Chapter Text
I hurriedly grabbed my lyre and carefully hid it in my bag, then with a quick step I left the thresholds of the large building I should call home. Was he, however, one? I have no idea, the word should connote a warm place to which one gladly returns. And I hadn't found any rapid warming there for several years.
As soon as I was a safe distance away, I turned into the wrong alley and started humming one of my favorite songs. I jumped onto the roof of one of the lower garages and so that none of the residents would notice me I quickly made my way to my hiding place. Maybe having such a place in the eyes of others seems childish, but since I found it, it is only here that I can be myself. If I can call it that at all. I jumped down from the building and took out the key I had found from ten years ago just outside the entrance, opened the gates and as soon as I settled inside I carefully closed them. I turned on the lamp and squatted on the pouffe, opened my bag to take out the previously packed instrument. I had an hour and a half left for class so my moment of peace and quiet wouldn't last too long. I started to strum random strings and sighed heavily when I realized that it didn't do much. I continue to be full of these awful negative emotions, and the older I get the harder it is to banish them. Shouldn't it be the other way around? After a while, the melody finally began to resemble something that wasn't the chittering of a hungry cat. I opened my mouth to get the words of the song out, I think a clear enough voice rang through the room, and I drifted off into the world of music again. I smiled under my breath, imagining that I could someday play like this in front of others and not be limited to solitary concerts in some abandoned pigeon house. This dream, however, seems distant; I could then face the wrath of my parents or even destroy their good reputation. After all, playing as a player is too childish, instead I should study to be worthy of inheriting the family business. So, I must enjoy moments like these, when I can indulge in music in at least partial peace. I have always been terribly drawn to it, at one point I even began to plan my future with it, but when those plans were destroyed by the expectations of those around me, at least I found this place and give myself to my passion here.
When the words of the song came to an end I put down the instrument and lay down to look at the star-lined ceiling. I received them and the lyre from my best friend on the day we had to say goodbye. And although I promise myself that I will come to see them at night, when they shine brightest, my plans are always covered by fear. Of someone discovering what is really hiding inside me.
When I realized that I didn't have much time left, I grabbed the lyre and tucked it into my bag again. Then I stood up, corrected my slightly disheveled hair and wove two braids from my longer strands. I left the deserted place and twice made sure I locked it properly. Just as quickly as I arrived, I left the area. Now there was nothing left for me to do but to go to the university again and listen to boring lectures, well I shouldn't complain after all I never complained about lack of anything, so fulfilling all my parents' expectations is quite normal. Even if in the process I slowly start to lose track of who I actually am, it's nothing.I slapped my cheeks to stop thinking about these bullshit things, I can't let the peace that playing the lyre brought me so easily be lost!
I went out to the local promenade to take the slightly longer road to get to the lecture, at first glance there was nothing unusual going on here. A mass of people walking back and forth, a few people distributing flyers, and street players setting up their equipment. Specifically, a group of three boys, possibly about my age. I averted my eyes and walked past them, speeding up my step, I can't let myself be fooled and stay here longer than I should. Although being late won't change much, I should maintain the position of being a punctual and systematic student.
Well, that's also when I heard this pair of notes.
It was the beginning of one of my favorite songs, exactly what has been on my mind since the morning. I turned abruptly and ran up to the group that surrounded the players to see their performance, they were playing quite nervously and looked quite impatient. Could it be that someone in their band was late? So why did they start early? I grabbed the lyre hidden in my bag and started playing along with them, wanting to add that missing note. After a while, I couldn't help myself and somehow it went on by itself.
- There will come a soldier, Who carries a mighty sword~ - As soon as I began to sing two children standing close to me pushed me to the middle, without thinking much I began to dance and sing at will rocking this street performance. The audience started clapping their hands moving to the rhythm of the song, a few were even tempted to dance. This whole scene was like a dream, a wonderful dream in which I would like to stay forever, a dream reflecting my true self.
- Oh lei, oh lai, oh lord~ - I continued singing, seeing everyone having a good time, even the players looked calmer, but they also didn't know much about what was going on. I grinned to myself, feeling overwhelmingly happy that my music appealed to someone, that it allowed everyone watching to get away from this boring duty-filled world at least for a while. At one point I noticed a boy among the crowd, seemingly not standing out from the rest, but when he looked at me he seemed charmed. He had dark green hair with turquoise highlights, yellow eyes and a pair of earrings on his face, only these details caught my eye before I turned further absorbed in the dance.
After a few minutes, the song ended and I stood still breathing harder.
- Thanks for the primer guys, forgive me for interfering with your performance! - I called out turning in their direction, waved my hand goodbye and ran towards the college. I wanted to hide the lyre but through haste I did not realize that instead of falling back inside the bag it fell out on the ground. Due to the excitement I was experiencing, I didn't notice the mistake. Less than ten minutes later I was already at the university, I entered the hall perfectly on time, out of breath I sat down in my seat in the hall. I wiped my forehead and sighed loudly laying down on the bench.
- And why are you so out of breath? Did you almost oversleep again? - I heard the voice of my friend who again at the sight of my condition was all laughing.
- You won't believe it anyway. - I rolled my eyes trying to calm my breathing, while he looked at me extremely curious.
- Was it related to music again? - He asked then giggled again, Dahlia has been my best friend since I was a child due to the fact that our parents are friends. We have always gotten along, he is the only one from my close circle who knows about my passion and tries to support me in it and often stands up for me when my parents have a problem.
- How did you know? - I asked and slightly shocked I rose from the bench, I looked at him when he raised one eyebrow.
