Puits d'Amour
The Inventor, Pt 2
Yamato knocked on the back door of Café du Ciel with Jyou and a guard in attendance. Meiko admitted them, then alerted Sora of their arrival. "Welcome, Yamato-san, Kido-san, sir," Sora said as she entered the back hallway from the door to her flat. "Fewer guards this time."
Sora wore a casual kimono in soft yellow, protected by a pale blue apron. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, and fallen strands framed her face with wisps of auburn. Yamato smiled, cheered by the comfort that both she and the café exuded. "Good afternoon, Sora-san. Haven't needed them so far."
"I'm glad for that," Sora replied, looking relieved. "You're right on time; Eimi-chan is about to start her set. Do you want to talk to her?"
"Yes. Let me know if I'm taking too much of her time." Yamato hesitated. He didn't want to be pessimistic, but it would be negligent to overlook potential problems. Reluctantly, he added, "Do you think she'll mind talking to me?"
Sora's bafflement quickly shifted to commiseration. Although nobles, especially politicians, were coached in the protocols of interacting with royalty, there was no reason for most people to learn them. Gently, Sora said, "I gave her the basic etiquette, but please be patient with her. And some days, she's more quiet than others, just in general."
Yamato nodded, and Sora led him, Jyou, and the guard to the main café room. It was crammed with customers for the midday meal, but a sofa near the piano was vacant, with papers marked "reserved" on each cushion.
Sora approached the piano, a cute upright in soft green, where a woman in her early twenties stood, shifting through a canvas bag bursting with sheet music. Her head jerked up at the sound of their footsteps, and she smiled when she saw Sora.
"Hi, Sora-san. Did you reserve these for Koushiro-kun and Iori-kun?" She indicated the pair of armchairs by the fireplace, also marked with reserved signs. They were prime seats, close to the music and the pleasant warmth, superior to the ones meant for the crown prince. Yamato shared a look with Jyou, who produced a tiny shrug.
"Yes, our guest expressed an interest in meeting both you and Koushiro-kun." Sora gestured to Yamato, who stepped closer. "Eimi-chan, this is-"
Sora hesitated, clearly unwilling to broadcast his title in the crowded café. "Yamato," he supplied, extending a hand.
Eimi's arched eyebrows bounced. She had a round face with nondescript features, save for expressive brown eyes framed with black lashes. Her long brown hair was braided and tied with a white ribbon. She was on the tall side and curvy, of a larger build than Sora. She wore a white blouse, a high waisted red skirt with yellow embroidered flowers along the bottom, and brown boots.
Eimi glanced at Sora, as if seeking permission to accept Yamato's introduction. When he inched his hand closer, she shook it. Her grip was loose, almost as if she feared touching him. He hoped he wasn't scowling, which wouldn't help matters. Being approached by people who wanted to ingratiate themselves was bad enough. Being feared as a person because of his title… That was worse.
Despite being in a bustling public space, with someone's hand in his, Yamato felt chillingly alone. He tried to meet Eimi's eye, but she was looking subtly away from his face. When she failed to offer her name, Sora supplied, "This is Anami Eimi, our part-time musician."
Eimi's hand twitched, so Yamato released her. Painfully aware of her nerves, he moved the attention to someone else. "This is my friend, Kido Jyou." They shook and exchanged pleasantries, and if Eimi made the connection to Kido medical, she gave no indication. Eimi looked at the guard, but for safety reasons, on-duty guards were not introduced.
When silence fell over the group, Sora once more offered valiant assistance. "Eimi-chan is a student. She's been performing with us since we opened."
Eimi glanced at Sora, who made a tiny hand motion, a coaxing gesture that said, go on. Briefly, Eimi's eyes held Yamato's, then plummeted to the floor. He couldn't know what she thought of him as a person, or might come to think of him, but she was clearly terrified of the crown prince. He tried to ignore the raw ache in his chest, then the irritation that swelled to mask it. Better to feel angry than hurt, or at least, his most visceral self thought so.
Still staring at her boots, Eimi muttered, "Um, I play piano and guitar, and I sing. It's probably not... Much..."
Ah. So she was worried about performing to whatever she perceived as a prince's standards; that was easier to manage than fear of his title. "It's exactly what I'd like to hear. I'm afraid I'm about sixteen years out of date on music in Hakone."
Eimi tipped her head and nibbled her lower lip, resembling a rabbit worrying a blade of grass. "Um, well, I'm not a standard for that, but... Well, I hope you like it?"
"I'm sure I will." Her hands remained fidgety, picking at her skirt, so Yamato moved the conversation away from her performance. "I'm told you study music at the university."
