The Sakura Song Festival

Kazuki flipped through the pages of Renka’s sheet music. He didn’t know when she started writing music, but she had already created so many songs, and each one had its own unique style and theme. The sheer number of pieces alone impressed him, but the care and emotion Renka seemed to have put into each of them impressed him even more. While some songs were a bit messy or lacked finesse, overall, they were quite nice. He could tell that her style had developed as she continued to write more music. It was exciting to find someone else who wrote in a similar manner to himself.

He paused to look at a particular unfinished piece. It was called “Melancholy.” He expected it to be in a minor key but found that it was in a major key instead. What an interesting juxtaposition. Renka had written some notes on the sides of the page, but most of them had been scratched out. He figured this was a piece she struggled with and decided to move on from. Sometimes it was better to give up on something and come back to it later with a fresh, clear mind. He told himself he would ask her about the piece at their meeting tonight.

His phone buzzed three times in the rhythm of a LINE message. He set the sheet music down and picked up his phone. He smiled slightly. It was a message from Renka.

‘Here is the address for the community center I told you about! See you soon!’ The location was attached to the message.

He checked the address and packed his guitar along with Renka’s sheet music before leaving his apartment. The air was beginning to cool after the warmth of the afternoon, and Kazuki took a deep breath. The air here wasn’t the same as Yoshino, filled with the smells of city life rather than grasses and other plant life. It wasn’t nearly as refreshing either, but there was still something about it that invigorated him. Perhaps it was the novelty of it all. He had only lived in Tokyo for a short while, and nearly every day he experienced something new, whether it was the surprise of finding a Kumamon statue on a random bench, or the awe of seeing a life-sized Gundam outside a shopping center, or even the simpler experience of a convenience store with flavors of ice cream he’d never seen before. Tokyo was a breath of fresh air, even if the air itself wasn’t exactly his idea of “fresh.”

Kazuki navigated the ever increasingly busy streets towards the community center. It might have been faster to take the train a few stops, but he had plenty of time to make the walk. Plus, it gave him the opportunity to not only think over the music Renka had shared with him, but also get to experience a new part of Tokyo. He hadn’t walked down these streets, yet, and while many of the buildings and shops looked largely the same, there were hidden gems that always piqued his interest. A tiny shrine tucked into an alleyway, a family-owned ramen shop that looked like it had been there since the Edo Period, statues of anime characters next to bus stops. This was Tokyo. This was his new life.

He played the melodies from Renka’s sheet music in his head as he walked. He pictured the notes on the pages translating into the movements of his fingers over the strings of his guitar. He only needed to imagine playing to hear the sweet sound of his instrument, echoing through the air, carried off with the breeze that he longed for in the stifling atmosphere of the city. The street crossing signal chirped like a bird as the light turned green for the pedestrians to cross, creating a discordance in Kazuki’s internal musical musings.

He sighed, having lost his train of thought, and crossed the street. The community center was just ahead, a bright sign painted above the door welcoming him. He stepped inside and checked the schedule for the booked rooms to see which one Renka had booked for their meeting. Kazuki furrowed his brows slightly at the idea. Thinking of it as a meeting made it seem so formal, but he and Renka weren’t exactly ‘friends’ yet, were they? If they were to discuss music, this would be a professional talk, right? Yet, both of them clearly cared deeply about their craft, making it more a discussion of passions and interests than business.

“Magaribuchi-san? Is the room not listed?”

Kazuki nearly jumped at the voice. Renka definitely had a knack for sneaking up on him. Then again, maybe he had a problem with getting lost in thought too often for his own good.

“I forgot it would be listed under your name. It’s room 3C.” He smiled at her, secretly wondering how long he had been standing there staring at the list of rooms before Renka said anything.

Renka grinned. “Perfect! Let’s go!”

Room 3C of the community center was a small, three tatami room. It smelled of the traditional woven bamboo flooring even with its windows open wide to the muggy evening air of Tokyo. Kazuki removed his shoes and entered the room, followed shortly after by Renka. The scent of the tatami mats filled him with nostalgia, memories of his family home in Yoshino rushing forward yet again. His heart ached slightly at the thought of his old home, even though it hadn’t been so long since he had left. He wondered if he would really be able to make it here in Tokyo or if he would end up running back to the simple country life he knew so well.

Renka sat seiza across from him and tilted her head ever so slightly as she gazed at him. Kazuki dispelled his thoughts of home. He needed to focus on the here and now, on this kind woman who supported his music and placed her trust in him to help her with her own musical journey. He couldn’t let homesickness get in his way before giving this a fair shot.

Kazuki sat cross-legged. He wondered why Renka sat in such a formal manner, but maybe it was more common for people in Tokyo to practice more formal traditions than what his family had taught him as a child. Was it commonplace everywhere actually? He removed his guitar from its case and started carefully tuning it. Renka waited patiently, twirling the blue striped ribbon in her hair. It matched her dress again, Kazuki noticed. How many different ribbons did she have?

“I think I’m ready to get started,” Kazuki said quietly after he finished.

“Great.” Renka inched closer, her smile widening as Kazuki produced the first piece of sheet music from his bag and started playing.

Renka listened attentively, her eyes scanning the page as Kazuki played her song. He finished the piece and Renka clapped.

“Was that what you had in mind for this piece?” He asked.

“I think so,” Renka replied a bit sheepishly. Her previous vigor and excitement seemingly lost.

“Is everything alright? If I played something wrong, you can tell me. This is your music. I don’t want to ruin it.”

Renka shook her head quickly. “No, no! You played it so well! I’m just a bit nervous is all.”

Kazuki blinked. “Nervous? About what?”

“Well…” She started playing with the ribbon in her hair again. “I think it’s unfair of me not to tell you the whole truth of this arrangement.”

The whole truth? What did she mean by that? Was she trying to exploit him somehow? Was this just a way to ask him out? Kazuki blushed at the thought.

“What do you mean?” He nearly croaked out the question.

Renka took a breath. “The real reason I asked you to play my music… is because I want to win the Sakura Song Festival! I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner!” She bowed her head.

Kazuki looked at her, bemused. “What’s the Sakura Song Festival?”

Renka returned his questioning gaze with an equally shocked and bemused expression, her mouth falling open. “You don’t know?” She jumped up on her feet, spreading her arms wide as she explained. “The Sakura Song Festival is the biggest independent music festival in Tokyo. Every year, they select one winner to get signed to an agency and they advertise their music everywhere!”

“Oh.” Kazuki internally berated himself for giving such an uninterested-sounding response. “I mean, I guess it’s difficult to learn about these things in the countryside.”

“Maybe that’s the case. But, now you know. I want to share my music with the world, and this could be the perfect chance! We can do it together!” She put her hands at her sides. “Well, only if you want to do it together. I don’t want you to feel forced…”

Kazuki nodded. “I think it sounds interesting, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea for me to be the one to help you. I’m just an amateur.”

“And so am I. That’s what makes it exciting, don’t you think?”

“Exciting, huh?” Kazuki wondered if it really would be ‘exciting’ or just nerve-wracking. “I guess I’ll think about it then. If you don’t mind waiting. When is the festival?”

Renka beamed. “Of course. Please take your time! The festival is in spring, right after the cherry blossoms start to bloom. It’s held in Yoyogi Park too.”

A sakura festival during sakura season… “Makes sense.”

“They should be announcing the theme for next year’s festival soon, then we can start thinking about song ideas, and you can decide whether it’s something you want to do.”

Renka clasped her hands together. “I’m really hopeful this year will go well.”

Kazuki couldn’t help but smile. “I’m sure it will.”