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THE Christmas concert looked like it was going to be a big success. The large hall capable of seating 3,000 was nearly packed.
I confirmed my seat number on my ticket and sat down. My seat was located in the center of the fifth row from the stage. Kon had secured me a pretty good spot. Not too many people had taken their seats around my row yet, leading me to believe they were still in the lobby chatting with the performers. As I flipped through the concert program, the hall suddenly erupted with noisy squeals.
Curious about the change in mood, I looked up and instantly understood what all the commotion was about.
A tuxedo wearing Kou was escorting Kon, dressed in her beautiful, deep-blue concert dress. I was dazzled by the beauty of Kon’s white arms, exposed by the sleeveless dress. Kou had slicked back his long red hair, preventing it from getting in the way of his performance. Today, he went without the unbuttoned shirt collar. What was with this crazy world that made him look this attractive even after properly buttoning up his shirt and wearing a tie?!
The two of them were beyond beautiful.
Maybe they came out here to greet me? Nah, fat chance.
“Hey, isn’t that Kou?”
“It is! Oh my gosh! He’s so cool!”
“It’s our Kou!”
“He gets more attractive every time I look at him!”
Girls around my age gushed over Kou, while the boys fell over themselves for Kon. Kou and Kon, however, didn’t seem to care about what they said. They’d probably grown immune to hearing it. Feeling like just another fan, I watched them leisurely stroll from the stage area.
“Mashiro!” The second I made eye contact with Kon, she beamed and waved at me. Every pair of eyes in the vicinity turned on me.
Kou saw Kon waving and followed her gaze. His demure expression suddenly shifted into a soft smile. The glares burning into me upped their intensity.
“Thank you so much for coming! I’m so happy you’re here!” Kon exclaimed adorably when she came over to my seat, making everyone else in the room disappear. It was pretty obvious that I was the odd one out between the two of them, but it bothered me more to act like it just because of what other people thought
“I’m the one who’s grateful for the ticket. Thanks again. I’m looking forward to your performance.”
“Thanks! I’ll put on the best performance I can! Thank you for the flowers too. I went straight to the lobby and picked them up.”
The small bouquet I’d brought for Kon was made up of miniature roses, baby’s breath, and delphiniums. She blissfully held the flower bouquet up in her right hand.
As for Kou, his penetrating gaze was assessing my attire. I tightened my stomach and waited for whatever snide remark he had in store for me this time. Contrary to my expectations, his cheeks flushed light-red and he complimented, “Nice outfit. You look great.”
…Am I hearing things right?
I waited with bated breath for the searing follow-up remark, but it never came. Baffled, I pushed off my seat. “This is my sister’s outfit. I’m glad it doesn’t look weird on me at least.”
“…Isn’t your skirt way too short?” Kou appraised my outfit all over again and frowned. He looked really irked. And he was the one who had just praised how good I looked in it too! I knew this was coming.
“I think it’s fine,” I said dismissively.
“And who are you trying to please with that look?” Kou asked, sounding even more irritated.
“Don’t worry, Kou, I’m definitely not trying to please you with it.”
“Pft!” Kon snorted, her shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
Was our argument really that funny? Kou shot Kon a sharp look, his mouth twisted.
“Kon?”
“What’s wrong with a short skirt? It’s cute and mature—a perfect look for Mashiro.”
Aw, Kon! You always have my back! Teach your brother a lesson!
Kou sighed once then gave his head a small shake. “I’ll accept it for now. I’m just glad I made arrangements in advance.” Before I could ask him what he meant, he continued over me, “You’ll be here until the end, right? Will you join us for dinner after?”
“Yes, please do!” Kon chimed in after her brother. “If you don’t have any other plans, I would love to have dinner with you.”
I’d originally planned on going straight home after the concert, but it seemed like such a waste after Hanaka’s makeover. This was the perfect excuse to show off her work.
“Okay, I’ll call home and ask. I’ll join you if my parents give the okay.”
“Got it. See you later then,” Kou said to me then turned to Kon. “We should go. It’s almost time.”
Kon waved goodbye and left with Kou.
I only spoke with them for a few minutes, but that’s all it took to make me the target of inquisitive and jealous stares until just before the curtain raised.
“What’s that girl’s story? She’s not from Seio, is she?”
“What’s her relationship with Kou and his sister?”
“I don’t like her.”
“She gives me bad vibes.”
You’re the ones giving me bad vibes! I tamped down my desire to let out a long sigh as I pushed down the spring seat and sat down again. The only thing that saved the night from becoming uncomfortable was the two empty seats on either side of me.
