VERY IMPORTANT NOTE – PLEASE READ!!

Ok, as you all know, school is starting (hooray...). I just wanted to let you people know that I won't be updating as often; stupid homework and stupid teachers... You get what I mean, right? I'll try and update at least every two weeks, and maybe even earlier, but don't blame me if I end up updating in a few months. I'm sorry...and I'm sure this goes the same for every other author, right? So...yeah.

END OF NOTE

Third chappie! Thanks for all the reviews! I'm sorry if you feel that I'm sort of neglecting this story, but I guess my first priority is 'Tennis in a Different Point of View'.

When I finish one or the other, I'll just work on one at a time! No more multi-tasking for me! I find it incredibly to focus on two things at the same time...so...yeah.

Ukyou-Taisuke

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"Maya, you have your piano lesson in less than an hour. I think that it's best that you prepare." Maya's father reminded her, sipping from his teacup.

Maya stiffened and headed to the old, black piano. The keys were worn out from practicing, and there were at least two keys that had broken strings. She reached for her books and music papers and placed them into her piano bag.

She stared once more at the old piano. I told him that we needed someone to look at it; the keys have been broken since last year.

She ran a stiff hand over the cold keys and placed her forehead against the cover. How long has it been? Since I've started playing piano...

And she let her mind wander back...back to when she just started playing the piano.

-

"Otou-san! 'Tou-san, come look! I can play this song now!" A younger Maya – about 7 years old – bounced in her seat excitedly. She wiggled with impatience while her father stood up slowly from his chair and walked over.

"What is it?" Her father asked, patting her head affectionately.

Maya frowned and pointed to her music sheet. "I told you! I was playing 'Mary had a Little Lamb'! Weren't you listening?"

He chuckled and kneeled down next to her. "Can you play for me?"

"You weren't listening at all, were you?" Maya accused, a pout remaining stubbornly on her face.

"Well...uh...just play!"

Maya huffed. "Fine." And she placed her hands on the keys and looked over them carefully. She squinted once more at the black notes on the sheet and began playing slowly.

Her fingers weren't yet used to the odd feeling of the big instrument, and she fumbled a bit with the notes, playing several wrong notes.

As she slowed, signaling that it had ended, she looked directly at her father. "Well?" she pressed.

Her father smiled gently and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. "That was beautiful," he commented. And he added quietly, "Your mother would be so proud."

Maya's grin widened. She had heard so many stories about her mother, not getting to actually know her. She had also heard many remarks about her looking so much like her, and how her mother had played the piano so beautifully.

"But," her father cut in, "you'll need to practice more if you want to get better!"

Maya looked determinedly at her father. "That's exactly what I plan to do," she stated.

Her father nearly choked on nothingness. "W-what?" he sputtered. Most children would nearly die at the word of 'practice'. But his child was looking at him with a face that would make anyone proud.

"I want to play the piano for my own sake. Not just for Mommy's. I want to play piano because I want to." She finished, looking at her fingers.

Her father stood, stunned, at the resemblance between his child and her deceased mother. And he swept her into a gentle embrace. "You've not only inherited her looks," he murmured, "but you've also inherited her will."

Maya giggled and pulled away, grabbing her spring jacket and stepping into her shoes. "I'm going to visit Takashi-kun!" she proclaimed. "Then I can brag all I want!" she exclaimed, zipping her jacket up and shooting her father one last smile. "After all, you can't play 'Mary had a Little Lamb' in karate!"

-

When will those days come back? It's all because I changed teachers, Maya thought bitterly. She looked at the time: 7:20PM. Her lesson was at 7:30. It lasted half an hour; half an hour of pure torture.

"'Tou-san, I'm going out for my piano lesson!" she yelled before grabbing her bag and slipping her shoes on.

A soft "Be careful!" was heard just before Maya closed the door.

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"...and your fingers! Didn't I tell you to use the middle finger instead of your index finger? Why won't you listen?"

Maya winced as her teacher as of a six months ago slapped her fingers with a wooden chopstick. Her old teacher had gotten into an accident, and she wouldn't be able to teach anymore due to her injuries.

"I'm sorry..." she murmured.

The teacher sighed impatiently. "That's all for today. Fix that fingering of yours and use the pedal at the correct places."

Maya tried to protest. "But I think that the pedal here would sound better – ah!" she cried out, holding her red, sore fingers.

"Didn't I tell you?! It's not about how it sounds; it's about playing right. When you play right, you don't need to add any fancy actions. Now go home and practice!" he thundered, his face red with anger.

Maya moved backwards and excused herself quickly before grabbing her bag.

Confused tears spilled down her cheeks when she got out of the building, and she closed her eyes, trembling.

-

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"Morning..." Maya mumbled, yawning and covering her mouth with her hand politely.

Yuuka stared at her in surprise. "No sleep last night? But you always sleep! At night, I mean."

Maya tried to glare at her, but that attempt resulted in another yawn. "Hey...I'm only human, Yuu-chan!" she teased.

"Yo!" another cheerful voice greeted. Maya and Yuuka stared at Momoshiro, who was pedaling his bike on school property.

Yuuka stared at him blankly. "Aren't you not supposed to be riding your bike on school property?"

Momo stared back at her. Then he shrugged. "Well, who cares?"

"I do!"

And the two began bickering again.

Maya looked between the both of them and tried to stop the fighting. "Hey, hey...that's enough out of the both of you."

The two stubborn mules crossed their arms and 'hmphed' at the same time.

Maya sighed and frowned, shaking her head. They're so childish...

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"Kurashima-san? Are you sure you're alright? You've been yawning an awful lot..." the teacher remarked, giving her a worried glance.

Maya smiled tiredly. "I'm fine..."

"Maybe you should go to the nurse's and have a rest there."

"No, no!" Maya shook her head. "I'm fine," she repeated.

The teacher looked at her worriedly. "If you change your mind, you can just head down there and explain to her."

"Hai."

Yuuka 'pst'ed to Maya and glared at her before dropping her pencil on purpose and blowing a note onto Maya's desk.

Maya opened it:

Are you okay?

She smiled wryly and gave Yuuka a thumbs-up.

How long will this go on...?

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Short chappie. I'm sorry! Me got lots to do...like HOMEWORK! Boy...I can't even begin to complain how much I've had to work. And I was sorta being stupid with this fic. Sorryz!

I can't guarantee that the next update will be faster...but review, ne? Cookies?

Ukyou-Taisuke