Summary: We see what Professor Sonoda's day is like.

A yawn. Soft hair tickling her nose. Honoka probably, Umi thought, smiling. Had the alarm gone off? No, something else had woken her. Umi opened her eyes. Kotori was staring, a lost look in her eyes that worried Umi. Perhaps New York was lonely and that was why Kotori was pushing them to spend the holiday there?

"Kotori?"

"Eeep?!" An adorable jump accompanied the squeal. Kotori wrapped her kimono closer, the cranes flying across the blue a soothing morning view.

"Is there something worrying you?"

Kotori shook her head, biting her lip. Umi considered kicking Honoka awake, but decided Honoka needed sleep and Kotori needed some individual attention. Their relationship was a garden Umi tended carefully.

"Let's talk over coffee."

"I wanted to visit that coffeeshop today."

Umi grabbed her bathrobe, glancing back at a soundly sleeping Honoka. Bakery hours and Kotori time made for long days.

"Why don't we let Honoka sleep in and come back and surprise her with our ratings of her pastries? She's been perfecting her cheese danishes."

"Ooohh." A gleam in Kotori's eye. Umi was pleased.

"Just give me five minutes."

"What about your exercises?"

"I will do a warm up form while you pick your coat for today," Umi pulled Kotori into a tight hug. "And we can walk briskly. I'm sure you will need to burn some calories in advance." Umi teased lightly, relishing the feel of Kotori relaxing into her embrace. Perhaps it was time for an adjustment in the geographical distribution of their relationship.

###

Umi paused and lowered her violin. She had been demonstrating the different effects of bouncing a bow sautillé or spiccato on an Antonio Vivaldi piece but Nana Nakagawa was paying no attention, very unusual for the usually diligent sophomore.

"Nan, is something concerning you?"

Nana's expression turned discomfited and she lowered her own bow and violin, gray eyes wide behind her glasses. "My apologies, Professor Sonoda. I am allowing other concerns to distract me."

Umi gestured to a stool with her bow, sitting herself to encourage Nana to engage, "If you are preoccupied with something serious enough to disturb your focus, perhaps discussing it will help."

Nana sat and said nothing and Umi was about to pick up her bow and begin again when words rushed out of her pupil, "I scheduled an audition after this, for a singing role, and I've never done anything like that before, well, never on a public stage, just in choirs and choruses and I don't know what to do, or if I want to stay on the conducting track, but nothing feels like singing...at karaoke, even, just the way people NOTICE…" Gray eyes were gleaming and the bow was conducting an imaginary audience.

Ah, Umi could make a jump from those clues. "So you're auditioning for A Christmas Carol and…"

Umi hoped her pupil's speeding words would continue.

"If I like it, really like it, what am I going to do, my parents already had to deal with me not being an engineer or a pre med, will they just think I'm a dilettante? I can't tell them, Professor Sonoda, I just can't, but if I get a part, I'll have to explain why I'm staying on campus."

Time to interrupt the panic. Raising a hand to quiet Nana, Umi spoke,"First, audition. Do your tasks in their proper order. There may be nothing to tell your parents."

Her audience doubted that statement but was willing to devote some thought to it, "So don't plan my post audition life yet?"

Umi nodded, "Exactly. You are worrying about conversations that may not be required. You should save your energy and focus on communicating to Professor Yazawa your suitability for a role."

Nana zoomed back to panic, pale face, shaky hands, never good for a violinist. Umi sighed. Time for a task they could succeed at. Confidence carried forward. Umi put her violin in its case, indicating her pupil should do the same.

"Let's take a moment to analyze this piece. The composer has done some very clever things with the general arrangement."

Nana leaned forward, switching her bow for a pencil, eyes intent on the pages before her, all worries lost in the challenge of music.

###

"UMI!" Honoka's voice always gladdened Umi's mood. The door of her office swung open with a vigor no one else could manage. "Thanks for letting me sleep in. Kotori's got a bunch of business calls so I brought you lunch." Honoka pulled Umi into a hug that neither of them wanted to break, Umi enjoying the comfort of a never too familiar warmth and strength. "How's your day?"

Umi hugged tighter, surprising Honoka.

"What's wrong, Umi?"

Umi broke the hug, but Honoka's bright blue eyes maintained the warm connection.

"Other people's worries."

