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“Torpe?” The pianist snapped out of her thoughts after she heard her name being called, she looked up to see the orchestra director smiling politely at her. “It's been a while since lunch break had started, perhaps it's best for you to take a break. A full stomach helps you work more.” The woman politely urged, watching as the pianist turned red in realization. “Apologies… I must've lost track of time… again.” Torpe stiffly stood up, her unruly hair moving along with her. “That's quite alright, it's genuinely satisfying to see my members to be such passionate musicians, though please do remember to take care of yourself.” The woman patted her shoulder before leaving.
Torpe immediately hurried towards the exit, keeping her coat around her shoulders. ‘That’s so embarrassing!’ She thought, looking around for places to eat, she wanted to try something new. Peeking inside one of the restaurants, she felt overwhelmed at the amount of people inside. ‘The usual huh.’ Torpe deadpanned, following a path she had already memorized long ago. She entered a cozy restaurant, few people were inside and all of them seemed to be working, one of them even had their abacus out on the table. “Torpe-kun?” The owner called, urging her closer. “You're here again.” He giggled, asking if she’d order the same thing. “That's right, the other restaurants are too packed…” Torpe admitted, ordering a dish completely new to her.
“How's the orchestra? Still having a big crush on the director?” He teased, chuckling when it effectively turned the girl red. “Of course I do, who wouldn't like a woman so dignified?” She shyly admitted, playing with her long hair, she never once bothered fixing it up. “I’ll keep telling you this again, why don't you go and ask her out?” He suggested, the pianist immediately shook her head, embarrassed at the thought. “I can't imagine myself admitting such embarrassing feelings out loud, besides, Danchou-san has a lot of admirers, one far more fitting than me. As far as I could tell, she doesn't seem to like having admirers confessing their love towards her, I’m not even sure if she likes girls at all.” Torpe rambled, playing with the glass the owner gave her while she waited for her order. “But, you haven't really done anything to confirm it eh?” The owner sounds very confident, and she looked up to see a tube of lipstick presented to her. “Say, what does Torpe think of a slow make over?” He wiggled his eyebrows, flustering her. “What?”
Embarrassed is an understatement as the owner urged her to brush her hair before leaving the house and told her to apply the lipstick. She firmly believes that putting more effort on her appearance will do nothing at all. Thankfully, the lipstick isn't too pigmented and it's barely noticeable, even her hair is much neater than usual. She usually just removes the tangles and calls it a day. “The owner really makes a big deal out of this.” She sighed, entering the orchestra house. Everyone glanced at her before turning their attention back to their instruments. ‘See? Nothing really happened.’ She proudly huffed, approaching the piano with calculated steps.
‘Come to think of it, where is Danchou-san?’ She looked around, finding it unusual for the woman to be late. She sat on the piano bench, pressing each key and stepping on the pedal. ‘It seems to be in a good condition.’ She did it once again, confirming that the piano is in a good state. She soon started some finger exercise, smiling as the piano let out melodies she predicted. “Sorry I’m late.” She unconsciously looked up after hearing the voice of their director. Torpe froze seeing Danchou’s hair, that's usually up in a regal bun, now flowing down her waist elegantly, her bangs covering her forehead and her hat slightly crooked. Torpe accidentally hit the wrong key, immediately looking down at the piano in embarrassment. ‘Her untied hair made her look younger, she could pass off as a model.’ She peeked to see Danchou talking to the cellist. ‘Her usual suit adds to her charm, and now that I look closely, she's wearing such simple yet elegant make up, Danchou-san is truly such a beauty.’ Torpe touched her lips, noticing the stain on her skin. ‘Make up, doesn't suit me after all. But I promised the owner that I’ll wear it all day.’ Worried that the lipstick wore off after she touched her lips, she pulled out the tube, re applying it carefully. She brought out a pocket mirror, staring at her face and at the pink color of her lips. ‘I guess it's fine, it's not that noticeable of a change, it barely makes me conscious.’ She rubbed her lips together while looking up, flinching when Danchou stared directly at her.
Looking back at the mirror then at the director. ‘Oh… she saw me applying it.’ Torpe avoided her gaze the whole day. She entered the restaurant later on whining at the owner. Her efforts have been outshined by the director’s own charisma. “I can't believe a woman can be this smitten.” The owner teased, handing her a perfume this time. “Here, I received this as a gift, but I didn't really like soft perfumes, I prefer strong ones! You can have it, it feels like a waste.” The owner reasoned. Torpe stared at the bottle frowning at it. “Am I supposed to use this too to attract the director?” Torpe confronted, a laugh from the owner is all the answer she needed.
