"..." She could only glare at him fiercely, unable to vent her anger.
The first special place in this building is her room, where she spends a third of her time every day.
Yesterday he visited Ogiso Setsuna's room, and today he visited her room again. A few days ago, he also visited the rooms of Iori Jinna and Kawahara Momoka. If you include that building, he has also seen the rooms that An and Subaru chose.
It seems he's been drawn to girls' rooms lately, a conclusion he inexplicably came to.
The tour of the Touma residence continued, but most of the ground floor was not very interesting, except for one room, which she resolutely refused to let him enter.
Sakurakoji guessed that it must be Touma Yoko's room. Although she went abroad, she would come back to stay for a few days every year, and someone would clean it regularly.
Since it's not a hygiene issue, it must be a problem with her emotions. The complexity of this mother's feelings is probably far beyond what others can imagine.
Finally, the two arrived at the second special location, which was also the most unique place here—the underground music room.
After passing through an ordinary entrance that looks like a warehouse door, walking a few steps inside and then going down the stairs, you arrive at the entrance to the music room.
This area is divided into two parts: the main control room near the entrance and the training room inside.
"Oh, there are facilities like this here? No wonder I didn't see any musical instruments up there."
The spacious room was filled with a variety of musical instruments, including wind instruments like the saxophone and string instruments like the guitar and bass, but the most eye-catching was the grand piano with a huge presence in the corner of the room.
Its intensely reflective black texture speaks volumes about its value and prestige.
Undoubtedly, this is the personal piano used by the mother and daughter of the Touma family at home, and its price is at least eight figures in yen. Considering her profession, nine figures would be normal.
When asked how big the room is, he could only say that there is a sofa, the kind that a typical family would put in their living room, at the other end of the room.
Besides these, there are various audio cables, music stands, stools, and other small items.
This space, which ordinary families would never have, occupied the second most time she spent each day after sleeping and at school—sometimes even more.
"There are quite a few musical instruments here. Do you know how to play them all?" He looked around and asked with his eyes.
"As long as you are proficient in music theory and are willing to spend time practicing, it is not difficult to master several instruments." Her expression was flat, as if she were just stating a fact, but her tone carried a hint of sarcasm, indicating that she was still bothered by what had just happened.
"Impressive," Sakurakoji Sai gave him a thumbs up, "Aren't you going to show us?"
"..." She opened her mouth, as if to say, 'Why should I perform a talent for you?'
But in the end, she didn't say it. After a few seconds of silence, she walked towards the piano that she knew all too well.
She pulled out a stool and sat down. Unlike her usual languid demeanor, once she sat down at the piano, her eyes became incredibly serious, her posture upright, her expression solemn, and an invisible aura emanated from her, instantly maximizing her professionalism.
Just watching it makes the audience very excited.
Without further ado, her nimble and firm fingers began to dance rapidly across the black and white sheet music, and tranquil, slow, and melancholic notes instantly filled the entire room, reaching Sakurakoji Takayuki's ears.
He closed his eyes, stood still, and listened quietly, interpreting the emotions she poured into this world-famous piece of music.
Nearly five minutes passed quickly, and as the notes gradually slowed down until they disappeared completely, the piece came to an end.
clap clap!
"Great job, you deserve it." The only audience member clapped and smiled in praise.
"Is there anything you want to say?" Ignoring his praise, Touma Kazusa glanced at him and asked the question.
"Let me tell you beforehand, if you can't even tell this and answer incorrectly, I won't play the piano for you anymore, and I won't allow you to come here again."
so serious?
Although it's unknown whether her attitude will change later (as long as he flatters her a little, it should be easy for her to change and soften), at least for now, she seems to be serious.
So he nodded solemnly, his expression earnest, and said to her with heartfelt sincerity:
"I'm sorry! I was wrong!"
The melancholy and discontent in that song "Liebestraum" permeated the entire piece. If he couldn't even hear that, he might as well give up on music altogether.
Touma Kazusa nodded in satisfaction, indicating that she had let him off the hook.
"However, I must correct one of your misconceptions, Touma."
"Hmm?" She looked over in confusion.
