Chapter 22: Are You Beethoven? (2)

In an instant, everyone in the restaurant stopped eating, listening in spellbound silence to my performance. No one noticed the young woman who had suddenly appeared at the entrance, her jaw dropping as she watched my fingers fly across the keys.

As my hands settled onto the keyboard, a tragic Grave set the mood for the entire piece. The opening melody carried a sense of suffering and suppressed sorrow, as though telling the story of someone who had endured years of relentless hardship. Every note seemed to hold a memory of exhaustion, pain, and countless nights spent struggling against circumstances that refused to yield.

The music suddenly surged into a brilliant Allegro molto e con brio. The sudden shift into C minor created a striking contrast with the solemn introduction, transforming the sorrow into something fierce and defiant.

Then came a lively, lyrical second theme, passing between the bass and treble registers with remarkable tenderness. The dance-like accompaniment in the left hand burst with vitality, revealing an inner longing for happiness and distant visions of a better future. Lively ascending staccato notes, dotted rhythms, delicate ornaments, and flowing triplets created a fleeting dreamlike atmosphere.

The sharp contrast between the deep bass and brilliant treble intensified the sense of celebration.

For several seconds, no one in the restaurant moved.

The young woman at the entrance stared at me in disbelief. Her expression was no longer simple surprise. It was the look of someone who had just heard something that completely overturned everything she thought she understood about music.

While everyone remained spellbound in total silence, the young woman at the entrance murmured unconsciously: "This is the real Pathétique... the true voice of Beethoven. Yes, this is Beethoven’s voice."

I walked slowly back toward Shin Garei, who looked at me with deep affection. I knew this was pure admiration, and if I made any inappropriate moves right now, all my previous efforts would be ruined.

"Beethoven was a tragic genius. He used his music to confess his feelings to the women he loved—they accepted his music, but rejected his love," I said, looking straight into Shin Garei’s eyes.

"I can’t see through you anymore... who are you really?" Shin Garei murmured in a dazed, enchanted whisper.

"I am who I am. I’m sorry, but I think I should leave now." With that, I turned to walk away, sensing that the power possessing me was about to fade again. But as I reached the door, the young woman blocked my path.

"My name is Sho Utei. May I know who you are?" the pretty girl asked, standing before me with the reverent look of a devout Buddhist pilgrim on a quest.

"To meet is enough; why must we know each other?"

"Then where do you live?"

"My kingdom is in the sky!" I replied, looking up toward the heavens.

"Will we ever meet again?" she asked expectantly.

"If fate allows, we shall!" Bypassing her, I headed downstairs. Descending the steps, my mind relaxed as I felt the presence inside my head fade away. Paying at the counter, I slipped into the rolling crowd outside and departed Catis French Restaurant.

Only after I left did Shin Garei and the rest of the patrons snap back to reality, everyone immediately searching for the mysterious pianist. Shin Garei noticed the young woman standing opposite her. Smiling at her, the girl asked gently: "Hello, may I sit down and ask you something?"

"Of course. I recognize you—you’re the girl who often plays piano here. What did you want to ask?" Shin Garei regained her usual elegance, nodding softly.

Taking a seat, the girl smiled and said, "Hehe, my name is Sho Utei. Do you know the gentleman who just played?"

"Of course I do! If I say his name, I doubt there are many people in all of Tokyo who wouldn’t recognize him!"

"Could you tell me his name?"

"Oh? Why do you want to know him?" Facing this girl whose beauty rivaled her own, a flicker of guarded caution crossed Shin Garei’s mind.

"Didn’t you feel that intoxicating passion in his music? To be honest, I’ve been searching for someone who can use music to convey their genuine emotions like that. Please, you must tell me his name—I beg of you!" the girl pleaded.

"’Use music to convey his genuine emotions...’", Shin Garei repeated under her breath, recalling the line I left her with: using music to express love to the woman he adored! A flush of crimson swept across her cheeks. Could this young guy be in love with me?

Seeing Shin Garei lowering her head with a red face and staying silent, the girl assumed she was refusing and said anxiously: "I truly want to get to know this genius! I even want to ask him to be my master—please, I beg you!"

Hearing her words, Shin Garei quickly reined in her emotions and told the girl: "He really is a genius. His name is Fuitsu."

"Fuitsu?"

"Yes, he’s Tokyo’s top scorer from this year’s college entrance exams—Fuitsu."

"What? He’s that monster who scored 997 points?!" The girl’s mouth hung wide open.

Looking at the girl’s exaggerated reaction, Shin Garei smiled and said, "Yes, he’s that monster. From what I can tell, there seems to be nothing he doesn’t know, and nothing he can’t do!"

Realizing her loss of composure, the girl gave an embarrassed laugh and agreed with Shin Garei: "Wow, he really is amazing! Can you tell me how to find him? I want to take him as my teacher."

"I’ve heard you play the piano too—you’re already very talented. Why do you need a master?"

"Please don’t flatter me. Only today did I realize what it means to be humbled by true greatness. Compared to him, my skill is just amateurish posturing," the girl admitted with genuine admiration.

Hearing her say that, Shin Garei asked with a touch of pride, "Really?" By now, I had truly secured a place in her heart, and she was beginning to view my achievements as her own source of pride.

"Of course! There are very few people who can make me admit defeat, let alone someone I wouldn’t even dare compare myself to right now. Please, you have to tell me how I can find him!" the girl said earnestly.

Shin Garei knitted her brows slightly and offered an apologetic look: "I’m really sorry, but without his permission, I really can’t give you his contact information."

"Then could you ask him for me? Please beg him to take me on as his student!" the girl urged frantically.

Shin Garei nodded and said, "Alright, but if he declines, there’s nothing I can do. Leave me your contact details, and I’ll let you know once I have an update!"

"Yes, alright! Thank you so much!" The girl looked at Shin Garei with deep excitement, thanking her repeatedly.