Part XVIII
Taiki enters the limo and then is driven back home, where the media are waiting. The gate is left open for him to tell the reporters what they would need to know.
Taiki: We are going around to the lands behind the mansion. Follow me and let me know when you are about to go live.
Once the vehicles have been parked and cameras, microphones are all set up and working, the news programs start for updates before coming back from commercials and then go live to the estate where Taiki is introduced.
Taiki: Good morning, everyone. Life begins anew here back in my real home, with everything returning closer to normal. In the time up to this moment, I have learned many melodies in my studies. Right now, I wish to play one for you all right now to start our day in the right way.
He travels across the keys of his keyboard to see that they are all responding.
Taiki: This melody that I have heard is said to have great power behind it; power that not only uplifts the mind, body and spirit, but it is even able to break angry waves and wake those who have fallen asleep and gone before us.
Everyone can hardly believe what they have just heard him say. Taiki takes a couple of breaths, pulls out his pendant and holds it.
Taiki: With our family's Black Pearl finally back with me, I wish to play this in honor of my mother and those that came before her who looked after the seas. So, everyone, please, stop whatever you are doing. Open your ears, your minds and your hearts. Whatever may be wrong or troubling us in our lives right now, cast them aside and may this melody help to make things right for all of us.
This having been said, Taiki begins and plays his keyboard arrangement of Legend of Mermaid, causing the live stage to appear out in the ocean. The reporters would eventually notice it as well as hear faint singing, then the cameramen would look and zoom in as best they could. Light would also glow from Taiki's pendant back under his clothing while he was entranced with his flawless playing. As the music faded with the last of his keys pressed, the light disappeared and Taiki wavered.
Taiki: Well, if there's something true to this, then I felt like energy was just taken from me. Then again, I didn't have a full night of sleep nor did I have any breakfast.
Kouta looks out where the light in the ocean had been and sees a definitive body of white out there through a pair of binoculars.
Taiki: Have no worries, everyone. With our spirits uplifted and minds calmed, let us face this new day and—
Kouta: There's something out there! It looks like a body!
The cameras pan to look that way as Taiki comes forward to have a look for himself.
Just as he sees it, the sight disappears and then a bright light shines in everyone's midst.
Kouta: What is this?!
Right there, as cameras are still live, out of the light emerges his mother in the burial dress. She walks a couple of steps and then goes down to her knees.
Sylvia: Wh-Where am I?
The light then dissipates and everyone is in pure shock.
Kouta: Mi-Milady Sylvia?! How is it you are here?!
Taiki looks like he has seen a ghost — though it is all acting, everything is pure and genuine in nature — before getting over the fright and coming forward to see her, crouching down before her sight.
Taiki: Your body was taken out to sea!
Sylvia: Within the seas, my body was kept safe under the watch of the goddess whom protects them… she in whose name we've worked to foster a caring attitude in society towards the oceans and all of their life.
Taiki: So then, how are you here?
Sylvia: Hearing the melody, she granted me life again. Taiki, my son… Mother is here for you once again.
She puts her hand to his cheek and he feels her warmth.
Taiki: Then are the stories about that melody true?!
Sylvia: It must be so, for at least those so dedicated as ourselves.
It is seen that there is no funny business going on with no rigs of any sort in place. So, this being rightfully seen as the supernatural event that it is, the news spread like wildfire even with other stories needing to be covered back in the studios. The return to live coverage some minutes later sees Sylvia escorted to an ambulance that was called to the residence and asked to lay down on the stretcher.
Taiki goes with her in the vehicle to the hospital and brings his cell phone with him along with his messenger bag. Inside the building, while his mother is put under scanners to show that she has indeed healed and is alive and well, things are asked when he overhears how her body has changed. Taiki then goes ahead and calls his "female friends" to ask them to pick up new underwear and clothes for her height.
Taiki: "I will pay you back for this errand as soon as possible."
Back at the estate, a call comes in for Kouta saying that an opening is made for Sylvia to be seen in court for her to be declared legally alive later that day, upon which he informs Taiki of this by calling his cell phone. After being seen by the resident doctors, including the one that had always seen her and Taiki over the years, Sylvia needed only wait in the short-stay area until the new clothes arrived.
Taiki is in the lobby whereupon Lucia shows up with the bags of clothing that had already been bought many days previous.
Taiki: Lucia, thank you. Come, follow me to the short-stay area.
The pair of them enter and Taiki brings the clothes to his mother inside of the curtain before stepping back out to give her privacy.
Taiki: Once I have my money in order, I'll repay you a-sap for it.
Lucia: There's no rush, really. I would just like to be properly introduced at some point, alright?