Eimi glanced at Sora, as if to confirm that a prince was inquiring about her education. Sora offered a warm smile, but little else. Blinking in a befuddled way, Eimi replied, "Um, yes. I study voice, music composition, guitar, and some piano. Voice and composition are my main focus."
Yamato's interest spiked. As a prince, he had to be well versed in a variety of topics, and was never able to devote himself to specific disciplines, the way Eimi currently was. It sounded like a dream. "Do they have music there for students? Sheet music, phonograph records, that sort of thing?"
Eimi seemed to relax as the conversation shifted away from herself. "Yes, you can rent the records. I haven't got a phonograph, but you can sign up for time with one of the university's. Oh, um… You have to be a student to rent them, but you could probably..."
Pull my princely strings? Yamato forced a tight smile, despite being annoyed. He could do that, and the fact that everyone was so cognizant of it rankled. "I'd enjoy taking courses as time permits. I'd like to hear about your favorite composition classes, if you have the time."
"You compose?" Curiosity lit her eyes, and at last, Eimi seemed to enjoy talking to him. "What kind of music? Do you want to perform? Oh-" She jerked towards Sora. "Ah, I don't mean to foist my performance on someone else-"
"I'm curious about his music, too," Sora replied, smiling. "But maybe we shouldn't put our guest on the spot."
"Ladies," Yamato sighed. "I understand why everyone is dancing around my name and title, but please. Yamato."
His nerves surged, anxious for a positive response. But when Eimi's expression dramatically shifted, his jittery focus shattered, yielding to confusion. An enormous smile overtook her face and lit her eyes, so strongly that Yamato no longer recalled her fretful expressions and body language. She stepped away, ditching her conversation with a prince, a noble, and an iemoto heiress.
Yamato followed her gaze and found two young men about her age in the foyer. One was short and scrawny, with fluffy, bold red hair. As he approached, his black eyes and the splattering of freckles over the bridge of his nose became discernible. Like Eimi, his expression bordered on doofy. He wore a blazer over a cable knit sweater in caramel, a casual but put-together outfit.
A second young man walked behind him, looking far more steady and dignified. He had short brown hair, green eyes, and a keen, serious air, evident in his sure stride and the set of his shoulders. He carried what appeared to be a shinai in a case. Even in a suit, he gave a fit, sturdy impression.
"Koushiro-kun!" Eimi stepped towards him, but froze and glanced back at Yamato, Sora, and Jyou, suddenly recalling that she was mid conversation. She stayed put while Koushiro approached. When Eimi lifted her hand in a motion that wasn't quite an offer to shake, Koushiro clasped it with both of his.
"It's so good to see you, Eimi-san." Yamato nearly stepped back, instinctively wanting to give them privacy. Koushiro wasn't doing anything inappropriate, but the warmth in his eyes and voice was too telling. It was like gazing into a man's heart before even being introduced.
Color burst across Eimi's cheeks, calling attention to how fair she was. Up close, it was clear that, like Yamato, neither of them were of full Hakone descent.
"Y-yes," Eimi stammered. "I, I mean- I'm so glad you could make it. Ah! Iori-kun, too!"
The second man had already removed his hat upon entering, but he raised it to Eimi, a respectful gesture. Koushiro released her, and she gathered her hands in front of her, as if unsure what to do with them.
"Koushiro-kun, Iori-kun, may I make an introduction?" Sora asked. When they agreed, she continued, "This is Ishida Yamato and Kido Jyou. Your High- Ishida-san, Kido-san, please meet Izumi Koushiro and Hida Iori."
After the necessary handshakes and niceties, Koushiro said, "It's an honor, Your Highness. Sora-san asked us to meet you, but I must say, I'm surprised that you're interested."
"Are you?" Yamato asked, without challenge. "I'm told you developed the radios, phonographs, and records found in households across the country, and that you're currently inventing new audio recording technologies."
"Oh, well..." The more he observed Koushiro, the more Yamato's attention was drawn to his thick, expressive eyebrows. These were currently furrowed with a modest sort of discomfort. "Nothing is invented in a vacuum. The Tachikawas offer so much support, and of course, radios and phonographs already existed. The challenge was to develop the newest advances for mass production without sacrificing quality."
He didn't mention the records and phonograph record player, which were more novel, Yamato noticed. And when Yamato was slow to respond, Koushiro shifted towards Iori and said, "Iori-kun also attends the university. He studies law and competes in kendo club. We met as children, but Eimi-san and I met in a music composition class in our first year of college."
