To Keiko Tsukino, who requested for a Shimi/Fuyu fic. ^-^
http: // www. youtube. com /watch?v=mpk_tEk9qVs
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"Keiichi?"
I paused, looked around, and then I found her squinting in the semi-darkness, the heavy fall of the curtains shielding me from her sight.
"What are you doing here?"
The lights dimmed, and she reached out to touch my arm. I smiled faintly as I noticed the clarinet she held tightly in her hands.
"A-anou...I--I'm nervous..."
I gestured to the stage below us, and she nodded in understanding. Kaho-senpai and Tsukimori-senpai sharing the stage, weaving beautiful, multi-colored music from black and white notes, seemingly lost in their own world.
The notes hung in the air, and then everything became still.
Applause.
And then came the inevitable pause.
I have only lately realized that we spend so much time moving around that we get restless at the slight feel of inertia. We become paranoid. Worrisome. Even disoriented.
True, the best things in life happen in its stillness…
That look that just says it all.
That smile that just melts your heart.
That song that just makes your day.
That touch that lingers.
That moment when you kiss.
That pause when you say those three words.
That sigh when you want to let it all out.
…It silences the confusion, the whispers, the unquieted beating of the heart…
Then you begin to appreciate that one moment in stillness.
To capture it.
To feel it.
To keep it.
"YO! Shimizu, Fuyuumi, you there?! Back to the stage, please, your duet's coming up!!"
"C-c-coming, T-Tsuchiura-senpai..."
In stillness, we find what we look for.
"Shoko?"
"H-hmm?"
"I love you."
Another pause.
How I wish the moment would freeze as it is.
Then without a qualm, without hesitation, without a second thought, she took my hand and held it tight, carefully wounding her fingers with mine.
"I love you too."
The world will little note, nor long remember.
But we spent that one moment in stillness.
And, hand in hand, we went back to share the stage.
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