With a Strum of My Heart Strings

Something Seems Off

Kaminari was very upset.

It's not like him to usually get upset; he was always the smiling, fun, joking friend, but it did hurt a bit when Kaminari had to find out through Sero that his now-boyfriend-- something he'd actually feel excited about and unpack later since he was currently mad at him-- had a gig tonight.

And, as Sero had told him, this wasn't just any gig. Apparently, if they did well with this, the band could actually go somewhere! That was great! So why didn't Shinsou tell him?

He considered that he had just forgotten. And that could have been the case. Kaminari probably shouldn't jump to conclusions, but he felt like he had purposely not told him. He just wondered why. What reason would Hitoshi have to hide that from him? And this was really big! How could he have just forgotten? He really wanted to trust him. He hoped he was wrong about all of this.

Kaminari had gotten a ride from Sero to the gig. And that was another thing: how did Sero know about this, and Denki didn't? It just didn't make sense.

The two sat in the car in silence. Sero had known better than to start a conversation with his friend like this. His mind still spinning with unanswered questions, Denki finally spoke up.

"I just don't get it." Sero knew what he was talking about. It was the only thing Kaminari had been talking about since he found out. Sero just sighed.

"Kami, he probably just forgot. You should have more faith in him." Kaminari spun around in his seat to look at his friend.

"I do! I just-- I don't know. Something seems off," Denki said, putting a finger in his chin in thought.

"Dude," Sero glanced at him as he continued driving, "I think you're overthinking this. I calling it right now, he isn't purposely ditching you. And if he did, it'd probably be a good reason. Like he's scared to mess up in front of you or something. Or doesn't want you present if the band is rejected by the producer guy." Sero did have a point, Denki agreed with that, but still...

"But what if you're wrong?" Denki asked, worry in his eyes. He really did want Sero to be right. He didn't want his boyfriend lying to him already.

"Well, what if I'm right?" Kaminari huffed, slumping back into his seat. This conversation was going nowhere. Thankfully the two didn't have to sit in silence for very long before they pulled up to an unfamiliar building.

"You sure this is the right place?" Denki asked, slamming the car door behind him as he stepped out. He suddenly felt a little nervous about confronting Shinsou. He just prayed he wasn't hiding anything.

"This is what Kiri told me," he said, shrugging as he walked in with Kaminari following close behind. As soon as he walked in, Denki realized that this was nothing like the last place he went to for one of their gigs. This place was so much nicer. It kind of reminded him of the restaurant Shinsou had taken him to for that date, except it wasn't quite as fancy. It was still better than that musty bar from last time, though.

The stage upfront was bigger, too. He realized that Jirou would actually have room to put her keyboard up there. It excited Denki that he would be able to hear the band play some different music today.

Kaminari hadn't even realized he'd zoned out until Sero put a hand on his shoulder, making him flinch.

"You should go find him. The band is going to be on in a few minutes, so you should hurry," he said, removing his hand.

"Thanks, man." Kaminari tried his best to smile at him, but he couldn't fool him.

"It'll be okay. Good luck," he said before walking off to sit at the bar, pulling out his phone. Despite what people think, Sero wasn't usually the social type. Kaminari made a mental note to check on his friend later when the band was playing and ran off to find Shinsou.