Anime Heart

Chapter Thirty-One: Music Competition

Perhaps it was Ma Xiandong's words, or perhaps he himself had come to a realization.

Arima Kosei nodded, and the four of them ran towards TOWA HALL.

Preparations for the competition began at 3:00, and it officially started at 3:20. They had plenty of time to get there, but the delay here made the time a bit tight.

Fortunately, they arrived just before the start, which relieved Kaori Miyazono.

She was slightly out of breath while running, which Ma Xiandong noticed keenly. He then naturally reached out and took Miyazono Kaoru's hand, pulling her forward.

Kaori Miyazono glanced at Kousei Arima, but he seemed lost in thought, completely oblivious to everyone else.

Even though she liked Arima Kousei very much, she couldn't help but feel a little dissatisfied at this moment.

Upon entering the venue, carrying her violin, she told the other three where the entrance was, and then Kaori Miyazono ran off to change, as formal attire was required for the violin competition.

Arima Kenjiro and the other two walked in the direction that Miyazono Kaoru pointed out. In fact, all three of them knew the specific situation here.

Arima Kousei used to frequently participate in various competitions and perform on stage here, while Sawabe Tsubaki and Arima Kenjiro cheered for Kousei, so they also frequented such places.

However, what happened three years ago completely cut off the three of them from the opportunity to enter such places.

Now, after many years, the three of them are filled with emotion as they return to this place.

The strongest reaction came from Kousei Arima, because many people around him knew him; after all, his fame back then was beyond imagination.

Listening to those people's words, Kousei Arima couldn't help but recall the painful memories that had haunted him.

His mother was already very ill at that time, but she still insisted on coming to watch his games. Knowing that her time was running out, she was very strict with him.

Now I understand my mother's good intentions; she wanted to do the last thing she could for her child.

Because of her mother's love, she became impatient; she didn't have much time left.

Arima Kousei doesn't hate his mother at all. He also remembers her last words to him when she went into the operating room: "Play the piano well and take good care of your younger brother."

Even for his mother's sake, he would continue playing the piano, but the symptoms left him helpless and frustrated.

Now, my younger brother has a girlfriend, and I am working hard to overcome those symptoms. Everything is moving in a positive direction.

But why do I still feel so, so irritable?

The first three contestants have already taken the stage, and they all played fairly well. However, according to Gong Sheng, who was standing next to me, they made several mistakes in certain places.

Arima Xiandong said, "I don't understand. I only know that they are all very cool. I don't understand but I feel very impressed!"

However, since it was all the same song, Arima Kento was already a little sleepy. What's the point of it if they're all exactly the same?

However, Kaori Miyazono should be different. When she played the tune in the park just now, the feeling that made people involuntarily imagine the scene was something that these people could not compare to.

I hope Xiao Xun isn't making me feel sleepy!

Arima Kento didn't go to sleep immediately because he noticed his older brother, Arima Kousei's, behavior. From the very beginning, he had been silently strumming his fingers, as if he were the one accompanying the music on stage.

He was known as the "human metronome" back then, and his musicality was exceptionally strong!

The fact that he didn't reject this music suggests that he's really prepared to work hard and get out of his current predicament!

Next, the number four sign was hung in the designated spot, and Kaori Miyazono was about to make her appearance.

Da da da da...

The crisp sound of footsteps rang out on the stage, and Kaori Miyazono, wearing a white dress and with her hair flowing down, appeared in the center of the stage with an absolute goddess aura.

With a slight bow, this single gesture earned applause from the audience, completely overshadowing the previous three contestants.

The drowsy audience was awakened and eagerly awaited the performance of the dazzling girl in the center of the stage.

"I'm a little nervous! Can I convey my feelings to everyone through music?" Then Kaori Miyazono took a deep breath, "Eloim Essaim Eloim Essaim, please listen to my request."

He turned to his accompanist and nodded slightly, feeling a little guilty. His actions were going to cause trouble for the accompanist!

