An empty bottle is my true nature. The color of gray is my shade.

Emptiness signifies both, and all these together is simply “me".

We’re walking for about a few minutes now, she’s about a meter ahead of me and I’m just following her aimlessly. Is she gonna do something to me or anything? Maybe kidnap me? Kill me? I don’t really care, I’ll be better off dead at this point. 

I really liked her,  Hina. I was sure that I love her. I think about her all day, wanting to do things that would make her happy. I wanted to bond with her and form a serious relationship. But I know better than anyone that she doesn’t like me. I felt it, but still I can’t fathom the thought of me not even trying to convey my feelings to her. I would have held on even if it’s  a 0.1% chance. That’s how much I love her I guess.

“Are you not gonna say anything?” She stopped walking and asked me, not even turning to my direction.

“What? You told me that we’re going somewhere right?” 

“We’re here” She signaled that I look to my right.

I looked and we we’re on top of a small hill that overlooks a small neighborhood. It was beautiful, the real definition of tranquility and beauty. I couldn’t explain the feeling I felt. It was a sense of relief, that for some reason I never know why that feeling occurred. Was it the scenery? The company of Yukino? Or maybe both? But this is a scene that I will never forget. An episode which isn’t the climax but something that is an important build up for that climax. That’s what it felt like. Witnessing the most beautiful place that I have seen my whole life with a girl I barely even knew. 

“Beautiful right? This is the best time to visit this place, you know? Just right before sundown” 

“Yes, I’m in awe right now. Thank you, Really.” 

“Awww don’t get all emotional with me okay? I’m bad at comforting people.” She smiled and held my hand.

“Yukino?” 

“Let’s get to know each other shall we? We have all night”

“Yeah sure?”

 Why did she hold my hand for a moment though? Not that I mind.

We talked about lots of things, stuff about highschool, food we liked, hobbies and many more. And before we knew it, it was night already, the lights of the neighborhood made the sight beautiful in a different way than earlier. But still, It was beautiful. 

I learned that she loves fencing, archery, taekwondo, and music. Not that she does all of those, she only practiced taekwondo. I guess it’s not a good idea to get on her nerves.

“Heh? You don’t like anything besides writing? That’s admirable, but c’mon at least listen to some music Aoi!” She pouted.

“Who doesn’t listen to music? Of course I listen, I even play the piano so there’s no way that I don’t listen.” 

“Oh really? I know just the right place” 

And there she goes again doing whatever she wants and here I am following her. 

We walked further up the hill and made a turn to the woods just beside the uphill road. It was dark but Yukino lit her phone flashlight. We walked for about two minutes straight deep into the forest and found an abandoned piano catching the moonlight as it shines deep even in these dark woods.

“Play it” 

“I’m afraid of the dark and ghosts actually” I scratched my head as soon as I said it, it’s not something I’m proud of. 

“Oh c’mon there are no ghosts here, or are there no ghosts here? Hehe.”

“Oi”

“I’m just kidding, c’mon I’ll sit beside you.” She dragged me by the hand and sat beside me.

I looked at the old piano and checked if it’s broken. I felt sad and wondered if this piano felt lonely here. Pianos are meant to be played, and they are meant to answer to the ones who played them. Did the previous owner stop playing? Or did they hate this piano and discarded it here in the forest? Whatever the reason is, I guess I’ll never know. This piano will sit here for a long time waiting to be played by someone once again.

“What are you waiting for? Play it”

I pressed a key, and it works. I’m even amazed that this piano was still in tune after all this time. Now what should I play? This vibe, this moon, it has to be Clair De Lune right? 

I played the piece and saw Yukino looking up to the moon. What is she thinking? Is she liking the piece? The moon? The vibe? Me? What? Why did I even think of that? She barely knows me, and I barely know her, there’s no way. One thing’s for sure, this sight of Yukino’s profile beside me is as beautiful as this night. 

“That was beautiful!” 

“Yeah, the composer did a good job”

“You also did, by playing it so beautifully” 

“Thanks I guess?” 

“Just accept my compliment you idiot, anyway, how do we get back?” She asked while scratching her hair and smiling. And I’ll tell you one thing, that smile, is the smile of a human who is in need of a dire navigation guide.