A Musical Disruption

[Yukimotou Takumi]

Date: 10th May 2003
Time: 14:00

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Takumi's fingers appeared to be gently stroking the strings of his Fender Stratocaster as he played one of his simple and intricate opening riffs. The song was named 'Solitaire', and the tone it set was one of dampened hope, disappointment; generally everything he felt on a daily basis without really paying much attention to actually feeling those emotions.

Today was the final preparation day for the Founders Festival, and if Takumi bothered to look out of the window he'd see many students rushing around in the afternoon sun, desperate to make their booths better than the one next door, or simply just making the stalls outside look their best. Of course, Takumi wasn't interested much in the Founders Festival. He wasn't interested much in the preparations for it either. He'd been asked to help out with the booth ideas for his class, but his only response was to walk out without giving an answer.

He let out a soft sigh and removed his hand from the neck, releasing the strings from his grip and letting the guitar hum. The sound of the released strings was like a purring to him, his guitar comparable to a cat in his eyes; he loved it as much as he'd loved any animal, that much was certain. His eyes looked momentarily at the window - not at the people outside, just at the window itself. The weather looked good. Warm. Some small part of him wanted to be out there helping, or maybe just relaxing.

But of course there was the depression again, snapping him back in his place. What's the use of enjoying things alone? It won't bring him back... His fingers returned to the fretboard, and Takumi was back in his element once more. With his eyes closed, the teenager began to hum along to the chords he played. B minor, G Major, A Minor. After two bars his humming became muttering, although the pitching was near perfect despite the words being incoherent.

He was trying to remember the lyrics he'd written for this song before, but as usual he'd forgotten them. In his eyes this was probably for the best; if he'd forgotten the lyrics then it meant they weren't catchy and hooky enough to use. In the end he simply shrugged it off and sung slightly clearer - although not so much as to drown out the guitar - deciding that improvising lyrics and vocals over the top was the best way to go about writing the song again.

"Walk down the busy streets,
There's nothing for you.
Once told to cover your feet,
your memories are soiled too..."

The footsteps patted against the ground as the students rushed to get supplies ready for their booths for the grand Founder's Festival. The hustle and the bustle of individuals and the clatter of supplies echoed throughout the ears as they rushed to get their supplies in orderly fashion. The sunset gleam was not paid any mind to as the main day was the next after now. Others wanted to conclude everything so they may return home and others were instructing to make sure their planned festivities for the citizens of Hikarizaka would enjoy what was planned for them in store. The weather would be perfect as foretold and the sun would shine upon them and the day would be warm. Others paid no heed to the hums of the guitar that was singing its song by the gentle fingers of the master at work.

Kazue was carrying a box of medium proportions with decorative equipment for their attraction for the Founder's Festival. Blond locks shook slightly as she halted in her place and heard the strum of the music. The music made her ears twitch slightly as her curiosity began rising up into a level that was replacing her boredom. Her attention began drifting away from her current activity and she looked out the window to directly see what seemed like a young man playing the tune that she was hearing. Her light blue irises widened slightly as she listened to the music and heard this stranger brush his fingers against the lines that stretched across the guitar. She hadn't heard music being played like this. Soon enough she had found herself in the doorway that led to outside of the courtyard and the young and silent girl stood there with the box in her hands listening to the tune that graced her ears.

Her eyes scanned his features. His dirty blond locks covered his eyes that would not reveal their color. His figure seemed much bigger than hers and if one were to compare the two she would seem like a child in a sense. Kazue took steps slowly towards the area he sat upon as the trees swayed back and forth with their leaves. They danced in unison as the soft wind provided a soft stroke of their touch against the plants of life. Kazue then just stood next to him as she held the box filled with the supplies. It provided no trouble for her as the weight did not matter since it provided not a stroke of her strength as inside was only decorative material.

"A lonely song."

She broke the tune as the stranger's voice was muttered and low.

[Yukimotou Takumi]

His lyrics bore portrayed the story of a lonely man, one whose life had changed entirely - not unlike his own had. The more he sung, the more Takumi began to get an image within his head. A lonely, homeless man, walking down his old street. Nothing greeted him. Nothing smiled at him. All he was met by were children rushing past or rushing away from him, paying no heed. Grit kicked up from a breeze and into his eyes, blinding him and agonising him. But no-one helped.

