After my 'emergency' meeting with Yoshiko, I noticed that Riko had sent me a message.
She said she wanted me to hear her play the piano again in the Uranohoshi Girls High School music room.
I'd be an idiot if I refused such a great opportunity. The sun will be setting soon, so I don't know how much time I'll have to listen. But I'm going to make the most out of every moment I have.
Hm?
Looks like she's practicing ahead of our meeting. I wouldn't doubt her for a second.
I remember hearing her performance in a contest 10 years ago. I remember spending time in this room listening to her play.
One of her improvised songs lead to Aqours' new song for the Numazu Summer Festival. But one song in particular she played still fills me with emotion.
So much so that I recorded it. But was it a bad thing that I did that without her permission?
I'll just tell her, but first I need to get to the music room.
...
I knew it! Riko's playing the piano.
That serene melody, the soft glow of the sunlight, the sound of the breeze in the distance, the way her hair follows her body movements as she plays...
AKI: "Beautiful."
RIKO: "Huh?!"
AKI: "Ahhh! Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
RIKO: "I-It's okay, I'm just glad you're here! I've got the finished composition of the song to show you."
AKI: "You asked for me, alone? I'm sure that Maki would have liked to hear it too."
RIKO: "She was busy, the members of μ's went diving with Kanan. But I'm glad you're here to hear it."
AKI: "I could never pass up the opportunity to hear you play the piano, Riko. I can't wait to hear what you've composed."
RIKO: "Well, here goes nothing!"
AKI: "That was incredible! It's like I could hear the members of Aqours singing this on stage!"
RIKO: "You really think so?"
AKI: "I know so! Please can you play another song? I'd love to listen to you play again!"
RIKO: "Someone's enthusiastic. Very well, I'll play another."
...
RIKO: "And...done."
AKI: "Encore, encore! Just one more song!"
I tell you, nothing beats listening to amazing live music after a long day.
RIKO: "Nope. It's almost time to go home. I've gotta return the key to the music room."
AKI: "Aww, but the way you play the piano is so beautiful. You've gotta let me record you."
RIKO: "Don't, it's too embarrassing!"
AKI: "Party pooper... Well, compared to the last time we were here, you seem like you're back to your old self, Riko. I could really feel your excitement and joy through your music."
RIKO: "Really? I'm glad to hear you say that."
AKI: "With how great your latest song is, I take it that composing songs for Aqours is going smoothly as well?"
RIKO: "I wouldn't necessarily say it's going smoothly. I still have plenty of memories where I stop writing because I don't know what to do. But now..."
AKI: "Yeah?"
RIKO: "Now I don't get overwhelmed by the thought of making music like I used to. It's hard to explain. I still feel the same sense of responsibility for the job I've been given, but now my natural reaction is to think about Aqours instead."
AKI: "It is?"
RIKO: "I've got a new mindset now. I want to put all my energy into composing songs that everyone, including me, can sing with smiles on our faces."
AKI: "I see. That's so nice to hear! I bet the songs you're gonna write for Aqours from here on out will be better than ever! If this song is so good, then I can't wait to hear what songs you'll come up with next!"
RIKO: "Oh, I'm sure you'll love them! I promise I'll let you know when my next song is ready. After all, I have you to thank for helping me look at things more positively."
AKI: "Me? But I didn't do anything."
RIKO: "Sure you did. Deep in my heart, I'd put up a wall between myself and everyone else. I thought I didn't fit in, but you showed me that it was all in my head."
AKI: "Riko..."
RIKO: "You've made me realize that having different or similar pasts doesn't affect the strength of our feelings.
That's why I genuinely enjoy playing the piano now, and it's all thanks to you and the song I played back then."
AKI: "Oh, Riko. I'm touched to see how much that meant to you, but now I'm kinda embarrassed. If I'd known this would happen, I would've said something way cooler."
RIKO: *Giggle* "Don't worry, you were plenty cool, in my opinion! I've never been so moved before in my life."
I feel like I'm being teased here.
AKI: "Riko, you're getting a kick out of this, aren't you?"
RIKO: *Laugh* "Was I that obvious? It was a new experience to see you get embarrassed, so I couldn't help myself. Sorry!"
AKI: "That was mean, Riko! I'm wounded!"
RIKO: "I said I was sorry."
AKI: *Laugh* "Come on, it's okay. Your music is the perfect treatment to mend the wounds of my heart."
RIKO: "?!"
AKI: "Riko...?"
RIKO: "M-Music? I told you, we have to leave. I can't play anymore tonight."
AKI: "No biggie! I recorded the impromptu song you played before, so I'll just listen to that."
RIKO: "Before? Y-You're not talking about THAT song, are you? You recorded it?!"