Chapter Text
YUSUKE.
Unlike most cafes that Yusuke had visited, this one has an antiquity unmatched with anything he had ever visited. The cafe is vast, but the interior reminds him of a good home of a pair of two old lovers that love music and cassettes. Vinyl discs here served as a decoration hanging on their walls, perhaps to show off their collection while also adorning the interior in such a simple way. The light is almost dim, there's only one overhead lamp that is placed right above the stage. The cafe is light with ambient lamps, with a tint of warm orange that Yusuke didn't expect to enjoy. This kind of lighting is very much different than in the shack. While the atelier has sharp, cold lighting that is almost oppressive, this cafe provided a comforting sense with just its soft lighting alone.
This two story cafe has its lower level for holding the live-in music. That’s the reason why Yusuke visited this cafe in the first place. Takamaki-san, his newest model, begged him so intensely to have him come and watch them play. All things were covered by her band, he didn't need to worry about spending money to commute or ordering food, she said that her leader would take care of it all. Yusuke wasn't really sure why Takamaki-san and her band—her leader, really—went to such lengths to get him here, it was a display of desperation that reminded him of his own upon discovering such a perfect model like Takamaki-san. To be in the receiving end is truly the strangest thing, for he's usually the one who desires for something.
Yusuke has his sketchbook laid out on the table, his pencil next to it waiting to be wielded again by him. The page he's on right now wasn't blank, actually. Yusuke had already sketched the interior of this quaint place, there was a sketch spread of strangers enjoying their coffee and quick sketches of antique figures scattered inside the cafe. He stopped when the stage started to be filled with three figures he's somewhat familiar with. There was Takamaki-san, his model, and two other boys who guarded her the first time he approached her. The vulgar, loud one, who has distinct closeness with Takamaki-san, positioned a little back than the other two—sitting on the drummer's seat whispering something loudly to both of them, something about the song, perhaps. Takamaki-san is really a marvelous model. Even when just preparing her position and bass, it was a beautiful sight to behold. There's no way he would miss capturing this. Hence, Yusuke automatically sketched her form, a loose, and abstract one; his primary goal is to capture her changing movements and her fluidity. He wanted to capture that liveness.
“Test,” One word and it caught everyone's attention, including Yusuke. Many turned their heads to see the stage, lit by the overhead lamp that has more brightness than any other lamps here. The one who spoke through the mic is a boy with fuzzy hair; Yusuke remembered him as someone who wore glasses like a mask. Even right now. “Good evening, everyone.” Interesting. Is this the leader Takamaki-san spoke of? He doesn't have any thoughts about him, even after the two of them tagged along to the atelier to accompany Takamaki-san as a model. He did not stand out then, now Yusuke realized he decided to not to; because the boy is pretty much capable of standing out. He does it in a subtlest way that Yusuke could not really comprehend, he's just greeting the audience usually; there's no flashy trick to get the audience's attention or something. Yet … it was enough for everyone to tune in.
Yusuke couldn't take his eyes off him either. With his stark red guitar, and a piercing gaze demanding all of the attention, Yusuke found himself stunned in place, giving in to his demand in silence. Takamaki-san found him, though, and shot him an acknowledging smile before speaking to the mic. “So glad to be part of your night today, guys! We're going to do our best accompanying this already lovely night with some music!”
The drummer nodded, a wide grin carved into his lips. “Yep, that's what she said! We already got some songs on our list, but feel free to request a song! We will play it for ya.” The atmosphere they're bringing into the table is something relaxing, along with a glint of expectation in everyone's eyes.
“Yes, you could pass us a note as well.” The leader spoke again, the smile that carved upon his lips was a lopsided one; enough to steal some hearts, for sure. “For starters, we will be performing this beautiful song,” He strummed his guitar, the first notes of the song they're going to play. “It’s called—Sunshine.”
Just like that, the three of them fell into perfect rhythm in no seconds. As if they were one being in first place. The song is foreign to him, and it looked like it to most of the people as well; but it's true. It was a beautiful song with a gentleness that paired well for this peaceful night.
I know that you're not ready to see it goes down
But don't worry 'cause it won't forever go
I know that you still want to see
Then tomorrow, I'll bring you here with me
Yusuke couldn't even blink. Their vocalist—the leader, of course—has a singing voice that stole his breath away. It's quite strange to have the building surrounded with his voice, Yusuke remembered him as a man with few words. He doesn't even remember how he sounded until he greeted the crowd. But now … now Yusuke would certainly remember vividly how he sings. The warmth inside his heart is something that he only ever experienced through gazing at Sayuri. Yusuke was sure nothing will be able to give him the same comfort like Sayuri does, But tonight, that might have changed.
'Cause I know
We're running out of time
To see it going down today
He thought he might be imagining things, but the weight of this foreign gaze is truly coming from the vocalist, who poured his soul into singing this song. Calmly. He wasn't making big gestures, but there's soul in his singing. There's soul in his art. Yusuke then waited for his gaze to snap into another place, but he stayed on him, staring right at his own eyes.
You know, that I'm still holding on your arm
It's getting dark
There's no light from above, you know
Yusuke lifted his hands, making a frame with his fingers. He wanted to paint this sight. He wanted to capture the way sweat rolled off his skin, he wanted to capture how his mouth changes as he sings each word, the way his fingers danced on the strum of his stark red guitar. And most importantly—those bright, piercing gray eyes. Yusuke noticed there's a flame veiled by his glasses' lens. Yusuke wanted to paint it. Paint him. Someone that he didn't even remember his name was.
