Chapter Text
The grandfather clock in the hallway ticks in its monotone voice, announcing the coming and going of time in a rythm like the tide against the shore. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. It’s a comforting rythm, Tenma Tsukasa reasons, as he stares at the ceiling above his bed. His eyes trace the lines left from glow-in-the-dark stars that once stuck there.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. GONG!
The changing of the hour really means nothing to him. He’s been awake for who knows how long, and will be for even longer. He might as well do some schoolwork on his laptop.
He shoves the crumpled sheets of paper on the floor away with his foot as he makes his way to his desk. Once he secures his laptop in his hands and logs in, he checks his Nightcord notifications. Maybe Shizuku had sent him something before she went to bed.
However, upon checking, he notices a strange message request preview.
Tekuno - Is this Tenma Tsukasa, former piano soloist and prodigy composer?
He’s never even heard this username before. How did this stranger know…?
Tsukasa - Who is this?
Tekuno - Merely an interested party. You need not worry; I’ve heard of you from school. The mysterious former gifted student who hasn’t come to school at all this year, hm?
Tsukasa - That isn’t your business.
Tekuno - Perhaps it is. Do you still compose? Or play at all?
Tsukasa - No. I’m not interested. Whatever this is.
Tekuno - Ah, but I imagine you will be, soon enough. At least consider joining this server? (Link Sent)
Tsukasa - What?
Tekuno - You see, I need a composer for a certain project. You’re highly capable and your skill is a neccessity.
Tsukasa - I already said I’m not interested.
Tekuno - Please? At least just join the server.
Tsukasa - Whatever.
Tekuno - If that’s a yes (and I’m taking it to be), change your server profile to a fake name. It’s not a requirement per se, but merely… a tradition, so to say.
Tsukasa - I have no idea what that means.
Tekuno - There are two other participants, and we’ve all done the same. Just a piece of… advice.
Tsukasa - I’m giving it three days. If I decide not to, don’t contact me again.
Tekuno - Understood, Tenma. I look forward to your service.
“Kanade? Kaaaaanade? Earth to Kanade!”
Kanade jolts upright. Being prodded awake by your partner isn’t usually the best way to wake up from a nap.
“I’m awake,” they mumble, eyes still closed as their head rested on their desk.
“No, you aren’t.” She opens her eyes slightly to see Mizuki’s pink ponytail hanging dangerously close to her face.
“Is class over already?”
“Yeah. At least Sensei didn’t say anything this time!”
Xe nods silently, closing xer eyes again. This prompts a quick tap on xer head from Mizuki.
“No more napping! We’ve gotta go. Rehearsal will start any minute~”
Kanade is dragged by the hand and marched through the hallway by Mizuki. She groans.
“Why are we doing this again?”
“Because, it’s an easy way to get A’s! And, you heard what the director said. If we’re good enough, we could even get a part-time at Phoenix Wonderland!”
“It doesn’t really matter how good we are, does it? Aren’t your parents friends with the Otori’s?”
“Well, yeah; but I’m talking about you.”
Kanade rolls their eyes. “Aha. As if you wouldn’t try and get me to do it with you.”
“Hehe, you know me too well! It’s not like I’d do it all alone. We could start our own troupe— the Star Duo!” They make an exaggerated jazz-hand motion, now letting go of Kanade’s hand.
“Not happening.”
“Yes happening; now come on! Ena’s already waiting for us.”
“God, am I going to be third-wheeling again?”
“Don’t say it like that!” Mizuki pouts. “I love you both equally. Plus, there’s more than enough of me to go around!~”
“That is quite possibly the most cringe-worthy thing I have heard come out of your mouth.”
“Then make me shut up.”
“I would if we weren’t at the auditorium already,” Kanade says, leaning against the wall. Mizuki giggles and places a small kiss on the tip of xer nose.
“You’re cute when you’re mad.”
“Maybe I’ll take you up on that shut-you-up offer.”
The pair laugh as they push their way into the auditorium.
“So you’re saying this random person you’ve never heard of before messaged you last night about a composing opportunity?” Shiho leans back incredulously into the sofa. “And you said yes?”
“Way to make me feel good about it.”
“It’s not a bad thing, Tsukasa!” Shizuku pats his back from where she sits on the arm of his chair. “I’m sure Saki would be proud of you, as am I.”
He glances up at the framed picture above the old dusty piano, of him and his sister playing on it together. The gilded details of the frame have been worn down over time by fingers searching for memories, for hope, for… anything. It’s been almost three years since Saki died, and things have only gotten worse.
“Shizuku…”
“Sorry, sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said that.” She hugs him tight. “I really am proud, though. I’ve always known you wanted to compose again.”
