Meimi set foot in the old concert hall. Tonight an important Broadway musical would be presented. The old musical Strike Up the Band would be presented in the city. It was a good opportunity to distract her from the heartbreaking conversations she had had with Seira and at once, give herself a unique opportunity to see one of her favorite musicals.

When she was little, her father, being a magician, performed in similar venues; therefore, he was familiar with musical comedy, and classical music, which he enjoyed listening with great passion. The girl took a seat. After a brief pause and darkness, the play began. Meimi was ecstatic, she had always wanted to see this musical live, but she had only managed to see it through film adaptations or theater filming. Suddenly, in the play appeared a young man with brown eyes who gesticulated happily. And the girl remembered ...

The art galleries, the concerts of cultured music and the museums were not alien to Meimi, in principle from her days as Saint Tail, until those endless afternoons, that, when leaving work, having finished her domestic chores and without Asuka hovering for the house, she decided to check out the offer of artistic events in Seika city. Cultivating her sensitivity and refined taste, Meimi had witnessed extraordinary symphonic concerts, seen defiant paintings, admired sculptures that left her breathless ... But nothing like the young brown-eyed guitarist.

It happened that, one day, the young woman attended a chamber recital in three times. In the first place a soprano would act accompanied by a pianist, in second place a guitarist and in the third a string quartet. The soprano demonstrated her great vocal ability, leaving everyone deaf, but fascinated the audience by the sweetness and drama of her voice, the string quartet proved that it does not take a whole orchestra to create majestic music, and finally the guitarist. She had seen many musicians during the magic shows with her father, but none like him. When going on stage, Meimi did not pay much attention. From afar, his distracted, absent, upright, humble and thin silhouette did not make him stand out too much in front of other singers or conductors. It seemed like a mediocre guy, a poorly paid clerk who had mistakenly walked the stage, however, when he took his guitar and performed, he became a hurricane. When Meimi saw for the first time, the enormous passion, dedication, concentration and emotion that the man put on his guitar, she was hooked. And she couldn't get it out of her head. The following month, for her luck the man would be giving again a concert, but this time, there would be something different, for being a function of charity, the musicians would give a talk and chat with their followers. Meimi didn't miss her chance, and again, after a fabulous concert in which the guitarist received a standing ovation, she found himself in a small room adorned with Greek columns and climbing plants. While she tasted a glass of French wine, she saw it for the first time.

Appearances deceive, and sight also when seen from afar. The musician was of medium height, light brown hair, long sideburns, brown eyes and white skin. Slim, wearing a thin black striped suit with a matching ascot on his neck. He was quite attractive up close, although the shyness and the feeling of absence were more evident than ever. The young man was received with kind words and congratulations from the guests, however, he seemed to give the people his thanks in a very absent and careless way. Suddenly, a blow was heard.

-Oh!-

Meimi came closer to look better. The guitarist had stumbled upon one of the columns. He got up awkwardly while a young woman beside him looked at him sarcastically. A man in the background laughed discreetly. Meimi came closer. She could see his eyes again. Behind that absent and unexpressive look, there was a feeling of melancholy. Or maybe it was just Meimi's imagination, given her current state of mind.

-Maestro, I'm so sorry! Those hideous and vulgar columns, the director of the orchestra of this theater insists on putting them-argued the organizer of the event apologizing.

"Never mind," the man answered him. His voice was low and manly. If he had not been a guitarist, maybe he would have been a baritone, maybe a bass singer. A voice full of authority and strength. Much more elegant and refined than Asuka's, Meimi thought. A second later, she wondered why she had thought that.

The musician sat next to Meimi, completely absorbed in his thoughts, not paying attention to the redhead who looked at him curiously. The girl looked at him with interest. She realized he was perhaps her age. A prominent person in his field of work at a young age, just like Asuka and her ... The thought of her husband only managed to put her in a bad mood, so, to distract herself, she went to the snack table to take a sandwich. When Meimi returned to her place, the boy was gone.

The dignitary excused himself with Meimi. "Looking for the maestro, miss?" He's always like that ... "he said smiling." It's a bit quirky and eccentric, but we all appreciate it. Not only is he talented, he is always very kind and respectful to all of us even though he seems to care nothing and goes to his business. He was very helpful to the conductor when he broke his leg when leaving a concert. A true gentleman! -

Meimi laughed out of courtesy. A second later, the guitarist had returned: - Ah, Leroy! - exclaimed the organizer enthusiastically - This charming young lady loves your music. Come here to meet her-

Despite his clumsiness, the man tried to put on his best pose. He greeted briefly the pretty redhead, who despite being kissed on the cheek by the musician didn't notice anything strange or unpleasant about him.

-I'm Meimi Haneoka. Pleased to meet you, maestro-

- Thank you very much, it's good to know that someone likes my music - the man said robotically. He wasn't looking at Meimi. He looked towards the window, as if he was looking for some butterfly or bird fluttering on the other side. However, their eyes crossed for a second with Meimi's. This time it was not her imagination. There was deep melancholy in the eyes of the young musician.

-I'll leave you alone- the dignitary spoke, and he left immediately. Leroy broke the awkward silence:

-It's weird that someone calls me "Maestro".- croaked his serious and dry voice - It has taken me years to learn to play and I am still not good enough, or so I think- he snapped as if declaring a speech, without looking at her interlocutor the eyes.

-Why do you believe it? I think ... you're amazing. I could never play an instrument. I'm too clumsy for that, although I'm good at dancing-

-I can't dance - Leroy muttered with seclusion.

Meimi laughed loudly. She liked the guy despite his strange social behavior.

-I believe that if you try hard enough, you can achieve what you want- replied the diligent Meimi- I learned to do some ... things that my father taught me, and I didn't rest until I dominated them- An old reflex was activated in the girl. She was used to hiding her old identity as a thief.

-It's a tricky thought sometimes.- continued the musician- I couldn't say that to a blind man. How will he manage to see if his eyes don't work? Will he force his brain to do it? - Meimi became embarrassed. It was true what the young man said. She swallowed and tried to change the subject ...

-Eh, how long have you been playing music? -

-Twelve years. I started since I was a kid.

And you are?

24 years old to be exact.

The same age as Meimi and Asuka. And yet, in his gestures, there was a sense of adulthood, severity and seriousness that Asuka had not yet achieved. Like an aged soul. An old man sick of life in the body of a young man. Meimi and Leroy continued talking about music, discussing their favorite composers and pieces. Finally, the gathering ended. Upon leaving, the musician said farewell to the rest of the people in the room. Outside of the theater, just before taking his taxi, Leroy caught sight of Meimi.

-Thanks for the conversation, Meimi Haneoka- the serious gesture was more pronounced than ever.

-Nothing, it was a pleasure- Meimi said walking away to take the bus., With a shy smile.

"What a peculiar dude" -the girl was ruminating. "But he's nice and kind, that serious attitude ... I'd like Daiki to stop acting like a child and be an adult, like Leroy McAllister, he's the way he is, he loves what he does and follows his instincts, but he's still polite and respectful, his eyes are so precious "... Meimi cut off her internal monologue at once. She felt the burning in her face. That couldn't be ... she and that bizarre guy? That guy who was more of a kind of crazy music scientist? The one who was able to play the most complicated and at the same time most emotional piece, but who was like a wooden doll when going down the stage? "I like her music, not him ..." All this must be a mistake, she assured herself, as she got off the bus.