I was worried about what would happen if Kou’s fans sat next to me, so it was a real relief. There was nothing worse than trying to enjoy music surrounded by negative people.
It didn’t take long before the curtain rose.
The first part of the program was performed by the strings department. The first song was a double bass solo rendition of Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise”. A rich sound filled the hall, accompanied by the modest voice of the piano. According to the program, the bassist was in his last year of middle school. He sounded pretty good. He drew the audience’s full attention within the first few phrases. Sergei Rachmaninoff is said to have originally written this romantic, melancholy song for double bass. Rachmaninoff composed and published “Vocalise” as the last of his 14 Songs or 14 Romances vocal song collection.
Because Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise” was free from lyrics, it required the listener to think of the melody as the conveyor of emotion, and I enjoyed performances where the instrument seemed to sing that melody. I wanted the bassist to play with more emotional intensity, but it was still an elegant and gentle rendition of “Vocalise”.
The second song was a cello solo of Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan”.
The third song was Maurice Ravel’s “String Quartet in F major”.
Every song was played at such a high level it was hard to believe the performers were in middle school. This was the true ability of children gifted with a special music education from a young age. Rivalry bubbled within me. The more I admired their excellent performances, the more my desire not to lose to them grew. Since when did I become this greedy?
Kou was the final performer for the strings department.
The hall stirred to life when he stepped on stage. I thought back to the reactions I had seen before the concert started. I always knew he was popular, but his popularity still exceeded my expectations. I tried remembering what it was like for him in Hear My Heart, but it didn’t make for a good reference because I’d only come across his character a few times. That was the worst part about RNG games.
Kou suddenly felt out of reach, forcing me to face a hopeless sense of loneliness over the distance between us. I had no right to feel lonely when it came to him, but feelings and logic rarely went hand in hand.
Kou was performing Prokofiev’s “Sonata for Solo Violin in D minor”.
Purposely choosing to play a song without a piano accompaniment was clearly him showing his colors as an oresama character. Or maybe it was just easier for him to go without one with all the piano department girls fighting for the role.
When it came to technique, there were swaths of more difficult songs he could have picked from. But Kou had his violin singing this sonata with unimaginable beauty. The high notes rung out with crystalline clarity; the double-stops richly added volume. It was a perfect performance, leaving zero room for complaint.
Kou could be the model for a painting with the way he stood with his back straight, lovingly playing his violin. Add in the fact his music sounded godly and it made sense why he had a fanclub. I hated to admit it, but his performance grabbed hold of my heart too. I didn’t hold back any applause for his outstanding sonata.
Kou looked straight at me before leaving the stage—or that’s how it looked to me. A smile seemed to have graced his face too. Shrill screams exploded from the audience around me—he was probably just giving them fanservice. He had the mindset of a superstar. My heart involuntarily skipped a beat.
The concert went into a ten-minute intermission.
Okay, time to use the bathroom while I can! Must not get caught by Kou’s rabid fans! My desperate prayers must’ve reached the gaming gods—either that or I was being so sneaky it freaked people out—because I was able to make the roundtrip from the bathroom back to my seat without anyone saying or doing anything to me.
Quit being so self-conscious! I wanted to tell myself, but this world was too opportunistic when it came to cueing events. I’d tasted its power more times than I’d like to remember. Letting the tension out of my shoulders, I slowly sunk into my seat. I’d completely let down my guard at that point.
“Bonjour, Mashiro! Comment allez-vous? Can I take the seat beside you if no one else has?”
It can’t be! Why’s that guy here?! I awkwardly jerked my body toward the owner of that familiar voice.
My hunch was right—Tobi was here. A blond-haired, blue-eyed prince decked out in a white jacket was looking down at me with a phony smile.
I had no way of knowing if this was an event or just an irregular random encounter. Whichever it was, the choice was taken from me now. He was the big boss I had to beat in the future if I wanted to become a special scholarship student at Seio Academy.
“Très bien, merci. It doesn’t look like anyone has those seats, so be my guest,” I said politely, answering back in French.
Become like Kon, Mashiro! Put on a mask! Suppressing my panic, I lifted the corners of my lips into a polished smile.
✦ ✦ ✦
*Heroine’s Results*
Target Character: Kou Narita
Event: Playing For You
*Original Heroine’s Results*
Target Character: Tobi Yamabuki
Event: Groundwork for the Future
*CLEAR*