Vanstein Copyright

Chapter 7 – Lady’s Request

In the center of the darkened field of vision, a vague white mist loomed over the area. Eventually, beyond the white mist, a red speck can be seen. This was… a bloodstain on the cobblestone pavement.

The green-eyed man was crouched with his hands on the ground before long. The more his shoulders moved, his breathing grew more turbulent, and perspiration dripped down his blonde hair, leaving the cobblestone pavement drenched in spots.

As his breathing steadied, the darkened area covering the periphery of his vision gradually cleared.

In one corner, a small, white, strange lump was found. Was that… his tooth?

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the green-eyed man rose to his feet. At his wobbly feet, he discovered a bowler hat – something he had forgotten and left behind.

“Damn… damn it!”

He trampled down the bowler hat out of spite. Time and time again. The beautiful dome-shaped top was crushed unceremoniously.

“Are you sure you don’t want to pursue?”

All of a sudden, a warning was hurled at him from his back. Startled, he stopped his movement. When he turned around, the sight of his partner leaning against the steam mobile caught his attention. The man’s overtly exasperated tone stirred his nerves, but he held his ground.

“… Is fine. In any case, he’s a lowlife who does nothing but runs his mouth.”

“You… if you had that thought, why did you send him to the corner? This is too much.”

His partner’s gestured accusation reawakened the rage he had once retracted. By the time he realized it, he was clutching his partner’s chest.

“We won’t even know if it’s a lie if we don’t go through with it! Don’t be naive!”

Despite glares and loud menaces, his partner only shot him a sympathetic glance.

“I’m terribly sorry to break it to you, but let me tell you, it’s not a particularly pleasant spectacle to behold.”

In a manner not befitting his playboy appearance, the partner brushed the green-eyed man’s hand away with a well-versed touch. He seemed to harbor no desire to engage in further discussion, and silently withdrew to the driver’s seat. Even the green-eyed man did not wish to be involved in an aggravated argument. In silence, he stepped over to the passenger side of the car, opened the door, and climbed in.

“It’s… not a particularly pleasant spectacle to behold… huh.”

Leaning his elbow on the passenger window frame, the green-eyed man repeated as if it were a personal matter.

“Oh, you finally have a guilty conscience?”

“What should be done if it’s something pleasant to behold?”

“About what?”

“Shut up.”

＊　＊　＊

Upon alighting from the steam car, Adonis went down the stone steps that he had grown accustomed to and opened the iron door of “Crazy Louis”. This would be a week in a row now. Once entering, he was greeted by the same cheerful jazz numbers as before. After exchanging greetings with the acquainted customers, he went to the counter bar. As he settled down on his usual stool in the corner, the master brought him a glass filled with ice.

“You’ve got to be tired, I suppose business has been booming.”

While pouring whiskey into Adonis’ and his own rocks glasses, the master called out to him.

“Ah. The job I was introduced to will lead to another job and so on. It seems I won’t have to worry about drinking money for a while.”

For the past week, Adonis had been visiting wealthy clients in London at noon to conduct piano tuning business. His old business associates, whom he was now tending to, were so-called upper class and introduced him to many mansions containing pianos. Once word got out that a handsome, blond, green-eyed man was available to tune and play the piano, there was instantaneous circulation among the wealthy wives’ networks, ensuring that Adonis had no trouble finding a job.

“That must be how good you are at your job, brother. My little girl is in a good mood playing the piano too.”

Tonight’s performance of “Crazy Louis” has also been well received. When Angela asked for requests for pieces to perform, the old men raised their hands in a chorus of high-pitched voices.

Just as the blonde-haired, green-eyed young man became the subject of gossip among the wives, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed bishōjo also became a source of healing for the old men. Watching the enthusiasm of the old men, Adonis reminisced about the second time he had visited this store.

Although it was fine that Angela had insisted that he perform two days in a row, the jealousy rays of the old men had been piercing his backside throughout the performance, and he was worried that he might suffer a low-temperature burn.

The audience was, needless to say, expecting Angela.

If he was a surprise guest, they might be delighted, but if he was a regular performer and played with her constantly, one never can predict when an ale mug might be sent flying towards him. Therefore, beginning from the third day, he quietly listened to Angela’s piano performance alone at the counter bar.

When sitting back and listening to Angela’s performance, it was apparent that her playing techniques were not to be underestimated, but rather superb.

There was no mistouch even when she played at a fast tempo, and well-turned fingering.

Experienced reharmonization (techniques for swapping an existing chord for another chord for the sake of arrangement).

Solfege proficiency (the ability to understand and read or write music) that accurately draws out the best of a piece, irrespective of how it is rearranged.

Above all, Angela’s greatest allure was her ability to express herself with an inclusiveness that allowed her to convey her emotions in any song.

This was what led the audience to a pleasant feeling.

Even in competitions, the individuality of the performer supported by advanced techniques is extremely significant. With the Industrial Revolution bringing an end to the era of horse and human power and a shift to steam engines as the primary source of energy, likewise in the world of music, the era of classical reproduction has passed, and the individuality of performers was becoming an impressive factor.

An exemplary performance that perfectly traces the score is necessary for admission to the Royal Conservatory of Music. However, in subsequent professional careers, how one expresses the margins of notes that are not found in the score is what is valued.

Thus, even in the London competition, where the best pianists from all over Inglez, United Kingdom gathered, Angela seemed to stand a decent chance of finishing in the top ranks, if not winning the competition.

But Angela herself was in an incredibly unfavorable condition and said that it was impossible for her to win the competition.

As if seeking the reason for that, Adonis carefully observed the music Angela was playing and the way she was performing it.

“Yes, then, the madam over there!”

Angela designated a middle-aged woman who raised her small hand for the last requested piece. She was a lady with an elegant ambience, incongruous considering this piano bar full of wild old men. Surprised by the selection, she smiled and mentioned the requested piece.

“Could you please play ‘Piano Solo for the Right Hand’ for me?”

Even from the counter where Adonis was seated, he could see Angela momentarily freeze. Then she glanced at Adonis. With a small cross between his fingers, he indicated that he would not play.

“I’m sorry madam. I can’t perform that piece. I’m truly sorry.”

“I see… Well, that’s unfortunate. Well then, please let the others take a chance.”

The lady did not falter in her smile but said so ruefully, and easily conceded that right to another. Hearing this, the old men’s croaky voices echoed, “Me, me, me!”. While Angela was listening to the requests from the other guests, the lady quietly stood up from her seat and was seen heading out towards the door.

In silence, Adonis followed after her.