You know, that you will always be my sunshine
'Cause tonight, we'll be fine
For a little bit, Yusuke forgot about the weight of his sensei's expectation of a new painting fit to be sold under another name. There's only him, his newfound drive to just paint, and the leader.
✦
“Sooo~ What did you think, Kitagawa-kun? We're cool, right?” Somehow the band found their way to Yusuke's table. Now the night deepened, it wasn't really a time appropriate for highschoolers to be out. But Yusuke found himself hesitant to return, and was encouraged by the fact that Madarame isn't staying in the shack for business that's likely about the exhibition.
The band, apparently still hanging around because they're famished. Something that Yusuke could understand. “Cool is one of the praises I thought of.” He nodded, tearing down some of his walls. Takamaki-san curled her lips happily, even the yellow haired boy—or Sakamoto-san, grinned wide at his words. The leader, Kurusu-san … he has a satisfied smile that's neither big or small.
“Heck yeah! I know sooner or later you will fall to our charm! Now you see it's not only Ann that's interesting, right?!” Sakamoto-san pointed his fork at him, he's eating fish and chips; or just fish. Takamaki-san has been stealing the chips despite Sakamoto-san's grumblings.
“Indeed. Personally, I was amazed by how perfectly it was you three fell into place; such perfection, it's rare to see nowadays. And it was obvious how much soul you three poured into every song. You have shown me an art that I have overlooked.” Madarame had his mind locked solely to paintings, after all. “Also, Kurusu-san … I need to express my fascination to you. Your voice is incredibly powerful.” His words were inferior to what he actually felt, so to accurately express the entirety of his feelings that surged after hearing him sing is impossible; for the time being, Yusuke needs to accept his inability to do so.
“Not as powerful as your paintings, for sure.”
Yusuke raised his eyebrows, how come Kurusu-san already saw his paintings? Has he just happened upon his ancient pieces that got one or two awards? But even if his winning pieces were immortalized in a photograph of some journalist that came to the awarding—still, it felt so unlikely. Sensei had made it clear that Yusuke wasn't to release any painting under his own name until he fully bloomed. His time hasn't come for him, it's still so far away from him. That's why he paints for his sensei. He's learning behind his sensei's shadow, abiding at his every word because every bit of that is a knowledge his sensei is trying to teach him.
Or so he hopes. “Pardon me, but I'm not quite sure of what you meant. I'm still an apprentice under Madarame-sensei, I have never released a work of my own—”
Kurusu-san winced, at first he thought it was because of his response; but he heard a dim ‘thunk’ caused by someone purposely hitting another leg, that might be the reason. Yusuke ignored it. “Saw the paintings in your room on our previous visit.” Ah, that unfortunate visit. He was too engrossed in sketching Takamaki-san right to notice the presence of the other two. Surely, there are canvases with unfinished works scattered on that room. Makes sense.
“Those are unfinished,” And will be forever unfinished. Those were his own projects that his sensei advised him strongly to work on later, when he's already learned enough. There's still a lot of things for him to catch up on.
“The rawness is real, though,” Kurusu-san gave him a full smile. For some reason, his heart jolted at the sight. It left him perplexed. What exactly was that? But he could not show his confusion right now. “Makes me want to see more of it.” Kurusu-san added.
He wants to see more of it? His art? This is new, very new. Those were the words meant for an artist like sensei, not for a mere apprentice like him. Perhaps he was mistaken in some way? Now Yusuke could not mask his confusion. Yet at the same time he wasn't confused at all. He wanted to rejoice, to let his shoulders tense in excitement and let his heart fully believe the words of this fascinating boy. With every bit of his strength Yusuke tried to rein himself in, “I—I’m still studying. I have not learned enough. Until then…”
Kurusu-san didn't wait for him to stop, he, with that dangerous lopsided smile and a brand new sparkle on his eyes, cut in; “Yusuke, we are searching for someone who could paint for our very first single. Well, it's not something professional, we are releasing it indie, and it's pretty much very loose. We are also still … busy with school. But, we are confident in giving you an opportunity; by painting something for us, I believe you will gain something new. Something entirely different than you've been doing. And don't worry, of course I will pay the commission fee.”
“—Kurusu-san, as I have mentioned, I don't have enough experience to take on such an important request. And I've been tasked with sensei's pa— tasks . I have retracted my initial hostility to you because I was genuinely moved by your music, but this is the line I drew. I believe there are better equipped artists than me to take your request.” He should get away from them quickly. He knew his position, and this is not the time to test it. “If that's all, I'll excuse myself—”
“Yusuke.”
He loathed himself for stopping at the mention of his name. All he could do is to look down in shame. Ashamed that he lingered to his temptation. What did even a highschooler know about art? Sensei is the only teacher that's best for him in the world. He knew this. But after their previous visit … it unearthed things that Yusuke buried deep down in his mind. Something that he doesn't want to admit.
“It has to be you.” Why him? His words don't make sense. They just met for a few times, sure he had invited the three of them to the atelier, but really, what did they know? His grip on the strap of his bag tightened, Kurusu-san continued to speak; “I want to see the sight you framed tonight. I want to see the world through Yusuke Kitagawa's eyes.”
“Don’t you want someone to see it as well? To see it as yours, not someone else's?”