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There he was, standing tall among the crowd of people watching his every move. Every twist and turn he made, every movement performed by his calloused hands. It was as if he was the only person in the world at this current moment. The crowd was dead silent. If it weren’t for the violin you could hear a penny drop. The man standing on stage quickened his movements as the performance was coming to a close. With the spotlight focused on him, the droplets of sweat as he moved made it seem as if he was glistening in the light.
Then, the playing stopped.
For a moment, silence. The only noise in the air being the heavy breathing of the man who had just finished the performance of a lifetime.
One set of clapping, then another.
Sooner than later, the crowd was cheering, their voices and cries loud enough to burst through the doors of the auditorium.
The man gave a bow as various praises were being thrown his way.
Before the curtains fall, he gives the crowd one last look.
The crowd was too busy exploding in cheers to notice the look on his face, but there was one person in particular who caught a glimpse of him and knew exactly what he was feeling.
He never did like loud noises, did he?
___________________
“You were amazing out there Omori!”
“You don’t have to stick with the stage name when we’re in private, Abbi.”
“Sorry, Mr. Suzuki.”
The young man sighs.
“Just Sunny is fine, you know?”
“Right, Sunny.”
The young man named Sunny had been sitting in a stool backstage as the woman standing opposite to him gave him an anxious glance accompanied with nervous laughter. In an act of pity for the new, inexperienced assistant he decided to open up the conversation.
“So, you needed something?”
“Ah, right. The boss said that you would have to stay put for a while, until he found another stage for you at least.”
Sunny having a manager was a new feeling to him, but a nice one. He never had to worry about where and when he needed to play, he just needed to worry about how he played. Gave him some time to relax, a foreign feeling to Sunny.
“Thanks for telling me.”
“Will you need anything? A hotel to stay at?A ride?”
Sunny shook his head no.
“I’ll be fine.” After all, Sunny would be staying in the city he had spent the majority of his teenage years in.
“Alright, I’ll just be out of your way then.”
Before Sunny could give a response, the lady had swiftly moved to the door and out of the room. Sunny gave another hefty sigh.
He rotated his chair back to the counter where his phone had been residing and picked it up.
What was he expecting?
No messages, no calls, nothing. For someone considered “well known”,his phone had been an awfully sad sight.
He laid his head down on the counter, letting out one last sigh. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately..
His eyes slowly fluttered, he wasn’t supposed to stay here for too long, but a little nap never killed anyone.
The noise of the same door his assistant had just left opening and quickly shutting got him up and straight.
“Forget something, Abb-”
He stared blankly at the figure standing before him. Must’ve forgotten to take his meds this morning, must’ve missed out on too much sleep. There was no other explanation after all.
Why else would Aubrey be standing in the same room as him right after he performed.
“One hell of a show.”
He turned around and closed his eyes. Maybe that would make it go away.
“I’ve never really been into classical music but that really did amaze me. You’re pretty good.”
He tried to tune out her voice, nothing about this was right.
“A little cold don’t you think? It’s been so long since we’ve last seen each other, Sunny. Or would you prefer Omori now?”
He finally turned around. As soon as he had, she had hooked onto his eyes, making it impossible for him to avoid her gaze.
“You’re… Not real.”
“I’m as real as can be, I think.”
Sunny tried to maintain calm, but even his regular poker face had been cracking.
“Relax, I’m not here to hurt you.” Aubrey picked up on it.
“That’s not what I’m worried about… How did you even get in here?”
“I know, I’m surprised too!” She took a seat in the stool next to him as if the situation were completely normal. “You should probably hire better security. I thought I was gonna have to wait outside till you eventually came out.”
“How did you know I would be here?”
“Your face and name is plastered everywhere. “The up and rising Omori”. At first, I didn’t believe it. I mean, it looked like you but I would never have imagined you to grow up to be a celebrity.”
Sunny shuddered, he really had been considered a celebrity now. He should be happy, she would be happy, but he couldn’t help but hate it. Aubrey continued.
“When I heard Omori was holding a show at Nearby city, I just had to come and see.” she gave a small smirk. “I was right, it was you.”
He was in a state of shock. He had come to terms with the fact he would never be involved in any of their lives again a while ago. Yet, here she was.
“Look, I know you have a lot of questions. So do I, but now really isn’t the place. Wouldn’t you agree? Here, pass me your phone.”
Sunny slowly and reluctantly handed the device in his hand over to her. She quickly snatched it and went straight to his contacts.
