Strawberry Orange Star Night

I. Condolcezza

Tonight is the weekly dance night at TheHitMan.Most of the tables and chairs were pushed to the corner, leaving a large dance floor. There were many more guests than usual, and the dance floor was full of mature dancers dancing in pairs.

Naranja sat at a table in the corner.With his hands propped between his thighs and his feet dangling in the air, he swayed back and forth with the beat of the music, his eyes were empty, and only his ears were working honestly, taking the music into his mind without missing a beat.

A band played on one corner of the dance floor.These languid mid-tempo swings and twists are a classic of classics.At this moment, the piece being played by Proschut is MyFunnyValentine by Chat Baker.The silky and silky music is sexy and lingering under the ambiguous light, making people's hearts itch.He improvised lightly and softly, popping out the swing rhythm of triplets one after another, and the rest of the band responded tactfully, filling the gaps in the vocals with colorful timbres.

The band on stage cooperated with each other tacitly, and so did the dancers off stage.Here, the gray-haired grandparents regained the fond memories of their youthful years. Every wrinkle on their faces was loosely stretched out, filled with tenderness beyond time.Parents also attended without any pressure. They interlaced their fingers leisurely and did not have to worry about making a fool of themselves in front of their children.

Naranca watched their dance in fascination for a while, then looked away at the bewildered young people on the dance floor.Young people are good at dancing, hot and unrestrained, straight-forward twisting waist and hips, which is useless in this situation.Their parents and grandparents were dancing on the dance floor. The young people had never seen their elders so sweet. They were all dumbfounded and whispered from time to time.

In jazz, older people know how to interpret love better than younger people.

--like……

A few days ago, Proxiet had told Nalanja that what Nalanja had felt in the ensemble of his friends was love.

"Duke Ellington said it? The relationship between lovers is the most beautiful ensemble in the world."

As Prosciut spoke, he played a beautiful arpeggio on the piano.His words were as soft as the music.

"How complicated love is in music. You can hear Duke Ellington's restrained alienation, Harry Candy Edison's naughty sexiness, Billie Holiday's lamenting heartbreak... and it's the same in classical music .I learned classical piano when I was young, and my professor scolded me, saying that I hadn’t been in a relationship, so I shouldn’t play Mozart. Hahahaha!”

"The appearance of love is ever-changing. But you remember, what remains unchanged is that all these feelings are real. Music comes from the feelings from the heart of human beings."

"And these feelings...you can see them all in the eyes of people."

Is that right……?

Nalanja recalled that "ensemble" with Fugo again.The tune was in a mess, terribly broken, but that day, for the first time, he noticed Fugo's eyes seriously.Different from his own warmer purple, his purple has blue in it, like gems, like stars, shimmering with fine golden light under the warm afternoon sun.

But he hadn't looked directly into Fugo's eyes for a long time.It's not that he didn't look at it, but he didn't dare to look at it.He didn't let Fuge read his homework, and he didn't do exercises with Fuge... Every day Hanon didn't play a few pieces, so he lowered his head and pushed Fuge out of the door.

—except the day of the fight.What was in Fogg's eyes at that time?He didn't see clearly.At that time, he was captured by fury, and his vision was in chaos.

However, what he remembered clearly was Fuge's eyes on the day the two first met.A figure came towards him, and gradually became clear in the backlight. He saw the man's brows and eyes curved, with a gentle and harmless smile, waved to him, and asked him what happened to these bottles.

I have lived on the streets for so long, and no one has ever cared about the origin of his bottles, only a few homeless people want to take his bottles as their own and sell them for scrap.People pretend he doesn't exist.He was beaten up by a scumbag who couldn't be called his father, and he hardly ever read a book; the only thing he wanted to learn was music, but he couldn't ask for it; the only mother who loved him died for him.His mother loves him, and he loves his mother... This little star variation is played for her.

It is this love that makes the song so beautiful, isn't it?

Naranca clutched his chest.It was also this song that made him meet Fugo.

Fugo met him in a dark alley and rescued him from a muddy and miserable life.

