A/N: Now they meet in this chapter! Be prepared for Nowaki gushing on Hiroki's piano playing and Tsumori growing jealous over this new development. But in the actual end is when they talk to each other face to face. I was excited the whole time I wrote this and these two won't get together as a couple for a bit because I want them to be closer as friends before anything else happens between these two.
To those I have talked to over this fanfic with recently, you have all given me such great ideas on what to add in the following chapters. Bouncing ideas off of people really does make writing chapters easier. :)
Thank you all for loving this fic, it makes my day when you all leave such lovely responses.
-Lucicelo
Chapter 5: Seeing him perform...
Nowaki checked the time on his cell phone and took the last bite of his lunch before putting the empty containers inside his black bag. Finishing his iced tea, he stretched his arms over his head and rolled his shoulders to relieve tension he built up throughout the day. Nowaki still had twenty minutes left and he planned to relax at his desk or chat with any of his co-workers who decided to stay at the office to eat.
He rolled his chair back from his spot and looked at his surrounding area for any of his co-workers. Nowaki saw a few older men in the corner side of the room near the water cooler chatting with each other and cackling among themselves. He knew every single person in the building but he wouldn't necessarily call them close friends.
A good portion always left the building during lunchtime or used this time to investigate some of the cases they had in the files.
He wanted to get back onto checking up on more kids on his case load or investigating any anonymous calls about a child in a dangerous environment. There was always a new file on a family so work was never ending but Nowaki liked to keep himself busy. On those real slow days, the office was such a bore and there was nothing to do. At times, he was the one physically checking the houses. He was sure it was due to his height which at times intimidated people or maybe it was how well he handled even the most angriest person when he talked to them.
Choosing social work as a career was at times stressful and the occasional threatening phone call from a parent wanting their child back reached his line but he liked helping other children. Seeing their smiling faces when they encountered him on the street or a store, thanking him on his hard work for really working hard to make sure they were safe. It was worth it.
A good portion of the kids were sent to his old home at the orphanage which was rebuilt and good as new after the fire. Donations were sent by various individuals after the story hit the news and most of it was used to pay for Nowaki's stay at the hospital.
To repay the generosity, Nowaki pushed himself through school and managed to get decent grades. The kids who attended each of his schools were pretty brutal in their studies but he somehow made it into the top ten. He also worked after classes to pay off his tuition and on his days off so he was constantly busy. In high school, he got in through a scholarship but he wasn't allowed to work or he would lose it. Somehow, he hid his part time jobs from the school and he graduated without them knowing otherwise.
Everyone at the orphanage supported his endeavors, his example had more of the children trying harder in their studies. This brought Nowaki such joy, these kids would have another option by working hard even if they didn't have a family by the time they were told to leave. Akira was surprised at his decision to enter social work, the man expected him to have picked something different but Nowaki convinced him that this was something he really wanted to do. A different career didn't jump at him, but being in social work did and he wanted to help other people in dire situations.
He took out a small bottle of lotion from his desk and poured some in his right hand. After he put the bottle back inside of his desk, he carefully moved his turtleneck aside as he started rubbing the skin of his left shoulder. Nowaki smiled as he gently massaged the rough skin of his shoulder, after such a long day, the fabric of his clothing irritated the skin and he needed some lotion to soothe it.
After a few minutes of doing this, Nowaki stopped as he carefully adjusted his turtleneck to hide anything from view. If he didn't take the time to apply lotion on his skin then he would be uncomfortable for the rest of the day.
"Hey Nowaki."
"Senpai?" Nowaki inquired as he looked over his shoulder when he recognized the voice.
Tsumori leaned against the cubicle as he held up a pair of tickets in his hand. "Hey Nowaki if you have nothing to do tonight why not go with me to this concert I'm going to."
Nowaki tried reading the information on the tickets but he only made out the name 'Kamijou Hiroki' through Tsumori's fingers. "Kamijou...Hiroki? I've never heard of him before, who is he?"