“You said before that your mother didn’t take you with her because you lacked talent and ability, right?” Sakura Koji leaned against the piano. “But in my opinion, your talent and ability are top-notch, so there’s no need to worry about it.”
“I thought you were going to say something like, ‘Don’t judge me if you’re not an expert.’” Touma Kazusa shrugged helplessly. “The reason you think I’m amazing is just because you haven’t seen professionals. Once you’ve witnessed their abilities, you’ll know that I’m just a clown duck.”
“I understand what you mean. Compared to international professional musicians, you are indeed far from being good enough, but…” He looked into her eyes, a question in them, “Do you need to compare yourself to them?”
"..."
"No matter what, you're only a teenager. As long as you keep practicing hard, in a few years you'll be able to compete with them, right?"
"..."
"Not to mention, I heard laziness and weakness in your playing. You... haven't practiced seriously at all in the past two years, have you? At most, you've only maintained basic proficiency."
"..."
"You still have this kind of strength even after all this? Do you really think you have no talent?"
“…Hoo,” Touma Kazusa took a deep breath, then frowned, swung her arm angrily, and shouted at him:
"Otherwise what? That woman herself said there was no point in bringing me along! Are you trying to say you're more authoritative and correct than her?!"
"It's hard to say, but did your mother really say that? That you have no talent?" he questioned.
"That goes without saying..." She paused here.
Image: "Cool and Aloof", Location: "Images/1758036054-100446961-113858659.jpg"
Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Chapter 111 How Low Can Education Level Be? Life Sometimes
Thinking about it carefully, Touma Yoko was just saying that it would be pointless to take her there now, not that she lacked talent.
She stopped herself from saying what she was about to say, her gaze unfocused as she stared at the piano keys.
"It seems you understand this as well." Seeing her like this, there was no need for further explanation.
"Your mother probably didn't bring you along because she was focused on her career."
"She probably can't guarantee that she'll have enough extra energy to take care of you, so she thinks it's better for your growth to have you here."
"It's not that I think you lack talent, ah, of course, you certainly didn't have the ability back then."
Touma Kazusa glared at him fiercely, baring her teeth and practically breathing on him.
Clearly, what she meant was, 'Would you die if you didn't say the next sentence?'
"So what? It's my freedom to decide whether or not to practice, isn't it?" She turned her head and retorted reluctantly.
“That’s natural,” Sakurakoji affirmed. “Even if you have talent in this area, it doesn’t mean you have to develop in this direction. Ultimately, you have to follow your own ideas.”
"In fact, I know some people like that."
"Despite possessing talents that others can only dream of in certain areas, they plunge headlong into fields they are not good at in order to pursue their passions."
"Even though we stumbled along the way, we were battered and bruised by one difficulty after another."
Of all the people he mentioned, the most representative is Shiina Mashiro.
Despite possessing unparalleled talent in drawing, she chose to abandon the pursuit of creating works that would go down in history and instead ventured into the comics industry, which she knew nothing about, starting all over again.
The same goes for Aoyama Nanami, who takes care of her. Even with so many chores on her plate, she is still a top student. If she focuses on her studies, getting into a prestigious university will be as easy as eating and drinking.
But he insisted on pursuing his dream of becoming a voice actor, and thus encountered many setbacks along the way.
"That's really stupid." She closed the piano lid and rested her chin on her hand.
“Isn’t that great?” Sakurakoji Sai said with a smile. “It’s a very lucky thing to be able to find something you love to do. So many people spend their whole lives doing jobs they don’t like.”
"Even if you don't pursue a career as a performer in the future, becoming an independent musician or a piano teacher who teaches children is not a bad thing, is it?"
"I'm going to be a teacher? Are you serious?" Touma Kazusa pointed at herself, unable to suppress her laughter.
The thought of her sitting upright and earnestly teaching others made her laugh out loud; it didn't suit her at all.
"Okay, I admit it, being a teacher is a bit difficult for you, especially right now."
It's kind of darkly humorous to think that a delinquent girl like her, who skips classes and is always late, would become a teacher.
"However, if you do pursue a career in this field someday, I think it shouldn't be too difficult to support yourself."
What makes you so sure?
