A/N: I'm finally writing about Hiroki's piano playing and I'm happy writing about it, I seriously loved listening to these pieces that I found for this chapter. If you have the chance listen to any of the music they sound positively lovely and they are so pretty and relaxing to listen to.

Yes Hiroki was Miyagi's student in this fic, I like their interactions and I love how he teases the man, they are just good friends. I'm sure Miyagi worked his way into Hiroki's trust circle and stayed there lol I seriously can't wait until I have Miyagi and Kana tease Hiroki at the same time, it's just adorable!

Also thank you Infinitechange for finding that mistake in the last chapter! I seriously didn't notice it until you pointed it out and it's fixed. And I used some time to look through the first three chapters and fixed grammar mistakes that I have missed.

-Lucicelo

Chapter 4: On the Stage...

The first thing Hiroki heard was a round of applause as he walked on the stage, confidence was evident in his body language and his stride. He memorized the new layout when he was told about this beforehand and knew where the piano resided. This way he didn't bump into it when he walked toward the instrument. In a larger venue, he would've allowed someone to escort him to his seat but he knew this stage well enough even with the new improvements so he wouldn't need such assistance.

He had performed so many times at this venue that most of the staff already knew of his preference to venture on his own. Hiroki hated the conversations which stemmed off of pity, the newer employees thought they were considerate when they were only annoying him. They also tried leading him to every single place in the building he wanted to go when he wanted to go on his own.

Although new workers who didn't know him well enough thought he was being difficult in the few demands he told them in advance. Hiroki didn't care about their opinions, he was there to play his music and then leave on his terms to the relaxation of his home where he lived perfectly well on his own.

He had dealt with so many people thinking he was helpless. In his youth he was a helpless child, Hiroki admitted to this claim when he first lost his sight as a teen. Now he was an adult, if he needed help he would ask for it and he rarely asked directions when he got used to wandering around the city on his own.

Hiroki met interesting people in his walks, they were mostly senior citizens or children who managed to escape from their parents. These people entertained him until he had to leave to the cab he called in or left with his own parents. He actually expected some elderly couple or a child to talk to him after he finished his last piece. It was his odd trend and he made it into a game whenever he played overseas or even in Japan.

This game he played was never disappointing. He listened attentively to the older citizens when they retold times of their lives when they were Hiroki's age and stories of meeting their first love. These stories reminded him on how his parents first started their relationship and the blissful tone of voice his mother used when she described everything. The longing faces they made to each other, when they spoke loving words to each other and even the heated arguments they resolved when they talked it out.

Whenever he heard their stories as a child, he wished he had a love like they did when he was older. He didn't have a list of specifications but all he wanted was someone who accepted his disability without question. His blindness was something he couldn't hide from anyone, it was the first thing people noticed about him. This was a fact about himself and fixing his eyes was an impossibility.

Hiroki was already content with the love of his family and his closest friends. If someone came into his life and they fell in love, then Hiroki would have thought the impossible happened, someone actually fell in love with him. Hiroki knew he wasn't the most delightful person in the world and maybe the world might have imploded when this happened but he admitted to himself that he would be elated and in bliss.

Having someone love him in a romantic way filled his spirit with some hope that was crushed when he first lost his sight. The possibility of this happening went slim to none, no one would want a disabled man as a partner. Especially one who could not see the person they were in a relationship with or knew their outer appearance.

Despite this initial set back, he would try his hardest not to push this person away. Somehow this person wanted only him and he didn't want to ruin it.

Although he didn't want to rush into anything with just anyone, there was a time and place for everything and just maybe it might happen.

Hiroki made sure he was close enough to his seat before he bowed to the audience and he sat down on his plush seat. He ran his fingers over the keys, recognizing their sleek composition with the differences between the black and white keys. Taking a slow deep breath, Hiroki relaxed into the moment as a small smile appeared on his face.