"He's some pianist I found online that I thought would impress my date since she used to play the instrument. I researched information on him too but my date called me to tell me that she couldn't make it." Tsumori explained with a dramatic sigh. "I really don't want these tickets to go to waste and no one is willing to buy them from me since no one listens to piano music at all."
Nowaki chuckled. "Alright I'll go, you don't need to get into your acting moments to convince me senpai. I like listening to piano pieces, I used to listen to them all the time as a child."
Memories of his stay of the hospital entered his mind where he laid on his hospital bed. Half the time, he stared outside of an open window which had a whole view of the cherry blossoms in full bloom which he fully enjoyed. Those blossoms would gently float inside and cover parts of his body which the nurses found adorable but it was a hassle to clean them from the room.
The I.V drip on his arm dulled the pain of his injuries, the kind nurses who tended to him, the daily visits of the director of the orphanage, and the other orphans visiting him with words of gratefulness for his bravery.
In the afternoons, he heard someone playing a light melody which transcended throughout the whole hospital. They were simple pieces but as time progressed they transformed into complicated melodies which eased Nowaki and made him feel relaxed at the hospital. The nurses told him the player was a young teen that came to play for the children after his classes, he went to a music based high school and from the sound of his music was exceptionally good at the instrument.
Nowaki longed to see this person play with his own two eyes but the doctor had him in bed all the time unless he needed to use the restroom or a sponge bath. He returned home when he was almost healed and only went back in the mornings for the doctor to see the remainder of the burns for signs of infection.
Those melodies helped him so much which was why he loved the piano. He never learned to play it but always wished he could and maybe be good enough to play with the young man at the hospital. A meager wish but he held it close to his heart. He had no name or even had a good look at this young man despite his long stay at the hospital.
Finding him after so many years was an impossible feat and he had no clue to start.
Tsumori bowed in jest before handing Nowaki a ticket with a dashing smile. "Do you want me to pass by your house to pick you up?"
Nowaki politely declined and missed the slight drop in Tsumori's smile. "I can make it there on my own." He read the location of the performance and he added in. "It's close to my apartment so I think I'll get some shopping done beforehand as well."
Tsumori lifted his smile back to the big grin he had earlier. "Don't be late or I will hold it against you and they have a fancy wear policy so don't wear jeans."
Nowaki smiled. "I'll make it there with plenty of time to spare and it's a good thing I have fancy clothes from our company Christmas party last year." He looked at the time and turned to Tsumori when he said. "Well lunch is over so I'll see you at the performance okay?"
"Okay." Tsumori said as he turned around and walked away while Nowaki took out a file on a pair of kids he was looking at before lunch rolled around.
Nowaki read the papers again with newly acquired energy. He turned on the radio as a relaxing slow song played, his eyes took in the information he would need before he went to check up on this case. The report mentioned how the parents left their children unattended for hours at a time and when the children were seen, it was as if they had not been taken cared of for days.
He had seen so many cases where the parents were clearly unsuitable and yet they continued on having children. At least the people who called with viable information had them finding cases they otherwise would not have known. Nowaki sighed as gained more energy and got back to work. He needed all the energy he had to really focus on his work.
When Tsumori was at a far enough distance, he did a slight fist pump at his success at asking Nowaki out. He had to tell a white lie over the loss of a date but he knew Nowaki would accompany him if he was charming enough. Tsumori started planning his attire, which he was sure would have Nowaki looking at him throughout their whole trip. He knew a good place for them to eat afterwards and Nowaki might realize some feelings for him.
He smirked as he flicked his hair to the side, everything was going to plan.
Tsumori smoothed down his hair as he leaned against the wall while people in formal clothing walked inside of the building. He checked the time on his phone and then to the sidewalks on the road. Nowaki wasn't late but if they wanted to get to their middle seats they needed to hurry inside before more people started arriving. Though Tsumori doubted that a pianist would bring in a whole crowd of people, so they would be fine if Nowaki decided to be somewhat late to the performance.