"Law?" Yamato echoed. "Sounds challenging."
"It certainly has been," Iori replied. Like Koushiro, his tone was calm and measured, but his body language and expressions were more pared back. He exuded a reasonable, unaffected air. "I'm hoping to become a defense lawyer."
Poor bastard. Being a defense lawyer in Hakone was signing up for a life of tribulation. Hakone law enforcement was famed for its high rate of solving cases- which often resulted from pinning the crime on the first likely suspect and moving along to the next trial.
"Even more difficult," Yamato murmured- and perhaps he shouldn't have, as the crown prince. Jyou and Iori produced identical skeptical expressions, then quickly reset to something more neutral.
While Yamato spoke to Iori, Koushiro had maneuvered to Eimi's side. His fingertips brushed the back of her hand as he murmured, "I fear we're interrupting your work."
Before Eimi could react, Sora said, "You're eager, Koushiro-kun." The gently teasing quality of her voice confirmed what Yamato suspected: it was commonly known that Koushiro was sweet on Eimi.
This time, Koushiro colored, but he quickly rallied. "Can you blame me? It's been a while since Eimi-san has performed, and we don't have any classes together this semester."
"You know, you can meet outside of class," Sora pointed out. At this, Eimi's shoulders tensed, rose, then sank, a perfect picture of dejection. Koushiro rubbed the back of his neck and looked away from Eimi. Yamato blinked, but before he could figure out how to react, Jyou jumped in.
"You mentioned that you take music classes, Izumi-kun. I assumed your interest in music was more technological."
Koushiro seized Jyou's offer of a new topic like a man grabbing a lifesaver, and Yamato felt a sting of shame at the difference in their ability to smooth a conversation over. "I suppose it is. I mostly take engineering, math, and technology courses. But I need a music background to best learn how to capture and mix sound. I also play the violin as a hobby."
"Oh? I'm surprised you have the time," Jyou replied. Yamato resisted the urge to tsk. Jyou had no hobbies, despite Yamato's encouragement. It was work, learning, and medicine for him, all the time. The closest he came to recreation was his interest in cars and driving, which he rarely spared time to explore.
"It stimulates a different part of my brain and helps me think. I doubt I'll ever qualify as a musician, but I enjoy it."
Sensing the strange mood, and likely contrite for having caused it, Sora intervened. "We don't usually reserve seats here, but we wanted to facilitate Ishida-san's introduction. So please, everyone, take your seats, and I'll send Meiko-chan along to take your orders, if you'd like refreshments. Eimi-chan, why don't you get started? I'll bring you water."
"Alright..." Although Koushiro seemed to have recovered, at least visually, Eimi still drooped. She dug around in her tote bag, selecting among her sheet music.
Jyou sat on the sofa beside the guard, but Yamato followed Sora. They walked through the foyer, down the hall, and into the kitchen, where Sora asked Meiko to help Koushiro and the others. When Meiko left, Sora sighed and leaned against the wall by the door. The back of her head hit the surface with a dull thunk. "I only meant to tease him."
"Izumi-kun seems besotted with her." Yamato did not consider himself an expert on romance, or even a novice. He'd much rather leave people to their own matters. But there was clearly something going on between Koushiro and Eimi- going on, yes, but not going well.
"It really is obvious, isn't it," Sora sighed. "And Eimi-chan is brightest when he's around."
"So why did they react like that when you mentioned that they can meet outside of the café?" Yamato reminded himself that he wanted to be helpful, but irritation was mounting. It seemed that he had wandered into a romantic comedy, and a farcical one, at that.
Sora winced, looking pained. "I should know better. They're well beyond liking one another, but... Koushiro-kun can't convince Eimi-chan to date him."
Yamato paused, but no matter how much he considered the situation, it remained nonsensical. "She won't date the man she's interested in- who is likely already well off from his inventions and comes from minor nobility." He paused, searching his memory. "I can't recall any Anamis among the Hakone nobility... But then, neither of them look like they're of full Hakone descent." And, although he didn't say it aloud, noble families were rarely mixed.
"Eimi-chan's parents are of mixed Hakone and New Hope descent. It isn't my place to say this, but since it's obvious... Koushiro-kun was adopted into the Izumi family as an infant, after his biological parents from Innisfree died in an automobile accident. He was taken in by close friends of his parents and raised here, so while his genetic background is from Innisfree, culturally, he's from Hakone."
"I'm sorry to hear that about his biological parents," Yamato said. "I'm surprised they were so close to a couple from Hakone."
