Hello! It's Yoshi here again.
Well, I decided I might as well upload every chapter I have uploaded at Quizilla so I can start typing new ones. I will also update the ones I have tried to update and had problems at Quizilla. Happy Reading!

Chapter 2 Emergence

[4:00 p.m. At Espressivo Appassionata Restaurant]

I sighed in relief as I wiped the top of the grand piano with a dry towel. So glad I made I in time...phew! *Sweat Drop* I thought to myself. It was normally 5 when the guests started arriving in the restaurant, which was when the restaurant officially opened.

"Espressivo Appassionata" was originally a small Italian restaurant operated by Giuseppe Marconi and his family. However, as the introduction of fast food companies increased, Giuseppe decided to "revolutionize" his restaurant, making it "multicultural". Ever since the change of style, "Espressivo Appassionata" has been one of the most popular restaurants in Siemens City. Countless customers have arrived and dined in here ranging from normal citizens to important business CEOs. Once, the president even came here to discuss important business!

Giuseppe had always welcomed his customers with utmost warmth and believed that every customer should enjoy the experience of eating/dining/talking "Espressivo Appassionata" (which means eating expressively and with passion).

Giuseppe has always welcomed me to work at his restaurant as the only pianist. I started working here when I was 10 and Giuseppe had always welcomed me and never restricted me to play any genre. I felt free here, unlike at home, where I had to face my step father, step brother, step sister and my mother, who was hardly at home.

"Casey! Are you ready to play "Espressivo Appassionata"?" Giuseppe had asked me as he put a warm arm around me. "Hang on Giuseppe! I haven't changed out of my uniform yet!" I smiled as I replied.

Giuseppe winked at me and laughed his famous jolly laugh (very similar to Santa Claus) "You better get changed fast amigo! The guests are waiting outside!"

"You're being multicultural again!" I laughed along with him, he looked so happy today. His plump face and rosy cheeks resembled Santa Claus even more when his eyes wrinkled. "We're doing good today! Keep up the good work and don't forget to put your "tips" bucket on the piano!"

"Oh! That! Thanks for the reminder Giuseppe! I nearly forgot about that!"

"It's all good! Go get changed now Tomodachi! (Friend in Japanese)"

"You better get changed too!" I replied, "Chef Marconi!"

"Ah yes yes! Now go now! And remember to play Beethoven and Phantom of the Opera this time... Tina loves them, you know!" Giuseppe patted me on the head and I watched his plump figure walk away towards the kitchen door, where Tina, his wife was standing, waving happily at towards my direction, her round chubby face glistening with happiness. I waved back, glad to see then looking content, as usual. IO hurried away to the toilet to change out of my school uniform (which consisted of a dark blue blazer, blue tie, long sleeved collar shirt and a dark blue knee high skirt) into my usually costume for piano playing : A black suit with matching pants and shoes. I felt relaxed today, so I scanned through the wardrobe Giuseppe provided me at the first day to look for my favorite blue collar shirt. I tied my hair up into a high bun and felt the short strands of hair fall onto my cheeks. I pushed those strands of hair behind my ear and stared at the mirror, only to see an ordinary girl looking back, with a pallid, unhealthy complexion. I was just okay-looking. Makeup wasn't necessary because I hated it! It was a pain!

I breathed in deeply and walked out of the toilet preparing to play some scales and arpeggios to warm up.

Just when I was half way through the 2nd inversion of A b (A flat) major arpeggios, someone had tackled me onto the piano keys, an enormous sound of keys crashing had exploded and echoed through the empty restaurant.

"Jonathon! Can you please get off me?" I smiled politely at the 8 year old.

"Casey! Casey! YOU'RE HERE!!! YOU'RE HERE!" Jonathon had cried happily. "Guess what!"

"Hmm?"

"Daddy bought me a new deck of cards!"

"Cool! What kind?"

"Elemental Heroes! Just like the one's Aster used last time!" Jonathon was a big fan of Aster Phoenix. He watched nearly every single match Aster had participated at the pro-league (Except the ones when it passed his bedtime). "Next time I want to have Aster's Destiny heroes!" Jonathon had added.

"I don't think Mr. Phoenix would want to give you his D-heroes, Jonathon."

