Beside You (Akira Sendoh Fan Fiction)

66

Ayane's POV

The first rays of dawn were ahead of me.

This day signaled a fresh start and I folded my arms over my chest in quiet contemplation.

Today's the day.

I was informed of the venue days before, and though I was expectant that it'd be grand, the name of the concert hall where the competition would take place threw me off.

Reading the metallic silver invitation card in my hands, in bold capitalized letters it said,

Utano Concert Hall

I hated that name since I was seven. I've performed twice in that concert hall and those two occasions created fond memories.

That damned name still irks me though.

I hummed the musical piece that I'll be playing today before I went to take a shower.

🍋

My parents dropped me off in front of the concert hall. I waved goodbye as their car went farther and farther away. They couldn't watch my performance because they had an important medical case to take care of.

Geez, what a way to start the week.

I stood in awe at the marvel of the infrastructure before me. Utano Concert Hall is a meticulously designed contemporary building, its façade boasting elegance through the use of steel, concrete, and glass. Sunlight bounced off of its white walls, which was the color of its entirety.

The snow, the way it blanketed the ground-- even made the building look better.

The air around me was charged with undeniable energy and creeping anticipation.

Crowds were toing and froing from the main entrance, on one side of the compound stood a few reporters from known media outlets, and I just saw a guy walk past me wearing something formal (that should mean he's also in the competition).

I wore a coat to fight off the cold. For this recital, I decided to wear an empire-waist, short-sleeved black dress that fell just below my knees.

I hugged myself before going inside. 

🍋

Inside, there was an ambient hum from the conversations that murmured the people's excitement and the musicians' nervousness.

The hallway where I stood boasted a grand interior, fantastically lit by hanging chandeliers that emitted a bright light that bounced off the walls. The high ceilings were connected to the strong columns that stabilized the place.

I could hear the 3rd Movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata being played in the distance, but the tempo was quite off.

The one who plays it must've chosen that piece to play. I don't think it's a great idea to practice on the day of your competition before you have your turn. It adds up and could make you more tense.

I sat on a chair in one corner but I was fully aware of the stares I was getting. A girl from across the room gave me a wave, and I returned the gesture by giving her a meek and delicate smile.

Due to the number of participants, we were informed by the organizers that the competition could last for a day. They condensed the competition into three rounds, the preliminary round this morning, the semifinals at noon, and the final round in the early afternoon.

After being oriented, all the musicians were given access passes to green rooms. In every musical competition, musicians typically do not stay in one room to socialize and interact, instead, we are given designated spaces to warm up, concentrate, and have some peace before the performance.

My phone's ringtone filled the room the moment I came inside.

It was Sendoh.

"Hi, Ayane. I want to watch, but I have an exam today." He said, his voice increasingly apologetic.

I giggled as a way to relieve him.

"No problem, Akira. It's alright."

At the other end of the line, I heard him laugh, relieved.

"Alright, I gotta go, okay? Good luck!"

"Thanks, Akira. Good luck on your exam as well."

🍋

Hours passed, and I was finally notified by one of the organizers that it was my turn to grace the stage. My heart beat in rhythmic harmony with my steps which took me closer and closer to the amphitheater.

The applause from the performance of the musician before me just faded, and the distant hum of the spectator's voices filled the air.

Before me stood the incomparable glamour and sheen of a black grand piano. It basked under the warm glow of a spotlight, and the way it was placed there in the center of the shiny wood-paneled stage took my breath away.

Playing the piano had always been my sanctuary.

I steeled myself, and took in a deep breath, before taking careful steps that brought me closer to the instrument I've played most of my life to conduct my performance.