Returning to the banquet hall, the number of people had already increased.
Shiina Chisa went back to her father’s side, while Suzuki Yuu began searching for Jinguuin Amane, wanting to discuss tonight’s matters with her.
Right now, he really didn’t want to act under the label of her boyfriend.
It was far too risky.
He knew very well that Shiina Kazuma’s current amiability only extended to those he was familiar with.
If he touched that man’s reverse scale…
Suzuki Yuu didn’t dare think any further.
His gaze roamed through the crowd, and soon, he finally spotted Jinguuin Amane.
She was currently standing before an elderly man, violin in hand.
Could that be Professor Izumitani?
He walked forward and soon overheard their conversation:
“Miss Jinguuin, have you still not considered studying under me? If you’re willing, we can head straight to the Royal Academy of Music…”
“Mr. Izumitani, there’s no need to phrase it so gently—I know your real intention is to seek the Jinguuin family’s support, right? As for that, I’m afraid it’s not something I can decide.”
“But…”
“Also, I have no plans to make a name for myself in the field of music, so I ask for your understanding.”
Jinguuin Amane’s response was very polite, but it was clear Professor Izumitani wasn’t happy about it.
Seeing this, some of Suzuki Yuu’s confusion cleared up.
This professor had probably also attended the competition at Aoyama Sei Academy with the Jinguuin family in mind.
Maybe Senior Hase hadn’t actually lost after all?
So he thought, and at that moment, Jinguuin Amane noticed him:
“Suzuki, over here.” she called.
All eyes in the banquet turned toward the voice, and soon they saw the eldest daughter of the Jinguuin family waving to a young man.
Suzuki Yuu’s heart skipped a beat.
With her calling out like that, what would people think about the relationship between them?
Especially Shiina Kazuma—what about his side?
Jinguuin Amane couldn’t possibly not have considered this, but judging from her expression, she seemed quite happy to do it.
Bracing himself, Suzuki Yuu walked step by step toward Jinguuin Amane under the gaze of dozens of people.
“President, please spare me tonight.”
As he reached her side, he spoke quietly to Jinguuin Amane.
But she only kept smiling and gave no reply, instead turning to Izumitani and saying:
“This is the outstanding Suzuki-kun I mentioned to you earlier, and also…”
Before Jinguuin Amane could finish, Suzuki Yuu cut in ahead of her:
“Employee.”
Interrupted, Jinguuin glanced at Suzuki Yuu, her expression calm and unreadable, yet she only smiled.
Izumitani, seeing him, was stunned for a moment, looking somewhat puzzled, but didn’t ask too many questions.
He simply changed from the awkwardness he had shown while chatting with Jinguuin, put on a smile, extended his hand, and said to Suzuki Yuu:
“Hello, Suzuki-kun.”
“Hello.”
Suzuki Yuu forced himself to stay calm while greeting him. At that moment, someone called for Jinguuin Amane, and she left the scene.
The awkward scene from the art exhibition resurfaced.
He and the professor stood staring at each other in silence for a while.
Fortunately, the other party finally spoke up:
“Miss Jinguuin showed me your performance video. Did you really only study for one month?”
“Yes… At most, I just did a little research beforehand.”
Suzuki Yuu answered truthfully. Izumitani looked at him and shook his head, saying:
“What a pity. If you had started from a young age, you would surely have achieved great things by now.”
“It’s fine, I’m only somewhat interested, that’s all.” Suzuki Yuu replied modestly.
As the atmosphere of the conversation began to ease a little, he wasted no time and got straight to the point:
“Mr. Izumitani, you once held a competition at Aoyama Sei Academy, right?”
At this question, Izumitani’s hand holding the teacup paused for a moment, but his expression didn’t change. He looked at Suzuki Yuu and replied:
“Yes, is there a problem?”
“I overheard your conversation earlier. I imagine you attended that competition from the very beginning with the Jinguuin family in mind, didn’t you?”
Izumitani said nothing, so Suzuki Yuu continued:
“For a professor with international renown, was it really necessary to be so humble?”
“That student who played a duet with you also looks familiar. Are you here to seek justice for her?” Izumitani interjected.