Taiki: Of course, Lucia. It might even be tomorrow if you're lucky.
Lucia: Alright, well, you and her take care now.
They each bow in thanks to each other and Lucia takes her leave. With this, pretty much everything had been accomplished in the eyes of the rest of the world. Lucia heads on back to Pearl Piari. A few minutes later, Sylvia finally opens the curtain in full dress, albeit with nothing but the hospital socks on her feet.
Taiki: Mother… you're gorgeous.
The two of them share an embrace, then they walk out of short-stay and Sylvia is officially discharged. There is a set of temporary, disposable slippers given to her and so she steps into them and walks out with her son to the sight of the re-gathered media.
Taiki: Let me help her adjust to how the world and the area have changed.
Sylvia: Everyone, we'll… answer some questions later. But, I'll say this right now… thank you all for supporting my son in these years. Without that, I would not be here right now.
Taiki led his mother by the hand into the city and would bring her to the arcade he frequented. The crowd parted and those on the IIDX 9th style machine allowed him to go next out of respect.
Taiki: Watch and listen to my hobby, mother. The music will reinvigorate our spirits.
The three songs he picked in ABSOLUTE, airflow and Tomorrow Perfume all had a feel of uplifting and a story having a happy ending. Being that the last one was cleared with a high rank…
Sylvia: An "Extra Stage"?
Taiki: From achieving a AA or better grade on all of the stages, yes. As the background indicates, that song is what I have to play.
She sees the select screen changed and with the interlude to the Jungle Mixture song PARANOiA survivor MAX playing, Taiki changes the modifiers on the speed and then presses the start button to select the song. With careful focus, Taiki easily clears the song with a AA grade and comes just shy of the AAA line.
Sylvia: Okay, so now we have the finale with this "quasar" track?
Taiki: Yes. You love trance music as much as I do, so be immersed.
Sylvia actually puts on the headphones that are plugged in on the 2P side and even while looking only at the notes on her son's side, Sylvia enters a trance and mirrors him having a masterful play and not missing anything. The crowd is awe-struck by the sight and Sylvia is already figuring out how to transcribe this to notation after the final note is pressed and the song fades out to nothing.
Sylvia: If I hear this on autoplay, then I can transcribe it, make a piano cover.
Taiki completes the song with a FULL COMBO and a AAA grade, which is his personal best. His play is completed with an overall AA average and a picture is taken of his results to submit to his DJ name once sent to his e-mail.
Sylvia: I just noticed what I was doing… maybe you and I can both play at certain times.
Taiki: Well, sure, once we have all the home versions to practice and the controllers.
Sylvia: Getting those should not be too much of a problem, I figure.
Taiki: Well, there are other music games besides this. I think the keyboard one would see you adjust almost immediately…
The two of them step off the platform and are on their way out of the arcade with the applause of everyone around them. Taiki has plenty of cash on-hand for even a sit-down meal for both of them, but they decided to not have that kind of an indulgence so soon as it might give off the wrong message. So instead, as they went more into town, the most-frequented market saw them enter and get some ramune sodas for them to enjoy together.
Taiki: To us and our familial love.
Sylvia: To a second chance at a good life together.
Both: Cheers.
They clink their bottles together and consume the soda to resolve their thirst issue for the time being, then Taiki properly disposes of them nearby.
Sylvia: Do you have anything in mind, son?
Taiki: I really don't know, to be honest. We have almost five full hours left to us.
Sylvia: Should we just go home and pass the time there?
Taiki: With what, exactly?
Sylvia: We still have our piano, do we not?
Taiki: Yes. But I'm not sure if it's in tune.
Sylvia: I guess we'll find out soon, won't we…
They head for their manor back up the coast instead of having Taiki call for a ride so as to let them take in the sight of the ocean for the length of the walk. Once they settled back in at home, the two of them would take turns in playing on their grand piano in the great room as they sought to pass the remaining time available to them. It was in tune thanks to Kouta having cared for it. Taiki would go into several examples of him transposing the music to piano from the beatmania series.
Sylvia: I think you're ready to be the subject of a recital at this point.
Taiki: Already? Don't you think it's too soon?
Sylvia: Not at all, seeing how good you are already with your album plus what you're demonstrating here.
Time seemed to fly past them as they played back and forth. Before they knew it, the afternoon had moved along and it was time for the two of them to be driven to the courthouse, indicated by Kouta approaching and coming over to their right side.
Kouta: Milady Sylvia, Master Taiki, it's time to be on our way.
Sylvia: Alright then. Let us hope it doesn't take too much time.
