Hub World, Earth, Japan, Tokyo.
After the introductions with Miyuki, the group headed into the auditorium through the back entrance. Along the way, Miyuki and Tatsuo chatted about what to expect during the party. They then entered the venue for the party, and Miyuki led Tatsuo over to the piano he would be performing with before taking his leave to finish up some last minute things for the party.
"*Sigh* I wish I could have brought my own piano." Tatsuo muttered while tuning the piano. "I mean, this one isn't bad. But I'm just used to my own, you know?"
"Had Shuchi'in made the request earlier, that would have been possible." Tio said while standing next to the piano bench. "But this was a bit of a last minute request."
"A bit?" Tatsuo asked with a scoff. "I didn't have any time to rehearse on sight at all."
"Is that really a big deal?" Yakumo asked curiously. "I've seen you play spontaneously before. And I've never been able to hear anything that could be pointed out as a mistake."
"No, not really." Tatsuo replied. "It's just not normal to get such short notice for a performance. At least, I think that's how it is. I've never really been hired to play in a situation like this."
"Usually, that's correct." Tio said. "But Sumire-Sama is well-aware of how skilled you are, Tatsuo-Sama. So, she figured that it would not be much of an issue for you."
"Well, Mom does know me best." Tatsuo replied with a smile. "Still, having some time to get used to the piano I'll be using would have been nice."
With that said, Tatsuo ended his tuning of the piano. Then, he sat down on the bench.
"Alright, I should at least warm up a little bit before the party starts." Tatsuo said as he raised the keylid. "I'll just play something simple to limber up my fingers."
Then, without giving Yakumo or Tio a chance to respond, Tatsuo started playing with a focused expression on his face.
{BGM: "Trois movements de Petrouchka" – Igor Stravinsky}
After all the time spent working at Kurashikki Ensō since she came to this world, it did not take Tio long to identify the song Tatsuo was playing. And when she did, she could not help but giggle.
"Something simple, he said." Tio said while pulling a hand fan from her bag and using it to cover the bottom half of her face. "I'm starting to wonder if his definition for simple is different from the standard definition."
Although Yakumo was not able to identify the song Tatsuo was playing, she had a similar thought to Tio's as it was clear that the song Tatsuo was playing could, in no way, be considered simple. Even so, instead of saying anything about it, she simply closed her eyes and enjoyed the music.
Meanwhile, Miyuki, Kaguya, and Chika, who were working to finish up some last minute things, heard the sound of the piano coming from the auditorium. When they did, they had different reactions.
Chika, who was already a fan of Tatsuo's, turned towards the auditorium with her eyes sparkling. Kaguya, on the other hand, did not change her expression much. Though, her eyes narrowed slightly as her aura warmed slightly. As for Miyuki, coming from a commoner background, he did not know much about classical music. However, he could feel something special coming from the notes. On top of that, he could feel that some of the fatigue that always clung to him was being wiped away.
And that was not just an illusion, either. Tatsuo was imbuing his music with the same magic he used when he played with Kaori. So, it helped to relieve fatigue among other things. Though, most people would not be able to feel any difference.
"He really is quite skilled." Kaguya said calmly. "It's no wonder he is so popular."
"He's a great singer, too." Chika said excitedly. "I wonder if he'll play any of the songs from his album tonight. And if he does, will he sing or rap?"
"Rap?" Miyuki asked, a bit more interest entering his tone. "Normally, you would not equate classical music with rap. I must admit, it makes me rather intrigued."
Hearing that, Kaguya and Chika turned to look at Miyuki with surprise. However, Kaguya did not say anything, turning her cold gaze away shortly afterwards. Chika, on the other hand…
"So, you like rap music?" Chika asked while tapping her cheek with one of her slender index fingers. "I never would have guessed. I thought the only thing that interested you was studying."
"There's more to me than just studying, you know?" Miyuki replied in an exasperated tone. He then shook his head before continuing. "Anyway, it's almost time for the doors to open. Let's hurry up and finish so we can get this party started."
Receiving nods from Kaguya and Chika, Miyuki returned to his work with a little extra vigor. He was hoping that he might be able to hear Tatsuo rap before the night ended.
Not long later, Tatsuo finished his warmup song. He then closed the keylid and stood up from the piano bench.
