FIRST PUBLISHED ON WATTPAD MAY 30, 2019
CHAPTER 49: THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS (I)
Three days later, on the 22nd of September, with Kousei now cremated a day earlier, Hiroko Seto briefed Kaori Miyazono at her house about the memorial concert for Kousei on the 26th.
"Okay, Kaori. I think it's time to give you some information on the memorial concert. It will be at Towa Hall, on the 26th. It is called Kousei Arima: The Wind Beneath Our Wings. There will be hundreds of young musicians, from all across Japan, and 30 different countries around the world, like the USA, Canada, Germany, Ireland, to name a few. Unfortunately, you have not been invited to perform, but a couple friends of Kousei's will. There will be a mix of old rock songs and classical pieces to be performed. We will attend together, as will Kousei's friends."
Kaori then told Hiroko, "Now that you remind me, my uncle from Canada, Seiya, is coming over from Canada to be with me." Hiroko then said "Wonderful. I think you will like this concert... It will show you how Kousei Arima was loved not just in Japan, but all around the world."
The 26th arrived. Towa Hall was quite packed; as expected, there were many young musicians and their families from Japan, and even quite a few from all around the world as well, all wearing formal wear for an occasion like this. They had come to Japan to remember how Kousei Arima had touched so many lives around the world in his relatively short life.
Kaori and Hiroko were amazed by how many people from all over had come to this memorial concert, and the diversity of the crowd in attendance on this day. Tsubaki, Watari, Emi and Takeshi were all there, and were also in awe over the diverse group of people had come as well.
"Wow... my goodness, Hiroko... I can't believe how many people have come. They apparently have come from all over the world... oh, Kousei, I had no idea that your music and death affected everyone from just about every corner in the world... so many people really loved you."
Hiroko then said to Kaori, "This has to be a grand stage for him right now. Wow... isn't this wonderful for Kousei? They all came to see and hear him perform... even though he isn't here today." Kaori then said, "Even if it wasn't the quite the way he wanted it, and he can't see it for himself." Hiroko then asked, "When will your uncle Seiya show up?" Kaori then informed her "Well, he said he'd show up today. He'll be here any minute now, I think..."
Even in death, Kousei Arima had ultimately achieved his goal. Watari then said "Yeah, it's tragic that Kousei died. But since we're all here, this isn't so bad. We aren't alone in the world after all." Emi nodded. "Yes, Kousei was far from alone..." Takeshi then added "It'll be nice to see all these people from around the world today." Tsubaki then said, "This was Kousei's last dream, to perform in concert for the whole world live... and now he's going to fulfill it..."
Takahiko, Kousei's father, who was being escorted by Ryoko and Yoshiyuki Miyazono, was saddened, but also amazed, like so many of Kousei's friends that were close to him, that so many people had come from all over to pay respects. He said to himself "My dear boy would be so proud..." Ryoko and Yoshiyuki nodded and concurred. "It is really amazing how so many people the world over have come today. So many people, not just within Japan, loved him..." said Ryoko. "This has got to be, despite the sadness that consumed you, Mr. Arima, a very proud day for you and your son." Takahiko said "Yes... I wish Kousei would've been here to see this."
With 30 minutes left until the concert began, each of the attendees had a program for the memorial concert that was called Kousei Arima: The Wind Beneath Our Wings. Hiroko, Kaori, Watari, Tsubaki, Emi and Takeshi all took their seats. As the audience was being seated, there was a lot of chatter going on. On the stage, was a piano and a large picture of Kousei Arima. There was a floral arrangement behind the picture.
Kaori then began to cry a little. She asked Hiroko "Excuse me, I need some time to myself momentarily..." Hiroko agreed.
With the concert attendees still being seated, Kaori went into the hallway, and sat on an empty chair to sob silently to herself, which she did for a minute. Just then, two foreigners came up to her, one male, one female. The male said, "Is your name Kaori Miyazono?" Like many of the attendees from overseas, they had heard of Kousei mostly on YouTube. He was very much known around the world for his performances outside of Japan that way; one such video had Kousei and Kaori performing together, so that's how they knew about her
.
Kaori said softly, "Yes." The female foreigner, with dirty blond hair, introduced herself. "I see, Kaori. My name is Lisa Deslauriers (AUTHOR's NOTE: pronounced DEH-lor-E-eh; it's a French-Canadian surname), and I am from Montreal originally, and I live in Vancouver now. I'm from Canada." The male foreigner, with a messy sandy blond hairstyle, then introduced himself. "My name is Brian Madigan, I live in Seattle, Washington. I'm from the USA." Kaori then said to the Canadian and the American, "The concert hasn't started yet, but nice to meet you both... and thank you for coming today."
Lisa then said, "Anytime, Miss Miyazono. Can I talk to you about Kousei? Firstly, how well did you know him?" Kaori then said to Lisa, "He was my best friend and love interest..." Brian then asked "I see. It's just so sad that someone you love the most leaves you behind... what did he mean to you, Miss Miyazono?" Kaori then told them "A most valuable person to my heart. He affected my whole life."
Lisa then said "Good god... that's tragic. Someone that captivates you and us from half a world away... it's just heartbreaking. We got to know Kousei by watching videos of him, and a couple of our friends brought us here to Japan to pay our respects to him." Kaori then added "Hmmm... I see. He did inspire others to pursue their dreams." Lisa then said Yes. Imagine the heartbreak in the both of us when we found about that Kousei had died... I was getting up for school that day and found out that he had committed suicide... my goodness, it just breaks my heart to know how loved he was, not just here in Japan... but all across the world, even half a world way as both the U.S. and Canada."
Brian then added "I was doing the same thing, when I checked on the internet that Kousei had left this earth... I was shocked, to say the least." Kaori then said to the two, "Kousei would be happy to hear that..." Brian had another question. "If I may ask you, Kaori, what instrument do you play?" Kaori said, "The violin." Lisa remarked "I think I have seen a video or two of you, Kaori. You play magnificently, just as much as Kousei did..."
Kaori said to the two "People have said that, I can play it so recklessly and ruthlessly if anyone can keep up it is sort of like an all fist brawl." Brian then said "Heh. Lisa and I also feel your pain, though. We're just a few people from the U.S. and Canada here for the memorial service... alongside with people from at least 30 different countries. Come here, Kaori, we want to hug you... we feel your pain, too."
Kaori said tearfully, "As sad as a day this is, it is nice to see so many people from around the world, especially you two." Lisa told Kaori "This should give you a good idea of how loved he was, not just in Japan, but all around the world over."
Brian then said "Kaori... Lisa and I feel your pain... it also hurts us too..." Just as Kaori was about to sob, she said "More than any this pain is the worst. It hurts." Kaori then sobbed, and as the two foreigners comforted her, she said to them "It's nice to have such good new global friends here."
Brian said, "It's nice to see you, too..." Lisa then said to Kaori "And I speak from Brian's neighbouring country, it's nice to see people from all across the world today." The concert was about to begin, and Kousei Arima, even in death, would be shown at this concert how truly loved he was not just in Japan, but from all corners of the globe.
