Chapter 71

There is still more than half an hour before the time I go to the middle school division to meet Kei. I didn't continue my meditation after Chika came and just spending my time playing a smartphone game.

Suddenly a notification popped up when I played a smartphone game. Kaguya just texted me asking if I can meet her in the music room. Without any need to think I answered with 'Ou, I'm going right now'

At this time, only a few students can be seen in the school area. The only students left were those who didn't have any plan on confessing on Valentine's Day or those who still attended their club even on Valentine's Day. They're most likely in the library or their own club room.

When I arrived at the music room and opened the door, Kaguya was sitting in front of the Piano with a calm but reddened face. The red ribbon I gave her was placed neatly above the Piano. Kaguya right now was just like the Kaguya I met for the first time. The only difference was the slightly reddened cheek that can't be hidden.

"Did you wait long?" I asked.

"Don't worry, I didn't. In fact, you came faster than I expected." Kaguya calmly answered.

"You didn't wear that ribbon?" I curiously asked.

"Because if I wear it, I won't be able to do this calmly. At any rate, do you remember the song you performed when we first meet?" Kaguya explained then asked.

"Of course, it was Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 right?" I instantly answered.

"Yes. After that day, I trained myself to perform this piece. But never even once the melody I made sounds harmonious and lovely as you did. I always asked myself, what is that I lack. We should have played the same song, the same part, and the same melody.

Why our melody was different? I'm not as good as you or Fujiwara-san in Piano. But only this song I want to perform as you did. Because for me it symbolizes our first meeting.

It was until recently I realized what I lack. This will be the first time I'm going to perform the song with something that I just found. Can you hear it?" Kaguya said then asked with a smile.

"Of course, please let me hear it too," I answered with a gentle smile then I sit in front of the Piano beside Kaguya.

(A/N: Insert BGM: Nocturne in E Flat Major Op. 9 No. 2)

Kaguya nodded with a smile then take a deep breath concentrating before performing. Key by key she touched, melodious sounds started coming from the piano.

The melody that she performed caused me to see an illusion. It was the night in a Ryokan's grand piano room. In there, a girl who was excited because she just meets someone, a boy she idolizes but she can't act too excited because of her position.

The girl looking at the boy who performed a song for her to hear with a joyous feeling in her chest. Unconsciously the girl smiled and slightly teared up because the song made her remember about something.

The song the boy performed was more beautiful than the girl expected. At that moment, she promises to herself that she will perform this piece for the boy to tell the boy how grateful she was. The boy's performance was like the light in her bleak and gray world.

After that, they became a friend. The grateful feeling she had for the boy changed. The boy comes to be one of the most important people in her life. Then she decided, she will play the piece but this time to show how important the boy was for her.

Without any need to ask, it was the memory of Kaguya. Even if other people hear her performance right now, it won't be that different from other people's performance. Because she only intends to perform this for one person, which is me.

I closed my eyes and smiled. I am happy knowing how important I was to Kaguya. But I know, she won't be saying anything after this. That's why she chooses to perform a song.

"How was my performance?" Kaguya asked with a smile.

"Beautiful. But I guess other than me, people won't understand its beautifulness." I answered with a gentle smile.

"It's fine. That's the purpose after all. Anyway, here is for you, Izumi." Kaguya said with a smile then giving me a box of chocolate.

"Thank you, Kaguya. Don't you have something to say?" I said.

"....Yes. Can you put this ribbon for me?" Kaguya looked at me affectionately and said after thinking for a bit.

"....Can't be helped then." I receive the ribbon from her hand and went behind her. I gently lift her hair and tied it with the red ribbon.

"Izumi..." Kaguya said while I tied the ribbon.

"Yes?" I smilingly answered.

"Happy Valentine's Day..." Kaguya said. I can't see her expression, but I'm sure she is smiling.

"Happy Valentine's Day too, Kaguya."

After that Kaguya excuse herself with her cheek reddened. Looking at her back, I said, "How cute" with a gentle smile.

---

In the empty hallway of the middle-school division, I leisurely walk to the rooftop. Needless to say, no students can be seen at this time. There is also only one presence in the rooftop which most likely Kei.

I opened the door and the wind blowing gently making the atmosphere was quite romantic. Even though it was still winter, this year the snow didn't fall. But the wind still cold for a normal human.

In front of me, Kei was there wearing a black scarf and white winter coat while looking at the school ground with her silver hair fluttered by the wind. She knew I've arrived, but she keeps looking at the school ground while seemingly thinking about something.

I take off my coat as the wind didn't make me cold and approach her. As I arrived, I gently covered her with my coat.

"It must be cold staying her for some time." I worriedly said.

"Hehe, I'm wearing a scarf and glove for that reason," Kei answered with a smile while showing her hands.

"*Sigh* Okay, at least use my coat to warm your body," I said.

"Nn! I can still feel your warm in the coat, senpai." Kei closed her eyes while adorably clutching my coat.

"You know, if it's snowing, I might mistake you as a winter fairy with your beautiful silver hair fluttering by the wind," I said with a teasing smile.

"Stop teasing me senpai!" Kei said with a pout and slightly reddened cheek.

"Haha, my bad. It's true, though." I laughingly said.

"A-anyway, senpai. I want to ask something." Kei said with a serious yet sad expression.

"What is it?" I said.

"Do you think the feeling of love can wither like the trees in autumn?" Kei looked back at the school ground and asked.

"Why did you ask something like that?" I asked back with a thoughtful expression.

"Today's atmosphere made me remember something about my mom. When my mom leaves us, she said, 'It's not that I hate your father. It's just that... love doesn't last forever.' Kei said with a sorrowful expression.

"Shakespeare said, 'Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come: Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks. But bears it out even to the edge of doom'

Even though many people arguments about what Shakespeare means by this metaphor. For me, it simply means love didn't change because of time. It might be childish to believe eternal love might exist, but why can't we believe so?

I think love is a wonderful thing. It connected people who never dreamed of them will be with their partner before together. At least I think so.

That's why I think your mom might be mistaken about what is love or there is a reason why your mom said something like that." I caressed her head and explained.

The answer comes unconsciously from my deep consciousness. But as far I remember there isn't any memory about love from my previous life. So, where is the answer came from is still a mystery for me. But I know one thing, this is what I believe.

"...That was very like you, senpai." Kei widened her eyes then said with a dazzling smile.

"Well, what can I say, this is me." I shrugged and said.

"Come to think of it. My mom still has not divorced my dad all this time," Kei said after thinking for a bit.

"More reason to believe there must be a reason for that," I said.

"I don't know what my mom thinks and I only know that she always has high expectations for others. But, I believe in you more than that, senpai. So, whatever the results are please be prepared to take responsibility." Kei said with a teasing smile.

"I guess can't be helped. I will take responsibility and marry you." I answered with a teasing smile.

"Uuu...T-that's not what I mean!" Kei gently hit my shoulder and said with a reddened cheek and smoke coming out from her face.

"But I will accept that too...." Kei lowered her head and added with a low voice.

"Hee...." I looked at Kei with a smirk.

"A-anyway, here for you senpai!" Kei looked her head embarrassedly then gave me a box of chocolate.

"Thank you..." I said with a charming smile.

"..." Kei looked away blushingly.

"Kei..." I said.

"...What is it?" Kei looked at me wonderingly and said.

"Happy valentine's day..." I said with a gentle smile.

"Nn! Happy valentine's day, Senpai." Kei said with a sweet smile.