Chapter 449: Should I Ask My Sister to Help You?
"We want to hear you play a piano piece."
After stating this request, Yukino's face lit up with a smile. From her observation, Hachiman didn't seem like someone who had ever learned to play the piano, so she believed that their request would surely pose a challenge for him.
However, to her disappointment, Yukino didn't see any hint of hesitation on Hachiman's face. Instead, he paused for a moment upon hearing the request, then nodded naturally.
"Oh, a piano piece? No problem."
Seeing his reaction, not only Yukino but also Yui and Yumiko were surprised.
"Hikki? Do you really know how to play the piano?"
"Well, I know a bit," Hachiman said, glancing at his nearly maxed out "Piano" skill on his character sheet.
He had coincidentally loaded the "Piano" skill during his frenzy of expanding skills. Although he hadn't practiced after loading it, the proficiency had naturally increased over the past year, almost reaching its maximum level.
"But what piece would you like to hear? How about 'Islamey'?"
Upon hearing Hachiman mention the piece, Yukino raised an eyebrow. "'Islamey'... Are you serious?"
"Islamey," also known as "Oriental Fantasy" and "Fantasy in the Turkish Style," was a piece created by Balakirev in 1869 after his travels to the Caucasus region.
The composition consists of three sections: the main theme, followed by an emotional andante, and finally, a return to the main theme with an intense, rapid coda.
Due to its extreme difficulty, many pianists consider it a challenge. It's said that after playing this piece, if you place your hair on the keys, the hair will bend due to the heat generated by the keys...
So, hearing Hachiman suggest such a challenging piano piece, Yukino couldn't help but be surprised. This piece wasn't something that could be played casually.
"Of course, if you don't object, then let's go with that," Hachiman chuckled lightly.
Seeing his confident demeanor, Yukino was left speechless, eventually sighing.
"Well, this is your choice. If you embarrass yourself, don't blame us."
Hearing this, Yui, who was beside them, was puzzled and whispered, "Yukinon, is this piece very difficult?"
"Of course, 'Islamey' can be considered one of the most challenging piano pieces. Many pianists view successfully performing it as a challenge," Yukino explained briefly.
"Huh? It sounds really difficult. Hikki, do you want to choose another piece?" After hearing Yukino's words, Yui hesitated and turned to persuade Hachiman.
After all, she just wanted to see Hachiman perform, not embarrass himself.
Shizuka also chimed in, "That's right, kid. This piece is too difficult. Why don't you choose another one?"
Sure, you're a hero, but nobody said heroes have to know how to play the piano.
In Shizuka's mind, Hachiman wasn't the type to play the piano. Those pianists were all elegant and extraordinary in temperament.
As for Hachiman...
Well, forget it, it's not even close.
Though Yumiko didn't speak up, she also gave Hachiman a meaningful look, hoping he would choose another piece.
However, despite the girls' discouragement, Hachiman just smiled.
"No need to change the piece. I have confidence. But I'll wait until after watching your performance, Yukino, before I start mine."
"And I also need a more formal outfit. I can't play the piano wearing this outfit."
Upon hearing his words, the girls looked at his clothes.
Shirt and jeans, indeed not suitable for an onstage performance.
Meguri, with her hands clasped together and a gentle expression, said, "No problem. For the outfit, we have plenty in the dressing room."
"Thank you, Shiromeguri-senpai" Hachiman smiled.
Meguri nodded and then hurried to the dressing room backstage.
Soon, she returned with an outfit and handed it to Hachiman. "This one should fit. It looks similar to your body size."
"Okay." Hachiman took the clothes and went into the changing room. In no time, he changed into the outfit.
Although the outfit fit well, the shoulders and cuffs were still a bit loose.
Feeling it, Hachiman frowned.
"Shiromeguri-senpai, do you have any other clothes?"
"Unfortunately, there aren't any other suitable ones for now. The rest are too small."
Just then, Ebina's eyes lit up.
"For the clothes, leave it to me."
With that, she left through the backstage corridor.
And at that moment, the music finally stopped, followed by thunderous applause from the audience.
It appears that Haruno's conducted music concert has concluded.
Shortly after, Haruno and the others returned backstage, and Meguri, being a big fan, naturally approached them.
"Haruno-senpai, you did great! It was such an amazing concert."
"You're exaggerating, Meguri. Remember, I was only in charge of conducting. The real talent lies with everyone who performed," Haruno smiled.
As a socialite, Haruno wouldn't take all the credit herself. Besides, she was right. The success of the concert was not only due to the individual skills of the band members but also because of Haruno's excellent conducting.
"That's right, everyone worked hard," Meguri chimed in quickly.
The members of the band all smiled modestly.
However, with the concert over, Meguri, as the host, had to return to the stage.
As Meguri finished her closing remarks, Hayama and the others took the stage.
Soon, music filled the stage once again, accompanied by Yumiko's captivating singing.
After Haruno changed her clothes, she noticed Hachiman wearing a white suit, which surprised her.
"Huh? Hikigaya-kun, are you also performing?"
"Yes, he's going to play the piano piece 'Islamey,'" Yukino nodded.
"Islamey?!"
Hearing this, the girl who had just been playing the piano on stage was surprised. As a pianist herself, she understood the difficulty of "Islamey" and didn't expect this seemingly sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy to perform it.
"Are you really going to play 'Islamey'? Isn't it too difficult?" she asked.
"Eh, I think it'll be fine," Hachiman casually nodded.
Seeing his confident demeanor, the girl couldn't help but wonder.
Could he be a piano master?
Just then, Ebina, who had just returned, came back with someone else.
"What's happening? Why did you suddenly bring me here?"
With a slightly hoarse voice, Hachiman looked over and saw it was Saki Kawasaki.
"Kawasaki-san, we need your help with something," Ebina spoke up.
"What's the matter?" Saki asked, puzzled.
"We need you to help alter Hachiman's clothes," Ebina explained.
"Huh? Alter clothes?"
Saki then noticed Hachiman wearing a white suit, and her face flushed slightly.
What's going on? He just changed his clothes, but why does Hachiman suddenly look so handsome?
After all, this was the first time she had seen Hachiman in formal attire. Unlike Yukino, Yui, and the others whom she had seen before, Saki couldn't help but react.
"Yeah, Kawasaki-san, you're good with needlework, right? So, we're counting on you," Ebina nodded, pushing Saki towards Hachiman.
"Time is running out, so it's up to you."
Pushed towards Hachiman, Saki felt a bit overwhelmed. With the two of them so close, she could see her reflection in Hachiman's eyes if she looked up, which made her feel shy.
Unlike Saki's shyness, Hachiman didn't seem bothered at all. He simply extended his arms openly.
"I'll leave it to you, Kawasaki-san."
Seeing him ready to embrace her, Saki took a small step back, then remembered her task and blushed as she started altering Hachiman's clothes.
At this moment, Haruno, having learned about the situation from Yui, also became interested in her sister's performance.
"Yukino, what performance are you doing? Do you want your big sister to help you?"
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