Chapter 187
A strange shift in tonal patterns, a constant switching between two notes—under Takamine Mineo's play, the piece "Feux Follets" expressed the nimbleness of a Will-o'-the-wisp and an atmosphere of profound freedom.
As a piece often called the touchstone for the world's top-tier concert halls, one could only imagine just how high the level of difficulty truly was.
But to be honest, in terms of emotional expression, "Feux Follets" wasn't exactly a standout.
That was because the song was entirely a score meant for the blatant flaunting of technique.
If a song considered one of the most difficult compositions in the world could be expressed so smoothly, what other piano piece could possibly trouble Mineo?
At that moment, Maki bit her lower lip tightly without saying a single word.
She had absolutely no idea how to describe the feeling in her heart.
This Mineo... he really came here specifically to crush her completely, didn't he?
Using world-class techniques to perform a solo against someone like her, who was just an amateur piano enthusiast?
Aside from Maki, among the spectators present, there were a few people who had some understanding of the piano.
Seeing this handsome man actually manage to play "Feux Follets" in its entirety—for those who knew the sheer difficulty of the performance—they all stood frozen in place, stiff with shock.
There was even a blond, blue-eyed foreigner who was so startled he nearly plucked out his own beard.
"Oh, My God!"
"Good heavens, he... he's actually playing 'Feux Follets'!"
Even the people who didn't understand piano compositions at all were drawn into the shock caused by Mineo.
It didn't matter if they didn't grasp the technical difficulty; Mineo's hand speed was visible to everyone.
Fast as lightning, dancing like a silver snake.
Was this person really human?
Mineo paid no mind to the startled gazes surrounding him. At this moment, he was also completely immersed in the sea of music he was creating.
After finishing the first major movement of "Feux Follets," the frequency of his dancing fingers suddenly shifted.
The melody of "Liebesträume" instantly spread through the surroundings.
Flaunting technique alone was enough, but he actually changed styles right in the middle of that display.
The sudden change in Mineo's piano voice left the entire audience without a moment to prepare.
As for Maki, she bit her lower lip even tighter.
"Liebesträume" and "Feux Follets" were two completely different concepts.
The latter was pure technical showmanship, while the former was an unparalleled sublimation of emotion.
The soulful, winding sound of the music seemed to affect every listener present.
Just as everyone had fully submerged into this beautiful sound, Mineo's fingertips jumped once more to a different frequency.
"The Sea of Cloud Under the Moonlight"!
The background music from the film Laputa: Castle in the Sky, a classic masterpiece by Master Joe Hisaishi, once again emerged from beneath Mineo's dancing fingertips.
In just a few short minutes, different styles and different genres of music were woven together perfectly by Mineo's hands.
This kind of power could truly no longer be described as merely world-class.
About three minutes later, Mineo finally pressed down on the final rest note.
The sea of music flowing through everyone's hearts left a thick, lingering echo that remained for a long time.
"One more time!"
"Hey, handsome guy, can you play it one more time?"
"Can I learn piano from you?"
As soon as Mineo finished playing, many people simultaneously raised their voices, asking him to play once more.
Mineo stood up with a smile and said to the crowd:
"I still have matters to attend to, so I cannot continue playing."
"Thank you for the support."
After saying those words, Mineo grabbed Maki's small hand, and before she could even snap out of it, he led her quickly away from the scene.
And it was a good thing Mineo ran fast; otherwise, that enthusiastic crowd surely would have swarmed him.
"That was truly exhausting."
"Such a heavy workload almost made my bones crumble."
Bringing Maki to a corner where no one was around, Mineo stretched his shoulders. Meanwhile, Maki took a deep breath and looked at Mineo with an expressionless face, saying:
"Mineo-kun did all of this on purpose, didn't you?"
"To make me join the group Muse, you intentionally set this trap and then waited for me to walk right into it?"
"Hm? Why would Maki say that? When did I ever set a trap?"
"Is Mineo-kun trying to deny it?"
Maki stared coldly at Mineo.
"You clearly possess world-class piano techniques, yet you intentionally proposed a solo against an amateur enthusiast like me."
"Can all of this still be called a coincidence?"
Even though Nishikino Maki was a girl with very high self-esteem who didn't like to lose easily, she also wasn't the type of girl who refused to admit defeat after losing.
Although she had been utterly defeated by Mineo's display of technique, a loss was a loss.
She wouldn't deny this failure.
However, Maki didn't understand why Mineo had arranged all of this.
Why was he so hopeful that she would join Muse?
Seeing Maki's persistent gaze, Mineo gave a helpless smile and said:
"I've already told you the specific reason many times."
"I care about you, Maki. That's why I did all of this."
"From the time you were a child until now, you've done so many things under your parents' arrangements. When will you be able to make a decision for yourself, for the sake of your own youth?"
"As for the bet earlier, Maki doesn't need to overthink it."
"I've always emphasized that what I'm giving you is a suggestion, not a decision."
"So, regarding whether you join Muse or not, the right to decide remains in your hands."
"However, there is one thing I want to say to Maki."
"While you were playing earlier, did you notice the expressions of the audience around you?"
"The sound of your piano made many people feel a gentleness that is uniquely yours..."
"I feel that if people could hear your work, many of them would feel happy because of it."
Hearing Mineo's soft voice, Maki fell silent.
She lowered her head, staring at the tips of her shoes.
Only after a few minutes passed did she speak in a quiet voice:
"Thank you!"
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