Then he straightened up his back and his feet touched the pedals. His mind focused on the music he created when his nimble fingers pressed the keys. He forgot about every single distraction in the world while he played. His mission of handling the piano with the respect it deserved and playing it to the best potential was his goal.

The audience went silent as he played the first keys of the piece Nocturne #16 by Chopin.

Hiroki's hands moved across the keyboard without hesitation, the rapid keystrokes and peaceful rendition captivated the audience. He let his fingers dance on their own accord and his body took control. His ears picked up the flow of the song as he switched to another section and played with all the confidence in his heart.

Some of the audience closed their eyes and basked in the music that stretched through the whole auditorium. They relaxed in their seats with feelings of peace bubbling inside of their bodies and some had their days stress float away.

Others kept their eyes on Hiroki and were still amazed at how confident he played the music. He didn't fumble once throughout his piece and some of the audience wished this happened for some cheap form of entertainment.

Hiroki practiced longer to compensate for not visually seeing where his fingers touched the keys. Also to take pride in having done the impossible and make his playing more unique than anyone else who played as a profession. These long practice sessions paid off when he played in public and for his own gratification.

Miyagi stood behind the red curtain as he leaned against the wall, he had gotten a ticket and authorization to the back stage beforehand but it was too late for him to get to his seat. He didn't want to disturb the people already seated and he didn't want to interrupt the performance either. He had gotten lost earlier and when the announcement came that Hiroki was performing, Miyagi was still backstage and had no time to return to his seat.

He was only a few feet away from Hiroki and the backstage workers stopped as they stood by to listen in. He was always amazed at Hiroki's playing skill, the studious young man who used to sit in his class transformed into a refined pianist in front of his eyes.

He saw Hiroki's stern face transform when he played, the happiness he exuded when he pressed each key, creating beautiful sounds which glided into the next note flawlessly. The smirk almost missed by the public when he turned his face just slightly that the audience didn't witness it.

Miyagi peeked at the audience and saw their blissful faces at how well Hiroki played the piano. He noticed a couple sitting in the front row middle seats, right in front of Hiroki and they stared right at him. The brown haired woman wiped her tears with a handkerchief while the dark haired man closed his eyes while keeping a smile which lasted the whole performance.

Their traditional style of clothing contrasted with the formal wear the rest of the people wore. The older woman whispered something in her husband's ear while they kept their eyes on Hiroki while he played. His eyes opened briefly to stare at her while he answered her question. He wrapped his arm around her body and held her close while she laid her head on his chest.

Miyagi noticed how the couple looked like they could be Hiroki's parents. Hiroki briefly told him how many individuals compared him to his father in appearance and the man looked exactly like an older version of Hiroki but with black hair. Hiroki also added on how his mother always wore butterflies in her hair and had always done so since he was a child, he still imagined those bright glittering clips clasped in her long light brown hair. Miyagi remembered how Hiroki described how beautiful she was and how at her age, she must still be beautiful. His eyes couldn't asses the outer appearance anymore but the matter in which his mother acted never dulled and shined brighter that he didn't need his eyes to see this.

He stared at her and Miyagi smiled, Hiroki really loved his parents. Although he never really talked about them in his presence when he asked about them Hiroki's whole entire being transformed. A small smile formed on his face as he spoke of his mother and father, and even described some memories he had as a child. He also spoke of Kana and Doctor Tachibana with such respect and love as well. Kana had told Miyagi that Hiroki cared for him despite saying he only tolerated him, Hiroki actually liked him enough to call him a friend.

Miyagi didn't expect this student/teacher relationship resulting into actual friendship. He wouldn't change it for the world, he really cared for Hiroki like a little brother and he really loved teasing the poor man.

Miyagi focused his attention to Hiroki who was getting closer to finishing his piece. He made sure his cane didn't make any noise as he reclined it on the wall. Although with all the scattered noises and distractions in the audience, a simple tap from his cane wouldn't break Hiroki's concentration.

When the song ended with a soft but powerful note, the audience broke into applause.

