Well, here's the last chapter. I hope you've all enjoyed this, and thanks for reviewing.

somber melody of morbid irony

The concert hall's a bit chilly; Hitomi occasionally devotes a moment's thought to wishing she had brought a sweater to wear over her dress, but sheds these thoughts from her mind. She'll be perfectly fine, and if she keeps having thoughts like this, she won't be able to enjoy the music.

The seats have all been filled with teachers, parents and judges; Hitomi's been relegated to the backstage. Kyousuke tried to apologize ("Sorry; I didn't think so many people would show up.") but Hitomi dismissed his worries with a gentle smile and the reassurance that she didn't mind. Even if she did, she wouldn't have told him so, for fear of robbing him of his confidence.

Hitomi stands at the far end of the stage, watching from among the curtains at the point where the musicians file in and out. First is the orchestra as a whole, the violinists, the violists, the cellists and even a couple of bassists, performing pieces that Hitomi doesn't recognize but thinks are lovely. I wish I knew what they were playing; I'd probably appreciate it a lot more if I did. Oh well. They're still lovely to listen to.

Her green eyes search out Kyousuke among the orchestra. He is the only violinist sitting down; normally, only the cellists and the bassists would be allowed to sit, since their instruments are too bulky to comfortably be played standing. However, given the circumstances, the school felt that an exception needed to be made. Hitomi is holding on to Kyousuke's cane for him. At first, Kyousuke was a little irritated that they were treating him differently from the rest, but eventually started bothering him in earnest again, he relented and consented to play sitting down.

Eventually, the orchestra finishes their playing. A few minutes are devoted to removing all the chairs save one, a chair directly in front of the judges in the front row, and the musicians all file back behind the curtains. Kyousuke approaches Hitomi, his limp all too evident.

"Thanks," he mutters as she hands him back his cane. Kyousuke doesn't look too happy at the prospect of being bound to the cane again, but he manages a smile for her.

The first soloist is called forward.

"Which one are you?" Hitomi whispers to Kyousuke.

"Number four," he replies.

"My name is Asano Haruki," the first soloist introduces himself, "and I will be performing an excerpt of Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 9."

He plays his piece, which lasts about five minutes, an intense bout of music that Hitomi can't help but think must be very demanding for a middle schooler. After Haruki's finished, he bows to the audience, and walks back offstage, exchanging a nod with Kyousuke as he goes.

Number two, a violist, steps forward.

As the boy plays, Hitomi spares a glance for Kyousuke. His turn will come soon. She knows Kyousuke's confident in his ability to play, but he must be nervous. After all, this is the first time he'll have played a solo piece for an audience since the accident.

And she still feels as though this isn't her place. Hitomi still feels as though the place in which she now stands, waiting with Kyousuke for his turn, belongs to another. Sayaka-san had wanted to watch him play so badly.

No, don't think of that.

Hitomi shuts her eyes, and tells herself not to feel guilty, for just one night.

Number three, a girl with a cello, is called forward.

"My name is Fujiwara Takara, and I will be performing Bach's Prelude." Taking a seat in the only chair still on the stage, she launches into an upbeat piece.

"She's the only cellist doing a solo tonight," Kyousuke mutters in Hitomi's ear.

"Oh."

As the girl plays, Hitomi sees Kyousuke stiffen. His face looks just a touch… stretched. She catches his eye, and smiles reassuringly. Kyousuke manages a weak smile.

Takara walks off the stage, and hisses "Good luck!" at Kyousuke as she goes back with the other musicians.

Kyousuke sucks in a deep breath, his face pale and his eyes almost feverishly bright. He doesn't move, seems to be steeling himself for something. I wonder what he's thinking. He couldn't possibly be thinking of not performing. Kamijou-kun wouldn't back out now. So why does he have that look on his face as though he's trying to convince himself to do something?

"Will Number Four please come on to the stage?" one of the judges calls.

He nods firmly to himself, a resolute look coming over his face, and holds his cane out to Hitomi. "Will you hold on to this for me again, Shizuki-san?"

Hitomi stares at him. "Kamijou-kun…" Going without his cane when there are plenty of people on the stage to help him if he needs it is one thing, but going without when he'll be alone…

Kyousuke fixes her with a determined look. "Please."

She nods silently, and accepts the outstretched cane. If you're determined, who am I to say no?

Kyousuke steps out into the light of the stage. Slowly, painstakingly, the damage done by his injuries apparent in every step, he comes to the center of the stage. "My name is Kamijou Kyousuke," he introduces himself, so evenly that one can barely tell that he struggled with every step to get to that place, "and I will be performing Ave Maria."

He lifts his violin to his shoulder and, scorning the chair behind him, begins to play.

Standing in the shadows, Hitomi thinks it's the most beautiful thing she's ever heard.

She just wishes Sayaka could hear it too.