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 Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:11 am
Satu knocked gently on the door to the first music room. Hearing that there was no one there he opened the door cautiously, the door squeeking happily to welcome him. In his left hand he held a black case with his name embroidered in gold caligraphy on it. He looked inside and sighed in relief when he realised that there was no one in the room. There was a grand piano in the center of the room, a ebony table, a few plush chairs and some music stands. Satu walked over and placed the black case on the table and unzipped it.
Inside was a beautiful antique violin, its colour had faded to a deep brown colour from use. Satu smiled and picked it up, feeling the familiar finish. He hadn't had time to practice his violin since he had started Ouran and he was starting to feel like something was missing. He placed the violin down again and took out some old sheet music. It was tattered at the edges and the paper had gone yellow with age. Some of the print had started to fade away from use but Satu had played this piece so many times before that it was almost like breathing.
He walked over to one of the music stands and placed the tattered sheets lovingly on it. He then went back over and picked up the bow, tightened in and put some of the carmel coloured rosalin on the bow before picking up the violin again. He check it for turning and once he was satisfied with the pitch he walked back over to the music stand and fixed the sheets again before starting to play the classical piece "Kanon" by Pachelbel.
From the first note Satu was completely eclisped in the music, his body swaying in rythm to the music, his eyes closed. The music that came from the violin was free and perfect. There were no wrong notes and it almost seemed as though Satu was not playing the instrument but the music was simply being formed. The sound flowed out into the corridors. Satu was now in his element. Nothing could make him feel uneasy when he was playing. When he was playing the violin it was right and Satu knew this.
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 12:03 am
Roka strolled down the corridor, wanting to be by himself for a little while. Class wasn't in session at the moment, and he was free to do as he pleased. And what he pleased, at that partcular time, was to go to the first music room to listen to his ipod while checking out whatever instruments and music-related systems and equipment they had. Sure, he knew much of the music played in those rooms was classical, but he felt Ouran may have needed a modern touch. The school occasionally bought a few sound systems from his father's company, but usually it was just for the intercom or something relatively minor. He had yet to see it put to use in the music division.
However, it wasn't as though Roka had no love for orchestras, or classical  music. While he enjoyed many modern musicians, he held many old, revered ones in high reagard, as his respect for their passion was great. The truth of it was Roka enjoyed music of all kinds, each in their own different way. Classical just happened to be one of Asumi's, his older sister's, favorites. And as he approached that first music room, the one she herself had attended some years ago, he suddenly was overcome by the urge to listen to the smooth, delicate tones of the bowed string instruments of a master orchestra.
He needn't have longed for it more than a minute. Just as he was reaching for his pocket in which he carried his ipod, the light, playful melody of a single violin drifted toward him. The music filled him with such an elated feeling, that for a moment he paused in his advancment toward the music room. It took a while for Roka to realize that he had not turned on his ipod, and that the lovely notes were orignating not from the ear-pieces in his ears, but the open door that the musician within had neglected to close.
Slowly removing his ear-pieces, Roka stuffed them in his pocket and slowly proceeded to the slightly ajar door. He peered in cautiously, as not to disturb the violinist within. Smiling faintly, emerald-green eyes came to rest on Satu, an unfamiliar male student who seemed to be the only other occupant of the room. As he finished the piece, Roka knocked softly on the door, as not to startle him.
"I'm so sorry to intrude," he apologized with a small dip of his head, his long, silver bangs falling across his eyes, "But the door was open. Forgive me for saying so, but your playing was absolutely enchanting. Pachelbel, if I'm not mistaken?" Asumi did so love that piece... he thought silently to himself, finding his mind wandering again to his sisters. He really had to stop thinking about them.
