That night, she was not found.
Not a single place was left unsearched.
Every street, every alley, every field: these saw her name.
The voice called her into the infinite black.
No traces.
No trail.
Not even a shadow.
Not even in spirit.
Rain has not fallen like this for a long time.
"Oh! The feel of raindrops on my skin ..."*
I do not understand what she meant..
But somehow, I get it now.
I am happy; the rain is falling from the night sky for her.
That heavy rain tells me you are there but nowhere.
For a million minutes, there were cries; I submitted.
Then I ran, running far as my feet could take me: doing just what she said.
Until in the end, I found myself...missing within myself.
I searched everywhere.
Called my own name to the wind.
Yet still, there was not a trace of me.
It felt as if the world had ended.
But a small part of me still wished to believe.
*The world isn't over yet.*
**BEEP BEEP BEEP**
The alarm shrieked.
Kevin reached over to hit the button. *Click.*
**KEVIN (groaning):**
"What's the point of tidying up…"
He now gazed at the pile of laundry.
**KEVIN:**
"Good luck, body. You are going to stay like that for weeks."
He sat at his desk, took out an old textbook, looked at it for a minute...
...and then spent the next hour slaying digital monsters.
Later on, he was sitting at the piano.
**KEVIN:**
"Well, back to 'Twinkle Twinkle' it is."
A notification blinked on his tablet. His hand moved to pick it up.
Virtuoso 29 Application Status
Dear Kevin Kobayashi,
We really appreciate your passion for being part of Virtuoso 29. I am sorry to inform you that, after reviewing your application, your application has not been shortlisted for next steps at this time. Thank you for the time taken to make the effort with this application.
An annual club of 2-3 pianists is opened every year; keep up with practice.. We wish you well with the journey of becoming a musician..
Best regards,
Barbie Takahashi
Virtuoso 29 Selection Committee
Kevin put the tablet down slowly.
KEVIN:
"Yet another very exciting day…"
He got dressed and left the house, walking to the station through the drizzle.
His phone vibrated.
MESSAGE – Kim Parilla
KIM:
Hey Mark, how's the slide deck?
KEVIN:
What do you mean?
KIM:
Huh!?
Don't tell me you forgot about the book report.
KEVIN:
No worries, Pres. I finished it yesterday!
KIM:
Alright, good. We've had weeks.
I'm still not sure I fully understand the book, though.
We just need the main theme and points out there.
KEVIN:
Plus, we got your back.
KIM:
Good to hear.
It's just a relief we have slides now—unlike last time.
See you later!
KEVIN:
See ya.
He tucked his phone away and stepped into the station.
KEVIN:
"Looks like this is gonna be one fun Friday… nothing new."
The train station buzzed with morning commuters. Kevin queued for a ticket. Another buzz.
MESSAGE – Ren Yoshida
REN:
Let me guess…
We have no slide. Again.
KEVIN:
Bingo!
REN:
So you didn't do it?
KEVIN:
You know me.
REN:
Did you even read the chapter?
KEVIN:
Uhh, no.
But I leveled up yesterday! Didn't you see the leaderboard?
REN:
Son of a—
It's hopeless.
No, YOU'RE hopeless.
KEVIN:
You're one to talk. What did YOU do?
REN:
Hey, I read my part.
Don't compare me to you or Kenji.
KEVIN:
Come to the dark side.
REN:
If Erica snaps at you in front of the class again…
Erica's rage could silence the whole room.
Then they'll start calling you the new Kenji.
KEVIN:
God, you didn't have to bring that up.
REN:
See? Haunting, isn't it?
KEVIN:
Ooh, so you're into her too?
REN:
Umm—
Wait. Does SHE know?!
KEVIN:
That you like her?
REN:
No!
KEVIN:
That there are no slides?
REN:
YES!
KEVIN:
I just told her I made them.
REN:
WTF, DUDE. We're dead meat.
She nearly exploded last time!
KEVIN:
Oh sh—
You're right. Gotta take this seriously now.
REN:
Damn right.
If we get to school on time, we have ten minutes to put something together.
KEVIN:
Gotcha. Coming presently..
KEVIN:
(Taking it back… This isn't one typical Friday. Gotta hurry!)
The train doors opened with a mechanical sigh. Kevin stepped on.
KEVIN:
"All right… You can do this."
END OF CHAPTER 1