DREAMBOUND

Saku's Crescendo (Part Three)

POV: Saku

I waited in the hallway, tapping my foot anxiously as I scanned the corridor for any sign of Shoji. After what felt like an eternity, I finally spotted him jogging towards me, guitar case in hand.

"Got it!" he exclaimed, a grin plastered across his face as he approached.

"Awesome," I said, returning his smile. "Let's head up to the apartment."

Unlocking the door, I pushed it open and stepped inside, Shoji right behind me. My small desk was cluttered with textbooks and notes, but it now had a prominent new addition: my flute, waiting to be played.

"Alright, let's get started," Shoji said, plopping down on my bed and grabbing his guitar from its stand. "We can jam together while you learn the basics."

"Sounds like a plan," I said, pulling out the sheet music I'd been so eager to try.

I carefully assembled the flute, just as the sales associate had shown me. Sitting down at my desk, I positioned the flute correctly and took a deep breath. The first notes I played were shaky, my fingers awkwardly positioning on the flute that was demonstrated on the guide. But as I persisted, the sounds began to flow more smoothly.

Shoji strummed his guitar softly, providing a comforting backdrop to my hesitant notes. "That's it, Saku. Just keep going. It's all about muscle memory."

I nodded, focusing on the notes in front of me. The first exercise was simple, a basic scale to get familiar with the instrument. My fingers stumbled a few times, but with each repetition, the movements felt more natural.

"Remember what Moralk said about music being a journey," Shoji reminded me, his eyes watching my progress intently. "You're doing great."

As the evening wore on, I moved on from the scales to simple melodies. The notes floated through the room, and I could feel myself improving bit by bit. Shoji's presence was a steadying influence, his quiet encouragement pushing me to keep trying.

"Try this one," Shoji suggested, handing me a piece of sheet music he'd been working on. "It's a bit more challenging, but I think you'll like it."

I took the sheet music and studied it for a moment before giving it a go. The first attempt was rough, but Shoji's guitar accompanied me, masking my mistakes and making the process feel less daunting. By the third try, I was starting to get the hang of it.

"Not bad," Shoji said with a grin. "You'll be a pro in no time."

I laughed, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks."

We spent the rest of the evening working on our duet, the music filling the apartment with a harmonious blend of strings and wind. As the night drew to a close, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I was at the beginning of a new musical journey, inspired by Moralk and supported by Shoji. The future felt bright.

Authors note: The next chapter will be very important for the story line. Mark July 14th on your calenders y'all!