Ignite

The music room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Hyacinth exhaled slowly, his fingers resting lightly on the worn piano keys beside Yukimura's. They had just finished performing their duo project, Ashes Stay Warm, while Yukimura accompanied him on the piano.

A soft echo of the last note lingered, filling the small room with a sense of completion. Hyacinth's chest tightened with nervous excitement. He stole a glance at Yukimura, searching his usually unreadable expression for any hint of approval. The stoic mask softened, just barely, revealing something new, a flicker of pride that sent warmth through Hyacinth's veins.

The tension in Hyacinth's shoulders eased slightly. After all the long hours practicing, all the frustration of missed notes and awkward silences, this felt like a small victory. His music, rough as it was, had been accepted by someone he admired.

Then, unexpectedly, the corner of Yukimura's mouth twitched upward into a genuine smile.

Hyacinth blinked in disbelief. Carefully, he pulled out his whiteboard and marker and quickly wrote, "You smiled." He held it up, eyes wide.

Yukimura's eyes snapped away, cold and dismissive. He shook his head slightly as if brushing away a foolish thought. No words came from him, but the message was clear. No. You imagined it.

Hyacinth's fingers tightened around the marker. He wanted to argue, to insist, but before he could write more, slow, deliberate applause came from the doorway.

Both turned to see a young man stepping inside. His black hair was tousled but neat, framing a face with deep brown eyes that were sharp yet calm. His skin held the warm golden tone of someone used to tropical sunlight. There was something about the way he carried himself, a quiet confidence and natural authority that made him impossible to ignore. The air seemed to shift slightly, as if the room had grown heavier with the weight of his presence.

Hyacinth felt a flutter of nervous energy mixed with curiosity. Who was this stranger? And how did he know about their music?

The newcomer's eyes settled on Hyacinth, and a small smile played on his lips. Then he spoke, his voice steady and assured.

"So it is true," he said, "your songs carry a fire no one else has been able to capture. Yukimura has spoken highly of you."

Hyacinth's heart jumped at the unexpected praise. The calm certainty behind those words made it clear this was not empty flattery. He fumbled for his whiteboard, fingers trembling slightly as he wrote a quick reply. "Thank you. I'm honored."

The man smiled again, this time with a trace of amusement. "Where are my manners? I'm Emilio, the leader of Rhapsody."

The name echoed in Hyacinth's mind, filling him with a mix of pride and awe. Rhapsody was well-known on campus, a band with a reputation for both raw talent and fierce passion. To be noticed by their leader was no small thing.

Emilio's gaze shifted briefly to the piano keys, then back to Hyacinth. His eyes were steady, full of intent. "I've heard about your piece, Ashes Stay Warm. It's rare to find someone who can respond to music with such raw honesty and strength. We've been struggling with a song here, an unfinished melody. Many songwriters have tried, but none have been able to bring it fully to life."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small music player. Pressing play, he filled the room with a haunting, tentative melody. The notes were raw and unresolved, a story half-told, heavy with longing and frustration. Hyacinth closed his eyes, letting the music wash over him. He could feel the weight of the song's potential and its struggle to be heard.

When the melody ended, Emilio looked at Hyacinth expectantly. "What do you think? Can you hear what it's trying to say?"

Hyacinth took a moment, gathering his thoughts. He grabbed his whiteboard and wrote carefully:

"It's like a story paused mid-breath, full of questions, searching for its own voice. It feels lonely but determined, as if it refuses to fade away without a fight."

He held the board up. Emilio's eyes brightened as he read the words.

"That's exactly it," Emilio said. "This song isn't about smooth, pretty melodies. It's about the grit beneath the surface—the struggle, the refusal to give up. Rhapsody isn't just about music that sounds good; it's about music that feels real."

Hyacinth nodded slowly. "I want to find the strength in it. To make it more than just a melody waiting for an ending."

Emilio smiled warmly. "I believe you can. And if you do, this song might just become something the world needs to hear."

Hyacinth glanced toward Yukimura. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held a quiet encouragement. Then he looked back at Emilio, heart pounding with the weight of the moment. This was more than an invitation. It was a chance—an opportunity to find where his music truly belonged.

For the first time since arriving at this school, Hyacinth felt a flicker of belonging.

Yukimura finally broke the silence, his voice low but sincere. "Don't waste this chance."

Hyacinth smiled quietly, gripping his whiteboard a little tighter. He was ready.