The Concert Hall quickly filled with applause.
Every audience member’s gaze, without exception, was drawn to the small figure before them.
The girl held the violin beneath her chin, raised her bow, and a graceful melody began to flow.
The sound of the violin reached Shiina Chisa’s ears. She glanced at the girl on stage, then at Jinguu Amane beside her, and asked, “She didn’t choose a classical piece?”
“Probably because it’s a showcase. She went with something more popular.”
“She doesn’t really want to perform on this stage, does she?”
“Mhm, I forced her.”
Shiina Chisa found herself at a loss for words, her gaze returning to the stage.
At this moment, Hasegawa Aoi was playing “Always Together,” a very gentle and widely popular piece.
The violin’s sound was like a quiet, flowing stream, gently washing over everyone’s heart, soothing all restlessness within the Concert Hall in an instant.
Hasegawa Aoi played with her eyes closed, her body swaying gently to the rhythm. She seemed to be completely immersed in the music.
“So beautiful… You know more about this than I do. How’s her performance?” Shiina Chisa asked, her gaze shifting to Jinguu.
“She’s amazing, but compared to her middle school days, she’s gotten a bit rusty. She probably gave it up for too long.”
“I remember the reason she quit was related to you, wasn’t it?”
“It was, but only indirectly.”
“I recall there was a senpai who played the piano, her partner, right?”
“Yes. Back then, the two of them were inseparable.”
“It seemed like they had some falling out in the end. I only caught bits and pieces. What did you do back then?”
Shiina Chisa waited quietly for a response, but just then, Jinguu Amane said:
“I only did what was in Aoi’s best interests, that’s all.”
“Is that so…”
Seeing Jinguu Amane didn’t want to discuss it, Shiina Chisa let the matter drop.
Once more, they fell into silence, watching the stage.
The first piece ended quickly, followed by the second and third. The girl on stage played as if tireless—the longer she played, the better her state became.
After three solos in a row, thunderous applause echoed on.
Hasegawa Aoi bowed deeply to the audience, but this time, her eyes firmly sought the wings of the stage.
Under everyone’s gaze, Suzuki Yuu appeared, carrying a cello that matched his tall frame. Dressed in a sharp black suit, his face betrayed no emotion as he strode steadily to Hasegawa Aoi’s side and sat down.
A stir ran through the Concert Hall once again.
Many in the audience were actually here to see this Specially Admitted Student, for his outstanding performance in other fields as well.
Of course, Suzuki Yuu knew very well—no matter how he played tonight, he couldn’t match the girl beside him.
With her performance having set the stage, the best he could do now was stick to his training, ensuring he made no mistakes.
But in this setting, mediocrity was sure to leave a bad impression.
In other words, he was here to make a fool of himself.
Of course, he didn’t mind; after all, this was the invitation of the girl beside him. Since he had agreed, he would see it through.
Suzuki Yuu glanced at his system skill panel.
[Cello (Proficient): 30%; reaches 100% to upgrade to Expert.]
He drew a deep breath and braced himself.
Hasegawa Aoi’s violin sounded first, launching into the familiar, classic melody of “Canon.”
The violin’s tone was clear and warm. With the previous pieces serving as a warm-up, she was now in top form; every note pulsed with emotion and life.
A few seconds later, a steady, rich tone joined in.
Suzuki Yuu’s cello.
His playing wasn’t flashy—there was not a hint of showmanship. Just as he expected, under Hasegawa Aoi’s brilliant light, his only goal was to perform his part with precision, without a single mistake.
Each note was drawn with extreme caution and restraint, like a loyal sentry standing guard at the borders of the melody.
Yet, this was not enough.
He could sense the audience’s lack of enthusiasm.
At that moment, Suzuki Yuu suddenly felt an invisible pressure.
He began to fear making a mistake.
And the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen.
Soon enough, his first mistake came.
He played ahead of the beat. It wasn’t a big deal, but sweat broke out on his forehead.
Just as he was regretting it, he suddenly noticed Hasegawa Aoi’s movement.
Her violin, usually as brilliant and smooth as a guide’s beacon, became even gentler and more accommodating in that instant.
He realized the girl beside him had deliberately slowed by half a beat, using a clever glissando to seamlessly “absorb” his rushed note, restoring harmony to the melody.
Then, he sensed her playing become more gentle, gradually departing from the sheet music.
She danced elegantly, like a free spirit.
As her partner, he understood that all he needed to do now was keep pace, to catch her and never let her fall.
So he abandoned rigid adherence to the score, devoting all his focus to “listening” to her movements.
Right then, his heart pounded fiercely, excitement flooding through him.
He glanced at the girl beside him, an unprecedented sense of responsibility welling up inside.
He forgot entirely about the audience below, pouring himself wholeheartedly into playing with Hasegawa Aoi.
[Cello (Proficient): 30% → 65%; reaches 100% to upgrade to Expert.]
[Music Theory (Proficient): 50% → 80%; reaches 100% to upgrade to Expert.]
His progress soared, surpassing what ten days of hard practice had brought him.
He sensed something different—in this moment, at least, he could grasp Aoi’s intentions.
He also knew she was intentionally accommodating him.
No matter how spirited or unconventional her playing became, he had to keep up with her.
The climax arrived. Here, Hasegawa Aoi’s melody would become even more unpredictable, while Suzuki Yuu needed to be all the steadier.
He kept up, sweat pouring down his forehead, though he paid it no mind.
Sweat trickled down his temple, dripping onto his suit collar, but he didn’t spare a thought to wipe it away.
His world had shrunk to just the soaring sound of the girl beside him.
Hasegawa Aoi reached her peak, completely unleashing herself. The violin’s melody soared like a bird, breaking free from all restraints, circling, swooping, and gliding in the open sky.
Suzuki Yuu followed closely, like the vast, boundless sky holding everything aloft.
When that part of the melody ended, everything returned to calm.
The violin’s notes seemed to nestle into the cello’s embrace, smooth and natural.
Like a knight holding a princess.
Not until Hasegawa Aoi ended with a brilliant high note and Suzuki Yuu’s cello delivered a final deep, lingering chord did everything finally come to rest.
Suzuki Yuu felt his vision slowly return. He was a bit dazed, unsure of what had just happened, uncertain whether he’d performed well, or how the audience would respond to their performance.
But he knew clearly: he had given it his all.
Suzuki Yuu looked at Hasegawa Aoi, only to find she was already looking at him.
At that moment, he noticed a radiant, heartfelt smile blooming on the girl’s lips.