[1] Smile Magic (UtaPri - Ittoki Otoya Fanfic)

Chapter Ten: Source of Inspiration

C H A P T E R 10 :

☆ Meet Up ☆ Coffee Shop ☆

"Akahana-chan!"

Mae looked up to see Haruka run towards her, out of breath. "Sorry! I got lost!"

"Lost?" Mae blinked. But it was one of the most populated areas in the city.

Haruka sent her a smile. "I'm bad with directions."

Oh... Mae bobbed her head and pointed to the coffee shop next to them. "Let's head inside."

The two of them took a seat by the windows and instantly, a silence filled the air. Mae swallowed hard. What was she supposed to say?

It wasn't like her and Haruka were close to begin with... Why did she ever say that?!

"What do you need help with, Akahana-chan?" Haruka asked her, breaking the silence. She wore a kind smile, causing Mae's eyes to widen.

"O-oh, um..." She ruffled through her bag and pulled out a music sheet, and held it out for her. "I have to compose a song for a class assignment I'm doing but I can't find a good ending for it..." she explained as Haruka received it. "I was wondering if you had any tips or suggestions as to how I can."

Haruka nodded her head. "I see." She went over the notes while Mae watched her nervously. Even if Ringo said they were okay, they still were lacking. This wasn't an amazing song. It had no base or footing, but she had nothing else.

She already knew how horrible her songs were, but Otoya said this song was okay so she truly wanted to believe that... And the only way to do so was to complete the song.

As Mae expected the worst from Haruka's evaluation, instead of giving it straight to her face, a small laugh escaped from her mouth.

Mae's eyelids shot up as she watched Haruka giggle.

"W-was it that bad?" Mae cried, trying to take it back. "I knew it!"

"No, that's not it!" Haruka reassured her, calming down. Mae blinked as Haruka pointed to the sheet. "This song is really fantastic! The notes blend really well together. It's a very bright and energetic song."

Mae's shoulders relaxed at Haruka's words. "Then why were you..."

"It's just..." Haruka smiled. "This song reminded me a little of Ittoki-kun."

Mae's jaw fell in astonishment. She could tell!?

"I once wrote a song for him," Haruka told her, shocking her. "When I did, I had an image of him and composed a song the best I could so that it could suit him. Your song could suit his character too... It's straightforward and kind... You make wonderful music, Akahana-chan."

Haruka noticed Mae's jaw-dropped reaction and vigorously waved her hands around. "Oh, I'm sorry! I'm just saying what I want! You probably wrote this without that in mind-"

"No, you're sort of right," Mae confessed. "But to be able to tell that... you're the amazing one."

"Oh I see..." Haruka blinked. "N-no, I mean, that's not-"

"To be honest, there was another thing on my mind while I composed this," Mae continued. Haruka stared at her curiously.

Mae found herself telling Haruka about the mysterious song that she heard and Haruka listened in without interruption. Otoya was right. Haruka was easy to confide in; easier than anyone she ever met. Besides Otoya of course.

"That song was really cheerful and inspiring..." Mae stated. "It was really a warming voice, and the lyrics were touching as well. I wanted to make music like that, but more than that, I want to find out who it was. But I believe that I won't be able to if I can't even finish this song."