7 – The Songstress

Somehow the nerves of being near Kanade were being overwhelmed by the fact that she was now standing in front of a classroom of high school choir students. There were only three who were vaguely familiar, familiar from cheering at her sister's concerts, familiar from being close friends while she was on the peripheral.

That said, however, that was a class away. For now, they were in front of a bunch of strangers and it sucked honestly.

Kanade only grinned. "You can play the piano, right?"

Serena wanted to scowl. Were they actually going to discuss this publicly? They were supposed to be adults, have things planned!

"I do," she finally said.

Kanade gave her a thumbs up. "Then take care of that! The melody is mine."

"I need to sight read?!" Serena said incredulously, watching the students from behind the piano stool.

Kanade nodded. "Yep! You'll get better. Remember, they know we're only temps and we have other classes. And besides, this is singing." Something in those red eyes turned fanatic, delighted. "We're meant to have fun. Trust me!"

"I feel like you say that a lot," Serena told her with as much firmness as possible while trying not to quake with nerves and embarrassment. Trust her. Yes. She could definitely trust Amou Kanade. That wasn't her being ridiculous. Nope. "But... okay. Let's do it."

Kanade beamed. "That's the way. Just follow my lead." And they stepped out.

Kanade introduced them both and in doing so, caused about five different reaction of 'oh crap' and joy. Great. No pressure there.

Then the song started. Kanade began tapping out the rhythm with one foot and waiting. Carefully nervously, Serena began to play, scanning the music and pressing key after key. It felt a little too slow, a little forceful.

Then, without missing a beat, Kanade started to sing.

Serena had never fallen harder for somebody in her life and she remembered eighth grade pretty darn well.

Seeing her cue, soft and timid, Serena made herself join it, a brief feeling of disatisfaction welling up in her. She had none of the singing training, none of the lack of nerves, none of the practice.

Kanade glanced at her and then gestured vaguely with her fingers.

Faster? She did so, earning a grin and tapping her foot. Then, abruptly, she moved her hand in a way that Serena recognized from watching rehearsals. She stopped playing, looking at her curiously.

"All right, you've heard the start," she declared with another big smile. "Let's hear you guys~"

She got a rousing round of approval for this and Kanade directed it once more.

"She's got a head for treating kids like they aren't hormonal miserable snots," Serena couldn't help but muse underneath the sounds of the piano and more than a couple off-key sixteen year olds.

Still. Kanade was right. It was kind of fun.

By the end of that class, Serena felt her throat starting to hurt. But it was warm in her chest and the class looked happy and relaxed.

"Good work," Kanade told her, gulping down ice-cold water. "One down."

Serena blushed and took the offered bottle. "Thanks. How many more to go?"

"Two, I think. The other classes are the day after. The teacher should be back by then." Kanade winked at her. "Wait until your sister hears about this."

Serena managed a grin. "I won't be able to escape her. Guest shows, bonus specials, I'll befamous too before you know it!"

"And then you'll travel far, far away," Kanade ended with her smile. She seemed happy enough, but there was something wistful about it too.

Why did Kanade-san retire, anyway?