I frowned...
I pulled my headphones down to my neck, now listening only to the people. (So quick to judge… as if carrying four kids and groceries wasn't already tough enough).
I had an idea. (What if I played something? Maybe a song could calm the kids… and shut up those nasty whispers).
I held my guitar and adjusted it in my arms, but then I hesitated. (Seriously? You're gonna play here? In the subway? With everyone staring?) My lip tightened. Embarrassment crept in.
But then the baby's crying got louder, and the woman looked on the verge of tears.
"Your name is Tempo." I remembered Natsu's words.
"I'll be the next Wizard King." Asta shouted at the top of his lungs.
Yami appeared in my mind with a cigarette in his mouth, glaring at me. "Kid, don't overthink it. If your magic works, then use it. Period."
(Heh! Wait, that last one never actually happened… Whatever. If I already did crazy stuff in Fairy Tail and Black Clover, what's a subway in real life?)
I focused, and a smile crept onto my face. I wasn't embarrassed anymore, I felt… happy.
I adjusted my guitar and strummed softly, just one chord. Some heads turned, curious, others annoyed (maybe thinking I was about to ask for money). I didn't care.
I'm happy, so let's make others happy too.
Happy – Pharrell Williams.
The tune and my voice rose above the rumbling of the subway.
🎵"It might sound crazy what I'm 'bout to say…
sadness, you've got no place here today…"🎵
The chords rang louder, my foot tapping the beat on the floor.
🎵"I'm a balloon that can rise up to space… the air tells me everything's okay…"🎵
The kids, who had been wailing seconds ago, blinked in surprise. The youngest toned down his crying, curious about the sound.
The oldest, carrying his little brother, stared at my fingers on the strings.
The woman looked at me with a mix of gratitude and disbelief, as if she couldn't process what was happening.
A couple of office workers frowned at first…
🎵(Because I'm happy) "Clap along if you feel like this train could shine"
🎵(Because I'm happy) "Clap along if you know that a smile can win in time"🎵
But as the infectious rhythm bounced off the subway walls, some found their feet tapping along almost unconsciously.
🎵 (Because I'm happy) "Clap along if you feel like joy is a real thing"🎵
🎵 (Because I'm happy) "Clap along if you want to make today a win"🎵
I kept playing. It wasn't just a song for them, it felt like I was sharing a piece of the joy that had clung to me from the adventures I'd been through.
The baby let out a tiny laugh. I couldn't help but smile wider.
As I played and the rhythm grew more contagious, something curious happened.
The music began syncing with the passengers. Some tapped their feet, others bobbed their heads, and a couple even started clapping along, almost without realizing it.
The people began clapping in rhythm, including the little kids. The mother's eyes widened in surprise as she watched her children calm down.
The oldest tapped his fingers against his brother's back, trying to mimic my chords, eyes locked on my hands.
The notes I played were no longer just mine, they flowed through the entire car, touching everyone's emotions.
The judgmental whispers slowly shifted as the song went on.
🎵"Here come good news, talking this and that (Yeah)
Gimme all you got, don't hold it back (Yeah)
Well, I should probably warn ya, I'll be just fine (Yeah)
No offense to you, don't waste your time, here's why"🎵
🎵(Because I'm happy) "Clap along if you feel your smile growing wide"🎵
🎵(Because I'm happy) "Clap along if you know that nothing breaks your stride"🎵
The whole atmosphere changed. It wasn't a subway car full of tired strangers anymore.
Tt was a small space where everyone shared something unexplainable.
The rhythm became contagious. Each strum of my guitar seemed to resonate in everyone's chest.
🎵(Because I'm happy) "Clap along if you feel today's gonna be bright"🎵
🎵(Because I'm happy) "Clap along if you know you'll win this fight"🎵
The baby laughed again, louder this time, and the others followed. The woman let out a sigh of relief, and I couldn't help but smile at how the music manifested itself in something so simple yet so powerful. Shared joy.
I finished the song, and the passengers broke into applause. The mood had completely shifted, but suddenly, I felt a rush of anxiety and embarrassment.
At the next stop, the doors slid open. I wasn't sure if it was my station, but I bolted out anyway, trying to hide my face after what had just happened.
...…..
??? POV
I watched Cadence run out of the car, his ears completely red. "Heh! How cute… oh!" I surprised myself.
"Ren Cadence… cute?" I muttered.
I glanced at the woman holding her children… I understood what she was going through. I'd been in a similar situation with my sisters. I hoped things turned out better for her than they did for me.
I watched the doors close and sighed. "Idiot… this wasn't even your stop."