As time passed, more and more people flocked to the gymnasium.
Perhaps the Publicity Department's efforts bore fruit, or maybe because it was nearing noon, some who had bought snacks wanted a place to watch performances while eating lunch.
After the rakugo club (comedy storytelling) performance ended, Sora put away her game console. She looked up and scanned around. The seats nearby were packed with heads, as if the air density in the entire gymnasium had suddenly increased.
In the interval between performances, whispers of anticipation could be heard uncontrollably.
"I heard Tenkuji-san is performing?"
"Didn't you see the poster at the door? Someone wrote on the forum too. Since the hip-hop club suddenly couldn't perform, the Cultural Festival committee asked Tenkuji-san to help..."
"Praise the hip-hop club! Can we hear piano melodies like at the autumn exhibition again?"
"Apparently after that video spread, a music university professor came looking for Tenkuji-san, saying he could guarantee admission to a music university... But he turned it down."
"True or false? Such a great opportunity... Ah, but with Tenkuji-san's grades, he could easily get into Tokyo University; he probably doesn't need a music university guarantee."
"When does the performance start? I can't wait."
"Soon, the next one."
Though surrounded by the bustling crowd, Sora felt no discomfort at all right now.
Undoubtedly, it was all thanks to the voices talking about her brother.
The satisfaction and pride filling her heart were hard to describe in words. Sora tried hard not to boast and show an arrogant expression: "Yuu is my brother; how about it, jealous?"
Hearing strangers praise her brother was far more enjoyable than hearing him brag at home!
(Is this the feeling of relatives basking in someone's success?... Hmm, something seems off.)
"Sora-chan, did Yuu really turn down a music university admission guarantee?"
Mama Yuigahama beside her suddenly turned curiously. Saori next to her also looked at her.
Sora cleared her throat to dispel nervousness, then adjusted her upright sitting posture and said casually: "Yes, though he only mentioned it to me... Well, anyway, Yuu can get into any university he wants; he doesn't need guarantees from others at all. It'd be weird if he accepted."
Mama Yuigahama narrowed her eyes. She smiled gently and teased: "Hmm~ Having such an amazing big brother, Sora-chan is so lucky."
Sora twirled the ends of her loose hair over her shoulder. She lifted her chin slightly and continued casually: "Nothing special. Yuu should feel lucky to have a little sister like me."
Mama Yuigahama held back laughter. Her gaze toward her was full of gentle tolerance, like watching a ten-year-old standing akimbo, proudly declaring their parents were superheroes.
"But Sora-chan, there's one thing you're wrong about~"
Sora was startled for a moment. Her gaze shifted from the ceiling to Mama Yuigahama's youthful, cheerful smiling face like a teenage girl.
"What?"
"You said Yuu can get into any university, right? Hmph, I disagree!"
Mama Yuigahama raised one finger with a mischievous satisfied expression: "Why? Because—he can't get into a women's university!"
"..." Sora blinked. Then she countered with a strange expression, "Isn't that obvious? Besides, even if they don't accept him, he could still enter as a teaching assistant or professor, right? Just needs a bit more time."
"Ugh, true..." Mama Yuigahama lowered her head in frustration, looking defeated. Yuigahama on the other side couldn't help covering her face and sighing.
Why was her own mother so childish! Why couldn't she be a graceful, mature, cultured housewife like Yukino's mom!
"He's gained such widespread recognition from those around him. His abilities must truly be extraordinary."
Saori nodded lightly. While commenting, she covered her slightly curved lips with an open fan and asked casually:
"Being this popular, he must be very liked by the girls at school, right?"
"Of course!" Mama Yuigahama, instantly revived, clapped her hands. Her face full of gossip excitement, "He's handsome and can play piano. Someone like this is a teenage girl killer in our era. I heard he gets asked on dates and confessed to every day. Did Yuu ever go through that phase?"
"!"
At that moment, the dango on Yuigahama's head nearly jumped. Cold sweat trickled from her forehead. Her whole body tensed like facing a great enemy.
Danger signal!
If this topic continued, someone would surely say first: "But he's dating my daughter, so it's fine." followed by "Eh? Isn't he with my daughter... No, he's with my daughter..." After a brief silence, chaos would fully erupt!
For Yuu's sake, she had to change the topic immediately!
"Uh, um..."
"I don't know. Maybe he doesn't care about such things at all and is too lazy to tell me when he gets home?" But just as Yuigahama opened her mouth, Sora said flatly, then pointed to the stage where the curtain hadn't opened yet.
"Rather than that, Yuu is going on stage."
As soon as those words were said, as lights illuminated the stage, the red theater curtain slowly rose, accompanied by the host's gentle voice:
"Thank you to the Rakugo Club for their funny and philosophical performance. And next, his piano melody made that autumn drenched in warm spring drizzle. The performance that once touched all teachers and students at school returns after one season. What beauty will it bring us this winter..."
No need for reminders; thunderous applause erupted. The audience held their breath in unison, pushing the atmosphere to a climax, making the stage the center of hope.
Taking advantage of everyone's attention on the stage with only one piano, Yuigahama clapped along with the mood while lowering her head and whispering into Sora's ear:
"Sora-chan, good job! My reaction was slow, so it might not help. Next, you're the main attacker! I'll support from the side!"
"Hmph, no need to say it." Sora didn't look at her, just snorted softly, "Leave protecting Yuu to me. You guys being useless is fine, just don't get in my way."
"Understood!" Yuigahama replied with a smile, ignoring her haughty tone.
At that moment, a handsome young man emerged from backstage and walked to the center of the stage where light gathered.
Like the moon pulling the tide, the applause that had briefly subsided roared again like massive waves.
