Chapter Text
Shouto slams his fingers on the keys in frustration. He’s been playing the damn piano for hours now. He hasn’t even had lunch yet all because his father won’t let him leave the practice room until he memorizes the notes properly.
“Damn bastard,” Shouto mutters under his breath. He swears that once he’s allowed to go to college he will immediately enter one of the dorms on campus. Maybe then he’ll get some semblance of freedom from his sperm donor.
A knock on the door takes his attention away from his thoughts. He turns around and sees his sister Fuyumi with a tray of food by the door.
She smiles and walks inside.
“I thought I’d bring you food. Knowing how strict father is, he must have cooped you up in here again, huh?” Fuyumi said as she placed the tray on a table near the piano.
“Strict is an understatement,” Shouto answered as he grabbed a sandwich from one of the plates.
“Yeah, he’s been that way ever since—“ She paused, hesitating whether to continue or not. “—the accident. He’s a world renowned pianist who can’t play the piano anymore. Have pity on him.”
“Pity? For a man who lost his mind creating spawns of himself until he finally created a ‘worthy’ successor? Yeah, I guess he does need pity,” Shouto bitterly said.
“You know what I mean,” Fuyumi said as she gave him a pleading look. Shouto sighed and nodded. She’s probably the only family member of his that he can never disobey.
Fuyumi smiled, happy to get her thoughts considered. Just then, an idea went into her head. She looked around the room and found what she was looking for.
She stood up and walked towards a closet.
“What are you doing? You’re not supposed to open that.” Shouto said but made no move to stop her.
Fuyumi opened the closet and grabbed what she was looking for— a violin.
“Remember when mom used to teach us how to play the violin?” She asked as she studied the instrument in her hands.
“Yeah, what about it?”
“Do you still remember how?”
Shouto thought for a second before nodding. “I still remember a few.”
“Can you play one for me?” Fuyumi asked as she handed the violin and its bow to him. Gingerly, Shouto held it and pondered for a few moments.
“I don’t think I should—“
“It’s okay, dad’s not here to scold you. I won’t tell him if you don’t.
“Still, I—“
“I’ll tell you something after you play a tune for me.”
Shouto paused, then sighed. One tune wouldn’t hurt, right?
He played a tune, the most familiar and most memorable tune for him. The tune their mother used to play to him and his siblings when they were the only ones in the house.
Shouto played the violin while remembering how their mother played it. The slight curve of her back, the delicate yet firm hold of her hand, the gentle bend of her wrist, he replicated everything he remembered. By the time he was finished, he was panting. He felt too many emotions swirling in his chest.
Then, he heard someone sniffing. Remembering that he wasn’t alone in the room, he looked up to see his sister wiping a few tears.
“That was beautiful, Shouto. You played it exactly like how mom played it years ago,” she sniffed.
Shouto smiled sadly and looked at the violin he just played. “I had no other example to follow.”
Fuyumi smiled before standing up and hugging her little brother. Shouto welcomed the comfort for a moment before gently pushing her away and looking her straight in the eye.
“So, what was it that you wanted to tell me?”
“Two things actually, one is that father has allowed you to go to college—“
“—He did?!” Shouto exclaimed. Unbelievable, there has to be a catch.
“Yes, but there is a condition.”
Called it. Shouto’s shocked expression morphed into resignation.
“What is it?”
“You can go to college and even live in the dorms there however, you will go to the college of his choice and you will major in piano.” Fuyumi finished.
“Piano? I should have known.” Shouto said as he combed a hand through his hair in frustration.
“I know, I’m sorry. I know how much you love the violin,” Fuyumi said sadly.
“It’s fine. At least I get to go to a music school, right? Close enough.” Shouto said as he sipped the tea from the tray, not minding how cold it is now.
“School starts in a few days. I wish you the best of luck, Shouto.”
“Thanks,” Shouto muttered.