Sometimes, I wish I could erase my mother from my life. She had taught me the piano with her heart and soul, in a very harsh way. I did anything to make her happy, no matter what she did to me. Then it got to the point where people in the audience could see what type of relationship we had and began to protest.

She doesn't even let him be a kid, does he ever get to play with friends?

Look at him, he's bashed up and all he does is practice the piano.

She's turned him into the human metronome, a dull machine with no soul.

Authorities started to investigate and she was eventually put into a mental asylum, and she is still there today. I visit every so often, I dread it every time. Her condition hasn't improved one bit from when she first got ill, doctors aren't sure what to do. So for the time being, she will stay there. I live with my Dad, though he is always away for business trips so we don't see each other much. I'm glad for this, I appreciate the time I have alone, and Tsubaki is right next door so it's not much of a problem. It's a little sad that I'm lonesome most of the time, I used to so much fun when Hiroki was alive. But ever since the accident, he is with me no more. Snapshots of his life flash in front of me, his beautiful violin, him and I playing symphonies together and his infectious smile. You could say that I was the older one, he was mentally a two year old.

My mind is racing as I near my house, I had to get out of there before I actually had a breakdown. Tears of shock sting in my eyes. This Kaori girl is nuts, she's obsessed with food and absolutely has the spawn of devil within her. So much for the magical person before, my whole perception of her has changed. Then again, she was still very pretty. It's a shame she likes Watari, he won't be able to handle her. Reaching my front door, I hastily turn the key in the lock, stride in and slam it behind me. I'm desperately hoping that they haven't followed me, I can't deal with this right now.

I've hated the piano ever since my mum was put into that place. At first, I had felt relief, I was free of it and never had to play again. Years passed by, and I never had any regrets. It was only recently that I've had a sudden longing for it. I hate and love creating music at the same time. I hate it because of my mum, I can't hear the notes anymore and it brings back too many memories. However, I do love it because it gives me life and makes me who I am. Playing the piano gives meaning to my existence. Back in that cafe, it started off well, I thought it was going to work, but then I delved into the whirlpool of blackness and the sound left me. I was spiralling within it, to the murky depths of the ocean floor, where nothing can be seen or heard. I was paralysed.

This has happened to me since I have started to play the piano since that day, when my mother was taken away. I had a competition that day and she was supposed to watch me, it was the pinnacle of my piano career. I felt unprotected and scared without her, halfway through my performance I couldn't take it anymore and burst into tears, screaming internally. The only thing that kept me going had vanished.

I rush through the hallway and dive into my room. After closing the curtains, I lie on my bed. Nothing wrong with having an early night. My phone buzzes like crazy and after a while, I pick it up.

To: Kousei
From: Tsubaki

Hey that was going great before you stopped! Why did you run off? Is something wrong? (4:49pm)

Where are you? We are still here if you want to come back. (5:12pm)

Missed calls
Tsubaki (2)
Watari (4)
Unknown number (1)

To: Kousei
From: Watari

Looks like you aren't coming back huh. Kaori is adorable don't cha think? (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵) Anyways, call if you want a chat buddy. (5:31pm)

Everyone is so worried, I didn't realise they cared so much. I text Tsubaki.

I'm at home, don't worry I'm okay just need some me time. (5:40pm)

She'd better be satisfied with that, I place my phone on the table and close my eyes. Almost instantly, my phone vibrates.

Ok good! I'm at your front door so let me in! (5:41pm)

Oh wow, didn't she read my text?! But she is my closest friend, so I walk up to the door and let her in.
"You dummy! Why did you do that? Not just us, but everyone in that cafe was wondering what happened! You caused a scene you silly person!" She's outraged, shouldn't I be angry? They're they ones who dragged me there.
"Can we take this inside please? I don't want the whole street to hear your antics", I plead in fear. Still irritated, she takes her shoes off and plods in. I quietly shut the door and prepare myself to explain. I ponder my brain to figure out what she could be thinking right now. She has never seen me like that before. We sit at the couch in my lounge room and she looks at me dead straight in the eyes.
"What's happened to you Kousei? Where is the guy I used to know?"

♪........