Seventh Lie

"I'm home!" Kaori announced as she remove her shoes.

"Welcome back, Kao-chan!" a beautiful lady greeted. Akane has a brown long hair and her smile was gentle.

Hiromi and Kaori, despite with the age gap, are close with each other ever since they met when they were still kids. Akane soon met Kaori after she became friends with Hiromi and Kaori is the first person who supported them when both of them decided to confess to each other about their feelings. Their relatives who knows that the couple are fond of Kaori asked them to be the guardian of the little girl. Akane and Hiromi  are already married for 5 years and yet they do not have any children that is why they decided to move with Kaori. Of course, they offered their house and would like to adopt Kaori but Kaori humbly declined. They understood that maybe she's still in denial stage about what happened to her parents and still would like to remain to their home where she can still remember her parents. They respected her decision and asked her if it is okay for them to move in with her instead and by doing so, they can take care Kaori and manage the shop that her parents left as well. Kaori gladly accepted their offer.

"Oh, Onee-chan, where are you going?" it seems that Akane is dressed up. Kaori looked around to check for her cousin which appears behind Akane.

"Kao-chan, welcome back. You're on time. Akane's parents invited us for dinner, if you do not mind and if you are still not tired, please come with us." Hiromi informed her, smiling.

"My parents would like to meet Kao-chan. They keep bugging us to let them meet you ever since." Akane added.

Kaori looked at them hesitantly. She really wants to join them but she feels like she does not want to meet anyone right now.

'They might look at me with pity'

"Onii-chan, Onee-chan, I still need to catch up to homework that I missed. Maybe some other time?" Kaori suggested as she smiled.

"Kao-chan…" Hiro look at her as if he's unsure of what to say. Truthfully, they are both worried about Kaori as she acts like she needs to get her act together immediately. As if there is a wall that she's facing and they are afraid that somehow it will break Kaori.

Kaori flinched internally at the sound of her cousin's voice, "I am planning to join a violin competition and I'll also use this time to practice my piece." She reasoned out. "Geez, Onii-chan, there is no need to worry and enjoy your time together with Onee-chan and her family. You left me some pastries, right?"

When they heard about her joining a violin competition, they kind of relax. They know how she loves playing violin and they are glad that she can still play despite what happened.

"Hiro was just worried about Kao-chan. I am worried as well. But we're glad that you are doing what you enjoy. We will support you." Akane sweetly smiled. "There are pastries that I made in the kitchen, please have proper meal first before eating them, okay?" she reminded Kaori like a real mom.

Kaori nodded and bid them goodbyes and take cares. After they left, Kaori went to her room and took a bath, afterwards she changed to her comfortable clothes. Since she's still full, she went to her 'music room' and play some pieces. Maybe she can practice Chaconne as well.

"I don't think there will be a problem joining though. But I am still hesitant." She mumbled as she look for the music sheets of Chaconne. After finding the sheets, she started to warm up and then play.

After playing for at least twice, Kaori decided to take a break and read the brochure about the competition that she is planning to join.

"Eh? What's this?" while looking for the brochure, she found a different paper showing a recital "Akita…. Violin recital 12/03?" isn't this the one she mentioned to her parents before? She wanted to attend this recital but it was in Akita so reluctantly throw this away.

Come to think of it, before they went to Akita, her parents asked her if she is still practicing violin everyday which she really is. They told her that they are going to Akita to visit their relatives but they also have a surprise for her. Kaori froze as realization sink in. Did they went to Akita because she wanted to join the competition? Did her parents think that she wanted to join the competition so much?

"I-I… I don't want to join the competition…" Kaori mumble, her hands that is holding the paper trembles "I didn't want it.. I never want s-something that will costs your… life.."