Given Butterflies

Solo night

I ran off of the train. Dodging around the crowd that seemed to be standing still to me. I was late! I cried to myself. How could I have lost track of time, today of all days! I pushed my legs harder. Racing up the steps I burst out of the train station onto the street. I checked my phone for the direction.

Shit only five minutes. I had to hurry! I spun running through the crowd of shoppers, daters or poor saps just trying to get home. I didn't see a single face! They were a blur to me as I desperately raced onward. I rounded the next corner. The site before me took my breath, what was left of it, away! The music hall was lit up in red, green, blue and silver lights. The way they twinkled was mesmerizing.

"Haruki!" A voice called out. I dropped my gaze from the beautiful marble building. There on the top step stood Mafuyu. He waved his arm at me. I raced across the street to rush up the steps to him.

"Have I missed him?" I cried.

"No, but come on. Ritsuka went ahead to save us seats." He grabbed my hand. We hurried inside. The man checking tickets looked at us as we both thrust ours in his face.

"Aren't you that figure skater?" he asked me as he marked the ticket.

"Um, Yea sir. Haruki Nakayama." I offered. He nodded.

"I hear you are a raising star. My little girl just loves watching you. She adores your hair." He said. From the partially opened doors behind him I heard the soft sounds of the first violin. My eyes leapt up to the darkness I could see through the crack.

"You a fan of Ugetsu?" he asked.

"Not so much." I answered edging around the table.

"Huh, thought everyone just loved that guy." He muttered waving us on. Not every one. I walked through the door Mafuyu had opened.

The stage was lit in red and gold. The orchestra sat in a semi circle of chairs. They spanned the whole stage rising up so those in back could see the little man standing before them all. He had his back to the audience as he waved his wand and hand around. The other violins joined in. That's when I saw him, why had I never asked what his position was? I stumbled as Mafuyu led me down the aisle.

"He sits beside him?" I murmured.

"Yes. Akihiko is second chair." Ritsuka said moving over so I could have the outside seat. He laced his fingers with Mafuyu.

Second chair. That means, only Ugetsu was better than him. I watched as his golden head leaned slightly over the majestically crafted internment. His fingers delicately pressed the strings as he pulled the bow acrossed them. It was delightful. They played in perfect precision with each other. My eyes darted around. There were about ten violins.

I couldn't explain the feeling in my chest. Akihiko was so very talented when it came to music. His love for it shined deep in his eyes. The way he looked at instruments. How his hands cradled them with loving touches, he deserved to be where he was. Well, if you asked me, I would say he should be first, but that's just me. Maybe the tightness I was feeling was due to the fact, he never told me how close he was to Ugetsu every day.

The song ended. Ugetsu stood. He walked up to the edge of the stage. A soft glowing spot light struck him. He didn't smile. He stood like a statue for half a minute. Then raised the instrument to his shoulder. I bit my knuckle to keep from snarling. The sound he produced, was perfection.

I heard women weeping as the music sored up out of his fingers. It filled the hall wrapping its magic around everyone. I wished I had a rock to pelt at him. I glared as he expertly manifested the perfect rendition of his solo piece. The last note lingered over us. No one moved for a second. The clapping started all around me. People jumping to their feet as they applauded the man. I watched through the sea of bodies as he bowed. Still, no smile touched his lips. It was as if he simply expected this reaction. He turned to walk back to his chair.