Chapter 8: — "The Festival Stage"

The hallway outside the stage buzzed with nervous energy. Miyu stood against the wall, violin clutched tightly, heart hammering so loudly it felt like the audience could hear it. Every cheer, every shuffle of footsteps backstage made her stomach twist. She had imagined this moment countless times… but now, standing so close, her confidence evaporated.

“I-I can’t,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Her knees felt weak, and a cold sweat prickled her palms. “What if I mess up? What if everyone laughs?”

Ren stepped beside her, his guitar slung casually over his shoulder, but his expression was serious, focused entirely on her. He rested a hand lightly on her shoulder. “Miyu…”

Her eyes snapped to him, pleading.

“Hey,” he said softly, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. “Just act like nobody’s here. Imagine you’re in that empty classroom, the one where we first played together. Nobody’s judging. Nobody’s watching. Just you, me, and the music.”

She blinked, trying to follow his words. She pictured the quiet room, the golden sunlight filtering through dusty windows, the faint hum of the fan in the corner… the first time she had let herself play freely, without fear.

A shaky breath escaped her lips. “O-okay…”

Ren smiled gently. “That’s it. One note at a time. Just play. I’ll be right here.”

She nodded, letting the calm of that memory seep into her chest. Her hands still trembled, but it was different now, less panic, more anticipation.

“Ready?” Ren whispered, leaning closer.

Miyu lifted her violin. “…Ready.”

—

The curtain rose.

The crowd was larger than she expected, rows of students, teachers, and festival attendees staring expectantly. Her chest tightened, but she forced her gaze downward, eyes on the violin. Ren strummed the opening chord. The familiar warmth of his presence anchored her, and she let the bow glide across the strings.

Slowly, the melody unfurled, gentle at first, then steady, confident. Her fingers found their place as though guided by memory and trust. She didn’t look at the audience. She didn’t think about them. She thought only of the music and the boy beside her.

Ren glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his breath catching. The way her hair caught the light, the concentration on her face… she was beautiful. His heart skipped, but he refocused, strumming the chords smoothly, matching her every note.

They played together, seamless, harmonizing perfectly despite the nerves that threatened to shake them. The audience was silent, but Miyu didn’t care. She was no longer imagining judgment; she was imagining the classroom, the sunlit room, the day they first played together.

A quick glance from Ren, a small smile exchanged between them, and the music flowed more freely than ever. The crowd faded entirely. There was only the song, and each other.

—

When the final note lingered and dissolved into the air, there was a pause. Then, cheers, applause, and whistles erupted.

Miyu blinked, stunned. She had expected murmurs, polite clapping, maybe some raised eyebrows. But the audience’s enthusiasm was overwhelming.

“You make a good band together!!” someone screamed, followed by loud whistles.

Miyu’s heart leapt. She felt her face heat up, her hands trembling slightly, but this time with happiness. For the first time, her music was not hidden, not judged, it was celebrated.

Ren’s smile was wide, eyes shining. He gave her a small, triumphant nod. “See?” he said softly, leaning toward her. “You were amazing.”

Miyu’s lips curved into a shy smile. “W-we did it… we really did it.”

The crowd continued to cheer as they stepped off the stage, the applause echoing in their ears. Backstage, they sank onto the bench, both breathing heavily, still flushed from nerves and adrenaline.

“You were incredible,” Ren said, brushing his hair back nervously. “I mean it. I—” He stopped, realizing he might be blushing. “…I’m glad you played.”

Miyu felt her own cheeks heat up. “…You were amazing too,” she admitted softly. “Without you, I… I wouldn’t have been able to play like that.”

Their hands brushed as they reached for their instruments to put them away, and both paused, a moment of silence passing between them. Neither spoke, but the electricity in that touch was enough.

Ren leaned back, exhaling in relief. “We… really make a good team, huh?”

Miyu nodded, still smiling, her chest fluttering. “Yeah… a really good team.”

The cheers of the audience, the sound of clapping, whistles, and praise still ringing in her ears, made her heart skip. She had imagined fear, humiliation, but the truth was entirely different. Music could be shared, celebrated, and… it could bring people together.

And maybe… just maybe, it could bring hearts together too.

Ren gave her a gentle nudge with his shoulder. “Next time, we try something even harder?”

Miyu laughed softly, nodding. “Next time… together.”

They left the stage side by side, the warmth of victory and unspoken feelings hanging between them. The festival had ended, but the song, and their bond, was only beginning.