Chapter 4: — “A Shared Song"

The sky stretched wide and endless, painted with streaks of pale orange and rose as the sun began to dip toward the horizon. The sea below reflected the colors like liquid fire, waves rolling gently against the shore.

Ren had insisted they practice here. Not the classroom, not the music room, but on the weathered wooden platform overlooking the ocean where couples often met in secret and where, apparently, Ren liked to “steal inspiration.”

Miyu shifted nervously, violin case clutched against her chest. “Are you sure we’re allowed to be here?”

Ren grinned, setting his guitar case down casually as if rules had never been invented. “Of course. The ocean doesn’t charge rent, does it?”

She frowned. “That’s not what I—”

“Relax, Miyu.” He sat cross-legged, pulling out his guitar. “Trust me, nothing makes music sound better than the sea.”

She hesitated, but finally set her violin case down beside him. The salty breeze teased strands of her dark hair loose, making her tuck them quickly behind her ear.

Ren began strumming idly, not any particular song, just letting chords rise and fall like the waves. He looked at her expectantly. “Your turn.”

Miyu inhaled slowly, then lifted her violin. The bow touched the strings, releasing a soft, lilting melody. It twined around his chords, hesitant at first, then steadier, like stepping stones across water.

Ren’s smile deepened. “Now we’re talking.”

The two sounds blended, the violin’s clarity wrapping around the guitar’s warmth. Together, they filled the ocean air with something fragile and beautiful, as if the sea itself was listening.

Miyu’s heart thumped. Each note she played wasn’t just sound—it felt like speaking directly to him. And when his guitar answered, her chest tightened in ways she couldn’t name.

When the final notes faded into the hush of waves, silence lingered. Miyu lowered her bow, realizing belatedly that she had been holding her breath.

“That was…” Ren trailed off, staring at her with a look she didn’t quite understand.

She blinked, self-conscious. “W-what?”

He laughed suddenly, scratching his cheek. “Sorry, I just... your face when you play. It’s so serious, like you’re pouring your whole heart out. Makes it hard to look away.”

Heat shot to her cheeks. “D-don’t say things like that!”

Ren tilted his head innocently. “Like what? It’s true.”

Miyu quickly turned away, pretending to fuss with her violin. The ocean breeze only seemed to fan the warmth in her face.

Ren chuckled again, softer this time, and began plucking at his strings. “You know,” he said casually, “I’ve been working on a song. For the festival. Still rough, but…” He glanced at her, a flicker of nervousness in his eyes. “I was thinking maybe we could build it together. You and me.”

Miyu froze. Him and her, writing something from scratch? The thought both terrified and thrilled her. “I-I wouldn’t know where to start…”

“That’s the fun part,” Ren said, leaning back on his hands. “No rules. Just whatever we feel.”

His words echoed in her chest. Whatever we feel.

Her gaze lingered on him, the way his hair caught the dying sunlight, the easy smile that never seemed to fade. She quickly looked away again, heart racing.

“…Maybe,” she whispered.

Ren’s grin widened. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

For the rest of the evening, they played bits and pieces, fragments of melodies that didn’t quite fit yet, laughter spilling whenever they stumbled. At one point, Miyu reached to adjust her sheet of music, only for her hand to brush against his as he was moving his pick.

She gasped, pulling back instantly, her cheeks flaring.

Ren paused, eyes flicking to her hand, then back to her face. His grin softened into something gentler, almost shy.

Neither of them spoke about it.

The sky deepened into twilight, stars beginning to appear, when they finally packed up. As they walked back along the coastal path, the sound of waves following them, Miyu found herself glancing at Ren’s profile under the fading light.

Her chest felt strange, tight, fluttering, alive.

Maybe it wasn’t just the music.