At 10:30 in the evening, Kurosawa Hikaru took an envelope, left the high-end apartment and set out on the journey home.
Not long after, he got on the tram and took out his cell phone to look at it.
There was a message in the group chat, which was sent by Miss Runa at around 4 pm.
Runa: "At midnight, the organizer of a piano competition contacted me and hoped that you would be a special guest to close the competition. Are you interested?"
Zero Hour: “When?”
Runa: "Next month Monday."
Zero Hour: “So fast?”
Chizuru: "Next Tuesday is the final exam, and he still has to prepare for it."
It was obvious that even though she was busy preparing for the final exams next week, Ninomiya Chizuru couldn't sit still.
Runa: "I know, Chizuru, don't worry. I have specifically asked about this match and have thought about it carefully. I think this match cannot be missed."
Zero Hour: “What’s the reason?”
Runa: "At present, you are Zero Hour. You became famous with one song on YouTube and have accumulated a lot of fans. Many fans praise you as the No. 1 pianist in Japan because you introduced yourself in Japanese.
Many people were dissatisfied with this statement, which caused controversy and were dissatisfied with you, but it doesn’t matter... However, because you have been a hot topic recently and your fame is rising rapidly, Kawai noticed you.
Kawai is a company that mainly manufactures and sells Shigeru Kawai grand pianos, one of the top ten famous pianos in the world and the only top-quality piano produced in Japan.
They hold various competitions every year to build momentum and promote piano and also to cultivate talent.
Monday is the final of the Neon Division of this year's Youth Competition, which has a great influence and high exposure. If you play the Croatian Rhapsody at the end of the performance, it is very likely that you will use this as a springboard to soar to the sky and become an idol for the new generation of young piano students. "
As an agent, Igarashi Runa is very good at packaging and operation, and has a sharp eye to judge various activities, stages, and programs.
That's why she decided to make this invitation only after she understood the truth.
According to the original plan, the first concert at Zero Hour was to continuously upload piano music on YouTube, up to ten pieces or more, to build momentum and promote the piano album.
But plans cannot keep up with changes, and her intuition is very strong that this opportunity is one that cannot be missed.
"What time do I appear?"
When Kurosawa Hikaru realized what was involved in this competition, he became a little excited.
Runa: "Between 8 and 9 p.m., wait until the last contestant finishes their performance. You will appear as a special guest and play a song to close the competition. And give your best wishes to the piano students in Japan, hoping that they can achieve good results in the Asian competition."
"I won't show up."
Kurosawa felt that some things had to be made clear first.
If the organizers wanted him to show up, there was no way he would agree.
Runa sent an OK emoji, and then sent a message: "Don't worry, I have already negotiated with them about this matter. They are very sincere. At first, they wanted you to be the guest of the opening ceremony, but I said you couldn't spare the time and you would have to wait until the evening, so it was changed to the closing ceremony."
"Come on." Seeing this, Ninomiya Chizuru realized that this was not an ordinary game and stopped trying to stop him.
"It's decided then."
When Kurosawa Mitsuru saw that she agreed, he immediately agreed.
Igarashi Runa, who was at home, was also a little excited when she saw this:
"Zero Hour, if you can wow the crowd in this game, my intuition tells me that Kawai will most likely choose you as its spokesperson because of this performance. It will definitely be a win-win, top-notch collaboration."
"no problem."
Kurosawa Hikaru could feel her excitement from the lines of her words, and he also guaranteed it.
He has absolute confidence in his own condition.
"Now that it's settled, I'll go to Kawai's company tomorrow to discuss the details. After we finalize the details, I'll start promoting it."
Runa decided to mobilize her own resources to contribute to this competition, which would definitely be a win-win cooperation and activity.
After arranging the schedule for next Monday, Kurosawa Hikaru switched to Ninomiya Chizuru's chat page.
"Are you done?"
"How can I finish my work? There are still many things to prepare."
"Can you come to see me perform next Monday?"
It was his first public performance, and Kurosawa Hikaru really wanted her to come and see it.
After all, his piano skills were acquired by dating her, which shows that she really likes piano.
"able."
"What about the sketching on Saturday? Can you come with me?"
"able."
Both of Ninomiya Chizuru's answers were simple.
"You keep busy, the train is almost arriving, I'm going home."
After getting her affirmation, Kurosawa Hikaru smiled and typed.
"be safe."
In an apartment in Tokyo, Chizuru Ninomiya sat in front of her computer. After sending the message, she turned her attention back to the laptop in front of her.
As a teacher, in addition to Kurosawa Hikaru, there are dozens of students in the Ninomiya group who need her to follow up and pay attention to.
The semester is coming to an end and she has a lot of personal reports to write.
For example, she has to fill out information and apply for scholarships for students in the group.
Maybe the scholarship for second-year students is only a few hundred thousand yen a year, but the outstanding performance that can win the scholarship will be of great help to the student's resume.
