Saki walked toward the school with quick steps, keeping her hand pressed over her shirt. Her heart still hadn't settled down.
That one sentence from Hiroki…
"I think you look beautiful even without makeup."
Every time she remembered it, a soft warmth spread across her cheeks.
Hiroki, on the other hand, was trying to act normal—yet he kept sneaking these tiny, almost invisible glances at her. As if there was something he wanted to say but couldn't.
When they turned the corner and the school came into view, Hiroki stopped.
"Saki," he said with a gentle smile, "you're about to see the Music Club. It's important to me… but I don't want you to get bored."
Saki shook her head quickly. "No, I won't. I want to watch. And… I'm curious about what kind of person you become when you play."
Hiroki froze for a moment, his eyes drifting away. "Is that so? Then… watch closely."
The tone of his voice held a mix of shyness and pride. Saki's heart raced again.
They stepped inside the school. The hallways were much more crowded than she expected—students running from room to room for their club activities. The atmosphere was lively, colorful… slightly chaotic.
Suddenly, Saki felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Ah! Saki-chan, you're here!"
The voice belonged to Miyuki—Hiroki's childhood friend, and one of the Music Club's brightest yet most dramatic members. Her eyes sparkled with energy.
"Miyuki?" Saki blinked. "You're here too?"
"Of course! You're here to watch Hiroki's performance, right? He's playing a special piece today!" Miyuki grabbed Saki's arm with excitement. "And I heard he's dedicating it to someone!"
Saki's eyes widened. "To who?"
Miyuki puffed her cheeks, pretending to think. "No idea, but it must be someone super important!"
Hiroki cleared his throat behind them. "Miyuki, can you stop making things up? You're scaring her."
Saki looked up at him nervously. "So… you're really dedicating it to someone?"
Hiroki avoided her gaze. "Maybe."
That single "maybe" made butterflies explode in Saki's stomach.
At the Music Club door, the sounds of instruments leaked out. The door was slightly open. Miyuki pushed it and stepped inside.
"Saki's here! And Hiroki too—everyone get ready!" she shouted.
The club members greeted them warmly. In the corner sat someone who stood out: Takashi-sensei, the club adviser. His expression looked strict, but his eyes held a gentle warmth.
Takashi nodded at Saki. "Welcome, Saki. Today might be a special day. Please feel at home."
Saki bowed politely. "Thank you, sensei."
Hiroki grabbed his guitar and moved to a quiet spot. As he tested the strings, a calm yet focused look settled on his face. It was as if, in that moment, the only things that existed were him and his music.
Saki quietly took a seat. Her knees together, hands in her lap… her eyes glued to Hiroki.
Was he always… this cool?
Miyuki leaned over and whispered: "You've never watched him play before, right? Brace yourself. Because Hiroki on stage… is a totally different person."
When preparations were done, Takashi raised his hand. "We begin."
The room fell silent.
Hiroki closed his eyes. Took a breath. And his fingers touched the guitar strings.
The first note spread through the room like a gentle breeze.
Warm, pure… tinged with a soft melancholy.
As if written specifically to reach someone's heart.
Saki's eyes widened.
This… is what he plays?
With each note, Hiroki's expression shifted—deeper, more emotional, more sincere.
And each of those notes reached straight into Saki's chest.
Even Miyuki listened quietly, smiling faintly. "See? That's Hiroki's heart you're hearing. No matter where you look, whenever he plays… he's always speaking through the notes."
Saki's chest tightened. It really did feel like a piece written for someone…
When Hiroki played the final note, the room stayed silent.
A silence that proved how deeply the piece had touched everyone.
Then Takashi began clapping.
"Wonderful. Truly a special performance, Hiroki."
Miyuki whined dramatically: "Ugh! You broke my heart again! Why are you always so emotional!?"
Hiroki's eyes shifted—directly to Saki.
Her breath stopped.
Every meaning inside his melody… was in that gaze.
When the practice ended, everyone began packing up. Saki tried to gather her courage to go to him.
But Miyuki reached him first. "That was amazing! Especially the part where—"
Hiroki lifted a hand. "Miyuki… can you give me a minute today?"
Miyuki's eyes darted between him and Saki. "Ohhh… I get it~" She winked at Saki. "I'll leave it to you two!"
Saki turned bright red. "T–There's nothing like that!"
Miyuki only giggled and walked off to Takashi.
Hiroki zipped up his guitar case and faced Saki. "So… did you like it?"
"Like it?" Saki pressed her lips together.
"Hiroki… it was beautiful. It felt like… it was telling a story."
Hiroki smiled softly. "Maybe it was."
"Then… who was it for?"
Just as Hiroki inhaled to answer, Takashi called out: "Hiroki, lock up before you go. You two will be the last to leave."
Hiroki let out a breath and turned back to Saki. "I'll tell you later."
Saki's heart skipped. "O–Okay…"
When they left the school, the sky had turned orange and pink.
The streets were quiet. The wind gentle.
They walked side by side.
Silent, but comfortable.
After a moment, Saki whispered: "Hiroki… I'm glad you invited me today."
Hiroki blinked in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes. Seeing how you play… it felt really special."
Hiroki took a slow breath, a small smile forming. "If… I ever feel ready… I'll tell you who that piece was written for."
Saki stopped mid-step.
"H-How come?"
"Because that person… is very important to me."
A soft shock ran through Saki's entire body.
Is it me…? Or someone else…?
Hiroki didn't say more. But his eyes… they spoke directly to her heart.
They reached their street and paused.
"Let's go home," Hiroki said gently.
Saki nodded. "Mm… let's go."
They walked side by side.
Quietly.
But their hearts… played the same melody.
And deep inside, Saki felt that today…
was only the beginning of something much bigger.