"Both fathers, biological and adoptive, worked for the same company with an international presence. Apparently, they were great friends, and scheduled as much business travel together as possible. That's all I know, though."
The cheerful din of the kitchen filled the silence as Yamato considered. "That still doesn't explain Eimi-chan's hesitance. It's an advantageous match for her, and since they're both of mixed descent, that factor isn't an obstacle."
Unfortunately, Hakone could be simultaneously xenophobic and xenophilic. Foreigners were considered attractive to date, but often undesirable to wed and start a family with. His parents hoped that their mixed marriage and children would discourage that ugly attitude, and it did seem to be softening. But it remained, so it made sense that two people of mixed genetic heritage might seek one another out.
Sora sighed, her eyes downcast and heavy-lidded. "I think it's the class difference."
"Class?" Yamato echoed. "I looked into the Izumis when my attendant brought up Koushiro-kun's job. My impression is that they are minor nobility, at best. It shouldn't matter that the Anamis aren't noble, unless-"
And, as was often the case, Yamato was slammed from calm to an emotional peak faster than he could process. He was forced to pause and gather himself. Sora watched him, likely wondering why he cut off mid sentence, but how could he explain? That compassionate look returned to her eyes, accompanied by a sadness that Yamato couldn't bear. So briefly and gently that he nearly missed it, Sora's hand brushed his.
"I don't get the impression that Koushiro-kun's family is pressuring him to marry a noblewoman to increase their standing. I don't think there's any objection to Eimi-chan."
Yamato didn't realize how tense he was until his shoulders relaxed. Marriages as an exchange, often money for noble and/or political status, were so common in his sphere that love marriages were an exception. Normally, the subject wouldn't have shaken him- but it did, and badly. Who knew what would happen with his own marriage and family life, and when? He tried not to think about it, but ever since that talk with his parents, the notion lurked in the depths of his mind, always ready to leap forward.
"I'm glad for that," Yamato murmured, with utter sincerity. Then he cleared his throat and attempted a steady tone. "But I'm not seeing the problem, then."
"Me neither," Sora sighed. "I believe the trouble is... How Eimi-chan sees herself, and her family."
Yamato almost snorted, then nearly tsked. In the end, he shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away, which wasn't much better. "She'd throw away her future with someone she loves because he's minor nobility and she's commonborn? He's adopted. Unfortunately, many nobles won't acknowledge him as heir to the Izumi line, regardless."
Yamato's impression of Eimi was already complicated, somewhat soured by her discomfort with him, even though he understood the cause. Being commonborn had to be difficult, but why was she surrendering the one advantage it afforded? With no tradition behind her bloodline, she had the freedom of choice in spouse and career- the one thing Yamato desperately wanted. He couldn't help being irritated.
Sora's smile was sad, heavy. "Please don't think poorly of Eimi-chan. She thinks there's a stigma on the Anami name, and she doesn't want to pass it onto Koushiro-kun by association."
Yamato raised a brow, hesitant to inquire, but curious despite himself. Sora slid down the wall a bit and sighed. "It's her father. He had a government position, but lost it when some of his... behavior on the job came to light in a court case. Apparently, the family name was sullied, and her father couldn't find another job following the public trial. The family was already in debt, so… Meeting basic needs likely became a challenge."
"I see..." Although none of this was his business, Yamato felt a twinge of loss. It sounded as though Eimi was stigmatized through no fault of her own. "But how is she able to attend classes here, if her family struggles financially?"
"Listen to her performance, and you'll see," Sora replied. "She's here on a merit scholarship that she applied for and won in a contest."
"Alright," Yamato said slowly. His mind churned, struggling to imagine an experience so far removed from his scope. "So she escaped, in a sense, by winning a merit scholarship, and she met Koushiro-kun at the university. But she hasn't accepted his suit because…" He still wasn't sure he understood. If no one in Nagano knew about the Anamis- and why would the noble and affluent local population know anything about a common family?- then why worry about the stigma she physically left behind?
"I think she's concerned about tainting his future the same way her father tainted her family's. You'd have to talk to them for more. She seems to carry a lot of pain from whatever happened following the trial, even now."
Yamato mulled over Sora's words. Surely, a daughter shouldn't suffer for the actions of a parent. And the pain of that stigma radiated outward, touching Koushiro, the man who hoped to court her. And wasn't Yamato here, in part, to see what Nagano citizens struggled with, in the hopes of addressing those issues some day?
"But what can a prince do about social stigma?" he muttered.
"You want to help Eimi-chan?" Yamato twitched when Sora spoke. Her head tipped to the side as she regarded him with a quizzical expression.
