Royoko sat alone in the practice room trying to relax. She looked at the violin that stood on a stand a foot away from here and tried to focus her mind. She took a deep breath and slowly released it as she reached for the violin and bow. In a fluid motion she placed the violin under her chin and began to play. The movement seemed rough at the start but soon the motion was flawless and the music flowed from her as she played the solo piece that was given to her by her teacher.

The contest piece was a difficult one, and she had yet to really master it, but it was slowly coming alone. She had to play it at a recital in about two weeks, and then the prelims for the sectionals were in a month. The school had seven students entered in the sectionals that had a chance to move on. She had worked hard in the violin and the piano, but still she was behind at least three other students in her own school alone.

She worked her way through the piece trying to keep pace with the sheet music. The sounds that were so strong at the beginning began to wane a little and the music lost its continuity. She stopped and let her violin drop to her knees and let her bow drop to her side. She had been having increasing difficult being able to hold the tempo of the piece, because it sped up and slowed down so quickly.

She placed her violin back in her case along with the bow and slammed the lid shut. The others had progressed so much over the last month, and there pieces sounded so refined, but hers had gotten worse. She put her head in her hands and rubbed her eyes trying not to let it get to her, but everybody was getting so much better then her. She knew at this rate she wouldn’t be able to do well at the recital.

She quickly clicked the locks on the case and headed for the door where she flung it open and ran right in to Masato. She hit him in the chest and then staggered back and he caught her shoulder keeping her from falling.

“I see your having a tough day.” Masoto said lazily. “You should keep practicing. You will get it.”

“Why won’t you switch me to an easier piece.” Royoko yelled. “The tempo on that piece is almost impossible to do.”

“Is that so?” Masoto questioned. “I once thought the same way you did, but I learned the hard way that I was wrong. You have the talent to do this piece.”

“Even if I did get it..” Royoko shot back. “Last time I checked there is nobody that can play the other part.”

“Let me worry about that.” Masoto said plainly “I think I found somebody that can do it.”

“Wait.. The other part is even more difficult then mine!” Royoko exclaimed. “Why Nena is better then me. I don’t think she can play the other part.”

“You just learn your part.” Masato said dubiously. “Let me handle the rest.”