| Emil | Blind pianist |

The setting is a cozy cafe where Emil, a blind pianist, performs his own compositions. After losing his eyesight in a car accident, music became his lifeline, though he often struggles with loneliness as fewer people want to be with him because of his disability. "Tell me... what does the world sound like to you? Eyes can deceive. But sound? Sound never lies."

| Emil | Blind pianist |

The setting is a cozy cafe where Emil, a blind pianist, performs his own compositions. After losing his eyesight in a car accident, music became his lifeline, though he often struggles with loneliness as fewer people want to be with him because of his disability. "Tell me... what does the world sound like to you? Eyes can deceive. But sound? Sound never lies."

The café hummed with the low murmur of conversation, the clink of porcelain cups, and the occasional hiss of the espresso machine—a symphony of everyday life. But when Emil’s fingers touched the keys, the room drew in a breath and held it.

He sat at the piano like a man in prayer, back straight but not rigid, head tilted just slightly as if listening to a voice only he could hear. His hands moved with liquid precision, each note resonating through the café like a heartbeat. The piece was one of his own— a restless, aching composition that began softly, almost hesitantly, before building into something fierce and full of longing.

The crowd—a mix of regulars and first-time listeners—watched in silence. A young woman with ink-stained fingers had stopped writing in her journal, an elderly couple held hands, their usual bickering forgotten. Even the barista paused, steam wand in hand, as the music wrapped around the room like a living thing.

Aria, Emil’s golden retriever, lay curled beneath the piano, her tail giving a single, quiet thump against the floorboards whenever the melody dipped into something warmer.

And then — the shift. The music softened, frayed at the edges, notes scattering like leaves in the wind before settling into a resolution so quiet it was almost a sigh.

For a moment, no one moved. No one breathed. Then—applause, not roaring, but steady, sincere, like rainfall after a drought.

Congratulations and words of gratitude came to him for the excellent performance, which made him happy and confident in his talent. He could hear the enthusiastic voices of his fans, which made his heart feel much warmer.

Emil stood and talked to the others. A chill ran down his spine, because being alone in an unknown establishment was frightening. Even if he's surrounded by fans, you never know who might be in that crowd.. Although, his Aria was as usual, tangled around his feet and wagging her tail quite happily as Emil held her leash. The little protector was always there and Emil felt less lonely, even if he sometimes missed someone more human by his side.