“Wow, it’s a wasteland here. That’s a sight for sore eyes.”
Ah, right. Sunny had forgotten about that.
Not before long, she hands it back to him and turns away, preparing to make her exit.
“Wait, Aubrey.”
She glances back at him.
“Why, I mean.. Why after all this time do you want anything to do with me?”
There’s a long and awkward pause. This question had been inevitable.
The last Aubrey saw of Sunny he was in a hospital gown and she was in tears.
“I’m… not sure. It’s been so long and honestly I still have so many questions about that day, so maybe it’s for closure?”
That’s the answer she gave Sunny, but she knew that wasn’t the reason.
“I’ll message you when I find a place where we can talk without any worries, okay?”
Sunny simply responded with a small nod and just like that, she was gone.
___________________
Sunny collapsed on the mediocre bed in some 3-star hotel. When Sunny was younger, he had been brought to the same place by his mother when his house had to be cleared due to an infestation. To Sunny, any bed that he wasn’t familiar with had always been more uncomfortable than a bed he was familiar with. However, seeing how he traveled so often, Sunny often struggled to really settle down and call a place “home”.
It was but a small price to pay. He could live without a place to settle if it meant he could extend his reach of influence even the tiniest bit more.
She would’ve been proud of him. That’s what matters.
Just as his body was finally growing accustomed to the somewhat hard bed, his phone gave off a small vibration. Sunny begrudgingly pulls out his phone, annoyed with the unfortunate timing of the notification.
When his eyes hit the screen he found himself shooting off his bed.
A text… from Aubrey.
It was true, he wasn’t crazy. Aubrey after about 6 years since the confession had truly met with him earlier that day.
[10:23 P.M] Aubrey: yo, you there?
Sunny had been blankly staring at his phone. After a bit of mulling, he opens the text and responds.
[10:25 P.M] Sunny: Yeah I'm here.
[10:25 P.M] Aubrey: Sweet.
[10:26 P.M] Aubrey: I’ve been looking around for a half decent cafe but anything in the city is either way too expensive or just a shitshow in terms of reviews. You’ve lived here, know any half decent cafe’s around?
[10:26 P.M] Sunny: No, other than school I never really went anywhere when I lived here.
[10:26 P.M] Aubrey: seriously..?
[10:27 P.M] Sunny: Sorry.
[10:28 P.M] Aubrey: I guess I’ll keep looking around then. Goodnight!
[10:28 P.M] Sunny: Goodnight.
Sunny threw his phone to the side of the bed.
Aubrey had been talking to him as if he was a friend. This whole situation was so odd to Sunny. He was contemplating just blocking her number and moving to some place she wouldn’t be able to reach him for the time being. He went through such lengths to cut all ties with them, making himself unreachable. They didn’t deserve the burden that he was. He had dragged them down long enough with the death of his sister, he wouldn’t drag them down any longer.
If Aubrey had contacted him even 2 years or so back, he would have avoided her without a doubt.
Now though, he couldn’t help but see what she wanted from him.
(CUT)
Sunny entered the diner that Aubrey had eventually found and settled with. He looked around and found the pink-haired woman tapping her foot against the marble tiles as she scanned around.
Not before long, their eyes met. She gave a small grin and waved him over.
“I was worried that you were gonna stand me up. It’s rude to keep a girl waiting, you know?”
The years have truly treated Aubrey with utmost kindness.
Is what Sunny thought, of course he would never vocalize that.
“Well, you gonna sit down?”
Sunny followed Aubrey’s word and took a seat.
“I already took the liberty of ordering for us since you took so long, hope you enjoy what you get.”
“I’m fine with anything.”
Aubrey chuckles.
“I guess that part of you hasn’t changed a bit.”
“What do you mean?”
Aubrey leaned back into the seat.
“Your indifference is what I mean.”
Sunny took a small sip of the water sitting on the still somewhat dirty table, presumably from the previous customers at this table.
“I mean, it’s pretty hard to mess up breakfast. If it’s done properly and follows the norm then it should be fine.”
“I guess you’re right.”
A silence overcame them. One that was cut short by Aubrey quickly bringing up another topic.
“So you’re a big-shot musician now going by the name Omori?”
Big shot was a stretch. In terms of popularity, Sunny was just getting started. It was an honest to god miracle that Aubrey discovered about him.
“I’m not that big..”
“You sure as hell play big though. That was a pretty amazing show.”
