So this is my first fic of the year, first Angel Beats fic and first fic that i actually started that I didn't think I would start. AWESOME! Anyways. Not much more is need to say here other than. Hola! and sorry about my super hiatus...
"You're beyond awesome, you know that?" His arms folded on top of the booth table where he sat turned towards his own personal muse who had just finished an open mic performance. "That song was incredible."
"You think so?" her cool voice flowed as she slung her guitar from her shoulder, carefully placing it beside her as she took a seat across from her biggest fan. "Think I was a bit off... I should've tuned my guitar better."
"I thought you were perfect Masami." he gave her a warm smile.
"Aw, you think everything I do is perfect." Masami replied with a grin. "I want more than perfect. I want... I dunno., hell, make up some word."
"I understand." he chuckled. "I guess I'll have to leave boyfriend behind when I judge your playing then, right?" he held the same smile.
"Yes, please." She smiled playfully. "Besides when you go off to school in a few weeks maybe I'll be getting some criticism instead of constant praise."
"Aw, come on don't bring that up again..." he frowned.
"Don't worry about me Yuzuru. I'll be too focused on my music to be too depressed that you're gone." Masami grabbed her guitar case from under the table. "Besides, you're gonna be in school in Tokyo. Someday soon I'll be rocking arenas in Tokyo. So try to take a break from studying every now and then to come see me, okay?" She winked playfully.
Yuzuru's lips formed a smile as he slid his hand across the table to hers. "Just make sure I get my backstage pass. And try to keep your swooning fan boys at a distance, will you?"
"As long as you don't get too close to any female tutors, doctor Otonashi." she wrapped her index finger around his middle finger and squeezing playfully.
"Do you think I'd be able to get away with anything? The all knowing Yuri is going there with me too." Yuzuru smirked. "And Hinata will be there too. Any trouble I get into won't be with any other girls."
"You know I always wondered why don't you ever call him Hideki. He calls you Yuzuru." Masami giggled.
"Hinata fits him better. He doesn't really look like a 'Hideki' to me. I just never felt comfortable calling him that" Yuzuru snorted. "But, all that aside. No one has as an enchanting voice as you, or is as sweet, intelligent, level-headed, mature, and just... all around amazing like you are Masami Iwasawa. You'll find some guy better than me before I find any girl better than you." he returned her squeeze gently, watching her face redden.
"Stop it, you're making me blush..." she bashfully looked away.
"Then I'm doing my job." Yuzuru smiled warmly. "You ready to go? It's getting late."
"Yeah, but I was gonna go over to Hisako's tonight and hang out with her. We were gonna go over a few songs." Iwasawa stood and slinging her cased guitar over her shoulder securely.
"Cool, I'll walk you there." Otonashi replied as he held out a guiding hand.
"Thanks." she gave him a warm smile as she slid her hand into his and started towards the exit, Yuzuru close behind. Compliments came from nearly ever other table they passed on their way out. Otonashi watched as she gracefully greeted each one with an appropriate thanks, each one seemed personal: a thanks just for that person. He watched with a smile as they made their way outside and started down the street toward Hisako's house. A gentle summer breeze blew through their hair as they walked.
(AN: Felt like I need a POV switch here so it gonna be in Otonashi's POV for the rest of the chapter)
"You know, you're made for this Masami." I nearly whispered.
"What do you mean?" she chuckled. She knew what I was talking about. I guess she just wanted me to say it.
"You're a natural rock star. How everybody complimented you and how you thanked them..., it was great. Not to mention your playing and singing." I replied with a smile. I looked into her bright pink eyes. She smiled back.
"Most of it's hard work. You know how things are. My parents want me to be a teacher or a lawyer or something. I just want to play my guitar and sing. I'm tired of being put in a box. So if I work hard, if I make something of myself..., I just wanna show them that I can be what I wanna be and still be successful." Her eyes turned fiery as she spoke. There was ambition and drive behind every word. "It's not like they're pressuring me or anything but ever since I was born all I wanted to do was sing and play guitar because, one day, I wanna save someone with music. Don't know why but I just do."
"You will." I looked ahead, shoving a hand into my pocket. "That is if you haven't already. And you'll keep doing it."
"Thanks, Yuzuru. It means a lot." Her reply seemed kinda distant. Then there was silence again. That nagging silence. As we continued I tried to find something that wasn't entirely random to say..., or do, to lift the silence. I looked down at my feet in their repeated motion as I walked. My eyes traveled to hers. watched her graceful... swagger; that's the only way I can describe it. My eyes drifted along her frame and I noticed her hands strumming and riffing, as if she had a guitar in her hands, to her next hit playing in her mind. I continued up to her face and could see her head nodding a bit, her eyes focused, yet unfocused. It was then that I could see that I lost my window for conversation.
"You're gonna be huge one day." I breathed, getting lost watching her 'performance'. I felt my hand bump hers and withdrew it immediately. Her eyes snapped to me and for a split second there was a trace of resent in her eyes - I interrupted her show. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you."
"No, you're fine. I didn't even know you noticed." Her hands retreated to her chest and clinched onto her guitar strap.
"Yeah, you looked pretty into it." I tried to muster a smile.
"Yeah, it gets pretty intense sometimes." She giggled before she planted her feet. "Well here we are. Thanks for walking me."
"Anytime" I nodded. She rose an eyebrow at me.
"You okay? You wanna talk about something?" She asked as she stepped in front of me. She looked concerned for me. That's one thing I admire about her. She truly does care for others.
"No, everything's fine. I guess I'm just a bit tired." I mustered a near-genuine smile as I reached for the top of my head. I could see in her face that she knew I was lying.
"...Alright. If you say so." she shrugged. "I'll give you a call when I get home so try to stay up until then okay?" she smiled, speaking with her usual cool charm.
"Alright" I replied as I reached for a hug and she returned it with her own. I always found it hard to hug her with her guitar on. She broke the hug with a peck on my cheek before she walked toward the steps into Hisako's apartment building before disappearing behind closed doors.
"She'll outgrow me someday." I thought aloud as I turned to leave. "I can hardly keep up with her now. And she's only getting bigger by the minute." I shoved my hands into my pockets as I walked, feeling a bit of change for some coffee.
Did a bit of revising. Fixed some grammar and typos and et cetera. Not too much has changed just a bit more comfortable to read now.