"Er...I don't believe we've met. My name is Roka. we must be in different classes," he added, regarding the student's blond hair. He didn't recall seeing any blond students around campus. Then again, he had spent the morning trying to escape the crowds. He just must not have noticed. "Not to be nosy, but...are you from around here by any chance?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:54 am
When Satu finished playing he was still in a world of his own. Music did that too hum. It brought him to his own world full of meaning and colour and light. It was one of the reasons why he started playing in the first place. He always felt very empty unless he was playing music. Once he started playing the void was filled and he life gained meaning. Music also brought the boy confidence. As a younger child he was extremly shy but once he started playing infront of people he gained confidence and eventually learned that people wern't staring at him because he was wierd but because they liked his playing.
The knock on the door completely took Satu by fright. He jumped and looked around, wide eyed. Someone heard him? What were they going to say? Maybe they thought that he was trying to show off. He looked at the boy for a second, wondering if he had seen the boy before. Desciding he hadn't he waited for him to speak, the flustered look Satu sometimes got coming back. His cheeks went red with embaressment. He was surly going to be laughed at now.
Satu smiled, a little nervously. "Oh um...thank you very much." he said embaressed by the complement. "Yes it is Pachobel. You another music fan?" he asked, his face lighting up slightly. It was always good to meet someone who had the same interests as you, especially about something that Satu had so much passion for.
"Pleased to meet you Roka. My names Satu, Satu Kimura. Um...I think we must be in different classes. I'm in class 1B." Satu said brightly. He was good at remembering faces so he was pretty sure that he hadn't met the boy before.
Satu though for a second. "Well I was born in Japan but both my parents are European. They make musical instrument." he said brightly. He had always been quite proud of his parents profession.
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:23 am
Roka surpressed a small smile behind his hand at the young man's appearent surprise. Despite his efforts not to startle the musician, it seemed even while he wasn't playing he was off in his own little world. Not that Roka minded. He too had experienced many times before the dream-like feeling that classical music tended to promote.
"You're very welcome," Roka replied with a polite nod. "Music fan?" He repeated, unable to conceal his grin. "Actually, yes. A passion I live for. Though I doubt I could ever produce it as soundly or sweetly." Toying with the cord of his ipod, he hastily removed his ear pieces and shoved them inside his coat pocket.
"An honor, Kimura-san," The green-eyed student answered, bowing slightly at the waist and extending a hand. "Ah...class 1B. Well, at least we're in the same year, yes? What an interesting heritage." he remarked casually. "Acutally, I believe I've heard of your family before. It must only be natural that the Kimura family would produce such talented musicians."
He tilted his head, clasping his hands behind his back. His father had always wanted him to make more male friends. Maybe this was his chance. So far all his time at Ouran had been spent talking to the lovely ladies of the school, though that was purely by chance. He hadn't really managed to confront any other guys yet.
Kimura...definately a name his parents had made him burn into his mind during childhood. From what Roka could recall, the Kimura family was quite a large one. Eight children, if memory served. But the most amusing fact about the whole thing was that the youngest child just happened to be the only male. Which must have ment, if Satu was telling the truth...
"So...you must be the heir to your family's trade, correct? What a large responsibility, especially considering your position as the youngest. It's astonishing with so much pressure on your shoulders you could produce such lovely music." He walked around Satu, as if to examine the grand piano that stood silently beyond. "I believe our families may even be closely allied. But nevermind that," Roka added quickly, fingering the piano keys. He wasn't about to go into family relations. There was a reason he hadn't mentioned his last name or class, and it certainly wasn't to be rude.
"Would you mind playing another piece for me? Any one you'd like. You seem to enjoy it. And also, I believe it would be a welcome relief from all that obnoxious chatter outside..." he waved a careless hand toward the door.
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Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:36 am
Satu smiled and blushed slightly. He ws never very good at taking complements. It usually meant that he would have to reply with something and the last thing he wanted to seem arrogant. "Um...well...I'm not really that good." he said looking at the floor and scuffing his shoe. It was true though. Satu never though of himself as good at playing any instrument but he strived for perfection in any and all intruments. That was his only goal in life and he was going to succeed no matter what.
