When I got home, I went straight to my music collection. With my impending performance less than a day away, I needed to buckle down and decide on what I would perform. Thanks to getting a second opinion from Kazuki about playing something non-classical, my choices opened up.
My eyes browsed over my tapes. As they scanned over my Beach Boys tape, I recalled a time from elementary school where I had a friend who had the same tape. She would play the second song while seeing if I could guess when the singing would start and claiming that only she knew. Later I ended up buying the same tape and was able to better familiarize myself with their newer songs.
The song, “Somewhere near Japan,” had a nice, calm intro that sounded oriental, along with the pizzicato sound, so perhaps playing it on the harp wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. It could probably pass for something classy enough for those bodyguards. I popped the tape in my player so I could listen while tackling my homework. Trigonometry and music practice at the same time, score for multitasking!
The next day arrived and the time had come. Nami kept me company as I tried to maneuver my harp out to the courtyard. She was kind enough to carry a chair for me as well as opening the doors so I could get out. It would have been easier to do this in a practice room, but then there wouldn’t be room for everyone to see.
Nami kept going on about how excited she was for this and the article she’d be able to write afterwards. She was expecting me to do well and her energetic faith in me was giving me strength, but I was also starting to feel queasy as we neared the statue in the center of the courtyard.
The Yunoki Bodyguards were all lined in a row waiting. Their arms were folded with their weight shifted to one side. The main girl was tapping her foot as we approached. I could hear huffs and sighs from them as I set up my instrument, but Nami encouraged me not to pay any attention to them.
She stood back with her camera ready as I took a deep breath and placed my hands in position. I closed my eyes and recalled the song. I closed my eyes and started plucking away. The notes echoed through the surrounding gardens with natural acoustics.
Half-way through the intro, I peeked and noticed there were more people that were gathering around. I felt weak and that I wouldn’t be able to finish, but at the same time, I had to go on since they seemed interested and stopping would be more embarrassing than if I could keep up the tune. I had one more phrase to go before the melody started. I kept my eyes closed to focus on the music and forget about the setting.
I began singing in my low register, “Late last night I got an S.O.S. The fairy tale girl’s in deep distress.”
“What’s this? Why are you ruining the music with your voice?” the main bodyguard complained.
“If you can even call that music,” another girl groaned.
“It’s not like a real composer’s masterpiece. It’s just some pop song from a washed up fad from a few decades ago,” taunted the other girl.
“I didn’t know people were listening to that junk any more,” the first girl said.
I choked. I thought I was doing pretty well and it sounded good to me, but it wasn’t good enough to please them. What’s wrong with oldies and what was wrong with singing along? I couldn’t continue. There was no point to carry on if they weren’t enjoying it.
The bodyguards continued snickering as I lowered my head and clenched my fists on my lap. I could feel tears forming as I heard the gathered crowd starting to murmur as well. I felt so useless, I wanted to convey the music how I heard it inside and not even a magic harp could help me.
Just then, I heard a trumpet playing the first line of Eine Kleine Nachtmusic. I looked up and saw Kazuki standing there. He winked at me as played the second line. My mind went into viola mode and before I knew it my hands were again on the harp strings. He took off on the melody while I harmonized with the viola harmony, adding the occasional cello part where I could remember the notes.
The old familiar tune sent me off into another world. My heart danced and my fingers flew. My right elbow made some minor twitches up and down while plucking like it was use to when bowing on the viola, but it didn’t hinder the performance. I swayed forward and backward when we reached to slower section with the crescendos and decrescendos.
We finished to applause from the bystanders. Kazuki cheered back at them. I noticed that Keiichi and Shoko were standing near Nami, who was writing furiously in her notebook.
“How nice to put a harp and trumpet together; it has a pleasant blend,” Keiichi said.
“That was such a cute performance,” Shoko commented.
With Kazuki’s help, I managed to please the crowd, but Yunoki’s Bodyguards were still scowling.
“What’s with the accompaniment? Can’t you play by yourself, you coward?” snapped the head bodyguard.
Kazuki jumped in with an apology, “Don’t blame Refi, I came and started playing on my own. I got ahead of myself and interrupted her fine performance. Besides, didn’t Azuma say to help her out?”
The girls turned white at the mention of Azuma’s name. They stood frozen for a few seconds before they regained color.
The head girl stuttered “W-we know…excuse us…”
They turned and left, maneuvering through the crowd. Most people had continued about their business. I could breathe without everyone staring me, so I started packing my harp.
Kazuki exclaimed, “That was fun! Let’s play together again sometime!”
I should feel grateful that he had come to help me out, but a bit of me felt frustrated that I couldn’t do it on my own. I should have practiced more, but I needed someone to bail me out. Then again, it wouldn’t be fair or nice to get mad at him for trying to help. Especially after how apologetic he was a moment ago.
I recalled the video on pride that I saw in seminary. My words, “Why don’t you swallow your silly pride,” rang in my mind. I had told the bodyguards that the week before, but could I do what I said? Even if this was a different form of pride than the girls had, could I humble myself to accept his efforts?
Perhaps later I’d be able to find a way to help him as well, but for then and there I choose to welcome the relief of my performance being done and over with.
“Thank you, Kazuki, that sounds like fun,” I said with a smile.
