---April 19, 2016
---At Shibuya Tokyo, Japan
The next day, Takashi and Aiko found themselves standing in front of a quaint little café in Shibuya. The sign above read "Café Harmonia," and it had a charming, inviting look. Takashi took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves.
"Ready?" Aiko asked, giving him an encouraging smile.
Takashi nodded, though his hands were clammy. "Yeah, let's do this."
They pushed the door open and stepped inside. The café was empty, save for a man who greeted them with a warm smile. He was dressed in a neat suit, radiating a professional yet friendly demeanor.
"Good afternoon! You must be Takashi and Aiko. I'm Mr. Nakamura, the manager here. Welcome to Café Harmonia," he said, extending his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Nakamura," Takashi said, shaking his hand.
Aiko looked around, taking in the elegant decor. "It's beautiful here."
"Thank you,"
Mr. Nakamura said, smiling.
"We're actually closed today to prepare for a special event, which is why it's so quiet. But please, follow me."
He led them through the cozy café, past tables set with fine china and crystal glasses. Aiko's eyes roamed the surroundings, noting the tasteful furnishings and the soft lighting that created a warm ambiance.
They approached a small stage at the back of the café, where a large object was covered by a cloth. Takashi's heart raced as they drew closer. Mr. Nakamura turned to them with a twinkle in his eye.
"We've been preparing for this moment,"
he said, gripping the edge of the cloth.
"Takashi, I hope you like it."
With a flourish, he pulled the cloth away, revealing a stunning black grand piano. It gleamed under the stage lights, perfectly polished and ready to be played.
Takashi's eyes widened in awe.
"Wow,"
he breathed, stepping closer to the piano.
"It's beautiful."
"It's a master piano," Mr. Nakamura said proudly.
"Perfectly tuned and maintained. We're thrilled to have you perform here."
Takashi ran his fingers lightly over the keys, feeling their smooth surface.
"I've never seen a piano like this up close."
Aiko smiled, seeing the excitement in
Takashi's eyes. "You're going to sound amazing on this piano, Takashi."
Mr. Nakamura nodded.
"We believe in nurturing young talent. Your performance is highly anticipated. Do you need to practice before the event?"
Takashi nodded, still mesmerized by the piano. "Yes, I'd love to get a feel for it."
"Of course," Mr. Nakamura said. "Take all the time you need. The café will be open to the public tomorrow evening for your performance."
Takashi sat down on the piano bench, his hands hovering over the keys. He took a deep breath and played a few notes, the rich sound filling the empty café. A smile spread across his face as he felt the music flow through him.
"This is incredible,"
he said, looking up at Aiko and Mr. Nakamura.
Aiko beamed with pride. "I knew you'd love it."
Mr. Nakamura clapped his hands together. "I'll leave you to it, then. If you need anything, just let me know."
As Mr. Nakamura walked away, Takashi turned to Aiko.
"I can't believe this is happening. It feels like a dream."
"It's real, Takashi," Aiko said, squeezing his shoulder.
"You deserve this. You've worked so hard."
Takashi nodded, feeling a swell of determination. "I'm going to make sure this performance is unforgettable."
With that, he focused on the piano, losing himself in the music. Aiko watched him, knowing that this was just the beginning of something extraordinary for her friend.
---Meanwhile...
Ryujin finally exited the train, the bustling energy of Shibuya hitting him immediately. The signs everywhere welcomed newcomers with cheerful messages: "Welcome to Shibuya!"
Ryujin sneered, muttering under his breath,
"What a joke. This place won't be so welcoming soon."
Keeping his head down, he noticed several police officers near the station exit. They were engrossed in conversation, their voices carrying over the noise of the crowd.
"I can't believe this guy's still on the loose," one officer said, shaking his head.
"Yeah, the ShinCafe massacre was brutal. We've got to catch him soon," another replied.
Ryujin's heart pounded, but he maintained a calm exterior, carefully maneuvering his way out of the station. Once outside, he quickly approached the nearest taxi.
"Take me to a hotel," he said, sliding into the back seat and closing the door with a sense of urgency.
As the taxi began to move, Ryujin's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw a text from Yukiko. It read: ">Please, Ryujin, stop this madness. Think about Soya and what you're doing. Please."