“It should’ve been better.”
Aubrey glances up at Sunny.
“A bit pessimistic dont you think?”
“Not pessimistic, just being honest.”
“What even brought this on? The violin I mean.”
“I…”
Whether or not Sunny was going to say something, it was interrupted by the young waitress arriving with their food.
After giving the customary “Enjoy” she then walked back into the kitchen getting the next table's orders.
“This doesn’t look half bad. What do you think, Sunny?”
He looked down at the meal before him. Sunny side up eggs forming eyes and two slices of bacon forming a smile.
“You knew exactly what you were doing.”
Aubrey shrugged her shoulders.
“Innocent until proven guilty.”
___________________
“You know, it’s surprising that this city has such a nice and well preserved park. You wouldn’t expect it.”
Aubrey and Sunny had been walking down a park located a couple blocks from the diner. Aubrey had been complaining about wanting to stretch her legs so here they were.
Sunny responded to her comment with a simple nod.
After they walked past a small pond, Sunny thought it was his turn to strike up conversation. That and he had a question on his mind.
“Aubrey… How are the rest doing?”
Aubrey gave him her full attention.
“You’re talking about Kel, Hero, and Basil right?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“They’re all doing just fine. Hero finished up his final years in medical school somewhat recently. Kel has been trying to go pro in basketball, although it’s been looking kinda hopeless for him. You know him though, he won’t give up without a fight. Basil actually owns a small flower shop in Faraway. Keyword: small.”
“So you all have been keeping in contact with Basil?”
“Of course we have. It took us a while to really get together and talk about it but we did. It was my fault that it took as long as it did.”
“I’m glad.”
“That brings me to my question.”
Sunny knew what was coming next.
“Why did you do what you did? Why didn’t you keep in contact with anyone, not even Basil.”
“You guys were better off without me. I had already caused so much pain, why stick around to cause more?”
“You did something fucked up, yeah. It probably wasn’t any easier for you to deal with it then it was for us.”
“I don’t deserve your sympathy.”
“Let me get this straight. I do not pity you, Sunny Suzuki. What I’m saying is that what you did was dumb. We could’ve been there for each other. You didn’t have to deal with it alone.”
Sunny had no response.
“Well, whatever. That’s behind us.”
Aubrey kept walking forward but Sunny stopped in his tracks. Aubrey looked behind her to see what was stopping him.
“Sunny?”
“Why are you trying so hard Aubrey? You said it was for closure, but you already have all the answers that you need and if it’s not out of pity.. Why have you gone so far just to talk to me?”
Sunny had still refused to believe Aubrey would want anything to do with him after so long.
Aubrey stares at him. This was it. There was no way she would want anything to do with him after this. She had shown him only kindness and all he did was question it.
A couple seconds pass, then a couple more.
…
“What if I’m doing it because despite everything you did wrong, I still think of you fondly. Despite everything that you put us through, the only thing I can think of when you come to mind is all the times you listened to me when no one would. When you were the only thing I could look forward to on those rainy days where I had nothing but the constant noise of the TV that my deadbeat mom never left. What if I’m doing this simply because of our childhood together.”
…
“I’m only kidding, of course.”
Sunny took a few steps, closing the distance between him and Aubrey. As soon as he caught up, they continued their walk.
Not after long, Sunny’s voice spoke out to Aubrey.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“For being an ass.”
Aubrey smiled while still keeping her attention focused on the path in front of her.
“Apology accepted.”
___________________
A couple weeks had flown by like nothing with Aubrey’s presence.
Previously monotonous days had now been replaced with smiles and laughter. Almost as if the accident never happened. Sunny was truly happy.
Due to this, Sunny had opened up to the idea of meeting the rest of his old friends at their old hangout spot back in Faraway.
“You nervous?”
He had been walking through his old town with Aubrey at his shoulder. It was almost unsettling how little it had changed over the years.
Unsettling yet somehow also comforting.
“Yeah, a bit.”
They had reached the Faraway park. It was empty, undisturbed. The only presence being the slight breeze shifting the swings around.
“Hey, is this really such a good idea? I mean, what if they don’t want to see me again. I wouldn’t blame them.”
Aubrey grabbed his right shoulder in an attempt of reassurance.
“If you keep that same way of thinking, you won’t move anywhere. Taking risks is part of growing. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You already know that, don’t you?”
“Of course I do. Four years of my life was spent doing nothing, going nowhere. It doesn’t make it any easier though.”
