Chapter 4.

Kousei woke up to a bright Saturday. He thought he would visit Kaori again today. It was off to the hospital. Small patches of snow remained from the little bit that came down recently. It was very cold, but the sun still shines brightly through the whole in the clouds. Blood rushed to his cheeks, and his breath became frostly with each exhale. Most people were home, spending time with their families on weekends. He continued his trek, observing the shifting clouds with each step. The subways whizzed past at the same time it always did, like clockwork. Walking through the hospital was beginning to become a habit again, ever since his mother died. This time it was different, she was getting better.

"Hi Kousei!"

"Hello Kaori, how are you feeling?"

"Sit down, I'm feeling better by the day. Though, I can't walk yet. I've been in therapy and doing homework, so surprisingly I keep myself pretty busy", she said.

"About last time… uh… when do you wanna talk about it?" he mumbled.

"Right now sounds alright with me. Technically, I haven't broken up with Watari yet, so that will have to happen sometime. I don't know… maybe we could stay friends until then. After that, we can discreetly see each other so as to not bother Tsubaki."

"Sounds good to me. How is your homework going?

"It's going well. I hope I can do well in finals, so we can go to the same highschool!" she grinned. "To be honest, Tsukabi and Watari seem like they'd be a great couple. They are both athletic, and they've known each other for years. But… I don't know, maybe I'm wrong."

"I agree. They are more similar than they'd like to admit", he chuckled. The hospital room seemed a bit livelier today. It was all due to Kousei, for he was shining like a star. A gentle light, but one that can't be missed in the darkness.

"Hey… There's a contest coming up, like an audition for a musical highschool. Emi and Takashi recommended it to me. I was wondering if we could do a duet together, like I promised. We could play Liebesfreud, instead of Love's Sorrow. I know there are things that would be flashier, but I just thought–"

"Sounds good. Even if I died, you would've still fulfilled your promise. I think I already told you that I heard you play. However, it was more than that. It was our melody" she explained.

"When I played… I saw you and heard you. It was as if you were there right beside me. We created a world and took people on a journey. When the song finished, you disappeared in a flurry of cherry blossoms"

"I saw something similar!" she exclaimed.

"That's interesting… I'm not sure why that happened. How are your parents doing? Do they visit often?"

"Yeah. They visit me the most, but you're becoming a close second. Speaking of which… Aren't you supposed to be practicing the piano!?" Kaori's tone shifted from night to day. Kousei started to get scared.

"Oh… uh… Yeah, I played it yesterday", he quickly answered.

"Why not practice today? Huh?!" she shot back.

"Because I came to visit you!"

"Still… You've got to practice for the contest. I'm working as hard as I can to be able to walk again. Not to mention, I've been trying to pick up the violin recently! You lazy bum!" Kousei just stared blankly at her, lost for words.

"You've already started to play again?"

"Yeah", she said calmly.

"You really have a strong drive. I'm sure we'll be able to play together soon", he hoped. "How about a trip up to the roof? We'll bring your blanket with us."

"Sounds nice." Kaori slowly climbed on his back, and he carried her to the bench on the roof. The weather was chilly. A bucket of sidewalk chalk sat near the wall, as the clouds shifted creating new shadows. Clouds began to block out the sun's rays. Gusts of wind blew on the windows creating a rumble. Kousei wrapped the blanket around Kaori. No one else was on the roof except them. "Oooo! Look. Sidewalk chalk!" Kaori grunted with effort, trying to stand up. Eventually she did, for a moment at least before she started to fall. Luckily Kousei caught her, as her head hit his chest. A bright shade of red appeared on both of their cheeks.

"Are you alright? Be careful, but it looks like your therapy has been helping you improve", mumbled Kousei. Then, he gently helped her to sit on the ground. Kousei grabbed the bucket of sidewalk chalk for Kaori. Kaori picked up a pink piece of chalk, and started to make lines. Every mark seemed purposeful, but when she paused, it was abstract. Filled with confusion, Kousei asked, "What are you drawing?" Kaori placed the chalk down in front of her.

"It isn't finished yet! You still need to add to it, before I tell you." She handed him a blue piece of chalk. Kousei wasn't really sure what to draw. He thought about all the memories he'd made with Kaori and how sad he'd be if she was gone. With each line, drew marks of sorrow and reflection. It wasn't any inanimate object, but it was a story.

"What is this drawing called? You said you'd tell me."

"It's called Love's Joy and Love's Sorrow."

"I'm guessing I'm the sorrow?"

"Yeah. But don't worry, I'll be your joy", she joked. However, to him, it wasn't a joke. Every word was true. She was his muse.

"Well… love can't always be joyful, if there's no sorrow to contrast it."

"Hmmm I guess that's true… I don't know." The two of them continued to draw, bringing color to the decolate rooftop. Clouds blocked the last rays of light, as the sky turned gray. Tiney fractals of ice started to form. The first few melted before they reached the ground. As time passed, the little icicles grew in size and complexity. They danced in the wind that chilled Kousei and Kaori's ears.

"Look! Snowflakes! There are more!" beamed Kaori. Sure enough, little white pieces of frost blew down from the heavens, spinning in the wind. Kousei was amazed at how Kaori could find beauty in the tiniest things. She herself didn't know how beautiful she was to him. She was his snowflake, and his cherry blossom. All he could do was watch her smile, while trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue. A small smile appeared on his face. Frost started to build up on his glasses, from his ice breath. It had gotten colder, and the wind had picked up.

"Kaori, we need to go inside. It's the middle of the afternoon, and you haven't had lunch." Kousei gave another piggy back ride. This time, he noticed that she was heavier. That ment, she was getting better. Kaori gently squeezed Kousei's shoulders. Was it just her, or is Kousei more built? What if he was becoming muscular? Her face flushed at that thought, trying to think purly. Well, no wonder… He's been carrying me up flights of stairs. They went back into her room.

"Did you bring any caneles?"

"No."

"What do you mean you didn't bring me anything! You're supposed to bring your crippled friend a gift after a surgery! Not even a small get well plushie or balloon?!"

"I'm sorry! I forgot! Please don't stay mad! I'll bring something tomorrow, I promise", panicked Kousei. Then, a nurse came in with a tray of food.

"Still here I see? Well, you should also eat", commented the nurse. Then, she handed Kousei a sandwich with an apple. "Make sure she gets rest. Also, Ms. Miyazono, don't be too hard on him", she chuckled. Once the nurse left, they dug in their food.

"Kousei! You didn't even say thank you. The kind nurse brought you food when she didn't have to! Where are your manners!" huffed Kaori.

"Sorry", he chewed. The food felt nice in his empty stomach. Kaori sipped her soup, though it was still hot. After lunch was done, the nurse came back in to pick up the dishes. Kousei thanked her for bringing him food.

"I'm tired", yawned Kaori. She stretched her arms and layed down. "Kousei, can you hold me for a bit… Just until I fall asleep?" Kousei's face immediately flushed.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Mmmhhhmm." Then he gently climbed onto the bed lying next to her. Kaori grabbed his arm and wrapped it around her waist. She put her head in his chest, as she closed her eyes. Kousei's body was warm. Kaori! She listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat as her heart synchronized to his. They fell asleep in each other's arms, their breathing steady. It was peaceful slumber, interrupted when someone entered the door.

"Who is it…" she groaned. Her vision cleared to find Watari standing at the doorway jaw dropped open. Kousei, sensing that Kaori was awake, also awoke.

"Watari, what are you doing here?" Then he realized where he was. "Watari!"