Time had passed, and Momo's recovery was nothing short of miraculous. He had gone from being trapped in the prison of his own mind to regaining his ability to speak, move, and even play the piano, albeit with some difficulty. The melodies that once flowed effortlessly from his fingertips were now a testament to his unwavering determination.
Momo sat at the piano in the Crone mansion, surrounded by the warm, melodious notes he had coaxed from the keys. His fingers, though still somewhat unsteady, danced across the piano with grace and purpose. Music had always been his solace, and now it was his therapy, a means to heal the scars of his past.
One sunny afternoon, as Momo played a soulful melody, the doorbell chimed, signaling the arrival of unexpected guests. Mr. Crone, who had been a constant presence by Momo's side, excused himself to answer the door. The sight that greeted him filled his heart with both joy and apprehension.
Rukia and Mia, the two friends of Momo from miyagi music School had not seen in months, stood on the doorstep.
As Mr. Crone welcomed them into the mansion, their eyes met with Momo's. There was a mix of emotions in that moment—surprise, joy, and an undeniable undercurrent of guilt. Rukia and Mia had been part of Momo's life during his time at the orphanage, and they had heard about his attempted suicide.
The reunion was bittersweet. Rukia and Mia embraced Momo, tears streaming down their faces as they held him tightly. Their friend had been through hell, and seeing him alive and well was a testament to his strength.
But as they sat in the elegant living room, surrounded by the opulence of the Crone mansion, the atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken words. Rukia, always the outspoken one, broke the silence.
"Momo," she began, her voice trembling, "we heard what happened... what you tried to do. Why, Momo? Why didn't you come to us? We were your friends!"
Mia nodded, her eyes filled with sorrow. "We would have been there for you, no matter what."
Momo's gaze dropped to the floor, guilt weighing on him like a leaden shroud. He had kept his suffering hidden from his friends, believing that he was protecting them from the darkness that had consumed him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I thought... I thought I could handle it on my own
Rukia's anger flared, and her voice cracked with emotion. "Burden? You think your pain was a burden to us? Momo, you were our friend, our family. We would have done anything to help you, to be there for you."
Mia reached out and held Momo's hand, her tears falling onto their clasped fingers. "You don't know how much we cried when we heard about what you did. We blamed ourselves for not being there when you needed us."
Momo's own tears welled up as he realized the depth of their pain. He had pushed his friends away in his darkest moments, believing that he was sparing them from his own despair. But in doing so, he had caused them immeasurable anguish.
"I'm so sorry," Momo repeated, his voice filled with remorse. "I never meant to hurt you. I was lost, and I didn't know how to reach out."
Rukia and Mia exchanged glances, their anger melting into forgiveness. They had missed their friend terribly, and the wounds of the past were beginning to heal.
As the three friends sat together, their emotions raw and unfiltered, the room seemed to vibrate with a newfound sense of unity. They had weathered the storm of Momo's darkest days, and now they were determined to rebuild their bond.
Just then, a sudden commotion outside the window caught their attention. A crowd of reporters and onlookers had gathered on the street, their cameras flashing and microphones thrust toward the mansion. Mr. Crone rushed to the window, his face filled with concern.
"What's going on out there?" he muttered, his gaze fixed on the chaotic scene.
Mia, Rukia, and Momo exchanged puzzled glances, their reunion momentarily forgotten. The spectacle outside was a stark reminder of the world's insatiable appetite for drama and scandal.
But as they watched, a voice from the crowd rang out, carrying a message that sent shivers down their spines.
"Mr. Crone, can you confirm the rumors? Is it true that Momo's near-death experience was not a suicide attempt but something far more sinister?"