He looked down at his formal dark suit which he steam pressed to perfection at his home. He had read about Hiroki Kamijou just to impress Nowaki if he asked him any questions during the performance, one of the things which stood out to him was the pianist's disability. When he first saw Hiroki in the video, Tsumori admitted on how the pianist was sort of handsome. He wasn't too ugly by his high standards. The suits which were obviously picked from a third party, fitted Hiroki perfectly and when he walked to the piano, it almost seemed like he still had his sight.
At first, Tsumori thought it was a publicity stunt but when he saw a zoom-in of his eyes, he was convinced of his blindness at that moment. Those opaque milky eyes made him feel uncomfortable and Tsumori was glad he got seats in the middle so he didn't have to really look at his eyes. Though he could appreciate his appearance from a fair distance and he might chat with Nowaki while the man played. Many people talked while in the middle of a performance, so they wouldn't get caught so easily.
He was sure they would be the only young people in the audience until a young couple walked past him inside of the auditorium. Tsumori was kind of surprised when more young people were walking inside and a few girls were giggling over how handsome Hiroki was when he played the piano. Fans of pianists sure were strange people from what Tsumori gathered.
Tsumori caught Nowaki at a fair distance away and he shoved his phone in his pocket. He didn't want to make it seem that he was checking his phone because he thought Nowaki was late which wasn't the case. He arrived twenty minutes earlier so if Nowaki came early then they could have a good chat before they ventured inside.
Nowaki hurried down the street as he stopped on front of Tsumori. "Am I late?"
Tsumori shook his head with a smile. "Not at all, you are just in time."
Nowaki sighed in relief. "Good, I didn't think that going to the supermarket would take me too long."
"You went during the sale rush right?" Nowaki nodded his head and Tsumori chuckled. "You shouldn't do that, those house wives are so ruthless when it comes to getting the best deals."
"I know but I saw some things that I needed for the week and I couldn't pass up getting them cheap." Nowaki said as he brushed off his jacket, thinking there was some lint on it.
"What's a few extra dollars for something Nowaki? Aren't most things on sale just going to expire anyway?"
"Surprisingly no, I always shop when the produce is on sale because you can find a lot of good things there. I got a good batch of cherries for half off! And the peaches were sixty percent off too!" Nowaki said in excitement.
Tsumori put on an interested face as he kept nodding to what Nowaki was telling him. He didn't want to talk about produce of all things.
"I wouldn't take you as a guy who actually ate fruit."
"They taste delicious and they provide really good vitamins for the body." Nowaki told him.
Tsumori noticed that Nowaki wore another turtle neck as he commented. "You didn't change from your other turtle neck?"
Nowaki blinked as he looked down at the dark blue turtle neck he wore. "This is a different one from today senpai, besides, this one is silk so it is really comfortable."
Tsumori always wondered of Nowaki's fixation with turtle necks. He had never met a person who wore them as often as Nowaki did, which at times sort of bothered him. It always seemed like Nowaki was hiding something from him but he didn't want to ask Nowaki on this topic unless the turtle necks resulted as a problem.
He mentioned this to Nowaki on the first month he started working at the social worker offices and a lot of people brushed it off as a quirk. Tsumori knew it has to be something else but Nowaki told him that he just liked turtle necks. It really wasn't a problem in Nowaki's eyes and he never overheated in them in the summer which surprised a lot of people. Though in rare occasions he wore a buttoned up shirt which always had a real high collar which hid most of his neck.
Tsumori was going to find out what Nowaki was hiding eventually.
Nowaki asked him. "Is it a problem that I wear this here? Should I go back and wear something different?"
Tsumori chuckled. "No no, I don't think anyone cares. If you have a fancy jacket and slacks then they won't bat an eye on what you have underneath."
