บท 9: Chapter 9: Flashback Chapter (1) - Fateful day

「7th April 」

In the dormitories. (Evening)

I've inquired things about me I didn't know about until now.

A few prior days ago, I had this unusual conversation with Tachibana-senpai. And somehow, it came to the situation, that I teased her on multiple occasions.

Even though I'm wearing this façade, I did have boundary set limits, that I didn't want to cross over.

But at that day, I really did cross over my boundary set limits. From occasionally teasing her…to even flirt with her.

In that situation, it simply happened. I also don't know why I did that.

However, I know one thing for sure.

And that is, that I'm not going to bond myself romantically or emotionally to anyone in this school.

The more I'm bonded to a person, the harder the loss of that person will be for me.

Just like that day…

I thought as I gazed at the locket necklace with a picture of my family.

Flashback

As my family wanted to leave the house, I turned to bid my family goodbye. "Goodbye, Father, Mother, little sister and brother, until evening," I exclaimed.

My sister, Kaori, scowled at me. "Humph, Nissan, I hate you, as long as you don't play me 'Für Elise' again," she grumbled.

My three year old brother, Kyō, chimed in. "Me two, Nissan," he said, misspeaking himself.

I smiled at them, trying to ease their disappointment. "Kyō, Kyō, don't worry. I still have time to play 'Für Elise' for other days," I reassured him.

Kyō's face lit up with hope. "R-really? P-promise?" he stuttered, holding out his pinky finger.

I locked pinkies with him. "Yeah, it's a promise," I said, smiling.

Kyō jumped for joy. "Yaaay. Nissan is the best," he exclaimed, running outside.

Our mother called out after him, "Kyō."

Our butler, Aoki, stepped forward. "Madam, no worries. I'm going after Young Master, Kyō," he said, following Kyō out the door.

Mother thanked Aoki, "Thank you, Aoki."

"It's my job, Madam. There is no need to thank for that," Aoki replied with a small bow.

Kaori, still holding onto my clothes, looked up at me with tears in her eyes. "B-brother? D-do you h-hate me now? B-because I said I hate you, do you hate me now?" she stammered, her voice trembling.

I pulled her into a hug. "No, no, I could never hate you. I'll always love you, no matter what, Kaori," I reassured her.

Kaori let out a sob, "R-r-really? I'm sorry, I should have never said I hate you."

I held her close, rubbing her back soothingly. I whispered in her ear, "If you're coming back, there will be a big surprise for you waiting at home."

Kaori pulled back to look at me, her eyes wide with excitement. "R-really? Is it 'Für Elise'?" she asked eagerly.

I grinned mischievously. "I am not going to tell you that," I teased.

Kaori pouted, "Humph, how mean, Nissan." She wiped away her tears and smiled at me. "Better?" I asked.

"Hmmm," she said, still pouting.

I decided to try and cheer her up, "Kaori."

"Hmmm," she responded, still looking displeased.

"Ice cream," I suggested.

Her eyes lit up, "Hmmm. Whaaat? Ice cream? Where?"

I chuckled, "Nowhere."

Kaori scowled at me, "Hmmmm. Niisan, you meanie."

I put on a sad face, "Are you still angry at me?"

"A little," she grumbled.

I suggested, "How about the two of us do something tomorrow?"

Her face lit up, "The two of us?"

I added, "Yeah, but if you don't want to, that's also okay." I said, trying to play it off cool.

"No! The two of us is good," Kaori exclaimed, jumping up and down in excitement. "But only if you don't cause any trouble for mother and father. If you do, I'll have to retrieve my offer," I warned her, playfully.

"Retrieve? Niisan, you meanie," Kaori said, sticking out her tongue.

"But that won't happen, right?" I asked, with a hint of a smile on my face.

"Humph, obviously not. I'm going to be a good girl," she promised.

"Oho, we'll see," I said, still teasing her.

"Humph, I'll prove it to you," Kaori exclaimed, sticking out her pinky finger.

"Pinky promise?" I asked, joining in the tradition.

"Pinky promise," Kaori said, locking her pinky finger with his.

"Goodbye, Nissan," Kaori said, giving me a hug.

"Goodbye, Kaori. Have a great evening," I said, returning the hug.

"Will do," Kaori said, walking hand in hand with Aoki, to the car.

"Kaoru, you want to play for us today 'Für Elise', right? That's why you are preparing yourself since months? My boy is growing up," My father said, wiping away his tears.

"H-how do you know that, Father?" I exclaimed in shock, my voice tinged with disbelief.

"I've my ways," He simply replied with a satisfied grin, his eyes sparkling with pride.

"Now you're lying, darling," My mother said and continued, "Your father has been secretly listening to you play every day in the music room. He makes sure to come home early just to hear you play. He's so proud of you, Kaoru."

"D-darling," My father muttered, his face turning red with embarrassment.

"You men with your pride," My mother teased, "Just ask Kaoru if you can listen to him whilst he is playing Piano."

"R-really? F-father? You want to listen to me playing Piano?" I asked, my voice filled with excitement.

"Hmmm," He replied, his eyes shining with emotion.

"In other words, he's saying I want to listen absolutely, Kaoru," My mother translated with a smile.

"Darling…You got to leave me my last ounce of Pride," My father protested in a desperate tone.

"No, not going to happen, darling," My mother said with a laugh.

"Madam, the car is ready," Aiko, our butler, announced.

"Kaoru, we're going now," My mother said, gently dragging my father towards the car.

I laughed heartily at the scene, my heart full of joy and contentment.

Little did I know that this would be my last real laughter, since that fateful evening.

Flashback End

I miss you, Mother, Father, Kyō…K-Kaori.

A/N: I didn´t know I was capable of writing such a sad chapter. Anyways, how did you like this chapter? I plan on doing some more Flashback Chapters so I would love to hear your feedback on this Chapter.