New Considerations

Standing before the curtain, Jon did not lift it. Instead, he kept time with the melody, tapping out the rhythm with his hand.

Separated by that single curtain, both the person within and the one outside keeping the beat knew exactly who the other was. Yet neither chose to expose it at this moment.

Yada and Sunny stood beside the curtain as well. Yada tried to sneakily lift it, only for Sunny to rap him on the head. As tears welled in Yada's eyes, Sunny made a "shh" gesture at him.

Jon kept time, humming along with the music. As he hummed, it felt as though he had returned to more than ten years ago, to when he had taught Angel to play this piece. Back then, however, Angel's musical talent had not been particularly outstanding. No matter how he learned, he simply could not master it.

Even so, Angel had still loved having Jon play this piece. He liked its bright, radiant tune. The moment the prelude began, it was as though he had returned to that summer filled with song and laughter.

Accompanied by sunlight and a gentle breeze, the piece drew to a close amid dancing notes.

Only then did Sunny and Yada pull open the crimson curtain together.

A handsome young man with golden hair sat before a jet-black piano. His back was straight but not stiff; he sat openly, elegant and reserved. His long fingers still rested upon the black-and-white keys, each joint distinct.

Perhaps sensing that the curtain had been drawn aside, the young man slightly turned his face. His azure eyes seemed to glow with a faint light.

Jon looked at the young man before him and suddenly smiled.

This was Angel.

In his lucid dreams, he had simulated Angel's grown-up appearance countless