"Solitaire! Solitaire!
There's no-one there.
Solitaire! Solitaire!
There's nothing there for you..."

The image in his mind began to scare something deep inside of him. Right now he didn't know what it was, but it caused him to stutter momentarily with his playing; he never made mistakes, so he'd kick himself for that later. He allowed his throat to rest as he then stamped on his distortion pedal and let the guitar squeal for a second. He then commenced with the solo he'd written specifically for the song - completely unaware that he now had a spectator floating in the doorway. The solo was a blend of the vocal tones he'd used and a few notes from the same scale, creating a smooth, haunting feeling that sent chills down his spine. He then stamped on the pedal again, ending the distorted tone, returned to playing chords and-

"A lonely song."

The voice, although gentle, cut through the room and into his ears like a knife. Someone had entered, and he hadn't even noticed. He stopped playing instantly and wheeled his head around to see who it was. He jumped to his feet as he realised that the culprit had been stood dirrectly next to him. He took a quick, sharp breath as he looked at the intruder;

It was a girl, although he'd expected that from the tenderness of the voice he'd heard. She was short, standing at maybe his chest-height at most, and her body itself was rather slim. Her blonde hair didn't quite frame her face perfectly, but then again there was a charm about it that Takumi couldn't place - or maybe he didn't want to, even he didn't know - with the tips at the front ending in pigtails. Her eyes were next to be noticed. A set of small, clear blue eyes showed signs of a quiet girl; that explained the few words she had spoken, and why she'd been abe to sneak in without being noticed. They also showed signs of youth, which was confirmed by the green badge on her chest showing she was a first year.

Takumi walked over to the wall and leaned against it, twiddling around with the strings to create trilling sounds as he took in the sight before him. [color=crimsonA sorry sight...she came in here because she was bored

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"Yeah...lonely..." His tone was dullset and as lifeless as always, and it was clear he'd rather focus on his guitar than this girl. But as much as he disliked her rude approach and introduction, she had obviously come in here for a reason. "...what do you want?"

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Kazue only stood there her feet glued to the ground as she watched this stranger move in the surprised motion that she released out of him. The young girl wasn't going to lie to herself. It startled her as well, her heart skipping a beat or two as she stiffened her body and her eyes squinted slightly to show that she was ready if the strange young man before her tried anything. Although she only sighed through her nose when Takumi relaxed himself. His dirty blond locks gently swayed side to side as his composure seemed rather tall. Takumi seemed to tower over Kazue and the young girl would have to look up at him to get a full grasp of what he was feeling or seeing. Crystallesque gray-blue eyes seemed to stare right through her as she was scanning Takumi and he seemed to be scanning her. A third year badge was graced upon his uniform and the guitar he held with everlasting care. Kazue didn't want to make a conclusion right away so she created a hypothesis and if it was necessary at all she would deem to change it.

He seemed to be a dedicated musician and the music that had so gracefully ringed through her ear drums. The way his hair framed his face gave off the composition of that he did not really care for the look. The freshman had been brought back into reality though at Takumi's question. She sighed softly and replied with her voice growing soft as she spoke. She never communicates well with others and it was hard enough to respond to Takumi's question.

"I heard your music from down the hall... I wanted to see who the genius behind it was."

One of Kazue's interests was indeed music and she would indeed only listen to the music whenever she would come across a musician as she would secretly compliment their work mentally before returning to where she needed to be. This time though was something very different for her. She never honestly expected to be even talking today but here she was with a third year at that. "I'm... I'm sorry for intruding." she said with a slight bow and her arms stiff by her sides as she made her apology. Her pair of braids began swinging back and forth in their own motion as she bowed to him and spoke her apology to the upperclassmen before her.

[Yukimotou Takumi]

Once he’d taken in the appearance of the young girl before him, Takumi’s attention was partially returned to his guitar. His fingers ran along the fretboard, remaining silent with the exception of faint squeaking coming from the amplifier; a result of his soft touches on the strings.


"I heard your music from down the hall... I wanted to see who the genius behind it was."