The taller man sighed in relief, he didn't want to wear another shirt. Even a high collared one might have exposed some things he didn't want to be seen but he could have risked it since it was getting darker. Nowaki fiddled with his shirt and made sure everything was in their proper place.
Tsumori decided to stop talking about the turtleneck as he said. "We should get going inside before we can't make it to the middle seats I got."
"Of course." Nowaki smiled. "I have always wondered what this venue looked like from the inside. I have seen loads of people coming here for concerts but I never thought about buying a ticket to see a performance."
"I'm glad to have invited you then Nowaki." Tsumori grinned as they walked to the entrance.
They went inside and presented their tickets to the person at the front door before venturing inside with everyone else. Nowaki saw a variety of people who were chattering with excitement over seeing Hiroki, this made Nowaki eager to see him as well. If a lot of people were happy to see someone perform then he must be real good.
Nowaki and Tsumori got decent seats in the middle of the audience as everyone quietly went to their own seats. Nowaki flattened down his jacket as he sat down and sighed in relief when he saw that the people behind him would be able to see the performance. Every time he went anywhere, he didn't want to be a bother to anyone because of his height. Which was why when he went to the theaters, he sat in the back so he wouldn't block anyone's view. Nowaki realized that the back seats were always the best seats so he didn't mind it so much.
Tsumori checked his hair on the screen of his phone as he licked his teeth. Nowaki didn't notice his primping as he looked around the venue, it was so beautiful and he loved the statues that he saw on the walls. His eyes landed on the piano in the middle of the stage. Ever since he left work and went on his errands, he wondered what Hiroki Kamijou looked like. He didn't have internet at home and when he was at work he didn't look for images of the man since he was busy working.
After a while, the image of the pianist didn't matter, it was the way he played the instrument that did.
Nowaki saw more and more people filling the auditorium, excitement started to fill his body. He saw a young man with sandy hair accompanying an older gentleman going to the front row. The older man held onto his arm as he walked with a cane in his other hand. He grinned while motioning to the stage and told the young man something which made the frown on his face transform into a smile. He even pushed the older man slightly in amusement before sitting in his seat.
The older man sat after him as he ruffled his sandy blonde hair and he young man blushed slightly. Nowaki managed to see it before more people sat in their seats and blocked them from his view. He smiled lightly, it seemed so many different people gathered at these events.
Tsumori turned to Nowaki as he said. "There is more younger people than I expected, I thought pianists only got an older type of audience."
Nowaki smiled as he pointed out, "Well I love piano music senpai, so I am considered one of those young fans in the audience."
"I still don't get it, why do you like the piano anyway. After a while it all sounds the same."
"It reminds me of something safe and warm from my childhood." Nowaki briefly explained. "Every single piece is magical and has a meaning behind it, it isn't just a variety of different notes senpai. I find instrumentals to be more interesting than the lyrics sung by most artists."
"Is that so?"
Nowaki nodded his head. "Not that I have anything against music in general, I just like listening to the instruments."
Tsumori noted this in his mental list on how to seduce Nowaki in the future. He didn't like instruments himself since he was used to most music, he would set it aside just to get Nowaki to be his new lover.
A few minutes later, the intercom was used to introduce Hiroki as everyone in the audience applauded. Nowaki had his eyes on the stage as Hiroki walked onto the stage with confidence, his eyes were open as he briefly looked toward the direction of the applause. Nowaki's eyes sparkled in excitement when he saw Hiroki striding to the piano in front of him, his body moved gracefully on the stage. Something was off about him as he briefly touched his seat before sitting down.
He massaged his hands for a brief moment as he moved his fingers over the keys. Hiroki placed his feet on the pedals as he softly caressed the keys, he found a few keys that were somewhat jammed and Hiroki envisioned those in his mind before he considered starting to play.
Nowaki was confused as he turned to Tsumori and asked. "Is there something you didn't tell me about Kamijou-san?"
"Hmm? Oh yeah the guy's blind."
