The Etude Drabbles

by Erlkonig

A series of drabbles themed around Chopin's Etudes. My first drabbles! They will be imperfect (not exactly 100 words) but I'll keep it between 100 and 150, not counting notes and comments. Major key etudes will be in Kai's POV and minor keys in Shuhei's. Slice-of-life. [Kai Ichinose x Shuhei Amamiya]

15. Op 25, No 3 in F Major (The Horseman)

Etude Op. 25, No. 3 in F Major ("The Horseman")

The first time he saw her bright and joyous expression, Kai was ten years old, small, slight, and energetic, the perfect rider for his class's kibasen team. He snatched the last white headband and raised it high, raised his clutched fist towards his mother in the stands, with the ends of it fluttering like dreams in the breeze, Reiko's face tear-streaked and beaming.

"Did I do good, mother? Did I make you proud?"

Now, Kai glanced into the audience, at Reiko's face shining brightly as the sun, wearing the same pride for him and the future he had carved with the world as his stage.

Kai grinned. "Watch me, mother. I'll make you proud."

- O -

Author's notes: The theme for this etude is kibasen, that piggyback battle that Japanese kids do on Sports Day.