The celebratory dinner was held at a cozy Italian restaurant just a short walk from the concert hall.
The atmosphere was a complete contrast to the quiet tension of the recital. It was lively, warm, and filled with the gentle clinking of silverware and the soft murmur of happy conversation.
Kenjiro and Akari had ordered a bottle of wine to share, and Haruya's aunt, Minako, was already in a cheerful mood, her face flushed with excitement.
Tsumugi herself was absolutely radiant, her smile as bright as the medal hanging around her neck.
She couldn't stop looking at it, and with every person who passed their table, she would give it a little jiggle just to hear the satisfying clink.
Hiroko Seto sat with them, a quiet, satisfied smile on her face as she watched her student bask in her victory.
She hadn't said much, but her eyes held a profound sense of pride.
"You really were a superstar up there, Tsumugi," Akari said, her voice filled with a happy, proud kind of emotion. "The way you played, the confidence, it was like a completely different person stepped onto that stage."
"I told you," Haruya said, taking a bite of his spaghetti carbonara. "She's always been amazing. But today was on a different level. It was like she was playing with a purpose, a fire that wasn't there before."
Tsumugi just giggled, a happy, innocent sound. "It was all thanks to everyone's support. But mostly, it was Haruya-nii. Your coaching was the best!"
Haruya shook his head, a genuine smile on his face. "I didn't do anything. You did all the work. You were the one who had the courage to get up there and play your heart out. You earned that medal."
He had never seen his cousin so happy, and seeing her like this, knowing he had played a small part in it, gave him a sense of satisfaction that was even better than any food he had ever cooked.
The conversation continued with lighthearted banter, filled with compliments and shared memories of the day.
They talked about the applause, the nervous energy backstage, and even the moments of panic that Tsumugi had experienced before stepping into the spotlight. Hiroko listened to it all, her expression serene.
Eventually, the topic turned to the future, and Hiroko Seto looked at Haruya, her calm, knowing eyes meeting his. "So, Haruya-kun," she said, her voice soft but clear. "After what I heard today, I'm even more convinced that you have a pretty good talent for the piano. Have you thought about what you want to do with it? I'm willing to take you on as a student, of course."
The moment hung in the air, full of unspoken expectation.
Haruya looked at his family, who were all smiling at him, encouraging him with their gazes.
His mom, Akari, gave him a gentle nod. His dad, Kenjiro, gave him a reassuring wink.
He looked at Tsumugi, who was staring at him with a hopeful expression, her eyes pleading with him to say yes.
Haruya took a deep breath.
He thought about the feeling of his fingers on the keys, the way the music had flowed from him, the sound of the grand piano reverberating through the empty hall.
He had discovered a new world, a new way to express himself. It was a world he wanted to explore, a world he wanted to conquer.
He nodded, a firm, determined look on his face. "Yes, Hiroko-sensei. I'd be honored to become your student."
A wave of applause erupted from the table, a happy, celebratory cheer that was just for him. Haruya felt his cheeks warm with a slight embarrassment, but his heart was pounding with a thrilling mix of excitement and anticipation.
This was the start of something new.
"That's wonderful," Hiroko-sensei said, her smile widening. "Then it's settled. Tsumugi, can you take him to my place tomorrow? I'd like to have a small session with him to see his current skill level. My house is in Nerima, so it shouldn't be too far from Minato."
"Of course, Hiroko-sensei!" Tsumugi said with a cheerful smile. "I'll take him tomorrow. I can't wait for you to see what I mean."
And with that, the rest of the dinner was a blur of happy conversation, filled with talks of the future and the new journey that was about to begin. Haruya felt a sense of peace he hadn't known he was missing.
He was seemingly on a new journey.
The next day, the sun was bright and warm in the sky, a perfect afternoon for a new beginning.
Haruya woke up with a quiet excitement he hadn't felt in a while. He went through his morning cooking routine with a little more bounce in his step, and even the simple act of kneading dough felt charged with purpose.
