-KAEDE-
"That's enough practice for now." Akio Yamada, my close senior and our bassist yelled right after we finished one of our songs.
He approached me and tapped me in the back.
"Well that was fun, we both just joined a week ago and now we're already performing!" Akio said excitedly while he carefully put down his instrument. "I'll go out for a smoke."
This band might just work, the members are hardworking and passionate when it comes to music.
I looked back at my hands, and my fingers started callusing again. It has been a long time since I've performed on stage and it's making me nervous.
I left the place for a bit since it's getting louder. A cold breeze of wind brushed through my face as I looked up into the sky. The sun's already setting, leaving the skies ablaze.
Meow
A white cat appeared out of nowhere beside me.
"Meow," I silently responded to the cat.
"Oh Kaede," Akio's voice suddenly called out and startled the cat, prompting it to leave. "Want a smoke too?"
"You startled the cat y'know," I replied, annoyed. "No thank you. I don't smoke."
"Figured," He added. "You nervous?"
Well that's one of the reasons but I'm more concerned about Hibiki. The last few days have been rough for him, weirder he shed tears.
"No, don't worry," I said, still looking up at the sky.
"Alright, we should head to the venue now. Can't be late," I nodded in agreement.
Hmm, that white cat looks like Hibiki.
-HIBIKI-
"It's about to start anytime now. See you there." Kaede texted me as the Taxi I'm in stopped at our destination.
I'm wearing a black and gray colored sweater and simple plain shorts. My wardrobe is empty, I don't spend much money on clothing.
The neon lights lit up in front of the venue taking the attention of the other guests around. There are a lot of people tonight, it seems they're performing somewhere well known.
"Ah, sorry," A man, a little taller than me bumped into me. For some reason, he seemed familiar. His short blonde hair reminds me of someone from the past but, I shrugged it off.
I entered the venue and the lit up stage took my attention. I sat down at one of the seats and just asked for water. I have a habit of closing my eyes while sitting or waiting and I guess I'm doing it again to pass the time.
After a few seconds I felt the presence of someone sitting beside me. I looked to my left to see the boy that bumped into me before.
Looking at him closely, he's wearing a white shirt and baggy pants. The only thing keeping him from looking boring is his choker. Sharp eyed and actually has quite a figure.
"It's you."
"Ah yes, I remember you," His voice sounds intimidating yet comforting at the same time. "I rushed in as soon as possible to find someone but.. I guess I'm in no luck today."
I only replied with a smile and looked back down at my glass of water.
"You don't look like someone who's usually in places like these." He added.
I guess he's right, but I don't think it's my outfit he's talking about but more about my face.
"I'm just here to watch a friend perform." I drank water from my glass.
The first band started their first song.
"Same," The boy said with a smile. "Well, the person I'm looking for might perform soon too. I'll go towards the front."
He left before I could even reply. I didn't even get to know his name unfortunately. I guess he's also right. I don't fit here at all. I don't go to events or crowded places like these. I don't even listen to music.
"Ah, everyone," A woman, probably the manager of the place stepped onto the stage. "The second band for tonight has unfortunately had some problems come up so they won't be able to perform. Therefore the third band will be performing now!"
The third band is Kaede's band. The other people sitting drew closer to the stage, probably drawn by the looks of the members since some girls screamed when they stepped on stage.
Kaede does look different tonight. He didn't even bother trying out new clothes. He's wearing his usual outfit every night, pants, black compression shirt. The leather jacket, the silver necklace and the other partner of the earrings I'm wearing right now. He almost never takes those earrings off like I do.
The only thing different right now is his hair slicked to the back and his mood. He looks serious and confident, fits the vibes of his other members.
The drummer tapped, one.. two.. three.. The music started. The crowd's silent, waiting for the moment he sings.
-KAEDE-
"Wow." I yelled out inside my mind as I entered the stage. It's blinding and it's hot. So many people are here, many eyes watching my every move. It has been a long time since I've been on stage indeed.