Nowaki's eyes widened as he noticed the small little things Hiroki was doing as he memorized the piano's keys. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't think it mattered, he manages to play alright and has a small fan base to support him financially. I thought it was obvious when you looked at him." Tsumori said nonchalantly as a man turned around and shushed him.
Nowaki apologized for his senpai before he placed his attention on Hiroki. The pianist finished his inspection before he started playing Waltz of the Flowers from "The Nutcracker."
Hiroki played a jumble of keys at a fast rate which transcended in an array of lovely notes. He slowed down for a while as he kept his ear open for anything amiss and he listened for the chuckle which would have come from Miyagi who sat in the front row of the audience. Hiroki chose this particular piece to play first since Miyagi enjoyed seeing the ballet when they performed in the city and it would be a good conversation starter for the date Miyagi said he would bring. Hiroki still couldn't comprehend Miyagi's choice, a nineteen year old boy who was once his brother-in-law but then again he noticed how Shinobu could handle Miyagi's teasing.
He smirked as he went from the low notes to the high notes in a fast rate and he relaxed his shoulders so he wouldn't tire himself out so fast. Although he had caught Shinobu muttering on how Hiroki might be faking his blindness until Miyagi had him stare into his eyes to prove a point which didn't affect Shinobu, he still treated him the same. Shinobu didn't present any indication of changing his behavior around him, Hiroki felt gratified at this result.
So for once, he was going to make Miyagi's life a little easier in providing something they could talk about. He hid his smile as he transcended into the recognizable melody that most people have heard on the radio or the TV as he slightly swayed with the music. Hiroki opened his eyes slightly as he breathed deeply while his fingers expertly played a perfect melody which was music to his ears.
Nowaki sat there in amazement as he watched Hiroki play. A melody resurfaced in his mind as he remembered the feelings of longing and his moment of peace from his childhood. Hiroki looked so natural as he played the piano, he noticed the small smile on his face as he continued on with this piece. Nowaki recognized this song from "The Nutcracker" but he had not heard it played this beautifully, especially a solo piece with the piano.
He placed his hand over his heart as he sighed in bliss. Warmness filled his soul as he kept on listening to the music filling the auditorium. He didn't hear a lot of people murmuring as Hiroki played the piano, he knew they were so enthralled by this lovely music that they were speechless. Different music brought on different emotions in people, Nowaki understood how instrumental music was soothing and a brought a new level of calmness in the soul.
Tsumori was sort of impressed at how Hiroki managed to keep up with the fast paced parts of the piece but piano music bored him. He rather enjoyed the fast paced club music he heard when he went to the clubs on the weekends. Not that he had anything against people who liked piano music but he liked to grove to the music he listened to.
He studied Nowaki's lean body and his long legs, Tsumori knew he would be a great dancer if he took him to the club. He just needed to figure out when Nowaki had some time to himself and drag him to the club himself.
Every single piece Hiroki played made Nowaki more amazed and he turned into his newest fan. Nowaki already planned to look online to buy another ticket to see this man again, he didn't know why he never went to piano performances in the first place. This was so much better than listening to the radio at home and he could meet so many interesting people who shared his same interests.
Nowaki's eyes were glued to Hiroki throughout the whole performance and ignored Tsumori when he tried to start up a conversation. Each time Tsumori said anything, the same man who sat in front of them turned around and shushed him which gained the attention of the rest of the people surrounding them. Tsumori only glared back at the man and the rest of the people who gave him dirty looks in speaking during a performance.
Hiroki transitioned then to one of Nowaki's favorite pieces, when Nowaki was in the hospital, this particular piece was played constantly. It was called, Arabesque #1 by Claude Debussy.
Tears gathered in his eyes as he smiled thought the whole piece. He kept himself together as he wiped a stray tear from his eyes. His eyes closed as he let the spell of the music take over his body.