"Huh..."
Looking at the document on the screen, Chizuru Ninomiya took off her rimless glasses, pinched her nose bridge to relieve fatigue, and took a few deep breaths.
Then she put on her glasses again, took a sip of coffee, and continued to work.
She is a rather introverted person and not good at expressing her true thoughts.
Originally, she had to work overtime for a date on Saturday, trying to make up for the workload on that day... Now she has to go to the piano competition on Monday night, and although the time will not be long, she still has less time.
…
Kurosawa Mitsuru just walked into the house, took off his shoes, sat down on the sofa, and took out his cell phone.
"Brother Guang, are you home yet?" Xiao Yuki sent him a message just as he opened the chat interface.
"Did you calculate my return home time?"
Kurosawa Hikaru was a little surprised to find that her message came so cleverly and on time.
Xiao Yuki: "Because you were always at this time before, 10:50."
"You are smarter than I thought, and you pay attention to details." A curve appeared at the corner of Kurosawa Mitsuru's mouth.
Sometimes, the small details between two people getting along are easily overlooked.
If you are noticed, you will feel happy and have a feeling of being valued.
It's like, other people remember what you like to eat and what you don't like to eat.
"Ah... Brother Guang, are you indirectly saying that I'm stupid?"
"How could that be? You're so smart."
"Hehe~ Guang-ge has been in class all day and has to work part-time, so he must be tired, right? Go to bed early."
"Are you going to force me to rest now?"
"Because you have an exam soon. Let's go out and play together during your summer vacation!"
"Don't we have to go out and play together on Saturday?"
"Of course, but you are busy now."
"Okay, I'll take you to various places during the summer vacation."
"That's a deal. Good night, Mua."
"Good night."
"What about the kiss?"
"Mua." Kurosawa Hikaru was amused by her and also typed a text version of the kiss
This girl really pays attention to small details.
…
It was Friday, and because the final exams were next week, the study atmosphere on the campus of Tokyo University was more solemn than usual.
There was less idle chatter and everyone started studying hard to prepare for the exam.
Even at a school like the University of Tokyo, where the learning atmosphere is excellent, as exams approach, one will still be more nervous than usual and work twice as hard.
Of course, not everyone is like this.
For example, Kurosawa Hikaru came to the classroom early in the morning, his expression was relaxed and he was in a good mood.
"You are so comfortable with this. Are you confident about the final exam next week?"
Yuta Miyazaki was also reading a book. When he saw him come and sit next to him, he took a closer look at his mental state and couldn't help asking.
"Not sure." Kurosawa Hikaru shook his head.
He has been very busy lately, although he is in school every week, studying and attending classes seriously.
But during breaks, after school, and on weekends, I can no longer read as much as I used to.
"Looking at your expression, I know you are very confident... Please don't be like this. You always say you are unsure, but you always do very well in the exams."
Miyazaki Yuta couldn't help but hum when he found out that he said that again.
This guy is terrifying, he's extremely passionate about studying... Although in recent weeks, maybe because he has a girlfriend, he no longer studies hard during and after class.
But his intuition told him that Kurosawa Hikaru was definitely somewhere he couldn't see, reading books hard, constantly learning and improving.
"I'll lend you my good words."
Kurosawa Hikaru put his schoolbag away and smiled.
Maybe his expression was relaxed and he seemed to be in a good mood, but that was not because he was confident, but because he had let it go.
Today, he has found a new path in life and is no longer the test-taker who studied like crazy in order to find a good job after graduation.
The masked pianist and archery, these are the two paths before him. No matter which one he chooses, he will never have to worry about making money in the future.
Of course, exams still need to be taken, but the pursuit is not as extreme as before.
"Speaking of which, I met Ninomiya-sensei this morning, and I thought she was particularly beautiful today."
Yuta Miyazaki, who was reading a book, suddenly remembered something and said.
"Is there any day when she isn't beautiful?"
Kurosawa Mitsuru didn't take this seriously.
Miss Ninomiya is very beautiful, isn't that something that everyone knows
"No, maybe it's because of the final exams. She seems particularly tired today. Her expression is not like usual, less aloof and more tired... It makes people want to protect her."
Miyazaki Yuta shook his head and explained.
"There is also this matter..."
When Kurosawa Mitsuru heard this, his brows twitched.
I feel particularly tired. Is it because I have to make time for a date tomorrow and work overtime
"If you don't believe me, you can go to the faculty office and see her. She has never had this happen before."
Yuta Miyazaki thought he didn't believe it, so he pushed him with his arm and encouraged him.
"I'll go and see it if I have a chance, and read the book a hundred times..."
Kurosawa Hikaru realized this, nodded, and then looked at him, word by word.
"I know."
Yuta Miyazaki found that he was doing the same thing again and shrugged helplessly.
He also knew this truth, but when a man meets a beautiful woman, how could he not take a few more glances