Melody of You | Yuzuru Hanyu

4.

After the small soundcheck, a few other musicians started arriving. It was clear that the intro and finale were more focused on Pop music and that was okay by her. It certainly was easier to play.

The skater left the ice after barely skating and came back in different clothes to speak with the production technicians while Sophia watched from the distance.

She placed her gaze on the other musicians, recognizing one face, another classical-trained professional, and she smiled at the knowledge, at least she wouldn't be alone.
She was introduced to Shinya Kiyozuka by one of the sound techs. He was one pianist she admired dearly for his ability to turn the simplest of melodies into complex pieces of music.

"I heard we will be playing together in Hanyu-san's program, I can't wait to see how it will sound" the pianist told her.

"Oh, we will? I still haven't received my tracklist."

"They must be really confident in your abilities then" he said with a laugh

"It's probably because I'm not playing that much during the show."

"Maybe... It's a shame that most skaters prefer other styles of music for their exhibitions"

"I can understand why." That was all she said.
"But, can you maybe play the song for me later? So I have a general idea?"

"Yes, of course. After the main rehearsal, I'm sure we will have some time alone so I can show you"

"Thank you, means a lot"

The first rehearsal, as expected, was a mess. It always is this way when you try to mix different genres and people that have never worked together. The thing about professional musicians is that they are usually amazing at adapting so once they know exactly what they are working with, things start falling into place.

Unfortunately, they only had one hour of rehearsal that day and most of the collective songs still needed a lot of work.
Sophia watched as the other musicians started packing their instruments and leaving the venue while she and Shinya stayed back.

They asked the sound techs to rehearse a bit together, no need for them to stay since both instruments would work without amplification. It's always bad when you force other people to work extra hours without the need.

"Yuzuru!" She heard Shinya call as the skater said goodbye to the techs "I'm about to show Sophia your song" the pianist said in English.

"Yes? Do you mind if I stay?" Yuzuru asked, already sitting at the edge of the stage.

"It's okay by me, you?" Shinya said and looked at Sophia.

She had no objections and nodded in approval, if they were to see the song, it felt fair that the skater could have feedback too.

The pianist instantly got to work.

"Ok. Let me show you the original first"

Once Shinya showed her the basic melody on his phone, he took a seat on the grand piano that was placed on the stage, took a few sheets of paper out of the folder he had been carrying, and placed them in the piano, starting to play a few seconds after.

The song was apparently traditional Japanese, and the piano arrangement was clearly made to be a solo, highlighting only a few parts of the melody she heard previously while adding incredible harmonies.

Sophia silently took her violin from the case once again as he played and joined him, playing the melody she heard in the video by ear.

The arrangement needed work, like any other impromptu music collaboration, but Shinya and her worked well together, bringing the song to life in a natural, not overly done way.

"That was beautiful" the musicians heard from their only spectator who was looking at her in a weird way she couldn't place.

"Yes, indeed." Shinya said. "Sophia, everything they say about you is true, an incredible talent for sure"

The girl blushed at the compliment. Being recognized by the public was one thing, but having someone like Shinya say those words was a whole different ball game.

"Thank you" she answered humbly.

"I would expect you to be on your skates now" Shinya said to the skater, thankfully changing the topic of the conversation.

"Still recovering from my injury, in theory, I'm forbidden to do anything until a week before the show. Just a few days left"

"In theory? But you were skating before?" Sophia said, clearly confused.

"I didn't skate that much, I was just checking...huh...the Ice... Like you do with sound" he tried explaining himself, English clearly not his biggest strength.

"That's a shame, I heard great things about it." she said before realizing it.

The grin that spread across his face had a strange effect on her, not that she would ever admit it.

"Soon...I show you."

She almost choked with an image that came across her head, him skating for her, just the two of them in the huge venue. What the fuck Sophia?

"Ok" was all she answered, still conflicted by her thoughts. Their weirdness was only broken by Shinya, who noticed the tension in the air.

"So that seemed great, I will send you my arrangement either way so you can take a look at the dynamics whenever you have the time."

"Thank you, that would be great"

"And we still have plenty of time, it's only for the second leg of the tour, right Yuzuru?"

"Yes. You have time" he confirmed, still with a weird look that she couldn't place.
"We can all rehearse before"

"Cool"

This boy who apparently was a skating superstar seemed oddly shy given what her friends said. She expected him to be some kind of a hotshot that flirted around, but he couldn't be far from that. Why did her friends even expect her to see him that way if he was this awkward around her?

Sophia was indeed confused and wanted answers.