Chapter Five: Taking Lessons to the heart
(Sorry but Ikuto will tell his side of the story for a little while longer bare with me)
I usually skipped most of my classes but I made a promise with Amu that I'd build up my attendance and maybe when I gain whatever I lost start to play once again. First when she stated that I wanted to clam up, but the way she looks made me smile. I play but what she meant was find something that will give my music a heart. Just like when she dances she tried to find something to make her look more like a beautiful magical being dancing on the stage instead of a rickety puppet like she used to.
Today during practice I ask Amu about her dance performance, "Amu how did you get so much heart into your dance usually you become too robotic and just go with the music?"
She looked sadder, "Because I knew that you would like it and maybe I'd inspire some song like when I was younger. I couldn't sing like Utau but I believed that if I could do anything. I'd only dance to your playing, but as I grew up I decided to give up on such a childish dream and go for more realistic one. I decided to as long as I can dance and Ikuto and others see it and smile. I believe then I'll be fine with what I have."
For Amu that was longer than usual around me lately she has learned that she can say whatever she wants and I won't judge her. As she grows up, I learned that nothing can truly stop me from loving her the way that I do. I never knew that her dream when she was younger was to dance to me playing.
Music class everyone expects me to be emotionless like I always am, but when I think of Amu I feel lighter, maybe the proper word is happy. So, like she told me when I found something that made me feel that way I should play to it.
I start to play and I hear someone talking about recording it. I didn't care I just kept playing to my sweet Amu and no one has a single idea. When I finished people started to applaud for me. I smile at everyone and bow.
The teacher's jaw was practically falling off. I must have played better today.
A stupid fan girl jumped in front of me, "That was so beautiful so clear and fluent so unlike you since it was happy."
I look down at her and give her my best smirk, "So I played better is that what you're saying?"
She nodded I rolled my eyes and look at the time it's about time for me to pick Amu up from school.
Leaving I hear my friend Yoru jump down the stairs in front of me, "What are you doing after school?"
I sigh, "What have I told you more lessons for Toshiro's little sister? Also I was going to try and finish up my school projects for once." I made a promise to someone special I add in my mind.
Yoru laughs at me, "God you must have feelings for the little brat."
I wanted to hit Yoru but Toshiro beat me to the chase. Good it saved me from starting a fight with the annoying younger male.
Ugh Toshiro and his little sister complex though, "Don't you dare call my sister a brat again or I'll gladly gut you slowly."
I roll my eyes and lie, "I like Amu as a little sister that's all."
Yoru was a freshmen that we let hang out with us the problem with him is he speaks his mind excessively much. In addition, he likes to add ~nya to everything he says.
He pulls himself up, wipes his mouth, and when he walks past he whispers, "You better hope your secret stays just that. I'd hate for Toshiro to find out."
I almost decked him there but I walk off towards my spot in the park where I play my violin. When I get there I remember I forgot all about Amu.
Soon I look at my phone and see she sent me a text, 'Going to the park after school to practice for the tryouts for the intermediate and high school of arts. Wish me luck.'
I smile and think of her dancing around in the times square in front of the gazebo that I always play in so. I start to play and I see her start to dance in front of me down the stairs not paying attention to who was play the beat that she has always loved. I hear her humming the song I wrote after I first met her so it was probably the worst song I've wrote in my life. Therefore, we both slightly think or sing out loud I'm not sure,
"Here comes the dancing queen.
She's just starts to sing," Waiting for her love to come home to her…."
When she finished dancing, I smile brightly. She looks up and sees me. If I keep this up maybe her dream of dancing to my playing will come true because I've learned my lesson that has touched my heart and I'm learning to slowly open it.
She runs up the stairs and hugs me in front of all the people that were watching, "You played just in time Ikuto-san."
I smiled down at her and couldn't help but to hug back, "How about I play a few more songs because I have tryouts for musical colleges. Practice won't hurt."
She looks up and shrugs, "Yeah its OK. Oh did I tell you I get to skip a grade."
(Amu)
Ikuto was being weird today he hugged me in public and didn't pull a prank he stood and started to play and as he did I started to dance. I was able to get down the stairs just in time. I smile and remember the lesson I told him for a while after he had stopped playing for me four years ago. I had lost heart and my dancing had become cruddy, but as I got older I realized that maybe I could get to start playing by inspiring people. I wanted to see him smile a real smile again like he is now. I just hope that I'm able to do this.
I finish dancing, people were clapping, and we bowed laughing as we do so.
"Thank you for watching our practice I hope you all enjoyed it."
We walked away joking around about who did better and I think I might have won.
