Piano Man || Your Lie in April Fanfic

Chapter VII | Stop in Nevada

彼女は彼を離れるのが難しいと感じていますが、とどまるのはもっと悪いことだと知っています。

Dear passengers, welcome to McCarran International Airport. Local time is 6:54am, and the temperature is 71°F, 22°C. Please have your seatbelts remain fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seatbelt sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gates and be able to move freely.

It's been twelve hours since they flew off Japan's soil. Kousei and Tsubaki woke up from their flight nap. Tsubaki tried to wake the piano man, "Hey, Kousei. We're here, wake up."

"Huh? What time is it?" Kousei asked while scratching his eyes and yawning deeply.

"It's 6:56am. I think you have a rehearsal at 9 o'clock for that next radio performance next week, if I remember correctly." Tsubaki said.

"Oh, shoot. I forgot about next week... what's our lineup again?" Kousei got filled with energy when he realised that he has a practice session later.

"It's mostly filled with your songs from the last album you released. You're promoting the album after all. And also, Vinny told me to tell you that he won't be joining the live concert next week since he got carpal tunnel surgery. So... better find a drummer as good as him."  Tsubaki explained.

"Oh no, Vinny! That surgery can take several weeks to heal. I don't think he's gonna make it to any sessions." Kousei said.

"He also said that he'll be alright if you go and replace him in your band, since he's just gonna be a nuisance. We got backup drummers... but I don't think we're gonna find someone as wild as him." Tsubaki implied.

"Umm... well... how about Bill's band? He'll be happy to give us his drummer for a while." Kousei asked.

"We can do that... but we gotta think about going out of the plane first." Tsubaki said.

"Oh right. Okay." Kousei silently said.

They picked up their luggage and gone out of the airport to their suite. As soon as they arrive, they were met by Bill himself.

"Kousei! I knew you were gonna be home from Japan! How's the old country?" He asked as he shook Kousei's hand.

"Umm... pretty good, I guess. At least I got to see my childhood memories again." Kousei said.

"Excellent, excellent. Now... I gotta request something.  But we should take this somewhere private." Bill said.

"Oh good! I was gonna request something as well from you. This is just perfect timing." Kousei said. They all headed inside the suite.

Bill and Kousei sat down on the seats of the table. Tsubaki provided them both with glasses of water.

"Kousei, I'm kinda writing a new material right now. And... I was thinking of a jazz album mixed with rock n' roll. So... I thought of you, since you're so good at playing the piano. Can we collab?" Bill requested.

"I appreciate that... but I'm in the middle of touring right now. I have a radio concert in Nevada next week, so I'll be practicing with the band later... speaking of the band, our drummer is in the middle of recovering from his surgery... so... can we borrow your drummer for a while?" Kousei said.

"Uh... I'd happily let you borrow my band... if you agree that we should collab." Bill said.

"It's okay, Bill. I'll be happy to be a part of your album. It's just that I'm in the middle of various concerts right now, and writing new material isn't in my mind... yet." Kousei explained.

"Umm... can you at least give Kousei some time for your drummer before he can do a collab with you? Besides, your session drummer is different from your live drummer, right?" Tsubaki tried to remedy the talks.

"Since when were you a part of this conversation? This is our conversation only. No outsiders allowed." Bill chided Tsubaki, which triggered Kousei.

"Hey y- you better watch your mouth. Since when were you ever allowed to say something like that to Tsubaki? She's my friend!" Kousei said. Tsubaki lowered her head.

"Kousei, you should never let those who aren't employees of Parlogram inside." Bill said, as he took a sip of his water.

"Why are you so salty, Bill? Didn't you realise that she has been a part of my music? She's the reason I never lose track of lyrics and all! Nobody in Parlogram ever cared for me, but her!" Kousei said as he shook his head from disappointment.

"Kousei..." Tsubaki uttered.

"I guess there won't be any collabs then. Nice talking with you, Kousei. And also... have fun looking for a drummer as good as your sick friend." Bill stood up and left the suite.

Kousei turned his head to Tsubaki, who was slowly tearing up after Bill's statements. "Are you okay, Tsubaki? It's alright." Kousei said.

"I... What did I do wrong, Kousei? I- Is it because I'm a nobody? Is it because I don't belong in any of your records?" Tsubaki cried.

"Don't listen to him. You're not a nobody. You may not be credited in every work that I do, but I know that you're always a part... of the reason why am I here." Kousei said, as he tried to calm her down.

Tsubaki finally stopped crying. "Thanks, Kousei. You know... you really are something else."

Kousei smiled towards her. "Heehee! What do you mean? I'm your best friend! We should help each other!"

A while later, they finally found a replacement drummer for Kousei's concert. After series of rehearsals and effortless piano-playing, they were ready for the real deal.

A FEW DAYS LATER

Good evening, Nevada. I hope you're havin' a good time. We're live on the radio... heh... I guess you can tell by the banners on the entrance. So... you guys can at least shoutout your friends, families, or loved ones.

The crowd shouted names of the people they know. Kousei pranced and danced his fingers on the keys of the piano as he was about to start his first piece. His backing band tuning their instruments, and Tsubaki at the backstage, admiring him.

This song is currently on record, but we'd like to present it to the people of Nevada for the first time. It's called "Friends or Foe", but we call it uhh... "Dear William".

As soon as he heard the song's second title, Bill realised it's going to be a song against him.

I'll fucking destroy you, Piano Man.

to be continued.