Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, all rights to the characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
AN: Thank you Guest for your review. I really appreciate the feedback. As requested, I continued.
Part Three: Sheet Music
Sango had found her friend near the far end of the bar, he had saved her a barstool, and had already bought her some fruity cocktail. He took a sip from the contents of his glass before he turned his attention on her. "So how did it go? Did you talk to him?" The artist ran the tip of her index finger on the rim of her glass. "I mean I spoke to him, but we didn't talk much. He was about to go on and I didn't want to appear all weird." She picked up the glass and tasted the colorful beverage and the sweetness nearly covered up the bitter taste of the liquor. "I'm so shallow. I only came here because he looks like Miroku and I honestly don't know what I was expecting. He couldn't live up to the fantasy I had in my head, that guy is not going to all the sudden be like, it's me, Miroku."
She stared ahead, doing her best not to make eye contact with the man who set beside her, mainly because she feared to see a look of judgement on his face. "Hey. That doesn't make you shallow. I think anyone would wish they could bring back a lost loved one, if given the chance. I just suggest that you give him a fair chance to show you the kind a person he is. You might find that even though he isn't this Miroku guy, he's still someone who could make you just as happy." Sango wanted to speak, but before she could, the soft notes of a piano filled the pub. She faced the stage with wonder and there she discovered Masahiro seated before a piano. His fingers easily caressed soft notes from the ivory keys, serenity kept his features soft, and in that moment Sango saw the butler once more, in his true element.
Sango was awe struck and she listened to him intensely. The song he sang started off soft, it matched the lyrics which spoke of uncertainty, but as the emotions in the words built his voice swelled. The beating of the drums resounded like a pounding heart, taking the number higher, and all the artist could do was hold her breath and watch. This man. Who was he really? Why did he remind her of the man she loved in so many ways? She was being drawn towards a stranger like a moth to a flame. Katsuo didn't stop her when she slipped off of her stool and he didn't break the trance like state she was in. Sango needed to feel these emotions again and so he only observed her as she made her way through the crowd to stand in front of the stage.
On stage, Masahiro was still seated on the bench, the over head lights lit up his indigo eyes. Sango couldn't help but to think that he positively glowed and wondered if this was what Miroku would have sounded like had he ever sang for her. She absorbed the words, let them wash over her, as he sang about the pain of fighting anxiety. As the song reached it's end, the music took precedence, his vocal harmonies settled themselves into the background, and by the time the first number came to an end; Sango was entranced. She remained where she stood for the remainder of the bands performance and was wholly aware of the spell that had been place upon her.
Now that the show was over, Sango set with Masahiro at a small table in a cozy corner away from the others. She was showing him some of her best sketches, eager to impress him as much as he did her. His careful eye intently took in each one, as though he was trying to remember every detail. "You really are an amazing artist, Sango. These are splendid and I mean that whole heartedly" With some hesitation, Sango carefully removed the image of Silver Inu Manor, and placed it before him on the table. The indigo eyes she had come to love in another man fell upon the page and she could see him attempt to hide a wince. His left hand came up as he pressed two fingers to his temple in an attempt to keep the pain at bay.
The concern softened her features as she began to worry that he disliked her best work. "I was really proud of that one, the painting is better, but the sketches were still some of my best work. I thought you would like that one." He could hear the disappointment that laced her voice and when he looked up at her a heavy guilt struck his heart. The hurt she felt was written all over her face, he mentally kicked himself for not thinking about how the reaction to the throbbing ache would look. An artist is always easily hurt when someone hates their work, but that's not what his actions were about. "Your work really is impressive, this one included. It's just that ever since I first saw you painting at the park, I've been getting these headaches. Which is pretty weird, since I was never prone to them before."
He slid the page back over to her, his focus returned to paper, and a hint of recognition seemed to darken his eyes. "Does the place look familiar to you, Masahiro?" She tried to read the expressions on his face but found it rather difficult. "I feel like I've seen it before, maybe I've been to the place where it's located." The idea of Masahiro having been near the manor gave her the odd sensation of happiness. She almost believed that the manor would have been pleased to see such a familiar face after so many years of being completely void of inhabitants. Nothing lonelier than a house with no one to live in it. "So you've also been to Shikon Square? That's such a coincidence. I have never met someone else in my travels that has been there."
