♪♪♪
I had everyone leave the room so I could change and head for the lobby. I greeted Kakeru who was already seated and took the interviews alongside him. They asked us a basic set of questions including stuff like: “How do you feel right now?” and “Were you nervous on stage?” The questions were practically identical to what I’d asked Kakeru last week. I glanced up at Kakeru just as he was looking down at me. We exchanged funny looks and laughed despite ourselves.
“Oh, what’s this? You two look quite friendly with each other even though you attend different schools and piano lessons,” one of the reporters noted.
As I was trying to think up an answer, that chance was taken from me—
“They might be attending the same high school.” Tobi stood right beside Kakeru.
“Director Yamabuki!” Kakeru happily stood from his chair and shook hands with Tobi as if this were the first time he saw him since winning.
I, on the other hand, felt like removing my metaphorical glove and slapping him across the face with it.
“I apologize for interrupting the interview. I am Seio Academy’s director, Tobi Yamabuki,” Tobi greeted the reporters with a swindler’s smile.
“Oh, so you’re Director Yamabuki! I hear your name quite often.”
Kakeru looked equally perplexed by the business card exchange party that took place between Tobi and the press. Once he finished greeting everyone, he patted both of us on the shoulder in a friendly gesture you’d expect out of a guardian or mentor.
The body’s reaction tends to be more honest than the mind’s—all my hair stood on end the moment he stood behind me. I struggled to endure the impulse to get up and flee the room.
“To be up-front with you all, I am in the middle of negotiations with Miss Shimao to see if she will enroll in Seio Academy as a special scholarship student. I have known her personally since she was a little girl. I was deeply torn over who I should cheer on during the finals.”
LIAR! YOU BIG FAT LIAR!
The cameramen snapped lots of pictures of Tobi as he told that brazen lie. He was something else all right, trying to connect even my win into promoting his school. A mix of feelings whirled within me.
“You’re going to Seio for high school, Shimao? Cool! I’m looking forward to seeing you there!” Kakeru’s face lit up brighter than the sun.
Gah…your innocence is blinding. You shouldn’t get any closer to your black-hearted school director. A black heart is extremely contagious!
“I sure hope she does. What do you think, Miss Shimao? Will you accept my offer?” Tobi was trying to get me to commit in front of all the reporters.
I was furious. How dare he make all of this stuff up? He never brought this up with me before! I won’t let him get away with it scot free! Two can play at this game!
“Good question. I would love to if my parents agree. You did promise me that not only would the tuition be free, but also my uniform, textbooks, and all my school-related costs as well, right? Oh, and the dorm fees too, yes? It was a very appealing offer.”
Tobi’s polished smile twitched at the corners. I had publicly extorted him in front of all the reporters. Serves you right! …Huh, I guess I’m the one who has contracted a black heart.
“Does that mean Seio Academy is revising their policies on scholarship students?! This is great news!”
The crowd of reporters began taking notes and snapping pictures. Tobi quickly amended the situation by saying, “The decision isn’t finalized yet, so please keep the information off-the-record for now.”
I crossed my legs and flashed an innocent smile at him.
✦ ✦ ✦
♪♪♪
ONLY the middle school division had ended so far. The competition coordinator explained to me that they would send information about the special concert put on by the winners at a later date. Performing with the orchestra was a special privilege granted only to the winner of the university division.
Yet another thing that ended up differing from Kon’s notes. As it was, the remake version’s heroine was supposed to be the only winner.
It dawned on me all over again that this world was gradually deviating from Hear My Heart’s storyline. Kon had mentioned something about that ages ago too. What did she call it? The butterfly effect?
Not knowing anything about what made up this world or why I was reincarnated meant the only thing I could do was live out each day as it came.
✦ ✦ ✦
♪♪♪
THE interviews and information session had ended, so I said my goodbyes to Kakeru and left the lobby.
Oh yeah, Miss Chisako and Miss Sakurako were all excited about going out to celebrate. Going out to eat with everyone sounds like fun. I was happily walking toward the door, when Tobi chased after me for the umpteenth time.
I figured he’d come. I stopped and turned towards him.
The dubious smile from earlier was wiped clean off his face as he stared right at me. “Congratulations on your win.”
“Thank you. Congratulations on Tominaga winning as well. Are you satisfied now, Director?”
“…Satisfied? Far from it.” Tobi bent down from his high view of the world and brought his perfectly drawn lips to my ear.
Revulsion rippled through me, screaming at me to pull away from him, but I didn’t want him to see what bothered me. I knew he’d use it to his advantage later. I planted my feet firmly on the ground and stifled my emotions.
“Tominaga’s win was decided from the start. I made the necessary arrangements long in advance.”
“…What?”
His unexpected confession rooted me to the ground. Then, what? The winner was decided from the start? Why did he have to say all of those horrible things to me then?
“But Sadia Francesca only gave you As. Female pianists are so difficult to control,” Tobi spat bitterly and straightened up. His usual calm composure returned to his clear blue eyes. “And that’s why I am congratulating you on your win… Say, why don’t we call a truce, Mashiro? Why don’t you come to me as a scholarship student?”
I answered his honeyed, catlike voice with a derisive smile. I will never be broken by you again.
“You honor me with your high evaluation of my skills. I will take your offer under consideration.” I gave a light nod and walked by him. A quiet smile played across his face.