The sun was brimming into the room, and Aiko got awakened by the sun rays penetrating her window. "Ah, it's the weekend and the strong sunlight went to wake me up and such," Aiko grumbled, before she took the alarm clock beside her to look. "Maybe I should wash up and practice my piano in school,"

She dressed herself up with a pair of denim skirt and a collar white t-shirt. She tied her hair and grabbed her schoolbag before heading off to school.

When she reached the school compound, it was quite quiet. Of course, it's the weekends. She walked in, and went to the piano room, before she slowly placed her fingers onto the keys and started practicing.

All this reminded her of her past that she left behind in her own country, to come to Tokyo, to realize her dream.

"I can't believe you're leaving me here to go over there to make your whatever dream come true!"
"Believe me! I'll be back! Wait for me, please," 
All he did was gritting his teeth. 

"Ah, you're the transfer student the other time," a voice was heard, and Aiko immediately stopped playing and turned behind to look at the person. "You're.. Takaki Yuya if I'm not wrong?" she answered, trying her best to remember. The person nodded his head, and smiled. "Nice to meet you, you're... Sugihara Aiko? or Takasugi Riko?" he asked.

She smiled, and stood up, before introducing herself once again.

"Sugihara Aiko, nice to meet you, Takaki-san,"

"Me too,"


"Oh, so you came Tokyo to take part in the Tokyo Auditions," Takaki said, as he nodded his head, before he went over to the side to pour himself a cup of tea. "Do you want one?" Takaki asked. "Sure,"

"And? You haven't find your second duet person?" Takaki mentioned. Aiko just nodded her head. "If this continues, I don't know what or how am I going to take part in it. The next one would be two years from now. I can't afford to stay in Tokyo that long! I have someone... waiting for me," she mentioned, as she took the tea over from Takaki as he walked over to her.

"How about Chinen?" Takaki mentioned. Aiko looked at him with widened eyes, before she looked away. "Impossible. He'll never duet with anyone,"

"Why you say so? If you really want Chinen to be your partner, I don't mind helping you to convince him. But first, you'll need to approach him yourself first," Takaki smirked, as he looked at the girl.

"Bu..."

"No more but, just do it. I'm sure you and Chinen will make great partners!" Takaki said, before he stood up, patted onto her shoulders, and left the room, leaving a stunned girl inside, who pondered over the matter for nearly an hour.


"So... you think you should ask him?" Riko commented as she took the cookie from the bowl and munched onto it. "I'm not sure, should i? But if I do, how about your piano..." Aiko mumbled. "That'll be you, not him!" Riko said, smiling.

"EH!??"

"I think we have better chemistry compared to me and him anyway. Plus the fact, I'm not interested in that super cool guy. He's too cool for me," Riko said before she placed her legs onto the ledge of her sofa and started to swing it.

"Go, I'll support you!" Riko said, giving a thumb-up sign.


Aiko was born been the type of girl that will not initiate to talk unless it's necessary. She's the soft-spoken girl. Knowing that he will be practicing his piano inside the room, she went there during lunch break. Riko was smart enough not to follow.

Standing outside the room door, she looked at him as he played the piano, each key carefully pressed down. She looked at his way of playing, and a spasm of sorrow took over her.

Knocking onto the door, she let herself in and sat on one of the seats available.

Fifteen minutes later, his piece stopped, and he cracked his fingers, before his voice was heard. "What?" he asked. The girl looked at him, and hesitated before she spoke.

"W...Would you like to duet with me for the Tokyo Auditions Instrumental!?"

"No,"

Aiko's shoulder dropped down, before she sighed. "I knew it,"

"That competition, is nothing but a ridicule. I suggest you stop dreaming big and get on  to reality,"

Aiko looked at him, before she feel slightly angry. She walked over, before she point a finger at his face. "Look here, you've taken part in the competition before, so you don't go saying it's a ridicule. To us, people who really loves music, it's not a ridicule!"

Chinen sneered, before he shake his head. "Only stupid people do that,"

"What?! People are not as lucky as you to be born on this area! I came all the way here to take part in this competition! I gave up my everything to come here!" Aiko screamed, her tears at the tip of her eye.

"That's why I---" before Chinen could speak, Aiko slammed herself beside him, and placed her fingers onto the piano keys.

Slowly, she pressed it down, and the music notes started to flow out harmonically.

'Wh...What is this feeling? This.. pain and agony I can feel?' Chinen thought.