Hiroki let himself relax for a couple of seconds as he let some time pass while the image of the piano's keys appeared inside of his mind. Slowly, the clapping slowed down and Hiroki concentrated on the next song.

Next one on the list was, Moonlight Sonata.

Hiroki went through that song quite easily, this was one of the first songs he mastered months after he went blind. He smiled, the memories of his mother singing random words as he played, even when he hit a wrong note she encouraged him to keep going. Hiroki could almost envision the smile on her face when he went through this particular piece in one go without mistakes.

Every single piece after Moonlight Sonata got equal practice and attention. He didn't want to make a simple or vital mistake which would ruin the flow of the piece for Hiroki. The countless times he played a song again and again didn't bore him. In fact, he always found something in the music which kept his wanting to play it. His fingers itched to play forever, his whole being flourished when he sat in front of the piano and he never wanted to leave it.

Each time Hiroki played a new song, everyone would immediately stop clapping. They saw how he handled the piano, the slight changes of expressions he made with each new piece, the evolution through these pieces through their initial meaning to something Hiroki expressed through his fingers. Hiroki was in bliss when he played, especially when he played on the piano his father gave him a month after his life changing moment.

His parents, his family, Kana, Tachibana-sensei and Miyagi were the ones who stuck by him. They were honest and never sugar coated anything, they treated him as if he still had his sight. He felt normal around them and he wouldn't have it any other way.

The song slowed down as he gently hit the last note.

Everything went smoothly as Hiroki easily transitioned to each and every song without a problem. Although he still heard some people talking in the audience while he played or when he started, Hiroki tuned them out. He focused on the music and let it fill his ears while he poured his feelings through his fingers.

The audience's chatter was quickly silenced when they heard the fast key strokes Hiroki started in his last piece, Fantasie Impromptu in C Sharp Major.

Hiroki smirked while he continued the fast notes that were sure to have impressed everyone. He slowed down only pick up the fast pace of the piece again, it took him countless practices to have gotten the confidence to play this piece. Hiroki pushed aside his hesitation when he thought he missed a note but his sharp ears picked up the perfect flow of the song, he had not missed it.

He knew many people who still had their sight who couldn't play this piece without spending half their time staring at the keyboard. Hiroki felt pride and smugness when he played particularly hard pieces, it meant his practices paid off. Who wouldn't feel smug on playing a piece that was difficult for those who had sight yet a blind man was able to do it?

Hiroki always impressed his family when he played at family functions which he volunteered to perform in. The last party he went to was his cousin's twenty-eighth birthday and she was so moved that she couldn't stop hugging him after he finished. Hiroki had already grown used to the fact that his mother's side of the family would hug him no matter what the occasion and he admitted that they felt nice.

Hiroki's eyebrow twitched as he listened to the piece as he played it. He swore he missed something but he shook his head slightly, he couldn't psyche himself off, he was almost done and he had practiced until he had to rest his hands for playing for too long.

He slowed down the song until it ended and then silence. Hiroki heard a louder applause from before as he turned to the direction of the sound and audience.

Hiroki stood up from his seat and bowed to the audience, he breathed a sigh of relief when the applause kept a decent rate.

Miyagi waited in the dressing room with a bouquet of flowers in his arms while he placed his weight on his cane. He already prepared the lines that he would say to Hiroki which would tick him off the most. After their student/professor relationship ceased, they ended up spending more time together outside of the classroom. Whether it was from Hiroki needing advice on his next assignment from different classes or simply talking about each others lives, Miyagi knew he found a new friend in Hiroki.

Hiroki's sight wasn't even an issue to Miyagi, he treated him exactly the same as any other student he taught at Mitsuhashi. Though he had to do extra work to accommodate to Hiroki's lack of sight and Hiroki completed them without hesitation. Hiroki answered his questions, added in to his discussions than the other students who almost seemed to sleep in his class.

Nothing stopped Hiroki in his pursuits and he worked hard for his accomplishments, which impressed Miyagi immensely.