Fugo really led him into the world of music.The world of music that he dreamed of day and night, that he once thought was out of reach.

Fuge is a benefactor, a teacher, his best friend, and...

Yes……

Naranja bowed her head deeply, bent her elbows on her knees, arched her back, and supported her forehead with her hands.He didn't know what to do, as if some animal was rampaging in his chest, roaring loudly to be free.

After an unknown period of time, Nalanga's ears suddenly caught the subtle changes in the music.He raised his head and found that there was some turmoil on the stage.It was Meloni first, he stretched out his hand and pointed to his head, Gaciu next to him noticed it and made the same gesture, at the same time he kicked Bessie and Illuso one by one. Quickly, the whole band started playing the same melody, Louis Armstrong's SnakeRag.

If you are not familiar with jazz bands, you will definitely feel confused.This is called HeadChart. When you find that except for the soloist, everyone in the orchestra is playing another melody together, it means that the soloist has gone too long, and you should just let it go.

Proxiet lowered his hands with a displeased face.There was no piano part in this piece, and he curled his lips in the comical sound of the trombone deflated like a juggling balloon, and he got up and walked off the stage, walking towards Naranja.Seeing him like this, Naranja couldn't help laughing.

"What are you laughing at again?" Proxiet sat down next to Naranja, crossed his legs, reached out and rubbed Naranja's head fiercely. "Don't be complacent, the piano is not in the symphony orchestra. You don't have to play either."

"We're a chamber orchestra."

"It's not a climate."

"Don't you say that! We went to a powerful church to play. We have rehearsed before, and the official concert will be in two days!"

Nalanga took out his mobile phone, clicked on the photos, and showed Proxiet the photos taken during the ensemble.

"Oh!" Proxiet took Nalanja's cell phone and flipped through it one by one.

"Well... let me see. Who hit you?"

Naranja took the phone back and locked it.Proxiet snorted a sneer, but Naranja ignored him.

In two days, the official concert will be held.It was only when these words came out of his mouth just now that they seemed extraordinarily true.Since leaving home, other members of "Zest" have contacted him.Everyone will ask him how he is doing here, whether he is used to it, and from time to time, they will come to see him in twos and threes.Earlier today, Bucciarati called him again to remind him not to forget to practice.

However, for some unknown reason, there was no news from Fugo, not even a single message.

What happened to Fugo?Did you hurt your hand?Naranja's head was full of question marks, but he didn't dare to confirm it himself.He didn't take the initiative to ask, and other friends didn't take the initiative to ask, as if they had made an appointment.

As long as he doesn't confirm, he may be safe... Once he finds out that he really hurt his hand, and even can't play anymore...

Naranja gripped the phone tightly.In two days...

"In two days, I'll return to my enthusiasm, Proxieter."

Prosciutto nodded.He didn't say anything anymore, the two looked at the stage together, it seemed that there was only gentle singing and dancing left in the world.

II.Contenerezza

This is the day of the official concert of the "Passionate" Orchestra in the church.

TheHitMan Orchestra gets up early every day for rehearsal.Naranja got up earlier. During this week, he got up two hours before the orchestra rehearsal every day to complete his practice.This morning was no exception.He finished practicing the piece, and when the orchestra was full, he hugged and shook hands with the musicians, thanking them for taking them in for so many days.He said goodbye to them all.

"Come on! Little guy!" Proxiet hugged Naranja vigorously and said with a smile. "You are always welcome to come and play piano with me again."

Naranja nodded, shook Proxiet's hand again, finally grinned at everyone, turned and set off.

He had already looked at the navigation on his mobile phone and figured out the route from The Hit Man to the church and the time it took.Not far, not long, about 10 minutes on foot.

He walked while looking at the navigation, concentrating on looking at the road and recognizing the way, without thinking about anything, but the time passed quickly.Turning the corner at the T-junction ahead, it is the uphill road to the sea cliff.He could already hear the chirping of seagulls and smell the ocean on the wind.He is getting closer and closer to his destination.