Honoka nodded, "Yeah, it's that kind of a day, isn't it." Honoka closed the door and set two sandwiches on Umi's desk, carefully spreading two cloth napkins first, "Nozomi was kinda grumpy and sad when I stopped in to see if she needed to reorder any pastries."

"How was Kotori?" Had Honoka noticed anything? Or had Kotori hid her worries. Their coffeeshop conversation had yielded no insights, just Kotori describing the early sketches of her Summer theme.

"Kotori?" Honoka had a sandwich unwrapped, Umi's lower filing cabinet drawer pulled out to prop her feet on, and a surprised look. "Is something wrong?"

Umi moved her chair next to Honoka, her own sandwich in hand, "I don't think so."

"That's not convincing, Umi."

Umi chuckled. Honoka always called out her hesitancies, "No, it's not. Kotori, too, seems to be in a mood."

"That kind of a day."

"Seemingly."

A sharp rap on the door pushed it open and Nico came halfway into the room. "Hi Honoka. Umi, fix your replacement. She doesn't know anything."

Honoka leaned her head on Umi's shoulder, whispering, "Grumpus Contagious."

Umi bit back a giggle. Her replacement? Oh, Nico must mean Maki. Nico vibrated impatiently in the center of the office. And Umi wanted to eat her lunch. Honoka had done something with pumpernickel and mustard from the tantalizing smell and Umi wondered what else had made its way into the combination.

"Are you going to fix Maki or not?"

"What did Maki do?"

"Walked in to my auditions and applauded the first two auditionees."

"That is unusual."

"Unusual?" Nico stomped. "It's rude, it's problematic, and it gives two freshmen inflated views of their audition."

"Was it a bad audition."

"No," Nico fake punched in the direction of the door, "It was fine, but Nico needs an ensemble leader who is aware of theatrical etiquette." Nico's emphasis on the word etiquette snapped Umi out of her Honoka induced laissez-faire attitude. Especially with first year students, proper behavior modeling by teachers was essential.

"I am sorry I did not initially take this as seriously as it deserved, Nico."

Nico nodded, pleased at the adjustment of Umi's tone.

"I will talk to Maki this afternoon and make sure that she is aware of how auditions and rehearsals are conducted."

"Make sure you go over tech three times. Nico doesn't need a rookie who thinks it only takes two hours."

"I will ensure that Maki performs all of her required duties."

"Good. Nico is flexible but…"

"There are students involved."

"Exactly." That problem solved, Nico smiled at Honoka, "Those look tasty."

"They are." Honoka had finished hers, "Nozomi's going to try them out next week. Kasumi's a mad scientist with spices and bread dough. It's fun."

"She may be busy soon."

Honoka shrugged, "She'll probably still come in. Kneading dough works out a lot of stress."

Umi wanted her private lunch relaxation zone back, "Is there anything else, Nico?"

"Nope, Nico's good. Sorry to interrupt…"

"Nah, it was good to see you, Nico." Honoka waved, "Having another speakeasy this Friday. Be sure to come."

"Nico's looking forward to it."

"I'll let you know how my conversation with Maki goes."

"Thanks, Umi. See you, Honoka."

And finally, Umi could relish her lunch treat.

###

Honoka had overstayed her lunch hour and run off to meet a delivery truck. If Umi went to Maki's studio, she would have no time to practice this afternoon. And today's rehearsal with Nana had turned into a mostly conversational session, not the duet Umi had planned. No practice time always threw off everything, especially Umi's mood. "Grumpus Contagious" Umi thought as she moved her chair back to its usual spot.

Maybe a carefully worded text to Maki would be a good conversational starter.

U: Nico has expressed some concern that you are lacking an elementary awareness of theatrical etiquette.

Rather than stare at her phone and wait for a reply, Umi would begin her violin warm ups. Perhaps she should be added in more regular vocal practice as well. Kotori seemed very serious about the New York City Christmas Cabaret. Umi had seen glimpses of a dress sketches. It would be an elegant mood.

Phone.

M: I'm fine.

U: Not having any experience with production, you may not be aware of all the quirks involved in staging a show.

M: I'll read a book.

U: It's not that simple.

M: I get a schedule, right?

M: You know, I'll just talk to Nico.

Umi believed that Nico would consider Umi derelict in her duties if after her attempt at educating Maki, the result was that Maki asked Nico 1,000 questions.

U: There will be stage managers. Talk to the production stage manager and have them explain to you how Nico usually works.

M: Production Stage Manager?

