Earlier I was able to secure an after school practice time for my harp, and with arrangements, I’d be able to keep the harp at school so I only had to lug it from the locker room to the practice room and back, which still proved to be a long haul.

I was careful to set it up from out of the case. I sat down ready to play then realized I didn’t have any sheet music to read. I wasn’t fluent in treble clef; I had always re-written my music into alto clef when the viola part got high enough to switch clefs. I wondered if the magic harp would help me with my sight-reading.

Well, I could play anything I imagined, so I might as well just take Mr. Kanazawa’s final instruction to have fun. A fun oldie beat popped into my head. I started tapping and humming it out. Before I knew it, my fingers were strumming along. The string tones were definitely different from the brass instruments I was use to hearing them play, but it had a warming effect.

My two hour time slot had passed before I knew it as I enjoyed song after song from my mental bank of music. Who needs therapy when you can use music to heal all your needs, right? Although my activity caught up with me as I realized I still had to put the harp away.

I decided to try and push the case so I could use my body weight to help. This idea died at the first wall I crashed into. People stared at me with the dissonant sound it made. Flushed, I stood to the side of the case, grabbing its front and back side, turning it around the corner and continued to the locker room.

Sight is limited from behind, but pulling it backwards I can’t see where I’m going either. Maybe this form of hugging my instrument as I transport it was my best option, if someone doesn’t cut me off around the corners, then we’d have some casualties.

My long journey over, I spun the lock on the locker to make sure it would stay closed. Now walking home would be easy. I did feel a lot lighter walking around without the harp. I was almost skipping as I passed the fields.

I heard my name and stopped to see Ryotaro running up to me in a soccer uniform. He stopped in front of me, his hair clinging together with sweat. Still, he did not seem to be short of breath from the practice he was coming from.

“Hey Refi?” he addressed me, “So you’re the general student that’s going to be entering the competition. You must be pretty good to make it from the General Studies. I didn’t even know you played anything.”

“Oh, thanks,” I blushed, “I was quite shocked to hear I made it in, but I’m having fun with it now.”

“That’s good to hear,” he replied, “I’ve heard some music students have been real uptight about a General Student making it.”

Wow, where did he hear that from? Remembering some of the things the Bodyguards had said made me feel uneasy. It was true that it wasn’t fair that they worked so hard to get in but didn’t make it when by some miracle the opportunity was handed to me on a silver platter. I looked down and started fiddling with my fingers.

“Don’t let them get to you,” he continued “There must be a good reason why you were chosen. If you ever need to talk to someone, let me know.”

I looked up at him. He looked sincere. I expressed my thanks and he said he had to get back to practice, so we parted. I thought over our brief conversation. He accidentally almost pushed me down the stairs, and now it was like he was a friend or something.

I was so giddy; I was halfway home before realizing that I still had no harp music. Ryotaro did say if I ever needed anything, but that would be silly to go to him about looking for music. I couldn’t imagine him being able to help. After all, he seemed to be into soccer more than music.

Maybe I could see Mr. Kanazawa for harp music, but I wasn’t sure if he’d be much help. Then again, he might at least direct me to a harp tutor, but then I’d have to go talk to a stranger, which I found to be a frightening thought. People are so unpredictable.

I still had homework, chores and activities so when I got home I forgot about my music problem. There were books I needed to read, people to help, classes to attend, cartoons to watch, siblings to baby-sit.

The next few days I got accustomed to my routine, only occasionally thinking about the harp music. Like one morning in seminary, we were watching a video about pride and it had such funky music that I imagined trying it out, but I forgot the tune when it came time to practice, so I practiced songs that I did know.

After school one day, I passed Kazuki while I was heading to the locker room. He was carrying his trumpet case with him and greeted me as enthusiastically as he usually did.

“So Refi, you get to play for the Yunoki Bodyguards tomorrow?” he asked.

Dang, it had already been a week since I got my harp and had my first run in with those girls. True I had fun playing around with the harp, but now I had a day left to prepare for them and hadn’t settled on what would impress them.

“Oh yeah,” I grimaced, “That is tomorrow isn’t it? I still haven’t decided what I want to play yet.”

“Really? What kinds of things did you have in mind?” Kazuki asked.

“Well, I think it would be fun to do a modern song, but they probably want something classical, but I don’t have that much harp music. Maybe I could do something I know on the viola, but it wouldn’t sound the same on the harp.”

“Hm,” he thought for a moment then snapped his fingers, “Come with me!”

Kazuki grabbed me and pulled me along. Boy this kid moves fast. He must run on energizer batteries! We went up some flights of stairs to one of the doorways to the roof. He led me out to the roof and opened his trumpet case.

“I love coming to practice up here,” he explained, “Tell me something you know on the viola.”

“Um, I played Eine Kleine Nachtmusic in orchestra,” I recalled.

He held up his trumpet and announced, “Now Kazuki Hihara shall entertain you with his rendition of Eine Kleine!”

He pressed the trumpet to his lips and blew the first note; then the next two; and then continued with the familiar notes of the classical work. As he started on the third phrase where the unison ends, I started humming the constant beat of the viola part. Kazuki stopped and gave me a funny look.

“Is something wrong?” he asked me.

“Huh?” I gave a puzzled look.

“You’re making noises over there,” Kazuki replied, concerned.

My face flushed, “Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I’m use to the viola part in the music.”

He chuckled, “On your harp, I bet you could play the melody and harmony together.”

“Maybe, but all the sections have different rhythms, I don’t think my hands can coordinate them along with the reaching the range in some parts. I’m so into the viola part, I can’t really remember the melody,” I admitted.

“Well, it is true that a harp is different from a whole orchestra. Are there any other works that you do know the melody of?” he questioned.

I thought it over, but the only melodies that came to mind were songs. I did have a book of Disney music for viola, so maybe modern songs weren’t too out of the question.

I asked, “Do you think it would be appropriate to play something a bit more modern, like from the radio or a movie?”

“Why not? Here, I can play you something from the latest movie!” he announced.

My family has the habit of waiting for movies to come to video since it’s cheaper than paying for tickets for everyone, so I didn’t recognize the tune he played at all. Still, the tune Kazuki played rang clear and strong. Even without words, it carried on with purpose. It had an exotic feel to it. I could almost hear a drum beat with the notes he accented and imagine wild animals lurking around the corner. It wasn’t something you’d imagine a professional symphony to play, but it still had its own beauty.

When he was done I couldn’t help but applaud. He smiled and gave a little bow.

“See? There’s a lot of good music out there. It’s okay to have fun with it!” said Kazuki.

I smiled, “Okay I’ll do my best!”