Under Nagano

Part 8

<Authors note: I was watching Kamisama Kiss and some of the background music really inspired me. I will put the specific music from the sound track above so you can listen while reading. This next part is supposed to be dramatic because it is a turning point in Nikko's life so bear with me :)>

Nikko stood before the grand entrance doors once more, his mind swirling with anticipation about the upcoming performance. He pondered the impact this experience might have on him. Would he step out with a renewed sense of purpose, new goals, and fresh ambitions? He wondered how deeply the beauty of the music would resonate with him, and maybe even seeing the person he saw the night before. The grandeur of the building, combined with the mystery surrounding the performance, filled him with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he grasped the doors and gently pushed them open, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead

...

The grand foyer was filled with crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and ornate decorations that spoke of old-world elegance. Nikko followed the usher through the crowded lobby to get to his seat. His eyes wide with wonder as he took in the beauty of the place. He was seated near the front, close enough to see the stage clearly but still within the sea of the audience.

It was still early, so most people were still outside or in the lobby mingling and conversing, seemingly just as excited as Nikko.

"It's a good thing I brought my small notepad. At least I can draw while I wait."

And so over the next hour, while people slowly but steadily started to fill in the empty seats, he sketched out the entirety of the Opera House's interior, with detail that should not be possible on a small notepad like his. After a while, he got up and walked around to stretch his legs. There were still a few people rushing into the theater so he figured he should return quickly.

As he settled into his seat, the lights began to dim, signaling the start of the performance.

A hush fell over the crowd as the curtains slowly parted, revealing a grand piano bathed in soft light. The piano sat behind a large, semi-transparent curtain that lightly draped the front of the stage, adding an air of mystery to the scene. The anticipation in the room was palpable, everyone waiting with bated breath for the mysterious pianist to appear. Nikko's heart raced as he leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the stage.

And then, out of the shadows, a figure emerged.

The figure moved with a grace that commanded the attention of the entire room. Draped in a long, flowing garment of deep crimson that shimmered under the lights, the pianist was both captivating and enigmatic. A red veil cascaded from his forehead to his collarbone, concealing the details of his face and adding to the mystery. A soft murmur rippled through the audience as they strained to catch a glimpse of the person behind the veil, each one drawn in by the alluring presence on stage..

Nikko's breath caught in his throat as he tried to reconcile the familiarity of the figure with the anonymity that surrounded the pianist. The flowing fabric, the silver hair that cascaded down to brush the pianist's shoulders, and the air of quiet confidence... Was this the person he saw last night?

The pianist reached the piano, pausing for a brief moment before settling onto the bench. A silence, thick with anticipation, blanketed the room. Nikko's eyes remained glued to the stage, his heart pounding in his chest as he wondered if this was the moment he had been unknowingly waiting for.

The pianist lifted their hands and, with a gentle touch, began to play. The first notes floated through the air, delicate and haunting. It was a melody that seemed to carry with it the weight of countless emotions—sorrow, longing, hope, and something else, something deeper that Nikko couldn't quite place.