Extra chapter for reaching 200 Power Stones.
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The morning sun, still low in the sky, cast a golden glow through the living room windows, but Haruya was barely aware of it.
His entire world was the sound of the piano, the beautiful, complex melody of Chopin's Ballade No. 1. He sat quietly on the bench, his shoulder lightly brushing Tsumugi's beside him, the weight of the moment settling over him.
Tsumugi's hands moved across the keys with a grace and confidence that felt both powerful and effortless.
Her fingers danced over the black and white ivory, a blur of motion that created a cascading river of sound.
Haruya had spent countless hours listening to this song, from the first clumsy practices to the polished performance he was hearing now.
He knew every note, every chord, every nuance. He could feel the anticipation in her playing, the quiet, building tension that led to a thunderous crescendo before softening again into a gentle, flowing melody.
This was it. The final practice run before the big day, and she was playing as if she were already on the stage.
Tsumugi stopped, her hands hovering over the keys for a moment before she let them fall gently into her lap.
She took a slow, deep breath, her eyes closed.
Haruya just watched her, a quiet sense of admiration swelling in his chest.
He could feel her drive within. He didn't need to ask if she was ready; he could hear it in the music they both had just played.
The confidence was in every note.
"How was that?" she asked, opening her eyes and looking at him. Her face was serene, a faint sheen of sweat on her forehead.
"It was... perfect," Haruya said, the word feeling a little too small to describe what he had just heard. "Honestly, Tsumugi, I don't think you've ever played it better."
A small, genuine smile lit up her face. "I think so too. I feel like all the hours finally paid off. It doesn't feel like a song anymore; it just feels like a part of me."
A moment later, the door to the kitchen swung open and Haruya's mom, Akari, walked in, a small, knowing smile on her face. "Sounds like someone's a master of the piano now," she said, placing a glass of orange juice on top of the piano for each of them. "Breakfast is ready whenever you two are. You have to eat something before the big day."
Tsumugi took a long sip of her juice, her eyes closed in quiet contemplation.
Haruya watched her, and he could see a small shift in her demeanor.
The calm focus of her practice was slowly giving way to a quiet, nervous energy that was starting to build.
He reached over and gave her hand a light squeeze. She opened her eyes and smiled at him, a small, grateful smile.
"I think I'm ready," she said, her voice filled with a quiet certainty. "I feel good about this."
Haruya's dad, Kenjiro, walked in just then, a towel in his hands as he dried his hair. "That's the spirit, Tsumugi!" he said, his voice cheerful and loud. "Just go out there and have fun. Don't worry about the results. The fact that you're even here is a huge accomplishment."
"Thanks, Uncle Kenjiro," Tsumugi said, her voice filled with gratitude. "It means a lot to me."
Breakfast was a surprisingly quiet affair.
Everyone seemed to be in their own world, the weight of the day hanging in the air.
Tsumugi picked at her food, a world away in her thoughts.
Minako, who had been chatting with Akari, seemed to sense the tension in the air.
She just offered her daughter Tsumugi a gentle, reassuring smile. "It's natural to be a little nervous, sweetie. Just remember everything you've worked for. You've earned this."
After breakfast, the house turned into a whirlwind of activity.
Haruya and Tsumugi went upstairs to change into their formal clothes.
Haruya's suit was a simple black one that fit him perfectly.
It had been a while since he wore formal clothing, but he knew how important this day was for Tsumugi.
Tsumugi's dress was a beautiful, flowy white one that her mom had bought for the occasion. It was simple, elegant, and it looked perfect on her.
After a quick once-over in the mirror, they went back downstairs, where Akari, Kenjiro, and Minako were already waiting for them.
"Are we all set?" Minako asked, a sense of quiet anticipation in her voice. "I brought snacks in the cooler, and we're ready to go."
With a nod from everyone, they walked out of the house and headed to the car.
Haruya's dad, Kenjiro, was driving, with his mom, Akari, in the passenger seat.
In the back, Haruya, Tsumugi, and Minako piled in, the group settling in for the drive.