Hiroki told him how he had read the books in his course as casual reading material when he had breaks in between his practices years earlier. That was why he wasn't as stressed as the other college students who took the course because Hiroki took time to understand the books he read and even more when he had to stop at times to run his fingers over the bumps.

Miyagi found out on a drunken binge with Hiroki that the young man kept himself busy to avoid his fear of people leaving him. Hiroki told him about the first person who left him, the beginning of a variety of individuals he thought he could trust.

His ex-best friend Akihiko Usami.

Miyagi had heard of him from the novels he made which were skyrocketing in the book selling charts. He read a novel Akihiko wrote a while back but he found it somewhat ironic after he heard what he did to Hiroki. Someone who wrote such breathtaking literature treated his 'friends' as if they were disposable.

He even watched an interview Akihiko had with a talk show host and saw through his charismatic performance in front of his fans. Maybe he was influenced by Hiroki's story of this man and searched for anything damning about him. But he was sure of one thing, no matter the reason, no one deserved abandonment over something they couldn't help.

One good result of this was how Hiroki found those people who loved him despite his lack of sight.

Miyagi kept this information to himself, Hiroki would tell him about it when he was ready and willing to share his fears with him. In the meantime, he would feign he didn't know a thing. It was the proper thing to do for his friend and he didn't want to unknowingly push him away.

After a show the performers usually got flowers from admirers and fans but the young woman who directed Miyagi to the room advised him to throw away the flowers. Hiroki rejected gifts unless they came directly from his parents or Hiroki's friend Kana who Miyagi met a while back when Hiroki left the bar to go home.

He understood why Hiroki didn't accept gifts from random strangers who might have other intentions than just a casual fan. They were close friends in his eyes so he was excluded from that list. Miyagi was sure Hiroki wouldn't mind a simple bouquet of flowers coming from him, he didn't have any romantic connotations attached to them anyway.

He looked outside of the room and witnessed Hiroki walking to the dressing room at a fast pace. Miyagi was impressed at how Hiroki didn't bump into the many props in the hallway but that changed when Hiroki hit a chair which fell onto its side. The young man cursed under his breath and turned his head around and used his ears to hear if anyone happened to pass around the area.

Hiroki looked relieved that no one saw his embarrassing fumble and he continued walking to the dressing room. He felt so thirsty and he wanted a good sip of the peach iced tea he brought along with him earlier.

Miyagi cleared his throat as he exclaimed with the biggest grin on his face and slammed his wooden cane on the floor. "Hey Kamijou! I saw that!"

Hiroki furrowed his eyebrows as he stopped right in front of the door of the dressing room and the scent of Miyagi's cologne filled his nose. "I didn't think you would've stayed after my performance to come talk to me."

Miyagi grinned and ruffled Hiroki's combed hair, finding pleasure when he messed it up slightly. "You should have told me you were this good! It's as if you hypnotized the whole audience when you play!"

"Do you always have to say that every single time you see me perform professor? You've seen me perform before." Hiroki gave Miyagi a look of lack of amusement which caused Miyagi to chuckle.

"Ah ah ah, I'm Miyagi Yoh, Hiroki, I'm not your teacher anymore. We have discussed this too many times, I thought you would've at least started calling me Miyagi by now." Miyagi corrected Hiroki as he smiled down at him. "That was a breathtaking performance, honestly beautiful."

Hiroki's cheeks warmed in embarrassment and pride on the success of his performance. "I practice a lot in my free time..I have to unless I want to fumble in the middle of a piece."

"Your hard work shows when you play." Miyagi chuckled as he handed Hiroki his bouquet of gardenias. "Don't you dare throw these away, I had to ask a young woman at the flower shop to pick these out for me since all the others looked too flashy and I thought I might have picked a wrong one. After so many performances I've seen, I thought it was due that I brought you one."

