Character Info: Yuusuke Asahina

Age: 19

Birthday: March 31st

Height: 5'9 (175.26 cm)

Chapter 11: Mending the Broken Pieces

*Saturday late morning, April 26th, 2014*

Slipping on a pair of heels and yanking my purse off of the coat rack, I run out the mansion without any regard to where I'm going. So what I if I get lost? If Fuuto didn't want me around, then maybe it was better this way.

I look around the city streets and suddenly feel painfully alone; I don't know anyone. Where am I? The late morning sun beats relentlessly down on my head, and I instantly regret not grabbing a hat.

I find myself on a less-popular street. The buildings are quaint, more European-looking, and rather old-fashioned. I can't help but smile; I loved the older eras and foreign cultures. This street was almost heaven. A soft mint green and white striped awning catches my eye, and I find myself standing in front of a small music shop. Over the door hangs a piano-shaped sign, indicating the shop's name.

With anything better to do, I climb the few steps and open the door. I'm welcomed by the soft jingle of bells and the scent of new sheet music. An elderly couple standing behind a counter smile amiably at me. I nod at them before heading to the shelves, browsing through the small but stuffed shelves that seem to take up most of the shop.

Turning a corner, my breath catches in my throat at the sight of a sleek, black, grand piano. The window near it seems to direct the sun's rays onto the instrument like a spotlight. I walk over to it and lovingly run my fingers over the smooth, ivory keys. It's absolutely beautiful!

"Do you play, miss?" The voice startles me, and I turn to see the elderly man smile kindly at me. I nod, smiling back.

"We would be honored if you would play our piano. It has not been touched for quite some time" he informs me.

"Really?" He nods. "Ah, thank you." I quickly return to the shelves and find a songbook that had caught my eye earlier. Carefully taking it off the shelf, I return to the piano and set it down on the music stand. Unlike most modern pianists, I didn't memorize songs or play by ear. Instead, I had chosen the path of sheet music. Even though I could sit down and play songs from memory like many of my friends (or more popular artists), I had found joy in sight-reading music while in high school.

I place my fingers on the keys, take a deep breath, and hit the first chord. The sound sends a thrill of delight and a sense of calm through my entire nervous system, and I continue to play with new-found energy and excitement.

"This is so troublesome" Fuuto grumbles as he searches the mansion. Everywhere he looked, Ms. Tsukiyama wasn't there. If he didn't find her soon, he knew there would be h**l to pay.

"Oi, Fuuto." Turning, Fuuto spots his red-headed brother walking towards him.

"Eh? And what do you want?"

"She's not here."

Fuuto scoffs. "Tch; do you think I don't know that?"

"If you know that, then why are you still here?"

Fuuto dangerously narrows his eyes. "I was just about to leave."

"Good."

A few minutes later, Fuuto walks the city streets with a pair of sunglasses on. He hated going out. The stress of being discovered was fun, but could only be enjoyed for so long before it got old and bothersome.

If he had a choice, he would've stayed in the mansion - where it was safe. If the maid hadn't run out, he wouldn't have been forced out of the comfort of his bedroom and into the outside world of screaming girls and annoying paparazzi.

While browsing various shop windows, a familiar scream reaches his ears. A girl shouts, and he winces. It was inevitable; but how did it happen so fast?!

"Eh?! Isn't that Fuuto Asakura?!"

"What? Where?"

Growling in annoyance, Fuuto scans the streets before spotting a side road. He follows it to find peculiar-looking buildings. Something draws him towards a small music shop, and without a second thought, he hurries inside of it. No one would look for him there, right?

As the door opens, bells ring, and Fuuto spots two old people who look to be the owners of the place. The sound of a piano catches his attention, causing him to pause. Straining his ears, he suddenly recognizes it as one of the few songs which his family had recorded together, titled "14 to 1." He mentally slaps himself on the head. How had he noticed it sooner?! He knew; it was the sound.

It wasn't played upbeat or pop-style. Rather, the person playing it gave it a soft, music box-like tone. If he didn't know better the song could've been played in an upper-class hotel lobby. The song intensifies as chords in the lower octave are struck decisively on the keys, though the higher notes remain gentle and melodic.