Ryujin scoffed, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Pathetic..."
he muttered to himself. The irony of the person who left him now begging him to stop was not lost on him. He felt a twisted sense of satisfaction.
Then, another notification popped up on his phone. It was a business post on social media promoting a special event at a small cafe called "Café Harmonia." The post highlighted the restaurant's recent success and mentioned a special performance by a talented young pianist.
Ryujin's eyes widened, not in shock, but in elation. This was perfect. A new target, a place where he could strike again. He leaned forward, tapping the driver's shoulder.
"Change of plans..."
he said, his voice filled with a newfound excitement.
"Take me to Café Harmonia."
The driver, slightly puzzled, nodded and adjusted the route on his GPS. Ryujin leaned back in his seat, a sinister grin spreading across his face. His mind was already plotting his next move.
---Meanwhile with Takashi and Aiko
Takashi and Aiko were sitting in Café Harmonia, the day of the performance finally here. The café was buzzing with anticipation, the staff making last-minute preparations. Takashi sat at the piano, his fingers lightly brushing the keys as he went through a mental checklist of his pieces.
"Ready?"
Aiko asked, giving him a reassuring smile.
"As ready as I'll ever be,"
Takashi replied, taking a deep breath. The nerves were there, but so was the excitement. This was his moment.
The manager, Mr. Nakamura, approached them with a smile.
"We're about to open the doors. do your best, Takashi. You're going to do great."
Takashi nodded, his heart racing. He glanced at Aiko, who gave him a thumbs-up. The doors opened, and the café began to fill with people. Takashi's eyes scanned the room, taking in the faces of the audience. He was ready.
As the café filled to capacity, the lights dimmed slightly, and a hush fell over the crowd. Mr. Nakamura stepped onto the small stage and introduced Takashi. Applause filled the room as Takashi took his place at the piano. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the calm wash over him, then began to play "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6" by Liszt.
His fingers danced across the keys, the opening measures in C-sharp minor flowing smoothly. The fast-paced octaves and intricate runs demanded his full concentration.
(Remember, keep your wrists loose, let the music breathe...)
he reminded himself.
As the piece transitioned to the slower, more lyrical section in E major, Takashi poured his emotions into each note. The audience was captivated, their eyes glued to Takashi as he poured his heart into every note.
(Expressive, but controlled. Don't rush it,)
he thought, savoring the melody.
He then tackled the technical brilliance of the next section, where the tempo increased, and his fingers flew over the keys in a dazzling display.
"Focus on precision, every note counts..."
he told himself, feeling the adrenaline surge.
Meanwhile, outside the café, Ryujin stepped out of the taxi, blending into the crowd that was still milling about the streets of Shibuya. He made his way towards Café Harmonia, his mind focused on the chaos he planned to unleash. As he approached the café, he could hear the faint sound of piano music drifting through the open windows.
Ryujin's smirk widened.
"Perfect..."
he whispered. He pushed the door open, slipping inside unnoticed. The audience was too engrossed in Takashi's performance to notice the danger that had just walked in.
Takashi continued to play, lost in the music, unaware of the storm that was about to hit. The evening was set, the stage was ready, and the darkness that Ryujin brought with him was about to collide with the light of Takashi's talent.
Takashi's fingers flew over the keys as he reached the aggressive climax of "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6."
The music swelled, filling the café with intense, powerful notes. The audience was entranced, the atmosphere electric.
---But...
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, shattering the reverie. Ryujin stood, a small revolver in his hand. Panic erupted as he fired at the nearest customer, then another. Screams filled the air, but the music continued to play in Takashi's head, his hands still moving on autopilot.
Aiko, backstage, saw the chaos unfold. She tried to reach Takashi, but the gunfire kept her pinned down.
"Takashi, get down!"
she screamed, her voice barely audible over the mayhem.
Mr. Nakamura, immediately tries to ran towards Takashi to protect him. But Ryujin's next shot hit Mr. Nakamura, sending him sprawling onto the stage near Takashi. Blood splattered across Takashi's white gloves and the piano keys, and only then did Takashi stop playing, the reality of the situation crashing down on him.
Takashi turned around, his eyes locking with Ryujin's. Time seemed to freeze. In that moment, Ryujin's face twisted into a cruel smile, and he pulled the trigger again. The first bullet hit Takashi in the stomach, the second in the shoulder. Takashi fell backward, pain exploding through his body. He hit the ground hard, blood pooling around him.