Hiroki smelled the flowers, the light fragrance wasn't overpowering his sense of smell at all like many bouquets he had received in the past. He actually liked the scent and he knew the perfect place to put them in his apartment where he wouldn't accidentally bump into them. Though Hiroki wasn't about to admit that he liked a gift from Miyagi.

"Didn't the woman who escorted you here warn you I hated gifts?"

"She did warn me but honestly I'm trying to be polite here." Miyagi smirked as he patted Hiroki on the shoulder. "Before I forget, I saw a couple in the front row and they looked the most moved from the others I saw."

"Those are my parents." Hiroki explained, he already knew the couple and didn't need a description to identify them. "They come to my performances when they have free time or they simply want to see me. Although they talk to me every single day in the afternoon or sometimes early in the day. It's nice knowing they are here watching me."

Miyagi sat down on one of the comfy sofas in the dressing room as he placed his cane against the wall. "So they are your parents...when you said they supported you in your career I didn't know they watched you too."

Hiroki sat on his own seat as he smiled lightly and held the flowers close, obscuring the smile from view. "Yes...both of them are really supportive, it's a nice surprise they are here since they told me they were out of town. They were vacationing at Okinawa, the weather cooled down enough that they could enjoy their stay there."

Miyagi smiled along with Hiroki. "Well I saw your father, at least I think he was your father, he had his eyes closed while he listened to you."

"Did he look displeased?" Hiroki asked as his eyebrows scrunched up, one of the many people whose opinion mattered to him was his father. His mother also had an ear for music after her days in musical theater and she was also someone Hiroki tried to impress.

"No, just the opposite, he looked.." Miyagi remembered the expression on the older man's face as his hand interlaced with his wife's hand. "So mesmerized, so amazed...very pleased I should say."

"That's good, father is always honest in his critiques, he never obscures anything that could help me improve." Hiroki said as he heard rustling and footsteps outside of the door. "I think there's someone outside.."

"Really? I'll go check." Miyagi stood up with the support of his cane and opened the door in time to see a couple of stagehands carrying a variety of boxes, he closed the door shut. "It's just some guys carrying some boxes, nothing to worry about."

Hiroki's hands gripped the flowers tight which made the plastic covering them creak loudly. "I'm not worried, I don't like the unexpected."

Miyagi went back to his seat and asked. "Anyway are you going to that hot springs trip with me?"

Hiroki shrugged his shoulders. "You never tell me when you are going to go or having booked a place in advance. How am I supposed to plan days off when you are inconsistent."

"A professor has no proper days off I'm afraid...unless we took a weekend trip." Miyagi suggested with a grin. "I can have some old students help me out finish the rest of my work."

"That isn't encouraging to know Miyagi. Never mind, I'm not going there with you."

"Why not? We can relax in good water, my leg will be good because of the health benefits of the hot springs and you can take a break from playing so much." Miyagi explained as he touched the cool wood of his cane.

"Fine...but call me on the exact day."

"Gotcha!"

Hiroki placed the flowers on the table next to him as he pressed the button on his watch. A robotic voice told him the time and he calculated when he would call the usual taxi service to take him home.

Miyagi jumped at the sudden monotone voice which came from Hiroki's watch. "Those voice electronics you have still creep me out Hiroki."

Hiroki glared at the direction on Miyagi's voice. "You creep people out by simply talking."

It wasn't his fault he needed such electronics, his alternative voice for them was a severely cute girl voice which irritated him after a while. He was already due to update his electronics to a variety of different voices where he might find a voice which suited him better. If any voices he liked weren't available or programmed into new electronics then he was stuck with the robotic voice for life.

Miyagi clutched his heart and playfully fell onto the sofa. "Ow..Hiroki you stabbed me in the heart and twisted it around...oh the pain! Kiss it and make it better!"

Hiroki rolled his eyes. "You are so dramatic."

"Why thank you my darling!"

