The Piano Bar - Chapter 3
Title: The Piano Bar
Pairing: ohmiya
Rating: PG
Chapter: 3/?
Genre: Drama, mild-angst and romance
Disclaimer: Fiction! :)
Summary: The piano bar was not the most trendy place in Tokyo. It was not even clearly visible from the street. But it was exactly what they had needed, exactly when they had needed it.
“Ohno?” a quiet voice made the young man turn.
Ninomiya stood in front of him, his hands deep in his jeans pockets.
“Yeah?” Ohno replied hesitantly, putting his drink down.
He’d come back to the bar the very next day, full of determination. After spending most of the night preoccupied with the situation, he’d discovered the reason why he couldn’t stop coming to the bar. Ninomiya’s music had given him a breath of fresh air, something to look forward to in his mind-numbing routine.
Now he wanted to learn more about him and give him something in exchange for this newfound liveliness.
“I... Sorry about yesterday. I should not have snapped at you,” the pianist murmured, looking down at his trainers.
Ohno smiled. “That’s alright.”
Ninomiya nodded once. He glanced at the chair besides Ohno, and for a moment it looked like he was going sit down, but the moment passed and he went to sit at the piano instead.
“Give him a bit more time,” a voice said softly.
Ohno turned to see Matsumoto wiping a table.
“Matsumoto-san? What did you say?”
“It’s Jun. And you heard me.” The other replied simply, before moving back behind the bar.
Ohno grinned. A bit more time... He did have that.
He took a sip from his drink and closed his eyes, letting Ninomiya’s music transport him.
*
“Ohno, what’s your hometown like?”
The older man smiled. He loved it when Nino asked him more personal questions.
Although his voice sounded indifferent, Ohno could see the curiosity in his eyes. He deciphered it as another hint that the pianist was not completely closed off to getting close to someone... even if he tried really hard to give off that impression.
He’d started calling him Nino in his head. It had been a few weeks since Nino had stormed out, and Ohno had not yet had the courage to use the nickname again out loud. He was waiting for the right moment.
The way he saw it, Nino wanted to keep everyone at arm’s length, but at the same time he really loved people, and in his own way showed a need for affection. Ohno had remarked it when Nino laughed with Jun and patted his shoulder playfully, as he observed an intimate couple sitting in a corner table... even just his music! So much of it seems to be about love and loss, passion and soft reveries.
“It’s small and quiet... the opposite from Tokyo really. But I love it. People are less tense and... time feels different.”
Nino raised an eyebrow, which made Ohno chuckled.
“I mean, it feels like it flows slower. Here, everything and everyone is rushing! All the time! There are so many things to do; you cannot waste a minute of the day. But back home, we took the time to do what we must. We didn’t have a constant fear we would run out of it...
That’s what I felt when I arrived, and I think that’s what makes people so tense.”
The pianist pondered this for a moment, and then nodded. “That’s why I love and hate Tokyo. There is so much stress and pressure, but then it also means that the city never sleeps. There is a constant motion of people, traffic... It’s like this kaleidoscope of sounds and lights...” He paused for a moment and blushed a little. “I guess I’m just in awe of it all. All those people and their individual stories... I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.”
These last words had resounded deep in Ohno and the following weeks, whenever he walked at night in the busy streets, he tried to see it all through Nino’s eyes. During the last couple of years, he had always disliked the chaos and noise of traffic and crowds. But by picturing it all as something artistic instead of a nuisance, by trying to imagine the lives belonging to all the faces he passed by, he began to understand Nino’s amazement.
And then he remembered. When he’d arrived in Tokyo, he felt the same way. He used to love observing the crowds of people. It was incredible how by losing his bakery and being stuck in a job he hated, he’d forgotten about his love for the city and its people.
*
“Ninomiya, what do you do during the day?”
It was the first personal question he’s asked him. It had been many weeks since Nino stormed out, and he felt it time the communication started going both ways.
He could see the hesitation in the way the pianist nervously bit his lip.
Ohno wanted to tell him... wanted him to know: It’s okay. You can tell me. Give me a chance.
“I work at a convenience store...” he paused and then chuckled bitterly. “Yeah... Kinda lame...”
Ohno smiled at the revelation. It was not huge, not the most private information, but definitely a start: a first timid thread of trust...
“No, it’s not lame... I’m sure it’s more interesting than what I do...”
Nino chuckled. “Want to switch?” he asked with an amused grin, which sent butterflies in Ohno’s stomach.
It’s been happening more and more often, the older man noted to himself pensively.
*
“So you only have one sister?”