"Alright, I think I'm good to go." Tatsuo said with a smile. "Let's head back to the waiting room and wait until we're introduced. After that, while I'm playing, you two can enjoy yourselves."
With that, the trio headed to the backstage to relax for the last few minutes before the Welcome party started. And shortly after they left the venue, the doors to the auditorium were opened, and the students, teachers, and faculty of the academy began entering.
Shortly afterwards, Miyuki stepped onto the stage and addressed the crowd, giving the opening speech. Then, after his short speech was concluded, he introduced Tatsuo, who entered the stage from the back. Meanwhile, Yakumo and Tio entered the auditorium from another entrance.
"Who are those two?" A female student asked in an interested tone while pointing at Yakumo and Tio. "They're not students or teachers from Shuchi'in."
"They probably came with Soramoto-Kun." Another girl replied. "The older one is probably his manager."
"Then, who is the younger one?" The first girl asked again.
"I'm not sure." The second girl replied. "Maybe his girlfriend?"
"No! That can't be!" All the girls surrounding the two girls exclaimed in unison.
Meanwhile, the boys in the auditorium were having conversations of their own.
"Hey, that girl is really pretty." A boy said excitedly.
"Yeah, she really is." Another oy replied. "Are you gonna go ask her out?"
"Like he would ever have a chance with a girl like that." A third boy said disdainfully. "Only someone like me, the heir to a famous construction company can talk to a girl like that."
"Ha! Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?" The first boy shot back with a disdainful jab of his own. "Even if you were the heir of the number one Zaibatsu, no girl that pretty would ever give you a second look."
Though Yakumo was not able to hear all the conversations going on, she could tell that she and Tio were in the center of attention. And thanks to her psionic powers, she could hear what everyone was thinking. And although she did not show it, all the lewd fantasies the rich boys were having about her were making her uncomfortable.
"Don't mind them." Tio, after noticing that Yakumo was getting uncomfortable, said while patting her on the shoulder. "Although boys will be boys, I doubt any of them are brave enough to try anything too excessive while we're here."
Nodding her head in response, Yakumo did her best to shut off her telepathy. Unfortunately, since she was still learning how to control it, it was not as easy as she would have liked. So, to take her mind off all the thoughts she could hear, she turned to look at Tatsuo, who was taking his seat at the piano.
"Then, without further ado." Miyuki said, bringing his speech to an end. "Let's have fun tonight and start off the new school year the right way."
*Cheer~~~~~!*
{BGM: "Porochial Piano (Solo Piano F Sharp)" – Finnick Rogers}
As soon as Miyuki's speech ended, Tatsuo began playing again. At the same time, the crowd began to applaud politely. Then, all the students began to mingle as they moved about the auditorium. While some looked for their friends to hang out with, others went to try the food that had been set up on tables scattered around the auditorium. And others tried hitting on girls or goys they were interested in.
Yakumo and Tio were no exceptions. Though they did not try to get to know the students and teachers of the academy, if they were approached, they responded politely without engaging too long. However, after making their way to the tables with the food, they eventually found their way back to the stage and just watched Tatsuo engross himself in the music.
"Excuse me." A female voice said, pulling Yakumo's and Tio's attention away from Tatsuo. "I just wanted to ask if you're enjoying the evening?"
Turning to look at who spoke to them, Yakumo and Tio saw the same two girls who met them at the school's gate, Kaguya and Chika. And while Kaguya looked composed, Neither Yakumo nor Tio could see Chika as anything other than a puppy who was being told to stay while their owner walked further and further away with a treat in hand.
"Yes." Yakumo replied softly. "The event is lovely."
"I'd expect nothing less from Shuchi'in Academy." Tio added with a graceful smile.
"I'm delighted to hear that." Kaguya replied with a nod. "Well then, since time did not permit earlier, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Shinomiya Kaguya, Vice-President of Shuchi'in's Student Council."
"And I'm Fujiwara Chika, the Student Council Secretary." Chika added energetically. "It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you both, as well." Yakumo replied. She then bowed her head politely as she continued. "My name is Tsukamoto Yakumo. I'm Tatsuo-Kun's classmate from Yagami High."
"And I'm Tio Klarus, Tatsuo-Sama's manager." Tio added with a smile. "But I'm sure just asking us if we were having fun was not your only reason for coming to speak with us. So, is there anything we can help you with, Shinomiya-San?"
