Sarah Cortez:

“Fair enough?” Daniel’s tone was quelling.

Sarah looked at Daniel in front of her as if she was looking at a ghost.

She never heard that he can play piano… what’s more, he’s freaking good!?

Sarah felt the atmosphere inside the Auditorium changed. She can even hear gasp behind her. It must have been from the female host.

Wow… that was the only word she could utter.

What Daniel played just now was similar to the ‘Mirack’ she knew but why did she feel as if what Daniel played was instead better?

But when she recovered herself somewhat and looked at him again, she saw that he was smiling faintly and realized that he was in fact in excellent humor.

“What are you waiting for…? Play, I will support you~”

Sarah couldn’t believe what she’s experiencing but she was a strong girl.

A smile immediately bloomed in her lips as she nodded.

Daniel took a deep breath. It had been a little while since he'd been in this intense of a competition. From what he could remember, it should be three to four years ago?

He was chosen to be a competitor for a national writing competition – though, in the end, he lost.

That was the first time he competed at the national level after all.

Everyone is so talented that time, and somehow he felt almost out-of-sorts amongst all those seasoned veterans.

But this time, it’s not writing contest but musical competition… what a turn of event.

Daniel stared at his reflection in the piano and couldn’t help but feel nervous. The only saving grace for him is that a score was present. With this, blindly playing is successfully avoided.

Sarah looked at Daniel, then nodded.

Daniel took a deep breath and looked down at the keys of the piano.

He begins to play, softly at first, and then building in strength, almost willing the warmth within him to flow into the notes.

Together with him, Sarah started hers as well.

The sounds of the piano and violin in the hall faded from Daniels ears, to be seamlessly replaced by the notes imagined within him.

Shiver!

While playing, Sarah couldn’t help but cast glances at Daniel.

Sarah was in awe.

Beside her was a musician that was so in tune with his piano, so synchronized with the notes that he is able to create imagery so realistic that she almost forgot that she was playing the violin.

This… strong sometimes swift but the feeling being expressed is very gentle and warm…

This guy…

What’s with this sound…

I can’t believe Daniel could play like this…

Is this Layla’s beloved younger brother … Daniel?

Sarah’s mind was in a state of shock and pleasant surprise. Layla never told her about this.

Judging how she normally was, it would be strange if she didn’t boast…

But why… did she not know about this…?

This would be an appropriate conclusion.

She closed her eyes and willed the music to overtake her, such gentle sounds … so attractive …

No, what am I saying?!

When she opened again, she had already forgotten the audiences and only stared at Daniel, playing while moving his body along with the sound. In her eyes, a strong curiosity and interest budded.

She had heard so much about him from Layla but she never sees him other than her best friend’s little brother.

Although indeed, when she first greeted him, she was so shy and almost looked like a timid girl in front of him.

But now, his very existence interested him. As someone who loves music ever since she was a child, meeting a person like him who could play this well despite being younger than her caused her to admire him.

Her tone must have gone off key, for suddenly the engrossed figure swung his head around and in a blink of an eye, she was already gazing at Daniel’s youthful face.

As soon as he saw her, he broke into a grin, giving his handsome face another charm. “Don’t be so distracted…”

She heard his voice.

“You’re the heroine of this stage. The spotlight belongs to you, not me…” He said teasingly.

She was startled, causing her to fell behind. Damn, it!

Sarah immediately tried to get back on track but suddenly,

Ting!

Daniel change. With a mischievous smile, Daniel’s fingers danced on the keyboard.

The sound change…?!

Sarah’s eyes widened as she suddenly noticed the piano’s sound change into something new.

It’ as if another person, someone even better than Daniel was playing.

How could that be possible?!

The new sound was gentle blooming, fun and happy … I’ve never heard a sound like this.

This rhythm and this overbearing yet pleasant atmosphere… all of this…

Is this the real… him?!

No! What am I doing?! She snapped out of her daze.

Chased him! Quickly, chased him!!

Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead but Sarah ignored them as her mind was only filled with music.

Chased him, don’t let him left you behind! That was the only thing inside her mind.

Her hands danced in the air.

She had already forgotten that this was a competition.

She had even already forgotten about the people watching them.

Silence overwhelmed the spectators and not bit noise was made, only the music created by the violin and piano echoing the whole place.

Looking at her, Daniel’s lips broke into a grin.

He never expected to receive the completion prompt in the middle of playing, causing his skills in piano to be once again improved to a whole new realm.

If before, he was better than beginners and amateurs, at this moment, he was in the levels of professional famous pianists!

However, this was good. With this, he would be able to push Sarah’s talent to a whole new level. That’s the reason why he increased his tempo.

To stimulate her maturity.

You have talent I gave you that… but you only need one simple push…

Fly soar little bird… after this, you will reach higher than you could imagine…

His heartfelt feelings shone through the song, and as he closed his eyes for a moment, he could almost imagine the scenery that he wanted to convey.

Sarah couldn't stop herself from shedding some tears.

It’s over.

Then, the song finally came to an end…

Sarah gasps for air while raising the bow in her hand, high up in the air.

Aah, what a strange feeling…

Even though I’m so tired, I still want to play…

Was I able to play properly? Such things had already long been gone in her mind because, before her, new undiscovered horizons are expanding, giving new colors to her world.

And when Daniel let the last few notes hang in the air, the audience was almost afraid to let the moment go, afraid to break the tension and applaud.

Silence…

Daniel ignored the surroundings as he stood up.

“Hey,”

“Ah!” Sarah was startled.

She then immediately turned around, her face wearing that brilliant and dazzling smile. She seemed to almost want to rush towards him, embraced him, when,

“Greet them that’s the basic etiquette, right?”

“Ah!” She finally realized what where she was. Her face beet red turned around and bowed.

The venue was still enveloped by silence.

Suddenly, one girl stood up and started clapping.

Then another one…

Then another one…

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

One after another, people stood up clapping like mad.

Because of this, the spell that captured them was finally broken and the roar of the applause overwhelmed the entire place.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

“The Best!”

“Amazing!!”

“Very good!!”

“““Sarah!!!”””

“““I LOVE YOU!!!”””

“““YOU ARE AMAZING!!! I LOVE YOU!!!”””

The applause came like thunder roaring.

Sarah was thunderstruck and tears started falling in her eyes again.

This was the moment,

However, just like Cinderella, when the clock strikes twelve, the magic will then disappear.

And for her, the witching hour already struck and the glittering coach that guided her into this stage has already turned into a pumpkin again.

Vanishing from the stage…

When she turned around, Daniel was already gone.

… …