I'm worrying my head off. The musical performances were magical in that theatre and Kaori nailed it. Her notes totally should have won. But I do think this has gone too far with Kousei. I really do want to help Kousei, I really do, but if this happens to him whenever he hears or is even reminded of music, a friend couldn't let that happen. I watch as Kaori cries into the soft, white hospital doona. I really can't be sure if music is good for his wellbeing if this happens to him on a regular basis. Baseball is great..... maybe he should do sports? I walk up to the bed, feeling a little hesitant because it's such an intimate moment between Kousei and Kaori. I have a hard time trying to get words out. Seeing them together, even like this, it's heartbreaking.

Kousei is slowly becoming distant from me, we've been friends forever and I'm a little jealous of how Kaori has so easily awakened him, even just a little bit.
"Kousei....", my mouth moves. "You.... need to tell us if the music is too much for you", I look down at the doona asking myself how this happened. It's Kaori who wants Kousei to have a good time in the musical world. To remind him that it's okay to face your fears and look into his past a little. I only helped with that, I can't play the violin. The music comes from the person who plays it. Kaori has a beautiful way of making her music come from her heart, from within. Her music spreads outwards.
"You're funny Tsubaki", Kousei's voice cracks and he smiles.
"And WHY are you smiling?" I'm getting ready to raise my fist now. He can't smirk while in that bed... it's too...sickening.
"I only fainted, that's all", his eyes swerve to the left, avoiding the question.
I can tell that something else is not right, but I don't want to force anything on him.

After seeing Kousei, the three of us, that is, Kaori, Watari and I, walk through the botanical gardens close to the hospital in silence. Kaori's not bothered about the awards ceremony although, I see her violin case bumping next to her side and I feel a touch of regret. Watching her play like that, how could someone put so much effort into music and not want anything out of it? The sky is a rich pink and orange sunset and birds move in spheres as they migrate across it. Ironic for how the day turned out. I can sense Watari feel a little down too. His face is blank, not as smiley as I've known him. We sit at a park bench and Watari takes put his phone. Uh, hello?

"I only wanted him to feel the music and.... I don't know, think of playing again?" Kaori suddenly speaks. The tears on her face have dried now. The nurse was a little annoyed that she had left pusheen-cat printed tissue packets all over Kousei's hospital bed.
"You did?" Watari looks at her with a HUH? face. He's hurt, I mean we did go along with the idea that Kaori liked him.
"Well....." Kaori desperately wants to say something else.
"You can say it Kaori", I try to look comforting for her, while I'm bursting inside.

The wood of the bench is sticking to my legs. I'm so tense. I partly feel it's my fault that Kousei ended up in hospital, I was part of this idea. He did only faint but still, he's unbelievably fragile. A delicate lotus flower that only needs to bloom and show his true personality. With his life and his past music.
"I actually wanted him to be inspired by me. His music, inspired my love for music, and I-", her hands are trembling, "I wanted to give that inspiration back to him", she starts to smile at the thought.

This could still work.

"That's it!" I pump my fist in the air. Watari shakes his head and Kaori looks a little concerned but laughs anyway. "I think this is a good idea you guys".

This has to work.

Watari puts his phone in his blue rustic jean pocket and the bundle of keychains clutter over the end of it.
"What is this great idea Tsubaki?" he asks a little too enthusiastically. I look at Kaori's dull blue eyes then back at Watari's caramel brown ones.

It will.

"If the oh so famous Arima Kousei can't be inspired by the music", I take a breath in. "We will teach him to play again!" I jump off the park bench and wave my arms around like a maniac. Tsubaki and Watari are looking back at me AS IF I'm a maniac but then Kaori's eyes sparkle in the sunset.
"I don't know how but.... that's a great idea Tsubaki! Way to GOOOO!" We high five and I don't feel so bad anymore that Kousei and Kaori are meant to be together. Because if that's how Kousei can get better, so be it.

♪........