"Oh please call me Satu" he said awkwardly, grinning stupidly. "Theres so many Kimuras at this point that it seems silly to call me by my last name, it would be hard to tell which one of us you were talking too." he said smiling. He also didn't pertiqularily like formalities. It make him feel awkward. Alot of things seemed to make Satu awkward though in reality, he tried not to show it as best he could. "Well...I guess thats true since we make musical instruments. We need a good ear to make sure they're in tune and such." he said laughing.
Satu nodded and smiled. "It would be a large responsibility if I didn't have such a passion for music. Plus all my older sister are going to help out anyway. My parents kind of let us all go about our own careers until we descided that we want to join the family business. But since I'm the only male I kind of feel obliged to join in once I finish school here. Though I may study music in university first. I relly would love to be a professional violinist." Satu said, watching Roka walk around the room to the grand piano. "Oh I'm sorry...I'm sure you're not interested in my life story." he said suddenly discovering that he got carried away talking about himself. That rarely happened too him. Usually he said as little about himself as humanily possible. "Really?" Satu asked, suddenly realising that Roka had never told him his second name. "Hum...how so?"
Satu laughed slightly at the last request. The reason why he had come into the room himself was to remove himeself for the chattering outside. "Um...sure." he said "Do you have any requests? I can play the piano instead if you life. I'm not really pushed on which one to play so its your choice really." he said laughing again. It was one of his genuine laughs, and it was much more giggly then was normal for a boy so he usually tried to hide it as best he could.
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Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 4:27 pm
"Nonsense," the student replied, taking a seat on the piano bench. "You've got real potential, with playing like that. I'm sure you'll be successful at whatever you choose as a future career, though it'd be a shame if all your talent went to waste as a musician."
He returned the smile at Satu's friendly request. "Very well, Satu-san. Though I wasn't sure if you were the only Kimura attending this school at this time, so I only thought it best to be polite. I was never too fond of such formalities either, so it seems for the time being our education of proper ettiquite is lost on us." Proper manners were how Roka always treated strangers, however, and with that barrier gone he was uncertain how to approach the situation.
Satu seemed friendly enough. Roka liked how his laughter filled the room, as loud and filling as his music. But he could still tell the young man was just as uncomfortable as he was. "Ah...that would make sense, wouldn't it? Tuning..."
It didn't really, though. Not to him. Surly the Kimuras didn't actually tune their own merchandise of instruments themselves? He had always assumed it was the work of computers or paid workers. Nevertheless, Satu would have had to have a love of music to inspire him to play the way he did - it didn't seem to Roka as if the family trade had much to do with Satu's passion.
"Your own careers? Huh...you're so lucky," the Toshiro heir let slip, immediately regretting his words. "I mean...that is to say, I mean no disrespect. I'm certain it's much more difficult than it sounds, what you've had to do to come this far. I just know that my parents would most do anything to have me feel the same way..." His gaze lifted from the piano keys to peer at Satu from the corner of his eye. "...to feel obligated, that is."
"I both applaud and admire your goal," he continued. "That does sound like a most fitting profession. Oh, no! Please, do go on. I find it very fastinating. Especially since it seems my course in life is already pre-destined. Chosen for me. It's all I have left to revel in the ideas and possiblities of other futures brighter than mine. Unless you think I'm being too nosy, of course." He tried smiling, but it only ended up as a sad little grimace. How he hated to think of his own future. It was a shame Roka had to have brought that up. And just when Satu had seemed to relax.
"Mmm...just a thought really," he countered, avoiding further probing of the subject at all costs. "Just that my family also works closely with music. I just wondered if it migh have been the cause of our common passion."
He pondered a bit about a piece Satu might know, picking the first one that came to mind. "Ah! Would you mind playing a little bit of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata? Maybe just a few lines of the first movement." He gestured toward the grand piano. "Violin, piano - whichever you feel more comfortable with. Though if you play the part of the violin, I can try accompaning you. It's been a while, but I think I remember enough."
