Chapter 9

26 novembre 2009

Vibrato

The Ave Maria was still resounding in her head like the remains of a sweet dream. While awoken, she didn’t open her eyes, to maintain this little moment of pure pleasure. The sun was heating her face, and it was really agreeable. It must been around eight o’clock…maybe nine o’clock…

She slowly opened her eyes. She blanket fell on the floor when the sat up. She took a look around her. Oh, right, she was in Kirino-san apartment. At this period of the day, the sunlight was flooding the entire place, ricocheting off the glass stair, making it sparkle like crystal.

Did she sleep there the whole night?

Panicked, and really embarrassed, she jumped on her feet. How could have she fallen asleep? She couldn’t believe it! She almost ran toward the door and grabbed her handbag to leave, but then something retained her. Somewhere, upstairs, a violin was playing an air.

She looked up. Maybe Kirino-san was on the roof? It reminded her something he said about the roof. It was prettier during daytime. Curious, she reached the stairs, put a hand on the glass banister and walked up.

She came out onto the roof and the music resounded more clearly. A light breeze ruffled her hair, caressing her face with the soft smell of roses. Maya felt her heart skip one beat as she stared at the mesmerizing place standing before her eyes.

The roof had been converted into an enormous and luxurious rose garden. All purple roses, gathered into bushes, copses and paths. Some old-time shaped street lamps were standing here and there, as well as metallic benches and white garden sets. And he said he wasn’t a prince! Like she would believe it after seeing where he lived. This place was beautiful. All those purple roses, it was like a dream. It was as if Mr. Purple Rose’s very soul was here, in this amazing garden.

Looking for the provenance of the melody, she finally saw Kirino-san. Standing near the terrace, overhanging Tokyo, his back turned toward her, he played so peacefully that Maya thought he hadn’t notice her being there yet. She couldn’t move, too scared to disturb him.

She closed her eyes and listened attentively the sweet tune that actually seemed be in the garden, physically. She could imagine the roses, listening, awaking, their petals still a little wet with the refreshing morning dew that hadn’t completely vanished yet. It was a strange thing, really, how music could make nature so real and alive just by existing. It was the first time that Maya had ever felt something like this. As is she could almost feel the roses’ soul. Could it be that the Crimson Goddess was always feeling like this?

“Did you sleep well?”

Maya startled and opened her eyes. The tune was over, and Takumi was facing her, a warm smile greeting her. She was so much moved that she couldn’t say a word, so the just nodded. Takumi went on with a welcoming voice.

“I’d told you that the roof was even better…during daytime.”

The girl nodded once again, her wide eyes on the verge of tears. That view made strange things to his body, some kind of urge of stopping what was going to happen. But in the same time, he wanted it to happen. He felt like just one tear on that fair cheek of hers would be an intolerable, but also endearing thing to see. Before he could even thinking of what he was doing, he was already walking toward her. He came as close as he could, then, slowly, put his free hand behind her head and caressed her hair several time. Finally, before she could even think about recoiling, he leaned down and kissed her forehead. But the most disturbing part of this was that he would never have imagined his own body would respond to such a simple touch like this.

Almost immediately after his lips touched her soft skin, a rush of heat flooded his whole body, his hands began to shake and his heart to pound so hard that it wouldn’t take long for Maya to notice it. Taken aback by this sudden emotion, he tore himself from her contact – which really shouldn’t be that hard, what was wrong with him? - and stepped backward. It was hard no to notice the deep flush that had painted her cheeks and ears. And he liked that way too much. But, to make her feel at ease again, he managed to say casually:

“Breakfast?”

They sat on a white garden set. On the table, she found coffee, croissants, bread and butter, orange juice, and a single purple rose in a long vase. So Parislike. In front of her, Takumi took a sip of his coffee and looked at her in the eyes.

“I took the liberty to call your friend, Yuu Sakurakoji, I hope you don’t mind.”

Half an hour ago, Yuu had effectively been called. Since it was Maya’s number, he had been pretty glad to hear the tune…and pretty upset to ear a man answer the phone.

“I am Kirino Takumi. I’m a friend of Maya.”

“Yes, I’ve heard of you.”

“You did?”

“Yes, of course, you are the legendary Mr. Purple Rose.”

He didn’t know why, but his tone was getting more and more aggressive. He tried to calm down. But actually he kind of disliked that voice, that way-too-young-and-deep-and-confident-and-handsome-ish voice that chuckled softly at the hearing of its nickname.

“Yes, I guess it’s me.”

“Why are you using Maya’s phone? Are you with her?”

“Yes, she is at my place.”

“Oh.” Now he really disliked that voice. “Can I speak to her?”

“Huh, actually, it might be a problem, since she is still asleep.”

“Oh.”

He didn’t try to know more. So she spent the night there, with him. Yuu tried not to let his voice broke. Without really listening, he answered yes to Takumi’s questions, which unfortunately made him accept to go to his place with Kuronuma. He noted the address and said he would be there within two hours.

“So, that mean you still have one full hour to finish your breakfast” Takumi concluded with a smile.

She nodded gratefully and tried really hard not to blush. In vain, of course.

Yuu knew this day would come eventually. Maya was nineteen; she was considered by the society as a woman and could even get married if she wanted. She had waited for this great admirer for so long, and even if he hadn’t met him yet, just by listening his voice he could tell he was young. The worst part of it: part of him acknowledged the fact that it was great. Two persons who wait for each other for a really long time – six years, who finally meet and who end up dating: These love stories were really beautiful, and seemed not to happen often in the real life. But, even if it was selfish, even if it was hopeless, in his heart Yuu always hoped that when this day would come – the day that would show Maya in love – he would be the one she would choose. But he was wrong. She probably slept with this Takumi Kirino this previous night.

And it wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t something he should be angry about. So, when this person would open this door he was standing before with Kuronuma-sensei, he would have to greet him properly, smile, and whatever the reason of this sudden invitation, remain polite. Kuronuma rang the bell.

Maya was the one who opened the door. She was breathless, as if she ran the way to the door. She welcomed Yuu and her teacher with a wide grin and let them come inside. Yuu was immediately shocked by the hugeness of the place. He wouldn’t have imagined that Mr. Purple Rose would live in such an apartment. But, again, something was wrong. There was too much of empty space and too many pieces of furniture against the walls. It almost looked like…

“What do you think of your new rehearsal room?”

Yuu startled and looked up. Leaning on the banister of a beautiful glass stair, a tall, scandalously handsome young man was smiling to him. He recognized the self-confident voice in less than one second and locked his jaws. He guessed right, but he had forgotten the wealth when he had profiled him up in his head. This was official now: he hated the guy.

“Are you serious?” Kuronuma exclaimed.

Kirino Takumi nodded.

“You can come whenever you want: from now and for all the time you need, please consider this place like yours.”

“This is surprisingly generous” Kuronuma said, amazed. “But, why are you doing this? Who are you?”

“He is Maya’s Daddy Long Legs.” Yuu said between his teeth.

Kirino Takumi looked at him with an expression both curious and amused. Yuu walked toward him as he was coming downstairs to greet him.

“I’m Sakurakoji Yuu.”

“Oh, you are the one I spoke to on the phone!” He remembered.

“It’s nice to finally meet the famous Mr. Purple Rose!” Yuu lied with a painful smile.

“Huh…don’t let me outside this conversation, please.” Kuronuma said.

Then Maya hurried to explain the whole Generous and Devoted but Anonymous Fan story. Yuu notice that Takumi seemed pretty embarrassed then, his ears were all red. Maybe he was just shy and selfless, but Sakurakoji would rather like to discover something weird and discrediting about him behind this expression.