“Yep. She still lives at home, she used to help our parents out with the bakery, but she went off to an art school in the north of the country. She’s really good...Got a scholarship and everything...” Ohno said, thinking to himself he should call her. It had been a while since they’d talked.
“What about you, any siblings?”
Nino shook his head.
“What about your parents? You haven’t told me what they do.”
“Oh... You know... just... the typical...” The pianist took a long drink from his beer.
Ohno frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It’s really nothing interesting.” Nino muttered avoiding his gaze and the older man could swear he was slouching more than usual... As if he wanted to close into himself.
Ohno observed him for a moment. He did not want to speak about his parents. Was this what weighed on him? The reason for his fear of getting too close? Revealing too much?
“More drinks, guys?” Jun came up to them. Both of them shook their heads, but Nino was still gazing away and he did not see the look exchanged between Ohno and Jun.
He needs more time.
*
“Do you ever think of going back to your town?” Nino asked at the end of a long evening. For once, he had actually spent more time talking to Ohno than playing piano.
The older man sighed. He’d thought a lot about it lately. Although it had now been a few months since Nino had started giving him a reason to enjoy his evenings, he still really hated his job.
“Yes of course. But...”
“It would be like admitting defeat.” Nino finished the sentence for him.
Ohno nodded. The previous evening, he had told the pianist all about his dream of having a traditional bakery in the city, and how that dream had crashed and burned...
“Yeah... I’m not sure I can face the idea of completely giving up on that dream. I know it’s been years... but I can’t completely let it go... And at the same time, I have no idea how I could really achieve it now...”
He paused abruptly.
Nino had just patted his shoulder. It was so brief and light, but Ohno felt like he’d just received an electric shock.
The stunned look he gave Nino made the latter blush.
“What?!” the pianist protested, sounding embarrassed.
“No... Nothing...” he stuttered, feeling a large grin spread on his face.
Seeing this, Nino rolled his eyes and got up.
“Idiot...” he mumbled, storming off to the piano.
Ohno could not get the smile off his face for the whole evening, and he was certain he saw Nino smiling softly a few times while playing piano. Jun even gave him a discreet thumbs-up!
*************************************
************************
*************
*******
**
Finally the beginning of some skinship! XD haha sorry guys it took this long, thank you for your patience! :3 I promise, in the next chapter there will be a lot more information about Nino!
As always, love your comments! <3
Pairing: ohmiya
Rating: PG
Chapter: 3/?
Genre: Drama, mild-angst and romance
Disclaimer: Fiction! :)
Summary: The piano bar was not the most trendy place in Tokyo. It was not even clearly visible from the street. But it was exactly what they had needed, exactly when they had needed it.
“Ohno?” a quiet voice made the young man turn.
Ninomiya stood in front of him, his hands deep in his jeans pockets.
“Yeah?” Ohno replied hesitantly, putting his drink down.
He’d come back to the bar the very next day, full of determination. After spending most of the night preoccupied with the situation, he’d discovered the reason why he couldn’t stop coming to the bar. Ninomiya’s music had given him a breath of fresh air, something to look forward to in his mind-numbing routine.
Now he wanted to learn more about him and give him something in exchange for this newfound liveliness.
“I... Sorry about yesterday. I should not have snapped at you,” the pianist murmured, looking down at his trainers.
Ohno smiled. “That’s alright.”
Ninomiya nodded once. He glanced at the chair besides Ohno, and for a moment it looked like he was going sit down, but the moment passed and he went to sit at the piano instead.
“Give him a bit more time,” a voice said softly.
Ohno turned to see Matsumoto wiping a table.
“Matsumoto-san? What did you say?”
“It’s Jun. And you heard me.” The other replied simply, before moving back behind the bar.
Ohno grinned. A bit more time... He did have that.
He took a sip from his drink and closed his eyes, letting Ninomiya’s music transport him.
*
“Ohno, what’s your hometown like?”
The older man smiled. He loved it when Nino asked him more personal questions.
Although his voice sounded indifferent, Ohno could see the curiosity in his eyes. He deciphered it as another hint that the pianist was not completely closed off to getting close to someone... even if he tried really hard to give off that impression.
He’d started calling him Nino in his head. It had been a few weeks since Nino had stormed out, and Ohno had not yet had the courage to use the nickname again out loud. He was waiting for the right moment.
The way he saw it, Nino wanted to keep everyone at arm’s length, but at the same time he really loved people, and in his own way showed a need for affection. Ohno had remarked it when Nino laughed with Jun and patted his shoulder playfully, as he observed an intimate couple sitting in a corner table... even just his music! So much of it seems to be about love and loss, passion and soft reveries.
