The day was unusually scorching hot and humid, and Eren already regretted waiting at the center of Shibuya Station as he felt the heat on his skin, sweat pouring down like a broken faucet. He was supposed to be meeting his friend Armin to watch the new sequel movie they had been following for the past ten years. If Armin ever showed up, he would definitely give him a good scolding, he thought.
Despite the excruciating heat, he patiently waits, wiping his sweat with a face towel and sipping water. He continues to wait in a shed later on, trying to cool down. After 30 minutes had passed, his phone rang. Immediately taking it out of his pocket, he saw who it was from. It was Armin's text message. Opening it, he read its contents.
"I'm so sorry, Eren! I don't think I can make it today. I have an emergency situation at home. I will treat you to lunch next time. Sorry!"
Pissed, he had thoughts of yelling and cursing at Armin for not telling him sooner after waiting under the sun for so long, but he couldn't since he was surrounded by many people and it would be scandalous. Dejected, he texted Armin back.
"Okay. Take care."
He put his phone away and tried to think of something to do. Since he was already here and there was absolutely nothing to do now, perhaps a little diversion would help pass the time.
He muttered to himself, "Maybe I'll just explore the park and see what happens."
With a plan in his mind, he started walking toward the nearest park. It only took him eight minutes to reach the said park. The park was filled with parents and children enjoying some family-bonding time, multiple couples flirting with each other in various locations, and others who were minding their own business, such as scrolling through their phones, reading a book, or simply sightseeing. He felt glad to have found this peaceful park.
What catches his eye most is a cyan upright piano sitting in a shed near the playground area of the park. He approaches it and gives it an inspection. From what he can tell, it appears to be in good condition, and the strings sound fine when played.
"I wonder whose piano this is?" Eren said to himself, impressed. "They actually do the maintenance properly. Maybe I'll play something on this bad boy."
After a few seconds, he took a seat and tried to find his place on the piano. Adjusting himself to the instrument, he eventually found his rhythm. It had been quite some time since Eren had played a piano. However, after getting used to it, he was ready. Taking a deep breath, he began playing Turkish March by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played in A Major.
Notes, rests, sections, tempo, sharps, and flats - he took great care to attend to each one in the finest detail he could manage. Over time, he felt it deep within his mind and body. He couldn't help but move around as the emotions of the sonata washed over him.
The people at the park looked around, searching for the source of such beautiful music. They watched Eren intensely playing the piano; they couldn't help but be captivated by the music. The children danced around, enjoying the music. The rest remained at their usual spots, still listening to the music intently.
Eventually, Eren finished playing and took another deep breath. The audience then gave him a round of applause, shocking Eren with the gathered crowd's enthusiasm. Unsure of what to do next, he stood up, looked at them, and awkwardly gave them all a bow, still retaining the courteous manners he had learned from participating in piano competitions. After a while, most of the audience disburses and returns to their previous activities.
Eren took a seat once again and gazed upon the black and white-coated wooden keys of the piano. Now that he thought about it, why had he stopped playing the piano anymore? He actually found this fun, along with the tension and anxiety he felt whenever he joined the competition. He had a tendency to be competent and serious when he was on the stage, face-to-face with the piano. Perhaps, he might start practicing again when he had free time; however, he needed other reasons for motivation aside from a certain moment from the past.
Just as he was about to start another song, a hand tapped his shoulder, demanding his full attention. It belonged to a black-bobbed haired Asian woman wearing a tucked-in light blue shirt, cream white linen shorts, and white sneakers, carrying a black backpack-style violin case, a large black duffel bag, and a gentle smile on her face.
"Hello..." the woman greeted.
"Hi..." Eren greeted her back. There was an awkward atmosphere between the two of them. Of course, not only were they strangers to one another, but he was also a bit shy when it came to girls in general. His mother was an exception, of course.
"I saw you play the piano earlier." the woman said, her voice full of admiration as she smiled at Eren. "It was actually quite good." Eren's cheeks turned pink in response to the compliment.
