Being taught the importance of an all-rounded education, Akari was exposed at a young age to various fine arts. He learned to appreciate it when the situation called for such, but mostly preferred the company of his scientific projects.
The Nocturne was a popular piece that he had heard of more than a few times. If anything, the thought that Hirato would have chosen a piece by Chopin seemed befitting enough – the besuited man was a charmer in his own rights, selecting a piece by one of the most famed composers of the Romantic era was hardly surprising. Arms clasped over his lap, his eyes remained unriveted from the man at the piano, watching as fingers caressed the keys, repeated motives and waltz-like themes that produced beautiful and rich tones.
The piece ended too quickly, far too soon. Reluctantly, the doctor joined in the applause as well, watching as the captain returned to his seat opposite him.
“You planned this,” his tone was accusing, sipping his wine as eyes of roseate hues scrutinized the man. “I never knew you could play.” In his entire time of service to circus, Akari had not known life beyond the walls of his office or his abode. It was now that he realized that he may have gained much knowledge during his expeditions, but there were still much that he remained in the dark of when it came to his colleagues personal lives.
It shouldn’t matter, his mind whispered as he was once again pulled back into reality. My responsibility is to focus on my job. Everything else is inconsequential. Yet at the same time, an indescribable feeling tugged at his heart…a desire, if he could be as bold as to quote it as such, that he felt when deeply involved in his researches.
It was the desire, the thirst of knowledge.
Somehow, within the short moments since they had stepped into the restaurant, Akari had sealed his fate. Having been given cruel teases of what hid beneath the iceberg, Akari was curious about Hirato – about his past, his musical experience, his thoughts.
However, before his mind could wander, it was as Hirato had said, the server had arrived to serve their dinner. Momentarily, Akari cleared his mind of the thoughts that had plagued him, looking up at the man who sat opposite him.
“…We should eat.” He had to clear his throat to break the awkward tension that he himself felt, given that the situation was no longer appropriate for the man to react in his usual manner, which included coldly shutting the other up or rudely chase him away.
Violet hues casted a glance through his black-rimmed spectacles towards the pink-haired male as Hirato let out an amused chuckle over his glass of wine. The captain did told him of his plans, although he deliberately did not tell him exactly what he had planned for tonight, for it would ruin the wonderful surprise he has in store for the doctor himself.
“I did remember telling you about a certain performance, so yes, I did plan this. Is it that astonishing that I have such a skill?” Words escaped his smirking lips, enjoying the sight of a slightly tamed Akari. Despite the scowl that plastered on the other’s face, his behaviour says otherwise.
It was obvious to Hirato that his magnificent piano performance had rendered Akari shocked, confused and rather confounded as well. The littlest changes on the other male’s face may seem invisible to the people around him, but the Circus captain can definitely see right through that facade very easily.
Despite the fact that the top-hatted gentleman never considered telling anyone about his musical prowess, he himself did not quite understand what had compelled him into revealing all of this to his former teacher. Yet here he was, seemingly performing for the guests in the restaurant but in reality it was only for one person. Is it true that love could make one do foolish things such as revealing their deepest thoughts? Their secrets? There was only one way to find out.
Their food arrived soon after their brief conversation. As soon as gloved hands reached for the silverware, the sounds from Hirato’s beloved doctor caught his attention almost immediately. Words that followed suit came out stuttering somewhat but the man decided to save his teases for another time, opting to spare the man from his torturous teases, just for tonight. The tense, stiff aura coming from the other arouses his curiosity as to what exactly was going on in Akari’s head during that short silence. It was uncharacteristic for the stern, serious doctor to be in such an awkward state, although the sight of it interests the gentleman somewhat.
“Is there anything bothering you, Akari-san? You were distracted earlier and I couldn’t help but wonder what could be the reason.”
