compnetwork | [Action/Later Anon Text] First Logic

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[Action/Later Anon Text] First Logic

[Those at Andromeda High School during break that happen to be passing by the music room might be in for a small treat: With the door left open just slightly on accident, the sound of a piano being played can be heard throughout the hall. The skill of whoever is playing it is more than obvious: On par with that of a professional, or perhaps even beyond that, some would say, a soft and vibrant melody escapes the room while it's player is completely engrossed in the music and his thoughts. Of course the school's piano would draw him here eventually, like a moth to a flame. Music was the one passion he could never fully give up on, after all. Like an addict, the desire to play would continue to call him back to music, no matter how much he tried otherwise to pull himself away.

But if anyone stopped to listen and made their presence aware, the music would stop abruptly.

Ayumu had been biding his time for the network to begin functioning properly again before moving forward with questions he needed to start asking, but now, with the city rebuilding and a fragile peace slowly settling, he knew it was the best time he'd get. ]

[Evening; Anonymous Text]

This place can fix chronic illnesses or health defects people had before their arrival, right? That's what it seems like, anyway. We can even heal injuries with magic.

What about more abnormal ailments? Things that can't be explained by science, even bordering on supernatural or magical. Has this place show itself to be able to have any affect on things like that?

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[The piano's music continues on after the harmonica fades, at least for a few moments. The melody trails off, gentle and comforting, becoming almost akin to a lullaby towards the end before it comes to a finish, Ayumu's fingers resting on the keys as silence finally falls on the room. It's after a few seconds more that he speaks.]

Are you going to come in, or just keep standing outside?

[And Hizumi will obligingly stick his head into the room, giving a small wave in greeting.]

It figures you'd find this room eventually.

I'm that predictable, huh? [It's a joke, if anything. If Hizumi knew anything about him from his brother, he'd know about Ayumu's feelings about the piano. He couldn't keep himself away, once he found this room.] We play pretty well together.

[It's a rare compliment.... really, duets weren't Ayumu's thing to begin with, with how private he'd kept his playing for years.]

[He steps fully inside, learning against the door frame. Ah, there's that harmonica sticking out of a pocket.]

Well, it's your passion, isn't it? You don't have to be involved to have heard about Ayumu Narumi's skill with the piano.

[Just... not going to mention the part where it was usually in conjunction with Kiyotaka's name. They both know, and it adds nothing productive to the conversation.]

Haaa... I might have been able to keep up for a while, but you're really something. I'll have to practice more if I want to do a proper duet. [But that can't be helped - Ayumu's put a lot more effort into his music than Hizumi ever did. Although after that song... maybe he should look into the harmonica a bit more seriously.]

['Angel's fingers' Narumi, they'd called him. Ha.] I only play in private, these days.

[If he could, he would have quit playing at all. It was a bitter thing, to know his music would never be able to match his brother's... a pale imitation. His sound was someone else's.

He just never knew how deeply that ran, before coming to Hinoto-Ri. Ignoring the subtle praise, he smiles faintly.] You play pretty well, for someone who hasn't practiced seriously.

[It was... fun, actually. playing a duet with Hizumi.]

Edited 2013-12-04 08:01 (UTC)

It's sort of a hobby. It was something to do, for the most part. [Whether it was in the horror tower or just chilling around the city.]

...You know, you could probably pursue it out in the open, here. No one even knows you're brother, so it isn't like you'll be compared to him.

No thanks. [An almost automatic response. The comparison to his brother was only part of the issue, for Ayumu.] I don't plan to go back to pursuing music professionally. It's... a hobby now too, I guess.

[...if you could call a near addiction a 'hobby'. Probably not. But brushing it off as something less than it was is easier than explaining.]

Even though it's so important to you?

[You're not fooling him, Ayumu.]

[Leave it alone, Hizumi.]

I quit music for a reason. That's not going to change just because my brother isn't here.

So it's fine to try to change my fate, but you aren't going to do anything when it comes to yourself?

[Something smells a little like hypocrisy here.]

[Please, Ayumu knew full well he was a hypocrite. He'd accepted it.]

It has nothing to do with fate. I'm not ready to play professionally.

[He might never be.]

You could be if you tried.

You aren't going to inspire anyone with hope if you've got an attitude like that, you know.

[Even if he's trying to reconnect with Ayumu, Hizumi's still not on board with the salvation train. And if Ayumu can't have faith in himself, how could he expect Hizumi to have faith in him, either?]

I decided I would take better care of myself a while ago. But the piano.... [He sighs, turning to glance at the piano.]

No matter how much I tried, I couldn't match my brother's music. Do you know why?

It never matched up to your ideal, right?

[Growing up in Kiyotaka's shadow... That must have been the cause.]

Not just that. [He shakes his head.] I have the skill to play. But to really play the piano, you need more than skill or talent.

['Music comes from the soul' as his mother used to say. He trails his fingers over the piano keys gently, before stepping back and away from the bench.]

I'm not ready on that front. Maybe I will be someday, but not right now.

Well, it's not like you're pressed for time. So in theory, you could achieve it here, couldn't you?

[That was why Ayumu came here in the first place, wasn't it? Because in Hinoto-Ri, time isn't an obstacle.

...Well, not for Ayumu at least.]

Yeah, in theory I could. I've got a few years at least. [He had other things to focus on though, besides his non-existent career.]

Speaking of time.... I haven't seen you around in a while.

[So now we're shifting the attention to Hizumi, huh?]

Well, you know how it goes. Between making up missed time at work and school, I've been swamped.

[Yes, that's definitely the reason.]

[Yep, sure it was. Like schoolwork was even an issue for Hizumi.]

What, you ran out of sick leave?

[Though that reminded Ayumu, he should probably look into getting a job... at least part time enough to get something besides the basics. Depending on the city was all well and good, but with the city in shambles like this, it felt awkward....]

Are you kidding? I ran out a long time ago.

[Between the kidnappings and other weird events in Hinoto-Ri, he's pretty sure the other arcade workers have gotten used to having to unexpectedly fill in for their Visitor coworkers. And the fact that Hizumi has a habit of putting himself out of commission every so often certainly doesn't help matters, either.]

Working at an arcade doesn't give you that many benefits. If I miss out, I've gotta make it up or I won't get to eat.

Edited 2013-12-04 10:05 (UTC)

At least you've got a roof over your head, but that's no good.... [But maybe he should stop putting himself out of commission.

Ayumu pauses, wondering a bit. Maybe...] Think they might need someone to pick up some slack?

Only 'cause rent is free.

[Not that he's complaining, though.]

...Why? You thinking of getting a job there too?

Maybe, if they'll take me. [He shrugs. A job somewhere would be nice.] With what the city gives us, you can't exactly afford much. And I feel a bit guilty using up city funds after the past month.

The manager's pretty relaxed... I don't see why he'd have a problem with it. And the job itself isn't so bad, since it's mostly making sure the crane games are stocked and no one's breaking any machines.

I don't have a lot of qualifications, so that's good. [Or... any qualifications, really. He kept the house while his sister worked, but that was the only 'job' he had.]

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