"Actually, there is." Kaguya replied while narrowing her eyes mentally. "Some of the students have asked if Soramoto-Kun is taking requests for songs."
"We also want to know if he'll sing, too!" Chika added energetically while raising a hand above her head, the movement causing her breasts to bounce and Kaguya's eyebrows to twitch in response.
"Although such clauses were not discussed in the contract, I don't' see why Tatsuo-Sama would mind." Tio replied after pulling a folder out of her bag, opening it, and quickly reading through it. "Still, I'll have to ask before I can make any promises on his behalf. Luckily, his first break is coming up in the next few minutes. So, I should be able to get an answer for you rather quickly."
With a nod of understanding, Kaguya continued to chat with Yakumo, Tio, and Chika as Tatsuo's performance continued. And before long, Tatsuo's first break began, bringing the conversation to a temporary end.
As Tatsuo closed the piano's keylid, the Shuchi'in Academy Orchestral Club began playing an ensemble piece to fill the space. Meanwhile, Tatsuo stretched his hands, then, he stood up from the piano bench before making his way over to the quartet.
"You were amazing, Soramoto-Kun." Chika said excitedly, the first one to rush up to Tatsuo once he stepped off the stage. "You were even better than your concert with Miyazono-San last week. I'm so glad grandfather was able to get in touch with Kurashikku Ensō in time to make this happen."
"Oh, you were at the show last week?" Tatsuo asked with an eyebrow raised. "It's too bad there was that accident. Otherwise, I might have been able to see you there."
As it turned out, the member of the Shuchi'in Academy board of directors who petitioned to have the performer for the evening changed to Tatsuo was Chika's grandfather, under Chika's pestering, of course. And that was because he took his three granddaughters, Chika, and her older and younger sister, to Miyazono Kaori's concert the week before. Unfortunately, as Tatsuo said, the Alpha clone attack ruined the end of the show.
Meanwhile, Kaguya once again felt her eyebrows twitch when she heard what Chika said.
'So, this big breasted idiot is the reason we had to do so much work at the last minute.' Kaguya thought to herself while glaring at Chika. 'I should have known. Only she could cause so much trouble and not bat an eye. She definitely needs to be punished.'
While Kaguya ran through torture scenarios in her head, Chika sidled up even closer to Tatsuo and tried to whisper. The operative word being try, as Yakumo, Tio, and Kaguya were all able to hear what she wanted to say.
"So, what's the deal with you and Tsukamoto-San?" Chika asked, her eyes sparkling with gossip. "Are you two dating? No, of course you are. Love Detective Chika can sense it."
In response, Tatsuo and Tio smiled with amusement while Yakumo's face reddened. Kaguya, on the other hand, glared at Chika even harder.
'What is wrong with you?' Kaguya shouted internally. 'How can you ask a guest something like that so blatantly? And what in the world is this crap about being some kind of love detective? You've never even had a boyfriend. Not even those gigantic utters can draw boys towards your chaotic personality.'
"I think I'll keep that a secret." Tatsuo replied with a wink. "It adds an extra layer of mystique, doesn't it? Women like a guy with secrets, don't they?"
"Uh huh, that's right." Chika said while nodding hard. She then leaned in even closer. "But you can tell me, right? I promise, I won't tell anyone."
With a playful smile, Tatsuo turned away from Chika and started walking away from the stage.
"This first break is only fifteen minutes long." Tatsuo said as he stepped towards Yakumo with his arm extended. "You two tried the food, right? Tell me what you thought was good so I can try it, too."
Without even thinking, Yakumo hooked her arm through Tatsuo's extended arm. Then, she walked along with him as he made his way towards one of the food tables. Tio followed closely behind while covering her smile with her hand fan, leaving Kaguya and Chika standing there.
"Hey! You didn't answer my question!" Chika cried with her cheeks puffed out in annoyance.
"Stop making a fool of yourself, Fujiwara-San." Kaguya said sharply as she grabbed Chika's arm, stopping her from following Tatsuo's trio. "Let him enjoy his break. He deserves it."
"Hmph! Fine." Chika said as she stopped trying to follow. A moment later, she put on a determined expression as she continued. "Either way, Love Detective Chika is going to get to the bottom of this case!"
"Ugh! This is going to be a long night." Kaguya muttered while rubbing the spot between her eyebrows with exasperation.