"Thank you..." He expressed his gratitude, rubbing his neck shyly. "You are?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Mikasa. Mikasa Ackerman. Nice to meet you." The woman replied, offering him a handshake.
He then shook her hand, "Likewise. I'm Eren Jaeger."
The two adolescents exchanged a simple smile. As they shook hands, somehow, things felt natural between the both of them. Eventually, they pulled their hands back and Mikasa spoke once again, "I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but may I, you know, request a song and play along with you as well? I happened to record videos of myself playing the violin for my YouTube channel if I must say."
Eren thought about it, "Sure, I don't mind. I was just fooling around actually."
"Really? Thank you so much! Let me prepare my things first." Mikasa said enthusiastically, taking out her cameras and microphones. He watched her assemble her equipment. When she found it quite difficult to set up her one camera, he stood up and got closer to her.
He said, attaching the camera to its stand. "You seem troubled. Let me do it for you."
"Thank you." she said appreciatively as he set up her other cameras and microphones. "By the way, since when did you actually start playing the piano?"
Finishing the setup, he says, "I've been playing ever since I was five. I actually discovered my passion for playing when my family and I went on a vacation to the United States. That time, we went to a mall, and we saw a couple playing. I clearly remember their faces. The man was the pianist, and the woman was the violinist. I was so amazed by the pianist that time that I got lost that time and later begged my mom to buy me a piano when we got back home. Since then, I started practicing, volunteered at recitals as a pianist, and eventually joined competitions, hoping that wherever he is, I can show him how far I have come, even though I had to take a break recently."
Lifting her head up suddenly, she looked at him and asked, bewilderment evident on her face, "Are you perhaps referring to the couple from America who played so good, everyone inside the mall witnessed it, and the media have been trying to locate them ever since?"
"Yes. Were you also there?"
"Yes! My family and I also went there on vacation. I'm actually a huge fan of the violinist. She's so gracious and composed that I admire her a lot!"
"Wow! What a coincidence! I thought I was the only one from Japan who saw that."
"I also thought so. It must be a miracle that we met, don't you think?"
"Now that you mentioned it, yeah."
Both of them were amazed by the fact that they had the same source of inspiration. Perhaps, it was also thanks to them that they would meet and discuss it, or even collaborate on something for the first time.
After a while, they finished setting up the equipment, and both of them were proud of their first step.
"Now, it's time to bring out this bad girl." she exclaimed, opening the violin case, revealing a shiny, wooden orange violin. From its appearance, it was clear that it had been well-taken care of, from the body, strings, bridge, and frets to the bow amd bowstring themselves. He knew that a violin cost a lot of money, so taking care of it was essential for a violin player.
"Your violin looks nice." Eren complimented.
"Thank you." Mikasa said, appreciating the offer, as she took the violin and the bow out of the case. "Let's get ready."
"Yeah." Eren said, returning to the piano.
Mikasa spent a few minutes making sure that her violin and the equipment were all functioning properly by doing a test run. Eren also did a warm-up on the piano as well. When they were both ready, he asked her first, "What song do you want us to play?"
"You see, I want to play Golden Hour by JVCK, if you're familiar with it, that is." Mikasa said. "I absolutely love it and that song has been stuck in my head ever since the first time I heard it. That's why I want to do a cover of it, but I need a pianist for that to happen. That's where you come in."
"Oh, that one?" he said. "I actually tried playing it on a piano before. I didn't manage to practice it fully, though." He shrugged. "But I'll give it a shot anyway."
"Okay. You may start whenever you're ready." She said, tapping the record button and positioning herself in front of the camera, just beside him. She then rested her violin on her shoulder and chin, ready to start. Then Eren laid his fingers on the keys and took a deep breath, preparing himself. With no further ado, he began to play.
Note by note, key after key, Eren hit them with precision and emotion, as if he already knew what notes were coming next, playing the intro effortlessly and beautifully. Mikasa stood by, enjoying his playing. In the back of their minds, they both wanted to sing along too. They might just keep it to themselves.
