Short story: music part II
=I don’t know actually, that’s why I wanted you to ask=
Turning towards Noboru Sakura spoke “Sensei, did Haruka-kun do anything to offend you?”
“B-but he, the piano and” stuttering incomprehensively Noboru was still trying to analyze what the situation was implying
“What sensei wants to say was that he interrupted our practice with his piano” Hakuren cut in smoothly
“is that so?” Turning towards Haruka she signed Hakuren’s message and watched as Haruka bowed deeply in apology before signing back
=I deeply apologize= the message was of course translated by Sakura.
“Oh, shoot! Were late for our next class and it’s on the other side of the campus!” turning to Haruka, Sakura tugged on his arm before pointing at her watch. Nodding his head in understanding Haruka turned towards the piano and grabbed his hoodie which was on top of his back pack on the floor after doing so he approached the piano and tapped two keys thrice before pointing to his ears.
‘It’s out of tune sensei’
Straightening he walked towards a confused Sakura and bowed towards the still frozen teacher and the curious Hakuren who had realized what Haruka’s message was. Leaving the room he turned to Sakura s they began running back towards their side of the campus.
=I forgive you by the way=
Back inside the Room Noboru finally broke out of his stupor and faced the piano before turning to the door and back. Slowly he approached the instrument and pressed on the same keys Haruka pressed before gaping further. It was out of tune.
“b- but how did he know?! “ He asked eyes wide as he turned towards Hakuren “He’s deaf!”
Hakuren once again shrugged before turning back to the door to leave that was certainly an interesting meeting.
‘I wonder how many deaf Haruka’s are in this school’ exiting the room a smirk tugged at his lips. Interesting indeed.
-----(+)-----
Haruka entered his apartment tiredly. Reaching his hand up he tugged at the string behind his head and allowed the cloth that covered his eye to drop on the floor carelessly. It was so tiring. Slumping on the couch he draped his hands over his eyes with a quite sigh. He was glad that he had Sakura to help him, he didn’t know how he would survive without her. Thinking back on the day he remembered how the girl had apologized for sounding so cruel and inconsiderate to him. He had forgiven her of course; he wasn’t the kind of person to hold a grudge after all.
Lowering his hands Haruka blinked a few times to adjust his vision in the dark; idly he traced the scar that went from above his eyebrow to the end of his lower eyelid with long callused fingers. He would never forget that day when everything was taken.
Clenching his hands Haruka stood from his seat before entering the bathroom and slowly shedding his clothes. Under the bright fluorescent lights scars stood out from his skin, dancing around his figure in thin lines. His bandages from his recent accident lay forgotten on the floor with his dirty clothing as he entered the shower stall and blasted the hot water full on his body. His lips tightened as the heat burned his scars before his tense shoulders relaxed and he sighed in comfort. Slowly his eyes opened revealing a single blue eye and a misted, silvery green one.
‘With this body full of scars, it really isn’t that hard to judge’
Slowly his back pressed against the wall of the stall before he slid down on the floor eyes unfocused. The water misted around him and his skin was soon turning red from the water.
‘Will there be a day where no one will judge me?’
-----(+)-----
A week passed by and the rumor mill set to work rather quickly. Everywhere they went whispers followed, mutters echoed and eyes narrowed. Haruka was familiar with the treatment but he feared for Sakura, even though the girl had assured him he couldn’t help but worry. But what caught his attention the most was the mention of someone searching for him.
‘Who would look for me?’
Though it was clear that he was avoided by most he took everything in stride. He had a plan after all and he couldn’t mess up. As lunch break came nearer he excused himself from Sakura before leaving the other in the cafeteria. Now Haruka stood, his back rigid as he held an envelope in his hands. He faced the door with determined eyes before knocking and entering the room. Bowing his head towards the secretary he smiled before continuing on to the Dean’s office not noticing the other calling him back.
Taking a deep breath Haruka entered the room and froze. A blush blossomed on his face as three pairs of eyes locked unto his form. Smiling somewhat nervously he recognized the man as the one who caught him playing the piano in the music department a week ago. Tightening his hold he felt the paper crinkle in his hands and straightened before walking pass the gaping man and bored looking boy before bowing his head to the dean and laying the envelope on her desk.
Raising an eyebrow Suikana took the envelope before opening it and reading the letter inside. Her eyebrows rose further as she read until finally a shocked gasp escaped her lips before she lowered the letter to stare at the boy before her.