"That was...amazing...just amazing..." Nowaki said with a huge grin on his face as he turned to Tsumori. "Thank you for inviting me."
Tsumori patted Nowaki's left shoulder a little too harshly as he told him. "No problem! I would've wasted money if I didn't at least come here, though all of that time sitting just to hear a piano. I could have just done that at home.
Nowaki flinched each time Tsumori hit his shoulder and he turned the other way to hide the expression on his face. "But it's nicer to hear it in person and to see the pianist play, it's a wonderful experience you know." He turned to Tsumori when the man stopped touching his shoulder.
"I guess." Tsumori yawned. "Though I was more tempted to sleep more than anything."
"Well I want to come to another one again when I have the chance. I might even buy some front row tickets so I can see him up close. Do you know when Kamijou-san plays in the area again?" Nowaki asked, admiration showed in his eyes and Tsumori hated that expression when it wasn't meant for him.
Tsumori knew exactly the next time Hiroki played. After he purchased the ticket a list of Hiroki's oncoming performances popped up and he had planned another day he was going to invite Nowaki. Now that wasn't going to happen, jealousy coursed through him at this person who took Nowaki's attention away from him.
He assumed Nowaki's attention for this blind man was no more than fascination that he found something to make of his life. Anyone would be amazed that someone with a disability had formed a better life than just sitting around wallowing in pity. Tsumori was interested in this development for a few seconds before he grew bored. Hiroki's 'talent' was nothing new, he saw children playing the piano and it wasn't that amazing.
Besides, Nowaki was always busy helping other people in his spare time which Tsumori thought was adorable yet a waste of time. Nowaki was a young man who could do something better with his time than hanging out with the elderly and the children of his old home at the orphanage. Tsumori wanted Nowaki to spend more time with him for example, he was loads of fun and Nowaki would never be bored.
He suppressed his ugly side with a fake smile as he shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea."
Nowaki pouted as he scratched the back of his head. "Hmm...maybe I can search the web when I have time.. Where did you say you found the tickets again?"
"I forgot."
"That's too bad..." Nowaki sighed. "I already have Kamijou-san's full name so I don't think looking for his performance listings should be too hard."
Tsumori bit his tongue and kept back his remark over this man. He had never shown his bad side to Nowaki and didn't want to chase him away if he said anything that would end their little friendship. Maybe even ruin any future relationship they might have when they go on more of these 'dates'.
Nowaki spotted Hiroki walking toward the other direction while holding a pure white cane in his gloved hands. A warm trench coat covered his body from the cold night as he walked toward the door with the older gentleman he saw earlier, walking right beside him. Hiroki let go of his white cane for a brief second to wave at the man who limped away with the assistance of a wooden cane.
The older man grinned at Hiroki while he told him something. Nowaki saw Hiroki responding to the man with a frown on his face which only caused the other person to laugh in amusement as he walked away. The older man went to the young man with sandy hair who only stared at Hiroki with a doubtful expression on his face. He held onto the man, pulling him away from Hiroki as the other chuckled in amusement.
Nowaki was in awe at how gracefully Hiroki moved despite his lack of sight. He had not imagined actually seeing Hiroki walking in front of him since the image of him in front of a piano seemed so natural.
He wasn't going to miss this opportunity to talk with Hiroki not when he was so close.
Nowaki took a step back from Tsumori who didn't notice him leaving on account of the countless people surrounding them as they left. Tsumori kept speaking and his voice grew distant with each step Nowaki took away from him. He felt bad for ditching his friend but he could explain himself when they saw each other again.
Hiroki turned his head to his direction slightly and Nowaki's heart fluttered. He placed his hand over his heart in shock as he kept his stride over to Hiroki, picking up the pace with each step he took.
Why was his heart racing from just staring at Hiroki?
Nowaki shook his head as he breathed evenly, he rationalized his speeding heart over a case of nerves. Who wouldn't be nervous meeting someone who was just on stage? Especially someone so talented who obviously put in hours of practice to make his performances so amazing.
