[CH.37] Invitation to the Recital (Compulsory)

I Reincarnated as a Beautiful Girl and Aim to Become a Top Actress! (WN)

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[CH.37] Invitation to the Recital (Compulsory)

**TL Notes: So as not to confuse you all, I made a list of the characters that get mentioned in this chapter that you may have forgotten before.   Sumire Matsuda: MC Touka Kimura: Sumire's close friend and classmate in Tokyo. Yoko Ando (Yoko-san): Sumire's manager. Kotone Mimura (Kotone-sensei): Piano teacher Director Kanzaki: He is a film director.

Several days passed after seeing off my mother, and life had returned to its usual routine. However, with school about to enter spring break, there was a somewhat restless atmosphere in the air.

"Being in fifth grade is kind of awkward, isn't it? The class trip is in sixth grade, so it feels like we're in for a boring year," murmured Touka, a friend of mine who, as always, didn't have a very childlike personality. I responded with a wry smile while watching our classmates happily chattering away.

"Still, don't we have the school trip to look forward to?" I asked, trying to console her.

"What's the point in giving up our precious summer vacation? Besides..."

Touka's initial strong tone gradually faded, as if she wasn't entirely convinced. Then, she wore a somewhat lonely expression and fixed her gaze on me.

"You're not participating, are you? I overheard the manager talking to the teacher the other day."

"Yeah, it's unfortunate, but it's because of work."

I replied, feeling warmed by my best friend's concern, yet I also mentioned the reason for my non-participation, which I had previously heard from Yoko-san. Yeah, this was also on Director Kanzaki's instructions. Despite the event being more than five months away, schedules were already planned around the film's shooting. Whether it was haphazard or well-organized, I still hadn't quite figured out the director's personality."

I overlaid my hand on Touka's, who appeared somewhat idle with her fingers moving aimlessly on her desk. I playfully intertwined our fingers, which seemed to amuse her. My hand's movement must have tickled her, as Touka's initially impassive expression transformed into a smile.

Yeah, girls definitely look better when they're smiling. I extended my other hand, and Touka tried to retaliate, but I skillfully evaded her, making our break time a fun and pleasant one.

I continued to practice the piano as usual, put effort into swimming, and carried out my work during my free time. It was a blessing to have a stable job. After all, my earnings were essential for my living expenses and future school fees. If I lost my job, I'd end up in a difficult situation, unable to go to school. I worried about finances even more, especially after hearing that my sister was entering the fully-equipped private school associated with the dormitory.

Because my family was poor, I knew better than anyone from my past life that there was no way we could afford to send a child to a private school. I've also heard that my grandmother will provide assistance this time, but it's impossible for her to cover all the expenses. This means that the burden on my parents will undoubtedly be much heavier than when I attended a public school in my previous life.

"Just a little more, and I'll be able to keep going until the bubble bursts. I need to work hard and maintain some savings," I thought while tightly gripping my hands, filled with determination. With a sense of purpose, I briskly walked into the building where the piano class was held. This music school was officially used by an entertainment production company, but it also had general students. However, prospective students were required to agree to strict rules upon admission, which included an obligation to avoid interactions with celebrities as much as possible. From what I'd heard, they attended here cautiously and conscientiously. They were very careful about not coming into contact with celebrities, I suppose the idea was to keep away fickle fans. The penalties were also quite severe.

"Hello, Sumire-chan."

"Hello!"

I exchanged greetings with the receptionist and asked her to guide me to today's lesson booth. In this music school, there were two grand pianos set up in the music room, while everything else was upright pianos. To help you visualize, think of a grand piano as a large, long rectangular box with the keyboard attached in the middle. I learned from a conversation with my piano teacher, Kotone-sensei, during a previous lesson break that grand pianos tend to be more expensive in terms of price. However, she also mentioned that upright pianos with a high-quality build can come with a hefty price tag, surpassing the cost of basic grand pianos. It's fascinating how both objects and technology can have such a wide range of quality, significantly affecting their value. I pondered this as I walked into the lesson room today.

Getting back to the point, while I typically practiced on an upright piano, today's lesson was in a booth with a grand piano. From my past experience, I knew that being led to this booth often meant a level-up assessment or a significant milestone. I took a deep breath and entered the booth.

Inside, there was Kotone-sensei, wearing her usual calm and gentle smile. After exchanging greetings, I took a seat on the chair placed in front of the piano. We began with the warm-up exercises before the actual lesson, which involved thorough finger stretching and playing a few practice pieces. Although these exercises might seem routine, they included aspects like rhythm and pedal timing, which I, as a beginner, still had a lot to work on. While focusing on playing each note meticulously, I carefully guided my fingers across the keys.

My hands are small, so at first, I struggled to reach the octaves, but with the help of finger stretches and the exercises from Kotone-sensei, I managed to overcome that challenge. I've been learning the piano for almost half a year now, and according to my teacher, I've progressed to a level similar to students who have been playing for about one and a half to two years. I'm not sure if that's just praise, but I personally believe I'm the type of person who thrives on compliments, so I'd like to hear more.