Today, he was going to meet a master pianist, and he was going to show her what he was capable of.
After finishing his daily activities, he put on a fresh, clean outfit and met Tsumugi at the front door.
She was already bouncing on her feet, a grin plastered on her face. "Let's go, onii-chan! I can't wait for Hiroko-sensei to hear you."
Taking the Shinkansen and arriving at their destination, they walked along a quiet street in Nerima, the residential area a stark contrast to the bustling city center.
The streets were lined with quaint houses, each with its own unique garden and a sense of quiet calm.
They finally stopped in front of a modern-looking, two-story house with a small garden in the front.
The house itself was a simple design, but it had an elegant air about it, with a sense of refined taste.
"This is it," Tsumugi said, pointing to the house. "This is Hiroko-sensei's home."
Haruya nodded, a little nervous now that he was here. He took a deep breath and pushed the doorbell.
They waited, and they could hear the faint sound of small, quick footsteps from inside.
A moment later, the door swung open, revealing a short little girl with caramel blonde hair, styled in adorable pigtails.
Her eyes were a dark, beady black, and she looked at Haruya with a shy, curious expression.
Haruya stared back, a little surprised, and the little girl stared at him for a moment before turning her gaze to Tsumugi. Her eyes lit up, and a cheerful smile spread across her face. "Tsumugi-nee-chan!" she called out, running with her arms open for a hug.
Tsumugi laughed happily and opened her arms to hug the little girl.
She lifted her up with grace, as if this were a routine they had done countless times before. "Hello, Koharu-chan! It's been a while."
Being held in Tsumugi's arms, the little girl, Koharu, peeked at Haruya again, a little shyly this time, and asked in a quiet voice, "Tsumugi-nee, who's that?"
Tsumugi smiled and introduced him. "This is my onii-chan, Haruya. He's going to be studying under your mom, too." She turned to Haruya. "Onii-chan, this is Hiroko-sensei's daughter, Koharu Seto."
Haruya nodded, understanding now, and came up to them. He smiled warmly at Koharu in Tsumugi's arms. "It's nice to meet you, Koharu-chan."
Koharu didn't say anything, but she gave a small, shy nod.
Tsumugi laughed at her shyness. "Don't mind her," she explained. "She's just a little shy when she meets new people. It was the same with me when I first met her. It took a few meetings for her to warm up."
Just as Tsumugi finished her explanation, a voice called out from inside the house. "Oh, Tsumugi, Haruya, you're here. Come in quickly." Hiroko Seto stood in the doorway, a calm smile on her face.
She was wearing a simple, elegant blouse and a comfortable pair of pants, her professional demeanor from the previous day replaced by a casual warmth.
"Thanks for having us," Haruya said, bowing politely.
"No problem at all," Hiroko-sensei said, closing the door behind them. "Come, follow me."
She led them through the house.
The interior was just as elegant as the exterior, with polished wooden floors and minimalist decor. Haruya could hear the faint, beautiful sound of music playing in the distance as they walked.
He was about to ask about it when Hiroko led them to a large room at the back.
As Haruya stepped inside, his eyes widened.
It was a beautiful music room, filled with bookshelves lined with sheet music and thick books, a comfortable sofa, and, in the center of it all, a majestic-looking grand piano that seemed to fill the entire space.
The walls were decorated with countless awards, medals, and certificates, all framed and displayed with a profound sense of pride.
Hiroko turned off the speaker playing music.
"Wow," Haruya said, his voice filled with sincere awe. He had never seen so many awards in one place before.
They were a testament to Hiroko's talent, a physical representation of her dedication and success.
Tsumugi giggled. "That's a world-renowned pianist for you. That's a lot of awards."
Hiroko smiled, a little embarrassed by the praise, and waved her hand towards the grand piano. "The stage is yours, Haruya-kun." She then looked at him with a hesitant expression, her head tilted to the side. "Let's see... a beginner... do you know how to play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?"
...
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