“No, I’m just a bit bored and wanted to learn about these young ladies’ backstories. As for seeking justice for them…”
Suzuki Yuu paused, then continued:
“I’d rather not invite trouble upon myself.”
His words made Izumitani look at him with a puzzled expression and ask:
“Then what is your purpose in doing this?”
“Well, that’s a long story…”
“Then keep it brief.”
“Money and women.”
He blurted it out almost without hesitation. Professor Izumitani spat out his tea and began to cough uncontrollably.
“Mr. Izumitani, as a gentleman of high society, you should at least maintain your composure.”
“Who do you think is to blame for that?”
Clearly, Suzuki Yuu’s words had gotten on the professor’s nerves. He glared at Suzuki Yuu and said:
“It’s because there are more and more young people like you that society’s morals are in decline.”
“No, if everyone in this society could be as straightforward as I am about their desires, then I believe society would be a lot better off.”
Suzuki Yuu spoke earnestly, as if he was about to launch into an analysis.
But at that moment, Izumitani brought the conversation back on track:
“If your goal is that Jinguuin lady, then you’d best give up now. She may be warm to you, but it’s certainly not love. I have a keen eye for people—especially for women.”
“So, you’re also contributing to society’s decline, aren’t you?”
“What do you know, this is my talent.”
Almost as if swept into Suzuki’s pace, the old gentleman who had tried to maintain his elegance now found himself exchanging crude words with the boy.
“But right now, you still have to humble yourself and beg the Jinguuin family.”
Upon hearing this, Izumitani deflated like a leaky ball, sighing helplessly:
“It can’t be helped. The adult world is never easy.”
“No, it’s just not easy for you. Please don’t complain to me on behalf of all adults.”
Suzuki Yuu retorted again, and Izumitani rolled his eyes at him.
At this moment, the old professor truly had no idea how to respond to the person in front of him. He held his teacup, his fingers trembling slightly, and for the first time, his face—normally rosy from years of comfort—showed a complicated expression, mixing anger, bewilderment, and a trace of… fatigue.
He stared at Suzuki Yuu for a long time, as if trying to find a flaw in that overly youthful and handsome face. But there was none. The other’s gaze was clear and forthright, and his brazen shamelessness left the professor unable to retort.
At last, Professor Izumitani let out a long sigh, as if all his strength had left him. He set his teacup heavily on the table with a dull thud.
“Can’t you show even a little shame?”
“If I always acted as a perfect gentleman, I doubt you would have answered my questions. So, Mr. Izumitani, I’d like to know—when you made that decision back then, was it really out of a sense of fair judgment?”
“Is there really any point in pursuing that now?”
“There is. I can use it to bluff the girl who played the duet with me.”
“……”
Once again silenced by Suzuki Yuu’s shamelessness, Izumitani sighed:
“Fine, I’ll tell you. Actually, during that competition, I thought that girl played very well—at the very least, she was in no way inferior to the Jinguuin lady.”
“But you still chose to criticize her. Was it really because her performance was too unorthodox?”
“No, it had nothing to do with that. I simply wanted the Jinguuin family’s support. She was just a tool for me to praise the Jinguuin young lady.”
Suzuki Yuu listened quietly to his words:
“In the end, music is something to be presented to the audience. That little girl’s flashes of inspiration often brought something special for listeners. Her foundation was solid, and I was honestly moved at the time. It’s just…”
He stopped there, seeming a bit ashamed.
“Mm, I understand. For someone whose shamelessness matches his talent, it’s only natural you’d do such a thing to achieve your goals.”
At this, Professor Izumitani shook his head with self-mockery:
“You’re right to criticize me for that. That’s why I didn’t get a good outcome, either.
“I still remember, after the competition ended, the Jinguuin young lady smiled at me in front of everyone and said, ‘Professor Izumitani, your performance today was far more impressive than my own playing.’ Then she turned and walked away.
“I still remember that line to this day.”
That was indeed very much Jinguuin Amane’s style.
Suzuki Yuu made no comment on it. For him, just learning about the matter itself was enough.
“Anything else you want to ask?”
Seeing Suzuki Yuu stay silent, Professor Izumitani asked again:
“One last question.” The boy paused. “You say you have a keen eye for people. Then, what kind of person do you think Jinguuin Amane is?”