The roads were busy, filled with the usual weekend traffic.
As they drove through the heart of Tokyo, Haruya looked out the window, watching the city pass by.
The skyscrapers, the bustling train stations, the endless sea of people. It was all a blur of colors and sounds. The conversation in the car was light and easy, a clear attempt by his parents to keep Tsumugi from getting too nervous.
"I remember the first time I was tasked with a multi-layered cake," Akari said from the front seat, a nostalgic look on her face. "It felt like a hundred things could go wrong, but I just had to trust the recipe and go one layer at a time. In the end, it came out just right."
"That's a great point," Kenjiro added, looking at Tsumugi in the rear-view mirror. "Don't worry about all the people out there, Tsumugi. Just think of it as another day of practice, but with a bigger audience."
Tsumugi laughed. "Thank you, Aunt Akari, Uncle Kenjiro. I think I'm okay, though. My nerves are pretty much under control."
The drive to the venue took a little over an hour, and as they got closer, Haruya could see the city changing.
The buildings became more stately, the streets a little wider, and the overall atmosphere more relaxed.
Soon, they were pulling up to a large, modern building with a distinct, angular design that looked like it belonged in a movie.
The sign out front read "Tokyo Bunka Kaikan".
"We're here," Uncle Kenjiro said, parking the car in a small lot just a short walk from the entrance.
As they got out, the air was filled with a palpable sense of excitement.
There were people everywhere, all dressed up in their finest clothes.
Haruya saw a mix of nervous-looking children, proud parents, and serious-looking adults who he could only assume were music teachers.
Tsumugi took a deep breath, and Haruya could see a flicker of nervousness in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a confident resolve.
Just as they approached the entrance, a tall, elegant woman with short black hair and a kind smile walked toward them.
She was dressed in a stylish suit and carried a small purse. She looked at Tsumugi with a warm smile.
"Tsumugi," she said, her voice calm and soothing. "You look beautiful."
Tsumugi's eyes lit up. "Hiroko-sensei!" she said, her voice filled with joy.
The woman, Hiroko Seto, hugged Tsumugi and then turned to the rest of the family. "Hello, Minako-san," she said, shaking Minako's hand. "And you must be Akari-san and Kenjiro-san. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm so grateful for all the support you've given Tsumugi."
Akari and Kenjiro both smiled warmly. "It's an honor to meet you, Hiroko-san," Akari said. "We've heard so much about you."
Hiroko just smiled. "She's a wonderful student. She has a true passion for music."
She then looked at Haruya, her eyes studying him for a moment.
Haruya felt a bit nervous under her gaze. She was a famous pianist, and she was looking at him with a look that seemed to see right through him. "And you, Haruya-kun," she said. "Tsumugi tells me you've been helping her practice. She says you have a good hand for the piano. A very natural talent."
Haruya just shrugged, a little embarrassed by the sudden praise. "I'm just a beginner," he said, and the words felt lame as soon as they came out.
Hiroko just smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. "A natural talent is a very rare thing, Haruya-kun. You should not take it for granted." She then took a small business card out of her purse and handed it to him. "If you ever decide to take music seriously, please feel free to give me a call. I would be more than happy to give you a few lessons."
Haruya took the card.
He looked at the card and then at Hiroko, who just smiled. "I'll see you all inside," she said, and then she walked away.
Haruya stood there for a moment, the business card in his hand. He looked at Tsumugi, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"I told you she was amazing," Tsumugi said.
Haruya just smiled, a quiet, simple smile.
He put the card in his pocket and followed his family and Tsumugi into the grand concert hall, the sound of music already drifting out of the open doors.
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A/N: Decided for her to just use an actual song because it might give a little more immersion, lol. Also, because Chopin's Ballade No. 1 is a song Kaori and Kousei do play in the original. Enjoy.
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POWER STONE GOAL - 1 EXTRA CHAPTER WHEN REACHED:
100 POWER STONES (✔)
200 POWER STONES (✔)
300 POWER STONES (X)
400 POWER STONES (X)
500 POWER STONES (X)
600 POWER STONES (X)