song for my birthday party!
"Of course I will! Thanks Ruka-pyon!" I ran towards the double-doors and looked back with a scintillating smile. "I'll tell the others about it! See you later!"
Upon closing the doors, I didn't hear his last words that were carried by the wind.
"I shouldn't be the one you should be thanking, Mikan…"