“Does knowing I’ll be there every second of it make it any easier?”
The warmth imbued in her words was enough for Sunny to crack a smile.
“Yeah, a bit.”
They push past the branches that had grown ever more annoying over the years. Soon enough, if left untended might make it impossible to reach their former sanctuary.
Unexpectedly to Sunny, they had already been there. Kel sitting at the pier, Hero standing next to his brother, and Basil closely examining some flowers in the grass.
His heart had tightened. So many fond memories of them all yet only one came to mind.
The sudden voice of Aubrey yelling out had startled Sunny.
“Hey, idiots, we’re here!”
Sunny’s vision focuses on the bunch. He notices Basil’s eyes widen. He notices Kel’s usual radiant smile that hasn’t changed over the years slowly disappear as his neck turned towards Sunny. He can’t even muster up the courage to look at Hero’s face.
It was just like the hospital, Eeringly so.
Sunny’s breath hitched, the surroundings around him started fading out. He felt everything and heard every single action. The boards at the pier creaking, the scrunching the grass made. His breaths had become loud and uneven. He could feel the beads of sweat dripping down his forehead.
Run.
A voice whispered.
Get out of here.
He felt something warm grasp his hand. A hand belonging to someone else. It was warm and inviting, yet no bigger than his. It had felt rough, shaped by years of hardship no doubt. He found comfort in it. His fingers intertwined with it, his eyes traced the hand up to its owner.
She had stared deep into his eyes with hers full of understanding. Not a word came out of her mouth, it didn’t need to. She was there with him, and that’s what counted.
Sunny took a deep breath and took a few steps forward.
Kel, Hero, and Basil had all been expectantly staring at him, waiting for something to be said. He had made sure to respond to their expectations.
“Sorry wouldn’t begin to cover for what I’ve done to you all.”
A few seconds passed before Hero took a couple steps toward him, then holding out his hand.
“It would be a start.”
Sunny raised his hand up, locking onto Hero’s.
“I’m sorry.”
___________________
“ Sunny, you have to tell me, what’s it like being famous?”
Kel had always been the same ball of energy that he was since Sunny and him first met. At first, Sunny quite frankly found him annoying. They had two personalities that didn’t mesh well together, but over the years it was that same energy that had gotten Sunny out of his shell. Especially when he needed it most.
“Famous is a strong word to use…”
“But aren’t you?”
“I’d stick with “locally known”.”
Basil had tugged on Sunny’s shirt to grab his attention.
“I-It’s been a while since we’ve last met hasn’t it?”
“Yeah… I'm sorry, Basil. I should have never left you to deal with the aftermath alone.”
Basil shook his head.
“That was a long time ago. You’re here now, that’s what matters.”
“You don’t resent me at all?”
“Oh, no I’m definitely a little pissed but I want us to start off on a fresh page.”
Sunny let out a genuine smile for his old confidant.
“Sunny, have you heard about Hero moving back?” Kel had been bubbling with excitement, eager to inform his old friend about everything that’s gone on over the years.
“I heard about him finishing up college, but I didn’t know he’d be coming back to Faraway.”
“It’s only till I can find a place within my expenses to live… and a job to support it.” Hero clarified his situation.
“You must be happy to move back in with Kel.”
Hero rolled his eyes. “Completly ecstatic.”
His sarcasm was quickly picked up upon, leading into a pouting Kel.
“He can’t be much worse than Aubrey..” Basil had given a look of exhaustion
Aubrey responds to Basil with a glare intimidating enough to scare off a bear.
Sunny had froze for a second. “You and Basil are living together?”
Basil had looked into Sunny’s eyes with surprise. He could still read his best friend's emotions after all this time.
“I happened to have a vacant room and she pays part of the rent. That’s the extent of it.”
Sunny gives an internal sigh of relief.
Here his friends were, surrounding him. They were all talking, enjoying themselves and he was glad to be a part of it.
Sunny felt a vibration in his pocket. He had excused himself and stepped to the side, then opened up his phone..
The look of contentment had left his face and nothing came to replace it.
Aubrey caught a glance of Sunny, noticing the same look on him as on the day she had snuck backstage.
He felt empty
___________________
Sunny was staring at the text on his phone. The past 2 weeks he had been reminded what it was like to be truly happy again, but that didn’t make sense.
Wasn’t he happy? He had made it so far. He had worked for it too. Mari would’ve been so proud of him.
