Age: 14
Birthday: July 4
Kaori Miyazono is one of the main protagonists of Shigatsu wa Kimi no
Uso. She is a violinist who helps Kousei Arima return to the piano world
after his mother's death.
Kaori Miyazono was a free-spirited violinist whose playing style
reflects on her personality. She was independent, unpredictable, and
short-tempered. It is also touched upon that she could have been passive
aggressive at times. Kaori liked to depend on herself and only herself
and could be seen as more of a support for others.
While considered a really sloppy violin player from a technical
standpoint such as not following music score sheets the way they are
written, Kaori was an amazing violinist. Noted by one of the judges at
Towa Hall during the first competition of the series, her pure abilities
far exceed the others in the competition. She wielded a free spirited
style of performance that emphasizes emotions and artistry over the pure
mechanics of music such playing to specific tempos and dynamics
originally intended by the composer. Her style of music was what
inspired Kousei, to regain a passion for the piano and redefine himself
as a musician.
In addition, she has the ability to play the melodica and had some experience playing the piano.
When
Kaori was five-years-old, her piano class went to see a music recital,
there, she first saw Kousei. From the moment he touched the keys and
started playing, she was immediately inspired by the spirit in his
music. Kaori was originally an aspiring pianist herself, however later
decided that she would become a violinist and have Kousei play with her.
Kaori was always a physically weak child, and underwent many surgeries.
Over time, her hospitalisations became more frequent and prolonged.
One day, she saw her parents crying in the hospital as they realized she
didn't have a lot of time left. Because of this, she decided to live a
full and happy life before passing away. She put on the contacts which
she never had the courage to wear, ate a lot and ignored the aspect of
her appearance and played the music the way she wanted to and not how
everyone else wanted her to. Then, she told a lie.
It
is later revealed that she wasn't able to perform with Kousei after she
fell and hit her head at home, resulting in her bleeding and passing
out. After this incident, Kousei rushed to visit Kaori after hearing
from Tsubaki that she was hospitalised again.
It later comes to a point where it becomes obvious her health is
deteriorating rapidly and she can no longer hide her illness from her
friends. She is shown at one stage that her illness has caused bouts of
paralysis in her legs, where she suddenly falls to the ground while
walking down the hallway in the hospital, unable to make herself stand
up.
As Kaori's final days were coming, she wrote a farewell letter to
Kousei. On February 18, the day of Kousei's piano competition, Kaori had
her operation. At her funeral, her mother gave the letter she wrote to
Kousei.
Throughout the series, she refers to Kousei as 'Friend A' or as Ryota Watari's substitute.
Kaori first met Kousei when she was five-years-old at a piano recital.
After witnessing Kousei performing at the recital, she was awestruck by
him and immediately gave up on playing the piano as she wants Kousei to
play for her. Fast forwards a few year, Kaori finally got to meet with
Kousei. After getting to know each other, they both realised that they
as musicians, have a lot in common. Kaori first found out that Kousei
became tone-deaf when he's concentrating on playing the piano when she
asked him to play 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' in a cafe. She then
demanded Kousei to be her accompanist. Although reluctant at first,
Kousei finally accepted when Kaori begged him to support her in that
"moment that she's about to lose heart". Their relationship gradually
strengthens and they start spending more and more time together,
especially in the music room. Kousei found himself falling in love with
Kaori, but held back because she was Watari's love interest.
At the end of the series after Kaori's death, it is revealed that she
always had a crush on Kousei and always loved him since she was young,
thus having to lie about her faked crush on Watari just so she could
approach Kousei.
(Source: Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso Wikia)