"Look, musicians, frankly speaking, also make money by selling tickets and burning CDs to sell copyrights, right? It's somewhat similar to the entertainment industry." He smiled shyly. "Don't you think that, when the skill level isn't that different, appearance can be a big advantage?"
"As long as someone helps you with marketing, and you have the gimmick of a beautiful female pianist, it shouldn't be a problem to occupy the front page for a while, right? Once you have fame, why worry about not being able to sell tickets?"
"Fortunately, you inherited your mother's good looks, which is actually a great advantage."
"..." Touma Kazusa stared at him in disbelief; this was a path she had never imagined.
However, it must be said that this seems to make sense; once you have fame, making money will naturally follow.
After all, most people go to concerts not just to listen to long and boring classical music, but more to join in the fun and have some so-called "cultivation of the mind".
Most of them couldn't tell who played well and who played poorly.
"You really are a 'genius' who takes an unconventional approach," she said with a soft, mocking tone.
"What does it matter? It's not illegal anyway," Sakurakoji said dismissively.
"You said you studied music, but instead of relying on your talent, you resort to these underhanded tactics. Don't you have any shame?"
"Strength and this are not mutually exclusive. Of course, we should make full use of our advantages. Just because you don't use them doesn't mean others won't."
"Hmph, as expected, only a heretic without any real strength would spout such sophistry."
"..."
"What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself?" Touma Kazusa looked at him, her body still, and blinked gently.
"No, but alright." He pondered for a moment and decided to show off his skills. "Since you played a piece for me, I'll return the favor."
"Could you please give me your seat? Thank you."
Touma Kazusa was also somewhat interested in his initiative to ask to perform. With a faint smile, she got up, gave him her seat, sat on the sofa behind her, crossed her arms, and waited for his performance.
Sakurakoji opened the piano lid, looked at the familiar bright keys that he hadn't seen in a long time, and played a few simple notes.
Recently, his only opportunity to use a keyboard has been with the portable band keyboard used by Fanxing, which is nothing compared to a formal piano.
In terms of unfamiliarity, he was even more so than Touma Kazusa, but it wasn't a big problem for him.
After hearing just a few notes, Touma Kazusa, who was standing to the side, put away her playful smile and became serious.
The layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.
At her level, she could roughly gauge the opponent's strength from the rhythm and intensity of their movements.
At least at this moment, she was certain that Sakurakoji's talent was definitely not that of an ordinary layman who had only studied for a few years.
Like her, Sakurakoji first composed herself, placing her hands lightly on the piano keys, and then suddenly began at a certain moment!
This is a short, upbeat etude, not a lengthy classical piece, nor a three- to five-minute pop song.
He chose the "Black Key Etude" that she often practiced.
The rapid keystrokes fell like fine raindrops, and the performance, which was originally going to last almost two minutes, was deliberately sped up and finished in less than a minute and a half.
"How was it? Not bad?" After a five-second pause, he winked at her.
"..." Touma Kazusa didn't speak, she just stared at him in a daze.
He moved his lips several times, but no sound came out.
A minute later, she finally spoke: "Haven't you participated in any competitions before?"
“No,” Sakurakoji Saiyu sighed and shook his head. “I’m different from you. For some reason, I never went to school as a child. I was always tutored.”
You'll Also Like
-
There are so many geniuses in crossover anime! What's wrong with adding me?
Chapter 169 2 minute ago -
American comic: Checking in, Gwen in black stockings rolls her eyes.
Chapter 234 2 minute ago -
I became a heart-stealing thief in Azure Files
Chapter 786 2 minute ago -
What a joke! Magical girls, just obediently get hypnotized!
Chapter 130 2 minute ago -
Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom
Chapter 439 2 minute ago -
Valkyrie Flavor Tasting Guide
Chapter 218 2 minute ago -
A grandmother and granddaughter swap souls, causing chaos throughout the entire court.
Chapter 54 4 minute ago -
Fantasy, I suddenly understood the Chaotic Body
Chapter 225 4 minute ago -
I am a dragon
Chapter 108 4 minute ago -
Three years after our breakup, my ex-boyfriend dragged me to get our marriage certificate.
Chapter 52 4 minute ago