She and Taiki close the cover over the keys, get up from the piano bench and put their shoes on at the front doors while Kouta goes out to get the limo and bring it around to them. After locking up behind, the mother and son enter the back of the vehicle and head out into town. There is an area reserved for them out in front and the media are present but thankfully more well-behaved as nobody rushes up with the big cameras and microphones to be up close and within boundaries of personal space. Sylvia has her left hand taken by her son and he leads her into the building where there is quite an audience. When the judge takes her position and things get underway, Taiki would first explain what the media did see was true in that there was nothing fishy set up behind the mansion as he doesn't believe in fooling anyone. He details his grief and hardship, then his "story" about how he found the melody he played through careful research. Tears came to him at times and it was completely natural with nothing forced. Sylvia would then speak up and explain what she as a spirit remembers from the afterlife and how the music, the voices were calling out to her. Being unable to explain how her body had not broken down after all of its time in the ocean, she remarks…
Sylvia: I would only suggest that it is a work of the supernatural overseeing the oceans and those who live by them and protect them. My philanthropy, particularly in that area, is something that Taiki has been endowed with as well. After what has taken place in his life, it seems these forces worked to reunite me with him. The supernatural does exist. These things are nothing we can control; whether good or bad, we must be careful in dealing with them.
She has a dead serious look on her face with determination.
Sylvia: This, your Honor, is what has happened as I understand it. I swear that what I have said is honest and true right down to the very word… on the very forfeiture of my life otherwise.
Gasps are heard from the court at those words.
Sylvia: Yes, I am dead serious about what I have just said; I would rather be dead than living on a lie. As a woman of integrity, I would not lie about such serious matters; Taiki takes after me, so he would never think of lying either. I ask for understanding, not for anything funny.
After these statements, Sylvia is legally declared alive to the world once again. Contact would be established to resume her connections to her money and wealth and things are set to return to normal.
Taiki and Sylvia: Thank you, Your Honor.
As the mother and son leave, out of the crowd outside the building comes Tarou, absolutely stunned at the news from earlier in the day. Taiki asks to have him allowed in close and a tearful but happy reunion takes place.
Tarou: I can't believe my eyes… Sylvia, I've missed you so much!
Sylvia: Tarou, my dear friend… now life is as it was once again.
Taiki: The three of us would be unstoppable as a pianist trio. What say you?
Tarou: Now that's an idea we can pursue.
Taiki sees his mother and Tarou into the limo, joining only after waving to the media.
Sylvia: Tarou, you simply MUST allow me to hear your piano playing after my having gone so long without hearing it.
Taiki: Kouta, we're going to bring him back to his place. Please take us there.
Kouta: Understood, Master Taiki.
The limo pulls away and the drive brings them along the coast, the lowering sun on their left.
Sylvia: I loved coming here in my time off from studio work.
Tarou: Now you can resume doing so.
Taiki: That reminds me.
Taiki goes into his messenger bag and takes out another golden disc special edition of his album.
Taiki: This is for you.
Tarou: I've been meaning to go and get it.
Taiki: Yes, but this one is special. Only you and certain others will have these discs.
Tarou: Oh, alright. Thank you, Taiki.
Sylvia: It proves you mean a lot to him.
A couple of minutes later, they arrive at Tarou's place and Kouta parks the limo off the main part of the street. Everyone then gets out and has a seat inside his place right near his piano.
Tarou: Sylvia, I've been working on a requiem. I may tweak it just a little here and there, but the tune is pretty much set and I'd like for you and Kouta to listen to it.
Sylvia: Absolutely.
Kouta: But of course.
Sylvia, after taking in the sight of her best musician friend playing once again before her, closes her eyes to focus on the requiem. The feelings being conveyed by this wondrous song entranced Sylvia into a state, though not for very long.
Kouta: Fantastic work on the piece, Tarou. It is very moving.
Tarou: You have my thanks.
Taiki: Kouta, would you please return to the car? We'll be right out in a couple of minutes.
Kouta: Yes, sir.
When he is out of earshot, Sylvia speaks up to her friend.
Sylvia: Did you say that you met someone in your travels, Tarou?
Tarou: I did. Her name is Sara and even to this day, I have not forgotten her.
Sylvia: I believe she hasn't forgotten you, either. Perhaps fate will one day reunite you with her.
Tarou: I certainly hope so, too. For now, we have you back with us and I could hardly be happier.
Sylvia: So long as any plans don't clash with recital dates, we'll show up to support you.
Taiki: There's something special about this requiem. I hope one day this Sara will be able to hear it.
The mother and son say their goodbyes for the time being to their friend and then head back to the limo.
Kouta: Would you like to detour for some food to bring back home?
Taiki: Yes, please; this one's on me.
With the sun touching the horizon, they make a stop a few minutes later in the district.
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