"Why not?"

"Well, they're unique! I don't think he'd like to part them and you've just got your Elemental Heroes!"

"Fine," Jonathon had pouted. "Let's play!"

"Sorry, Jon, you know I can't duel."

"I can teach you! It's fun!"

"The guests are coming soon, I've got to practice. Why don't you play with Cindy?"

Cindy was Jonathon's 7 year old sister. She was extremely shy. It took her a long time to get used to having me around their restaurant. Once she opened up, she was actually a really sweet child.

"Cindy doesn't like dueling! She likes to play with Barbie dolls!"

"You could think of some strategies to use while dueling your friends at school!"

"Thanks for the ideas Casey!" Jonathon had hugged me tightly. "How long are you staying today?"

"Well, today's Friday, so I'm staying till 10 which is way past your bedtime!" I replied, while patting his golden head. "Now, now, go and think of some strategies to beat your friends!"

"Kay!" Jonathon ran off happily towards the kitchen. "Bye bye Casey! See you on Monday!"

[4:15 p.m.]

There was only 15 minutes left, so I decided to skim through my tattered book of Beethoven's Sonatas, looking for Op. 27 No.14 The famous Moonlight Sonata. Giuseppe had come out of the kitchen, already changed into his chef uniform. He gave me thumbs up and I grinned back. I watched him welcome the first couple that walked into the restaurant and I turned around and started playing.

[6:00 p.m.]

After an hour of non-stop playing, Cindy had walked towards the piano and placed my "tips" bucket on the piano. I smiled at her gratefully and mouthed "Thank you". Cindy had blushed beetroot red and she skipped happily away. I turned around and saw nearly every table in the vast room was filled. Giuseppe had lit the candles on the table, filling the room with a warm atmosphere.

The room was filled with the aroma of Italian, Mexican, Chinese and Indian food, my stomach had growled unexpectedly loudly and I stuffed some premium biscuits into my mouth to stop starvation. While I was watching the guests eating, I unexpectedly watched an excited Jonathon walking towards one of the tables in the middle of the room, holding a piece of paper with pictures on it, a pen and his deck of dueling cards!

I was so curious at what Jonathon was doing that I didn't notice a guest was talking to me.

"...You're favorite composer?"

"Oh...sorry!" I turned around reluctantly, "My favorite composer is Beethoven."

"Why?" The guest had asked me, smiling. "Why Beethoven when there is Mozart, Debussy and Chopin?"

I had been in the same argument at school too, so I was smiling. "My friend once said: "Mozart composes from the things around him. But Beethoven composes from his heart." Beethoven may seem to be, eh...bad tempered, but his music has that feeling of passion with aspects such as anger, fear and happiness which fits into the human everyday life! What do you think? Sir?"

"Very good answer!" His smile widened, "But other composers also have included those aspects in their music, why is it only Beethoven to you?"

"I guess it's personal preference, and probably because my temper is similar to Beethoven's..." I explained, looking embarrassed.

The guest, a wise, old looking mad smiled again. "You remind me of my best friend," he said, "Do you mind if I played something?" he asked politely.

"Sure! Go on ahead!" I stood up quickly and gestured him towards the seat.

"Thank you very much!" was all he said as he sat down on the black piano chair. He sat there with his hands on the keys, and suddenly, he started playing Debussy's "Clair De Lune". His fingers were extremely agile, despite his age. He was enjoying himself and I felt happy that I had made him pleased. I glanced towards the table where Jonathon was originally standing, only to see an empty path.

"Casey..." Cindy was tugging my jacket. She looked flushed.

"Cindy, are you alright? You look red!" I asked the 7 year old.

"Jonathon...He's sitting with a guest..."

"Where?" I asked, curiously.

Cindy had pointed towards the table where I last say Jonathon standing.

"Let's go and have a look then!" I encouraged the child. She nodded and continue tugging my shirt as we walked towards the table.

There Jonathon was, sitting with 2 guests on the same table, concentrating very hard.

As we approached the table, my eyes widened as I recognized one of them. Wearing silver formal wear, a loose fitted neck-tie, sapphires eyes, grey hair...

Jonathon was dueling non other than his idol, Aster Phoenix.

to be continued.....

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