“Suzuki, if you had picked an instrument to learn when you were little and stuck with it, you’d definitely be a famous music master by now. Who knows, at your age you could even be the principal player in a symphony orchestra.”
Inside her family’s music room, Hasegawa Aoi sat perched on a tall chair, her hands propping up her small face, her legs swinging back and forth restlessly as she watched the boy playing piano before her, looking somewhat frustrated.
She truly couldn’t understand it—how could someone this talented have never touched a single instrument as a child?
Today’s progress by Suzuki Yuu on the piano far exceeded her expectations.
Suzuki Yuu’s fingers came to rest on the keys, the last note fading gently in the soundproofed room.
He flexed his slightly sore wrists before finally looking up at his “new girlfriend” beside him.
“Master? Principal player?” Suzuki Yuu couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. “Senpai, you’re giving me too much credit. I’m just playing as you taught me. My fingers are about to cramp.”
“Don’t give me that!” Hasegawa Aoi hopped down from her tall chair and strode over to the grand piano. Bracing both hands on the piano lid, she leaned in and stared intently into Suzuki Yuu’s face with a look of utmost seriousness.
“I’m not joking!” Her tone was stern. “I’ve taught a lot of people, but you’re the first… No, you’re not even human!”
“…That’s a pretty direct insult, isn’t it?”
“I’m praising you!” Hasegawa Aoi irritably ruffled her hair. “You make so few mistakes—it’s nothing like a beginner at all.”
There was a trace of something even she didn’t realize in her voice… jealousy.
Suzuki Yuu’s smile faded slightly. He knew, with the system’s assistance, he probably seemed far too exceptional in front of her.
But if he didn’t act this way, senpai would have a hard time judging his level, which would also throw off the pace of her teaching.
“Maybe… it’s because I have a cello foundation,” Suzuki Yuu tried to come up with a clumsy excuse.
“You think I’d believe that?” Hasegawa Aoi puffed up her cheeks. “Junior, you’d better be honest—are you hiding something from me?”
At these words, Suzuki Yuu felt a little guilty. He thought of the notification the system had just given him.
[Piano performance has reached Proficient level.]
“What could I possibly be hiding from you?” He averted his eyes and, feigning calm, started playing the simplest C major scale.
“You… oh, forget it.” Suddenly deflated, she sat back on the tall chair and rested her face in her hands, speaking in a low, wistful tone:
“You’re even more talented than Jinguu. If you keep at it, you might really win…” As she spoke, she quickly shook her head.
“What’s wrong?” Suzuki Yuu, noticing the change in her demeanor, asked curiously.
“It’s nothing, I just suddenly don’t want you to win anymore.”
“Why would you say that…”
“If that Jinguu girl notices your talent, she’ll definitely latch onto you.”
Hearing this, Suzuki Yuu gave a wry smile. “I feel like she’s already latched onto me.”
“It’s different. If she really starts paying attention to you, then everything around you will be affected by her…”
Hasegawa Aoi’s voice grew smaller and smaller, as if she was recalling something unpleasant.
“As for that, I’m not too worried. If the president really gets serious because of me, I’d actually be proud.”
Suzuki Yuu spoke in a lighthearted tone.
“Really…? So, how do you usually get along with her?”
“Everything’s fine, just that…” Suzuki Yuu trailed off, memories of working alongside Jinguu Amane coming to mind, and his expression turned complicated.
“What is it?”
“It’s just that she doesn’t really treat me like a person.”
“Huh?”
“Maybe at first she was just testing me, but her focus is always on Chisa. In other words, at best I just piqued her curiosity—I’ve never truly entered her field of vision.”
Suzuki Yuu explained. Up until now, he’d always thought Jinguu Amane’s actions were meant only to provoke Shiina Chisa and guide Hasegawa Aoi.
“Shiina junior is so pitiful…”
Hasegawa Aoi muttered softly. Even her little swinging legs stilled. The frustration on her face slowly faded, replaced by a sense of sympathy—almost as if they were in the same boat.
“So, senpai,” Suzuki Yuu said deliberately, watching her reaction, “hearing you say all this, it makes me want to see how Jinguu Amane would react if I actually surpassed her.”
Clearly, his words took Hasegawa Aoi by surprise—she looked up abruptly, her bright, clear eyes locking onto his.
“Junior, even if you keep practicing and become very strong, I still have to say, thinking about beating them already is just a bit too arrogant.”
“It’s fine, I’ll take it slow. It’s just a thought, anyway. By the way, senpai, do you know who the president’s partner is?”
“Oh, I know. It’s Asakura Kaede from Kiryu Music Academy—a really impressive person.”
“Are you two close?”
“Of course! Back in middle school, she came to me with questions almost every day. In a way, I was her teacher.”
Hasegawa Aoi said this as she put her hands on her hips, looking quite proud.
“Eh, then why is she partnered with the president?”
“Because I had a partner at that time…” She stopped abruptly, clearly wanting to avoid the topic.
“Let’s not waste time talking about these things. Let’s keep practicing. Junior, I want you to ‘sing’ the melody with the piano now.”
“Huh? Oh…”
Suzuki Yuu naturally followed her lead and continued practicing.
The two of them became completely absorbed in their practice. It wasn’t until Mrs. Hasegawa came in that Suzuki Yuu realized it was already dark outside.
Since he had to catch the train, he declined Mrs. Hasegawa’s dinner invitation and quickly bid farewell to the whole family.
Back at his apartment, Suzuki Yuu collapsed tiredly onto the sofa. He didn’t immediately review the piano skills he’d learned today—his mind kept circling back to the discussion with Hasegawa Aoi about Jinguu Amane.
What he’d said to Hasegawa Aoi today about wanting to “surpass the president” wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment remark.
Suzuki Yuu knew very well that if things continued as they were, he would always be at a disadvantage in front of Jinguu Amane.
Right now, the three agreements were already getting out of his control. So, he had to make sure he held the initiative in every relationship.
For that, he needed to find an opportunity—one big enough to change the current situation.
This chamber music competition might just be that opportunity.
As Suzuki Yuu was lost in thought, his phone suddenly vibrated. He looked down to see a message from Shiraishi Ayaha.
[Suzuki, can you help out at the shop tomorrow? Things have just gotten too busy lately (>_<)]
Seeing Ayaha’s message, Suzuki Yuu thought of the reaction to that video and was momentarily speechless.
He sighed, picked up his phone, and typed back:
[Got it, I’ll come by tomorrow.]
[Great, thank you Suzuki, I’m counting on you!]
With troubles piling up one after another, Suzuki Yuu scratched his head, finally tossed his phone aside, and settled down to rest.