As the song ends and a new one begins, Fuuto begins to wander around the shop. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but the person playing the song intrigued him. Whoever it was had a talent; one that just couldn't be ignored. Rounding a bend, his interest grows when he spots a petite, dark-haired girl sitting on the bench. Her body sways gently as she plays, and Fuuto finds himself drawn to the calm aura around her. This was a feeling he could get used to.

At the end of the song, she closes the songbook she had been playing from and stands. She steps away from the piano and turns to face Fuuto. He feels his heart stop as his eyes meets hers. Was it even humanly possible for such a calm feeling to come from her, of all people?

From every song I played, my smile grew a little bigger. I had forgotten how free it felt to play the piano! From every key that I strike, joy courses through my veins. It felt wonderful to return to an old pastime of mine. They had gotten a piano at the orphanage that I had stayed at just so I could develop my talents.

Tiring of the book, I close it to find another. Turning, I hear myself gasp in surprise. Someone had been listening?! He leans on the shelf behind me, and I shake my head to clear it.

"Fuuto!" I exclaim in bewilderment.

"Tsukiyama!" He splutters at the same time. My face heats up in embarrassment and anger. What was he doing here?! Out of the entire Asahina household, he was the last person I wanted to see. And yet, there he was, standing before me in all his cruel glory. He had probably ridiculed me.

Pressing my lips firmly together, I lower my head and brush past him. I would not talk to him. He didn't deserve to hear what I thought. I had no desire to know what he thought; I already knew. A hand tightens on my upper arm, and I stop mid-step. Tension-filled silence sizzles between the two of us until I finally speak.

"Is there a reason why you stopped me, Mr. Asahina?" I murmur, cold and emotionless. No response. Slowly, I twist my body towards him as my eyes move from the floor to his face. He's looking away from me, and his expression is hard and uncaring. Tch; nothing less than expected.

"If I am not needed, then I'll be on my way." I reach up with my left hand and pry away his fingers. As I take another step, he once again reaches out grabs my right arm. I feel my temper flare; how dare he touch me!

I open my mouth to protest, but Fuuto interrupts loudly by saying,"Tsukiyama, I want you to hear me out!"

I shake my head in disbelief. "You want me to listen to you after all the hurtful things you said to and about me?" I ask incredulously. He must be denser than I thought if that's what he thought! My eyes find his and I stare him down, despite the suffocating passion that greets me.

"Tsukiyama; I am deeply sorry that I hurt you" he laments, bringing his face close to mine. "Could you find it in your heart to forgive me?" His hands trails down my arm to grasp my hands. The piano book falls to the ground with a soft thud, but neither of us move to pick it up.

I open my mouth, then clamp it shut. What could I say? At this point, I didn't know whether to believe him or not. I search his eyes for a hint to his sincerity. Maybe he really meant it… Fuuto's chuckle breaks the spell.

"Eh? Did you really believe that?" He asks, flicking me lightly on the forehead. Before I can deny it, a look of seriousness washes briefly over his face. "But really Tsukiyama, I am sorry." He bends down and picks up the songbook, then hands it to me. I take it, albeit a bit warily.

"Did I leave you speechless?"

"Huh?"

Fuuto laughs. "Eh, no matter. Put the book away and follow me." Nodding dumbly, I place the book on a shelf before quietly trailing after him. After a few minutes of walking in silence, I reach up and tug the sleeve of his yellow sweater.

"I'll accept your apology. And I… I forgive you" I murmur.

"Eh?" Fuuto whirls around, almost throwing me off balance. I look up at his face to see that his eyes are wide from surprise.

"Did I say something wrong?!" I panic, dropping my hand from his sleeve. "I'm sorry!" I bow deeply to him.

Fuuto laughs. "Forget about it!" He begins to walk away, and my short legs work overtime to keep up with his long ones.

"Hurry up!" He calls back over his shoulder. He grins playfully, and I finally catch a glimpse of his true smile. The ice around my heart melts a fraction; I laugh lightly as I race to catch up.

Suddenly, Fuuto stops and it takes everything that I have not to collide with him. Standing next to him, I look up at the sign on the building and my eyes widen considerably in shock.

"This place?!"

Where could he have possibly taken her?! You'll have to wait 'til Chapter 12 to find out ;)

Favorite, follow, and review! You guys are the best!

~Melissa-Disney99