"Not so much her personally," Yamato replied, shrugging. He tried to be nonchalant, but he felt his cheeks warming under Sora's intent stare. "But if one generation is held back by the actions of the previous one, we can't move forward as a society. But then..."
He glanced at the employees bustling nearby and lowered his voice. "Issues often follow families from generation to generation, poverty chief among them. I don't have enough experience to know what problems can be alleviated politically, and which are beyond the royal family's scope."
Sora's eyelids lowered as her expression went thoughtful and serious. She toyed with her hair, a gesture that read as nervous, until she nodded to herself, as if coming to a decision. "I think... If you want to make a big change, there will be resistance. There will be people who say it's too expensive, or it can't be done. So, if there's something that you really want to do... Even as a prince, I think you'll have to fight for it."
She spoke so calmly, so matter-of-fact about something so difficult. Yamato longed to ask what she fought for, and how she had formed a perspective he found so mature, but hesitated. Was that too intimate a question? "That's wise," he substituted, hoping he didn't sound too surprised- or too interested. "I will have to pick my battles. For now, I should keep observing. Can I ask if you've tried anything?"
"From what I can tell, Koushiro-kun isn't troubled by Eimi-chan's family situation. I try to encourage her, but it always circles back to her being convinced that too much of a connection to her would spread this stigma to him. They seem to have some kind of stalemate, where they see each other at school and the café, but nowhere else."
"That's why you seated him next to her," Yamato realized.
"I guess I'm obvious, too," Sora said, grinning. "I consider them both friends, and... Well, when you see them together, you just... Want it to work out. But you came here to see her perform, right? Let me get a glass of water for her, and we'll go back."
Sora opened a cabinet, selected a glass, and filled it. Yamato followed her back to the main room, where Eimi sat on the piano stool, tuning an acoustic guitar while Iori, Koushiro, and Jyou chatted nearby. Sora delivered the water, and Yamato sat on the sofa beside Jyou. Sora returned to her duties, and Eimi strummed her guitar.
At first, the performance was mellow, a meandering background melody. Customers barely looked up from their meals or away from their companions. It was meant to be nondisruptive, but Yamato had the urge to close his eyes and focus. The guitar produced a warm, full timbre. The occasional scratch of Eimi's fingers moving along the strings was intimate, testament to the melding of instrumentalist and instrument. The song tugged at his emotions, a pensive, yearning strain, saved from melancholy by its pervasive adoration. It suggested a love that sated, but left the lover desiring more.
"Enjoying it?" Yamato opened his eyes with a start to see Jyou smiling. When he scowled, embarrassed, Jyou added, "I'm not teasing. I'm glad you're hearing live music. It's been ages. I know you're interested in jazz, but this is nice, too."
Which was still embarrassing- did he mention jazz that much?! With effort, Yamato managed a gruff, "It is."
"I don't mind if you focus on it. I brought work, and our drinks should come soon. I'm perfectly comfortable."
"Thanks." Permission granted, Yamato relaxed into the sofa, crossed his arms, and allowed his ears to focus and his mind to drift. Eimi's music seemed to belong to a variety of places and genres, but hovered around folk, often with a contemplative air. But slowly, the songs brightened, grew livelier. Her foot began to sway in Yamato's periphery, and then she was singing.
Eimi sang in the language of New Hope, a song Yamato didn't know, and therefore was eager to hear. At first, the performance was pleasant, but unremarkable. But as her body eased into producing sound, her voice stirred, awakened- and, eventually, exalted. She didn't engage the audience, and yet, she seemed to offer her hand to the listener. Here, that expressive voice suggested. This is what I'm feeling. This is what the composer felt, passed to you through me. And though he didn't know the song, Yamato was connected, tethered by music to people and places unknown. His eyes stung, overwhelmed with relief to feel tied to something.
It felt blasphemous that no one applauded when the song ended. Eimi paused for a drink, then fiddled with her sheet music again, although she hadn't glanced at what was already open on her music stand.
Jyou leaned closer and murmured, "She's very good. Not that I have much sense of music."
"She is." A fun, flashy, high energy performance was a skill in itself; Yamato didn't disparage that sort of thing. But the raw power tucked into Eimi's lilting voice and her ability to emote, to vanish into the music while still being intimately there, was compelling.
When Yamato half stood, Eimi's eyes flicked to him and widened. "Oh- Um- S-sorry, is there a song you'd prefer?"
Yamato steeled himself to soothe, although it wasn't his strong suit. He forced a smile that he hoped was calming. "Sing whatever you'd like. You've a beautiful voice."
