Chapter Text
… world news now, and the Portuguese government have declared a state of emergency across the Algarve. It follows the deadliest storm in the region for twenty years - which has killed hundred and forced many more from their homes. While officials say the worst has passed and recovery is moving faster than expected, they have also warned the death toll could still rise in the coming days.
Riko turned the TV off and sighed. Her mom had left it on the news for her before she left, but today’s reports were just so bleak and depressing… she wanted no part of it. With a huff, she got up and went back to her piano seat, ready to try and push on. She brought her fingers over the keys. They were prepared to dance, and leap, and bring a new masterpiece into the world.
Yet, they hesitated. As they have been for a week now. It was fine if Riko played one of her older pieces, or recited a classic - but she always froze up when she wanted her creative juices to flow. All the sound that came from her room was a deafening silence.
The worst sound a pianist could hear.
In the end, she let her head fall on the keys, a jarring, discordant noise emanating from the piano. It perfectly summed up her mood. Yes, she’s had blips like this before. They’d come and go like the cherry blossoms, and she’d push right through them to compose new, brilliant pieces - but this time… it felt different. This time, it felt as though a cold wind had blown out the fire to create. Riko had lost something, and didn’t know how to get it back.
What was she going to do?
ELEVEN MONTHS LATER…
Riko gently picked up the picture frame and put into the box on her desk. She loved this picture and the memory it held. Her family had taken her to the park that day for a picnic - the sun shone brightly, the flowers were in bloom, and everyone was in good spirits. They were all so happy here.
It was hard for her to believe that, by tomorrow, they’d leave all of that behind.
By tomorrow, they would be living in a new home, by the sea.
She could understand why her parents would choose to move the family, though. As hard as she tried to find some inspiration, Riko just couldn’t push past her mental block - and the frustration was starting to get to her, in a bad way. Her passion for playing the piano was fading away, and was slowly becoming less and less talkative about the subject. Worried for their daughter, her parents thought a change of scenery would help her. A change of pace, a quieter life. Away from the hustle and bustle, and distractions galore. They had found a quaint home, in a sleepy town, with new opportunities…
But still, it all felt unreal. They were starting a new life, far from the one they’ve known, the only one she’s ever known. They were leaving everything behind, and the thought scared her to death.
Riko finished packing the last of her things into the box, and her room suddenly felt much colder. It was like she had never set foot in here. Sighing, she put her headphones into her ears and threw on whatever song her music player found first - and was greeted with the pleasant, familiar notes of Clair de Lune.
The first song her piano tutor showed her. The first song she learned to play herself.
She peered through the curtains and, sure enough, the moon shone back at her in all its majesty. For her, it outshone every artificial light in the city - and maybe the whole world.
Riko shut the curtains again and lay on her bed, reading the new message on her phone before settling into bed.
Good luck with the move tomorrow! Call me when you’ve settled in!
Kaede x
Of course. Miss Akamat… Kaede’d want to know how she’ll get on in her new home, this Uchiura. It’d definitely be interesting for her, and much quieter. Hopefully, she could catch her spark there.
Maybe a few new friends as well… yeah, that sounds nice…
Despite her anxiety over tomorrow, Riko had a pleasant dream.