When Haruto stepped into the classroom, the usual morning whispers had already woven themselves into a chaotic tapestry of sound. A group of friends quickly swarmed around his desk, their faces alight with excitement.
"Haruto, did you hear the violin last night?"
Haruto paused, the memory of those melodies rushing back to him. It wasn't just him; it seemed the entire neighborhood had been awakened by that haunting sound.
"I did. You all heard it too?"
"The whole school probably knows by now."
"That melody was absolutely breathtaking!"
"I wonder who could play with such soul? They must be a true artist."
Reng!!!!!
The shrill bell cut through the chatter. Haruto noticed Keijy sitting right next to him. She must have heard everything, yet her face showed not a flicker of interest. More accurately, she seemed entirely indifferent, as if that sound belonged to a world she didn't care to know.
"Did you hear the music last night?" Haruto asked softly, his voice trailing off into a question.
Keijy didn't bother to look up. Her cold demeanor seemed designed to repel any attempt at conversation.
"Next time, don't ask me such pointless things."
Her voice was as frigid as a winter gale. Haruto fell silent, his eyes lingering on her rigid back with concern.
"Did something happen to you?"
Keijy remained motionless, refusing to grant him even a fleeting glance.
"I'm fine."
That icy aura followed Keijy all the way to the Archery Club. Instead of her usual practice routine, she drew her bow once, fired a single arrow, and walked away in silence. The arrow hissed through the air, thudding into the bullseye with a violence that felt like a silent scream. Watching her, both Haruto and Meito stood frozen in shock.
After school, as he reached the gates, Haruto saw Fushima waiting there.
"Your basketball practice ended early today," Haruto noted.
Fushima looked surprised to see Haruto walking alone. "Aren't you with Keijy? Did you two have a falling out?"
Haruto sighed, his face clouded with worry. "We didn't fight. It's just... Keijy was different today. Darker. When I asked, she said it was nothing, but then she just fired one arrow and left."
Fushima's expression shifted instantly. He stroked his chin, his eyes turning pensive. The sudden change in Fushima made Haruto realize that he knew something.
"You know the reason, don't you?"
"Perhaps."
"What is it, then?"
Fushima shook his head, letting out a heavy sigh of helplessness. "I'm sorry, Haruto. I can't speak of this without Keijy's permission."
"Another secret?"
Fushima nodded slowly. The mystery only made Haruto's heart race with a mixture of curiosity and growing unease.
That evening, Haruto stood by his window, quietly waiting for the violin. His patience was rewarded when the melodies finally drifted through the still air.
This time, the music sounded as if it were weeping. Every note rose like a sob, pouring grief and melancholy into the listener's heart. Haruto turned his gaze toward the abandoned building across the street. There, on the rooftop, the silhouette of a young girl playing the violin appeared clearly under the moonlight. The silver glow draped over her, making the scene feel both heartbreakingly beautiful and deeply mysterious.
"It's her... the violinist..." Haruto whispered, his face etched with wonder.
Suddenly, the music stopped. The girl slumped down, her hands trembling as she clutched her arm. Haruto, who had been listening with his eyes closed, snapped them open in alarm.
"Is something wrong?"
Without a second thought, he ran toward the abandoned building. When he reached the rooftop, he found a small figure and a wooden violin still there. He stepped forward cautiously.
"Excuse me... are you alright?"
The girl started, looking up with a shudder. It was Keijy. Pure shock washed over her face as she saw him.
"How... did you find me?"
Haruto was stunned. He never imagined the brilliant artist who moved the entire neighborhood was his cold, distant classmate.
"My house is right across from here. But you..."
Keijy lowered her head, her thin hands gripping the violin as if it were her only lifeline.
"Yes. I am the one who played."
Haruto knelt beside her, his gaze a blend of confusion and deep sympathy.
"Your arm is injured. Let me help."
Keijy shook her head defiantly. Her stubborn nature wouldn't allow anyone to see her in such a vulnerable state.
"I don't need help. I can manage."
She tried to stand, slinging the violin over her shoulder to leave. But after only a few steps, her legs gave way. Her consciousness flickered and faded as she collapsed. Haruto lunged forward, catching her.
"Keijy! Keijy!"
There was no response. He sighed, carefully lifting her to carry her back to his house to treat her wounds.
"I knew it..." he murmured, his voice laced with worry.
A while later, Keijy woke up. The dull ache in her arm made her wince. Looking around the unfamiliar room, she saw Haruto dozing at the foot of the bed. She nudged him gently, waking him.
"You're awake?"
"Why am I here?" Keijy asked, her eyes flashing with a mix of panic and annoyance.
Haruto rubbed his eyes. Instead of answering immediately, he let out a long yawn, which only irritated her further.
"Harutoooo...!" she warned, dragging out his name.
Haruto chuckled, his eyes sparking with his usual playfulness. "Oh, sorry about that."
"Answer my question."
He brushed back his messy hair. "Well... you fainted on the rooftop across the street, so I had no choice but to 'lug' you back here."
"I didn't ask for your help!" Keijy snapped, stubbornly rejecting his kindness.
"Hey, you should be thanking me for bandaging you and bringing you here. That building is a hotspot for shady characters at night. If they had found you lying there, what do you think would have happened?"
"So you're a good person now?" Keijy raised an eyebrow, teasing him back.
Haruto frowned, looking wronged. "You think I'm a villain or something?"