Her smile was more relieved than pleased. "Oh, I'm glad I'm not bothering you."
It was best to be gentle, he knew that. But Yamato's eyebrow cocked as he pointed out, "You are literally being paid to perform."
Her shoulders shot straight up, nearly bumping her ears. "Um, yes- S-sorry Your, Your- Sorry."
Koushiro turned in his armchair, his expression complex. Not quite challenging- after all, Yamato hadn't said anything overtly rude- but not friendly, either. Worse yet was Iori's open disapproval, which was far more intimidating, given his athletic build and the weapon balanced against the side of his chair.
And just like that, Yamato was pissed. It wasn't his fault Eimi responded so timidly to him, but then... Well, dealing with a prince wasn't an everyday occurrence, especially for someone who already had reason to feel anxious about being accepted. And those damned, endless etiquette lessons reminded him that a competent ruler made his people comfortable, even if they weren't accustomed to interacting with his social class. He was failing in his duties, but wasn't sure how to improve.
"We're here for your performance," Koushiro said. "There's no reason to fear displeasing your listeners."
"Right," Yamato agreed, grateful for Koushiro's calm, rational approach. Iori nodded and relaxed, turning his attention back to his salad. "I shouldn't interrupt, but I wanted to ask about the songs you're performing."
Eimi looked to Koushiro, her movements jerky, like a darting bird. The warmth of his smile made Yamato look away. It was too abrupt a contrast to his calm demeanor, and too damned intimate, besides.
Yamato watched Eimi instead and observed the anxiety melt from her stiff frame. When she turned back to him, she was smiling. "I study composition from around the world, and I especially love folk music. I'm performing pieces that people likely wouldn't know unless they sought them out."
"She's being modest," Koushiro interjected. "She wrote about a third of the pieces she's performed so far."
Oh, now she's being modest. Yamato grinned, amused that Koushiro had danced around his own accomplishments, but thrusted Eimi's to the forefront. "Which ones did you write?"
"Um, I wrote the last one." Eimi's fingertips fluttered along her sheet music, riffling the pages. "Um, do you have a request?"
"If you don't mind, I'd like to hear more of your originals. They don't sound quite like anything I've heard before."
When Eimi hesitated, Koushiro said, "Eimi-san takes inspiration from many countries and traditions and melds them. She's particularly influenced by music from Hakone, New Hope, and Innisfree."
"Innisfree? Have you been?" Yamato asked. People from average families often lacked the resources to travel, and radios, instruments, and sheet music were expensive. How did Eimi come by her musical education before receiving a scholarship to Nagano University?
Eimi shook her head. "No, but a neighbor growing up came from there. She taught me how to read music and let me use her piano, guitar, and sheet music whenever I wanted. And then Koushiro-kun introduced me to a lot more music and recordings when we met."
Yamato hesitated. Eimi must have spent a lot of time with this neighbor, if she managed to teach her so much. That might have been perfectly normal- an older person trading instruction and borrowed resources for companionship, perhaps. But even he, with his privileged upbringing, had an inkling of what it might mean for a child to prefer other homes to her own. But that was a reach without more information, so he dismissed the nagging thought.
"That explains why I couldn't quite pinpoint the style and origin," Yamato said. "Would you mind playing more? And may I see your sheet music?"
"Oh- Well, um, I suppose I don't need it..." Eimi yielded her tote bag, and though she neither complained nor made any telling expressions, her reluctance was nearly palpable. Yamato accepted it, eager to get his hands on new songs, but also relieved to achieve a step in his small, simple plan.
"Thank you. Forgive me for interrupting your set. I'm very much enjoying it."
Eimi's responding thank you ended in a hesitant upward inflection, and Yamato fought a grin. Poor woman found herself upended and thanking him for her trouble. He returned to the sofa and inspected her sheet music.
Once again, Eimi played her guitar before working up her nerve to sing. When she did, Yamato listened, trying and failing to focus on both the live and the written music. He kept his eyes on the pages, but gave his attention to Eimi.
The songs spanned a variety of moods and subjects, but most shared a wandering, exploratory feeling. Slowly, taken together, they suggested a mind that asked many questions, but hazarded few answers. Yamato's favorites were those that dealt with the natural world and sounded like lyric poetry, little glimpses of things Eimi had seen, felt, or imagined.
Yamato left her alone for her next short break, and the one after. But by the third, he could no longer resist, despite his unwillingness to potentially stress her all over again. "Excuse me, Eimi-san?" She finished her drink of water and regarded him with a tipped head "You said you're a student?"