I fixed my mic in front of me and held my guitar. Where's Hibiki?
I searched the front of the audience but couldn't find him. However, someone familiar took my attention.
Even though blonde hair is common in these areas he definitely stood out from the rest. I just found him looking at me.. intently.
The music..
The music started already.
My hand already moved by itself and played the guitar but it's hard to utter a word.
"Kaede!" Hibiki's familiar voice called out to me from the back, bringing me back to reality. I finally started to sing, though it's kinda late.
Hibiki waved at me with a smile, he's smiling. Hah, how comforting. But.. why does he have to be here too..
⁰-⁰
"Hey~" An irritating voice called out from behind. How did I know that he'd suddenly smack me on my back. "What happened out there?"
"I don't kno-"
"No need to explain. Everyone gets stage fright once in a while," Akio interrupted. Not even hearing my explanation. "Look, you have a visitor."
I looked towards the door, seeing a boy with familiar, white hair searching the room.
"Hibiki?"
"Oh, Kaede." Hibiki called out as he approached me.
"What did you thin-"
"You were so good," Hibiki interrupted, followed by a pat on my head. Wow, everyone's interrupting me today huh, but Hibiki gets a pass. "And handsome too."
He gave me a smile. It's a rare occurrence to see him like this so I quickly took my phone and took a picture.
Another person took my attention, it's him. A blonde boy with a choker.
"Hikaru." The name I never thought I'd be uttering again came out of my mouth.
"It's the boy from before," Hibiki said in a monotone voice as he waves towards him.
Hikaru waved towards us.
"Do you know him Kaede?"
"No I don't. Stay here, we'll just talk for a bit."
I made Hibiki sit down and quickly left the room. I do agree that I'm nervous and scared right now. He's back, he's here again. I know he's following me since I already feel his piercing gaze from behind.
I stopped walking at the entrance of the venue while he continued walking a bit further from me.
"Why.. are you here?" I asked, frustrated just by the look of his smug face.
"Why are you here?" He responded in an annoying voice. "I thought after that, you actually left me for good. Kaede.. you've become even more handsome huh? Come on now, the past is the pas-"
"What do you really want," I asked angrily, cutting him off. I don't want to remember my shitty past. "I already told you that I never want to see you again."
"Oh, don't worry. It's not that I came back here specifically for you. Well, Hibiki was it? The white haired robot.. Yes that's the name. I think I wanna get to know him," He declared. "I was never able to talk to him before, he was always.. silent."
"You think I'd let you near him?" I responded seriously.
I quickly turned back towards the entrance, planning to come back. I looked at him one last time and only to be given that smug smile again.
"Don't come back."
I entered the prep room and there he is. Hibiki, helping me put my guitar back to it's case.
"Hi Kaede."
I just stared at him from afar not knowing what to do. Hikaru is definitely dangerous for Hibiki. Too dangerous.
Before I knew it, he already approached me and already made me carry the guitar on my back.
"Oh, thanks Hiki."
"Hiki? I remember that nickname." He smiled softly.
"You smiled again."
If only he knows that his smile can lift anyone's bad mood.
"All thanks to you." I replied by smiling at him.
"Akio!" I called out as we're about to get out of the room. "We'll get going now."
He responded by nodding.
Taking one last step out of the venue, we're greeted by a cold breeze. It's been unusually cold these past few days but I'd rather be cold than sweaty.
The moon's now exactly up in the middle of the sky.
"Kaede, let's part ways here. I'm planning to buy some clothes. That blonde person from before made me realize that I look bland."
"Alright, and speaking of that man. Don't talk to him." I said as I gripped my guitar's suitcase strap harder.
"Why? Do you know him? Seems like a nice guy."
"Just don't. He's dangerous."
Hibiki looked confused but it's better than not letting him know.
"Alright, if you say so," He replied, right after he turned his back on me.
Leaving me just to stare at him as he walked away.