Shikon Square. Why did those words cause the room to spin and make his head feel like it would split in two? Sango grew silent as Masahiro groaned, he had quickly removed his glasses, and pressed his hand firmly on his left eye. "Are you okay?" He could hear her concerned voice question him, but she sounded so far away. "It's just my head, I don't know why I keep feeling like this. I'm not usually like this, I hope I've not made a bad second impression, because I know my first impression was a far cry from good." He had lowered his hand and slipped his glasses back into place. The smile he offered her was soft and endearing, she found herself growing more and more interested in him and she wanted to learn more about him.
Sango carefully placed her purse on the table and fished a small bottle from one of the pockets. She opened the lid, poured two pills into the palm of her hand, and offered them to him wordlessly. He took the offering with another smile, before he popped them into his mouth, and washed them down with water. "Thank you. I appreciate it. So, tell me. How long have you been painting and traveling?" Her heart became filled with glee, he wanted to know more about her as well, and that made her happy. "I've been traveling ever since I graduated from art school. I figured I could improve my craft by challenging myself to paint all the places and people that inspire me. And I believe I started getting really into art while I was in middle school."
Masahiro noted that her voice became a pitch higher whenever she talked about art, it told him that what she was doing was her true passion, and that was something he could understand. "That's a long time. I have to ask. Do you have anything hung in a gallery? I only ask because I really believe that your work is worthy of such an honor." The artist shifted in her seat uncomfortably, a bit unused to the high praises of her work, and his praises had her nervous and excited. "Thank you. That is such a high compliment and yes, I do have some in galleries. Honestly it's still something that I have a hard time grasping mentally. Just imagine hearing one of your songs on the radio, it would be like that."
He chuckled at her comparison, his eyes danced with amusement, and he left her dazzled without trying to. "I can't say that I know such a feeling, I haven't had that kind of opportunity unfortunately. It would be exciting though." Sango stared at the man in disbelief, she was sure that someone with his talents would have music producers chasing him down. "You mean you don't have a record deal? But you're amazing." He shrugged his broad shoulders nonchalantly, his gaze never left her face. "I guess I could have one, but I think it sounds far more romantic when I call myself a starving musical genius. It's kind of a more humble brag. Says I'm good, but not mainstream good. Know what I mean?" Sango heard her own laugh, it came so naturally, and happened before she could really think about it. "Nice. It does have a more romantic sound. I like the way you think, Masahiro."
The more she spoke with him, the more she liked him. It was strange that she had begun to see him as Masahiro and yet simultaneously she could still see Miroku. Like him, Masahiro was passionate, charming, funny, and witty. He spoke like him and had some of the same mannerisms. She sat and talked with him and they compared their travels and she learned that even though he loved music, he had gone to college and had received a degree in business. She praised his bravery for choosing to go off on his own on his journey of self discovery, that others may not have been strong enough to walk away from a sure thing. Whenever he spoke about his music and the places he had seen, it would light up his whole face, and she became that much more awed by him.
The bar had become nearly deserted and they only noticed when last call was announced. Masahiro glanced at the watch on his wrist before he offered her a dubious smile. "I hadn't realised how late it was. I hope I hadn't kept you out too long." Sango dismissed his worry with a casual flick of her wrist. "Not at all. I haven't had this much fun in quite a while. I really enjoyed your company, but I really should find my friend and go back to the hotel. I can give you my number though, if you would like to talk again." He nodded at her before he fished his phone out of his pocket. "I'd really like that. We have a lot in common and I definitely hope we'll be seeing each other again." The pair exchanged numbers and parted ways. Both very pleased with the way the evening had ended.
AN: I hope the wait for this sequel wasn't too long. I will try to finish this one quicker than I did The Artist, but I tend to get super busy as my personal life is crazy at times. Please leave a review, they really do make my day, and I will shot you out in the next chapter.