So why did he feel like he was about to lose something important to him?
He heard a knock on his door.
He tried to stuff these thoughts away, tossing his phone to the side and approaching the door.
When he opened it, he saw Aubrey looking as gleeful as ever. She had been raising a Twix bar in the air like it was a national treasure.
“The vending machines at this hotel are stacked! They have all the good stuff.”
“Get anything for me?”
Aubrey exposed what had been in her other hand, tossing a can of grape soda to Sunny.
“You know me so well.”
Sunny had stepped to the side, giving space for Aubrey to enter.
She immediately went for the bed, letting her crumble on the bed. She let out an audible scoff.
“You know when you invited me over I thought I was gonna feel the sensation of a grand, fancy hotel bed with a large TV screen sitting beside it.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
“Omori sure has some low standards for a living space, huh?”
“I didn’t know how long I was gonna be here, don’t judge me.”
Aubrey sits up straight, glancing at Sunny.
“They call you back?”
“That obvious?”
“You look sad.”
Sad?
“Why would I be sad? I’m gonna go back to living my life.”
“I think that’s a question for yourself.”
Sunny didn’t know how to respond to that.
.
“Hey Sunny, I don’t think you ever answered my question.”
“What question?”
“Way back at the diner? I asked why you started playing the violin again.”
“Wow, you remember something as menial as that?”
Sunny had chuckled a bit, but Aubrey kept her stern face.
“I don’t think it’s menial.”
Sunny had noticed her solemnity and responded to her in kind.
“Well, at first I picked it up again as a way to feel closer to Mari on those extra lonely days that were hard to get through. Whenever I played it felt like she was there, playing along with me. One day at school a classmate heard me playing on the roof during lunch. Complimented me, told me that I had real potential. They would record videos of me playing and post it online. I thought nothing of it at first but then the video’s had been getting feedback.”
“Must’ve excited you, huh?”
Sunny looked at her with a smile with no happiness behind it.
“I hated it. Before that I had been playing without worries, just a hobby. After I started getting and seeing this feedback though, it felt like I needed to play well. Nothing less would be accepted. It felt like I was back practicing for the recital.”
Aubrey waited a second, trying to formulate a response to all this information.
“Do you still feel like this?”
Sunny nods.
“It never went away.”
Then it all clicked inside Aubrey’s head. Sunny’s face of disdain when his performance had ended, his attitude towards his own performances.
“Sunny… Why do you still play?”
…
“Could you imagine the look on Mari’s face if her little brother made it big?”
Sunny stares down at the floor, eyes threatening to burst if he had spoken another word.
Those same eyes had become engulfed in pink.
He felt a hand run across his hair. Sunny was renowned for his monotonic face, rarely displaying sadness, happiness, or excitement. Yet, his attempts to hold in his tears had worked no longer.
“I’m sure she would’ve been so proud of you, Sunny-”
“But, you shouldn’t do it for her sake alone. If you don’t like the way things are, you can always find a new path. There’ll always be a home for you at Faraway for you to come back to, I don’t think anyone would mind.”
The only sound emanating from Sunny being the sniffles brought along with the silent tears.
“I love you, Sunny.”
___________________
Knock Knock Knock
“Hey Aubrey, get up already! You’re gonna be late to work.”
Another set of knocks hit Aubrey’s door. Her brows furrowed as her hands clenched into a fist. She walked up to the door, grabbing it by the handle.
“I HEARD YOU THE FIRST THREE TIMES YOU PEICE OF-”
The little blonde bastard must’ve seen her coming from a mile away.
It may be because this isn’t the first time this has happened.
Aubrey scratched the back of her head as she slowly and grumpily walked to the kitchen table. A plate of pancakes had been awaiting her arrival.
Aubrey smirked. Besides being annoying, Basil really was the best roommate anyone could ask for.
Sadly those plates of pancakes would have to wait a little longer, Aubrey seeing the time on the clock hanging on the kitchen wall had made a mad dash to her room.
She had been in the midst of picking out clothes when she heard a notification on the phone laying on her counter. Aubrey could only hope it was some freak incident like a rat invasion that would end up canceling work for the day. She dropped the clothes she was holding on her bed and picked up her phone.
Her eyes sparkled in a way they haven't for a long time. A smile so wide that her cheekbones would regret later on.
She dropped her phone on the bed, leaving it to stare at the ceiling as Aubrey swiftly changed her clothes.
The message on the screen read:
“I’m coming home.”