Work Text:
Denki was kneeling on the black-and-white checkered floor, dramatic tears flowing down his face as he whined, “Jiro, please! Let me use your guitar! I promise I won’t fry it this time!”
“Fry it?! You exploded it you flashy freak! I am not giving you my guitar. No way.” Jiro humphed and turned away, the guitar clutched tightly in her arms. Momo giggled quietly.
The three were sitting in Jiro’s room after Denki had called the two music lovers together for an important announcement to do with Jiro. Of course, the flashy boy just wanted to borrow one of Jiro’s electric guitars. The cool evening breeze blew in through the red-curtained windows.
“Okay then, teach me to play music using my electricity.” Denki wasn’t about to give up this easily.
“Huh?!” Jiro stared, puzzled.
“Listen, you guys are the most musically talented and smart people I know. I really admire you,” Denki blushed and glanced at Jiro before continuing. “I’ve seen those videos where people make music with those zappy tesla rings or whatever they’re called. If you’re not gonna let me play music with guitars, then teach me how to play music using my quirk! I know it must be possible, so just teach me how to, please!”
Jiro’s glare softened into a simple gaze, moved by Denki’s unusually charming words. “Fine, I’ll teach you. I don’t really know how the Tesla coils work, but I’ll try and help.”
“Oh, I do!” Momo piped up, “The musical sound comes from the electricity heating the air around it, causing it to move around. The tesla coils adjust the frequency of the movement, making different pitches. So, by adjusting the voltage of your electricity, theoretically, you can make music too!”
Denki knitted his eyebrows, then gasped in understanding. “Wait, I understood that! I just gotta adjust the voltage to make different pitches, and then I can make music!”
“Yes!” Momo clapped encouragingly.
“Welp, now we just have to figure out how to do that. You have to practice controlling your quirk and let just enough electricity out to make a particular sound at a particular pitch. Let's try it!” Jiro smiled.
“Okay, here goes!” Denki grinned nervously. He sparked a small zap, holding the charge.
“That sounds… like a C. Try just a bit more, see if you can get it to sound higher?” Jiro explained with patience.
Denki nodded and then closed his eyes in concentration. Just a bit more.
“Yes, like that!” Momo cheered Denki, “That's a D. So if you practice increasing your pitch bit by bit, then you can learn the scales. From then on, you can play songs!”
“Ooh, okay, I'll keep practicing.” Denki put a thumb up, smiling.
1 month later
*Denki’s phone
Me lol : hey momo
Winggirl:D :Hello Denki! How are you?
Me lol : can you help me 🙏
Winggirl:D :Of course! What do you need?
Me lol : can you set me up w Jiro?
Me lol : imma play her a song, see if she likes it👀
Winggirl:D : Sure! 😁 I'll ask her to meet you in the lounging area.
Me lol : thanks :)
Denki smiled with hope. If he didn't mess this up, he could secure a date with Jiro!
Later, in the lounging area
“Hey Denki, what's up!” Jiro sat down on the couch, greeting Denki with a smile.
“H-hey Jiro. I've been practicing, and I– I wanna play a song for you.
“Huh? Sure, okay”
Denki took a deep breath before sparking a small zap and playing a calm melody. Jiro moved her head slowly to the tune. Suddenly, he changed the pace. The small zap became a larger fork of electricity as it got louder and faster, playing a metal-sounding, harsh sound. Denki seemed embarrassed that it was improper and the sound seemed to get quieter, but Jiro nodded with interest. Confidence surging, Denki played louder again. Soon, everyone came out to listen to the free concert, willingly or unwillingly (the sound was quite loud). Jiro picked up her own bass guitar and played along. They sat together like that, playing the song that Denki had come up with. The song ended in a musical flourish with a guitar riff from Jiro.
“Wow, not bad, phone charger.” Jiro got up and stretched. “Oof, gotta get to bed. Seeya–”
“Wait!” Denki cut off Jiro “Would you- are you free tomorrow? Wanna go get coffee?”
“Oh, uh, sure!” Jiro smiled.