The Forgotten Composer

Part 4

Itsuki turned his attention to the crystalline stones. He leaned closer to examine them, his eyes tracing the intricately carved scale and the shimmering E# embossed in a gold-like material.

Cautiously, he reached out and gently poked at one of the stones, half-expecting it to react. The stone was smooth and surprisingly warm to the touch, its surface flawlessly polished.

"I know I'm not crazy, but magic? I suppose that's the norm in another world." Itsuki sighed. "Curiously," he reached out and grabbed hold of the nearby stone, "It activated with sound. Specifically, only certain notes activate its effects."

Itsuki began to recall the buildings around the village, remembering all the similar carvings and engravings that were interwoven into both the decorative and functional pieces of architecture that littered the streets outside.

Itsuki finished his bath while constantly changing the temperature of the water through his whistled tones.

As he stepped out of the water and approached the door, he noticed a neatly folded pile of clothes waiting for him as well as a large piece of cloth that he assumed was for drying himself. It was clear that Aimi had thoughtfully left the items there for him during her retreat from the bathing area.

The clothes were a simple yet elegant set;  a tunic made from soft, natural fabric, dyed in a gentle shade of green that reminded him of the forest leaves. Along with it were comfortable trousers that seemed light and easy to move in, and a pair of soft leather sandals. The clothes carried the subtle, fresh scent of the outdoors,

When itsuki donned the attire of the villagers, the first thing he noticed was that the clothes seemed to fit almost perfectly, almost as though they were prepared specifically for him.

Itsuki breathed a sigh, the bath was both informative and comforting. Being able to learn about his new surroundings, as well as wash away the dirt and grime from the rough travel, made him feel much more relaxed.

Itsuki pulled open the door to the bath and stepped out into the hall, the sounds of someone whistling a tune floated through the light air in the house.

Following the sounds he heard, Itsuki entered the room he initially perceived as the home's kitchen. The room was filled with the inviting aromas of cooking, a warm and homely scent that immediately put him at ease. There, he found Aimi busy preparing food. She moved around the kitchen with a grace and ease that was almost mesmerizing to watch.

What caught Itsuki's attention, however, was the song Aimi was crafting. She was whistling a cheerful tune, and as she did, the engravings on the cookware responded to the melody. Pots and pans with intricately carved designs seemed to come alive, floating gently above the cooking surface, moving with a rhythm that matched Aimi's whistling. The ingredients in the pots stirred themselves, simmering and mixing in a dance orchestrated by Aimi's tune.

Itsuki stood there, amazed at the scene before him. The kitchen of Aimi's home was like a symphony of culinary activity. The cookware moved with an elegance that defied gravity, each movement synchronized perfectly with the notes of Aimi's song. It was a stunning display, one that caused Itsuki an intense desire to pinch himself. No matter how much he attempted to convince himself that magic was real, he was still stunned when he saw the sight before him.

As Aimi turned and noticed Itsuki standing at the entrance of the kitchen, her face lit up with a warm smile. She greeted him in a sing-song voice that flowed effortlessly from the melody she had been crafting. "Welcome back, Itsuki! I hope the bath was refreshing," she chimed, her voice harmonizing with the ambient music of the kitchen.

Aimi reached for the Ukulele she had set on a stool behind her before returning her voice to normal, continuing her song through the strings rather than her voice.