Anime: La Corda D'Oro

(Y/n)'s POV

Letting the music overtake my fingers as they glided across the piano keys, I imagined myself in a grand concert hall, playing pieces that I would compose myself...but one could only dream of such fleeting possibilities.

Upon finishing the first piece on the list, I immediately moved onto the next one. Aiming to be flawless and remarkable in my playing, I willed myself to try harder...to let my emotions flow into the music.

This dream of mine would, no doubt, remain trapped within my mind. Despite how hard I seemed to try, no one ever noticed...I was just...an empty shell with no companion to which I could lean on...

"...your playing's amazing..."

My fingers unconsciously slammed down on the keys all at once, mirroring the fear I felt from within. The boy standing at the door...how long had he been there?

"I-I'm sorry, did I startle you?" he asked apologetically.

"N-no, it's fine."

"Your name's (Y/n), right?"

"Yeah."

"I'm Kazuki. Hey, um...well, it's a little embarrassing to admit but I've been listening to you play whenever I had chance to. I love listening to you, it..."

A blush had crept onto my cheeks, and he seemed to notice this. I quickly averted my gaze and thought over his words. Every time I played, he had been listening...and I didn't even know...

"I didn't mean to embarrass you! I'm honestly not a weird person, I promise!" he exclaimed.

"...why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to at some point but as time passed, I got nervous and thought it better to leave it be."

I was unsure of how to reply. Speaking was definitely one of my weak points as I was usually a quiet girl. He flashed a grin before sitting down beside me.

"Can I see you play again?" he asked.

"I-I'm not..."

He placed his fingers on the keys and pressed down, creating a staggered mess of random notes. I couldn't help but laugh despite trying to hold back.

"Now don't you dare say you're not good. If you're bad, then what does that make me?"

"*smiles* I'll play for you."

He watched eagerly as I started to play 'Moonlight Sonata'. It wasn't difficult but I was enchanted by the music nevertheless. Time flew by without a care in the world, and I couldn't say I thought differently.

Turning around to face Kazuki, I noticed that he had fallen asleep. His head fell onto my shoulder as his breaths came out even and steady. I wanted to move him so that he could lie down but I knew it would be futile with my feeble strength.

So instead, I continued to play slow tunes. I wasn't sure how much time had passed but I assumed that enough already did. The sun was beginning to set and I was famished.

I yawned, wanting to stretch. Was it that comfortable to sleep on someone's shoulder? I had never had a friend close enough to do such intimate acts of kinship. The fact that Kazuki had done this despite us being complete strangers warmed my heart, even if only a little.

He stirred, his eyes fluttered open. I looked at him. Realisation soon dawned on him as he quickly stood up and glanced at me with a worried expression.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to keep you waiting for so long! Let me make it up to you. What do you want for dinner? It's on me," he exclaimed.

"Eh? D-don't worry, I'm sure you were just tired."

"Come on, I feel bad."

~Timeskip brought to you by a tired author-chan~

I looked through all the store windows, admiring all the little trinkets and cute accessories that were on sale, as they usually were this time around.

A small, intricately-designed bracelet caught my eye but I had spent most of my money on lunch. It never occurred to me that I would be spending the night out with a boy who I had never talked to...well, he was attractive, I had to admit that.

"Hey, there's something I want to buy."

He dragged me inside and went to a different section while I roamed around. As I looked around, I noticed Kazuki waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

"Here."

He handed me a cute box finished with a small, (f/c) bow on top.

"What's this?"

"A present."

"For me?"

"Yeah."

"But we barely even know each other..."

"Come on, just accept the fact that I bought you a gift. Open it."

So I did. Inside was the bracelet that I had been so enchanted by. A small gem pendant hung from one its chains, a new addition I hadn't noticed before. Without warning, he took the delicate accessory out of the box and gently clasped it around my wrist.

"T-thank you..."

"*grins* You're welcome. Let's go eat, I'm starving."

We walked around aimlessly until finally deciding on an oden stand. I waited by the benches while Kazuki went to pick out the dishes. Barely any time had passed before he came back with a variety of different foods.

"I'm sorry for making you spend your money on me."

"Don't worry, it's my treat," he replied cheekily.

"I don't think anyone has ever done this for me...thank you."

"No problem. What about your parents? Do you go out for family dinners?"

"They're...they never have time for me because they're always working. Even if they did, it's not like them to take me out for a simple treat. They're very...strict, you see."

"Oh, better not tell them you spent the night out then haha."

"It's fine. They come home late."

"Well, let's start eating."

He held out a piece for me to eat, gesturing for me to open my mouth. I did so after some hesitation and found myself smiling and blushing at the same time.

"It's good, right?" he asked.

"It's amazing."

"You've never had this before?"

I simply shook my head.

"We should hang out again some other time."

"Do you mind if I ask you why...you're doing all this for me?"

"*blush* W-well, that's...I kinda have a crush on you..."

"Eh?!"

"Don't stare at me..."

"S-sorry, I just wasn't expecting a confession..."

"Um, well..."

"Are you going to ask me out on a date?"

"Well, didn't today feel like a date to you?"

"*blush* I-I suppose."

"I-if you're okay with it, I want to take you out more. I really do like you, (Y/n)."

"Sure."

"Really?!"

"Yeah, just make sure to keep it a secret from my parents, okay?"

"*grins* You have my word."

"Kazuki...thank you."