CHAPTER 10 – Piano Test
Misha looked at Dayo, a bit speechless. She didn't believe he knew much about instruments, but she still refused to believe he actually came to purchase them—especially because the instruments he mentioned were mid-range professional ones, each costing nothing less than $10,000 to $15,000.
"So… do you have them?" Dayo's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Yeah, this way, sir," she said, leading him forward while trying to think of a way to expose this supposed scam. That was the thought running through her mind as she guided Dayo toward where the instruments were kept.
A sudden idea crossed her mind—just because Dayo knew the instrument names didn't mean he could play them. She considered telling him to play something, but thought it might come off as rude. Then she looked at Eva, who was already watching Dayo with curious eyes, and her expression lit up with a plan.
Dayo, spotting all the instruments, walked forward, searching for something familiar. He picked up a wooden-bodied guitar and slung it behind him. Seeing that it fit him well, he fiddled with the strings, producing a small melody. Satisfied, he nodded and moved toward the piano section.
Meanwhile, Misha walked to the desk, about to speak, when she heard the few notes Dayo had just played. Her eyes widened—not just because of the sound, but because the difficulty of the piece was no joke. This meant he wasn't just throwing names around—he knew his instruments.
Her surprise turned into genuine interest. Turning to Eva, she whispered, telling her to get Dayo to play something.
Dayo spotted a familiar keyboard, walked toward it, and sat down. He tested the keys, pressing a few to get a feel for them.
"Why don't you play something?" Eva said, standing beside him.
Dayo smirked, his tone playful. "Was it the request of that cold-faced boss of yours?"
Eva almost burst into laughter hearing him call her boss that, but she just nodded.
"I'll play something for you, not for her," Dayo said with a cheeky smile.
He thought about what to play that would suit his voice, as he was still getting used to singing without constraint. A certain popular song in this world came to mind—one that people here would instantly recognize. He quickly planned a few changes in his head, then sat upright, taking a deep breath.
Dayo's fingers ran across the ivory keys, testing their weight and spring, before settling into a rhythm—slow, smooth, and soulful. The room began to quiet, the low murmur of customers fading beneath the warm resonance of the Yamaha keys.
[Verse 1]
I wasn't lookin', just passin' time,
Playin' these keys, hummin' a line.
Then you walked in, and I missed a beat,
Blamed it on the heat—or maybe your feet.
He began lightly, teasing the surface of the melody like ripples on a still lake. Each note rolled out with intentional care—warm and playful, like the start of a smile. Misha froze; she recognized the song instantly, and what shocked her was how well he played it.
[Chorus 1]
You walked in like a melody,
Not too loud, just stuck with me.
Ain't sayin' love, ain't makin' plans,
Just wonderin' what's in your hands.
A smooth slide down the keys, his left hand swaying gently. He paused, landing on a warm, steady chord, and sang slowly while looking at Eva with a teasing glint.
'Cause some songs don't ask for much…
Just a smile, a laugh, and a little touch.'
He let the chord ring before transitioning into a slightly brighter key. By now, the store was completely quiet—customers stood frozen, listening to Dayo sing the familiar tune, though with different words.
[Verse 2]
I ain't a poet, I don't write lines,
But your laugh got me feelin' rhymes.
You stood there, caught me off guard,
Now here I am, playin' from the heart.
He added a short melodic fill—soft yet heartfelt, a touch of skill subtly shining through. He chuckled, echoing the line with a playful skip of notes. Eva stood with her mouth slightly open, unable to comprehend how Dayo could play this well.
[Chorus 2]
You walked in like a Sunday breeze,
Slow and sweet, just enough to tease.
Maybe it's nothin', maybe it's fate,
But I'm glad I didn't make you wait.
He shifted to gentle chords, barely brushing the last few notes. His voice lowered, sincere now, emotion painting his expression.
'Cause some songs just write themselves…
When the right one walks in and rings the bells.'
Softly, he transitioned into the bridge—improvised but perfectly controlled.
[Bridge]
And if you don't stay, that's okay—
This tune still made my day.
A slow descending scale, flicking upward at the end like hope. He glanced at Eva—her phone now recording him—her cheeks blushing a deep red, like fresh-plucked tomatoes.
'I'll play it back when the night is slow,
Think of a girl I used to know…'
He let the line hang in the air before easing into the final chorus.
[Final Chorus]
You walked in, just bein' you,
Turned a quiet song into somethin' new.
Ain't about love, ain't about fame,
Just a tune with your name.
The piano swayed like a breeze through curtains. A few customers' eyes turned red as they reminisced about old times.
'Cause some hearts don't make a sound…
Till someone like you comes around.'
The last arpeggio rang out, lingering in the silence. Dayo finally raised his head, having poured so much emotion into the performance that it left a mark on everyone listening.
DING!
[Your singing has improved a bit.]
For a moment, there was only silence. Then the store erupted in applause and cheers. Customers swarmed him, asking for his social handles. A few girls even tried to flirt—one bold enough to grab his ass.
'WTF? This is harassment,' Dayo thought, but he handled it smoothly, polite without encouraging too much. Though he'd never experienced crowd attention quite like this, he liked it—answering questions and smiling genuinely at everyone.
From a distance, Misha watched with her arms folded. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, but she couldn't deny it—the sound was too natural, too genuine to be a stunt. The fact that he had modified the lyrics so seamlessly impressed her even more.
Eva's cheeks were still crimson. "You're… really good," she said softly, as if unsure whether she meant the music or the man.
Dayo gave her a warm smile—the same bright one he had when he walked in. "I told you," he said, standing slowly, "I'm only this smooth when I see an angel."