"Wait Kamijou-san!" Nowaki exclaimed, he swiftly avoided the people and made his way closer to Hiroki. "Can we talk please?!"
Tsumori kept talking to himself as he walked toward the entrance, thinking Nowaki was following him diligently. "It wasn't that great of a performance honestly, anyone can play an instrument and make it sound good."
Hiroki heard someone call his name from a close distance, he halted in his steps when the footsteps got closer and closer to him. He didn't recognize this person, this voice wasn't registering as someone familiar to him at all. The confident and light footsteps weren't registering inside of his mind. Smoothing down his trench coat, he waited until the man stopped near him and caught his breath.
Nowaki was glad Hiroki stopped for him, he wanted to speak to the man who played so beautifully. Though he would've understood if Hiroki had no time to stop, musicians were always busy. He had heard people playing the piano before but it was as if Hiroki made every single note matter, he treated the keys with so much care and love.
This man must really love playing the piano. Nowaki loved it when people had passion for their career and had fun with it.
Nowaki bowed as he introduced himself. "I'm Nowaki Kusama it's nice to meet you."
Hiroki nodded his head as he curtly said. "Hiroki Kamijou."
"Yes I know, your name was on the ticket I got from my senpai." Nowaki explained as he continued. "This is my first time seeing you play and I am impressed. I am still starstruck and when I saw you walking in front of my eyes I needed to talk to you."
"So you took your chance then and what did you need to ask me?" Hiroki was used to having people asking him the usual questions about how many years he played or how he was able to get by without his sight.
In his last interview for a pianist magazine, he talked about his life and his life in the music school he entered. He answered most of the questions he was asked but denied answering his private life questions. His privacy was something he wanted to keep private. This was why he never really had a lot of people around him he didn't know for years or were sincere in getting to know him.
His manager sat next to him the whole time, who sat right beside him, giving him some silent support. Though he answered a few questions on Hiroki's future performance venues and if he would be leaving Japan to some overseas performances.
"Well I have no idea...this was a spur of a moment kind of thing." Nowaki answered honestly as he blushed. "What does someone ask a pianist? Um..."
Hiroki heard someone close by and the clicking of a camera. His eyebrows furrowed, so this man was part of some ploy to gain his trust and then try to get something out of him. With a name like Nowaki, it was obvious that he used a fake name to try to get closer to him. Hiroki felt ridiculous for having let himself trust someone a tiny bit after he felt so good after his performance.
This was why he stuck to talking with children and older people, they were always so honest.
Hiroki told him with a frown on his face. "Whatever you hoped to gain by talking to me is surely done correct?"
Nowaki was surprised at the cold tone Hiroki used as he inquired. "What?"
"Listen I don't need anymore people trying to enter my life and then leaving without a word. I have no time to deal with any new friends who use me for their needs." Hiroki explained as he stood his ground and scrunched up his eyebrows.
Nowaki placed his hand on his chest as he declared. "That is not what I meant at all! I truly felt touched by your music! I've always loved the piano but your playing...your playing has affected me deeply."
Hiroki arched a brow, he still doubted Nowaki, like most of the people he thought were not trustworthy. "Oh really? How so?"
Nowaki remembered a slow playing melody inside of his mind from his past. "You treated every single note like it mattered... it brought a sense of nostalgia in my heart. It reminded me of a peaceful feeling that brings me so much joy and happiness." The silhouette of a faceless young man entered his mind, sitting in front of a piano playing a particular piece he remembers fondly.
Hiroki's face went slightly red as he coughed into his hand. "That's...interesting to know. I have never had someone tell me that before...and actually mean it." He had gotten compliments from many people, some of those people only did it out of interest.
He held onto his cane tighter and he heard another click of a camera, he muttered. "I hear someone a taking pictures..."