Takumi’s eyes were instantly back on the girl again, his mouth open ever-so-slightly. It had been nearly a year since he’d last been complimented on his music. And now, when he was alone and simply trying out something new, he’d been complimented again. What was more, this underclassman seemed genuinely interested in what Takumi himself was doing, what he was playing, the music he was producing.

”I’m…I’m sorry for intruding”

Did she have to looked so innocent and guilt-ridden? It was actually making him regret using his tone for a moment – admittedly it was a short-lived moment, but a moment nonetheless – and it wasn’t helped by the fact she was now bowing to him. She was giving him respect? He’d done nothing to deserve it, nor had he asked for it. This girl was a strange one indeed. But she oddly interested Takumi, somehow pushing his cold shell aside for the moment.

After a few seconds his mouth closed and he sat back on the amp. He pulled a stool up beside him and looked up at Kazue. “I don’t usually allow spectators…but I’ll make an exception this once…

His reply was just as cold and emotionless as before, and even before the last few words left his mouth he was back to playing through two octaves of a harmonic minor scale in G. While he was playing, Takumi’s mind was elsewhere.

She heard it from outside…and she does seem genuinely interested in what I’m playing…but why would she approach someone she doesn’t know like this?

This was something he would have to deliberate in his mind for quite some time. Instead of asking Kazue this question, Takumi opted to instead ask a different one;

”Before I play…what’s your name?”

Kazue had lifted up her head and straightened herself to look proper. Her eyes scanned the soft touches of the guitar strings as his finger graced the ever so slight strings that activated notes of young and old. As she had made her comment from before she had managed to notice how his eyes were back on her once more before she had bowed her head to him in respect after she had made her apology. The wind outside seemed to have stopped at that moment as Kazue had bowed with the afternoon color gracing the presence of those fortunate enough to even notice the true colors of what awaited them if one were to step outside. Takumi then started to shift, grabbing a stool and sitting himself atop it. What exactly was he doing?

The action only made Kazue stiffen slightly as she was on guard before she finally relaxed herself at Takumi's voice, one that was low and somehow entrancing. Her shoulders had shifted downwards more than it should have before showing how relaxed she became when the elder young man spoke to her as he held the guitar and glanced at her.

"I don't usually allow spectators... but I'll make an exception this once..."

The young girl watched as Takumi practiced to see if the tune was in shape - to see if the guitar was in the perfect state for playing. The young blond could do nothing but stand there and watch intrigued at the site. Kazue admired the skills of Takumi for playing such a complicated instrument. Even though his tone was harsh and blunt she didn't rather mind. Kazue was used to such tone's by now and she could tell when they were intentional or just how they speak their mind. She admired Takumi for even letting her listen - more or less even staying in here - and that he seemed... nice. Kazue felt more comfortable than she had in what seemed forever. It was a strange feeling.

The young freshman was brought back into reality as Takumi's voice rang through her eardrums. He wanted to know her name? Why her name? It was a rather strange request of him but it was only fair for introduction. Kazue nodded her head and bowed her head in respect as she introduced herself as she always has whenever one asked for her name - which was honestly on a rare occasion.

"My name is Kazue Masumi. It is a pleasure. And you good sir?" she asked softly as she raised her head up at Takumi meeting his gaze with a rather nervous aura hanging around her even though she did not show it. In her state she was mentally cursing herself for letting her voice slip in such a manner. A rather high pitched tone at the end covered her low and average one. A rather hilarious slip up in others eyes.

Kazue hid it though and stood there just like any other normal girl would have though she stood just plainly. No motions nor anything to distract Takumi.

[Yukimotou Takumi]

”My name is Kazue Masumi. It’s a pleasure.”

She’d bowed her head again. It was odd to get any kind of respect from anybody nowadays, regardless of the fact he was older than most of the other students. There again, people often frowned upon those who were repeating a year; it was a sign of failure in the eyes of many. And who wanted to be associated with failure?

Apparently this girl did…
”And you good sir?”