There was that laughter again. It was so contagieous that try as he might, Roka could hardly surpress a grin. "After this, though, if you're interested, I have a proposition for you. One I do hope you'll be interested in."
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Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:52 am
Satu smiled nervously again, rubbing the back on his neck with his bow hand. "Um...thank you very much....but I'm really not that good. I hope to get better though someday. I strive for perfection you see. Hopefully one day I can gain perfection as a musician!" Satu said, smiling again. Slowly his trueself was coming out but for once Satu didn't feel quite as nervous.
"Well I am the only Kimura in this school but...its just...its kind of hard to explain. I've never been called it because theres so many of us so it just kind of odd when someone calls me by my last name, since I'm the youngest and all." He said, trying to explain it as best he could, he wasn't really getting very far with his explination though. He laughed at Rokas comment. "I know. My parents would be ashamed of me. Not calling you by your last name!" he said laughing again, imagioning their faces.
Satu smiled and nodded. "Well also...I've been given music lessons since I was old enough to be able to hold a violin without dropping the thing. I remember at one point I had 3 music lessons a day. One for the violin, one for the flute and one for the piano. Now that was chaos!" he said, laughing again at the fond memory.
Satu shock his head, watching the boy closely. "Well...I'm lucky in the sence that I had others to fight my parents for me. But as the only male...I feel obliged to go into it rather then my parents forcing me. I know how disapointed they would be if the company they worked so hard for and was so closely knit with the Kimura family was abolished." Satu said, looking down at the floor. It was true, his parents never pushed him, they were to tired of rebelling teens to bother but Satu put the pressure on himself and that pressure sometimes felt much stronger then any pressure his parents could put on him.
Satu walked over and sat beside him on the bench infront of the grand piano. "Well...if you're not happy with what the future will hold, change it for yourself. I can't say I know the pressure that you're under but I've never believed in a pre-destined future. Only you can choose your future. And I certainly don't believe on giving up your future at your age." Satu said, quietly. His was told this advise by an older sister when he was younger then Roka was. It had made him feel a little better. He wasn't sure if it would do the same for Roka though. For all Satu knew he could be in a completely different situation he was in. "If you really want it...you can make your own future shine more brightly then anyone elses. I can promise you that. I've seem it happen with my own eyes." Satu said turning to look at him.
Satu looked over at him again. "Oh okay then." he said. The last thing he wanted to do was to push Roka. He obviously didn't want to talk about his family, or his situation. Satu descided that rather then pry into his life he would instead just leave it. Maybe if they becaome better friends Roka would tell him about it someday.
Satu nodded, getting up again, and tightening his bow, the old, familiar excitement coming back to him. " A duet sounds a lot more fun to me! If you're up to it that is!" he said smiling. He didn't wnt to pressure Roka but if they did a duet it would mean that there would be as much pressure on him either.
Satu looked over, interested. "Sure just tell me what it is when were finished then!" he said smiling while he checked his violin for tuning. He could bring it to exact pitch in a split second, without even looking at the violin or paying much attention to it. Sometimes time family trade came in handy.
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:08 pm
"And I'm sure if you keep this up, you'll certainly attain it," Roka acknowledged quietly with a small smile. He sensed Satu slowly opening up to him and was glad of it. Just maybe here was a potential friend. Maybe. If Satu was willing. This would be uncertain, however, since it seemed the Kimura heir was still oblivious of Toshiro's family. Also, if his parents discovered this possible friendship with Satu, there would be no relenting. He would be forced to spend time with the poor boy 24/7 in his parents hopes that they could strengthen their family ties and in the hopes Satu would teach Roka more 'manly' behaviors and mannerisms. Pathetic really. He couldn't subject the poor musician to that sort of torture.
