Just Smile Forever~A Mikaze Ai Fan-Fiction

Conveying Feelings

With a nervous energy that hadn't left me ever since I woke up this morning, I entered the recording studio where I would be recording my very first song with a member from Quartet Night. That's right - the solo songs were done and the first one to record was no other than Ai.

Ai was already there with the recording man, both already standing where they were supposed to be. I greeted them, and down beside the man, my heart beating with nerves.

"Are you ready?" I spoke through the mini microphone.

Behind the glass, Ai adjusted his headphones and glanced at the lyrics again, "yes."

"We'll start in 3.....2.....1," I counted down, and the man in charge of the recording studio beside me pressed down the recording button.

I am lost in my own world,
With no idea of who to go to.
Everything blurs by me.
Until I finally meet you.

I gestured for the man to stop recording, and saw Ai look up with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Why do you look so surprised?" I couldn't help asking, a small smile playing on my lips. This was one of the first times I saw a raw emotion on his face.

"I haven't been stopped very often before," Ai replied, "I've been told my singing technique is very good."

"It is very good," I restated, nodding, "but that's not the problem. Your singing technique-wise is flawless."

"Then?" he tilted his head, not understanding.

"You need feelings," I continued, "emotions. So people who listen to the song will feel the same way you do."

"But people will only care about how well the song is being sung," Ai argued.

"Nope," I shook my head, "people also care about the message the song is trying to convey. Trust me, and just listen. You've read the lyrics, right? Has someone ever changed your life for the better?"

"Changed my life....?" Ai echoed.

"Or did you ever like someone? Like a first love?" I added, "when you're singing, just think of that one person. And then your feelings will be conveyed clearly."

Ai slowly nodded, and glanced at the lyrics again, "okay."

"We'll start again?" I asked, caught slightly off guard by his early acceptance. He was usually so clueless about emotions.

"3...2...1."

I am lost in my own world,
With no idea of who to go to.
Everything blurs by me.
Until I finally meet you.

Your eyes seem to sparkle,
It protects me from harm.
It seems to create an illusion,
Until all I can focus on is your charm.

I glanced up, startled by the difference in his singing.

Your smile is all I need,
To get me through my day.

His voice....already flawless in technique, the soft, gentle message hidden behind the song that was being conveyed so perfectly, it made me feel shivers run down my back.

So carefree yet so gentle -
That's what I need to be okay.

I had written this song thinking about first love. Perhaps about someone who had changed your life, whether it had been for the better or the worse. Someone you would never regret meeting.

Whenever you talk to me,
I push away all my regrets.

I just happened to glance up, and was surprised to find Ai's gaze fixated on me. I stared at him wordlessly for a couple of moments, his teal-colored eyes never leaving my face.