This is just my personal speculation, but maybe the experiences I had in my previous life are benefiting me in a positive way. I've heard in past lives that learning the first foreign language can be time-consuming and challenging, but when you pick up another language, you can learn it in about half the time. Even though music and language are different fields, my past experiences might be helping me progress in piano.

While I'm practicing my exercises, Yoko-san enters the booth, making a slight sound as she opens a canned coffee. During my lessons, she's usually here, sipping on a drink and casually listening to the sounds of the piano, unless she has pressing matters. She's a busy person, so she might be using this time to check on my progress under the guise of taking a break.

I push thoughts of Yoko-san to the back of my mind and start playing the assigned piece from the previous lesson, waiting for Kotone-sensei to point out my mistakes. After a few rounds of critiques and do-overs, I finally get her approval, and it's time for a break. Yoko-san hands me a canned orange juice, and I pop the tab, taking a few sips.

I had no idea before I started playing, but playing the piano actually burns quite a few calories. You need to engage not only your fingers but also your arms. Plus, you have to pay attention to rhythm and various playing instructions – staccato, slur, and others. It's also a significant drain on your concentration, so replenishing sugar is quite important.

As I felt a tingling sensation in my fingertips and a pleasant weariness in both arms, I kept my eyes closed. In the background, I could hear Yoko-san talking to my teacher.

"Speaking of which, about the phone call I made the other day, what happened with that?"

"Yes, it's all taken care of. I've registered Sumire-chan."

Intrigued by the words that mingled with Kotone-sensei's soothing voice, I involuntarily opened my eyes. Both Kotone-sensei and Yoko-san were looking at me with somewhat mischievous expressions. Well, it was Yoko-san who had the mischievous look, while Kotone-sensei just seemed a bit happier than usual.

"W-What are you talking about?"

I asked, my voice tinged with suspicion. I didn't think I had done anything wrong. The two of them exchanged amused glances, and Yoko-san, with a brighter smile than usual, finally spoke.

"Kanzaki-san asked me to hear Sumire's performance at least once, and he specified it should be in a setting similar to the actual performance, not a regular lesson."

"...Huh. Isn't that director being a bit unreasonable?"

"Movie directors are naturally demanding creatures. I'm sorry to have to involve Sumire in this, but I have to comply."

If I was told to do it, I'd give it my all. But I'd prefer to have as much preparation time as possible. Depending on the piece I have to play, as a beginner, I'll need plenty of practice. There's no way I can perform for an audience right now.

"So, I asked Kotone-sensei to request that Sumire participate in the recital held by this music school."

Wait a minute, isn't this recital essentially a real performance rather than just a practice? Whether Kotone-sensei sensed my internal protest or not, she clapped her hands together and said, "It's okay, Sumire-chan. I have a dress I wore when I was in elementary school, and I'll lend it to you. It's a really cute dress, and I'm sure it'll look great on you."

"No, that's not it, Kotone-sensei. It's not about the outfit. I don't have a performance dress for the piano recital, so I appreciate the offer. But my concern isn't there."

"Have you already chosen the piece Sumire will perform?"

"Yes, I've prepared the sheet music, and I thought we could start practicing it later today. Sumire-chan?"

Putting my confusion aside, Yoko-san and Kotone-sensei continued to discuss this with smiles. I accepted the sheet music they offered, and when I saw the title, I realized it was a piece that most people would probably be familiar with.

"...Für Elise?"

"Yes, you've probably heard it before. It's a bit challenging for beginners, but I'm sure you'll have it ready for the performance. Don't worry."

I might have heard of it, but I didn't know much about the piece. I had some basic knowledge like it being composed by Beethoven, but I didn't know much more. If anything, it's the tune that's associated with being put on hold during a phone call more than anything else.

Looking at the sheet music, it was indeed more challenging than what I was currently practicing, but with some effort, I believed I could manage it. However, for a recital, it's not just about playing the notes, you also need to focus on expression and techniques. I honestly didn't know how well I could do given my current skills, but I wanted to meet Kotone-sensei's trust in me and perform it perfectly on the day. With this determination, I was beginning to feel motivated. I had to give it my all.

"So, when is this recital going to take place?"

With a positive outlook, I asked, and Yoko-san smiled and said, "It's in late April, so about a month and a half from now." Um... is that not a short preparation time?

"Uh, is it really possible to prepare for this in just a month and a half?"

Feeling my enthusiasm shrink and be replaced by anxiety, I asked. Kotone-sensei answered with her usual gentle smile, exuding a somewhat ominous air.

"Well, we have a set deadline, so we'll have to make it work."

In the background, I thought I heard her say, "Just get it done without complaining." It was a rather uncharacteristic comment, and I couldn't help but sit up straight and energetically respond with, "Yes!" Maybe Kotone-sensei had to deal with such unreasonable requests often, as she exuded an aura of someone who had been through quite a few challenging situations.

And so, thanks to another one of Director Kanzaki's impossible requests, I was once again participating in a piano recital. Please, Director Kanzaki, no more absurd demands.

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