Sayonara Piano Sonata Vol 4 Chapter 6

I ended up turning to Tetsurou for a.s.sistance in my search for Mafuyu's present.

"? Don't we have one in the storeroom? You're in charge of the rock music, so search through it properly."

It was after dinner, and Tetsurou was lying down on the sofa like a Mafia boss, swirling his whiskey gla.s.s around as he chewed on dried shredded squid.

"Ah—mmm. Actually, I already gave that to someone else."

I lifted my eyes to look at the expression on Tetsurou's face and tried my best to look apologetic.

"Then head to the record store or something. You should be able to find one there."

"Urm, it has to be the vinyl record. It's complicated, so I can't explain. And it can't be the American or j.a.panese version—it has to be the original from Britain."

I snuck another peek at Tetsurou's face.

"So I thought I wouldn't be able to find it, even if I tried looking in some secondhand store. But if it's Tetsurou—you should be able to do something, right?"

"Look, that thing can cost up to ten thousand yen, you know?"

"I know. Please, the only thing I can depend on now is the power of the industry's ruffian!"

"Oh, so Nao has finally realized how great being the industry's ruffian is? So you understand now that you should be respecting me? Great, I'll teach you some exercises that'll get you on your way to becoming an industry ruffian right now!"

"Nope, I'll pa.s.s on that."

"Let's go into a little more detail. There are two major moves. Stretch your arms out wide—"

"There's no need for you to demonstrate for me!" I slammed the switch to turn off the .

"Are you sure it's okay for you to talk to me like that? I may decide to not help you find the record, you know?"

"Ughhh......" Being indebted to the worst possible person really sucked.

"Whatever. As long as you genuflect before the power of my personal antenna."

With that said, Tetsurou actually managed to get his hands on a copy of the very next day. And it was way before Mafuyu's birthday, so there was no need to worry at all.

"Well then, how will Nao show his respect for me? Oh boy, I can't wait—"

Grinned Tetsurou, as he danced around while holding the record in his hand. Are you an elementary school kid or something? I swallowed that thought and tried to nurture the minute feelings of grat.i.tude inside me, saying,

"...... I guess we'll have sukiyaki today."

"Matsusaka beef? Or Kobe?"

"Get your a.s.s to work if you want beef like that!"

But even Australian beef was enough to make Tetsurou tear up. I have it easy with a father that's so easy to please. I mean, it's all up to the chef anyway when it comes to the food.

I hid myself in my room after dinner. I might've been acting with undue haste, but I immediately wrapped the record carefully with wrapping paper, and even bound it with a ribbon. After I finished, I went to go lie down on my bed. I buried my face in my pillow in embarra.s.sment when I imagined myself handing Mafuyu the present. c.r.a.p. Will I even be able to remain composed? And I had to visit Mafuyu's house too.

A girl inviting me to her house—I had visited Chiaki's room several times before, but if you removed her from the equation, it was my first time experiencing that. What should I do?

"Do you want me to pretend to be Ebisawa Mafuyu for your imaginary practice? I'm great at mimicking people's voices."

Asked Tetsurou, who had popped his head in through the door.

"Get the h.e.l.l out!"

I threw my pillow at him to chase him away.

Kagurazaka-senpai didn't show up to morning practice the following day. That was the first time she had missed a practice since the school festival had ended. Given her absence, the three of us had no choice but to practice by ourselves until the lessons started, but she didn't appear even after the preparatory bell had rung.

"The audition's coming up soon. Maybe she's busy running around preparing for that," suggested Chiaki. I see. Senpai might be planning something again.

"But we won't be able to decide on the guitar arrangement for the string part without Senpai......"

"But Mafu-Mafu's guitar solo earlier made me shiver. Play like that for our actual performance too."

Said Chiaki, as she turned to face Mafuyu as Mafuyu was packing her Stratocaster into her guitar case. Mafuyu's eyes widened.

"...... That was because Kyouko was not around, so I played the vocalist's part in her stead......"

Murmured Mafuyu shyly. But I felt the same way Chiaki did. We had already chosen the last piece for our performance—John Lennon's —but since Senpai was absent, Mafuyu had played the melody of the lead vocal instead. It was a vivid and commanding solo—a performance that Chiaki and I would never forget.

"It would definitely be cool if you suddenly joined in with your solo during the first chorus! All we need is Mafuyu's guitar and the synthesizer."

"But I only have two hands."

"Ah, you're right."

I gave Chiaki's suggestion a thought as well.

was a song sung by John Lennon, and, just as its name suggested, it was a melody that celebrated Christmas. But the song also featured children singing , a melody that yearned for peace. It was a song that consisted of two melodies being sung together at the same time.

And by having already reproduced John Lennon's part with her solo, it was as though Mafuyu was tossing that song into the air. It would be marvelous if we could combine that with the children's prayers, . And if so, all that would be left is simulating the organs using the synthesizers.

The idea was gradually taking shape in my head as I tidied up the instruments.

And when we left the room, I could almost hear the melody of the Christmas song behind that tightly shut door. After we had exited, Chiaki locked the door and looked to the sky as she rested her hand on the handle.

"...... If only we could be together forever."

Mafuyu and I turned around when we heard Chiaki's words. A faint smile appeared on Chiaki's face—but it disappeared in the blink of an eye. She continued,

"It'd be great if we could clear the audition in a spectacular fashion and spend Christmas together."

Mafuyu looked at me hesitantly. When our eyes met, she broke eye contact with me and turned her gaze towards Chiaki.

"...... Let us do our best," Mafuyu nodded with a soft murmur.

"Mmm...... At the very least, the four of us can be together."

Chiaki's smile was much lonelier than the skies of the early winter, but I couldn't say anything at all. It's time for our lessons—said Chiaki softly, before breaking into a run.

Our fourth lesson of the day—physical education—had just ended, and the guys had already finished changing. We were making our way back to the cla.s.sroom from the sports complex when a bicycle burst through the school gates at an incredible speed, catching the attention of many of us. Those braids danced in the air like the tail feathers of a bird. She disappeared between the buildings.

"...... That's atrociously late." "And she's wearing casual attire. With a mini-skirt to boot, even though it's winter." "The sight of her back and her long slender legs when she was standing on the bicycle was just amazing."

Kagurazaka-senpai just reached school......? What on earth is she doing? I rushed back to the cla.s.sroom, placed my bento on Chiaki's desk, then dashed to the practice room. The lunch bell rang when I reached the lawn near the back of the building.

When I opened the door to the practice room, I froze on the spot.

"Oh hi, young man. You're here early."

"Whoaaaaa!"
 

When school ended, the only thing I said to Chiaki and Mafuyu was, "Sorry, urm, I'm a little...... I'm not attending practice today." And with that, I heaved my ba.s.s onto my back and left. My head was about to burst.