The Music of Takeru Kagemaru (For Masako):

Takeru had called Masako over one day to one of his favorite places in all of Endymion: Suzie Q's Concert Hall 9.
There, he would play something wonderful on the piano for her.
... that is, once she showed up.
Currently, all he did was wait inside the otherwise deserted concert hall...

When she received the call, she somehow jumped to an odd conclusion. Takeru had asked for her to come with him. Surely this was because he needed a study partner, right? Besides, after what happened the night before....

She'd rather not think about it for now. Maybe later once she's settled down enough to be able to face what she's been through.

For now, she was on her way to...

"Suzie Q's Concert hall..." She repeated to herself. She assumed that they were going to a place with a quiet atmosphere. She's never once been to Suzie Q, not for any reason. She saw that it served it's purpose, but it was not a purpose for her, personally. So she was understandably confused when she realized exactly where she was.

"... Why here of all places?" She said to herself, holding up her bags with several different books on common topics taught at school.

Once she was directed to Concert All 9, she found herself even more confused.

"Good Day, Mr. Kagemaru," she replied as she entered and found... a completely lonely room with just the two of them.

And a piano, apparently.

Huh... perhaps I gave him too little credit. This is a pretty quiet place. Not many people will bother us here.

"Interesting place you've chosen," she replied, setting down her bag of books, "I'll admit, I didn't know what to expect when you suggested meeting here of all places. It's a perfectly quiet place for studying together."

"Are you his girlfriend or something?" flashed a memory from when she first met with Mr. Kagemaru. Suddenly she remembered the children who asked rather awkward personal questions of her.

Wait... is this... an attempt at courtship? Was he... trying to court her?! In a private place such as this?! She did her best to remain stoic. After all, she needed to be sure what she was getting involved in before she could make accusations. After all, this was just a study session... right?

"Oh! Hey Masako." He said upon noticing her.
Then he heard what she said about the study group.
"Wait. Study? I called you here because I owe you for last time. I was going to play something on the piano." He said.
"Although studying doesn't sound like a bad idea. We could do that too." Takeru said as an afterthought.

P-Piano... for the other time...

"I see, so that was the purpose of the call," she replied, as stoic as ever, "For future reference, it's not necessary to repay me for these things. Just being able to assist should be reward in and of itself."

Certain flashes of the other night started to play out in her mind. Of demons, of battle... of... very scary imagery...

"Actually, piano doesn't sound like a bad idea at this point," she replied, "And I will admit I'm curious to see your skills on the keys. If there is something you need help with for studying, I will gladly help. Since I assumed you needed help with that, I brought several books on different common subjects. It's best to be well learned, even in the basics."

"I... thought I mentioned that." Takeru said at her response. He would have sweat dropped at that moment if he could.
"Alright." He said. "Is there anything you'd like to hear in particular?" Takeru asked her.

"Something relaxing," were the first words out of her mouth. She was quick to take the closest available seat. "Let's just say I would appreciate a moment to clear my head of some rather stressful school work."

"Alright." He said. Closing his eyes briefly, he began to play the most soothing tune he could think of.
In this case the Ode to Joy. He let himself get lost in the notes, immersing himself in his little Reverie.
When he was done, he turned to her.
"Was that relaxing enough for you?" He asked her.

It helped. It did seem to help. At first, it was just notes playing in the air, keeping her distracted from her thoughts. While that didn't last for very long, at least her thoughts weren't of rather scary scenarios. They turned to time long since past, to when she was a child and of the quiet life she had with her father long ago. Though they were sad memories, they were much more pleasant and welcomed.

She gave a small smile, and a small applause.

"That helped. Thank you. You really are quite talented."

"Thank you." Takeru said, accepting her praise graciously.
"Is there anything else you want me to play?" He asked her.

Hmm... perhaps I should see where he goes on his own?

"Well, I made the first choice," she replied, lounging into her seat, "Perhaps you could play one of your favorites? I'm interested in seeing the kinds of songs you've played in your time."

"Alright. I can do that." He said. He wondered what song to play until something very faint echoed at the back of his mind.
He then knew what to play.
Closing his eyes, he began to play Schumann's Pleading Child and Contented Smile, which were two parts of the same song.
When he was done he asked her again:
"What do you think of that?" He asked her.

When he plays his music, it tends to have quite the affect on her memories. They were very sad memories for her. Somehow, his notes always found their way to the time of her life with her father and the bond they once shared. All the meals they had together, all the time they shared just talking about things in life, it was more than enough to make her ache.

His music was beautiful.

"I would think you a very... what's the word that I'm looking for," Masako thought as she placed a finger on her chin. "Ah yes, poignant master of music. Your notes have a way of reaching into the heart. I'd say you have a very promising future in music, assuming that is your aim."

"Thank you." He said, accepting her praise graciously. "But i'm not sure what I want to be in life, to be honest." He answered.
"I mean... when you can be anything, how is one supposed to pick one path, and go along that way?" He asked her.

"That's actually a very good question," she replied, giving it some thought, "It's not something that comes easily for most. I know what path I've wanted to follow for the longest of time, so I've no intention of deviating from it. But in all honesty, it's different for everyone. You still have time ahead of you, so you'll likely figure out your path in due time. Just be patient." It was easy to tell that she was trying to sound like a mature adult.

"I suppose so." he said to her.
"Honestly, I envy you, I mean, you know what you want to be." He said.
"I honestly don't get it... when did you figure out what you wanted to be? Why?" He asked her.
"I figure that if I want to pick something, I need to understand why. I want to know what i'm looking for internally, after all." He explained.