Chapter 35: Let's Stay Like This a bit Longer...

The sun blazing down on us, fleeing students drenched the school campus with noise. An oddly beautiful usual scene. Yet as I walked by the scene. Drowning my steps in its noise. I heard nothing but my heart, shaking.

Alongside it spun my head. Juggling Ray's image into my thoughts. Making my face burn as I remembered my words. The thought was so…

"Embarrassing," finishing my thought, Jishi manifested beside me. His grin travelling from one ear to the other.

"WHERE WERE YOU?!" Instantly assaulting him, my hands moved, attempting to hide my shame.

"HAHA, you're redder than a tomato," Failing miserably.

"Don't ignore the question!!!" Rushing to change topics, I pressure him to answer.

"Oh, I was there the whole time" His grin expanded while adding a peace sign to the fray.

"LIES!! I refuse to believe that!!" Before I knew it, a smile stuck to my lips.

"You do you then" And through his smug replies. I enjoyed our usual bickering, far more than usual. Although Jishi kept teasing me over my sad try at confessing.

Before we knew it, we had reached the music room. The rustling trees greeted us as I stood in awe. Admiring our usual place, that inexplicably seemed brighter.

Hearing Jishi's laugh beside me, I snap out of my trance. His eyes glowed kindly, as if reading my thoughts. Hinting at the door, he walked ahead. Taking a deep breath, I follow behind him.

Opening the creaking, the nostalgic smell of dust and wood came to me. An old, gentle smell luring me to its warmth.

"haha" a meek laugh left my lips as I looked through the scattered instruments. My eyes charted a path before walking toward the piano.

Sitting down, I eyed Jishi, who had placed his violin on his shoulder, and stood before me. He drew a smile on his face, awaiting me to start. Raising both my hands, I readied to play. Yet I couldn't bring myself to play. Something was missing, no, someone.

"WAIT FOR ME!!" A roar echoed at the door. My heart jumped, recognizing Ray's at the door.

Her hair flowed as she sat next to me on the piano, a sweet smell accompanying her.

"HAHA, at least you didn't crash a bat at me this time," Jishi laughed before teasing Ray.

"You wish I did, don't you?" following the joke Ray too laughed gently. My eyes drifted to her bright smile as I then began.

My hands grazed the piano keys, its light voice painting the room in Max Morath's "The Golden Hours". I played a much slower, nostalgic version. Trying to hold these golden hours, if only a little longer.

Jishi followed with delayed deep strokes of his violin. Contrasting with the voice of the piano. His face mellowed into the tune. Turning to Ray as she hummed along with her eyes closed.

My time froze as content filled my heart. The three of us enjoying ourselves below the tinge of the evening sun peering through the window. Knowing time only moves forward, I take a deep breath before reaching the finale.

The piano burst with energy as I stroke at the keys, quickly and passionately. Jishi assisted with eager swings until my fingers thumped the last note. As silence settled in, I could see both their smiles. And confirming my own, I placed my hand on my lips.

My heart itched as I looked at such a scene. With a sigh of relief I could only say…

"I love you" My eyes fixed on Ray, these words fled my lips. A mixture of anxiety and relief blended in me as I faced her.

Rose filled her cheeks as her golden eyes glimpsed at me, perplexed. In the back, I noticed Jishi had frozen in place. It even took him by surprise. But despite how hard my heart's beating. I stand here amidst my beloved golden hours, In the silence of the room I've treasured, before the person I love.