A week after that incident.
Kathrine stretched after focusing on the thick book of laws in front of her.
She had been going at it for a good while, but since they had no teachers for the afternoon class, she decided to continue studying in the library instead.
After some thought, she packed her things and walked towards the music room.
Upon getting closer, a slight smile appeared on her lips. She was right, he was indeed here. She could hear the sound of the violin penetrating the walls.
She opened the door without reserve, causing the one inside to abruptly stop practicing.
Justin frowned when he saw her walk in before sitting on the floor opposite the door and leaning on the wall.
"Go on, keep playing," she commanded, causing him to raise an eyebrow.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I wanted to relax after looking at all those amendments and whatever. So go on and keep playing."
"Why should I follow you?" his frown deepened.
"Come on, help your friend here. I need to relax," she remarked, closing her eyes.
Justin wanted to keep bantering, but seeing her tired look, he sighed before he continued practicing, ignoring her presence instead of thinking about her.
Kathrine took a deep breath. It was as beautiful as always. She could feel his emotions from the way he played the violin, and somehow it refreshed her mind a lot.
Silence followed after he ended the piece and started packing up. The sun was already setting.
"Is there still no development?" Kathrine finally opened her eyes and asked.
Justin's movements momentarily stopped before he continued.
"With her character, I don't even know if it will be mended," he replied.
Harmony had completely stopped speaking with Luca, and she started barely interacting with their group.
But what could they do? Luca was the one at fault. There was no point in thinking that the other party needed help.
The bottom line was that Harmony was sick. To leave her alone and for her to be bullied while waiting for him? One could only say that it was indeed a very stupid decision.
"Sadly, she seemed too busy as well. We barely had the chance to chat with her these past few days," she sighed.
"That is a matter we have no control of. I am going home," Justin replied.
Not that it affected him in any way, that he did not need to worry about it.
"How can you say that you are leaving without asking me if I have someone to go home with?" Kathrine complained as she stood up.
"Huh?" Justin was flabbergasted.
"I am a lady, and it is already late," Kathrine continued.
Justin ended up rolling his eyes, "Why did you stay until this late if you will complain about going home alone?"
Kathrine pouted, "I am studying to be a lawyer. How can I take it easy when my goal is to be the best?"
"And what does that have to do with me? You are the one who came here and demanded I play. I did not invite you."
"You really are not a gentleman, are you?" she glared at him.
"And?"
The two continued bickering until they stepped out of the building.
They kept at it even while walking on the road.
In the end, Justin walked her to the station without saying anything more.
"Hey," Kathrine called out when he turned his back.
He looked back at her.
"Once I become a lawyer, I will take any case you receive. I will protect you, so keep supporting me until then," she waved him goodbye.
"I will ask for that payment when the time comes," he replied before finally leaving.
Kathrine got home and continued studying, late into the night and early the next day.
"Why are you studying so much when you have already passed the entrance examination for your goal school?" Justin couldn't help but ask when their routine continued even in the next days.
He was practicing for another competition after their graduation. At the same time, Kathrine studied as hard as she could in the library before barging into his practice and demanding him to play for her, something he would unwillingly do.
"If I want to become the best, I need to be more advanced than my peers. That is why I won't settle with just studying in university. Instead, I will strive even to finish it faster."
Then she closed her eyes, obviously tired.
Justin looked at her before he started playing another piece.
"Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven (from Symphony No. 9).
He started the piece at a moderate tempo, reflecting calmness. Gradually, he increased the dynamics and expression as the melody progressed.
Then he used vibrato and smooth bowing to make the melody feel warm and supportive.
This time, he did not only play it one time but instead repeated the melody an octave higher, adding a brighter, celebratory tone.
Kathrine somehow felt encouraged by the piece she heard this time.
In the beginning, it felt like he was calmly encouraging her, and as it progressed, she felt her focus and confidence increasing.
"Wow," she couldn't help but comment once it was over.
"…"
Justin quietly put back his violin into the case, getting ready to go home.
"That felt great. What did you do?" she stood up and asked.
"I was just practicing different pieces," he replied.
"Are you being shy?" she teased.
"Me? Shy? Towards you?" he laughed.
"In your dreams."
"Wow, thanks for the sarcasm," Beatrice grimaced.
Justin harrumphed before walking out of the room.
"By the way, how is Brother Elson?" she followed right after.
Justin rolled his eyes, "I am not following his every movement, so stop asking me. Don't you have the number of Seren? Why don't you ask her?"
"Come on, I am shy," she replied.
Justin turned to her, agape from her reply.