episode_0028

“Thank you both for coming.”

Saying so, Tomoe guided Takeo and me to the sofa in the room.

Although it was a sofa I had sat on many times, sitting here made me a little nervous. Her guiding us here meant she was going to play some song.

Already a second-year middle school student, Tomoe’s activities extended even overseas. I had to make sure I could give her the feedback she desired, to meet her expectations.

“What song are you playing today?”

“It’s called Fantaisie-Impromptu, Takeo-kun, do you know it?” “Nah, I haven’t heard of it.” “Heh, heh, then why did you ask?” With a chuckle, Tomoe looked at Takeo-kun and shyly smiled.

As always, the two of them were close, to the point where it felt like there was no room for me.

“Well then… please enjoy.” Her shy smile vanished, and when she sat down at the piano, the atmosphere changed. Even though it was the living room of a house, it felt as if it had become a competition hall. The melody was so pleasant to my ears that I found myself completely captivated.

“…Whew. How was it?” The moment the performance ended, I unconsciously applauded. It was a standing ovation; I don’t know why, but I felt tears welling up from the emotion.

“Huh, w-wait, Kyotarou, are you crying?” “Yeah! It’s incredible! This might be the first time music has moved me so much!”

I’d been listening to Tomoe’s performances since I was little, but I never thought she’d improve this much.

“Thank you… hearing you say that, Kyotarou-kun, makes me truly happy.” “Is it really that good? I don’t think I can understand art.” “Takeo-kun, what did you think of my performance?” “I thought it was a song I’d heard on TV before.” “Haha… that’s supposed to be a compliment, right?” Glared at by Tomoe, Takeo stammered, “Uh, yeah.”

Tomoe then got angry at Takeo, telling him, “Listen properly, will you?”

Watching the two of them, who were so close, I laughed along. Everything was the same, yet a huge gap was starting to form between us.

§

A few days after Tomoe’s piano performance. Takeo-kun came to my house still in his martial arts uniform. As he headed to my room, still sweaty, he sighed, “Haaah,” and sat cross-legged.

“I’m in trouble, Kyotarou. It seems I have to go up on stage in the gymnasium next time.” “On stage…? Did something happen?” “Nah, remember how I won the karate tournament a while back? The school is apparently going to honor me for it. I said I didn’t need it, but even the old man told me to accept it because it’s an honorable thing… Don’t you feel like, what the heck am I supposed to say?”

Honestly, I thought it was amazing. Winning a karate tournament was something I could never do.

“Oh yeah, now that you mention it, Tomoe also went up on stage and said something before, didn’t she?” “Yeah… I think it was something like, ‘I aim to become a pianist who can captivate the world,’ right?” “Oh, that’s it! Do you think it’d be funny if I said the same thing?” “Haha, I think it would be funny.” “Right! Then I’ll do that. Thanks for talking it over with me, Kyotarou!”

Days later, Takeo was honored in front of the entire student body, just as he had discussed, and he made a statement along with his certificate.

“I too! Aim to become a martial artist who can captivate the world!”

Both students and teachers, everyone burst into laughter. Although he didn’t mention her name, Takeo was imitating Tomoe. Because he was someone allowed to do so.

“Honestly, don’t go imitating me.” “It’s fine, isn’t it? Besides, Kyotarou helped me come up with that joke.” “Huh? Kyotarou-kun too? …Fine, I’ll forgive you then.”

Walking home, the three of us together, but I was always a step behind. A clown-like existence, only able to offer forced smiles… I felt like I couldn’t continue like this.

§

“Mom, is playing the piano difficult?” “Of course it’s difficult. Were you influenced by Tomoe-chan?” “It’s not like that, but… I’m going for a walk.”

Maybe I chose the wrong person to talk to. But asking Tomoe to teach me piano also felt difficult. I had seen firsthand how many years it took her to reach that level. Besides, the current Tomoe didn’t seem to have enough time to teach others.

When I walked past her house, I could hear piano sounds every day. Her performances were so refined that people would involuntarily stop to listen. Despite having a large house, she played the piano in a room visible from the outside. I’d heard before that she practiced there to get used to being observed by people.

(As expected… she’s amazing.)

How many people had stopped here and listened intently to her performance? How many people had admired her and tried to follow the same path?

I didn’t think I could do the same. But if I could share even a little of her struggle.

The next day, I went to school early by myself. Sitting at the old piano in the school’s music room, I let my fingers fall onto the keys, just like her.

(…)

Chopin’s masterpiece she had played, Fantaisie-Impromptu. Watching videos one by one, I placed my fingers in the same positions. The stumbling sounds I produced could hardly be called a song.

(…This is no good.)

It was nowhere near the passionate melody that could move people, like hers. If I practiced a few times, I might be able to play one phrase properly, but that would be all. I couldn’t even read sheet music, and it felt like it would only be an extension of a rhythm game. Feeling like I was defiling the time a pianist named Yako Tomoe had dedicated, I stopped playing.

“Oh? Kyotarou-kun?”

When I left the music room, Tomoe was there. She was holding sheet music, looking as if she was just about to practice.

“Huh, don’t tell me, was that Kyotarou-kun playing just now?” “…No, I was just playing this video.” “I see. I was surprised, thinking Kyotarou-kun could play the piano too.”

Would Tomoe be happier if I could play?

“Hey, I’m about to practice now. Would you mind listening?” “…Yes, gladly.” “Thank you. It makes me very happy when Kyotarou-kun listens.”

I’m sure I’m better suited to just watching her from behind. An existence that merely applauds the brilliant glory of the two of them. Even so, for me, it must be something to be proud of.

――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― This is my final farewell to the four of them. Thank you very much for reading until the end. Each volume of the collected edition includes newly written short stories. If you would, I would be grateful if you picked up a copy and enjoyed it. That I’ve come this far is all thanks to my readers. Thank you very much, truly.

Shouhou Sou