U: Nico's assistant. It's usually one of the older students. Their job is coping.

M: There must be a book. I'll look.

U: Directing is difficult, takes time, and Nico does a very good job. Please do not unduly add to her burden.

M: Don't worry. I got this.

U: I will hold you to that.

M: (^-^)ゝ

Umi nodded. Maki was now aware of the gravity of the situation.

###

This was one of Umi's favorite classes. An advanced seminar that rotated topics and instructors. Managing An Orchestra was this quarter's theme. Only half a dozen students: Nana, a sophomore, three juniors, two seniors.

They were discussing Japanese conductors, Hideo Sato and one of his most prominent students, Seiji Ozawa. Umi occasionally wore a white turtleneck under her tuxedo jacket to honor Owaza's unique style. She had handed out an interview with Owaza from Joshua Jampol's Living Opera book.

Nana had the floor, "I looked up Hideo Saito, Professor Sonoda, and read that he brought discipline to generally disorganized Japanese orchestras. Is this the first job of the conductor?"

Umi, perched on a stool, considered the question, leaving a space for another student to speak. But it seemed no one else had done supplemental research specifically into Ozawa's influences. "I think the entire profession has evolved, both in Japan and internationally, and with the rigorous training most professional musicians receive, there is less need to educate them on basic courtesies like preparing for rehearsals."

Ronna Emem raised a point from the article, "Ozawa quotes Saito and says that "For a conductor, the most important thing is if he can conduct an a cappella chorus. Because every note, every voice is important. Every word is important." Do you agree, Professor?"

A direct question for Umi to field, "Ozawa says a little later that with the" best vocalists, the voice becomes the best instrument" and I certainly agree with that. For myself, with the violin, I have found much wisdom in Francesco Geminiani's belief that the violinist's job was to create "a tone that shall in a manner rival the most perfect human voice."

"So if you believe all this," Ronna leaned forward, "why do we spend most of our time conducting instrumental ensembles and not vocal ones?"

Umi blinked. Advanced seminars allowing opportunities for the teacher to learn from the students was why they were her favorite type of class.

"That is a very sound point, Ronna. And one which I believe requires a review of our current conducting curriculum. So what would each of you like to see added?"

###

Umi was still perched on the stool, mulling her students' suggestions. Her next meeting with Director Minami would be a challenge. She would have to make time to prepare a thorough presentation.

"Did you talk to Maki?"

Her students had left the door open and Nico had bopped in, looking wearier than earlier.

"Are your auditions over? I trust they went well."

Nico waved a hand, not to be distracted, "Maki?"

"We have agreed that she should not put any extra burdens on you."

"And she said? You did talk, right?" Nico leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, suspicious.

Umi shook her head, "Text."

Nico rolled her eyes, "Nico has to do everything."

"I did suggest she talk to a stage manager."

Nico's eyes lit up, "That's a great idea, Umi. Nico will assign one to babysit her."

Umi thought that would be best because (^-^)ゝaside, there was no way that Maki was going to initiate a conversation with a student she didn't know.

"Maybe don't call it babysitting?" Umi offered hesitantly.

Another dismissive hand wave, "Nico handles more divas than you. Don't help."

Umi shrugged. As soon as Nico stopped talking, Umi could go home. So if the conversation continued, it would not be because Umi spoke.

Nico pushed off, "Thanks for the stage manager idea. Let Nico know before you head out for the holidays. Will you be in town for Thanksgiving?"

"I believe so."

"Stop by for Friendsgiving carolling. The more the merrier. And the less isolated the students who aren't welcome at home feel."

Nico was much more involved in the lives of her students than Umi, but productions were a much more intense environment than classes. And Nico, having cared for young siblings from a young age, had mastered a quirky aunt vibe that made some of the most skittish students willing to be chivvied and teased by her. Umi wondered if that pushiness would also charm the reclusive Maki.

"Honoka and I will plan to be there; I'm not sure if Kotori is heading back to New York before then."

"All are welcome. Spread the word." Nico blew a kiss, "Thanks, Umi. See you Friday."

Umi waved, no longer paying attention, thinking once again about how to approach expanding vocal opportunities on campus. Nico would surely relish adding a full scale musical to the performance repertoire.

A/N: Tired, obsessed with Romeo and Juliet (have you watched Romeo X Juliet, they give her a sword and a secret identity), and not going to rush this because I love backstage stories.