"Yes, this is my final year of my undergraduate degree."
Yamato stroked his chin as he considered. "You'll graduate soon. With the Tachikawas in Nagano, you're in the perfect position to record..."
Once again, Koushiro turned towards them, and Iori looked up from the book he read while sipping matcha. Eimi twitched, knocking her guitar into the piano with a dull thud. "Ah, um... Mimi-san has offered, but..."
"I didn't offer," Mimi called from the counter. Yamato blinked, wondering how she managed to hear over the ambient café chatter. "I insisted! She still won't come!"
"W-well, I don't have the money." Eimi cast an appealing look to Yamato. "Recording costs money."
Something about the hunch of Eimi's shoulders told him that she wanted his support in her assertion, not her bank account. "It does," Yamato calmly supplied.
"I'm not worried about that," Mimi said, rolling her eyes. "We have the equipment already, it's fine."
Eimi's fingers slid up and down the guitar's strings, producing an irritating vrrt, vrrt, vrrt. "B-but... You have to pay the person who works the equipment."
"I'm happy to volunteer that service," Koushiro jumped in. Eimi's head whipped towards him, eyes wide and imploring, but she seemed unable to respond.
"Pardon us," Iori sighed. "We've had this conversation many times. You're both very generous, but don't push Eimi-san so much."
"It is a generous offer," Yamato said, raising an eyebrow. Why did Eimi insist on self-sabotage? A free recording session with equipment produced by the nation's leading sound recording company, personally assisted by their head engineer… How many musicians would beg for that opportunity? "Your music deserves a wider audience than the café, although it certainly sounds lovely here."
Vrrt, vrrt, vrrt. "I, um... Thank you. I'll, I'll think about it. Um, I think I'll play piano now."
Eimi lifted her guitar over her head and placed it on the stand nearby. She began a meditative, simple piano melody while Yamato wrestled an intense urge to smack his forehead. Once again, she needed to soothe herself before singing because of his interruption.
Koushiro watched her for a long moment, his expression unreadable, almost blank. Then, with a tiny sigh that Yamato saw more than heard, he rose from his chair. "Iori-kun, Your High-"
"Yamato." His repetitive insistence was beginning to annoy even him, but what could he do? It didn't matter so much in Autun, but here, his future kingship was an enormous hurdle, an invisible barrier that both attracted and repulsed people.
"Ah, um." Koushiro tipped his head, suddenly just as uncomfortable as Eimi. Iori laughed, drawing Yamato's gaze. The young man was good-looking when serious, but striking when he smiled.
"I'm afraid you're asking a lot of Koushiro-kun. We were friends for over a decade before I escaped 'san.' He's the formal sort, and you've a title ripe for the using."
Yamato shrugged, but grinned, amused by so silly and needless a problem. "Then I formally request being called by name. I promise, the guard won't arrest you."
Koushiro winced, and Yamato braced himself for an annoyingly polite rejection. But slowly, Koushiro's thoughtful expression returned. "Alright… Yamato-san. But I insist on treating you to a drink, then. Iori-kun, more tea?"
Iori was already reaching for his book; problem solved and dropped. "Please, thank you."
"Shall we, Yamato-san?" Koushiro asked. Eimi glanced at them over her shoulder, but was too busy with the piano to do more. Puzzled, Yamato followed Koushiro to the counter, where Mimi was already leaning towards them.
"You like her singing," Mimi whispered as they came in range. "Of course you do! She's amazing!"
"And her music, yes," Yamato replied. "It's earnest and introspective."
Koushiro smiled. "Just like her. I realize I'm asking a lot quickly, Yamato-san, but... You're interested in her work. Does the royal family still patronize artists?"
Yamato blinked. That was a lot to ask. "I'm sure we do, but I don't have access to those funds as a prince." He tensed, wrestling a surge of temper. He wanted to befriend the regulars, but was Koushiro already hoping for access to his royal resources?
"It's not funds I lack," Koushiro said, shaking his head. "Mimi-san and I have ready access to everything we need... Except for Eimi-san's agreement."
Yamato lifted an eyebrow, relieved, but just as puzzled. "How could I help with that?" In case you haven't noticed, she's terrified of me!
Mimi rubbed her hands together, like an excited conspirator. "I see, I see! From us, it sounds like we're just trying to be nice to a friend by offering recording services."
"Just so," Koushiro agreed, nodding. "But when the crown prince requests that you make recordings..."