Kana kicked off her sandals at the door and placed them on the show rack as she held onto the plastic bag she brought along with her. After her shift at the hospital, she had time to make something for Hiroki since she knew he would be ordering in food. Hiroki didn't cook and found ordering out so more reliable than him attempting to cook a simple egg. He couldn't lie to himself that he would succeed without sight helping him out.

Hiroki always joked that she was more like another mother to him than a friend, which she didn't take much offense, she loved taking care of people. Especially if these people were very important to her and she didn't mind doing little favors or making them meals.

She pulled back her short black hair in a low ponytail and took off her jacket. She placed it on the coat hanger beside the door as she stretched out her arms in front of her body to relieve some tension. Kana took notice of Hiroki's dress shoes on the rack and she ventured further into his home.

Hiroki didn't mind her visiting him when they didn't see each other as often as they would've liked. Kana had her shifting hours as a nurse and Hiroki had some overseas performances that had him outside of Japan. Hiroki was homesick half the time he was away, although he enjoyed his experiences overseas, his homeland, family and friends inspired his music to shine. Something that he loved to express through his pieces which he thought was more meaningful than talking about it.

She exclaimed in joy. "Hiroki-kun! I managed to get a good vintage wine for us to have a little glass while we talk."

Hiroki shook his head in amusement as he stood up from his seat at the table and went to the cabinet a few feet from him. He opened the cabinet and grabbed the wine glasses one at a time, he placed them on the counter. He felt for any wayward glasses before closing it shut.

He grabbed the glasses carefully and went back to the table. His free hand felt for his chair and he walked around it then sat down on it then set the glasses in the middle of the wood.

"And people wonder why we aren't dating when you burst into my house with alcohol and promises of drunken adventures with each other." Hiroki said out loud while Kana placed the food onto the table.

"We have good times without the alcohol remember that Hiroki-kun. Though your drunken talks with Miyagi-san's at the bar sound so much to be a part of, I should find out where you two hang out so I can go too." She joked as she took out the container with the cutlets from the plastic bag.

Hiroki denied it with a frown. "I don't get drunk with him."

"Oh yes you do, he told me about it the last time we talked on the phone." Kana teased him with a grin on her face, Hiroki could imagine it vividly inside of his mind.

"He lies, he makes such callous lies. All to make me seem like I am a drunken fool like him." Hiroki stated while Kana gave him a light hug.

"I've missed you Hiroki-kun." Kana told him as she let go of him and she sat down in her seat.

Hiroki said with a bemused expression on his face. "I did too, your loud chatter hasn't filled up my home in a while."

"Hey!"

"You know it's true, you never shut up."

"Meanie." Kana pouted as she moved onto the container she brought with her. "Now I hope you eat everything because I know you order out so much and that isn't good for you."

She opened the plastic container and the smell of the food reached his nose. "You made pork cutlets for me?" Hiroki asked.

"Yup, I added extra cayenne in the flour to make them spicier for you." Kana pulled out a chair for herself. "Sorry I couldn't make it to your performance the other day, I had to stay an extra few hours at the hospital, a girl called in sick and they couldn't find another nurse to take her place."

Hiroki nodded his head in understanding, he didn't expect everyone to make his performances all the time. "It's alright, you sit through my practices and that's pretty much the same."

Kana shook her head with a smile. "No it isn't. You take on another persona when you are on stage, the applause fuels your performance and makes you add something extra." Before Hiroki objected she interrupted him when she told him with a grin. "You know it's true."

Hiroki shook his head. "It's not that I'm a different person Kana..I'm just focusing on the music. The applause does somewhat urge me, that's when I know each note was played correctly but I'm trying to convey the meaning behind the music. Whether the meaning is playful, melancholic, romantic, or happy. I can't just press the keys without feeling, it is insulting the piece."

Kana was awed at his explanation as she took out the wine opener and slowly screwed it on the cork. "Hiroki-kun...that's lovely."

"Not really."

A loud pop came from the cork as Kana placed it inside the plastic bag and started pouring the wine in the glasses Hiroki placed on the table. "Well I think so no matter what you say, besides we are due to see that Takarazuka performance next week."