“That, and I genuinely think you will like the scent, you could always give it to someone else if you don't like it.” The owner shrugged, recommending a new dish he created. “I guess… I’ll try it out tomorrow.
Torpe stopped wearing the lipstick the next day, but she started feeling conscious of how her hair looked, so she brushed it and sprayed some perfume on herself before leaving. Downing her usual outfit.
Entering the orchestra, she found Danchou talking to one of the members, relieved that her hair is in its usual style again, she thinks she wouldn't be able to handle seeing her hair down two days in a row. Torpe sat down at the piano bench again, doing her usual thing. “Torpe, may I bother you with a few adjustments?” Danchou approached her, handing her a music sheet. “There was an error during this chord, it was then changed into this note. Are you able to adjust?” Danchou leaned closer, showing the differences between the two sheets. “I believe so, I could adjust.” Torpe assured, receiving the new music sheet. “That's great, it's a minor adjustment though your comfort is still a priority—” Danchou suddenly paused, looking directly at the pianist.
“Danchou-san?” Torpe slowly grew flustered at their distance, her confusion increased when the director suddenly moved away from her and refused to look at her. “It's nothing, it's better if you practice the song.” Danchou almost mumbled before walking off without looking at her. ‘Did I do something wrong?’
Torpe actually liked the scent of the perfume the owner gave her. She started using it everyday and got very excited when someone noticed it. Although she didn't buy it and it was just a gift, she still feels the need to share it with others.
One morning, she came to the orchestra too early, it was just her and Danchou inside, practicing their own parts. “Were you able to adjust to the new piece?” Danchou asked as soon as she sat down. “I did, it was just a minor adjustment after all… as you said.” Torpe felt awkward, there never was a time where it was just the two of them for more than a few seconds. “There's something that's been on my mind lately, though I didn't want to ask while everyone was around, I thought the inquiry might be a bit unprofessional.” Danchou hesitated.
“What is it?” Torpe urged, wondering what got the director so hesitant, especially when it seemed like it involved her. “Your perfume… what perfume do you use?” The director cautiously asked, the pianist blanked out, processing the words. ‘She… SHE NOTICED!?’ Torpe tried her best to calm down, fidgeting with her fingers. “It… it was just a gift given to me, is Danchou-san interested in it?” She asked, surprised that Danchou like such a sweet scent. “Not really, I prefer calming scents.”
‘Figured, is that why I always feel so calm around her? Well, when I'm not being overly aware.’ Torpe looked away, not knowing how to continue the conversation. “It's just that, I thought the scent fits you so much. I'm quite uncertain how to describe it though, it feels like you.” Danchou admitted, watching as her pianist slowly turned red at her words. “Is…that so?”
Embarrassed, Torpe stopped using the perfume for two weeks before she started using it again because she missed the scent.
Torpe felt despair, staring at her pants tattered from the squirrels’ chewing. Their way of rebellion simply because Torpe got mad at them last night. She scolded the squirrels this morning, softening when she noticed that they're about to cry. She apologized for getting mad last night and earlier while they also apologized for ruining her clothes. It's truly a blessing that they decided to spare her coat and collared shirt but her pants are currently not usable. She opened her closet, seeing it filled to the brim with dresses and skirts. ‘I forgot I have these… I only go out during rehearsals and shows…’ Torpe groaned, grabbing a skirt that matches the color of her pants.
The squirrels dragged a corset towards her. She gently picked them up along with the corset. She wore the clothing and pulled it as best as she could, hiding half of her shirt and the top of her skirt. “Isn't this corset making your chest puff up?” Flustered by the squirrel's comment, she locked them out of her house until she got home.
Torpe felt conscious as the other members openly stared at her. She tried to focus yet it's hard when she could hear them whispering about how shocked they are that she's wearing a skirt to rehearsal. Danchou didn't seem to make a big deal out of it, and that's enough for her. If the owner were here, he would definitely tease her about how the orchestra members would be more shocked seeing her in her casual clothes. She hopes they do not experience such a thing.
