Chapter Text
“A listening room?” Shinji asked, raising his eyebrows. There was a growing crowd behind you as you eagerly waited to be let into event. “Isn’t that just a fancy name for a concert?”
“On paper it sounds like a concert, but it’s anything but that!” You grinned. Shinji was skeptical, but you were in an exuberant mood, and it was hard to be cynical with your infectious smile around.
You had scored tickets to the elusive event around town. The Listening Room was only open to those with tickets, and the tickets themselves were hard to come by. There was little promotion for them, as the organizer preferred to keep it lowkey. You learned about them in passing, about this music event that happened twice a month – where there were live performers playing all sorts of jazz music, as well as involving the audience.
You knew it would be something Shinji would enjoy, and it just so happened that you secured tickets for their Valentine’s Day event.
But you frowned, slightly, as the two of you approached the entrance. Maybe Shinji wouldn’t like this. The scowl on his face didn’t disappear and he seemed irritated. Maybe you were a bother and he wanted to do something else. Maybe… maybe… maybe he’s just not that into you.
“You ok?” Shinji asked, his frown replaced with a look of concern.
“Oh, no. It’s just a bit too cold tonight.” You lied. Shinji opened his mouth, but the bouncers scanned your tickets and let you in.
It was a small space, where at the centre was a makeshift stage for the musicians of the night. They improvised a song, and immediately Shinji’s head perked up. It’s what he enjoyed about jazz – there was freedom in playing it, freedom he wasn’t necessarily afforded always.
He began nodding his head along to the music. The venue was getting fuller, but everyone’s focus was on the centre stage. The musicians played and improvised different songs, some you recognized from Shinji’s collections, others were completely new to you. You looked at Shinji and smiled, he was enjoying the music, with the large grin plastered on his face.
Shinji instinctively grabbed your hand, “let’s get closer.” He murmured, to which you agreed. The two of you slightly pushed and shoved your way through the herd of people, until you had a clear view of the stage. Shinji’s face lit up as he watched the musicians play. With the freestyle nature of the songs they were playing, you noticed that some instruments would change players – a new drummer was sitting in place of the one when you first entered. Actually, you recognized that person – they were just ahead of you in line!
You heard about this through the rumour mill, that the Listening Room encouraged audience participation. You knew Shinji dabbled with keyboards from time to time…
And the beat of the song changed pace, where the keyboardist stopped playing and left the stage, a large smile on their face as they went back into the crowd.
“Shinji, you should go!”
“What are you talking about? These are musicians.”
“Some of them, but not all. They let the audience play with them too.”
Shinji looked at you – your eyes were bright with eagerness to hear him play.
And he could never say no to you.
“Fine, fine. I’ll go up there.”
Thankfully, no one came up and Shinji made his way, nodding his head to the musicians who kept playing. Shinji sat in front of the keyboard, closing his eyes as he nodded his head to the music, finding the rhythm and without hesitation, began to play along with the other players.
You gave him a large smile as you clapped, watching him enjoy himself like this. A wave of relief washed over you to see Shinji playing along. Eventually though, Shinji began tapering off his notes, his way of signalling he was going to stop. You could see another person coming forward and with a quick nod of heads, Shinji came off the stage.
The music kept playing as he made his way back towards you. His grin was wide, teeth fully showing, and a slight sweat across his forehead.
“Did you have fun?” You asked, with a light laugh.
“Ya sure bet I did.” He chuckled, grabbing hold of your hand once again. He pulled you further away from the stage and people, but you were still able to hear the music.
“Let’s get you a drink.” You said, but before you could even leave, Shinji’s grip on your hand tightened as he pulled you closer to him.
You were hit with his chest, as you tilted your head up, face feeling warm. You were never this close to him before!
“I’m not dense ya know.” Shinji remarked, his cheeks turning slightly pink under the warm light. He held you closer, before leaning down to kiss you on the lips.
Your eyes were wide, but you kissed him back.
Shinji pulled away, murmuring your name, “I like you a lot, ya know?” Giving you a reassuring hug, “and this was the best damn Valentine’s Day gift I could ask for.”
Your heart thudded loudly in your chest as soon as you heard those words, “I like you too, Shinji.” You whispered.
He gave a soft laugh, “I sure hope ya did – it would’ve broken my heart if you did all this and just wanted to be friends!”