“Are you serious?!”
Haruka nodded her head
“You’re deaf! You can’t possibly transfer into the music department!” Staring at the boy Suikana continued “You got into this school through an art scholarship! Not a music one, applications are long overdue”
Gripping his hands tighter Haruka grabbed his pocket PC before handing it over to the Dean.
*I know that! I read the rules before I came, this wasn’t some impulsive decision Suikana-Sensei, please give me a chance!*
“Sui-chan, why don’t you hear the boy out ne?” The graying man asked
“Noboru-sensei!”
Looking to the side Haruka’s blue eye settled unto the others form.
“Do you remember me boy?”
Nodding his head Haruka smiled politely before bowing.
“Noboru! You can’t be serious?” Suikana asked incredulously
“Oh, but I am” Noboru laughed patting a confused Haruka’s head “I am the music departments dean after all I call the shots no?”
“Che, just say that he tickled your interest Noboru-sensei” Hakuren commented off the side
Between them Haruka looked about confused before settling his eye on Noboru finally
“You want in on the music department right?”
Haruka nodded, of course. That was why he was here
“I’ll let you try out”
Haruka smiled widely at that
“b~ut there’s a catch” Noboru grinned.
-----(+)-----
If anyone were to enter the room they were in, they would stumble upon a pretty amusing sight. Hakuren sat with his legs crossed back straight staring into a single blue eye. While Haruka nervously fidgeted on the piano bench, his long hair braided and placed over his shoulder and for the hundredth time he had to ask, how did things come to this?
There had to be a catch of course, Haruka just didn’t quite expect this. Staring into the others dark eyes he fidgeted a bit more before silently handing over his pocket PC. Raising an eyebrow Hakuren took the device and read the message.
*I’m sorry you got dragged into this*
Looking back at the other he returned the device and shrugged. “One way or another Noboru-sensei would have found a way to get to you. He’s been looking for you for a while” a smirk spread across his lips as leaned forward, his chin resting unto an open palm “We didn’t expect you to be in the art department, you play quite well”
Blushing at the complement he grinned at the other boy before quickly typing *You say too much, I’m not that good but still though this must be a bother to you*
“Not at all shall we practice?”
Nodding his head Haruka smiled.
)+(
“B~ut there’s a catch” Noboru grinned “In five day you have to perform three pieces of my choice in front of the entire board of directors and the whole student body of the Music department!”
Haruka’s eyes widened
“Not only that but you would be playing with a violinist of my choice” Grinning further Noboru tilted his head towards the other boy “Meet Junichi, Hakuren your violinist”
“What?!”
)+(
Three days after the decision was made, Haruka and Hakuren practiced relentlessly. It was a wonder how they got along, unlike with Sakura every little thing he did seem to aggravate the other. As Haruka was cheerful, Hakuren was introverted. As Haruka smiled constantly, Hakuren scowled. Sakura commented that they reminded her of the sun and the moon and quite frankly Hakuren had to agree.
Regardless though they managed to work together, it was as if their play style was made for each other. They had had a difficult start as Haruka had to reorient himself with the musical pieces. Hakuren though as annoyed as he was had to admire the other boys spirit. He had watched him as he slaved away carefully feeling the notes that made the song and slowly but surely began to master each piece. It was so astonishing that he nearly forgot that that the boy was deaf.
‘How can this be possible?’
Hakuren once again stood off the side watching as Haruka played, swaying, fingers moving. Gently, harshly, softly, loudly, mellow, fast. He played like the sea crashing in waves and breathtakingly beautiful. It didn’t take a genius to know that Haruka was a genius, someone blessed with talent. A virtuoso. And it didn’t take a maestro to know that he favored tension filled songs, either fast or sad. His face portrayed a sort of pain that he had only seen on men who’d gone to war. People, who had lived and seen too much.
‘Why do you play like that?’
With observant eyes he watched as the other slowed to a stop. Haruka hands were still pressed against the key board as he panted, sweat glistening across his face before turning to him and smiling.
‘What a fake smile’
“You shouldn’t smile when you don’t mean it” He watched as the other frowned “It’s ugly”
Looking offended Haruka rose from his seat facing Hakuren.
