Day 21 – Eine kleine Nachtmusik

First row, sadly at the side. But with a good view to the harp. Hotsuma grinned. At last he could keep his promise to watch his best friend play his harp on a concert from the first row. And one of the pieces performed tonight would be harp-centred. He was as nervous as Shuusei must feel backstage; after all it was his first time performing for audience in several months. He sat down on his assigned seat, took out his phone and played a game until the concert began, trying to ignore the fading pain in his face from a fight he'd gotten into the day before yesterday.

About two weeks ago, they were sitting under a Sakura tree at one of their favourite childhood spots after school and enjoyed the early autumn air, when Shuusei got a call. He instantly switched into English as he accepted it so Hotsuma could not understand a word besides some "Yes" and "okay" and see his friend's face lighting up. It seemed to be good news.

"What's up?" Hotsuma asked pulling on a cigarette, and of course paying attention that he was sitting so that Shuusei would not have to smell the smoke.

"My old orchestra is on tour again. There will be two performances in Japan; the first is in Kyoto and the second here in Tokyo. And their new harpist can't play those two concerts due to family business. So they just asked me if I wanted to take her place for these two evenings." Shuusei grinned. His answer was obvious. "And I asked for a ticket for you for both performances."

"I hope in the first row?" Hotsuma grinned as well. That was indeed very good news.

"Of course. They'll see what's still possible. But, my dear Hotsuma, this also means I'll have to practice every day starting the moment I receive the sheets. I don't want to embarrass myself and the whole orchestra." Shuusei said. This was not a small performance for school or family. This was a real thing so he had to be well prepared.

"You won't. You're a genius with the harp!" Hotsuma said but of course he understood that Shuusei would need time to prepare.

So the following weekend their study session was cancelled, but Hotsuma nevertheless showed up at Shuusei's house just to listen to him and his instrument. And stern tutor that Shuusei was he had forced Hotsuma to read at least his Japanese homework.

Sadly Hotsuma's guardian had only allowed him to see the Tokyo performance. Hotsuma had tried to convince him to let him go to Kyoto as well but since Kyoto was the day before Tokyo Hotsuma would only risk his ticket for the Tokyo show if he went to Kyoto without permission. And Shuusei would also become angry with him if he disobeyed in that matter.

But now was the concert in Tokyo. It was a Friday evening; Shuusei had missed school since Tuesday afternoon due to the preparations for the concerts and Hotsuma had felt a bit on the edge without his guardian angel by his side – not that he'd ever let Shuusei hear this title. And that was how he had gotten into that fight with some neighbourhood douchebags. He had been in a bad mood, one provocation led to the next and now Hotsuma was sitting in a concert hall with a black eye among some hundred posh ladies and gentlemen.

He wore his best clothes which still lacked the elegance of everything the other spectators wore, but he simply didn't own a suit and really lacked the money to buy one. So this red dress shirt with black jeans had to be enough. Sadly the Jeans had a hole on the left thigh from another fight Hotsuma had accidentally gotten into before Shuusei's return but he really hadn't found anything else in his wardrobe to fit this occasion.

But now the musicians entered the stage and like last time Hotsuma's eyes were glued on Shuusei who noticed him at once. They smiled at each other before Shuusei took a deep breath. He had texted him last night that yesterday's concert went well although two times he missed a note.

Hotsuma listened to the instruments and enjoyed the music he usually didn't listen to. But this was Shuusei's concert! He finally could keep his promise from ten years ago and Hotsuma felt happier than the last few years. Of course some people stared at him and his ripped jeans and face injury but he didn't care. He wasn't here to make a good impression; he was here to listen to his best friend's music.

After the harp-centred piece Hotsuma applauded the loudest. In his opinion Shuusei had done great! Especially because he had had only two weeks of preparation.

After the concert ended, he left the hall and went to the backstage exit where he wanted to meet up with Shuusei. Since it had gotten late he would accompany his best friend home and have a sleepover.

He was leaning at a wall smoking when he could hear Shuusei's voice talking to someone in English. He seemed a bit displeased.