Aiko's eyes widened in horror as she watched from the backstage.
"No! Takashi!"
she cried, her voice breaking. She rushed forward, but the scene was pure chaos. People were running, screaming, trying to escape the café.
Ryujin continued to fire until his revolver clicked empty. He then tossed the weapon aside, the satisfaction on his face evident. He turned and made his way toward the exit, blending into the panicked crowd.
Aiko finally reached Takashi, kneeling beside him.
"Stay with me, Takashi. Help is coming,"
she said, her voice trembling as she pressed her hands against his wounds, trying to stop the bleeding.
Takashi's vision blurred, the pain overwhelming. He could barely hear Aiko's words, the world around him fading in and out.
"Aiko...I'm sorry-..."
he managed to whisper, his voice weak.
"Don't you dare apologize,"
Aiko said fiercely, tears streaming down her face.
"You're going to be okay. Just hold on."
The sirens of approaching ambulances and police cars filled the air, but for Takashi, everything was becoming distant, the edges of his consciousness darkening. The last thing he saw was Aiko's tear-streaked face, her hands covered in his blood, as she tried desperately to save him.
---2 days later...
---April 21, 2016
---At Shibuya Tokyo, Japan
(am I really dead....After all what I have done?...No...father....)
Takashi's eyes fluttered open to find himself in a vast, grassy field. The sky above was a brilliant blue, with soft, white clouds drifting lazily. Confused, he slowly stood up, looking around to get his bearings. The air was filled with the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. It was peaceful, serene.
As he turned, he saw her. His mother, dressed in a flowing white dress, stood a short distance away, her face turned up to the sky. The sight of her took his breath away. He hadn't seen her since the accident. His heart ached with a mix of longing and confusion.
"Mom?"
he called out, his voice trembling. She turned to face him, her expression gentle and filled with love. She didn't say a word but extended her hand toward him, a silent invitation.
Takashi felt tears welling up as he walked towards her, his steps hesitant at first but then more confident. He reached out, desperate to feel her touch again. But just as their fingers were about to meet, a force pulled him back violently.
"Mom!"
he cried out as he was yanked away from the field, his mother's image fading into the distance.
Takashi's eyes snapped open, and he found himself staring at the stark white ceiling of a hospital room. The smell of antiseptic filled the air. He could hear the steady beep of the heart monitor beside him. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling rapidly from the shock.
He looked down at himself, seeing the patient gown he was wearing. His stomach and shoulder were wrapped in layers of bandages. The pain was dull but persistent, a reminder of the nightmare he'd just woken up from. The room was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping and the sound of his own labored breaths.
(What just happened...Was that real?)
he thought, his mind racing.
(Why did I see her...What does it mean?)
He tried to sit up, wincing as pain shot through his body. The memories of the café, the music, the terror, all came rushing back. He remembered the gunshots, the blood, and then nothing.
(I should be dead...)
he thought, a mix of disbelief and fear flooding his senses.
(How am I still...here?)
Just then, the door to his room creaked open, and Aiko walked in, her eyes red from crying but filled with relief when she saw him awake.
"Takashi, you're awake!"
she exclaimed, rushing to his side. She gently touched his hand, her fingers warm against his cold skin.
"Aiko... what happened?"
Takashi's voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper.
"You were shot," Aiko said, her voice shaking.
"But the doctors managed to save you. You've been out for two days."
Takashi closed his eyes, trying to process everything.
(Two days...)
His thoughts were a jumble of fear, confusion, and a desperate need to understand.
(Mom, why did I see you...What are you trying to tell me-?)
"You're safe now," Aiko continued, her voice soft but firm.
"The police are looking for Ryujin. They won't let him hurt anyone else."
Takashi nodded slowly, though his mind was still far away, back in that field with his mother. He felt a strange sense of peace mixed with the pain and fear.
(Maybe it was just a dream... but it felt so real.)
"Takashi," Aiko's voice brought him back to the present.
"We need to focus on getting you better. You're going to be okay."
He opened his eyes and looked at her, seeing the determination in her gaze.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
"I hope so." But deep down, he wondered if he would ever truly be okay again.
While there's something in Takashi, that he keeps feeling deep down...
(that guy...why does he deserves to roam freely and just escape like that?)
(he should be...Gone...)