“Smiling so much, when you don’t mean half of it” A dark smirk stretched across his lips “faker”
With righteous rage Haruka approached the other clenching his fingers unto the others shirt. His eye was narrowed and from beneath the cloth that covered his other eye the scar marred unto his skin twisted as the eye narrowed as well, making the gash burn in pain. Staring into dark orb Haruka didn’t need to speak to get his message across.
‘What do you know?’
Sneering Hakuren slapped the others arm away “You’re not the only one who suffers in life” raising a hand to press against his chest Hakuren looked away “Everyone has skeletons in their closets”
Furrowing his eyebrows Haruka slowly backed away head shaking. He didn’t know he couldn’t understand. Looking up their eyes connected once again and he mouthed his words slowly.
Not like mine, I don’t have a closet. I have a graveyard
Pressing his back against the wall, Haruka slid down to the floor with a sigh. Looking up he saw Hakuren sit in front of him with a curious gaze. Haruka was always a mystery to him, he always smiled, and always radiated a happy aura but when no one was looking it was as if his demeanor made a complete turnaround. His smile dropped and his eyes would darken with remembrance. It was frightening sight.
Moving closer Hakuren tapped the others chin to look up to him before speaking.
“Smile for real” He said slowly “Smile like you do when you play” Hakuren’s voice was near whispering as he wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his shoulder unto his knees “You love music don’t you? Smile like you’re in love”
Eyes widening in surprise Haruka stared at the other in surprise. Looking down at his fingers he fiddled with the hems of his jacket before digging his hand into his pocket and taking out his pc.
Handing the device over Hakuren took the small PC with care before reading the message written on it. Eyes narrowing in disbelief his eyes darted back and forth as he read the message over and over feeling sick to his stomach. To feel this way, to live like this… he wanted to cry for him, to scream at him.
‘Why? Why? Why? Why?!’
*I love music so much but it hurts. I love it so much but it makes me jealous, so jealous because it would let others hear it, live with it but it won’t let me, so jealous that I hate it, I hate it enough to make me cry and beg and scream and just want to give up*
His eyes paused from reading. Hakuren felt his insides churn uncomfortably.
*But I can’t because it’s the only thing I live for. It the only reason why I’m still alive. It the only thing keeping my sanity grounded… isn’t that just too pitiful?*
With trembling fingers Hakuren handed the device back and smiled sadly at the blond.
“No, it isn’t pitiful at all”
)+(
Turning towards Noboru Sakura spoke “Sensei, did Haruka-kun do anything to offend you?”
“B-but he, the piano and” stuttering incomprehensively Noboru was still trying to analyze what the situation was implying
“What sensei wants to say was that he interrupted our practice with his piano” Hakuren cut in smoothly
“is that so?” Turning towards Haruka she signed Hakuren’s message and watched as Haruka bowed deeply in apology before signing back
=I deeply apologize= the message was of course translated by Sakura.
“Oh, shoot! Were late for our next class and it’s on the other side of the campus!” turning to Haruka, Sakura tugged on his arm before pointing at her watch. Nodding his head in understanding Haruka turned towards the piano and grabbed his hoodie which was on top of his back pack on the floor after doing so he approached the piano and tapped two keys thrice before pointing to his ears.
‘It’s out of tune sensei’
Straightening he walked towards a confused Sakura and bowed towards the still frozen teacher and the curious Hakuren who had realized what Haruka’s message was. Leaving the room he turned to Sakura s they began running back towards their side of the campus.
=I forgive you by the way=
Back inside the Room Noboru finally broke out of his stupor and faced the piano before turning to the door and back. Slowly he approached the instrument and pressed on the same keys Haruka pressed before gaping further. It was out of tune.
“b- but how did he know?! “ He asked eyes wide as he turned towards Hakuren “He’s deaf!”
Hakuren once again shrugged before turning back to the door to leave that was certainly an interesting meeting.
‘I wonder how many deaf Haruka’s are in this school’ exiting the room a smirk tugged at his lips. Interesting indeed.
-----(+)-----
Haruka entered his apartment tiredly. Reaching his hand up he tugged at the string behind his head and allowed the cloth that covered his eye to drop on the floor carelessly. It was so tiring. Slumping on the couch he draped his hands over his eyes with a quite sigh. He was glad that he had Sakura to help him, he didn’t know how he would survive without her. Thinking back on the day he remembered how the girl had apologized for sounding so cruel and inconsiderate to him. He had forgiven her of course; he wasn’t the kind of person to hold a grudge after all.