When they were all lined up, she felt someone touching her skirt. She glanced just to see that it's Danchou. She rubbed the fabric in between her fingers, looking blankly at it. Torpe looked straight ahead, ignoring the way her heart beat faster, still feeling her skirt move. She felt the woman release her skirt, followed by a hum. “Should I try wearing a skirt?” She heard Danchou wondered. ‘Danchou-san… in a skirt? THAT'S HEAVEN!’ The question was then followed by a sigh. “No, skirts don't fit me.” Danchou answered her own question, her tone a little disappointed. ‘You look good in anything Danchou-san.’ The pianist silently assured.
When she got home, she quickly stitched her pants back, going to practice the next day on her pants again.
“Can I try styling your hair?” The owner suddenly asked, reasoning that his sister wants to have a pretty hairstyle and he's been practicing ever since. Torpe agreed in exchange for a free meal. She lets the owner work on her hair while she ate happily. The results were good, she was genuinely shocked at how good she looked with a braid. She immediately praised the owner before moving to another topic. When it was time to return to the orchestra. She finds that everyone is looking at her weirdly. Torpe's pretty sure she brushed her hair this morning, and she's wearing her usual clothes.
The pianist ignored their stares despite how it's affecting her. Other than the staring, the rehearsals ended peacefully. Leaving Torpe to be the last one to leave as usual. Danchou coincidentally seems to be leaving too, inviting her to go home with her. She agreed without thinking, now walking side by side with the director. They stopped in front of the train station, adjusting their hats from time to time. “Does your hair bother you?” Danchou asked suddenly, confusing her. Come to think of it, it's less annoying today. “Not really? Especially today, it didn't bother me that much.” Torpe answered, looking out for incoming trains. “Is that so, your hair is really long after all.” Danchou gestured, making her giggle at the action. “But Danchou-san also has long hair.” Torpe pointed out.
“I do, but yours is longer and it's always undone, unlike mine that I keep in a bun.” She pointed at her hair, admitting that she finds it annoying to take care of. “It's that way because I only cut it one time during my childhood, I like having long hair, it feels like a curtain I could hide in.” Torpe admitted, hearing the loud engine of the train. “Why hide?” The rest of Danchou's words were muffled by the loud horn of the train. Torpe looked at the director in confusion. “Apologies, I didn't quite catch that.” Torpe admitted, only receiving a small smile. “It's nothing, let's go?” Danchou guided her inside before following, taking a seat next to each other and eventually, Danchou dozed off after an hour. “She must be tired.” Torpe carefully removed her hat, placing it on her director’s thigh. She giggled, letting the other rest.
When she got home, Torpe's jaw slacked, realizing that her hair was braided, forgetting to remove it after she left the restaurant, finally understanding why everyone was looking at her earlier, she even went home with Danchou with this hairstyle!
It was their day off. Torpe decided to go out, wearing everything the owner gave her and her own dress. Torpe hummed, tying her hair in a low ponytail. She watched her white dress flow with her movement, pairing it with white sandals, she frowned, feeling like it's missing some things. She spotted a sun hat that her brother gifted her a few months ago and an unused ribbon. She tied the ribbon around her hair to cover the hair tie and wore the hat over her head.
She played a quick song for the animals before applying lipstick carefully and spraying some perfume. She grabbed a random purse and went on with her day. She decided to walk in the park, stopping once in a while to talk to the animals that called out to her, thankful for the sun hat. Some birds flew down at her, asking for food. She bought a bag of seeds for it and fed it. The bird thanked her and flew away. Her next encounter is with a duck who asked assistance to have a pathway to the ground. She arranged some rocks and watched as the duck and her children safely crossed.
An excited cat rubbed on her ankles. She kneeled down in front of it, petting its back. “Is this okay?” The cat purred, telling her she could touch its head. She nodded and scratched its head. She asked if the cat was hungry, it shook its head and told her another human already fed her and wanted some attention. The cat laid down on the concrete floor, urging Torpe to continue. “You're pretty demanding.” Torpe chuckled. “Torpe?” She froze at the voice. She looked up to see Danchou in her casual clothes, her bag hanging over her shoulder, staring at the pianist in shock. The cat noticed the tension and slipped away from the two. She stood up, not knowing what to do. “Danchou-san… it's such a coincidence.” Torpe awkwardly started, a bit conscious at the way the director kept staring at her.