Kana placed Hiroki's glass right beside his hand and tapped his skin with the glass to let him know it was there. "That's right! Thank you for coming along with me."

"It's no big deal, we haven't gone anywhere together in a while." Hiroki wrapped his fingers around the glass and lifted it up to his lips, taking a good long sip.

Hiroki suddenly yawned and smacked his lips, Kana shook her head. "You really should get some sleep after I leave, I'm sure you can't concentrate on your practices when you're sleepy."

"I have all day tomorrow to sleep Kana, I'll fall asleep right after I take a shower. Though I'm sure my parents will be calling me later like usual." He said as he closed the lid on the container of food. "Thanks for the food Kana, it is really good."

"You're welcome Hiroki-kun!" Kana smiled as she sipped from her glass of wine. "I can make more food for you, a lunch or a dinner maybe?"

Hiroki shook his head. "It's okay, I'm going to be visited by my manager and he's probably going to bring something along with him. We are planning some more performances in this area before I leave for Kyoto."

Kana said. "That's great! I'll get a chance to see you play on stage!"

Hiroki told her with a small smile. "I can send you your ticket, just tell me which day you are free and I'll set it up."

Kana chuckled. "You don't have to, I can buy them myself. I don't want you giving out free tickets willy nilly."

Hiroki chortled. "I only give them to you, my parents and Miyagi. I am not going to be poor just by giving one out once in a while."

"Well..okay...just this once."

"That's what you said last time and look at you now." Hiroki pointed out with a smirk on his face as Kana stuck her tongue out at him.

She told him. "I stuck my tongue out at you."

"I know, you always did that when we were kids. You don't really change Kana."

Kana chuckled. "You haven't changed at all either, so we're even. I'm so happy we are still the best of friends."

Hiroki felt her put her hand on his shoulder as he said with a small smile. "I am glad we are still friends too."

Hiroki let the rose scented bath salts fill his senses while he soaked on the tub. He rested his head on a small pillow while the radio played in the background, it was set on this talk show he listened frequently which gave solid advice to the listeners. He came upon it when he fiddled with the knob of his old radio one random day and the voice didn't make him cringe or sound condescending to the listeners which he liked.

The host's voice was filled with wisdom and her answers were sincere as she told the listener her thoughts. Hiroki had once thought of calling in but he disregarded wanting to punch in the numbers on his phone after he realized he had no real question to ask her. Besides, he had close people in his life who could answer whatever he asked but it helped that an unbiased party listened to his him.

He had no problems at the moment to complain about other than having some trouble on some pieces he was practicing. Then again, that was almost every single time he had a new piece to try out or he simply enjoyed and wanted to play for himself.

Hiroki rubbed his shoulders with the warm water and massaged the tense spots he found as he let out a groan. He closed his eyes as he massaged his aching hands with a soft soapy towel, he took breaks in between his practices when he felt the strain in the muscles. Attaining carpel tunnel would hold him back until his hands recovered and he didn't have the luxury to stop his performances.

The piano was his outlet from the outside world and not playing it would hurt him deeply.

He had already taken a quick shower before filling the tub with water, he didn't want to bathe in any dirt that washed off of him. He could waste a few minutes to properly scrub the dirt off of his body and then relax in the tub. It wasn't a big deal.

Hiroki felt like he was floating in a sea of warmth and tranquility. The scent of the roses provided the feeling of being in a rose garden, he always had bath salts in his home and it seemed he would never run out of them. He could always count on Kana or Miyagi suddenly bringing him more bath salts or soaps with a variety of smells. Tranquil smells which worked to soothe him after a long day on the outside world.

He submerged himself into the water and he blew bubbles with a smile on his face. These little things always made him feel better than before he got into the bath. No one knew he did them and he worked hard to keep it that way forever or until he was caught by surprise.

