AN: Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
Chapter III
The atmosphere at the gallery of art was relaxed, pleasurable. The spacious rooms that hosted the collections were well-lit and welcoming. People of various ages walked around from painting to painting, stopping in front of some, or admiring others in stride.
Michiru walked around, trying to draw as little attention to herself as possible. She had viewed all the paintings of the current exposition—and with a natural surge of pride, she had returned to the room that hosted three of her own works. She now watched others study her pieces and tried to guess people's reactions.
Two women were just looking at one of her more recent creations—an image of the ocean at sunset, with seagulls diving in the darkening waters.
"I can just about see the movement in this picture…" one opined, obviously impressed. "It's almost… alive!"
"I'm almost relieved to see an image I can recognize, with all the abstract art we've visited today…" the other commented with a snort, "but you're right, this is really good…these two others as well."
"Kaioh Michiru…we've heard of her before haven't we?" The first woman frowned, trying to remember. "Oh, isn't she the young violinist that's been making quite an impression? I didn't know she painted, too…"
"Hmm…I can hardly believe she's only fifteen. What kind of normal girl does all that at this age? She must be really lonely, to dedicate herself to playing and painting so much…"
"That's not fair" the other argued, "I think she has an incredible talent to share through these works…"
Michiru had heard enough. Slowly, she distanced herself from the two women; sadness welled up within her. She did not think she led a lonesome life…she rarely found herself yearning for more company. Was that what everyone thought? That her passions were actually escapes from loneliness?
They're wrong! They…they have to be wrong! I've never done any of it out of some feeling of abandon! I am not lonesome…
I am simply…alone…and it's none of my fault!
"This doesn't look at all lonely to me" a firm, loud voice suddenly rang behind her. "Just incredibly expressive. And perhaps… slightly secretive. Like it's veiling a mystery that the artist herself hasn't unraveled yet."
Almost against herself, Michiru turned her head. A third person had joined the two women, and was offering an opinion on her work. Her heart unwillingly warmed at the other's words and Michiru took a few steps towards the group again.
The two women left to see the rest of the exposition, but the third person remained, watching the seagull painting with apparent interest. Michiru tried to get a better look, and noticed her supporter was a tall girl of athletic build.
"This is pretty good, don't you think so?" The tall girl suddenly addressed her, without even turning. She eventually turned when no reply came. "Well…?"
"Oh, uhm…I…" Michiru was reluctant to speak about her own creation. "I suppose…"
"Don't be modest, I'm not paying you compliments" the other girl said matter-of-factly. "I simply think you have a lot of talent."
"How did you know I painted it?"
"Trust me…I know the look of a girl nervous about her own accomplishments…"
Michiru smiled uncomfortably.
"I guess it's not fair, Kaioh Michiru, for me to know who you are, but not the other way around" the other suddenly said, reaching out a hand. "Elsa Gray."
"Nice to meet you, Gray-san."
"Elsa, please."
Michiru nodded.
"It's Michiru, then."
"So…Michiru…would you fancy a cup of tea? The cafeteria's just outside. If nothing else, it'll take your mind of the exposition for a while! Then you can come back and snoop incognito again."
The aqua-haired girl laughed.
"I do not snoop."
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"It was a successful display then, Miss Michiru?"
Yashashi gave her a smiling look in the rear-view mirror. They were on their way back home from the exhibition, and he had noticed the girl with an air of unusual cheerfulness about her. Not that Yashashi thought she was usually gloomy—no, he had noticed her optimism and sweetness from the start, but they were usually greatly subdued.
"You look like you had fun."
"I did…" She recalled the talk with Elsa over the steaming cups of tea. "Oh, and the exposition went well, too."
"I take it you made some new friends then?"
The girl smiled.
"Yes…yes, I think I did."
"Good" the driver muttered under his breath.
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One of the following afternoons, Michiru dug out Chindan's magazine from under the cushions of the sofa, where she had carelessly left it. She shuffled through the pages once more, looking for Elsa Gray's name. The fraise-haired, dark-skinned girl had mentioned she was a track-and-field athlete, with only a few races behind her. But from the way she talked about running, Michiru could tell she was going to make it far. Elsa sounded truly passionate about the sport…and the aqua-haired girl wondered if she could really understand a passion that intense.
She wants to be the fastest runner…she wants to always come out first…but I? I play because I feel like it…I paint because I enjoy it.
I don't want people to think my works are the best. I just want them to…get the message…
Should I be more competitive…?
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The same evening found Michiru practicing her violin. Eyes half-closed, the girl played energetically, all her senses tuned in on the deep notes of the melody.
In her mind, she saw herself standing on a bright stage, in a spacious hall filled with elegant people who looked up at her in admiration. People who heard her song, and felt comforted and heartened. She saw herself smiling at them, playing the melodies with ease and dedication, her bow flying over the chords in an intricate dance of passion.
Her heart warmed at the image her mind had shaped. With a flourish, she finished the song, and opened her eyes.
"Bravo!" With a short clapping, Elsa Gray stood from the sofa, where she had been listening to Michiru's violin. "That was…wonderful! I'm not sure I can describe it right...it was as if you knew what I felt, and sang to echo those feelings!"
The shorter girl bowed slightly in gratitude for the words.
"How do you do it, Michiru? How do you play so intensely, paint so beautifully? Oh, stop being so reticent"—Michiru was beginning to shake her head—"you have a lot of talent, deal with it!"
"You think too much of me, Elsa. You're boosting my ego a bit too much" the other joked.
"What I can't understand…what motivates you to keep working, keep improving? With me, it's always the thought of someone running faster but…"
"I don't need competition to follow my passion…" Michiru said honestly "I want to play for everyone who wants to listen…to make them live the music just like I do…"
This is my dream…and I know I'll reach it some day.
AN: Like it? Hate it? Should I go on? Please review and let me know!
Hugs,
Myosotis