In a swift moment, Mikasa started playing the second half of the verse, precisely hitting the high notes cleanly and skillfully. As she did the melody, Eren immediately transitioned to playing the chord notes.
Within her mind, she was the one who sang this time.
There it comes, the transition to the chorus. Both musicians get into it as the intensity increases and becomes more apparent.
As they hit the first note of the chorus, everything changed. The view transformed into a vast grassland, with the wind gently moving the grasses sideways as the sun set. Standing before them was a tall, sturdy tree surrounded by fireflies.
That's not all, there are also an orchestra playing along with them, creating music as if they were in a concerto with hundred thousands of people watching. They don't even know, Eren and Mikasa were wearing a jet black tuxedo and red dress respectively appropriate for the occassion.
This place exuded tranquility, and they wanted to remain there forever, continuously singing the chorus within their hearts.
As the music plays, they find this moment enjoyable, free from the world and just with the two of them.
Without realizing, the people both from the park and those who happened to pass by were mesmerized and amazed by their performance. They couldn't help but wonder who the people behind this pleasant music were, as if they were the snakes being lured by the snake charmer. As time went on, the park became filled with swarming people, but neither of the two noticed it; they remained stuck in their own world, immersed in their music.
The tone started to change, as the song approached its end. Both Eren and Mikasa were dejected that it was coming to a close. Slowly but surely, the song ended, and both of them returned to reality, panting heavily. For once, this might have been the greatest duet they had ever performed together. They looked at each other and gave each other a congratulatory smile.
Just then, the crowd gave the pair a loud round of applause while recording the moment on their phones, shocking the two of them. Both of them looked at each other once again. Knowing what to do, both of them stood up and gave their audience a formal bow, intensifying the clapping and cheering. Eventually, the crowd got near them, giving praises and appreciation. Some of them even took a picture and asked for autographs as well. It went like that for a while until the authorities stepped in and dispersed the overflowing crowd, giving the two enough time to fix their things back into their bags and leave under their guide.
"Go home, kids. Don't ever do that again." said the police officer with a warning before getting into his car. Eren and Mikasa nodded and bowed down in response, watching as the officer drove away. It was already half past six in the evening.
"Oh no! It's already this late." Mikasa said. "I have to go now. Nice meeting and playing with you!"
As she was about to leave, Eren suddenly called out to her, "Mikasa, wait!" She stopped and looked at him, waiting for him to say something.
He isn't sure why, but the time they spent together was fun, and he doesn't want to end it just yet. In his mind, he wants to spend more time playing music with her, regardless of the song. With resolve, he finally asks, "Uhm, may I ask if you also participate in competitions or take on some gigs?" He then rubs his nape with shyness.
"Sometimes." said Mikasa casually. "Why?"
"Well, um, if it happens that you join one and you need an accompanist, you can call me. I'm willing to go." He sheepishly said.
Mikasa can't help but giggle at his request. "Sure, why not?" she says. "I don't mind." She then takes out her cellphone. "Let's change our contact numbers."
"Okay." replied Eren, taking out his own cellphone and both of them exchanged numbers.
"Now, we're good." she said, "So, it's time for me to go. See you later, Eren." She bid her farewell, waving her hand side to side as their distance grew apart. As he looked at her contact number, Eren couldn't help but smile; he knew he would never have a problem finding a reason to motivate himself again, because she had already filled it for him.
It's his turn now to go home, clutching his phone and the moments they shared while playing earlier in his mind. Eren thinks this will be the beginning of a brand new day for him...
Or so it seemed.
The next day, his phone never stopped ringing, which already irritated him. He immediately took it and opened it up to see what it was. It was Armin, tagging him in several videos of his street performance with Mikasa from yesterday.
"Dude, look at this! You're famous as heck now!" wrote Armin.
His face went pale and horrified from the news. Apparently, the video about them had become viral overnight and it was a breaking news all over Japan, according to Armin and what he found out on social media. Even the video Mikasa posted on her YouTube channel explodes with more than a million views as well. Maybe things would be hectic from now on, and he wouldn't like it much.