But I have to do it. I've already started running, and I don't want to stop!

After a few standard tunings, Kaori Miyazono began her performance.

Even though it was the same piece, 'Kreutzer', from the very first note, Kaori Miyazono did not play according to the original Beethoven's dynamics, but rather according to her own feelings.

Without a doubt, this is no longer Beethoven's piece, but Kaori Miyazono's own.

Such a performance had an extraordinary effect, captivating all the audience members and eliciting cheers. However, this was the type of contestant the judges disliked the most, and would be eliminated directly.

Except for one or two judges, the other judges all looked like they were gritting their teeth, especially the chief judge, a somewhat old-fashioned middle-aged man, who was so angry that he almost broke the pen in his hand.

"This is blasphemy!! The rhythm and dynamics are all messed up, and it even ignores the piano accompaniment and plays haphazardly! This is a provocation against the composer!" The nib of his pen was broken, which was enough to show his anger.

Without a doubt, the referee couldn't get any points from Kaori Miyazono in this match, but she did what she wanted to do.

A very dedicated performance naturally takes a lot of physical exertion; Kaori Miyazono was already drenched in sweat, but her mood became exceptionally cheerful because of the audience's standing ovation and cheers.

It would be even better if Arima Kousei could understand.

With a gleam in her eyes, Kaori Miyazono was searching for Kousei Arima's place; only by making him understand could he truly move forward.

This relates to the playing style of Kousei Arima when he first performed on stage. He was only five years old at the time, but he could already play the piano. Moreover, he didn't have any fixed repertoire. His music was as colorful as a 24-color palette, with melodies that flowed out joyfully.

That was the happiest time for Arima Kousei. His mother was in good health, and he had his favorite piano. These two happy things combined to create his style at that time.

However, later, when his mother became seriously ill, Kousei Arima's musical style gradually changed, eventually becoming more like a metronome.

His music lost its vitality, and so did he.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Holding Hands

Kaori Miyazono didn't tell Arima Kenjiro about her past relationship with Kousei because it was a bit difficult to talk about, since she had known Arima Kousei since she was very young.

Just as Kousei Arima was performing on stage for the first time, Kaori Miyazono happened to attend a piano performance, which was none other than Kousei Arima's.

I remember the child who made his entrance clumsily, knocking over chairs and making everyone laugh. He also looked a bit comical in front of the big piano.

But as soon as he started playing, everyone's eyes were drawn to him involuntarily.

Kaori Miyazono became fascinated with his music from that day on. Originally wanting to play the piano, she chose another instrument and picked up the violin, wanting to play a duet with Kousei Arima.

This can be considered her wish.

Music is something where talent truly determines the upper limit. Hard work may allow you to reach a certain lower limit, but you will never reach the true upper limit. Only those who have talent and work hard can reach higher levels.

Without a doubt, Arima Kousei possessed this talent, but due to certain events, he faded into obscurity.

Now, many people want to pull him out of his slump and let him perform on that stage again as a performer.

Arima Kenjiro wanted to help him up, as did Miyazono Kaoru, whom he had always admired. His friends Sawabe Tsubaki and Watari Ryota, who cared about him, also wanted to help him up.

Of course, there's also his father, Arima Shiki, who wants his son to have a truly better life, instead of the aimless existence he's living now.

Sawabe Tsubaki and Watari Ryota were the first to exert their efforts, but they didn't have much effect. After Arima Kento returned, he started to exert his efforts, and they did have some effect, but not much. Miyazono Kaori started to exert her efforts today, clearly allowing Arima Kousei to take a step forward.

Perhaps with continued effort, Arima Kousei will be able to truly emerge from this slump.

The performance ended, and the audience applauded, but the head judge, referred to as Kazama's teacher, was still gritting his teeth, saying, "To play such a piece in a solemn competition is simply..."

If the people around him hadn't been holding him back, he would have rushed up and hit Kaori Miyazono.

