Fall Symphony

By Sofiana

The usual disclaimers apply.

A Sonata

Sakura was only three when her Mother died. Her memories of her mother came in flashes – the feel of a gentle hand on her head, a remembered laugh, vague snatches of melodies she had heard when she was younger.

She knew what her mother looked like – her pictures were all over the house, captured in eternal youth and beauty. She never seemed to be sad – she was always smiling in the pictures.

The piano in the living room was her mother's. Touya used to play on it, but lately he was too busy to sit down. Sakura would sigh, and wonder why she really had no talent when it came to music. She would touch the piano lovingly, play some notes, before closing it up again. It gave her a little reassurance to touch the keys that had once felt her mother's fingers, and made her feel close to her.

She couldn't keep her mind off the calendar for the whole day. Her Dad had found the old calendar while he was cleaning up his room, and he gave it to her when she asked if she could have it.

She was happily skimming through the dates at breakfast – her dad's birthday, Touya's birthday (marked in, because, Touya said offhandedly, his birthday only came every four years), and to her joy, her own birthday circled and marked Sakura in her mother's handwriting.

During recess in school, she had more time to look at the calendar. She was sorry for all those Calendar Watchers in olden times, they had a harder time trying to keep track of the days. . . Yamazaki-kun and Eriol-kun sure knew about a lot of things. . .

Daidouji Sonomi's birthday was also on the calendar, but she'd already missed it. If only I'd known earlier! I'll give her a gift next year now that I know about it, she promised to herself.

When she flipped over the calendar to November, the first date was marked Grandfather.

She asked her father about it when she got home from school.

"Hmm, yes, I believe it's your Great-Grandfather's birthday," Fujitaka said as they sat down at the kitchen table, preparing peapods for dinner.

"Ne, Okaasan gave him presents, right?"

"Mmm. Nadeshiko-san's presents were always handmade."

"But I thought Okaasan was bad at cooking and sewing?"

"Yes, but your mother put all her effort at making them."

Sakura asked curiously, "Is Ojiisan still…"

"Oh, he's still very much active but I still haven't had the chance to meet him."

"Why not?"

"Because Grandfather cherished Okaasan with all his heart. I'm the bad guy who stole her away from him." Fujitaka said without any rancor in his voice, still peeling the pods.

He was surprised a moment later when Sakura quickly stood up with an indignant look on her face. "My Otousan is not a bad guy!"

Sakura exclaimed. "I know I don't remember much about Okaasan, but she always looks so happy in the photos! If she didn't marry you, there wouldn't have been a Sakura at all and I would've been sad!"

Fujitaka was taken aback by her passionate declaration, and then he smiled.

"Arigatou, Sakura-chan."

Sakura subsided in her chair, outraged in spite of herself that anyone would dare to think of her dad in such a way, when she sat up all of a sudden.

"Otousan, would it be alright if I make something for Grandfather? A handmade present just like Okaasan used to do?"

Fujitaka smiled and said it was a good idea. There had been a little problem as to how she would have it delivered if she finished late, but Fujitaka only thought for a moment before assuring her that he knew a way.

And so Sakura worked hard the rest of the evening on her little project with her Dad's help. She even pricked her finger in her hurry, but she worked on it with dedication. She finally finished it, and she danced in the kitchen, raising the little bag aloft as her father dried the dishes.

"How did she send her gifts, Otousan?"

Fujitaka thought consideringly. "She always sent her gifts with nadeshiko flowers."

Sakura emitted a low wail, and knocked her head on the table. "It's too late! All the flower shops are closed. . ." And then, a bright idea came to mind and she rushed out of the kitchen.

Just at that moment, Touya had arrived from his part-time work and called out from the hallway. To his surprise, Sakura breathlessly met him at the door and ordered him to play her mother's song on the piano and record it on tape. As she zipped upstairs, Touya glanced quizzically at his father, who only smiled.

"Please play it for us, Touya."

Sakura was in her room, breathing in the scent of nadeshiko blooms the Flower Card had conjured for her, when she heard her brother on the piano.

They all understand, Otousan, Okaasan and Oniichan… they understand that I'm happy!

There were no need for words – the love that was in the music was there even if no one sang it…

Dear Grandfather,

Happy Birthday! I only found because Otousan found Okaasan's calendar and gave it to me. Otousan told me that my mother used to give you handmade gifts on your birthday and I decided to make you a gift also. It's not very good but I worked hard on it with Otousan's help, and I hope you like it. The flowers are also for you, so you won't forget my Mother.

I made my Oniichan play Okaasan's music and I recorded it for you. She wrote it for my dad, because she loved my dad very much, and she was very happy. We're all very happy together.

I hope you're happy too.

Love, Sakura

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Sofiana's Notes:

As you can see, these are little vignettes on the members of the Kinomoto family. The common thread is actually Nadeshiko's piano organ. Thanks for the nice reviews. One more chapter to go.