Albert decided to practice the music score that he and Kokomi composed for their next jam session. He's quite the professional at sight-reading sheet music, just like most musicians. Unlike him, the rest of the band members couldn't read it and play at the same time. They commit their parts to memory. Kokomi though, couldn't read it in one go at all.
Albert held the sheet music in his soft hands as he walked through the bustling hallway of Putra University. A sea of eyes tuned onto him as the child prodigy strolled through the hallway while perusing through the music sheets. His ears picked up on countless whispering as he passed by his fellow peers. He must've been popular if his name has been uttered by so many on a quiet pleasant afternoon.
That's what he thought anyway, but he didn't mind them. He's a good boy, who helps people with their problems. But not always, for you see, his face looks ultra-serious. Just one look at him and people would be misjudging him here and there. Albert would be delighted to help those who saw him for who he is and not just a strict person. He then starts to develop a way to ease his peers by cracking up jokes if they felt too uncomfortable with his presence.
Though, if none laughed. He would take the time to explain his joke in full detail. He doesn't talk much, but when he does he wouldn't stop until he is finished. It was always a joy for Kokomi to see that he was finally opening up to people in a nice way like this.
Albert had only three things in mind for the time being, piano, band practice, and pursuing his dream of becoming an amazing composer. He picked up his pace and arrived at the music room. He twisted the doorknob and opened the door. Upon entering, he noticed two backpacks leaning against the wall with four books stacked on top of each other beside it. There was a faint sound coming from the soundproof room, also known as the 'jamming room' by fellow music majors. Seems like students from the jazz course were practicing for something because Albert heard bongos and a guitar being played.
Albert ignored them and proceeded toward the keyboard which was a few steps away from him. He plugged one in and turned it on. He then begins setting the keyboard with various instrument sounds such as strings, brass, and synth but mainly piano. He ran his fingers across the keys as a small warm-up. He played some octaves and random chords to stretch his fingers.
For every musician or everyone really, warm-up is essential for a smooth performance so that your body can adapt to the strain you're gonna put them through. Not to mention practice as well. After the warm-up, Albert placed the sheet music on the keyboard. He began playing a shining melody, the intro for the song before the first verse.
What Albert didn't realize was that the music from the recording room had gone silent and from the now-opened door, popped two heads, peeking from behind it. The two had shoulder-length black hair. Identical twins to be precise, a girl and a boy. They watched Albert practicing his part of the song in astonishment, not because of how his playing it, but because 'The Albert' is playing it.
Albert was widely known in the music course as a child prodigy, appearing in various concerts and television shows as a solo pianist. That busy life of his soon ended after he graduated high school. He begged his parents, mostly his mother, to let him off the hook and let him accomplish his dream. His father allowed him to pursue any course he wanted and so he chose the music course.
The twins stepped out quietly from the recording room and proceeded to tread lightly toward Albert from behind. They stood a few meters away from him, listening attentively to his playing. He soon finished the last verse of the song and sighed softly.
"What'cha playing?", the twins asked simultaneously.
Albert jumped in shock and accidentally banged on the keyboard, making a horrible sound of mixed chords.
"Just practicing", Albert said, annoyed by the twins' presence.
"I see. I'm Ranni by the way", the female twin said, shaking his right hand.
"And I'm Rajesh", the male twin introduced, shaking his left hand.
"I'm-", but Albert was cut off.
"Albert-", Ranni started.
"The piano prodigy", Rajesh finished.
Albert dislikes that title because it reminded him of his mother but, he wouldn't let the emotion get through him anymore.
"Do you need any help?", Albert inquired, turning to face them while taking his hands out of the twins' grips.
"Hmm, not really. We're just recruiting people to join our band", Rajesh explained.
"It's just the two of us for now", Ranni said.
Albert shook his head and gave them a neutral look.
"No thanks, I'm already in a band and I'm not planning to abandon them", Albert answered confidently.
"That's a shame, we could have to nurture your talent even more", Ranni said in disappointment.
"What band would that be?", Rajesh questions.
"The Meerkats", Albert answered.
"Oh ho, you're in the band with one of the five bassists", Ranni grins.
"Does it matter?", Albert furrowed his eyebrows.
"Oh yes it does, your reputation precedes you, Albert", Rajesh said.
"We're trying to recruit one of them as well. You ever heard the name, Cherry?", Ranni asked.
"I have but I don't care. I'll be off now, good luck getting her to join", Albert said as he began to unplug the keyboard.
The twins watched Albert quickly exit the room without looking back at them.
"Interesting specimen", Ranni said under her breath.
"What?", Rajesh asked.
Ranni shook her head. "Nothing"
Albert left the twins in the music room and heads out, it was time to practice with the band.