Chapter 23: Shin Garei’s Home

Ever since parting ways with Shin Garei at the restaurant, I intentionally refrained from visiting or calling her for several days. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, but Venus had advised: "Let her miss you for a bit. When she’s driven mad with longing, she’ll naturally ring you up." Since she was the certified expert, I had to suppress my eagerness and follow her instructions to the letter!

Sure enough, Shin Garei called on the third day.

"Fuitsu, what have you been up to these past couple of days?" she asked softly.

"Oh, nothing much really!" I replied, pretending to be completely nonchalant just as Venus had coached.

"Then why didn’t you call me at all?" After a brief silence, Shin Garei asked in a lowered tone.

Hearing this, I celebrated internally. Her asking meant I had successfully carved out a place in her heart. Keeping my cool tone, I said, "I was worried I might disturb you!"

"How could you? You never worried about disturbing my work when you called before!" Her words sounded distinctly like a girl pouting, so I stayed silent. She then continued, "Fuitsu, how about I treat you to dinner tonight?"

"Huh? What kind of food do you want to eat this time?"

"No, we’re not eating out tonight. Come over to my place. I’m leaving work early today to cook for you, how does that sound?"

"Sounds great! I’ve been dying to try your cooking."

"Wonderful, I’ll call you once I clock out. Bye!" Shin Garei hung up, her voice brimming with delight.

Ending the call, I practically leaped three feet into the air. All my hard work over the past few days was finally paying off! Rummaging through my wardrobe, I put together my slickest outfit. By dusk, I received her call with the address and hailed a taxi straight over.

The cab pulled up in front of an upscale villa complex. I looked around curiously, feeling like a countryside bumpkin entering a grand garden palace.

"Hey, what are you doing there? I’m talking to you!" A booming voice shouted behind me.

Turning around, I saw a burly guard staring at me vigilantly, his hand resting on the rubber baton at his waist. I had no doubt that if I made any suspicious move, that club would land straight on my head. I quickly waved my hands: "Bro, don’t get me wrong! I’m here to visit someone!"

"Do you take me for a fool? Who wanders around looking like a suspicious character when visiting someone?"

A massive sweatdrop rolled down my forehead. Talk about a hot-headed fellow! What kind of criminal would operate right at the entrance of a gated community? Standing straight as a ramrod, I put on an utterly harmless expression: "Bro, I really am here to visit a resident. If you don’t believe me, feel free to call and check."

"Who are you looking for?"

"I’m here for Miss Shin Garei at Villa 128!"

"Hold on, you’re actually here for Miss Shin? Let me call to confirm first." Keeping his eyes locked on me, he yelled into the guardhouse, "Gouzi, call Villa 128 and ask Miss Shin if there’s someone at the gate for her!"

The burly guard and I stood there glaring at each other until the guard named Gouzi dashed out. He immediately showered me with apologies: "You must be Mr. Fuitsu, I am so deeply sorry! Miss Shin said she’s coming out to pick you up right away."

He then delivered a sharp kick to the burly guard’s leg, scolding: "I brought you from our hometown so you could embarrass me? This is the big city, show some manners! How many times have I told you—don’t call me by my childhood nickname, call me Comrade Oyama Takeshi! Haven’t you watched any movies?!"

Listening to the two guards banter, I burst into laughter and quickly chimed in: "Don’t blame him, I think he’s extremely dedicated to his job—much better than a lot of city folks."

Hearing my words, the burly guard let out a dry laugh and nodded at me, turning to his buddy: "See? That’s how city folks talk—pure class and culture, get it? Learn a thing or two!"

Looking at them, I smiled helplessly, unable to laugh anymore. How much better than them am I, really?

Before long, Shin Garei rushed over. I nodded to the guards and walked up to her. "Fuitsu, you’re here!" she greeted. She had changed into casual loungewear, shedding her usual sharp corporate image and regal elegance in favor of a soft, tender femininity.

"I got here a bit early and had a tiny misunderstanding with the guards, but it’s all resolved now. Which way is your house?"

"Hehe, follow me!" She led me around a corner to a European-style villa. From the outside, I could see a neat garden blooming with colorful flowers. Beside the garden stood a cozy patio chair, clearly a spot for reading—Shin Garei certainly knew how to enjoy life.

Reaching the front door, she playfully mimicked a British butler with a slight bow, giggling, "Welcome to my humble abode, top scorer Fuitsu!"

"If this counts as a ’humble abode,’ then where I live must be a dog house!"

"You’re teasing me again. Come on in." Like a playful young girl, Shin Garei took my hand and pushed the door open.

The interior revealed itself to me—elegantly decorated yet thoroughly warm and welcoming. In the spacious living room, wicker tables and chairs were arranged with apparent randomness, yet a closer look revealed the owner’s exquisite taste. Several reproduction Picasso oil paintings hung on the walls; though copies, their lavish, intricate frames hinted at their hefty price tags.

While I was admiring the decor, Shin Garei waved her fair hand in front of my face with a smile: "How’s the place, my great genius?"

"It’s beautiful, and the decor is very thoughtful... but are you really going to keep me standing at the door?"

Shin Garei stuck her tongue out self-consciously: "I just wanted to hear your opinion and forgot my manners. Come sit down! What would you like to drink?"

"Anything is fine, you decide!" I smiled. It seemed Shin Garei truly didn’t treat me as an outsider anymore.

As I settled onto a wicker chair, Shin Garei handed me a glass of juice. She switched on the CD player, allowing soft music to fill the air, then walked over to my side: "This is the Pathétique you played last time, except played by a friend of mine. Give it a listen—what do you think?"

Sweat instantly broke out on my forehead. I don’t know a single thing about piano music! I stammered evasively, "Uh... yeah, it’s pretty good."

Seeing my hesitant look, Shin Garei completely misinterpreted it: "I know it can’t compare to your playing. You clearly look down on it, yet you still force a polite compliment."

Leaning in close, she looked at me with a playful grin: "Did you only say it was good for my sake?"

Looking at her breathtakingly beautiful face, I wanted nothing more than to say "yes" just to make her happy, but the words slipped out as a quiet "no."

Shin Garei looked visibly disappointed: "Ah, I see. Well, after hearing you play Pathétique that day, my friend completely idolized you and kept begging me to ask if you’d take her on as a student. So... would you agree?"

Is this a joke? Asking me to teach piano would be an utter disaster! I couldn’t bear such a responsibility, so I shook my head decisively: "No way, I don’t take on students!"

Hearing my firm refusal, Shin Garei seemed to let out a subtle sigh of relief. She smiled brightly and said, "Then I’ll go turn her down for you! Go ahead and make yourself at home, I’m going to start cooking!" With that, she turned toward the kitchen off the main hall.

Watching her heading off, I followed right behind her. She turned around and asked in surprise, "Didn’t I tell you to relax? What are you doing here?"

"Haha, I just wanted to tour your kitchen and see if there’s anything I can help you with!"

Shin Garei smiled softly, leaning back against the doorframe and opening her arms with a flourish: "Well, welcome to my kitchen!"

Nodding with a smile, I brushed past her and stepped slowly into the kitchen.