[Serialized Novel] "Lute of the North Wind" Episode 10

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Episode 10: The Player (6)
"That's right," Ryuto said, gesturing to the instrument case Rei had propped against the table, urging him, "Why don't you play that for him?"
"Is that a violin?" Tachihara leaned up from his seat.
"It's a rare silver lute. And what's more, only Rainbow can make it sound."
For some reason, Ryuto looked proud.
"What's 'Rainbow'?" Rei asked, his voice higher than usual.
"Rei, Rei-bo, Rainbow. It's the superlative of Rei. A rainbow is the most beautiful meteorological phenomenon." It suits you perfectly, doesn't it? he added, lifting one corner of his mouth.
Rei froze with his mouth open.
"You can just call me Ryuto, you know."
He exchanged a look with Tachihara and burst out laughing.
Rei took the silver-shining lute out of the instrument case.
Tachihara immediately asked, "Is it silver-plated?"
"It's not plated. I don't know what the material is," Ryuto answered for him.
"I play electric guitar as a hobby, but I've never seen a body like this."
"Would you like to try playing it?"
Rei held the lute out to Tachihara.
"Are you sure?" He looked at Rei with a sidelong glance.
"Go ahead and try. Let's see what you can do."
Ryuto urged him on with a smirk. Tachihara crossed his legs, held the lute, and ran his fingers over the strings.
It didn't make a sound.
"Huh? Is it because it's an open string?" he muttered, then pressed the frets with his left hand and plucked.
It didn't make a sound. He plucked and scratched at the other strings, but the silver lute remained silent, not uttering a single note.
"Well then, Rainbow, you try playing it."
Why won't it make a sound? Tachihara looked frustrated.
"I can only play it a little bit."
After apologizing in a voice that was barely a whisper, Rei placed the lute on his lap and rested his right hand on the strings. When he stroked them with his fingers, it made a soft, resonant sound.
"See?" Ryuto grinned. "Only Rainbow can make it sound."
I can't believe it, Tachihara thought, his thick eyebrows twitching.
Ryuto folded a business card into a paper airplane and threw it. The paper plane circled above Rei's head.
"When Rainbow plays the lute, the wind dances. Can't you see the transparent fish swirling around in joy? It's like he's controlling the wind."
"I think I can see the transparent fish."
Tachihara stared at the paper airplane with his mouth half-open. Seeing the tall, rugged self-defense official looking like a young boy made Rei chuckle.
Whirrrrrrrrr.
The roar of a helicopter vibrated through the ceiling of the cafeteria.
"Has the Black Hawk demonstration flight started?" Ryuto said, his voice full of excitement.
"I'll show you the way."
Tachihara stood up and put on his cap.
Up in the ceiling fan, the transparent fish were still swimming happily.

Following the backs of the two men he had just met, Rei looked up at the cloudy sky. The instrument case rattled against his back. He felt as if a transparent wind was blowing through his chest.
I've met someone for the first time who doesn't reject my eyes—.
Biting his lip, Rei gave a little skip.

To be continued