Kaito likes open mic nights, generally speaking. Being around people who express themselves through art is something that warms his heart. Unfortunately, this cafe turns no one away, meaning that there will always be people fumbling along in front of people, assaulting his ears with out-of-key singing and missed notes. The current girl who stands in front of the mic is singing some anime opening acapella, in a nasally voice that screeches against high notes and disappears altogether against low ones. He finds himself more interested in the window behind her, watching raindrops catch the light of the street lamp as the end their journey against the backdrop of the girl's unfortunate performance.
Finally, her song is over and she gives up the microphone to polite applause. Kaito sets down his tea to join them in their insincere congratulations. The girl wears the exhaulted face of a star who's managed to retain a bit of the common touch. The thought makes Kaito smile against the rim of his cup as he brings it back to his lips. It's ironic, considering.
The next one up is a young man, a strangely familiar brunette who carries a guitar calmly onto the stage as he takes his seat in front of the microphone. Kaito's prepared for a lackluster performance; there have been three guitarists tonight, none of them up to his admittedly high standards when it comes to music performance.
But the music enthralls him, and he finds the tea cup clutched in his hands forgotten and the singing begins. He's talented, but it's more than that. He harnesses the background noise, the ambient noises of the cafe and the sound of the rain hitting the window, and artfully weaves it into his song, creating a symphony of sound that fills the air until everyone is captured in the warm glow of his music. He knows how to command the audience, how to harmonize with the rain. It's beautiful, and the applause that greets his performance is as sincere as applause can be.
Kaito can't help approaching him, as the next performer takes their place, wanting only to share with him his very favorite joy. Music has and will always be the driving force in his life, and soul cries out to soul, musician to musician. He introduces himself with a small bow.
❄~ "Good job. You were the best all night, easily."
He had resigned himself to being underwhelmed tonight, as he often was at such events. However, the rarity of talent makes it all the more pleasurable when he finally comes across it, doesn't it?