Lowering his hands Haruka blinked a few times to adjust his vision in the dark; idly he traced the scar that went from above his eyebrow to the end of his lower eyelid with long callused fingers. He would never forget that day when everything was taken.
Clenching his hands Haruka stood from his seat before entering the bathroom and slowly shedding his clothes. Under the bright fluorescent lights scars stood out from his skin, dancing around his figure in thin lines. His bandages from his recent accident lay forgotten on the floor with his dirty clothing as he entered the shower stall and blasted the hot water full on his body. His lips tightened as the heat burned his scars before his tense shoulders relaxed and he sighed in comfort. Slowly his eyes opened revealing a single blue eye and a misted, silvery green one.
‘With this body full of scars, it really isn’t that hard to judge’
Slowly his back pressed against the wall of the stall before he slid down on the floor eyes unfocused. The water misted around him and his skin was soon turning red from the water.
‘Will there be a day where no one will judge me?’
-----(+)-----
A week passed by and the rumor mill set to work rather quickly. Everywhere they went whispers followed, mutters echoed and eyes narrowed. Haruka was familiar with the treatment but he feared for Sakura, even though the girl had assured him he couldn’t help but worry. But what caught his attention the most was the mention of someone searching for him.
‘Who would look for me?’
Though it was clear that he was avoided by most he took everything in stride. He had a plan after all and he couldn’t mess up. As lunch break came nearer he excused himself from Sakura before leaving the other in the cafeteria. Now Haruka stood, his back rigid as he held an envelope in his hands. He faced the door with determined eyes before knocking and entering the room. Bowing his head towards the secretary he smiled before continuing on to the Dean’s office not noticing the other calling him back.
Taking a deep breath Haruka entered the room and froze. A blush blossomed on his face as three pairs of eyes locked unto his form. Smiling somewhat nervously he recognized the man as the one who caught him playing the piano in the music department a week ago. Tightening his hold he felt the paper crinkle in his hands and straightened before walking pass the gaping man and bored looking boy before bowing his head to the dean and laying the envelope on her desk.
Raising an eyebrow Suikana took the envelope before opening it and reading the letter inside. Her eyebrows rose further as she read until finally a shocked gasp escaped her lips before she lowered the letter to stare at the boy before her.
“Are you serious?!”
Haruka nodded her head
“You’re deaf! You can’t possibly transfer into the music department!” Staring at the boy Suikana continued “You got into this school through an art scholarship! Not a music one, applications are long overdue”
Gripping his hands tighter Haruka grabbed his pocket PC before handing it over to the Dean.
*I know that! I read the rules before I came, this wasn’t some impulsive decision Suikana-Sensei, please give me a chance!*
“Sui-chan, why don’t you hear the boy out ne?” The graying man asked
“Noboru-sensei!”
Looking to the side Haruka’s blue eye settled unto the others form.
“Do you remember me boy?”
Nodding his head Haruka smiled politely before bowing.
“Noboru! You can’t be serious?” Suikana asked incredulously
“Oh, but I am” Noboru laughed patting a confused Haruka’s head “I am the music departments dean after all I call the shots no?”
“Che, just say that he tickled your interest Noboru-sensei” Hakuren commented off the side
Between them Haruka looked about confused before settling his eye on Noboru finally
“You want in on the music department right?”
Haruka nodded, of course. That was why he was here
“I’ll let you try out”
Haruka smiled widely at that
“b~ut there’s a catch” Noboru grinned.
-----(+)-----
If anyone were to enter the room they were in, they would stumble upon a pretty amusing sight. Hakuren sat with his legs crossed back straight staring into a single blue eye. While Haruka nervously fidgeted on the piano bench, his long hair braided and placed over his shoulder and for the hundredth time he had to ask, how did things come to this?
There had to be a catch of course, Haruka just didn’t quite expect this. Staring into the others dark eyes he fidgeted a bit more before silently handing over his pocket PC. Raising an eyebrow Hakuren took the device and read the message.
*I’m sorry you got dragged into this*
Looking back at the other he returned the device and shrugged. “One way or another Noboru-sensei would have found a way to get to you. He’s been looking for you for a while” a smirk spread across his lips as leaned forward, his chin resting unto an open palm “We didn’t expect you to be in the art department, you play quite well”
Blushing at the complement he grinned at the other boy before quickly typing *You say too much, I’m not that good but still though this must be a bother to you*
“Not at all shall we practice?”
Nodding his head Haruka smiled.