The phone rang throughout the apartment as Hiroki opened his eyes. He carefully stood up and got out of the tub onto the bath rug where the access water he couldn't dry off dripped onto. Hiroki reached for the towels on the side of the tub. Wrapping one around his waist, the other one rested on his shoulders.

He carefully made it into the living room and counted his steps toward the desk which had his phone. He rarely used this phone but then again he didn't give away his number to just anyone so it stayed silent most of the time. Hiroki placed his hand on the desk and carefully moved it to the phone and curled his hand around the receiver.

Hiroki picked it up and placed it on his ear as he said. "Kamijou Hiroki."

"Hello sweetheart!"

Hiroki's spirit rose when he heard his mother's melodious voice, he really loved her voice. "Hi mama, how was Okinawa?"

"It was really great, we went walking everywhere and we stayed at this adorable hotel near the sea. I really wished you could have gone with us, you would've loved all of the food the restaurants were offering and the water was a perfect temperature for swimming!"

Hiroki shook his head in amusement. "You two didn't eat yourselves sick this time right?"

"Of course not, we are just fine and we learned not to mix certain foods at a certain hour. And for your information son you were the one who got sicker by drinking those beers on our last vacation."

Hiroki scoffed. "No way, if anything you were the one eating all of those sweets as if someone was coming on to steal them from you.

"Noooo...anyway we managed to make it to your performance sorry we couldn't stay behind to see you in person. Someone called Soshi after your last song was played and told him someone messed up a contract at the company, he was beyond furious when he left me at home to deal with the problem."

"I know one of the my friends told me when he met me back stage.." Hiroki told her as he chuckled. "I can already picture the angry face I saw when I was a kid. Honestly those people should know better than to mess up something so important and on a Saturday no less."

"Well it was about time that something got messed up sweetheart," She told him. "So how did you feel your performance went?"

Hiroki answered her. "I would say pretty well, but I'm sure I missed a note in the third piece I played and I managed to get through that last one alright."

He heard her chuckle. "Well everything sounded wonderful nonetheless. Why haven't you introduced me to this friend of yours?"

"Mama you know who he is, remember Professor Miyagi?"

"Why yes I do, but I haven't properly spoken to him yet. Do you think he'll like me?"

Hiroki smiled. "He'll like you mama, he has wanted to meet you and papa for a while now."

"Really?"

"I'll introduce you two next time."

"Good! I have to go, it's pretty late, good night little butterfly."

Hiroki smiled at her nickname for him when he told his mother. "Good night mom, tell father good night as well and how he needs to drink his tea before going into a rampage."

Fuyumi laughed on the other line as she assured him. "I will make sure to do that sweetheart and lock everything up before you go to sleep."

"Yes yes I will, don't worry so much," He humored her and knew she was smiling as he heard the tone of her voice.

"I can't help it, a mother's worries never cease you know."

"I would be surprised if you stopped worrying about me." Hiroki told her. "Good night."

"Good night."

Hiroki ended the call and he placed his phone carefully onto the receiver. He dried himself off even more and made sure the second towel was still tight around his waist. A shiver went through his body and he left the damp towel over his shoulders while he walked around his apartment. He checked every single window and the front door before venturing to his bedroom.

His right hand lightly felt for a small frame on the wall and turned to the right toward his room. He went inside and he took out his pajamas and dressed himself. He put on his pair of gloves so his hands were kept warm throughout the night. This prevented them from cramping when he started practicing the piano in the morning. He learned this trick from one of his teachers at the high school he attended and was eternally grateful for this advice.

Hiroki pulled the sheets of his bed to the side and he said on his bed as he heard the cries of baby next door. "It looks like their brat is cranky again...every single damn night this happens."

He got back up and slowly walked to the living room where the radio resided. He felt for the machine and pressed play, soft soothing piano music filled the room and the crying from next door went down.

"They should be happy I haven't gone next door to complain yet." Hiroki said with a frown. "Or they should at least invest in some instrumental music to put their kid to sleep so I don't have to do it."

TBC