kaede "piano freak" akamatsu (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kaediot) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
minglingworlds2018-01-21 09:33 pm
kaediot) wrote in minglingworlds2018-01-21 09:33 pm
date, interrupted ( kaede | shuichi | kokichi )
[ Wake up, eat, and play the piano.
It's not too far removed from the routine she remembers outside the Academy, honestly, though adding a student party certainly brings something new to it. Kaede never envisioned herself as a *teacher* of all things, but being able to share something so amazing, and letting Shuichi into her world . . .
There's an indescribable satisfaction that knots her stomach in a way she never thought she'd feel again.
Even outside of their lessons, Kaede clings to the familiarity her lab offers, and often finds herself spending time there. The 10% of the time she's not actually playing the piano, she's organizing the books and CDs and going over sheet music.
Such is the case this morning, as she tries to work off some of the nervous energy she's built up, being trapped in this strange dating sim-esque situation.
She's come to accept that she never really knows when to expect Shuichi--be it late, early, not at all (on some rare occasions). She's learned to go with the flow.
And so, after running out of things to organize and shuffle around, she finally decides the lab is too quiet.
She sits down and starts to play a tune to calm herself, without any thought to shutting the lab door. ]
It's not too far removed from the routine she remembers outside the Academy, honestly, though adding a student party certainly brings something new to it. Kaede never envisioned herself as a *teacher* of all things, but being able to share something so amazing, and letting Shuichi into her world . . .
There's an indescribable satisfaction that knots her stomach in a way she never thought she'd feel again.
Even outside of their lessons, Kaede clings to the familiarity her lab offers, and often finds herself spending time there. The 10% of the time she's not actually playing the piano, she's organizing the books and CDs and going over sheet music.
Such is the case this morning, as she tries to work off some of the nervous energy she's built up, being trapped in this strange dating sim-esque situation.
She's come to accept that she never really knows when to expect Shuichi--be it late, early, not at all (on some rare occasions). She's learned to go with the flow.
And so, after running out of things to organize and shuffle around, she finally decides the lab is too quiet.
She sits down and starts to play a tune to calm herself, without any thought to shutting the lab door. ]
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It kind of takes him a minute sometimes to work up the nerve to go into the room, and he's not sure why that's something that happens, either. It's not like Kaede would ever do anything to hurt him or anything, so...why worry?
He kind of wonders how he looks, smoothing out his hair and straightening his outfit as he steps away from the wall--
--Only to lean back up against it.
It's not too much longer after that that he starts hearing the piano start to play, and he takes a deep breath. He lets it out slowly, letting the music relax him, before he steps back away for good and moves to go inside of the door.
Well, now that he's in the lab, he can't just stand there. But he's not going to say anything either, walking slowly over to the piano and peering over the edge when he gets a moment, as if he's going to disturb her...because he kind of wants to watch.]
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Because he doesn't interrupt her, she continues, her fingers dancing slowly across the keys until she finds a good stopping point in the song.
She opens her eyes then, and--well, at least she was right about it being him.
How embarrassing would it have been, if it was someone else?
Then again, not many others have exactly shown an interest in her lab anyway. Even Shuichi had to be coaxed, but it's not as if she regrets it now. ]
Hey! [ She chuckles, clearly glad to see him. After a slight pause: ] Well, don't just stare at me... You're going to sit, aren't you?
[ She even scoots slightly to make room. ]
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There's nothing he can do about it, he supposes.]
Oh...I didn't want to interrupt, or anything...
[Well, his heart is definitely fluttering when she scoots over enough for him to sit. He's going to take his seat at this point, moving to look at the keys while he does so.
So they meet again...]
That was a really nice song.
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No judgement. ]
Beethoven. What can I say?
[ The music speaks for itself, really... but she continues in a softer tone, something more genuine, as she nudges him encouragingly. ]
You'll get there.
[ Someday. And she intends to be a part of it. ]
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At least he knows who Beethoven is, maybe, but he's not going to comment one way or another. He'll nod though, when she nudges him, and he passes his hand over the keys.]
If you say so...
[He's a little doubtful but. Y'know.]
What am I going to do today?