Kazue’s tone and the words she’d chosen took Takumi by surprise. Good sir? When did the freshman’s get so respectful? He allowed his mind to wonder for a moment longer than he’d meant to before he coughed and snapped back to the reality before him. He’d been asked a question – albeit, one he’d rather not answer but, given the fact he’d asked first, he knew he’d have to answer. It was only fair. Fair…huh…been a long time since I even considered what ‘fair’ even is…

“My name…is Takumi. Yukimotou Takumi…”

His reply came in its usual cold, uncaring tone as he realised this girl probably didn’t care for his name either; she’d probably only asked for his because he’d asked for hers first. Having gotten over that ordeal, Takumi looked back to his guitar. He was about to begin playing again when he noticed that Kazue had remained stood in the doorway. He looked down at the stool he’d pulled out, and pushed it a few feet in front of him. ”…Sit. You’re making me uncomfortable.” It wasn’t an order of course; orders weren’t his thing. It was simply a condition he’d made for allowing Kazue to listen for longer. It was either she sat and watched, or she left. It was her choice.

Returning his gaze to his guitar, he quickly scaled again, running through relatively fast this time, before he began playing a completely different song. His pick was placed in the pickguard now, allowing the fingers on his right hand to move across the strings as he fingerpicked a simplistic melody; the tone of his guitar had been changed into a softer, warmer feel, and the notes played seemed to gel into one another, further enhancing the soothing and safe texture that the air around Takumi seemed to become filled with. Although the tune itself wasn’t particularly happy, it wasn’t quite as lonely sounding as his previous song.

As he played, his mind was filled with his past; sitting at home with his mother and father when his father had the night off. In his memory, Takumi must’ve been about eight years old, and was sat on his mother’s lap as he played Chess against his father. Chess had been his father’s favourite game. It required skill, quick-thinking, but also patience; like most things in life did. Takumi loved to play Chess with his father in those days.

Of course, Kazue wouldn’t see his memory. Instead she’d see his eyes close, his facial expression seemingly blending a multitude of emotions. But amongst them was a sense of grieving; the music portrayed it better than words ever could, filling the seemingly warm air and tone with a tinge of sorrow and anguish.

Kazue stood in the doorway as she had straightened herself. It was odd how Takumi was reacting at some short periods of moments that slowly passed by. This moment it only caused her to ponder and think to herself the thoughts one would rarely think of due to other normal daily routines. Either that proposition or Kazue wasn't normal like the other students at this school - which she honestly had to admit to herself. The girl never really cared for that though. Kazue blinked silently as she watched the blond's mouth open in front of her coming back into the world of reality and listening intently to the surroundings around her and more importantly Takumi himself. He did seem a bit hesitant at giving his own name as if when he had told her she would suddenly change her opinion of him and leave him behind.

"My name...is Takumi. Yukimotou Takumi..."

Kazue made no expression on her features. She had not heard of the name as she thought. When she had stared at him as she stood in the doorway it gave a sense of loneliness and a strong aura of a cry for help from Takumi. The blond's heart began to somewhat prick at the thought that came across her mind. If indeed that were true... No. She was getting far too ahead of herself. Kazue had just crossed pathways with him and she could not let herself become so comfortable with jumps to the conclusions of the hypothesis. Takumi then began to prepare himself for his performance before surprisingly a stool was pushed the underclassman's way.

All she could do was to stiffen herself at the sudden action before relaxing her shoulders and sigh softly through her nose as a sign of her guard returning to normal. "...Sit. You're making me uncomfortable." It alerted Kazue to walk to said stool and slide her hands under her skirt to sit upon the stool. The young one did not want to make this more uncomfortable for Takumi so she swiftly placed her hands on her lap and straightened her back for proper manners - staring at Takumi before he began the first note of his musical masterpiece.

His fragile fingers strummed along the silver strings that stretched across the body of the guitar and the sounds emitted from the young man playing the instrument himself. The tune seemed soft and soothing bringing a song of slow everlasting. Notes of sadness waved into Kazue's eardrums as she listened intently to Takumi. She let her mouth drop slightly as she had been catching a rather concentrated expression on his features.

It was indeed hard to read this man. It truly was. Kazue turned her attention back to the song and she felt sadness. She only squinted her eyes slightly at the musical piece that was being played before her as she was feeling a rather small wave of sadness wash over her and into her soul. Although she seemed to keep her posture and position the same as it was before what she was feeling inside hadn't changed.

