That morning, instead of letting the chaffeur drop her off, Aoi's mother walked her into the school. Tsukada Erika had insisted on doing so, and Aoi showed no signs of protest, having faced one of the most severe tongue-lashings the night before. As they walked among the many students who had also just arrived, people began to take notice of the famous singer and her daughter.

"Isn't that Erika?"

"The Erika?"

"Oh my god, I have to take a picture! My sister would go nuts!"

Despite the poorly-concealed whispers and occasional unmasked camera click, Erika was completely unfazed, continuing to chastise Aoi in a sharp, bitter tone with each clack of her heels.

"What were you thinking, coming back early? Because what, because you fell down during the break?" Clack. "Do you realise how little time you have left? Four days, Tsukada Aoi, four. And if you don't impress some talent scouts during the Saino, do you know how far behind you would be in your career?" Clack. " Adding the four years at a conservatory, and then more competitions, and auditions, it could take you ten, twenty years!" Clack.

Erika was no doubt one that many would call a vision, with her long tresses, mesmerizing almond eyes and impeccable sense of style. Her powerful voice gained national attention during her debut in her youth, and she was one of the few lucky artists who managed to stay in the spotlight for almost two decades without eroding the quality of her work.

But for Aoi, the icon spitting like a cobra in her face was none other than her mother, one who would always demand that she push herself to the limits for the prized recognition she barely understood herself. Erika was never one to believe in fate and fantasies; she attributed all her success to sheer hard work and perseverance. 

Which made it harder for Aoi to explain why she'd chosen to leave early the day before. 

"Has your talent gone to your head, Tsukada Aoi? Do you think that a place as a professional violinist is guaranteed for you, just because you've won some competitions?" Clack. "Have you forgotten, you're not the only musical prodigy in Japan? And even some prodigies fade away, because they don't practice, because they thought they were too good for it?" Clack. "What have I been telling you all these years? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Clack. 

They neared the stairs leading up to the music room. From across the block, the sound of fue notes drifted into Aoi's ears, no doubt the triplets rehearsing their song. Aoi flinched, the memory of the spirit's faceless form flashing before her eyes. She shrunk back, instinctively clutching at Erika's palm, her voice coming out in a terrified squeak. "Okaasan, please, I want to go home. I can practice at home, I'll make up for it at home, please."

Erika yanked her hand back, absolutely livid. "Why won't you practice here? What is wrong with practicing here? You think you are above the rules now, Tsukada Aoi? Or is there somebody bothering you? You tell me now, and I will report them to the management, and settle this!"

Aoi bit her lip. If she told her mother about the spirit and the song, Erika would never believe her about the spirit part, and would probably think she was trying to tell her that the Yamasaki girls were harassing her. Then, as mothers do, Erika would rain down all hell upon the triplets and the Saino management. 

So Aoi stayed quiet, and ascended the stairs after her mother. 

Back ssso sssoon, little violin girl? 

Aoi stiffened, backing up against the stairwell. "Leave me alone."

"What?" Erika stopped mid-step. 

"N-nothing," Aoi swallowed. "Leaves a-are... blown. It's going to be winter soon, kaasan."

"I'll have the driver fetch your coat later." Erika continued up the stairs with a subtle shake of her head, as if she couldn't believe what had just come out of Aoi's mouth. 

The spirit, however, was delighted. 

Oh, ssso your okaasan doesssn't believe you, doesss ssshe?

Aoi quickened her pace, pretending she couldn't hear. 

Isss ssshe ssstaying to watch you play? And to sssee the ssstringsss fray?

Aoi clutched the strap of her violin case tighter, knuckles turning white.

Ooh, that rhymed. 

Aoi bit down hard on her lip and hugged her violin case close as if it could ward off mad spirits impressed by their own lyrical genius. Then she dashed up the stairs and into the Music Room, overtaking a bewildered Erika. 

🎻

"You never told me your mom was Erika!" Noriko set her tray down beside Aoi at lunch, a look of utter betrayal painted across her fairylike features. "My parents are both big fans."

Why mussst you be friendsss with this ssstupid girl? Sssee, ssshe doesssn't even know who you are.

Aoi stirred her curry without looking up, paying no mind to the spirit's whispering. "You never asked."

Noriko picked up her cup of pineapple jelly and made a face. "Pineapple, yuck. Do you want mine?"

Doesssn't even eat pineapple.

Aoi merely gestured to her own tray, devoid of any pineapple jelly. 

Hiro reached across the table and grabbed the jelly out of Noriko's hands. "My third jelly of the day. Thank you."

Ah, thisss boy, quite handsssome, isssn't he?

Hiro continued as he peeled the cover off the jelly. "To be fair, Aoi's always been synonymous with Erika."

Maybe you like him? Fancy him, perhapsss?

Aoi nodded in acknowledgement to his words. Ever since she'd been born, Erika was never one to hide Aoi from the spotlight, especially if it concerned her talent as a musician. She attended all of Aoi's recitals, competitions and music composition award ceremonies, always careful to headline to news reporters that all the focus should be on her prodigial daughter, and not her. 

Noriko stretched her neck, craning it this way and that as she looked through the lunch crowd. "Is she still here? Do you think I can get a picture?"

"She went home." Aoi sipped at her curry, occasionally spooning some salad to her rice. The spirit grew angrier, the wispy purring becoming a furious hiss.

Little violin girl, I know you can hear m-

Aoi paused to turn to Noriko, her voice louder to drown out the spirit's. "I can get you an autographed album if you like. Kaasan has a few of her latest ones at home."

"You can do that?" Noriko's eyes lit up. Seconds after, she grinned sheepishly. "I mean, if you don't mind, of course."

Aoi turned back to mess with her salad, scooching closer to Noriko until their elbows touched and the spirit fell silent. 

"No problem."