"—Naranja!"

As soon as Naranja turned the corner, he heard someone calling his name behind him.When he looked back, it was Trixiu, who was trotting up from the T-junction with a dry cleaning bag in her hand.

"Naranja! This is your formal attire." Trixiu raised the dry cleaning bag in his hand and explained to Nalanja.

"I came here alone, wondering if I could meet you in advance and let you change. I didn't expect to meet you on the road!"

"Thank you, you've worked hard! Where are the others?"

Nalanga took the dry cleaning bag from Trixiu, and looked behind her again, but there was no other figure.

"Don't worry, they'll be here later."

"... everyone?"

"Correct."

Trish put his hands behind his back and smiled at Naranja again.Naranja felt a little guilty and stopped looking at her.

Soon, the church came into view.From a distance, they saw many people gathered at the door of the church.Some of them must have heard the public rehearsal before. When they saw Naranja, they all smiled and greeted him.Naranja responded shyly one by one.

The two went through the crowd, found the priest and nun, and said hello to them.It turned out that the people at the door of the church were all music fans who wanted to come to the concert.There were no more tickets, so they waited at the door to see if there was a chance of getting a refund.

When they entered the church, they saw that there were already some audiences sitting in twos and threes on the pews.Naranca turned into the bathroom of the church and changed into formal clothes there.It's a bit troublesome to wear a formal suit, and he's not very good at tying a bow tie... After a long time of tossing around, he still can't tie it.He looked deflatedly at himself in the mirror and shook his head.Go out and ask Trish for help!

He folded the original clothes and wrapped them in a bag. After he came out, he really realized how long it took him to wear formal clothes. The audience on the benches under the stage were already full.He quickly found the eye-catching pink on the second row of benches in the distance... At the same time, he saw several other familiar figures beside her.

All members of the band are here.Buccarati, Giorno, and Mista, who are about to play the Brahms Trio, are on stage. The former is waiting on the piano bench, while the latter two are carefully preparing and assembling their own instruments.

......

Naranja's heart skipped a beat.He could not be mistaken, on the first row of benches, he saw Fugo's back, with his cello case beside him.

Why?Is he going to play?There was obviously no arrangement during the rehearsal before...

Wait a moment.what's in his hair

He stared at the back of Fugo's head, the beautiful blond hair with a dazzling white streak.He walked forward anxiously.

"Naranja!"

The trio was facing the gate, so they spotted him from a distance.Mista happily called out Naranja's name, and the friends on the bench turned their heads.

Fugo also turned around.Naranja was shocked to find that the white was originally a bandage, tightly wrapping Fugo's left eye layer by layer.There was also a small piece of Band-Aid stuck to the corner of his mouth.When he saw Naranja, a slightly hesitant smile appeared on his face.

Naranja stiffened all over.He went right past his friends and ignored the trio on stage.He kept staring at the bandage on Fogg's face, walked slowly to him, put the bag of clothes aside, and sat down next to Fogg.

Fugo gently took Naranja's right hand.As if being electrocuted, Naranja immediately withdrew his right hand, and his left hand tightly held the back of the right hand that Fugo had just touched.He felt that Fuge's fingers were slightly cold, and his fingertips were covered with a layer of rough calluses.

"Does your hand hurt? Is it really hurt?"

Fugo tensed up at that moment.He didn't notice Naranja's staring eyes, he kept looking at Naranja's hand.

Only then did Nalanja realize that Fugo, like himself, had been worried about...

"I'm fine! And you? How's your hand?"

Naranja eagerly took Fugo's hand outstretched in the air, and pulled it in front of him for a closer look.

"I'm fine too."

Naranca stared intently at Fugo's hand.After hearing Fuge's words, he finally let go of the big stone in his heart, let out a long sigh of relief, and showed a bright smile.He still held Fugo's hand, and touched it finger by finger, as if he could confirm that these slender, strong fingers with well-defined joints could still play flawless and beautiful music... Fugo held back Holding Naranja, lightly squeezed his palm and turned his hand over, revealing the bruises on the back of his hand.The original bruise had receded to a pale yellow.