He didn't take the microphone, just bowed casually to the audience as in the past. Then he sat at the pitch-black piano, opened the lid, and stretched his slender, clearly jointed fingers.
He was no different from other students, wearing only the unremarkable Western-style Sōbu High school uniform.
Yet his upright posture, long arms and legs, indifferent expression, and solemn aura were like an expensive tuxedo clinging to his body. In an instant, it felt as if they had come to a national music hall—
And the one on stage was undoubtedly a national-level pianist.
"Born from ordinary people, never receiving any arts education, yet possessing such an aura..."
Ripples stirred in her heart. Her beautiful eyes shone. Saori looked up at the person on stage. An intrigued smile always hung at the corner of her lips, gradually deepening.
In terms of appearance, Yuu was an extremely handsome young man. His gestures alone could make girls fall; in aura, he was clean and calm, confident yet restrained. Nothing unlikeable; in talent, his academics surpassed her daughter's, and piano supposedly wasn't even his best skill; in popularity, the earlier discussion buzz proved everything.
His family background was ordinary, but someone like this could build his own family wealth. Marrying equally would be a waste for him.
As for the most important character, Saori trusted Yukino not to like someone polite on the surface but evil inside.
A flawless all-rounder perfect young man like this—Saori was seeing one in person for the first time after living xx years.
Except not being a Yukinoshita, Yuu felt almost defect-free—as long as his feelings for Yukino were deep enough, even if they lived together first, Saori might close an eye and urge engagement.
Of course, all this could be decided after personally talking and testing Yuu.
"Though I'm satisfied, can Yukino handle someone like this..."
Recalling her little daughter's slightly awkward nature, Saori held her cheek, unable to help worrying: "I need to teach her some husband-taming tricks later. After all, the smarter a man, the harder to detect real cheating. Yukino, in her first relationship, would easily be fooled and lose direction..."
If Yukino were as cunning as Haruno, sly, and used to toying with men, she wouldn't worry too much.
...Wait, wrong.
Haruno didn't seem too smooth either. In love, both daughters were novices. The type that once truly in love, easily toyed with by high-level men!
She couldn't help frowning her delicate brows. While thinking, Saori quietly made a decision.
After this matter, she must hold a women-only Yukinoshita family meeting!
As a mother, her greatest hope was seeing her daughters live happily with those they love...
"—"
The flowing piano melody caressed her ears, pulling Saori's thoughts back. She looked again at the handsome, calm pianist on stage.
In the truly silent gymnasium, a clear and lonely melody slowly sounded. Note by note, from slow to fast, from stage to audience seats, gradually enveloping every listener's body and mind.
Falling like snow.
Since it was a solo, every note transition was crystal clear. The melody was firm, containing no softness, chillingly piercing to the bone. Listening too long even made one unconsciously glance at the door, as if a blizzard suddenly raged outside, filling every corner of the gymnasium with cold, harsh air.
Yet no one wanted to escape. Instead, everyone sharpened their ears to listen carefully. Even shivering while hugging arms, they didn't want to miss every falling snowflake.
Besides coldness, something else seemed to envelop the piano melody.
Snow kept falling, slowly covering ankles. Sitting still felt like becoming a snowman. Exhaled breath produced white smoke.
But soon after, he suddenly slowed the rhythm. His fingers entwined the black and white keys, as if the snow finally stopped.
A hazy, gray sky. The world cloaked in pure silver. Unchanged were the thick snow and freezing air.
Yuu suddenly stopped.
The entire world fell silent. Everyone seemed pulled to a higher viewpoint at that moment, holding breath, gazing at the quiet, cold white snow landscape.
Then a light, spirited melody drew them to the next stage.
Dark clouds around gradually dissipated. Sunlight began feeling warm on the ears.
Thus, snow started melting.
Initially stubborn, resisting, unwilling to change easily; yet the sun was always beside. Though shining quietly, the distancing cold unknowingly vanished, coloring the entire winter with melting snow hues.
Thawing rivers washed the earth. Wet streets reflected moist light. Snow fell from branches. Plum blossoms under snow bloomed beautifully.
The ending was a peaceful, cheerful melody. It felt like outside was still cold, but hiding under a kotatsu listening to a hot pot boiling. The ordinary, happy feeling made one unconsciously relax, body swaying to the notes.
Winter hadn't passed; snow had stopped falling.
Yet snow remained on ground, rivers, roads, roofs. Though losing its original cold, it stayed in every corner of this world.
Because of snow, sunlight had meaning to warm the entire winter.
As if whispering such sentiment, the final note fell clearly, echoing in the gymnasium, the resonance unending.
Yuu stood and closed the piano lid.
He bowed from the chest to the silent audience, then smiled brightly toward a spot in the seats. Without waiting for reaction, the handsome, graceful pianist turned and entered the backstage curtain.
Behind him, only thunderous applause lasting like thunder, filling the bright world after snow melted.
"Extraordinary piano skill plus sincere emotion. A unique melody as if created just for him..."
Saori stroked her chest. The echo of that heart vibration lingered in her mind. It felt more like enchantment than surprise.
She drew a deep breath to calm her emotions. She narrowed her eyes in enjoyment. She wanted to share feelings and comments with Mama Yuigahama beside her, but upon turning, helplessly gave up the idea.
Not everyone could grasp a song's essence and artistry. Most just felt happy hearing it, not necessarily having deeper feelings—that was fine. Saori wouldn't look down on others for it. Just different interests and hobbies, so she felt a bit disappointed.
"Whew, since we've finished listening to his performance~" After Mama Yuigahama finished clapping, she stood impatiently. Her graceful, mature face showed a cheerful smile, "Time to continue strolling the Cultural Festival with our Piano Prince! I want yakisoba~"
"Then we too..." Saori looked at Haruno.