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We... [ His uncertainty is starting to rub off on her, if her brief hesitation is anything to go by, but she can't have any of that, either. One of them has to be the more decisive one, for
Atuagods' sake. ] We could pick up where we left off.Like... maybe those chords I taught you?
[ She looks hopeful, as if to say, "You remember, right, Shuichi?" ]
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He nods, and then moves his keys over to the three notes that he remembered going over the last time they'd been together.]
Chords...like the, um...
[Hold on, he's got this!!]
Major chords, right?
[He's going to hold down a C, E, and G key now, looking over at Kaede after he does it.]
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[ Kaede isn't shy about expressing her excitement. She's still trying to gauge how into this Shuichi really is, and she's definitely self-conscious about this idea that she's "forcing" him, but... he came to see her.
And... clearly some of her lessons are sticking.
That's worth something, right? ]
It's good to warm up with the basics. Chords and scales help loosen your fingers, so your music flows better. Like...
[ Kaede shows him a few more chords, demonstrating how they can build on each other and create more complex melodies. Repeating after her, he should start to notice how it doesn't take much for those simple chords to evolve into proper tunes.
And eventually... well, music. ]
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Especially since the piano is definitely not his forte at all.]
Like this?
[He wants to make sure he's doing it right, that he's mirroring her even though he's an octave or two higher than her. But at least it'll all sound similar...
This was difficult, especially with her here right to him.]
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It's fine, though, isn't it? After all, she was nervous and flustered for her first recital, too.
Not that this is really a comparable situation.
At all.
Ahhh... Finally, she nods, putting a hand on his back in an attempt to be encouraging. ]
Yup, you're totally getting it. You just need to be a little more confident with your keystrokes...
[ She laughs lightly, adding: ] That's like, a recurring theme with you, isn't it?
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Or maybe he just has a crush on her, but that's just details.]
I mean...maybe.
[Shuichi can admit that much, he supposes.]
I think I'll get there, eventually.
[Eventually. But for now, he's going to keep practicing what she taught him, because practicing will make you more confident!
Or something.]
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It's never long before he looks away, of course, but she likes to think that it lasts a little longer each time; and that they understand each other a little better each time, too.
She continues to coach him, looking for new ways to keep him engaged as he practices.
'This is our longest session yet,' she thinks, but... it's more like their sessions just keep getting longer. ]
HEWWO
Of course, Kokichi's already checked all the available labs, so he knows there's nothing really interesting in hers -- what you might find typical for a piano freak, perhaps. It's completely by accident that he infers what they've been doing in there too, because he's minding his own business (sure...), walking past the area when he hears some really..........off-sounding chords.
Like, way off. The sound of an amateur practicing the same thing over and over. The kind of playing you'd hear above your apartment in the afternoon and groan at!! Which pretty much confirms it's not Kaede playing, so there's only one person who could be sucking so profusely. Kokichi, the bored child that he is right now, decides that he can't just ignore this.
So he takes the opportunity to peek into Kaede's lab and confirm his suspicions before inviting himself inside. Give him attention, protags... ]
Oh, wow! I was reaaally worried for a sec hearing such awful piano playing! I thought something bad might've happened to Akamatsu-chan...
[ Concern brims his tone -- which is probably fake, but, y'know. ]
It's such a huge relief to see it's just Saihara-chan assaulting people's ears!
RUDE AS FUCK
Shuichi hadn't exactly thought that someone else other than Kaede would hear him, and he thought even less that Kokichi of all people would hear him. So he's not even paying attention to anyone who may or may not be coming into the room until Kokichi speaks, and he jumps and the piano makes a kind of disgraceful sound as his hands hit multiple keys in the process.
He looks up to who had actually spoken, his face feeling ten times warmer than it already did to begin with because...what the fuck.]
Ouma-kun?? Where did you come from?
[He...definitely sounds panicked here.]
BUT WE LUV HER... him..... them
Kaede flinches more at the noise from the piano as Shuichi stands, rather than Kokichi's voice, but she's standing up nonetheless, obviously in support of Shuichi. ]
Y- Yeah, don't just show up out of nowhere!