One of the judges suddenly had a bright idea: "Wow, amazing! Her unique personality, which doesn't blindly follow the composer's ideas, is truly distinctive. But why was she unknown before?"

If he could stop Kaori Miyazono and ask her, and if she was willing to tell him, she would probably say something like, "Well! I used to be a good girl, but now I'm starting to do the most meaningful thing in my life, so I'm going to be my true self."

The match was over, and the three waited outside for Kaori Miyazono to appear. This was just a preliminary round, and there would be a formal match later.

However, the next competition will not be today, but next Saturday. Since the participants are all fourteen or fifteen-year-old children, the organizers need to consider that their school time cannot clash with the competition time.

The winners of the preliminary rounds have been determined, and eight judges and one audience-recommended best player will participate in the second round of preliminary rounds.

Despite losing many points, Kaori Miyazono won over the audience and was given another chance; she became the audience-recommended contestant.

Kaori Miyazono changed back into her previous outfit. Without the music and formal dress, she transformed from a goddess back into a youthful and beautiful girl.

However, as she ran toward the three of them, Kaori Miyazono was stopped by two little girls who wanted to give her flowers.

"We were all very moved by your performance, so we bought you these flowers."

This was the first time Arima Kento had ever seen someone receive flowers from the audience after a performance during a competition. He had never encountered this situation when watching his brother perform before.

Upon receiving the flowers, Kaori Miyazono became even more cheerful. She practically skipped over to the three of them.

As soon as she came over, she asked, "How was it? What did you think of my performance?"

"It's wonderful. I almost fell asleep listening to everyone else's music, but I only found yours beautiful. Although that piece was a designated repertoire, the one you played should be considered your own composition!"

Although Arima Kento cannot play any musical instruments, he has some knowledge of music from his many years of experience.

After hearing Arima Kento's evaluation, Miyazono Kaori turned to look at Arima Kousei, as she was more interested in hearing his evaluation.

After all, he was the person she had always admired.

Seeing the girl's slightly trembling arm, Kousei Arima's attitude became serious. "Your performance can move people, and the two little girls presenting flowers proves it all. They rushed to buy flowers to give to you after listening to your performance, which is an unforgettable experience for them."

"And that's probably what your playing style is like."

Kaori Miyazono paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "What?! What does it look like?!" As if she didn't understand, the girl turned and ran away.

Saturday afternoon passed just like that. Arima Kento felt that the afternoon was worthwhile because his older brother, Arima Kousei, seemed to be influenced by Miyazono Kaori, and would often space out after returning home.

It's good if there's any impact; the worst thing would be if there's still no response.

Arima Kento was even considering whether to invite Miyazono Kaoru to their house so she could play for Arima Kousei every day and help him out of his slump.

The four of them had dinner together that evening, and then went home separately. Arima Kento was asked to take Miyazono Kaoru home, while Sawabe Tsubaki and Arima Kousei went home together.

Because of Ma Xiandong's martial prowess, the two were not too worried about his safety. Besides, the security here was quite good, so it was fine.

Along the way, Arima Kento and Miyazono Kaoru were walking when Miyazono Kaoru suddenly reached out and took Arima Kento's hand, which aroused Arima Kento's suspicion.

"Didn't you say it was just an act? I can see you have deep feelings for Kousei, so what's going on here?"

As he spoke, Arima Kenji raised his hand, gesturing for Miyazono Kaoru to hold his hand.

"If I said I wanted to hold hands, was that not allowed?" Kaori Miyazono made a fierce expression, as if she would bite someone if Arima Kento said no.

"Okay, okay, do whatever you want!" Since the other person didn't mind, why should he? It was indeed very comfortable to hold a girl's hand, and he was happy to hold it for a while longer.

Arriving at Kaori Miyazono's house, in front of a dessert shop, he waved, indicating that he could go back alone, and told Kaori Miyazono to go inside and not catch a cold.