Kazue's memories seemed to be flowing by inside her head like a recorder that replays one's fondest memories. Laughter, smiles, cheers, toys, all of the young freshman's childhood before everything happened. All of the sadness and horrid teasing she had to face and that soon enough turned into something no single child should have gone through.

The song had brought back memories she never knew would have been washed up into her mind. Kazue had promised herself that she would keep those memories locked away and the key would disappear into the clouds of her never lasting reaches of her mind. Soon enough the song was reaching the climax with her heart beating a little faster than the normal average pace.

What was this feeling?

[Yukimotou Takumi]

With his mind focussed solely on the music, Takumi’s heart began to release itself. A gentle humming was barely audible with the beautiful arpeggiations that his fingers were producing, creating an odd mixture of contrast and togetherness. This was what he lived for; a true connection of his mind and his soul, the production and result of everything he’d been through. Although it wasn’t obvious, this was Takumi in a state he’d been unable to enter properly; mourning his loss, grieving over the man who gave him everything within his power.

The young man’s eyes watered, but still he pressed on, stamping on his loop pedal and then his distortion pedal, producing a spine-tingling wail. He proceeded with his guitar prowess, throwing in a mixture of melodic beauty followed quickly by a short burst of shredded chaos; a blend of everything this tune was written about. After a short while he finally played the ending note, leaving the loop pedal running for a few more bars as he allowed his guitar to wail once more. After releasing the loop, he placed his hands back into position and played the arpeggio’s once more, ending with an open chord to fill the room with the initial warmth that the arpeggio’s had produced. After letting this chord ring and decay, he turned the volume on his guitar down and wiped his eyes – ensuring it looked as if he was wiping his brow of course – and looked up at Kazue.

“…I don’t know what it is you wanted or hoped to gain out of coming here and listening to me, but…”

His words began to flow out from his mouth before he even realised, but he stopped himself short of insulting the girl. She hadn’t said anything stupid, nor had she done anything overly stupid – with the exception of disturbing him obviously.

”…haven’t you got things that you need to do?”

He looked up at the girl properly for the first time, seemingly oblivious to his own tired and worn appearance. She had obviously enjoyed his music, which wasn’t a particularly bad thing. But that was the only reason she’d turned up, and now that he’d finished playing, she was highly likely to leave and forget about him.

The song seemed to be nearing the end as the music seemed to be entering a most important part of the song. The notes collided together and one would deftly enjoy this musical notes contrasting together though would feel a depressing aura come over them if they could understand the feeling the song brought upon in their hearts. Sorrowful past memories that lay hidden to Kazue were replaying like an old movie in Takumi's head which caused the soft tears to form in his eyes. Kazue could not see this happen for she could only watch and listen to Takumi finish the song with one final end note. The soft silence filled the room as Takumi seemed to be wiping his brow. The soft cool breeze outside softly began to settle down quietly as the leaves from the dancing trees seemed to have settled down.

For a final moment he had looked upon the small girl who was still sitting upon the stool that he had provided her moments ago and sighed shakily as she was holding back her broken soul inside that seemed relieved of stress. He then spoke softly his voice back to the tone he was used to. The cold blunt tone he had spoken with her that she had not minded the least bit.

“…I don’t know what it is you wanted or hoped to gain out of coming here and listening to me, but…”

Kazue froze up slightly wondering what he might say or do. She had felt that he seemed a tad bit annoyed with her presence. Kazue did mentally scold herself for entering earlier in such a disrespectful manner and would somehow make it up to Takumi if she were to speak with him once again. Besides, she did not come here just for the song she had heard that soothed her ears.

”…haven’t you got things that you need to do?”

This did remind Kazue that she did have supplies to return to prepare for the festival. It reminded her that the box was still right outside next to the doorway. Though, she had not really cared for the students in the room she was working with. They had seemed too loud and uncomfortable for her in the first place. The blond did not want to go back just yet. She had then noticed how Takumi had looked to her properly for the first time after all these moments. "It would just be rude of me to leave you here by yourself." she had said softly as she stood up from the stool and placed it in the proper position in the room. Kazue then looked at Takumi and had stepped outside for a moment to retrieve the box that she had placed earlier and picked it up turning back to Takumi and blinking curiously.

