Chapter Fifteen:
Musical genius

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"You play every note right, your fingers move elegantly across the keys, your pedal control is outstanding, you make it a point to memorize the sheet music, even if hearing it once is already enough, you tap every key with maximum care, and you never mess up the score; you're the embodiment of a musical genius," Tsukishima stated matter of a factly.

Y/n remained silent for several seconds, but then laughed. She exhaled, then looked at the ground with a dream-like expression. "Thanks for the pep talk," Y/n muttered. Tsukishima scoffed.

"It isn't pep talk. It's the simple and absolute truth," Tsukishima claimed, making Y/n laugh again. Yamaguchi chuckled. "You're being awfully honest today, aren't you?" Y/n noted, making Tsukishima's cheeks redden.

"Shut up," he muttered. Y/n grinned, then nudged Yamaguchi. "Gomen, Tsukki," Yamaguchi and Y/n said in unison. The two snickered, while Tsukishima rolled his eyes.

"Are you feeling better now, L/n-chan?" Yamaguchi asked. Y/n smiled, nodding. "You two are the best," Y/n claimed, staring at the keys.

Yamaguchi smiled back, while Tsukishima hummed. "Oi, munchkin, do you want to prove them wrong?" Tsukishima asked. Y/n turned to him, curious. "If that's your way of saying yes..." Tsukishima trailed.

He turned around, pointing at the poster near the door. It was about Karasuno's annual talent show. "Then join," he said, more so, demanded. "It says musical acts with original songs or compositions gain someone extra points," he pointed out.

Yamaguchi perked up. "Great idea, Tsukki! You really should join, L/n-chan!" Yamaguchi exclaimed. Y/n's face contorted. "I don't know..." She trailed.

"Is it because you're scared?" Tsukishima mentioned. Y/n looked away. "If you performed in professional competitions, then you could perform in a school talent show. You've faced an audience that contained people mostly older than you. It's time to face an audience that fits your age range," Tsukishima said. Y/n sighed.

"I'll think about it..."

"Better have an answer by the end of the week. Entries close on Friday,"

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She walked around, her head pounding as she heard all the whispers around her. "Are any of you gonna join the talent show?" "Huh? Oh, yeah, I will!" "Really? That's so cool! What are you gonna do?" "I'm gonna dance!" "Really? I didn't know you could dance!"

Her eye twitched. The boy beside her smirked. "They aren't even whispering anymore," Tsukishima stated. Y/n nodded. "It's making my head hurt, really," Y/n admitted. His smirk faded. Her eyes widened as she suddenly felt warmth around her ears.

She side-glanced at Tsukishima, seeing him adjusting his headphones onto her head. "My headphones were big for you, but they're adjustable so that's alright," Tsukishima said, pulling out his phone. Y/n smiled as she began hearing piano music.

"Focus on the music and block out the sounds," Tsukishima said. Her cheeks reddened as she felt Tsukishima slip his hand in hers, lacing his fingers in between hers.

He squeezed her hand, pulling her along the bustling hallways of their school. People glanced at them, their whispers shifting from the talent show to Tsukishima and Y/n.

Tsukishima simply ignored the whispers, while Y/n was still too focused on the music to hear. They eventually arrived at the music room, which was Y/n's stop.

"Yamaguchi and I will pick you up later, alright?" Tsukishima confirmed, turning to her with their hands still interlocked. Y/n nodded. "You don't have to tell me. I know you two would come," Y/n stated confidently.

Tsukishima chuckled. "How bout use some of that confidence for the talent show?" He teased. He leaned down a little, getting closer to her face. However, he stopped. His cheeks reddened as he realized what he was about to do.

He slipped his hand away from hers, using the same hand to pat her on the head. "I'll see you later, princess," he muttered, walking away. "You too, darling!" She exclaimed, waving as she walked off into the music room.

He smiled to himself, watching as Y/n closed the door behind her. 'I know you want to. You're just scared. Scared to return to the stage. But isn't that where you're meant to be?'