Nowaki looked around and saw a young woman taking pictures of her group of friends as they stood in front of a huge poster. "Kamijou-san, it's only a young lady taking pictures of her friends and the venue. Wait you thought that I was..." Nowaki realized that Hiroki thought he was tricking him for something sinister. "I would never be so callous to take advantage of your disability to take pictures of you without your knowledge."
Hiroki's eyebrows furrowed as he loosened his grip on his cane, his voice showed his distrust as he asked. "How can I be so sure of that Kusama? I have heard this declaration throughout my whole career. People are so willing to take advantage of the weak, I am not weak by all means but I don't have many people I trust in order to protect myself."
"I understand Kamijou-san, I don't have many people I am close to either."
Hiroki scoffed. "I can hear the likable and honest aspects in your voice. Don't lie to me." He turned to walk away until Nowaki told him. "It's true, I might have many people I know well but they are not close enough to be called my friends. There are just some things that no one can ever understand."
Hiroki stopped as he turned around to the direction of Nowaki's voice. "Something happened to you in your past am I right?"
Nowaki nodded his head, responding in a solemn voice. "Yes..."
"Then it is my assumption that you distance yourself from others on account of this incident. Correct?"
"Yes. When something happens to you, many cannot understand dealing with the trauma years later. The belief that everything can be solved quickly isn't relatively possible, there are still some scars left behind." Nowaki explained as he placed his hand on his left shoulder.
Hiroki nodded his head, he clearly understood what Nowaki meant. "That's understandable."
Nowaki took a chance since he saw Hiroki wasn't too bothered by him as he asked. "Would you like to have a coffee with me?"
"What?" Hiroki inquired in surprise.
"I want to get to know you better and the best I can think of at the moment is meeting over coffee. You don't have to if you don't want to." Nowaki said as his face went bright red, he was somewhat glad Hiroki couldn't see his face at that moment.
Hiroki gulped as he said. "I have time off tomorrow if that is acceptable."
Nowaki stared at Hiroki in surprise when he inquired, "Really?"
"I have nothing to do tomorrow so this would be a nice distraction." Hiroki said with a serious expression, his pride would be shot if he showed any expression which revealed the happiness he felt over being asked.
"That's great! I have the day off from work tomorrow as well so if you have a phone I can leave you my number." Nowaki smiled as he waited for Hiroki to take out his phone.
Hiroki handed it to him. "Your name is really Nowaki isn't it?"
Nowaki told him as he added his number to Hiroki's contacts. "Yes, I always get questioned over my name a lot to see if it's just a nickname but it really is my name. After a while, I found that I suits me pretty well and I wouldn't change it." He pressed the call button next to his name and he took out his own phone to see if it would call his phone.
Hiroki heard the jingle of another phone as Nowaki chuckled. "Okay, now I have yours. I hope you don't mind that I called mine so I could get yours Kamijou-san."
"No...not at all." A car honked right outside of the building as Hiroki told Nowaki. "I have to go, my cab has come to pick me up."
"O-Of course!" Nowaki said as he bowed again and shook Hiroki's hand. "It has been great meeting you, I will call you tomorrow with the details okay?"
Hiroki nodded his head, he tried keeping his hopes down if the next day turned out to be a disappointment. He felt Nowaki let go of his hand as he walked away and Hiroki turned to the door and pushed it open. He went straight forward to the cab as he opened it and slid inside. His usual cabby, Akiyama-san, greeted him like always and asked him the usual questions which Hiroki answered.
Hiroki wondered. He better not make me regret this tomorrow morning.
Nowaki managed to make it to the other side of the venue and caught Tsumori standing outside with his arms crossed over his chest. He apologized and explained he needed to get something done, he was relieved when his senpai showed no signs of being angry with him. They walked down the street as Nowaki fiddled with his phone in his pocket.
Nowaki smiled as Tsumori talked to him as he thought I know the perfect spot to take Kamijou-san tomorrow. Hopefully he likes it and we can be friends.
TBC