"Eh? Wasn’t Hayakawa’s piano performance supposed to be the finale? Is it really okay to start with it?" Ise Yu Yuzhijin asked curiously.
Asano Nazuki looked at the stage, snorted twice, and turned her head away from Hayakawa Kashi.
"Maybe there was a change in the schedule." Shirakawa Sawahei replied and stopped chatting with Ise Yu Yuzhijin, concentrating on enjoying Hayakawa Kashi’s performance on stage.
The piece played by the Little Arrogant Study Girl was called "Dancer," which translates directly to "The Dancer." The music was lively and rhythmic, making one feel as if they were at a summer night party, dancing gracefully, with the melody soaring.
Shirakawa Sawahei admitted to himself that with his level of piano playing, it was impossible to play as effortlessly and freely as Hayakawa Kashi. Poverty not only limited his imagination but also his skill level.
Of course, there’s nothing to envy about. After all, Asano Nazuki next to him has an even higher piano skill level than Hayakawa Kashi. Do you see her being arrogant?
Apart from being a bit unable to hide her displeasure, everything else is quite normal, right?
Soon, the piece was over. Hayakawa Kashi stood up and gave a slight bow to the audience, and the hall thundered with applause.
Asano Nazuki clapped a few times begrudgingly and muttered softly, "These fools are being deceived."
"Eh? Asano, what did you say?"
"Nothing." The little girl immediately put on a Little Angel smile, "I said Hayakawa’s performance was fantastic~"
"Right! I think so too..."
Shirakawa Sawahei couldn’t understand the Hayakawa fanatics, but in his view, Hayakawa Kashi’s skill was indeed very strong.
As he was waiting for the next program of the evening to start, someone suddenly approached Shirakawa Sawahei and patted him on the shoulder, whispering, "Shirakawa, are you free now?"
"Teacher Uehara needs to talk to you."
It was none other than the class president, Kikuchi Takamiya!
Shirakawa Sawahei hesitated slightly and asked, "Teacher Uehara? When did this happen?"
"Just after the Cultural Festival’s quiz competition ended," Kikuchi Takamiya explained. "It might be about subsequent arrangements. You can bring Asano along."
The little girl perked up immediately, "Is the competition going to be rescheduled?"
She dreamed of having a showdown with Hayakawa Kashi, and if there could be another match to fulfill Asano Nazuki’s wish, she would have no problem even sponsoring it with her own money.
"Probably not..." Kikuchi Takamiya glanced at the dense crowd around them, "It’s not convenient to talk here, let’s go backstage. Teacher Uehara is over there."
Shirakawa Sawahei nodded in agreement, took the little girl, and walked out through the aisle, following Kikuchi Takamiya briskly toward the backstage.
The backstage was quite crowded, with many people in makeup and costumes, apparently preparing for a musical. The Vocal Department Head, Aoki Motoka, who had taught Shirakawa Sawahei to play piano before, was bustling among the crowd, meticulously arranging tasks for her members.
After all, having once been mentor and student, Shirakawa Sawahei took the initiative to nod and greet her.
"Good evening, Aoki."
This supporting character, who hadn’t appeared for more than forty Chapters, hadn’t forgotten Shirakawa Sawahei, nor the deep impression he left in her mind.
That was the fear of failing to show off and getting embarrassed instead...
Aoki Motoka retreated a small step, her heart filled with lingering fears, "Shirakawa..."
"Is the Vocal Department’s program coming up soon?" Shirakawa Sawahei asked casually while Kikuchi Takamiya went to find the class teacher.
"Yes... I’m so busy... We’re short on hands... Even after calling back the members who aren’t in the musical, it’s still a bit overwhelming..."
Shirakawa Sawahei paused, "Did you forget someone?"
"Forget someone? Who? Impossible..."
Aoki Motoka stood there stunned and then smacked her forehead after a long pause, "Ah, right! There’s Orikin!"
"Weird! Why did I remember everyone else but forgot her? If you hadn’t reminded me, Shirakawa, my mind would have truly been a blank..."
Shirakawa Sawahei empathized, "You can’t blame yourself, quickly get her in to work."
Ise Yu Yuzhijin possesses advanced loafing skills; being forgotten in group activities by those in charge is probably an inherent effect for her.
Shirakawa Sawahei thought he definitely couldn’t fuel her loafing tendencies.
Is this how Little Bai stabs people? Will this guy stab me too in the future?
"Shirakawa, you’re a demon..."
"That’s something Ise Yu should say." Shirakawa Sawahei glanced at the little girl.
Seeing no one around, Shirakawa Sawahei suddenly asked, "Asano, do you know Hayakawa?"
"Of course, I know her. Hayakawa is a celebrity, who wouldn’t know her..."
"That’s not what I meant."
"Then what’s Shirakawa asking?"
The two looked at each other, big eyes staring into little eyes. Seeing the little girl refuse to admit, Shirakawa Sawahei had no intention of exposing her right then, and shook his head, "Nothing."
Uehara Shigeo and Kikuchi Takamiya walked over from afar. As soon as they saw Shirakawa Sawahei, they smiled broadly, "Mr. Shirakawa..."
"You’ve worked hard this time," Uehara Shigeo said, "Originally, we planned to have you compete with Shirakawa, but because Hayakawa is going to meet an overseas music professor, the subsequent schedule was canceled by the school."
"However, the school has decided to give extra class ranking points to all teams that made it to the finals!"
"I didn’t do much; it was mainly Asano’s achievement."
"I know," Uehara Shigeo winked at Shirakawa Sawahei, indicating his understanding.
After all, as a boy, wanting to give the credit to a girl to make her happy is understandable~
"It’s all thanks to Asano and Shirakawa."
The little girl was still digesting the sad news and didn’t notice Uehara Shigeo’s ambiguous gaze. Shirakawa Sawahei asked, "An overseas music professor? Is he visiting?"
No wonder her performance at the evening was moved up to the first slot, as there was an even more important performance to prepare for later on.
"I don’t know... I heard he’s here specifically for Hayakawa, from a very famous music university."
Shirakawa Sawahei frowned. Could Hayakawa Kashi be planning to study music abroad?
This is bad news. If Hayakawa Kashi is going abroad, the bond between them wouldn’t easily be severed by distance.
Given the erratic nature of the system, it might even make him go abroad too, following Hayakawa Kashi as her exclusive confession interceptor.
Well, there’s also Tachibana Tomoku in Neon Country. Maybe he’d fly there in the morning to shield Hayakawa Kashi from trouble and back in the afternoon to protect Miss Tomoku...
Such a life would indeed be fulfilling and rhythmic...
The thought is simply ridiculous.
Uehara Shigeo didn’t seem to know any details, only that the foreign professor was visiting specially, not knowing whether it was for recruitment.
Shirakawa Sawahei felt moved and decided to check with Hayakawa Kashi about the actual situation.