"Okay, think what you want. I don't agree", he heard Shuusei say when he stepped out of the slightly open door, already changed into casual wear, his smoking in a suit bag over his arm, followed by a guy a bit taller than him but not much older. Hotsuma dropped the cigarette-stub and walked over.

"Wait, Shuusei, that's that guy! This is your childhood friend? I thought you hated smokers! And people who tend to get themselves into trouble!?" The guy at Shuusei's side seemed aghast but Shuusei ignored him, stepped up to Hotsuma to examine his eye. Hotsuma had already confessed the fight to Shuusei right after it had happened, so he was prepared.

"Pretty. You should wear this more often." Shuusei teased before getting more serious. "Is that everything or do you have other injuries?"

"Just a few bruises. Nothing serious. Don't worry." Shuusei nodded and turned back to the other guy.

"Eban, this is Hotsuma Renjou. My best friend. Hotsuma, this is Eban J. Hammond. A... friend." Hotsuma noticed the short halt but decided not to ask for the moment.

"Nice to meet you." Hotsuma said with a very heavy accent. English was really not his strength.

"We'll see if it's nice. Shuusei, I don't like letting you go with this guy."

"Oh, as I said, I don't care what you think of him. You don't have to like him, but he is my friend and will always stay my friend." Hotsuma didn't understand most of the conversation. It took a while so he lit another cigarette carefully watching out to spare Shuusei from the smoke. Only Shuusei. The other guy could bathe in it. Hotsuma really didn't feel the need to get along with someone who so clearly implied they didn't like him.

But soon after Hotsuma had finished his smoke, Shuusei and that Eban-guy came to an end and Shuusei beckoned Hotsuma to follow him home.

"You've got interesting... friends..." Hotsuma said on the way to the train station.

"Oh he is nice but a bit stiff. He noticed you in the audience and didn't like someone with piercings, ripped jeans and a black eye in a concert hall. He thinks only 'decent' people deserve attending our concerts. You can get along with him when you fit in his picture of a civilized human being. Oh, but by the way I like your outfit", Shuusei smiled and took Hotsuma's hand.

"Thanks. But then there is no way he and I can get along. I don't like people who look down on others just because they are different either." Hotsuma was surprised about the sudden contact but didn't pull his hand away.

"But.. Shuusei?" Hotsuma started reluctantly after a while when they were waiting for their train.

"Yes?"

"I... don't mean to be nosey and you don't have to answer but... when you introduced him to me... you hesitated a bit..."

Shuusei smiled. "Well... We had a thing going on..." He admitted and looked at Hotsuma. "Nothing serious. You can't really call it a relationship but... well..."

Now Hotsuma let go of Shuusei's hand. "So... you're gay?"

Shuusei shrugged but looked away. "I hope you don't have a problem with that?"

"N... no of course not... I'm just surprised. I thought you'd like pretty girls..."

"I like talking to girls. Some of them at least; the ones who don't just want a trophy guy. But I can't imagine dating one."

"I see. You're really an interesting guy. I'm glad you're back."

"And not with some greasy guy from the orchestra?" Shuusei teased. "Are you jealous?"

"You wish!" Hotsuma laughed but deep inside he felt a tiny jealous sting. So Shuusei had already been with someone even if he didn't consider it a relationship. Somehow Hotsuma didn't really like that fact. But his thoughts were interrupted by the train that stopped in front of them and due to the late hour it was almost empty.

"Now tell me about you? What kind of people do you like?" Shuusei asked curiously after they had found two empty seats.

"I... don't know. I have not defined myself..." Hotsuma admitted. There had only been one person in his life that really mattered to him. And he hadn't really thought about dating anyone. Every person he knew was annoying. "There was no one until now who caught my interest. Neither boy nor girl." Except that one person and he wasn't even sure if he wanted to date that person or just stay his friend. It was really nice at it was right now.

"I see. I think it's not necessary to put a label on yourself if you don't want to. As long as you stay yourself it's fine." Shuusei smiled kindly and yawned. "Sorry... the past days were tiring."

"It's okay, Shuusei. Rest a bit." Hotsuma said and shortly after he felt how Shuusei's head rested on his shoulder and the other boy had closed his eyes. It was a nice feeling.