[Contest Entry 2011] Winter Symphonia -Overture-

To tell you the truth I've never experienced winter before, as this place only alternates between clear and rainy days out there. The weather is mostly hot or sometimes cold, due to the rain.

All that I can do is imagine the beautiful winter scenery before my eyes, the chillness that gives my body a huge lift as I envisioned a briskly walk across a snowy path with a thick leather jacket and boots.

Picture the icicle crystals falling slowly from the skies, the majestic snowfalls pouring down beautifully as you watched from afar.

The scenery changes into a concert hall, where I'm standing at the podium beside a grand piano with familiar faces of the Fakku users gathering around the seats. Ah I see, I'm going to play my own composition for their own special winter, eh?

What should I do? I'm not even half-good at playing the piano, I don't want to disappoint them by giving a half-baked performance, though it's better to try than refusing to take this golden opportunity. I don't care what happens next, I just want to give my all.

'Yes, that's the spirit'

'What's most important is for your music to have a soul.'

'Good luck, and farewell'

As I finished hearing this mysterious voice, I felt a strong pat on my back, filled with incredible power. I turned back to see no one standing behind me, pretty strange. Taking a last look of the audience in front of me, I moved onto the grand piano, sitting down at the piano chair. The close-up look of the huge orchestral instrument in front of me fills my mind with awe.

I lightly traced my fingers on the piano, feeling both the softness and hardness of it, Placing my right hand against these, I focused all my feelings into it, hitting a single note in the high octaves.The melody was so sharp and filled with brightness as it echoes throughout the room. Such powerful impact I felt upon hearing a simple melody, this must be an extraordinary piano!

I lifted my left hand, playing some simple chords I taught myself while back, synchronizing the beat according to the melody playing on my head at this moment. The catchy melody makes my hand dance across the piano platform, I tried not to lose my beat while keeping the harmonious musical pattern up.

Yes, I'm beginning to feel it. This piano emits the sound of melancholic winter, subtle yet so beautiful and filled with brightness. The next chord I played sends me out drifting into a fantasy world, I can't remember clearly the notes I'm playing before, it transcribes itself to me as series of a vivid imagery and intense emotions.

I think something inside me has awakened due this mysterious visage caused by the melodies I played.



Symphony of Winter.



Melancholic melodies of purity and innocence.



Once again, I'm alone in this white...white world.



You can't rewrite history, but you can rewrite the future as you will. Though it won't always happen exactly as you desired.



Are you telling me to cry whenever I'm full of emotions? No way I'm going to do it, crying aren't going to make me any stronger.



Y-you idiot....



Cut it out, you stalker! I won't forgive you if you ever try peeping on me...

"You never change."

"So are you."

It's the figure of a long deceased person that held a special place in my memories, looking alive and well.



Notes from the past, compiling the recurring thoughts of self-depreciation, the only way to ease the burden of the last winter. Even though the outside world is much different.

Tasting the cheerful textures of spring, every day seems sweet and warm. Yet I can't pretend that I didn't care, this memories were definitely not a lie.

It's true that our love existed ever since childhood, we've been supporting each other since then, right? I'm anticipating the next winter, hoping that I could met you again.

Because that peculiar season reminds me of your beautiful, kind, caring, yet melancholic self. Even though you look fragile and weak, you always encourage me to do my best and keep fighting.

Even though you said you can't give much to me, please believe, that you already gave me more than everything I could wish for my life. By the time you were gone, I realized how precious you are to me. I'll be waiting for you to come back next winter, because you promised to come back here, taking me away from this desolate place.



"Do you think our love will be requited, if I managed to confess my love to you back then?"

"We might have to explain to the society, that we're also a human being."

It might be hard for people to accept our love because...



And the love weren't even allowed to blossom in our lives, when we could still met together, flesh and blood. Neither sides tried being honest with themselves, nor does an opportunity ever arises to make us true to our feelings.

If that love ever blossomed, things will be tough in the future. Is this kind of love forbidden? As for now, I don't even want to care 'bout it.



"Please take me away, like what you promised."

"Yosh, let's go then!"

You've shown me the same old smile that motivates me for many years. Even though this might be the point of no return, please take me to wherever place you desired.

Because we can always try to reach the future we want. If we never try, we will never achieve our deepest wishes. Opportunities might come and go, but it's your own decision to take the right chance, that creates a true miracle.

I held onto your hand tightly, this will be the beginning of our wonderful adventures. The overture of our glorious Symphony of Winter.



Tears began falling like it's never been, as I finished playing the last melody. What does that imagery mean just now? I took a deep breath then stood up the stage, gazing at the still-silent audience after my piano performance

Ah, I must have failed...

I stood nervously as the crowd began forming a quiet chatter

"Misa-chan!"

It's that voice again, the same voice and smile. I must call out to her, because I'm afraid she might disappear anytime...

"Keiko."

By the time I called out to her name, she appears before me, rushing through the back seats to this place.

If it's with her, I think I could do this.

"Thank you, Fakku." I said with a slightly trembling voice as I bowed towards the audience. I'm prepared to take on anything that comes out after that.