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IT had seriously been a long time since I last visited the Narita estate. The last time I went was Christmas during the fifth grade. Mr. Tanomiya’s cheeks dimpled with a joyful smile when he saw me, expunging my fears that he wouldn’t remember me.
“My, if it isn’t Lady Shimao. What a pleasure it is to see you again after all this time.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Tanomiya. I hope you don’t mind me intruding again.”
“You are always welcome here, Lady Shimao. The lady and master of the estate have said the same.” The crinkled corners around Mr. Tanomiya’s eyes deepened as he softly smiled and added, “But it is I who is very glad to see you on this occasion.”
“Oh, stop! I can’t do much for you even if you flatter me like that!”
Who wouldn’t feel bashful when a dandy butler compliments them? Kou shot me an icy look when he saw my flushed cheeks.
Hmph! What’s wrong with a girl getting excited over a compliment now and then?
The moment I entered the music room I made a mad dash for the grand piano. Its polished beauty never changed. The crystalline treble and rich bass echoed in my mind’s ear.
“Um, if you don’t mind, I’d like to play for a little while. Can I?”
“I thought you’d ask.” Kou shrugged, but there was a smile in his eyes. “I’ll let you play to your heart’s content later, so can we talk first? What has you so worried?”
Ah, right, right. I was so captivated by the Bösendorfer in the room that I’d forgotten what I’d come here for. Thinking I had nothing to lose, I confided in Kou about performing on stage during the school culture festival.
“…And that’s the gist of it. I need to pick my song and start practicing it today. Problem is, I can’t think of a good one. Do you have any suggestions?” I asked after explaining my situation.
Kou cocked his head as if to say he didn’t see the problem. “I don’t get it. What’s wrong with playing a song you like? It’s not like you have no repertoire.”
I wrapped both hands around the warm cup of café latte that Mr. Tanomiya had brought for me and clarified the reason why the song choice had me so worried. The latte art of a cat curled into a ball with its tail curled around it was absolutely adorable; just looking at it was soothing. How would I react if he admitted to drawing it himself?! I might end up falling for Kou’s butler!
“Don’t clump my mundane school into the same category as one of the best music academy’s under the sun. Only a handful of normal middle schoolers tolerate classical music, much less enjoy it. They probably won’t even listen if I play one of the songs I like. It’d break my heart if no one paid attention during my performance.”
Kou’s teasing spirit glittered in his eyes as he pushed his crimson bangs upward. “If I was there, I wouldn’t let a single note go unheard. Not paying attention to your piano is one of the most wasteful things in the world, Mashiro.”
“Save the flattery for somebody else!”
“Why don’t you let me compliment you for once?”
“That ship has sailed.”
“Hah…”
I started laughing against my better judgment. Kou’s scowl was just too cute to ignore. My laughter brought back his original expression, and he studied me with gentleness brimming in his eyes as if to say he couldn’t win against me. When he looked at me like that it almost felt like I had butterflies in my stomach.
“How about you play a jazz arrangement of Mozart’s Twelve Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman”? I heard one of the piano department girls playing it a while back and thought it was a fun take on the song. It shouldn’t be too simple for you, and I think it’s a safe bet to say the audience will like it.”
“Mozart’s Twelve Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman”, huh? I think it’s a good choice, but I don’t have any sheet music for a jazz arrangement or a tone generator. It’s probably impossible for me to arrange it by the day after tomorrow.”
Everyone should be familiar with “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”, “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep”, and the “Alphabet Song”, which used Mozart’s twelve variations on this French melody. Playing a complex arrangement of a song composed by Mozart would increase the difficulty level too.
If only I had two more days.
Kou saw me sigh, frowned, and began reluctantly shifting through his smartphone. “Hello? Yeah. Yup, it’s me. I’m so happy you could tell.” Kou’s sudden switch to a sweet timbre voice as he spoke to someone over the phone took me by complete surprise.
What’s he doing all of a sudden? I can tell he’s talking to a girl by his tone, but is there a reason he has to call her while I’m around?
“Do you have the sheet music for Mozart’s Twelve Variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman” that I heard you play the other day? I’ll send someone to pick it up, so would you mind letting me borrow it for a bit? Of course I’ll make it up to you… Thanks. See you at school.”
…I misunderstood him. I finally realized that Kou made that call now to get ahold of the sheet music, but why did he go so far for me?
With one sidelong glance at me gawking at him, Kou swiftly hung up the phone. He confirmed the details on his smartphone screen with ice in his eyes and placed it on the table. His stony expression was all I needed to see to know that was a phone call he would’ve rather not made.
“Wait here for a bit. I’ll send Mizusawa out to get the sheet music for you. You can play the piano in the meantime,” he said in a businessman’s tone and stood to leave. On the spur of the moment, I seized his shirt cuff. “…Hm? What’s wrong?”
Even I didn’t know what it was I wanted to do. Why are you doing so much for me? Why do you care? Because we’re friends? Are you this kind to all your friends?
A long list of annoying questions crossed my mind. I pressed my open lips shut and sucked my bottom lip in between my teeth. Asking won’t do us any good, I thought, stifling the spark of curiosity. After all, I wouldn’t believe a thing Kou said, no matter what he tells me?
I gently pulled my hand back and lightly shook my head. “Sorry, it’s nothing… Thanks, Kou.”
“No problem. I’m happy to do stuff like this for you anytime.” Tenderness colored Kou’s eyes and a blissful smile overtook his face.
If only I could believe that smile wasn’t fake.
Sharp pangs shot through my heart.