- Because it's always about the music here Venti, at least since I've known you only talk about it when we're alone. I doubt that you were almost late because your mother told you to mow the lawn. - When the lecturer entered the room we quieted down considerably, I took out my notes tablet and listened in silence to what the old man had to say today. I did not like my current life, but it would be hard for me to change it. I'll soon graduate and start an internship at my parents' company, then I'll have a permanent job there until one day they don't write it off for me. Only that I don't see myself locked up in an office for the rest of my life, I believe that once I start working there and manage to move away from my parents I will at least be able to devote my free time to music. Something I've loved since I can remember, but the reality is that without connections it's hard to shine in the music industry.
- Em... Venti? - I suddenly heard a quiet whisper from the blue-eyed man at which I turned in his direction, the boy in his tablet had social media on. - Is this the reason why you were almost late?” he asked, showing me a video from earlier of me playing along with random passersby and singing my favorite song. - Do you have any new friends?
- I do not know them, it was quite spontaneous. - I said quite embarrassed scratching the back of my neck and smiling foolishly. - Do not spread it further good? I don't want some miracle to arrive from my old folks. - He nodded slightly then started looking through the comments under the video.
- Haven't you lost your lyre lately? - He asked suddenly showing one of the comments. “Wanted boy in braids from the video, you dropped your lyre.” I stared at the screen for a moment blinking several times, trying to catch the moment in my memory. Had it fallen out as I was hiding it? I reached for the bag and indeed it was not there.
- Who wrote this comment? I need to write to that person, send me the link of her profile.
- From what I can see it seems to be the page of the group you joined, let's see.... 4nemo? - Immediately when I searched for their site I wrote a short message
“Hi, this is the boy who disturbed you this morning. Where should I come to pick up my lyre? And will around 2 pm suit you?”
Surprisingly, I did not have to wait long for a reply because just a minute later someone wrote me back.
“Sure, come to the music store on...” I reacted to the message and turned off the apps to focus on the lecture again.
- Are you sure it's a good idea for you to go there alone? They may have some hidden intentions, I don't know kidnap you to use your voice for publicity, not to mention that you are the son of influential people.
- Something you, if they were suspicious I would have noticed it already in the morning. - The boy at my words rolled his eyes and quietly sighed.
- If you go missing I won't protect you from your parents.
- I know I know~ I'll try to arrange it quickly and come up with some excuse if I'm late. I won't drag you into this.
- It will end up like it always does, “Dahlia have you seen Venti? Isn't he with you? He's late.” - He quoted while correcting a strand of his short blond hair that had unruly escaped from behind his ear.
- You're exaggerating, maybe this time it won't be so bad.
*****
As soon as the class was over, I said goodbye to my friend and left the university. I turned on the map on my phone to make it easier to get to the indicated address. Fortunately, this music store was not far from the center so it didn't take me too long to get there. I stood in front of a large glass door, it had the name of the store written on it and a few notes around it. When I stepped inside I was greeted by a rather normal store atmosphere, there was some song quietly turned on. I looked around and saw a bored boy sitting behind the cash register, focused on his phone he didn't notice me enter. He had dark green hair with turquoise highlights.
- Is it at your place that I can pick up my lyre? - I asked coming closer, the man as soon as he heard me slightly gasped then put down the phone and looked at me. When I caught eye contact with him and saw his yellow eyes, I recognized him as the boy who was then standing in the crowd looking at me. Was he also a member of this band, or was he just a devoted fan? No, a fan would not write back from their official account.
- Oh yes, give a moment.- He got up from the desk and walked through the door which he had centrally behind him. Just a few seconds later he returned with my lyre and handed it to me. - Do you often join others' performances like this? - He asked suddenly when I already wanted to thank him and leave the store.
- Today only happened like that, rest assured I will try not to repeat it again. - I replied rather embarrassed continuing to look at his face, it was clear at first glance that he had great success with the opposite sex. He looked about my age, maybe a little younger if you look at the height. You could not read much from his face, he practically did not show emotions on it. Or maybe it was just such a first impression?
- Your voice did not sound like the first such performance, to be honest, you stole my part in the morning. - On his face continued to show only seriousness, through this I could not judge whether the words were said jokingly or, however, he was really angry.
- Seriously? Forgive me, I joined only because they lacked a singer and on impulse. I guess I can't pass by when someone plays my favorite song. - I scratched the back of my neck terribly embarrassed, the man just waved his hand.
- It's nothing, honestly this song worked out much better for you than for me. And the guys started playing it to spice me up for being late, so I guess you could say you saved me from being compromised. - A stone dropped from my heart when he admitted that he was not angry, the smile on my face deepened slightly.
- Well in that case, thank you for the lyre and good luck on your next performances! - I threw in his direction then turned around and headed for the exit.
- Wait, wouldn't you be willing to come to our rehearsal sometime? - I stopped abruptly upon hearing this question, I knew it would probably be hard for me to reconcile this with my duties. But if I were to agree?
- Write me what and how, I will try to drop in after class. In that case, see you around. - I waved my hand to the green-haired man and left the store in earnest this time. I have to admit I got a little excited, even if it's just a silly attempt, I'll have a chance to meet people who share my love for music. And to use this as an opportunity to escape from my boring college life, to see how people who are not limited by demands live and.... I guess I'm running my thoughts too far into the future, first I might come up with an excuse to go to the guys' rehearsal at all. People I don't know at all and I didn't even think to ask their name. You are a genius Venti, a bloody genius.