♪♪♪
THE calendars switched to a new year, bringing about January.
The entrance exam for Seio Academy’s sponsored scholarship students ended without a hitch. When one of the interviewers asked me what ambition would drive me once I enrolled in the academy, I answered, “Wanting to become a better pianist.” Laughter broke out across the room. What did I say wrong?
Seated in the center of the interview panel with his elbows on the table and hands folded like he knew he was the most important man in the room, was Tobi. “I look forward to seeing how you grow.” With his words of approval, the interview ended. The other interviewees were going to be tested on sight-seeing, aural skills, and actual performance next. I was sent home right after as a special exception though.
A simple map of the Academy’s layout in hand, I finally arrived at the front of the school. My first impression of Seio Academy was that it was ridiculously large and spacious. It boasted a campus size that ran contrary to the knowledge that it was built in a prime location downtown.
Since Seio Academy had an old history, its buildings were built with a very classic and elegant architecture style. Stepping inside the buildings was like stepping from the past into the present, as the interior was modernized with seismic retrofitting. Commercial-sized elevators were available for use in different locations too.
Are they used for carrying bigger instruments? I wondered. I wish I could explore since I’m already here!
Torn by the desire to look around some more, I ran to Mom’s car parked in the parking lot.
“Sorry for the wait!”
“You finished up fast! Is it okay for you to go home now?”
“Yup, that’s what they said. They’ll be sending me the enrollment paperwork next week.” I couldn’t resist laughing at Mom who looked like she couldn’t believe it was that easy.
Dad was anxious for me this morning too. Only Hanaka was brimming with confidence for me. “There is no way Mashiro won’t get in!” Where in the world did her confidence come from?
✦ ✦ ✦
♪♪♪
THEN came February.
Snow had been falling since morning. I was keeping my feet warm with the electric heater while playing the piano, when my phone rang. I lifted my hands from the keyboard and picked up my flashing cell phone. Cocking my head at the name on the display, I answered the call.
It was from Kou. Surprising since he rarely called.
“Hello? Kou? What’s wrong?”
“Hi. Sorry for the sudden call. Do you have any plans today? If not, can you come over?”
“Come over to your house? Why?”
“Because I want to see you.” His straight answer caused me to lock up.
Turning him down would be easy. Sorry, I’m playing the piano right now. Just saying those words probably would have gotten him to say, “You are? That’s too bad,” and hang up the phone.
“…Tell me the truth. What’s wrong?”
I couldn’t push him away. His voice sounded very different from usual. Is he sending out some kinda SOS with this call?
“Do you need to talk?”
“…Yeah. I do.” Kou’s voice was frighteningly calm and quiet. It was different from sounding cold. The clerical tone bothered me to no end. “This is the one area you always pick up on,” he added teasingly.
Under normal circumstances, I would’ve countered him with, “What the heck?! I won’t go if that’s how you’re going to be!” But the weirdness I sensed wouldn’t allow for that.
“Okay. I’ll head right over,” I replied.
“I’ll send Mizusawa to get you. Wait until he gets there,” Kou said briefly before hanging up.
Anxiety stirring in my chest, I arrived at the Narita estate in the car driven by Mr. Mizusawa. Kou was waiting for me in the foyer. Mr. Tanomiya was nowhere to be seen.
“Hi. Where’s Mr. Tanomiya today?”
“Hey. Thanks for coming. I gave him the day off… Follow me,” Kou urged, spinning on his heel and briskly walking in front of me.
Kou, a professional when it comes to ladies first, is walking in front of me? Things were getting weirder by the minute.
Contrary to my expectations that we were headed for the parlor on the second-floor, he brought me to a Michelin 3-Star Restaurant! Or rather, a kitchen that was a close second to one. Lined up on the sparkling clean counters was a row of cookware, flour, butter, milk, and so on.
“D-Don’t tell me you want me to…?” I glanced up at a wicked smirk on Kou’s handsome face.
And so, I got roped into making a chocolate cake in the Narita kitchen. Yes, of course it was per the selfish demands of the high and mighty oresama Kou.
“I can’t believe you invited a guest all the way over to your house just to have them make you cake! You’re unbelievable!”
“Who might this guest be?”
“Me, obviously!”
Once our customary bickering was done and out of the way, I snapped my mouth shut and set about cooking. I used the whisk to beat the eggs until they formed stiff peaks and gently combined it with the flour and cocoa powder I had mixed beforehand. Then I added melted butter and milk and poured the mixture into a round cake mold.
Kou pulled a chair over from the other side of the kitchen, spun it around backwards, and sat down facing me with his arms resting on top of the backrest. The unusually gruff gesture made my heart pound against my wishes.