Chapter 1: Masked Emotions
A notable chime along with a consistent buzz was all that was heard in an otherwise still room; a body laded lifeless on top of a mattress in the center of the room still clothed with what was worn earlier in the day.
A hand came to life as it fumbled on the nightstand adjacent to the bed searching for the source of the noise before finally grasping it, silencing the buzz with a slide of a finger.
"Hello Arima Kousei San, this is the building manager we just want to confirm that you're okay with sharing your apartment for the time being as the new residents room is not finished with it's repair."
"Yes that is fine let them know that the door code is 696230 there room is to the right of the entrance anything else you can give them my number and I will sort it out. "
"Sounds wonderful Arima-San I will rely the message goodbye. "
"Goodbye."
Arima ran his fingers through his messy hair as the sun had set ; the night his signal to arise as his next shift was approaching.
His routine was militant and precise to cut down on wasted time as he was out of his house in the matter of minutes supplied, with a chance of clothes as what he was wearing currently was not his usual attire.
venturing into the downstairs garage he climbed into a silver bmw i8 placing a duffle bag in the passenger seat. Just as he was about to pull off his phone rang; a name and picture plastered on the front glass.
Not willing to deal with the hassle of the person on the other side constantly calling back if he declined he picked up the phone a voice instantaneously filling the car over the speakers.
"Kousei!!!! I'm back in Japan! Where are you I want to see you!"
"I'm sorry I have a prior engagement so that's not possible."
"Awe come on don't you want to see your big sister after so long?"
"I don't remember us ever becoming related Tsubaki."
The engine reved as he continued to his destination, exciting the garage at the start of the conversation.
"Whatever, you know my parents shipped me off to America right after high school.because of thier businesses taking off I missed it here I missed you....."
There was a silence that took over the car before a prima finally caved
" okay I'll see what I can do but I'll have to get back to you as like I said I have a prior engagement and I've arrived."
The car shut off while the conversation switch back to his phone for a brief period of time as they said there goodbyes; arima stood outside a bar hidden in the back alleys of Kabukichō a district known for its high nightlife scene.
His footsteps led him to a bar with a neon reddish pink lilly with the kanji for Ren lit up alongside it. The inside had a rugged look but it fit well; in a order in chaos kind of way.
He paid no attention to the stare of the samaritans as his eyes had one thing in it's sight a STEINWAY Model B Grand Piano
His partner in arms waiting for him to return .
Quickly placing his bag in the room adjacent tot eh stage he return to where felt free to be himself where he could breathe easy. The seat as comfortable as ever, it's keys glistening like diamonds under the spotlight this is where he belonged. Feeling settled in he let go and followed his heart.
The delact tune of keys flooded the haze induced bar a cornucopia of cigarettes butts along with the smattering of bottles decorated the tables as the regulars enjoying the ambiance set by the sound of keys weave notes into harmonies.
Something fast and harsh later soft and subtle nimble fingers strode on top the keys at a composed pace; this was not intentional by the musician, it was his raw emotion flowing through his hands.
Pent up feelings that were only release here in this room his escape, for if you seen this person in any other environment he seemed lifeless an autonomous robot going through the motions of life.
His life under a microscope and with him with little input on it; his only comfort was the seat of a piano and the dancing of keys.
His Symphony came to an end with the applause of the crowd but it have an effect on him as he played for his own price of mind not for anyone else .
He simply left the stage and enter a changing room removing his disguise the wig revealing is jet black hair no longer cover by its pure white counter part.
He removed his tuxedo and contacts replacing them with some causal business attire and a pair of glasses as all the emotion that was expressed on stage once again was bottled up and sealed leaving behind as husk of person.
He gathered his stuff and left the room and rejoined the customers of the bar he was greeted with his regular from the madam of the establishment.
"Although your performances here never cease to amaze me, I have to say I can't be good for your health to keep your emotions locked away"
The words going unacknowledged with words but she knew that he was listening; his actions prove it as he was worst off when he first played in her bar, raw and unrefined like a dam crumbling under the pressure of water flowing unhendered but as he played the keys became more uniformed.
"That mask is gonna to crack on day and when it happens that's the day you truly start living. And I for one can't wait to see what music comes from it as I know it Will be truly beautiful "
with a wink and gentle smile she left from behind the bar and walk towards the stage her Vivienne Westwood inspired outfit and sliver accentuating jewelry gleamed under the lights, giving off an imposing feeling as if demanding your eyes.
Other came to the stage only for her as they played to relive a certain feeling that took them back in time.
The slow playing of keys and a melodic drum pattern place the audience into a trance and the empress of the bar named Ren caressed the mic her hand with a finger gauntlet returned to a familiar position before a angelic voice started its accompaniment .
"Where have you been?
Been searching all along
Came facing twilight on and on
Without a clue
Without a sign
Without grasping yet
The real question to be asked
Where have I been?"
The words flowed effortlessly from her mouth forever pleasing to the ear and although the young man didn't turn towards the performance he could feel as if she was stand right behind him trying to guide him towards the light but he couldn't let himself be swayed. He stoically enjoyed the song to the end; the lyrics tugging on his own heartstrings leaving their mark even if only slightly.
He glanced at his watch almost automatically as he felt his time here was up the action only serving as confirmation he left the bar bumping into someone as they were entering. a quick bow was his acknowledgment slash apology as he didn't stop his exit he got to his car threw his belongings in the back and sped off into the night.
his silent car ride was abruptly interrupted by the ringing of his phone over the car audio system with a simple gesture he answered the phone following witch an monotone voice echoed in the car simply asking...
"where are you now? "
Im about 10 mins away I'll arrive soon"
"and since when do I wait on you? "
The man didn't interject as it was pointless the voice continued
" you continue to test my tolerance and I will no longer be lenient. immediately scrub in when you arrive or are lives not as important as what you were wasting your time with "
that being the end of the conversation the call ended on that note returning the car to silence Arima's voice silently reply.
"Understood mother"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
BigBroHasDrugs
BigBroHasDrugs An with that we set off on a journey with our MC what's in store who knows
Comment if you know who the owner of the bar is along with the song she was singing
I'll update again with a mini mass release of four or five chapters over the weekend after at least a chapter week as I work and go to school with this being a hobby
Thanks for reading ?
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