Singing
Things were just getting stressful.
The more contestants that come through the auditorium, the more voices he kept hearing just were starting to sound more or less the same at this point. All that he and the other two judges needed was someone who could star in a christmas play being held at the nearby theatre. There were already hundreds of people who paid for their tickets and they didn't even know who the star was.
Even if he could say a lot of these auditions were pretty to look at...Douma Yukihara was more or less thorough when it came to good music.
People tended to write him off as the emotionally cold young man he was but even he knew when people just weren't going to give him what he wanted for this show. Honestly why did even half these people try out to begin with? No proper musical training at all!
They even made his fellow judges look like they want to face plant their heads on the desks. Sure Douma was acting as the nice judge but in all honesty he wished these people wouldn't waste so much time. As someone whose been acting to try and pretend to have emotions his whole like, this was just getting more and more boring to him. As soon as the last contestant left, a rather cute lady with purple tips at the end of her hair and a venomous energy coming off her that interested Douma, he and his judges take a break.
"Uuugh...why did I ever agree to this..." Gyokko grumbled, the young artist tucking a lock of his dyed hair behind his ear as he gets himself some water, "They're all just so dull and uninspiring. Do they think this is a game?"
"As much as it pains me to do this," The other judge, Uzui sipped his own water bottle, fixing his hoody as he sighs, "I have to agree with Gyokko-san. They're all noise but no substance. Honestly what made them think they even had a chance?"
Douma sighed as he flicked open one of his fancy golden fans while dressed in a red and black turtleneck with black jeans, "Oh you two are so cruel. Sure their voices aren't really that inspiring but they at least had the bravery to try out!"
"Douma you looked ready to stab the one at the end in the throat with your fan."
"Ahaa, but I didn't Gyokko-san," he started to fan his face with a sigh, "Though this search is really started to take a lot out of us. At this rate, we may have to just try to hire a star rather than find one."
Uzui sighed as he sipped more water. He only agreed to this because his wives had said he could use the distraction until his next project was ready. As for Gyokko? Well if he was going to make stunning props he wanted gorgeous people to go with them. Or well gorgeous in his eyes that is which is why there are two other judges with him to begin with.
Douma hummed, "I'll be in the auditorium~ I'll meet you two there after you had your lunch~"
...
In the auditorium, a ten minute walk from where the water jug was. As people were still waiting to be admitted in, the janitor quietly walked in to do a quick clean up before the next ones could come in.
He sighed quietly. He had quite the unforgettable appearance to those who met him; thick pink eye lashes, two ring like tattoos around his throat and pierced ears. He always wore a baggy swear shirt and black skinny jeans with a pair of sneakers when he comes in to do his volunteer work before he would head to his paying job.
Akaza moved on to the stage slowly and took in a deep slow breath while he started sweeping it up. It has been a rough year and all he wanted to do was let it be over and pray that next year would be better. Maybe if he was lucky the new year would bring a happier time for him.
Standing on the stage, in this old auditorium though filled him with nostalgia. He remembered being a child sitting in those seats during Christmas shows and seeing his father perform. He always sat up front to watch, always was the loudest as he stood up on the seat so his father would see him clapping. One of his favorite moments was the time his father hopped offstage and lifted him up in the air as part of the show. The laughter coming from them both had filled the entire room.
It's been so long since he came here. Now to be a volunteer like this where some of his happiest memories took place caused a bittersweet feeling.
Even when he had been engaged and found happiness for but a while it never compared to those moments.
Maybe...since it was empty...
He took in a slow deep brearh and released a heavy sigh. What was the harm in pretending a bit? It's not like the judges would want someone like him performing for their show anyways so what would be the harm?
He closed his eyes a moment and pictured himself in a full auditorium. In the crowd of faceless people he can see his father there cheering him on this time. Imagining that makes him smile sadly before he hummed to himself. After a few minutes he opened his mouth.
"Where are you Christmas? Why can't I find you? Why have you gone away?"
Outside the auditorium, Douma went as still as a grave marker before he even touched the door. His face went completely blank a moment when he can hear the singing from inside. His fan snapped closed as he felt...something. His heart was beginning to beat just a little faster and when he peaks in his eyes widened softly at the sight that greets him.
"Where is the laughter, you used to bring me? Why can't I hear music play?" Standing there in the soft glow of the stage lights, stood Akaza, his eyes closed as his black hair had an aura of light, "My world is changing, I'm rearranging. Does that mean Christmas changes too?"
For the first time since Kotoha had come into his life, Douma felt a strange warmth in his chest. It fascinated and confused him since emotions were always such a foreign concept to him. Yet there stood a young man who was singing to the auditorium like he had nothing left to lose. The song itself sounded particularly melancholy from what's been sung do far.
Douma slowly walked closer and closer.
"Where are you Christmas? Do you remember? The one you used to know. I'm not the same one, see what the time's done. Is that why you have let me go?" Akaza smiled a little to himself as he took in a particularly deep careful breath to sing his heart out, "Christmas is here, everywhere oh...Christmas is here if you care, oh...! If there is love in your heart and your mind-OH SHIT!"
Douma blinked when the beautiful music comes to an abrupt end by a shout of a curse word. He blinked as he watched the man grab his broom and move to exit the stage.
Akaza cursed himself for not being more careful. He wasn't here to sing dammit, he was here to volunteer and then go make money to keep living in his apartment. God if the judge complains even once then he's out of here..
"I'm so so sorry sir, I didn't-you see um-I just...!"
Akaza froze when he hears only clapping in response. He blinked in confusion as he stared at the man approaching him with long silvery hair in a braid and a smile on his mouth.
"That is what I want when I'm looking for talent," Douma chuckled softly, "Which contestant are you? I'm so sorry we kept you waiting! Though I'm glad i didn't miss our marvelous singing..." or such a marvelous looking young man for that matter.
The young man could only blush in response as he gripped the broom tightly, "...I...um...l-look I just was cleaning. I'm the janitor and i'm just supposed to be sweeping before any of you came back...I'm done sweeping so you can continue your auditions sir..." he attempted to move away, only for Douma to grab his wrist.
He blinked, freezing when Douma leans in to rest his chin on his shoulder.
"And allow such a talented young man leave before my fellows hear him? I think not...besides...You looked like you belonged on that stage...belonged here to be precise..." a closed fan gently rested on Akaza's cheek, "You're the best one I've heard honestly...you can take my card to call me when you want to properly audition...or audition the moment my friends return. We've been look all day and you're talent is perfect."
Akaza didn't even think. When his senses return, he stomped his foot on Douma's, slammed his elbow into his solar plexus, then punched him right in the nose and lastly elbowed him in the groin. Once freed he bolted out of there as shivers ran through him. He doesn't know why...but that man set his alarms off immensely.
Douma fell to the floor, nursing his wounded pride...but he was grinning to himself when he can feel evet last little bit of the pain that sends tingles of delight through him.
He hoped to see the talented young man again very soon.