The Shadow and the Angel

Chapter 3:

It was 6:30 p.m., half an hour before Yurika’s big recital, and for some reason she felt a little uneasy as she sat in the back stage area. Most of her friends said they would be there to cheer her on but ever since she was involved with her brother during the incident several weeks ago, she felt like she doesn’t deserve their friendship, “They all say that they are my friends,” she thought. “But are they just saying that?”

“Why do you have such a guilty look on your face? You sup supposed to have a big smile since you are going to do what you love to do.” said a familiar voice. Yurika looked up to see her friendly musical rival from Taiyo High, Sizune Kujou. (More info on her @ The Rival Schools Network site.)

“Oh, konichiwa Siznue-chan.” Yurika spoke softly. “I just…well…”

“Lemme guess, that incident is still hovering over your head like a dark cloud, huh?” Sizune asked for she has seen her like this for days.

Yurika slowly nodded.

“Look Yurika,” Sizune started as she put her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “That was weeks ago. I’ve forgiven you and so have Zaki, Arika, and everyone else. You are strong and you proved that when you stood up to your brother. It’s time to start anew and get on with your life.”

Yurika was touched by her friend’s concern. “Arigatou, Siznue-chan, you made me feel a whole lot better.” She said as they hugged. “You are a good friend.”

“You better get ready, Yurika, it is almost time.” Siznue said as she handed her violin and bow. “Oh and by the way, there is someone from my school who wants to see you after the recital.”

“Who,” Yurika asked.

“You’ll find out, good luck.” That was Siznue’s last words before she left Yurika to ponder whom she was talking about. Was it Batsu Ichimonji, Hinata Wakaba, Ran Hibiki, Chairperson Incihyo, or…?

“(GASP) …or Kyosuke Kagami (Imawano)!!” she said aloud that made her heart skip a beat. If it were him, what would he say to her? She felt partially responsible for Hyo Imawano’s death and his brother could be here to confront her. “Will he forgive me or…”

“Miss Kirishima,” spoke a stagehand, which broke Yurika’s thoughts. “Your up.”

“Um, yes, coming,” she said softly as she slowly walked to the stage.

As Yurika made her way towards the middle of the stage, applause and her musical schoolmates greeted her. She sat down on the on the stool to signal the other musicians to get ready. She was all set, but before she played the first note, she noticed something at the corner of her eye, Kyosuke Kagami sitting in the audience smiling…. “*Nani!? Smiling? Why is he smiling?” (In case you didn’t know, Nani in Japanese means “What?”)

* * * * *
After a grand performance, Yurika and the other musicians got a standing ovation. And as she took her graceful bows and stood on the stage looking out at all the people who where standing and applauding she saw Kyosuke standing applauding as well, which put a lot of question marks over her head.

At least five minuets later after the recital, Yurika walked through the empty auditorium that was once full of applauding people nervously waiting for Kyosuke. “What am I going to say to him,” she thought, “or…what is he going to say to me?” Her mind was going ninety to nothing as millions of questions ran through her head. She then sat down in one of the empty auditorium seats because of being too nervous to stand.

“You seem nervous, something wrong?” Spoke a comforting male voice.

Caught off guard, Yurika shot up. Kyosuke was in his usual outfit holding something his hand that Yurika never noticed yet. “No, I’m fine, I am just…well…I thought that you came here because…I just wanted to say…”

“Humph, I thought I told Siznue-chan not to tell you.” Kyosuke said as he adjusted his glasses. “I’ll deal with her later. And you have nothing to apologize for, it’s all in the past now.”

Yurika sighed in relief. “In fact, that wasn’t the reason why I’m here.” He continued.

Yurika gave a questioning look as he continued.

“These are for you” spoke Kyosuke as he handed her a dozen of beautiful red and white roses. Yurika’s cheeks turned pink as she took them. “This is my way to say thank you.”

Yurika sniffed the sweet smell oe roe roses before speaking. “Th-Thank me? What for?”

“Ever since my brother died in my arms, I have been extremely depressed and disoriented. I could hardly eat, sleep, or even go to school or anywhere for that matter. Just today I took a stroll around the park to get my mind off things and then, I heard a soothing song played by violin, yours.”

He looked in her eyes as he continued to speak sincerely.

“I followed the sound and I saw you practicing by the fountain. At first I remembered you as Kurow’s sister, but as you continued playing, I saw the person that you really were, an angel. So I had to get to know the angel who music soothed my pain.”

“I…I…” Yurika’s entire face turned a bright pink. Her heart was pounding. She was completely speechless. All she can do is feel the emotions that she thought she buried as she looked deep into his eyes. Could it be pole tle that she is falling for Kyosuke?

Then out of the blue, a female janitor in a Seijyun uniform cleared her throat, causing the two to jump out of surprise. “I don’t mean to disturb, but it is 9:00 and I ha joa job to do.” She said with a witty smile.

“Sorry,” they both said at the same time then looked at each other and laughed nervously.

“Look, maybe we can meet each other again like say…at Ziggy Amusement Park after school?” Kyosuke offered.

Yurika’s eyes widened, Yurika loved going to the amusement park. “Y-yes, okay!” she said softly.

“Then it’s a date.” He said giving a warm smile and she smiled back. “It’s late would you like me to escort you to your dorm?” He asked extending his arm.

“Okay” she said bashfully as she took his arm and they both walked toward the exit passing the female janitor.

“Ahh, young love…” the janitor said with a quick laugh as she got started cleaning the auditorium.