Yukion awoke with a sense of excitement. He hadn't woken up this refreshed and energised in a long time. Today he had promised to accompany Daigo to the local retirement home. Apparently a band was performing there. Yukion wasn't sure what had made him decide to go. Perhaps he was intrigued by the idea of seeing a live band? Or maybe he was excited to spend time with his childhood best friend? Or he could be slowly dying and his body wanted some excitement before it left the physical world? The third option seemed the most logical to Yukion. He could easily just listen to music or hang out with Daigo at home like he had last night. Yukion shrugged and decided to get up and ready knowing that Daigo was probably getting ready early as well.
Yukion hopped into the passenger seat of Daigo's car. The latter began chatting excitedly about the performance that would be happening later in the day. Yukion just wordlessly listened, already aware of his friend's excitement. He was feeling a little of it himself.
As Daigo finished his story on how one of the old men living in the home had pranked him and his co-workers yesterday, they pulled into the home's car park.
"Just follow me, and I'll show you round!" Daigo excitedly chirped as he unloaded a large bag from the boot of the car. Yukion had no idea what his friend had packed into the bag nor did he really want to find out. He just followed his friend through the door into reception.
Yukion stood idly in the common room. The room was large and had been almost filled with tables and chairs up till the stage. Daigo had left him here, so that he could help the old folk get ready for the performance. Yukion awkwardly looked at the band set up. He'd never seen anything quite like it. Daigo had described the band as being Pop, but as he watched the cellist and violinist begin setting up, he started to doubt his friend's description.
The room filled up with audience members as old folk and retirement home workers filled the once spacious room.
"Pretty cool, right?"
Yukion jumped, not expecting Daigo to be back yet. Or so close to him.
"Yeah." Yukion responded.
"I thought you said they played Pop though?"
"They do!" Daigo smiled
"That's what makes them even better." Daigo pointed at the stage where the band was currently standing, doing a sound check.
"They are able to play songs that are on the radio with those!" He indicated towards the instruments with a wave of his hand. Yukion just nodded his head. His friend had always had an interest in music and performing. Yukion thought back to the times where he and Daigo had performed here with his old high school band. Of course they had all played classical orchestra songs but it still didn't stop the nostalgia from plaguing his mind.
"Ray! Over here!" Yukion jumped again. Once again not expecting Daigo to be so loud. He removed his gaze from the stage and turned towards the person that Daigo had called out to.
Walking towards them was a young man wearing a bomber hat. 'It was the middle of spring, why was he wearing wintry clothing?' Yukion questioned himself as he watched the young man stride over. The wintry hat in the middle of spring reminded him of Daigo. His friend had always worn a beanie year round.
"Hey Ray, this is the friend I was talking bout yesterday! Yuki!" Daigo excitedly spoke to the young man. "Yukion, this is my step-bro Ray!" Daigo happily introduced the two young men. Yukion awkwardly waved and smiled at Ray. Ray returned the smile and wave.
"It's nice to meet you, Yukion." Ray spoke.
"Nice to meet you too." Yukion replied quietly.
A couple taps to the mic interrupted the conversation.
"Hello, everybody!" One of the band members spoke.
"We are Aprosdókitos!" The crowd began cheering.
"We would like to thank the staff here for giving us the opportunity to play for you! We would also like to thank you for taking the time out of your day to come and listen to us! We hope you enjoy!" With that said the flutist held up his instrument and began playing.
Yukion couldn’t pay too much attention. His focus was on the young man, he had just met, standing next to him. Yukion's breath hitched as his fingers brushed past Ray's. A subtle blush crept onto Yukion's face and he quickly pulled his hand away. He frowned and stuffed both hands into the pockets of his hoodie. Yukion gulped and tried to shuffle away from him. Ray's presence alone made Yukion's face heat up further. He was sure he looked like a tomato at this point. Yukion tried his best to refocus on the band but his mind kept drifting back to the man standing beside him. The way his brunette hair stuck out of his hat. The way his lips were permanently stuck in a smile and the sparkle in his eyes as he listened to the music play. Yukion only realised that he was staring when Ray turned to him smiling more. Yukion quickly turned back to the stage, hoping Ray hadn't noticed how long he had been staring. Yukion's mind began racing over the situation. What would Ray do? What would he think? Would he tell Daigo? Tell him how he caught his friend being weird and staring at him.
"What'd you think, Yuki?" Daigo asked. Yukion was awoken from his mental panic and turned to Daigo.
"it was pretty great right?"
"uh...h-huh?" Yukion replied not a hundred percent sure what Daigo was referring to.
"Ray?" Daigo ignored Yukion's confusion and moved onto his step-brother.
"I thought it was wonderful and unique. I like the way they combined pop music and classical instruments." Ray spoke. Ray then winked at Yukion.
"Wouldn't you agree?" Yukion just opened and closed his mouth. Ray obviously knew he hadn't been paying attention. Was Ray making fun of him?
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