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The music classroom was bathed in the orange light of the afternoon. The sun filtered thru the half-drawn blinds and cast warm stripes on the black grand piano that almost no one used after class, except for Kaede, of course.
The girl had a natural and exceptional talent on the instrument, she even had a small "band" with some girls from other classes.
Tenko Chabashira was standing next to the instrument with her arms crossed, clearly uncomfortable.
"I don't understand why you like the piano so much!" she murmured, looking at the keys as if they were a new enemy. Neo-Aikido doesn't need keys. Nor sheet music. Not even... this. And it's more useful. You know, self-defense against men who want to take advantage. You should learn a bit too, Kaede!
Kaede let out a soft giggle as she placed her backpack on a nearby chair.
—I'll show you because you said you wanted to learn something "elegant" to impress the girls from the literature club. Do you remember? Your exact words were: "I want to do something refined that leaves everyone speechless!"— The blonde mimics Tenko's voice in a high-pitched humorous tone while making exaggerated hand gestures.
Tenko turned red to the tips of her ears.
—I said that in confidence! I didn't think you would take me literally!
Kaede sat on the piano bench and patted the space beside her.
—Come on, sit. It won't bite.
With a theatrical sigh, Tenko sat down. Her shoulders were tense, as if she expected the piano to attack her at any moment. Kaede noticed it and her smile softened even more.
"First, the basics," she said, placing her own hands on the keys. —We are going to play only with the right hand. No chords yet. Just a simple melody.—
Kaede pressed C, D, E, F... slowly. Four notes that sounded like the beginning of a lullaby.
—Now you. Just copy what I did.
Tenko extended a trembling index finger and pressed the first key with such force that it sounded like a hammer blow.
Kaede bit her lip to avoid laughing.
—Softer... as if you were petting the head of a very small puppy.
Tenko frowned, focused. This time the C came out timid, almost inaudible. Then D, E, F.
—...I did it! —she exclaimed, surprised at herself.
Kaede clapped without irony, genuinely happy.
—Of course! Look, you already have rhythm. Now we're going to bring the two hands together, but very slowly. I promise it won't explode.
Kaede placed her left hand on a low C and began to play a simple accompaniment, almost like a heartbeat. With her right hand, she resumed guiding Tenko's melody.
Tenko continued with a furrowed brow of concentration, but little by little her shoulders began to relax. Every time she missed a note, Kaede simply repeated the fragment without mockery, without haste. Just patience. And every time Tenko got it right, Kaede's smile grew bigger.
At one moment, without realizing it, Tenko began to hum the melody softly while playing. Kaede remained silent, listening. It was such a sound... Tenko. Strong and tender at the same time.
When they reached the end of the little phrase, both of their hands remained still on the keys. The silence that followed was warm, filled with golden light and tranquil breaths.
—...It wasn't so bad, was it? —Kaede asked in a low voice.
Tenko looked at the keys, then raised her gaze to Kaede. Her cheeks were still somewhat flushed.
—It wasn't... bad at all —she admitted—. But I still think Neo-Aikido is more useful.
Kaede chuckled softly.
—Of course. But the piano can also defend someone's heart, you know?
Tenko blinked, confused.
—Heart?
Kaede nodded. She moved a little closer on the bench. Their knees brushed against each other.
—When you play for someone… or when someone plays for you… it's like saying many things without using words. —She lowered her gaze for a second, suddenly shy—. I like playing for you, Tenko.
The air became thicker.
Tenko swallowed hard. Her hands remained resting on the keys, motionless.
—I... —she started, and her voice got stuck—. I also... I like it when you play. And when you teach me. And when... you smile like that.
Kaede looked up. Her pink eyes shone with something soft and brave at the same time.
—Like how?
—As if... you really cared that I was here.
A heartbeat. Two.
Kaede slowly raised a hand and tucked a strand of olive hair that had fallen onto Tenko's cheek.
—I care,— she whispered. —A lot.—
Tenko closed her eyes for a moment, as if she needed to gather her courage. Then she opened them again, determined.
—Kaede…
No more was needed.
Tenko bowed first, just a little. Kaede covered the rest of the distance.
Their lips met in a shy, warm, clumsy kiss, so sincere. It wasn't deep by any means, it was a soft and sincere kiss.
When they parted, both were smiling. Tenko had bright eyes; Kaede was the color of a tomato.
—...I think I'm going to keep coming to piano classes —murmured Tenko, still very close.— It's better to try to impress the pretty teacher than the literature girls...
Kaede laughed softly against her cheek.
—Then I'll have to prepare more beautiful songs for you.
They stayed like that for a while longer, sitting shoulder to shoulder, their hands still brushing the keys. Outside, the sun was setting, but inside the music classroom, there was still enough light to keep playing... or to keep kissing.