Torpe watched as Danchou covered her face, groaning as if she's annoyed. “I can't take this anymore.” Danchou declared, she moved her hands away, quickly approaching Torpe and grabbing her wrists. “Torpe, let's go on a date, right now!” Danchou demanded, watching the shorter process her words. “D-date!?” She repeated, not being able to refuse the determination in Danchou's eyes. “I can't hold back anymore, I really want to spoil such an adorable woman like yourself, especially after seeing you today, in your casual clothes, I can't just waste this opportunity, let's go on a date!” She repeated, almost pleadingly. Despite still not knowing what was happening, Torpe slowly nodded. “Okay? Let's go on a date.” With that, Danchou dragged her away.
Despite how shocking the way the director asked her out, she enjoyed the date, she was fed a lot of food and tried a lot of games. They even bought trinkets they fancied. “It's getting late.” Danchou looked up at the darkening sky, Torpe seemed worried about getting home. “Would you like to stay at my place for now? It's quite near.” Without any other choice, Torpe agreed, letting the woman lead the way. After all, she still has a few questions to ask.
Danchou lent her some pajamas, and she settled on the couch, figuring that since she's a guest she’ll be sleeping here. “Danchou-san, it's quite shocking seeing you interested in romance, especially towards me. It's quite sudden.” Torpe finally admitted once they've fully settled down. “For you, it might've been sudden. I was simply trying to maintain professionalism, that's why I never approached you so daringly.” Danchou admitted, though the pianist wanted to argue that she did approach her daringly earlier. “Remember that time I arrived late? I immediately noticed the pigment on your lips, and I feel like I exploded as I watched you re-apply the lipstick, your hair seems to be neater too.” Danchou recalled, the pianist not expecting her to notice such detail.
“When you wore that perfume, it is true that it feels like you, so I wondered if I did something wrong when you suddenly stopped using it afterwards. Perhaps you didn't appreciate such comments.” Torpe remained quiet, silently urging her to continue. “And oh when you arrived at rehearsals wearing a skirt? I felt my body heat up in joy. It was such an adorable sight, it truly fits you, I knew you felt me feeling up your skirt. I was silently wishing that you wore skirts more often.” Danchou blushed, seemingly growing more embarrassed the more she admitted her feelings.
“When you returned from lunch break with your hair braided, I couldn't really focus at all, you looked so gorgeous I had to take more effort to hold myself back. I knew you didn't hear it, but back in the train station, I asked, ‘Why hide? You shouldn't hide such an adorable face.’ I finally snapped earlier. Believe it or not Torpe, you truly are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on, the most adorable on top of that.” Danchou approached her, pinching her cheeks.
“Apologies if I was too direct earlier. Though I am satisfied at the chance you gave me to go on a date with you. I might've made you uncomfortable with suddenly baring my feelings openly, though I hope it doesn't stop you from working with us.” Danchou immediately added. Torpe bit her lip, moving closer to the woman, a little embarrassed from her own actions. “When Danchou-san had her hair down, I couldn't really think straight… The reason I wore lipstick and perfume, and also why I started taking care of my hair, is because I wanted to catch your attention… I didn't expect it to work so I grew embarrassed and stopped using them.” Torpe admitted, moving closer until their shoulders were bumping into each other.
“I… I like you, Danchou-san.” Torpe confessed, looking down on the ground. Suddenly, Danchou tilted her head upwards, their faces a few inches away. “I like you too, Torpe.” Their breaths hitched at the closeness, the blonde woman immediately closed her eyes, giving permission for the other to finally kiss her. Torpe simply followed her lead, not knowing what to do other than embracing her director. The director moved away, looking at her lips and laughing. “My lipstick mixed with yours.” She pointed out. Torpe looked at Danchou’s lips, giggling when she saw a hint of pink. “It did.”
“By the way, why are you on the couch?”
“I'm a guest, I should sleep here, right?” Danchou looked at her as if she was insane. She yelped as the taller suddenly carried her to her own bed, blanketing the both of them. “I will never let my date sleep somewhere uncomfortable!” Danchou defended, immediately cuddling with her. “Shouldn't we remove our make up first?” Torpe suggested, receiving a kiss on her jaw. “It's okay, It’ll wear off after several kisses.” Torpe blushed at the implications, letting the taller rest on her chest. Torpe removed Danchou’s hair tie, her heart beating faster as she brushed it off, feeling an arm hold her tightly. “Good night, Danchou-san.”