Music Piece 6: Just a Memory

" And then, I slammed the door shut in his face! "

Yumi burst out laughing when her daughter finished her story.

" It's not funny, mummy! I was so horrified when I saw them. I mean I've never seen them in my life and yet, they seemed to know my name! It's really creepy! " Takara protested, pouting,

" Dear Takara, you have the innocence of a six-year-old child! You are a famous harpist so everyone is bound to know your name, don't they, muffin pie? "

Takara nodded slowly.

" But they were really scary! "

Her mother laughed again and ruffled her hair.

" You know, maybe you should get to know better, don't you think? After all, it is important to have friends in school. "

" Maybe… " Takara agreed reluctantly.

She looked at her wristwatch. It was twenty minutes past two.

Yumi sighed drearily. " I know. I know. It's time for my nap, right? "

Her daughter smiled and added, " While you nap, I'll make some chocolate fondue and pudding for tea. "

Her mother returned her smile and nodded.

" Mmm, sounds good. "

" Do you need help, mummy? "

Yumi shook her head and wheeled her wheelchair towards her bedroom.

" Have a good nap, mummy, " Takara murmured softly as she watched her mother go before heading into the kitchen to make her promised chocolate fondue and pudding for her mother.

Just as she was about to add the melted chocolate into the batter, the phone rang.

Now, who could it be? She wondered.

Quickly wiping her hands on her already chocolate and flour stained apron, she grabbed the white cordless phone from its cradle and held it to her ear.

" Uh, Satake's residence? May I know who is on the other line, please? "

She heard snickering on the other end and immediately she winced. She was still not used to the Asian way of speaking after having been brought up in France, for nearly thirteen years.

" Hello? Who is this, please? " Her voice grew more forceful and harsh.

Instantly, the line went dead.

" Hello? Hello! "

" Whom were you talking to, sweetheart? "

Takara spun around and placed the phone behind her back.

" Oh, um, it was just a prank call, " she answered truthfully. " So, you've had your nap, mummy? "

She was hoping to deviate her from the topic about the prank call. It was obvious that someone wanted to find a victim for his cruel joke. So, he chose her.

" I couldn't sleep a wink. So, how's the chocolaty food preparation coming along? " Yumi asked, eyeing Takara's apron.

" It's just fine. Besides, I'm almost done, " her daughter replied, putting the phone back into its cradle.

She followed her mother's wheelchair to the kitchen island. Yumi inspected the batter in the blue mixing bowl and dipped her finger into the sticky paste. She put it into her mouth. She smiled.

" Wow, Takara! You're such an excellent cook! The batter is neither watery nor thick. It's just right! I think you really take after your father. He was such a good cook… "

NNN

The Host Club activities were over for the day. The music room was still and quiet. Everyone had left, all except for him. It was his turn to clean up and get the place ready for tomorrow's activities. He pulled the velvet curtains close. He sighed and dusted his hands on his pants. Walking over to the love seat, he took his blue coat, which he had tossed carelessly, and donned it. While he adjusted the lapels of the coat, something fell out and clattered noisily to the floor. Quickly, he leaned down and scooped it up. In his hand, lay a golden locket, which was given by his mother as a keepsake.

" This is the woman that I was telling you about. We were the best of friends and still are. If you wish, you can try to find her. In a way, you'll be able to stay close to me… "

She placed the locket into his palm and hugged his clenched fist tightly to her bosom.

"Please find her… "

" Don't worry mother. Please take care… "

That was what he had told her. Just like that, she walked away. Out of his life. Breaking his heart as she left, without looking back.

Unbeknownst to him, tears trailed down his cheeks.

I've already forgotten about the warmth and purity of a mother's love. What did it feel like to have your mother wrap your arms round you? Why did you just leave me like that, mother? Was money more important to you than your own son? Was it your selfishness that drove you to refuse your own son? I know that as I left, you were hurt. Crying. I know that we had no choice but you could have at least tried to stop me from leaving. Instead, you stood there, doing nothing but cry. I thought a lot about you but do you think of me? Even just a little?

His fingers closed over the delicate pendant as he clutched it tightly.

" I'll find her, mother, even if it means going against my grandmother. Just for you, mother, I'll find her… "

He slipped the locket back into his coat pocket and strode out of the room, locking the double doors before he left.

(Can you guess whom this 'he' is?)

NNN

Takara's hand vacillated in the mid-air, just inches away from the doorknob of Chairman Suou's office. She had just remembered her manners.

Why am I always being called to the principal's office? This is deja vu, happening all over again!

She knocked on the hard mahogany door. Three loud and short taps. The girl turned the doorknob and poked her head inside. She saw the Chairman as well as the guy from the other day.

What is he doing here? She wondered.

" Excuse me. Did you call me, Mr. Suou? "

Both of them directed their gazes at her.

" Ah, yes. Come in, Takara! " Chairman Suou urged, motioning her to enter.

She pushed the door open, a little wider and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

" First of all, I would like to welcome you to Ouran High! It is a great pleasure to have you here! " He held his arms open wide.

What? Does he expect me to run into his arms and hug him or something?

Takara managed to contain her laughter as she struggled to smile.

" The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Suou, sir. "

Immediately, he took her hands in his, catching her off-guard.

" Can you repeat that again, my dear? "

She stuttered uncertainly, " Uh, um. The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Suou, sir? "

" What undue respect! Did you hear that, Tamaki? She called me 'sir'! "

The man was practically glowing with pride. Takara stared at him as if he had grown two heads.

What is wrong with him? Just because I called him 'sir', why is he behaving in such a way? It's like as if I was the only student who calls him that.

(Actually, yes. Giggling)

Shouldn't a gentleman such as him behave… like well, a gentleman?

" Ex-Excuse me, Mr. Suou but- "

" Maybe you should learn more about respect from her, Tamaki, " he continued, oblivious to the fact that the fifteen-year-old was trying to talk to him. " You should certainly learn a thing or two. "

" Do I need formality when I'm talking to you, father? I'm seeing you every single day for the last two years! " Tamaki protested.

Takara's eyes widened.

Father? Last two years? So this guy, Tamaki, is the Chairman's son? But if it were, why would he only see his father two years ago? Shouldn't it be like from the time you were born?