Chapter Text
It’s not enough. Go again.
I stared down at the beautiful keys, trembling as I lifted my hands once again. As the soft music filled the room again, I tried to concentrate on the black notes on the paper in front of me. Lift your hand slightly at the end, let the note trail off. Tap the keys lightly and quietly.
A harsh dissonance of the keys rang out and I winced, quickly retracting my hands.
Why wouldn’t it just play? Why couldn’t I just play?
I lowered my gaze back down to those smooth, ivory keys. The tears were welling up in my eyes and I couldn’t let them fall. I blinked rapidly as my vision blurred and the black dots started blending into each other.
Did I deserve to play such a beautiful instrument?
I took a deep breath and started again. I could hear every little mistake I made, every failure, every note that didn’t follow the piece quite right. Furious, I slammed my hands down and glared at the piece of paper that sat in front of me, winking and taunting me.
It was too much, and I didn’t remember getting up, grabbing my coat, and storming out of my house. It was already nearly dark out. The sun was waving its last rays of light to the moon that was already peeking above the horizon. I wrapped my coat tighter around me as I watched my breath drift away from me in a wispy cloud.
“Hey, aren’t you the pianist?”
My head snapped up to identify the person speaking.
“The one from the bar. I’ve been looking for you for days, you don’t even understand,” he continued. “I’ve never heard such beautiful music before.”
“Oh,” was all I could say. “Sorry, who are you?”
He’ll never want to see you again! Why are you so rude? Where are your manners?
“Sorry, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself,” he chuckled. “I got so ahead of myself, where are my manners? I’m Kamishiro Rui. You might know me as the so-called genius director of the 88 Stars Orchestra.”
“What?” I shrieked.
“Shh, quiet down. Why don’t you come walk with me and we can have a chat?”
So that was how I found myself walking beside the director of the very orchestra I was putting myself through hell to audition for. He was humming some tune, probably one he composed for his concerts. How was he so laid back and pretty when my mind was here running a million miles an hour? It was truly unfair how some people were born with everything.
“Ah, but I never caught your name.”
I snapped out of my thoughts. “Huh? Oh, I’m sorry. My name’s Tenma Tsukasa.”
He was humming again. I could figure out that song on the piano. I will, when I get home.
“So, Tenma-san, you can really play the piano. I was there to celebrate with my orchestra at the bar the other night and I couldn’t help but keep listening to you play. Why don’t you try auditioning for my orchestra?” Kamishiro asked.
“You flatter me, Kamishiro-san. I’m sure there are many pianists lined up to audition for your orchestra. To be honest, I’ve been practicing to be able to audition,” I admitted. “I just didn’t think I’d get accepted so no point in trying.”
He laughed again. “You give yourself too little credit. Also, Rui is fine. If you’re going to be the pianist for my orchestra, we should get to know each other, no?”
I felt my face heating up, despite the cold weather. Was he offering me a spot in his orchestra after hearing me play in a dingy bar? Was he serious?
“Ah, Kami– uh, Rui-san. I don’t think I understand?” I managed to get out. I couldn’t play in front of people with how poorly I was doing right now.
He came to a complete stop, turning around to face me. He wore the prettiest smile I had seen in a long time, one I hadn’t been able to see since Saki left.
“Let me make it perfectly clear to you, then. I, Kamishiro Rui, am offering you, Tenma Tsukasa, a role as my pianist in the 88 Stars Orchestra.”