Fogg's thumb stroked the yellow like a feather.

Only then did Naranja realize what they were doing.He drew his hand back again and rubbed his cheek.He finally looked at Fugo, and he saw a relieved smile in those jewel-like eyes.

"your eyes……"

"It's okay. It's just purple and yellow, which is unsightly, so wrap it up."

Fuge said calmly, keeping his eyes on Naranja.Naranja had a fever on his face, and he turned his attention to the cello case beside Fugo.

"Are you going to play later?"

"Yes."

"What tune?"

"You'll find out later."

It seems that Fugo will not spoil spoilers.Naranja pouted.Fogg looked at him and laughed.He leaned over to Naranja and began to tie Naranja's bow tie.

Naranja saw Fugo's face suddenly enlarged in front of his eyes, his mind went blank for an instant, and he lowered his head reflexively.He stared intently at Fogo's busy hands under his neck, trying to divert his attention.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, the heart pounded violently in his chest, it was too loud and fast, he was almost afraid that Fogo could hear his heartbeat.He subconsciously bit his lip and held his breath, as if doing so would slow his heartbeat.

Soon, the tie was tied.

The light and soothing sound of the violin entered the ears, accompanied by the tap of the piano, and the French horn cut in... Nalanja breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and turned to look directly at the stage.Before I knew it, the concert had begun.

Still such a wonderful Brahms.The soft and songlike piano, the soft and bright French horn, the gorgeous violin like the rising sun... Nalanga was once again brought into the green ancient forest by this quiet and melodious idyll.He closed his eyes, as if walking leisurely in the forest.

The dream fades and the tune becomes mournful.Into the third movement.

Naranga remembered what Bugarati had taught.This is Brahms' elegy to his mother.Brahms' mother is kind and kind, hardworking and the only support in the family that makes Brahms feel warm.After her death, Brahms fell into deep sorrow and longing.He entrusted this heart-wrenching grief to many works, and this horn trio is one of them.He even used a German folk song that his mother taught him in the repertoire.

The first time he heard Bucciarati play the piano part of this movement, Naranca shed tears with empathy.He also confided his heart to others for the first time. To Bugarati, who is also a teacher and friend, he told about his past and his mother.

There are too many things that can be entrusted and revealed in music...

On the right side of his body, his cold, callused fingertips gently touched Naranja's hand.Naranja opened his eyes and saw Fugo's hand gently covering the back of his hand.

Naranca raised his eyes and looked into Fugo's eyes.In this elegy for his mother, in Fuge's sad and sincere eyes, he understood... Fuge knew.

In half a heartbeat, Naranja turned his palm over, curled his fingers upwards, and shook Fugo's hand back.

The final chapter of spring returning to the earth is played.The brisk and brilliant scherzo vividly describes the revival and vitality of all things.It wasn't until the repertoire ended with joy and glory, when the church was overwhelmed with warm applause, that the two let go of their overlapping hands and applauded.

The trio on stage bowed down and put away their instruments.Naranja knew it was almost time to take the stage herself.He made a gesture to get up, and Fugo grabbed him again.

"Naranga, you will play well. You have always played well."

The corner of Fuge's mouth curved up, and said softly.His face was covered by a lot of bandages, and his curly hair, which was always light and fluffy, was restrained and no longer flowing, but he was still so charming. The exposed right eye was looking deeply at Naranja.

Naranca saw the starlight in those beautiful eyes.

His heartbeat has returned to calm.He nodded, Fuge let go, and he walked onto the stage, taking over from Bugarati and sitting on the piano bench.

His mother called him Little Star.She would sing this simple and gentle nursery rhyme to him every night to lull him to sleep... He also learned to listen to the sound and recognize the tune for his mother, learned to make a musical instrument with a water bottle, and played the tune to her.

This piece was played for my mother.I want to give you the most beautiful starry sky...

As beautiful as the starry sky in Fugo's eyes.

He took a deep breath, put his finger on the key, and fell quickly.