"Um..."

Her nervousness was revealing itself as her voice was a little hesitant about the question. She had stood in front of the doorway holding the light supplies that were due for the classroom and as she had said it would have been rude to leave the third year alone just like this. Her lack of confidence and awkward communication skills were becoming quite obvious as she struggled to keep her calm that she had before. It was a little quiet for the room now but she had promised herself to not forget Takumi. With each encounter Kazue believed to at least try to remember at least their name for her forgetfulness sometime would often become the best of her.

[Yukimotou Takumi]

"It would just be rude of me to leave you here by yourself."
Takumi thought for a moment that his ears were deceiving him - did he really just hear those words? It took a second or two for them to register in his head and for him to think of what she meant exactly. I was in here alone before she got here…why on earth does she care whether I’m still alone when she leaves? His eyes scanned the underclassman for signs of mischief or deception, but there were no signs to be found; this girl was as genuine as they came. Kazue reminded him a lot of someone else. Someone he’d not spoken to in quite some time.

”Um…” Suddenly this girl seemed to be getting more and more nervous and uncomfortable with herself, with the current scenario, and probably with Takumi himself. While he’d been thinking, Kazue had stood up and walked to the doorway, grabbing the supplies she must have left just outside. She was now stood in the doorway with the box in her arms, and she appeared to be trying to speak, with no success whatsoever. It was almost amusing to watch, although somewhat irritating to some degree. Still, at least she wasn’t opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish; that would’ve certainly warranted the insult he nearly threw at her a few moments ago.

Finally, Takumi managed to open his mouth and respond in his typical cold-sarcastic fashion, although there was certainly something a little bit woken within him. Despite the lack of facial expression, there seemed to be something a seemingly lighter in his words.

”…well…I think I’m big enough to sit in a room alone without someone holding my hand…”

It was astonishing how just that sentence brought back just as many memories as his music had. Keeping his eyes on Kazue for a few seconds longer, he nodded to show his gratitude. His head then turned back to his guitar, and thus back to his music. “Take care Masumi…”

And with that, his attention to the younger girl was lost.

Kazue's eyes seemed to soften as Takumi had said his words. He had said that he was big enough to be in a room by himself without someone holding his hand. It reminded her of her happier memories with her father and mother when she was happy and unbroken from the times of happiness and love of Hikarizaka. That all seemed to be taken away though and it only just made her heart feel warm at the feeling of nostalgia rushing through her veins as the sunset sky glittered with the orange color of the setting sun. Just this one evening had brought back so many memories back into Kazue's mind and heart that she had forgotten long ago. It troubled her how the power of Takumi's music brought those feelings back inside of her. The underclassmen could not seem to find the right word for her emotions that seemed to cloud her mind although she kept that normal deadpanned expression.

The light blond was only glad that she had not made it more awkward herself by making stupid and unusual expressions one normal average individual would have made. Like the expression of making awkward faces to fill the awkward tension. That would be highly unnecessary. Kazue then slowly stepped outside the doorway as Takumi looked down at his guitar. She had turned her back to him and was about to turn left to take her leave until his voice made her halt, her clothing and her hair jolting.

"Take care Masumi..."

The freshman's fingers gripped around the box gently and she softly closed her eyes with a soft sigh releasing from the depths of her nose. It's been a long time since anyone has said that... Kazue only replied simply with the caring voice that she would allow herself to use. It was softer than what she had spoken before to Takumi as her voice had been filled with awkward tension - but now as if she had been relieved - she said it with a much softer tone than before.

"To you as well, Yukimotou. Take care of yourself. You never know what might come along."

Before he could even pay attention to her once more she walked off moving her hips slowly as she did so as she was returning to the classroom of those peers that were awaiting her to deliver the supplies. They probably were already done by now, but one could never be too sure of that statement. Kazue's heart though had felt softer that day as she had met Takumi and understood the feelings of pain and anguish that were released into that room. An amazing musician that seemed cold and closed off. It reminded him of herself in only just that small 5% of that fact. Though of course she couldn't go around comparing only percentages of people to herself.

I'll pray that you do well in your life, Takumi Yukimotou.

~ THE END ~

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