"S" is for the Smell of Your Love and Coffee ☕ Saimatsu ☕

Musical Support

For the next few weeks Kaede spent her days at the music room, practicing for the competition. It was an extremely large room and had a few pianos. She also got much closer to Shuichi, inviting him to join her. He was extremely supportive, saying embarrassing things like, "You'll definitely win that competition with no problem". Of course, there were times when he couldn't go. Kaede felt sadness but never anger, as she knew detective work was surely difficult.

She still remembers the first time he heard her play piano. He was completely engulfed in the music, even asking her to play more pieces. The way his eyes lit up everytime she hit the keys were better than any compliment she had ever received. She could tell her music actually reached him. They spent 4 whole hours in that room, Kaede playing piano, and Shuichi listening.

Shuichi always sat on the bench next to her, his back facing the piano while he looked out at the room. He'd occasionally glance at her, smiling softly. Kaede never failed to notice his stares, she'd smile uncontrollably, almost letting out a small giggle each time. Shuichi Saihara truly made her feel seen, she felt happy and at peace with him, he actually cared.

As the final weeks approached, she couldn't help but feel nervous and scared. She walked towards to the music room, anxiety filling her stomach. As she approached the room, Kaede saw Shuichi already there, leaning against the wall, right leg crossed over his left, bag over his shoulder, hands in his pockets, hat tilted down.

"Hey Shuichi! Were you waiting for me?" Kaede said, slightly tilting her head.

"U-Um yeah" Shuichi responded nervously. He backed away from the wall before continuing to speak, "I-Is it alright for me to join you?"

Kaede seemed taken aback by his question, "O-Ofcourse...! What kind of question is that?" Kaede took his hand and walked in the music room.

"S-Sorry, I just... didn't know if I'd be a bother to you"

Kaede stopped dead in her tracks, frustration erupting within her, "How dare he even say that!", She thought.

"Are you hearing yourself right now?! You'd never EVER be a bother!!" Kaede stood her ground.

"I-I know...! It's just...!" He panicked, trying to find his way out of this, "It's just....something stupid I often think! It's nothing serious! I swear...!"

No amount of denial could convince Kaede. "Don't think I haven't noticed! You speak so lowly of yourself and never accept your accomplishments!!" She hated raising her voice, especially at Shuichi, but she was angry. She couldn't handle seeing someone so dear to her belittle himself.

Boy was Shuichi glad no else was there, or else there would be a whole lot of stares. Shuich hated stares.

Kaede breathed in and out, regaining her composure. "Can you please tell me why? I don't get it, you're so great yet," Kaede approached Shuichi, "you don't see any of that in you"

And so Shuichi's walls came crashing down. Guilt, anxiety, regret, fear, all of his emotions in that current moment. He couldn't lie his way of this. He had to say the truth, oh God, the truth, he always ran away from it.

He took in a shaky breath in and spilled out everything. His parents, the way they made him feel unwanted, unlovable. The case, how the culprit wanted revenge and how the victim was evil. The praise, the way he thought he liked the praise. The truth, how it made him feel pathetic. The eyes, how it felt like everyone who looked in his eyes hated him. Hiding, how it made him feel safe, even if it was just for a moment, how he didn't have to worry about anything when hiding.

Kaede listened, she didn't butt in, she just listened, just like how Shuichi never interrupted and always listened. It was her turn to support and listen.

Kaede only waited until he was finished saying something. Just like what Shuichi did.

"So...that's why you wear your hat...to hide..." Kaede said softly. Shuichi could only muster a nod, he'd breakdown right in front of her if he spoke.

"The truth will always help at least one person, so you should always reveal it." At this, Shuichi looked down, he couldn't face her. "Everytime you reveal the truth, you help someone. So please, be more confident. I know you can do it. So stop doubting yourself. I believe in you, so you should definitely believe in yourself...!

Kaede looked down, she spotted his hand. It was trembling like crazy. She had to comfort him.

"You know..." Kaede grabbed Shuichi's hand as she spoke, "the truth is...scary....to say the least" Shuichi lightly laughed "Tell me about it" he said. The blonde only slightly squeezed his hand. "Even though it's good to tell the truth, it's scary because sometimes the truth itself isn't good" Kaede's fingers danced their way up, locking them with Shuichi's. "But...you can't hide away from it forever...! You keep building walls around you, but they're all going to fall down one day. There's no point in hiding, it'll only give you security for a moment, but not forever..."

Shuichi's eyes could only focus on their hands, it was comforting. "I...I understand what you mean..." Shuichi muttered. Kaede looked up at him. "All those walls I built, came down, because of you..." Shuichi laughed, Kaede couldn't help but laugh too. "See, it can't last forever...!"

The pair looked at their intertwined hands. Sure it was a little awkward but, Shuichi felt safe, and he wasn't hiding anymore. Though, as much as they wanted to, he also knew they couldn't hold hands forever.

Shuichi faked a cough "S-Shouldn't you start practicing, Kaede?"

"A-AH that's right...! S-Sorry I just got t-too carried away...!" She quickly let go and made her way to the piano.

The pianist cleared her throat and took out two music sheets. "Alright, which one should I play first? Winter Wind or Claire de Lune?"

Shuichi recalled back to both pieces. "Uh probably...Winter Wind...? You know, since it's more intense".

"Alrighty! This one will definitely wake you up!"
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As Kaede wrapped up Claire de Lune, she took a look at the clock, "Oh shoot! I've got a lecture to get to!"

"Ah! I'll help you pack up!" Shuichi quickly bent down to grab Kaede's music sheets. "Thank you Shuichi!" Kaede bowed and turned to leave before turning back around.

"Hey Shuichi, let's make a deal"

"What kind of deal?"

Kaede smirked, "If I win this competition, you have to show me what you look like without the hat. Deal?" She stuck her hand out.

Shuichi chuckled, "A-Alright. Deal" he shook her hand, leaving Kaede satisfied. "I'll work extra hard now to win this competition!"

"I'm sure you'll win Kaede" he had a shy smile. "You said you believe in me, I believe in you too, Kaede"

Kaede blushed with a smile. As she walked out the room, her shout could be heard.

"Remember Mr. Detective! A deal is a deal!"