Chapter Text
When Sayo told her mom she was hearing a lot of pretty piano music in her head, her mom smiled, saying her soulmate is going to grow up to be a really smart and talented girl. Her sister had asked why, to which their mother explained that babies end up smarter listening to classical music. It was a convenient excuse to encourage good studying habits, now that she looked back.
As her eyes drifted across the article arguing against the superstition, a feeling of emptiness shot through her body and she began to strum her guitar, playing to the rhythm of a classical piece by whom she researched Debussy. It was difficult, given it was a piano piece, but it reminded her of when she would openly hum all those complex symphonies of Beethoven and Bach as she and Hina drew and colored together. Worn from endless days of practice, her string finally gave way to the pressure and was promptly replaced. The piano continued to play.
Her fascination with the identity of her soulmate had long passed. The first time had been far before forming Roselia. The songs running through her train of thoughts became few and far between and Hina became unbearable to be around. She thought it was childish to become wrapped up in the concept of romance; it would get in the way of practice. Back then it was a suppressed curiosity she needed to keep on a leash in order to grow up.
So on the first day of her second year, a deep pit in her stomach opened up as classmates spoke of meaningless gossip. One of which was a rumor that floated around, specifically about pianist prodigy Shirokane Rinko in their class. Sayo remained poised and rigid at her desk, attempting to keep her hands from trembling and suppressing the desire to whip her head to the supposed piano player.
She was a shy girl, incredibly so. Rinko seemed so frail; she likened her to the glass vase that she broke back when she was on better terms with Hina. Hina had taken a shine to a heavy vase in the shape resembling some cat. Upon lifting it, her small body underestimated the weight of it and it shattered onto the ground. Their parents paid a hefty sum to the store manager that day.
One word from Sayo and Rinko looked like she was going to break apart. A single look and her large violet eyes darted towards the floor like she saw a demon. Sayo would occasionally catch a swish of ebony locks in her peripherals, indicating her retreat. She clung onto the single hope that she was not the soulmate for Rinko.
When Roselia formed, her repressed suspicions were proven. As she practiced at home, she would hear the songs Yukina composed in her head, confusing her greatly. Rinko stepped into the livehouse one day and there was no need to question who her fated one was.
Rinko approached her very tepidly the next day, coming to the same realization she did, Sayo figured. Her presence had Sayo’s heart beating faster than she cared to ever admit. Sayo made no mention though and simply informed her of Roselia’s schedule. The girl seemed to catch on fairly quickly. That night, the guitarist knew that both her and her soulmate threw themselves into practice, rather than bother to weep over each other. Had she been the more romantic type, she would say it felt like Rinko was right there beside her.
Guitar was her life. It was all she had; all she could offer. That could never be enough for anyone.
The two of them had changed a lot since then though. At least Sayo would like to argue as such in the pianist’s case. Roselia’s horizons had broadened since the band’s beginnings. Yukina's devotion to music never changed, Lisa continued to stand by her childhood friend and Ako was still obsessed with the image of coolness. There was a difference in them though; a slight change of heart within the band itself. Ideals were questioned and challenged this past year. Now Roselia moved forward with those experiences engraved in their souls.
The same went for Sayo to some extent. She couldn’t imagine what her relationship with Hina right now would be without Roselia or Pastel Palettes. Sayo only managed to notice how much she had changed whenever Hina seemed to shy away from asking simple requests. Some part of her felt no different, yet a strange sense of nostalgia would bubble in such occasions.
Perhaps she simply became the Sayo she was as a child? The guitarist was not the type to laugh but she scoffed at the idea; even back then, she was bottling up her negativity. This was a new Sayo, she liked to think.
Then there was Rinko. Rinko was ever the modest girl she first met, but with every performance, every interaction, every little thing she did exuded a gentle breath of empowering confidence that gave even Sayo some pause. Despite the girl’s lack of words, her passion for what she loved radiated and lit up a fire in Sayo, who didn’t think she was capable of such a feeling.
That was how she became Student President, and how Sayo decided to stand by her no matter what.
Her jet-black hair, as if the night sky took form in silk curtains, her eyes with the serenity of hydrangeas that Hina would sometimes use in her aroma oil hobby (one look making her face burst into flames and lull her into peace all the same). Sayo wouldn’t have believed it before, but now she could say that she was enraptured with her soulmate. Had someone told her just a few years ago she’d be capable of such love for another person, she would not believe them one bit.
Sayo had long stopped strumming her guitar, allowing Rinko’s piano playing to flood her mind. Now she sat in silence, staring at her contact list with a furrowed brow. She allowed herself to fantasize; a childish action yet Sayo has come to accept such things. If asked directly though, she’d say she’s been hanging around Hina too much.
If she were so bold to confess, would Rinko accept? Both would worry about the condition of Roselia’s performance if things got awkward if she got rejected, so Sayo knew she had to be calm and understanding in her approach and it should go over fine. She could deal with a little heartbreak even if her chest pained at the idea of a “No,” coming from those soft lips.
But if Rinko were to say yes, what would Sayo do from there? Somehow that made her chest clench all the more painfully. Traditionally, they were supposed to go out. Right? Then that would lead to hand-holding, but Sayo hasn’t held hands with anyone in how many years? Perhaps she should study up… Lisa had some romance novels so-
She cut her train of thoughts there, taking in some air to calm her nerves. Her mind became a blank space with only two people standing. Rinko has been waiting patiently beside her, and Sayo’s field of view finally cleared up to see her and all her grace. She sent a message.
“ Shirokane-san? Could you meet me tomorrow in the studio an hour before practice? There’s something I need to talk to you about. ”