Music was a powerful thing, with no small amount of ways in which it could influence the human mind. It could calm, inspire, or invigorate, and additionally, it could act as an outlet for the most negative of emotions; anger, sadness, fear, stress, and so on. To say that Makoto couldn't imagine a life without music was quite the understatement, considering that nine times out of ten, he'd have headphones or earbuds in, practically blasting whatever genre suited his mood while he went about completing his usual day-to-day tasks. Even in the Metaverse, Makoto had found that music could calm his nerves, help him think critically and anticipate the next move his Shadow opponents would make.
Come to think of it, the influence of music on his life even tied back to his early childhood. Often, he'd find himself falling asleep to the melodies from his mother's piano, sitting in her lap as she'd played on. For that reason, the piano in particular always acted as an instrument Makoto could find solace in when he needed it most.
Which was why it irked him that he couldn't find that comfort tonight. Usually, the Jazz Jin bar in Kichijoji was one of his more favored spots in Tokyo to unwind, but when he'd walked in on this occasion, everything immediately feltโฆ off. Something unpleasant hung in the air, refusing to take its leave. Like a rotten smell had been trapped inside the bar, except it wasn't even as tangible as that. Seeing how no one else seemed to be as bothered by it as him, Makoto almost dismissed it as stress; but something else in him rallied against the idea.