Yamato frowned, struggling to piece many impressions into a whole. "You're saying… Eimi-san thinks your recording offers have more to do with your friendship than her skills, so an outsider's interest might be more convincing. Didn't she earn her scholarship on merit?"
"You know about that?" Mimi asked. "Yes, she got her scholarship fair and square by drawing a sponsor's notice at a competition!"
Yamato cocked an eyebrow. "So she must know that people enjoy her music." What do you want me to do? The question was quite loud, despite the fact that Yamato didn't voice it.
From what he had seen so far, Koushiro's emotional signals were comparatively slight. But those thick eyebrows crowded together, indenting his forehead with worry lines. His volume dropped as he murmured, "I'm afraid Eimi-san has… circumstances. Sometimes, I fear she's so worried that those circumstances will hobble her that she turns down opportunities herself to avoid the disappointment."
Mimi smacked the counter with both palms. "That's exactly what she does! That's why we need your help, Yamato-san!"
Yamato picked up a drink menu, considering the situation under the guise of perusing refreshments. There was no harm in encouraging Eimi to seize an existing opportunity, especially since he genuinely wanted recordings of her music. And while he didn't enjoy utilizing his rank to influence others, well...
He wanted to become approachable to the café regulars. Helping Eimi, whom everyone knew thanks to her performing, would help him assimilate. After all, he already had more people calling him by name today.
"Alright, Koushiro-kun, Mimi-chan." He ignored Mimi's delighted squeal from being addressed casually by a prince. "I can't guarantee it will work, but I will try. Her music is unique. It would be a shame if she kept it to herself."
And, if Eimi succeeded on her own, despite whatever stigma hovered over the Anami name, then maybe she would accept other opportunities. The way Koushiro smiled and seized his hand to shake suggested that he was thinking the same thing.
"Thank you, truly. What can I get you to drink?"
Yamato almost refused- he was a prince, he could buy his own damned tea. But he recognized the gesture as a little kindness, something Koushiro had also offered his longtime friend, Iori. When had anyone besides Jyou, Takeru, and staff gotten him a drink? Yamato made his request, and Koushiro ordered four beverages. It wasn't difficult to guess whom the last one was for.
Yamato discretely removed a bill from his wallet before pocketing both. As they returned to the piano area to wait, Koushiro said, "I notice you're interested in sheet music. Do you play?"
"I do," Yamato replied, grateful for the excuse to grab Eimi's tote bag. "Piano, guitar, and harmonica. I also sing and compose, like Eimi-chan, but not so well."
"We have an enormous library of sheet music and vinyl on campus. I'm sure you'd be welcome to peruse it. I'd be happy to show you around, and to show you what I'm working on for the Tachikawas. They're a friendly and welcoming family, and would be pleased to have you."
Yamato tried to hide his intense rush of interest and remain calmly smiling. While he wanted to befriend Koushiro and forge a link to the student body through him, he also didn't want to come off as overeager. "Careful- I will take you up on that. And I'm sure we can pull Eimi-chan into this, somehow." A kindness for a kindness- far more palatable than a favor for a favor.
Koushiro blinked, smiled ruefully, and glanced away. "Am I so obvious?" Yamato hesitated, trying to gauge if he wanted the honest response or not. Koushiro waved a hand dismissively. "Don't bother. I'm afraid I'm painfully aware."
Yamato grinned. This time, when he sat, he leaned over the end of the sofa and chatted with Koushiro, strengthening his new link to the café, and the student body who frequented it. Normally, the tit for tat that went with networking was tedious, and could border on insulting, or at least exploitative. But, in this case...
This felt like good people asking for help and giving what they could in return. And that wasn't so bad, he reflected as he slipped a bill among the sheet music in Eimi's tote bag. He could misplace it without noticing the loss, but someone from a common family, and a stigmatized one at that… It would make a difference to them. He couldn't do that for everyone, but maybe, through a few people, he could come to understand how to better help the whole.
It was a lofty goal, he knew, perhaps naively so. But for now, making friends and feeling connected was more than enough.
Author's Notes: Koushiro! The boy! He's here at last! AHHHH!
Obligatory disclaimer that Hakone is not Japan, it's a fictional place, so don't take anything said about Hakone too seriously.
One more complete chapter for Puits d'Amour remains from my pre-written material! There is so much more to this story, but it isn't written at this time, and I'm not sure how long it will take me to generate a second huge chonk of story to share (I prefer to write in big pieces, so I can edit and tweak the whole before sharing). There will be a pause in updates for a while, and I'm not sure how long, but more remains! Thank you so much for reading, and please do leave me a review! Love you, big kiss!