The silver-haired boy nodded knowingly at Satu's explaination. "Being the youngest must be tough, I'm sure. But at least Kimura-kun is different than Kimura-chan, yes? I mean, I'm not sure what your parents call you, but at my house..." he hesitated, his pale complexion reddening noticably. "At my house there's no difference. My sisters like to make their own joke to dress me up and call me 'chan', so...well, nevermind." He wasn't sure now what he had been getting at in the first place. Loosening his collar and straightening his tie, he smiled piteously at Satu. "Would you mind forgetting I ever said that, please? I've no idea why I had the sudden urge to bring that up, Satu-kun..." Shrugging sheepishly, he chuckled a little. "Indeed. As would mine. But it seems we're outnumbered here - so many other students have dropped the formalities it isn't even worth sticking to anymore. Not that our parents will know, so I suppose it makes little difference."
Blinking, Roka frowned at Satu's music lesson story. "Well now," he murmured, clearly impressed. "I'm not near as educated as that. My parents did have the time or energy to waste on me; not even to hear me or my sisters play, so they saw little point in hiring tutors. Well...my older sister liked to hear me play, so I taught myself a little piano for her sake...but as you can imagine, teaching oneself in an art that requires experience was rather difficult for me. As a result, I'm not terribly wonderful at playing, but what I really enjoy is composing music."
At Sau's unique perspective, Roka could not surpress a small laugh. "'Others to fight your parents', mm? I suppose that makes sense, considering my older sister Asumi is mute and so cannot defy ours as she would like. So I am her voice." He twirled a lock of his silvery hair around his finger absently; a feminine habit picked up from his siblings. "How devoted you are. Though I suppose you are the youngest. So much pressure must weigh on you, and bear it so willingly. At least I have some backup. You are quite an admirable character, Satu Kimura."
With a sigh, the student shook his head sadly. "Easier said then done, I'm afraid. I may not be the oldest, but I'm very near it as my parents hardly regard my mute sister as much more than myself. I'm not sure how to change it, really. I know I say I try to give them all this trouble through defiance, but in the end I know it will never work." He lifted and pushed back the elegant wooden cover that protected the piano keys. "I care for my sisters too much. And if they are to remain with me, I must obey my parents. Already they've come to the conclusion that the girls' feminine influence has ruined me as a potential male heir." Roka's emerald eyes widened slightly as he caught himself tugging at his bangs. Dropping his hands, he cast a guilty glance at Satu over his shoulder. "That may not be so far from the truth, either. But I have to fulfill my role inevitably if I'm to prove to them it isn't my sisters' fault I'm rebellious."
Roka's emerald gaze dropped to the black and white keys before him. He had never known what it was like to have someone older care and take responsibilty for him. Asumi had done her best to fulfill that role when he was younger, but now her parents seemed to disregard her age and instead define her lower ranking by her gender. So far as they were concerned, Roka was responsible for all of his and his sisters actions. Therefore, he couldn't find the hope in those words offered to him that Satu could. He appreciated the musician's encouragement, however. "I thank you, Satu," he replied to the blonde boy's promise. "But I fear I could never outshine yours. Particularly since we belong in the same trade." With a bitter smile, Roka met Satu's deep blue eyes briefly, grateful to him for not dwelling on the matter. His family was a sore subject for him. His parents, anyway. Perhaps another time he could be as open with Satu as Satu had been with him. He wasn't sure he had the courage to do so just now, though. Their relationship was still rather delicate.
"Good," Roka commented at Satu's excitement. "I've always wanted to try a duet. Do forgive me, though...this would be my first time doing one, and I can't be sure I'll be able to keep up." He winked. "Please, though, if I end up stopping mid-way, do go on. I would hate to have to inturrupt your passionate playing with my slow reflexes or failing memory."
It had been a long time since Roka had tried playing the piano without sheet music, particularly Beethoven. Still, he enjoyed playing by ear. He just hoped his memory of the piece was accurate. Sometimes his immense store of other melodies would interefere, and the last thing he wanted was for Satu to wonder why he had switched from Beethoven to Linkin Park in mid-measure.
"That I will, Satu-kun," Roka answered softly, cracking his girlishly slender knuckles. He winced at how long and feminine his fingers appeared. Hopefully the other boy wouldn't notice. "That I will. I just pray this piano is already tuned."