)+(
“B~ut there’s a catch” Noboru grinned “In five day you have to perform three pieces of my choice in front of the entire board of directors and the whole student body of the Music department!”
Haruka’s eyes widened
“Not only that but you would be playing with a violinist of my choice” Grinning further Noboru tilted his head towards the other boy “Meet Junichi, Hakuren your violinist”
“What?!”
)+(
Three days after the decision was made, Haruka and Hakuren practiced relentlessly. It was a wonder how they got along, unlike with Sakura every little thing he did seem to aggravate the other. As Haruka was cheerful, Hakuren was introverted. As Haruka smiled constantly, Hakuren scowled. Sakura commented that they reminded her of the sun and the moon and quite frankly Hakuren had to agree.
Regardless though they managed to work together, it was as if their play style was made for each other. They had had a difficult start as Haruka had to reorient himself with the musical pieces. Hakuren though as annoyed as he was had to admire the other boys spirit. He had watched him as he slaved away carefully feeling the notes that made the song and slowly but surely began to master each piece. It was so astonishing that he nearly forgot that that the boy was deaf.
‘How can this be possible?’
Hakuren once again stood off the side watching as Haruka played, swaying, fingers moving. Gently, harshly, softly, loudly, mellow, fast. He played like the sea crashing in waves and breathtakingly beautiful. It didn’t take a genius to know that Haruka was a genius, someone blessed with talent. A virtuoso. And it didn’t take a maestro to know that he favored tension filled songs, either fast or sad. His face portrayed a sort of pain that he had only seen on men who’d gone to war. People, who had lived and seen too much.
‘Why do you play like that?’
With observant eyes he watched as the other slowed to a stop. Haruka hands were still pressed against the key board as he panted, sweat glistening across his face before turning to him and smiling.
‘What a fake smile’
“You shouldn’t smile when you don’t mean it” He watched as the other frowned “It’s ugly”
Looking offended Haruka rose from his seat facing Hakuren.
“Smiling so much, when you don’t mean half of it” A dark smirk stretched across his lips “faker”
With righteous rage Haruka approached the other clenching his fingers unto the others shirt. His eye was narrowed and from beneath the cloth that covered his other eye the scar marred unto his skin twisted as the eye narrowed as well, making the gash burn in pain. Staring into dark orb Haruka didn’t need to speak to get his message across.
‘What do you know?’
Sneering Hakuren slapped the others arm away “You’re not the only one who suffers in life” raising a hand to press against his chest Hakuren looked away “Everyone has skeletons in their closets”
Furrowing his eyebrows Haruka slowly backed away head shaking. He didn’t know he couldn’t understand. Looking up their eyes connected once again and he mouthed his words slowly.
Not like mine, I don’t have a closet. I have a graveyard
Pressing his back against the wall, Haruka slid down to the floor with a sigh. Looking up he saw Hakuren sit in front of him with a curious gaze. Haruka was always a mystery to him, he always smiled, and always radiated a happy aura but when no one was looking it was as if his demeanor made a complete turnaround. His smile dropped and his eyes would darken with remembrance. It was frightening sight.
Moving closer Hakuren tapped the others chin to look up to him before speaking.
“Smile for real” He said slowly “Smile like you do when you play” Hakuren’s voice was near whispering as he wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his shoulder unto his knees “You love music don’t you? Smile like you’re in love”
Eyes widening in surprise Haruka stared at the other in surprise. Looking down at his fingers he fiddled with the hems of his jacket before digging his hand into his pocket and taking out his pc.
Handing the device over Hakuren took the small PC with care before reading the message written on it. Eyes narrowing in disbelief his eyes darted back and forth as he read the message over and over feeling sick to his stomach. To feel this way, to live like this… he wanted to cry for him, to scream at him.
‘Why? Why? Why? Why?!’
*I love music so much but it hurts. I love it so much but it makes me jealous, so jealous because it would let others hear it, live with it but it won’t let me, so jealous that I hate it, I hate it enough to make me cry and beg and scream and just want to give up*
His eyes paused from reading. Hakuren felt his insides churn uncomfortably.
*But I can’t because it’s the only thing I live for. It the only reason why I’m still alive. It the only thing keeping my sanity grounded… isn’t that just too pitiful?*
With trembling fingers Hakuren handed the device back and smiled sadly at the blond.
“No, it isn’t pitiful at all”
)+(