A/N: And even more of my musical nerdiness is revealed.
Romance Oublieé - Part 2
The next day, Juri and Miki went to the city to attend a banquet for advanced honors students. Afterwards, they walked the streets of , enjoying the dusky evening sunset. "I do like being outside of the school," Juri commented, stretching her arms up to the sky. "It's much more open here." She smiled at Miki, who nodded shyly. His eyes wandered, then, and brightened.
"Look, Juri! A music shop!" He pointed at a small, quaint store with percussion in the window. "Maybe they have piano string. There's a high F on my piano in the dorms that needs replacement."
"You know how to take care of your piano to that extent?" Juri commented, impressed. "I didn't know. Most just hire a tuner to replace strings, right?"
"Yes, but I prefer to do it myself," Miki replied. "Can we go in?"
"Of course." Juri held open the door for Miki. He rushed to the back of the store in excitement, and Juri followed leisurely. Racks of instruments lined the wall, cases stacked every which way. In the middle of the store, a string quartet of instruments was displayed on wooden stands. Wandering to the instruments, Juri plucked one of the violin's strings lightly. She winced at the high tone that sang back at her. She looked to the cello, then looked at the viola. It was rather large, perhaps three or four inches larger than the violins.
"I wonder…" Juri picked up the viola, awkwardly setting the large instrument on her shoulder. If it was played in the same manner as the violin, it couldn't be that much more difficult, right? Taking a deep breath, she set the bow on what she thought was the A string. Juri gritted her teeth, expecting the same shrillness, but she wasn't expecting what came. The A rung sonorously through the room, humming with her heartbeat. She frowned and shifted to the lowest string. A C rang through her, deep and rich. so a viola wasn't cello, or a violin, or a mix of the two. It was more than that.
On the D string, Juri began to play a small melody she still remembered from those days on the violin. She was still awkward, but the warm tone of the viola helped. It was forgiving and generous, unlike her old violin. Reaching the climax of the song, Juri stopped the second she noticed Miki watching her, piano wire in his hands. He quickly started clapping.
"That was rather good!" He smiled, blue eyes sparkling. "I didn't know that you could play the viola, Juri!"
"I can't," Juri said quickly, setting the viola down. "I took violin awhile when I was younger, but that's all." She tried to quash her dread that she was blushing. How embarrassing for Miki to have seen her foolish sentimentality. No, no, she shouldn't feel like that anymore. They were close friends, right? There was no need to try to save face. So why did Juri feel red and hot?
"Then surely you can switch to viola!" Miki picked up the instrument eagerly, playing a half scale. "It has such a lovely timbre." He handed it to Juri. "Did you ever think about getting back into music again?"
"Not really." Juri bit her lip. "I loved fencing too much to give music any dedication."
"That's too bad," Miki frowned. "I really do like your tone on the viola."
"Truly?" Juri gazed down at the instrument in her hands.
"Mm-hmm." He nodded. "The viola suits you quite well. Can you play that song once more?" Juri carefully set the viola on her shoulder and played the first few measures. "Ahh, Handel's Bourreé. I thought so. Keep playing, please." Miki's hand kept the rhythm gracefully as Juri finished the song. "Lovely."
"Not really," Juri said, setting the instrument down. "I'm a fencer. Still sounds too clumsy, even on a larger instrument."
"I fence, too," Miki shrugged, picking up the piano wire. "And I play an even bigger instrument." Juri laughed at that. Miki was still very earnest. That was one thing she loved about him. "Let's buy the viola, Juri. Who knows? You might get into music again." He set the instrument and bow in its case. "Was I wrong in hearing your affection in your playing?" He met Juri's eyes.
"No. You weren't wrong. I'm just not certain that musical instruments like me." It felt ridiculous to admit that, but Miki's expression made Juri feel better. Honesty. She owed the same honesty to him that he gave her. It was strangely difficult, but it felt right.
"Then it's settled!" Miki grinned. "I'm a musician, and I know things about music. And that viola loves you too." Juri hid a smile as Miki took the viola and piano string up to the register. She followed in a daze. Miki had changed since she had first met him. Now he was more assertive, more in tune with other's emotion. It made her feel proud as he chatted excitedly with the shop owner, going on about his piano, what he was playing, and most of all, the discovery that Juri knew how to play string instruments. At last they left the shop, Juri toting an instrument case, a book of elementary viola pieces, and several different sample rosins.
"I'm so happy for you!" Miki said as they walked arm in arm back to Ohtori Academy. "To be discovering music all over again… I never remember what it was like for me because I was so very young when first learning piano. All those years make it seem like I've been playing piano forever. Do you think I should become a music professor?"
"Definitely," Juri replied. "What else is there that you care for more?"
"Well, I care for my family. And my friends. And you, Juri." Time stood still as Juri attempted to grasp what his words meant. Exactly how much affection was that? "Oh, and academics!" The tension broke with that final announcement. Juri felt hugely relieved. How would she respond if Miki ever told her he loved her?