“It’s small and quiet... the opposite from Tokyo really. But I love it. People are less tense and... time feels different.”
Nino raised an eyebrow, which made Ohno chuckled.
“I mean, it feels like it flows slower. Here, everything and everyone is rushing! All the time! There are so many things to do; you cannot waste a minute of the day. But back home, we took the time to do what we must. We didn’t have a constant fear we would run out of it...
That’s what I felt when I arrived, and I think that’s what makes people so tense.”
The pianist pondered this for a moment, and then nodded. “That’s why I love and hate Tokyo. There is so much stress and pressure, but then it also means that the city never sleeps. There is a constant motion of people, traffic... It’s like this kaleidoscope of sounds and lights...” He paused for a moment and blushed a little. “I guess I’m just in awe of it all. All those people and their individual stories... I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.”
These last words had resounded deep in Ohno and the following weeks, whenever he walked at night in the busy streets, he tried to see it all through Nino’s eyes. During the last couple of years, he had always disliked the chaos and noise of traffic and crowds. But by picturing it all as something artistic instead of a nuisance, by trying to imagine the lives belonging to all the faces he passed by, he began to understand Nino’s amazement.
And then he remembered. When he’d arrived in Tokyo, he felt the same way. He used to love observing the crowds of people. It was incredible how by losing his bakery and being stuck in a job he hated, he’d forgotten about his love for the city and its people.
*
“Ninomiya, what do you do during the day?”
It was the first personal question he’s asked him. It had been many weeks since Nino stormed out, and he felt it time the communication started going both ways.
He could see the hesitation in the way the pianist nervously bit his lip.
Ohno wanted to tell him... wanted him to know: It’s okay. You can tell me. Give me a chance.
“I work at a convenience store...” he paused and then chuckled bitterly. “Yeah... Kinda lame...”
Ohno smiled at the revelation. It was not huge, not the most private information, but definitely a start: a first timid thread of trust...
“No, it’s not lame... I’m sure it’s more interesting than what I do...”
Nino chuckled. “Want to switch?” he asked with an amused grin, which sent butterflies in Ohno’s stomach.
It’s been happening more and more often, the older man noted to himself pensively.
*
“So you only have one sister?”
“Yep. She still lives at home, she used to help our parents out with the bakery, but she went off to an art school in the north of the country. She’s really good...Got a scholarship and everything...” Ohno said, thinking to himself he should call her. It had been a while since they’d talked.
“What about you, any siblings?”
Nino shook his head.
“What about your parents? You haven’t told me what they do.”
“Oh... You know... just... the typical...” The pianist took a long drink from his beer.
Ohno frowned. “What do you mean?”
“It’s really nothing interesting.” Nino muttered avoiding his gaze and the older man could swear he was slouching more than usual... As if he wanted to close into himself.
Ohno observed him for a moment. He did not want to speak about his parents. Was this what weighed on him? The reason for his fear of getting too close? Revealing too much?
“More drinks, guys?” Jun came up to them. Both of them shook their heads, but Nino was still gazing away and he did not see the look exchanged between Ohno and Jun.
He needs more time.
*
“Do you ever think of going back to your town?” Nino asked at the end of a long evening. For once, he had actually spent more time talking to Ohno than playing piano.
The older man sighed. He’d thought a lot about it lately. Although it had now been a few months since Nino had started giving him a reason to enjoy his evenings, he still really hated his job.
“Yes of course. But...”
“It would be like admitting defeat.” Nino finished the sentence for him.
Ohno nodded. The previous evening, he had told the pianist all about his dream of having a traditional bakery in the city, and how that dream had crashed and burned...
“Yeah... I’m not sure I can face the idea of completely giving up on that dream. I know it’s been years... but I can’t completely let it go... And at the same time, I have no idea how I could really achieve it now...”
He paused abruptly.
Nino had just patted his shoulder. It was so brief and light, but Ohno felt like he’d just received an electric shock.
The stunned look he gave Nino made the latter blush.
“What?!” the pianist protested, sounding embarrassed.
“No... Nothing...” he stuttered, feeling a large grin spread on his face.
Seeing this, Nino rolled his eyes and got up.
“Idiot...” he mumbled, storming off to the piano.
Ohno could not get the smile off his face for the whole evening, and he was certain he saw Nino smiling softly a few times while playing piano. Jun even gave him a discreet thumbs-up!
*************************************
************************
*************
*******
**
Finally the beginning of some skinship! XD haha sorry guys it took this long, thank you for your patience! :3 I promise, in the next chapter there will be a lot more information about Nino!
As always, love your comments! <3