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 6:54 am
Satu shook his head quite definatly. "I wish to but I simply don't think I will be able to in the end. I mean I'll never be as good as the true masters. I can just play what someone has already written. It's not too much of a talent when you think about it. I can't compose. I've never really been able too. That, of course, could be because when I discovered I wasn't very good at it I simply gave up." he said, feeling a little ashamed at himself. I wished his had a bit more patience and a bit more perseverence, then many he would be able to teach himself to compose music and they he might have a chance at becoming one of the greats. He never understood it though, his sisters could compose so easily, all of them, except for him. It made him feel like a bit of an outcast of the family.
When Satu heard Rokas little slip of the tounge he promptly pretended that he hadn't heard it though, because he was never a particulaily ggood actor he knew that it ws obvious to Roka that had, most definatly heard it. "Well my mother is Italion so we tend to call each other by our first names souliy in my house, when I went to elementory school fist that did become a very big problem, now that I think about it. That and the fact that I kept forgetting to speak in Japanese and I'd end up speaking Italion instead!" he said, laughing at the memories. He thought he could bring it up so to make Roka feel a little bit better about his own past. "Haha. Aslong as our parents don't find out, we don't really have a problem. My dad would flip if he heard me though" he said, giggling a little at the thought.
"Being the best was the only was I could really get my parents attention, so I would put all my effort into my musical studies. As a child I didn't have too many friends because of that. During lunch times I would go and practice music. Now that I think about it back then I hated music, but I had to do it. It was the only way I could see that I could meet my parents approval. It worked for a while but then I discovered that I didn't really care for their approval in the end, I wanted to get better for myself. Plus I didn't care that I had no friends, I had my sisters and they were good enough for me."
Satu looked at him eagerly. "You can compose music? You're so lucky! Well with my help I'll teach you the piano propperly!" he said, excitedly. Satu nodded. "Your sister is a mute?" he asked, curious. It was odd that this didn't seem like a sore spot to Roka. "I guess with the pressure and such I just don't have a choice anymore. Everythings been done before so the only thing I can really go is just give in. Its the only way to be different in my family after all, since everyone else has rebelled! It is just easier to give in at this point, since they need me really..." he said, trailing off. The reason why he took all the pressure, the constant lessons and the constant telling off for simply not being good enough was because he knew, deep down, that he was his parents last chance for a child who would actually take over the business. he had been told that he was the only one that could, and becaue of that he felt responsible for it. He needed to take over the business, or it would simply ebb away into nothingness.
Satu looked at Roka, his blue eyes fixed upon him. "You're so selfless you know..." he said softly, lookig down at his own feet. "Because I'm the youngest all I can think of is myself and how its not really fair and so forth but you, you don't care about your own circumstances at all. You care for you sisters only. I wish I could live like that, to be as selfless as that..." Satu, of course, was more then a little spoilt, being the only male and was constantly doted on by his older sisters. Thus the boy was selfish and, especially in his younger years, only thought of himself. This still held true in most cases now adays but now Satu had learned to hide it. He had discovered that he had to atleast pretend to care about things if people were to like him. He hated this aspect of himself so much.
Satu laughed. "Don't worry you'll be able to keep up. I'll make sure you will be able too!" he said smiling. He didn't tell him why he knew this. It was because his twin sister wasn't as good at music as he was, quite to his parents disappointment. They his parents would ask them to do duets Satu would always make sure that she would be able to keep up, as not to embaress her. "I won't let you stop halfway!" he said laughing. "You must go on, even if it sounds terrible! Thats what I always found. If you can't remember then you should make it up. It might sound even better then!"
Satu picked up his violin, tightening the bow and checking the violin for tuning. "It had better be, our parents are paying for state of the art music facilities! If the pianos out of tune that wouldn't be very state of the art would it?" he said laughing as he brought the violin up to his chin. "Okay then...shall we start then?"
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