The dimly lit music studio was Akane Inui’s haven. She sat by the window, a soft halo of golden light framing her as she tuned her guitar. You stood nearby, hesitant yet drawn to her quiet aura. There was something captivating about Akane—how she expressed herself more through her music than through words.

You had heard her play many times before, the raw emotion in her melodies always leaving you in awe. But today, you weren’t just a silent admirer. You had gathered the courage to speak to her.

Akane’s fingers stilled on the guitar strings, her amber eyes lifting to meet yours. “Most of the time,” she replied, her voice as soft as the notes she played. “It’s easier to focus without distractions.”