"But... what about your parents? Didn't they say anything about you bringing a stranger home?"
Haruto's expression turned somber at the question. "My parents are away on business. They're hardly ever home, so you don't have to worry about that."
Keijy let out a small "Hm" and lay back down. The room fell silent for a moment before Haruto asked her in return:
"What about your parents? Didn't they say anything about you being out so late?"
Keijy sighed, her hesitation clear before she spoke in a low, hollow tone. "They were the ones who kicked me out... so wherever I go, do you think they'd care?"
Haruto froze. He couldn't imagine any parents being cruel enough to cast their child out in the prime of their youth.
"So... you really have nowhere to go?"
"Exactly."
A wave of shock and pity washed over Haruto. He bit his lip, making a quick decision. "Then stay here for now. You can leave once you find a stable place."
Keijy hesitated, then gave a slight nod, her voice so soft it nearly vanished into the air. "Thank you."
Remembering something, Haruto reached into his jacket and pulled out a piece of paper—the one that had fallen out when he carried her. He had accidentally read it before she woke up. Placing it beside her, he asked tentatively:
"This... is yours, isn't it?"
Keijy sat up slowly. She knew Haruto's curious nature; it was inevitable that he had read it.
"You know what it says, don't you?"
Haruto flinched, stammering. "I... I didn't mean to, but..."
"I don't blame you," Keijy interrupted, her eyes fixed on nothingness.
Haruto sighed, his face falling. "The letter... it's full of lies your father wrote to abandon his responsibility. Specifically, that both your parents don't want to raise you anymore."
Keijy nodded calmly as if she already knew. "How do you feel after reading it?"
Haruto looked down. "I used to think my life was miserable because I have parents who never care. I thought I was the most pathetic child in the world. But... I'm actually much luckier than you."
"Not just 'much,' but 'vastly,'" Keijy replied tonelessly. "They don't care because you're still too young to understand the true coldness of the world. At least they loved you once."
"What about this injury? How did it get this bad?" Haruto pointed to her arm.
Keijy closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to numb the ache. "My stepfather hit me because I dared to argue with them. Then, they threw me out immediately."
"Just because of an argument?"
"They wanted me to give up archery to take over her clothing manufacturing business."
Sadness filled the room like a heavy fog. To break the oppressive atmosphere, Haruto stood up abruptly, forcing a cheerful tone.
"Alright, end of story! It's time to sleep. I don't want anyone staying up all night over such painful memories."
"You're... strangely optimistic," Keijy said, slowly lying back down.
Haruto smiled, feeling the tension ease. "Stay here for tonight. I'll sleep in the living room." He left the room quietly.
As the door clicked shut, Keijy whispered to herself: "Maybe I was right about him."
The next morning, Haruto was jolted awake by a sharp flick to his ear from Keijy. He blinked groanningly, seeing her standing over him.
"Class starts in five minutes," she said flatly.
Haruto bolted upright like a spring, racing to the bathroom at light-speed. A few minutes later, the image of the disciplined Student Council Vice President reappeared. He scrambled into the kitchen to whip up a frantic breakfast, and they sat down together.
"You don't have to act like the house is on fire," Keijy said calmly.
"But we're going to be late!"
Keijy chuckled at his naivety, pointing silently at the wall clock. "You really should pay more attention to the time."
Haruto, halfway through a bite of toast, looked up. He turned into a statue when he saw the clock only read... 7:15 AM.
"You... you lied to me?"
Keijy smirked, continuing her breakfast. "You're just too trusting."
Breakfast ended with Haruto still "resentful." While packing his bags, he noticed Keijy's violin still lying at the foot of the bed. He approached it curiously. It looked old, marked by time, but possessed a quiet elegance. Just then, Keijy entered. Haruto jumped, bowing quickly in apology.
"I... I wasn't going to do anything to the violin!"
Keijy stared at his frantic reaction. She walked over, picked up the instrument with care, and stepped out onto the breezy balcony.
"Do you want to hear a bit?"
Haruto was stunned. The image of the moonlit artist returned. Keijy took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began to draw the bow. The music was clear and vibrant, filled with the energy of the morning—a complete contrast to the weeping melody of the night before. Watching her lose herself in the sound, Haruto stood in silent admiration.
When they entered the classroom, rumors of the "mysterious morning music" were already everywhere. Keijy leaned in, whispering into Haruto's ear:
"Remember, don't you dare tell anyone I'm the one playing."
Haruto smiled and nodded. Just then, Miha rushed over, her face glowing with excitement.
"Keijy! Haruto!"
Keijy froze. Before she could react, Miha squealed:
"Huge news! I heard the 'Violinist' this morning. It was so clear and beautiful! Did you two hear it?"
Keijy forced a smile, avoiding her friend's gaze. "Oh? I didn't notice."
"Not only that, I saw her back!" Miha continued eagerly.
Both Haruto and Keijy jumped, staring at Miha in unison. Haruto stammered:
"You... you really saw her?"
Miha nodded confidently, her eyes shining. "Exactly! She has long black hair down to her waist and a slender build. I'm going to find out who she is. I'll be the first to unmask the identity of the mysterious 'Violinist'!"
Haruto could only offer a strained smile, breaking into a cold sweat. "Well... good luck with that."
Miha left in a whirl of excitement, leaving behind two tense figures. Their big secret remained safe for now, but perhaps it was only hiding behind a fragile stroke of luck.