"I have always waited for this day to come. I have waited always. Now I know what I want. Then I am so nervous"? Katari said ok front of the mirror. Melange, I and Annanse will be there. I'll get a chance to prove myself. I sure will enjoy winning or being beaten but why am I nervous then. I am not here to win after all. He thought and rubbed his cheeks. "Come on. Pull yourself together". He said to himself. "Nervous right Katari"? Annanse walked in. "Oh the silence before the competition always kills me". Katari said. "Always". He added.

"But you are not up first". Annanse comforted him. "Don't worry"! Annanse added. "Yeah! Who's first"? Katari asked. "Lima I'm guessing". Annanse said. "Lima"? Katari's eyes widened. "Yeah. She'd always been here". Annanse said. That girl is unbelievably perfect. "I won't make it then". Katari said. "No don't go that down". Annanse said. He waved and walked out of katari's room. "Yeah. Right. I shouldn't". Katari rubbed his eyes. The competition started with Lima. Claire de lune. The most famous tune ever heard. Or so was it thought. Her performance was a blast as always. She too dreamt of beating these three perfectionist (Katari, Annanse and Melange) but now one of them wasn't there.

Her tune reached every soul. It was beautiful and delicate. Every edge was perfect. She had it all memorised. Not even the slightest curve moved away. It was a memorable event and was just the starting. Anyone could guess the competition wave flowing there amongst the competitors.
(Two hours passed by....)
"Now we have contestant number 34 ... Katari Nezuke"!! The host announced. My turn finally... He looked around the hall and bowed to the audience. M-Melange? He raised and comforted himself on the seat cushion.

Melange smiled and he could feel it even though she was seating in the third row. He started playing. Love's sorrow. An acoustic tune. Slow and smooth. A little messed up thought could erase the tempo. Maria is in Melange's bag too. She could hear his mind from far too. He was thinking about Melange. Things like why was she here and what makes her smile. But his tune didn't waver. The tempo didn't slip or shift. It remained perfect. It didn't mess up. The colours filled the place. Yellow, orange and violet. Loneliness, faded memories and darkness of being sad. All the emotions reached the audience.

A more than perfect play. A drop of tear from Katari's eyes ended the play. A beautiful play. It touched the audience so much they forgot to clap and rehearsed the tune altogether in their minds. Expected from Katari. An amazingly perfect play. He didn't push himself. He was good to himself. He raised his hand. The symbol 'v' turned towards the right. Melange knew what it meant. Her eyes soaked in tears. Maria watched. She was also keeping track of his thoughts. He bowed to the audience and walked towards the exit.

You're my unwanted strength. My faded idol. Thinking about you doesn't mess my tunes. It builds them. Pathetic right? I know. It would've sounded like rotten apples if I'd ever tell you all this. He smiled. "Wow boy. That was really something". Annanse patted his head shuffling his hair. "Really. You were good too. Love's joy right"? Katari blushed. "Yes. I enjoy love so. Why did you chose love's sorrow"? Annanse asked. "Because love took away everything from me. My parents divorced and left me. My pet died. My idol left playing and kept sinking down". Katari said. His head bend down.

Annanse pulled his hair. "Ow"!! Katari struggled and raised his head up to catch up with the pulling. "Pain makes your path to stand proud". Annanse said and let go of his hair. He walked away. "A life lesson"? Katari asked to himself. "Isn't he right". He added. "Katari-san"! Taya came running towards him. Rachel was there behind him too. "Hey! Enjoyed"? Katari smiled. No one ever saw him smiling. It was magical. Music is magical. "Are you kidding me. It was one memorable performance. I recorded your play"! Taya beamed. "Amazing k"! Rachel patted his head. K? When did we become that great of friends?

Melange wasn't there. What was the meaning of this. After the competition events were over all the friends decided to walk home together. "Hey Melange"! Katari waved at her. She smiled back. "Hey". She said. "How did you like the play"? He asked her. "Yes. It was beautiful". She replied beaming. You really liked it right. Katari thought. Melange was still smiling. "oh. Umm..thank you. Well, would you like celebrate by playing that game"? Katari asked. His face flushed red. Why am I doing this. I am not interested anymore, am I?  His thoughts read.

"Yes yes. Let's see if you can win or not". Melange smiled. "Yeah. Okay"! Katari nodded. And as usual he lost. "What? Why me? Oh I really need to learn this thing". Katari said. "Become my teacher, Melange. Lady Melange". He added and giggled. Melange laughed. "If I teach you, I'll lose then". She said. "There's that". Katari added. Maria was reading his thoughts. Don't know why but now I am really fine with this. I am okay with her acting all crazy and forcing me to play this game. I think I was being rude or maybe too honest?

"Well that boy is something". Maria smiled. "I am happy you chose the right guy Melange". She said to herself. They all walked home. "Hey one thing. Why don't you join in too? I mean your seat in the competition is reserved right"? Katari asked her. "Well it is". Melange nodded. "Then you should join". Annanse broke in. "Let's make it like your old times". He added. "Old times"? Melange asked. "Yes. You, me and him. I am an extra here though". Annanse explained. "Oh right. Us as competitors". "Yes. You can play your heart out. You have been wanting to play, right"? Katari asked.