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"L/n-chan!" Yamaguchi called, sliding the door open. Y/n perked up. "Oh! Hey Yamaguchi-kun!" She greeted, getting up from her seat and pushing the stool back in its place.

"Done already?" Yamaguchi asked. Y/n nodded. "That's good. Tsukki said he had something to do but would meet us by the genkan," Yamaguchi said. Y/n hummed, grabbing her bag and joining Yamaguchi.

"Say, Yamaguchi-kun... Do you really think I should join the talent show..?" Y/n asked, closing the door behind her. "Of course you should!" He exclaimed, the two beginning to walk towards the genkan.

"Earlier, Tsukki told me something... It shocked me, to say the least, but now I know why he wants you back on the stage so badly!" Yamaguchi exclaimed. Y/n glanced up at him.

"What did he say?" Y/n asked curiously. Yamaguchi smiled. "I think it's best if he tells you himself. Besides, he'd probably get mad if I was the one who told you," Yamaguchi stated. Y/n chuckled. "Understandable," she muttered.

They continued to talk, eventually arriving at the genkan, where Tsukishima stood. He was already changed into his outdoor shoes.

Tsukishima remained silent, watching the two happily converse as they changed shoes. "Oh! There aren't any thumb tacks anymore!" Yamaguchi noted. Y/n nodded happily.

"Rightfully," Tsukishima muttered making Yamaguchi laugh. "Right, let's go!" Y/n exclaimed. The three of them began walking home, side by side, with Tsukishima in the center.

As per usual, Tsukishima would remain quiet, listening to Y/n and Yamaguchi's conversations. And when it was time for Yamaguchi to go his separate way, Tsukishima would lace his fingers with Y/n's.

Her cheeks reddened as she felt the familiar warmth of Tsukishima's (larger) hand engulf hers. "Your hand's so small..." Tsukishima muttered, gently squeezing her hand. Her cheeks flushed a deeper red.

"I know, I know! My hands are generally smaller than others!" Y/n retorted, pouting as she turned away. "But that makes it all the more impressive when you play the piano," Tsukishima admitted, making Y/n glance up at him.

"I remember watching you play for the first time. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata in its third movement. I was surprised you could play it so well, despite the size of your hands," Tsukishima stated.

"What's that supposed to mean..?" Y/n questioned. "I didn't want to bring this up but... On his last day, your brother told you to attend the finals for a competition he signed you up for, right?" Tsukishima questioned.

Y/n flinched but nodded. "How did you..?" She trailed. "In your music room, a certificate was hung up. The day it was rewarded was a day before your brother's death anniversary. From there, I was able to piece it together," Tsukishima claimed.

Y/n remained silent, looking away. "You refuse to perform because you weren't there when your brother died. But don't you think he was only trying to protect you?" Tsukishina asked, making Y/n's eyes widen.

"He didn't want you to experience the pain of seeing someone you love die because he experienced it himself. So he sent you over to the stage. The stage you've been on for most of your life. At that point, don't you think you belong there?" Tsukishima questioned.

Y/n kept quiet. "You were meant to be on the stage. You were meant to perform. You were meant to be a genius. Someone with your talent shouldn't be greedily hiding it away," Tsukishima said.

"Your brother told you to go because he wanted to die knowing that his little sister was where she was supposed to be," Tsukishima said. Y/n stopped walking, making Tsukishima stop too.

She looked up at him, tears brimming her eyes. Tsukishima sighed. He cupped her cheek with his free hand, wiping away her tears. "If you're still scared, then that's fine. But at least promise you'd go back to the stage," Tsukishima said, pulling her into a hug.

"If not for me, then for your brother," Tsukishima said, rubbing comforting circles in her back. They both remained quiet, Y/n sniffling occasionally.

"Kei... Thank you... I never thought of it that way..." Y/n muttered. Tsukishima hummed, using one of his hands to lift her head by her chin. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the expression on her face.

"I'll do it... For both of you..."

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Progress report:

Tsukishima

Like: 120% - Max

Love: 65%

Y/n

Like: 120% - Max

Love: 50%

Today's winner: Tsukishima Kei