“That’s just the thing.” He leans into her. “I don’t know how I feel. Or even how I should feel.”
“I think you should take some more time to consider the offer. Maybe make something to get yourself back in the swing of things again.” Shiho offers. “I’ve got a digital keyboard you can borrow and hook up to your computer.”
“Great! You can go grab that while I cook some lunch, Shii.” Shizuku hops off the arm chair. “Tsukasa, you should go and get a little bit of rest. Lunch might take a while; I’m trying out this new recipe I found online…”
“Just don’t burn down the kitchen again, alright?”
“I promise you won’t have to worry.” She smiles, and he makes his way upstairs.
He flops himself down into his bed and again his eyes trace the lines left on the ceiling. What is he supposed to do? Saki was his reason for creating music. It made her so happy just to listen to, and when he taught her the notes she seemed as if she could never be happier. Even in her latter days, all she wanted was to hear his music. Even when she couldn’t lift a finger. She’d close her eyes and just take it in.
“…Are you scared, Saki?” Tsukasa had asked one day, stopping the recording of his song.
She had smiled, her eyes still closed. “Mm, I don’t think so. I know that I’ll get better; and even if I don’t, I’ll be up there, in the stars, playing pretty music just like you!”
He could barely keep himself from falling apart as he played at her funeral. It was her favorite song of his— A Thousand Little Paper Cranes. She had even written lyrics to it.
He hasn’t even so much as touched the piano since coming home that day. He had taken the book of his compositions and torn each and every page out of it in a rage, flinging the book into the wall and falling to the floor as tears flooded down his cheeks.
He rubs his eyes, ridding himself of the memories of the past. Perhaps he should check his texts and see when his mother was coming home. But, again, an odd notification caught him off guard.
File downloaded: Untitled
What the hell? He hasn’t even touched his phone yet today. How in the world did that even happen? Was it some virus that could destroy your phone?
…He needs a new phone anyways. He presses the link, and in a bright flash of white, his room disappears around him.
“…That could have gone better.”
Mizuki hangs their head dejectedly, and Ena pats their arm. “It wasn’t that bad! I enjoyed your performance.”
“Me too.” Kanade holds their other hand. “It was nice.”
“Nice?! I was flat for half of the song!”
“Well, it was certainly better than Hirabayashi-san. She’s really great and all, but she couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.”
Kanade smiles as Mizuki snorts, the sunset light reflecting off their hair. “Like I was telling Kanade, I’m not worried about the Phoenix Wonderland offer. But I want you both to come with, and neither of you got on stage!”
“I’ve already opted for the set design crew; and since I have a straight A in Art I think I’ll be fine.” Ena leans into Mizuki slightly. “Kanade… well, xe's Kanade.”
“For your information, I did audition. You just didn’t see it because I auditioned after everyone left.”
“Seriously? How are you supposed to perform if you can’t even audition on stage?!” Mizuki cocks their head at her.
“I was figuring I’d burn that bridge when I got to it.”
“Ugh, that’s our Kanade.” Ena rolls her eyes, a small smile forming on her lips. “They just love being the center of attention.”
“So do you.”
“While I’d love to hear the rest of this back and forth—” Mizuki interrupts them— “my train stop is coming up, and I know you two have to go the other way.”
“Mm. See you later, Mizuki. Text us when you get home?” Ena says, reaching up to give them a quick peck on the cheek.
“When do I not?” Mizuki waves goodbye to the two, and walks off towards the station. Ena and Kanade walk home arm-in-arm.
“…Kanade, do you really want to do this theatre business?”
“Not really. But it makes Mizuki happy to see us doing it, so I think it’s worth it.”
“Mm. Plus, if we do get the job at Phoenix Wonderland, we’ll get a little extra cash to spend when we go shopping together!~”
Kanade smiles. “I suppose so.”
Mizuki - GUYS LOOK WHAT SENSEI JUST SENT ME
Mizuki - (Image attached)
Kanade - Already? Maybe your audition wasn’t that bad after all
Mizuki - he said he loved how confident i sounded when i delivered dialogue and that i’d be perfect for the job B)
Ena - That’s my partner!!!!!!!!!!
Kanade - *our
Mizuki - ;p
Mizuki - have either of you heard back yet
Ena - No 😒
Kanade - Me neither
Just as Kanade sends the message, a notification pops up at the top of her screen.
File downloaded: Untitled
Kanade - Nvm I think I just got something
Kanade - I think he forgot to label the file name
Before she could read any response, she clicks on the file link, and her vision is abstructed by a blinding flash of light.