Pianos and Rings

Pianos

Maki has a severe problem.

It's not a normal problem, like not having food or death.

No, her problem is that her girlfriend, Kaede Akamatsu, is entirely too good at the piano.

In the moment, Kaede is playing her favorite song despite having heard it once and somehow managing to even get that vocal rift how Kaede why.

"Do you like it?" Kaede whispers, leaning into Maki's side as she continues the melody with one hand. 

The piano bench isn't very big, so they're all but fused into each other on the small black surface. Maki can feel sparks emanating from every place Kaede is touching, sending small chills throughout her body.

"Honestly, I'm surprised that this is your favorite song," Kaede says after a long pause. 

"Uh..."

"It's not a bad thing!" Kaede exclaims, face flushing a deep crimson. "I just think it's interesting! That's all!"

"O-Okay..." Maki stammers, mind still stuck somewhere in the Kaede is touching me while playing my favorite song and why do I want her to kiss me so much oh god Maki get your thoughts out of the gutter.

"I never would have pegged you for a pop music person, that's all."

R.I.P. Maki Harukawa, killed by Kaede and her offhand comments.

"I didn't mean it as a bad thing!" Kaede insists, hands still dancing across the keys. "It's just not what I expected!"

Maki is positively certain that she is actually a tomato by this point, based on how hot her face feels.

"Maki!" Kaede squeaks as she falls onto the keys, creating a loud thud that reverberates throughout the room.

-/-

Once Maki recovers enough to resume sitting, the conversation takes a much more realistic turn.

"Maki?" Kaede whispers as the song reaches a slow part. "Where do you want to be in five years?"

Is 'married to you' a viable answer? Maki wants to say.

"A-Ah... Maki..."

Oh no. Oh no no no no. She said that out loud. Oh no no no no no.

"Well, see Maki... the thing is..."

Kaede bends down on one knee, piano momentarily forgotten, and it takes Maki a minute to acknowledge that.

"The thing is... I wanted to be the one to propose."

Maki.exe has stopped responding. Please reboot.