Later that week, Riol and Kaori dropped by Arima's house for a study session. As they settled in, Kaori noticed a guitar resting against the wall. Her eyes lit up.
"Do you play?" she asked,
her voice full of excitement.Arima hesitated, feeling a bit exposed.
"A little," he replied,
his voice barely above a whisper.
"Could you play something for us?" Kaori asked,
her eyes shining with anticipation. Riol nodded enthusiastically, clearly intrigued.Reluctantly, Arima picked up the guitar, his fingers moving instinctively over the strings. He started with a simple melody, one he'd composed in a quiet moment when he needed an escape from reality. The notes filled the room, soft and haunting, weaving a story of solitude and longing.Kaori closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her, a faint smile playing on her lips. As the last note faded, she opened her eyes, looking at him with a deep appreciation.
"That was beautiful, Arima," she whispered.
"Music... it's like another form of art, isn't it? It tells a story without words."
Arima nodded, feeling an unspokenconnection with her. In that moment, he realized that perhaps he didn't have to be alone—that there were people who understood the parts of him he'd kept hidden for so long.