[ DON'T YOU HAVE SOME ASTRONAUTS OR ROBOTS TO TROLL ]
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Ah-- Sorry, sorry! [ Is he really tho... ] Was the front door too surprising?
[ NO HE'S GOT A PIANIST AND A DETECTIVE TO MESS WITH OKOK....he loves y'all. ]
At least you two weren't doing something else, riiiight?
[ Just hand him a cease and desist notif already....... ]
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Shuichi isn't that stupid to miss that, and his face starts feeling even more warm at the comment Kokichi makes. He hates this, okay!!]
I...I don't know what else we would be doing!!
[Yeah right, but he's going to play dumb about it anyway.]
Usually people don't come here, that's all.
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Nevertheless, don't mind the slight redness to her cheeks as she sighs, opting to change the subject completely before Kokichi runs further with it. ]
And somehow I doubt that you suddenly want lessons.
So what brings you to my neck of the woods, Mr. Supreme Leader?
[ She still manages sarcasm despite feeling embarrassed. ]
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Uwah-- So you've been here a lot of times then, Saihara-chan? That's what you're saying?
[ He's just taking that and running with it, because he'll turn to Kaede next, looking kind of excited now. ]
Are you kidding?! With how good Saihara-chan sounds, I'd like to sign up for lessons immediately!
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[he's trying to figure out a way to unbury himself from this mess he's gotten himself into, but he doesn't think it's going to happen at this rate. Why did kokichi have to walk in in them tho!!
But then Kokichi asks about the lessons, and he huffs as he does like a sort of side eye over at him.]
I didn't think you would've been interested in piano...
[he's just pointing it out, ok. ]
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......Come on, Shuichi. Kaede folds her arms, tilting her head at Kokichi as if to study his expression or look for a tell, but... well, truthfully she’s pretty certain. ]
He’s not.
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[ God, Shuichi.
Kokichi's just going to make himself comfortable here, plopping down artlessly on one of the padded benches surrounding the room's center. ]
Oh, but don't get me wrong -- I am interested in the Ultimate Pianist! ...Just not in the same way Saihara-chan is.
[ Is he going to fucking stop? Sources say nah. ]
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Shuichi's face immediately feels hot when Kokichi speaks, and he noticeably flinches. What. The fuck is this!!]
What...kind of way are you talking about, then?
[He's getting defensive here when Kokichi is just obviously being an ass.]
Because Akamatsu-san is my friend.
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Not that she was scared of Kokichi in the first place, but it does feel a little uplifting, and encourages her to speak, rather than... well, just waiting.
After giving Shuichi a support of glance, she'll turn her attention back to Kokichi. ]
I'd like to know, too.
Friends support each other and their talents... so what is it about me that interests you, exactly?
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Who knoooows? Figure it out. Hopefully before someone with a super cool, handsome face that isn't hidden behind a hat arrives on the scene! ...That's not me, by the way!
[ Nobody needed you to clarify that, Ouma.
He shrugs, like Kaede's inherent worth isn't even something that deigns discussing, but... ]
Akamatsu-chan's talent is sooo useful when it comes to infiltration, of course. So I'm always looking to recruit her! Even if she says no, I'll ask a few thousand times...just to be sure!
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Or something like that.
He's just still got to slownod the entire thing here, because it's so...why can't Kokichi just leave him alone here.]
I still somehow doubt that's really why you're here.
[He's just saying.]
But you probably won't tell the truth about that, either.
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[ Enough beating around the bush. ]
Could you... maybe come back later?
[ Or-- never? Never is also good. ]
1/2 im so srry lmfao
The chipper tone completely cracks for a second as he transcends to ugly whining. ]
You guys are soooo mean!! And to think I came all the way up here just to play with you guys...
[ There are definitely some waterworks happening, here. ]
-- WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! The worst!!
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...The tears are a lie, by the way. But I really am disappointed. I thought for sure Akamatsu-chan would be one of those types with like, a secret knack for craaazy ideas!
[ Ouma spreads his hands out slightly for dramatic effect. ]
Y'know, those zany artist types? Not like Angie-chan, though. Nope, you could be reaaally interesting, I think...
[ He's kind of like. Completely ignoring Shuichi's existence here right now.
On the surface, anyway. ]