Life Made Anew

25: Eastern Japan Piano Competition

Before I start, if anyone wants me to make an extra chapter for Valentine's Day for some fluff, I'll do it.

The Saturday of the competition came. Maki and Kazama walked up to the concert hall. They walked to the concert hall themselves because they wanted to be early to be mentally prepared by the time they got on-stage. Everyone else was going to arrive about an hour later.

They went into the waiting area. They had fifty minutes by the time they got in there.

Maki breathed deep. "The air is tense in here. Why are there so many people ere this early?" Approximately five pianist were already there.

"Yo! How's it going?" Kaito had his hand raised and they walked up behind the couple.

"Hey, Kaito," replied Kazama.

"You two are here early. Wanting to get hyped before getting on?" Kaito asked.

"Is that why everyone else is here so early?" Maki asked.

Kaito nodded. "Pretty much. Musicians are normally early birds. They air play their piece so many times that it's not even funny."

"So what are you playing, Kaito?" Kazama asked.

"Chopin Etude no. 6. And you, Kazama?"

"Etude no. 11."

"I got no. 4." Maki raised her hand, wanting to get back in on the conversation.

"What about your finals piece, Kazama and Maki?" Kaito asked.

"I'm doing Ballade in G minor, the first one I learned."

"Mine's a secret from Kazama. You don't know how hard it was to learn this on my own without Kazama finding out what I was going to play."

"I still want to know." Kazama was tormented by the fact that he couldn't know what she was going to play.

"Better hope I make finals. I'll tell Kaito in secret though." She gestured for him to come over. She whispered in his ear. "I'm playing the one Ballade that Kazama is unable to play: Ballade in F minor."

"How did you?!" He whispered forcefully.

"Lots of practice." She pulled away. "I'm not sorry that I'm not telling you." She grinned.

"It's fine. I can't wait to find out." Kazama smiled, eager to hear her play.
—
"Number 1! Hatora Maki!" What?! She was first? Maki jumped up and went to the side of the stage. She walked to the piano. There was applause from the audience. She bowed and then took her seat at the piano.

Yes! A Steinway! I love these pianos! She thought excitedly. Immediately. She started playing.

A/N this is also my favorite Etude by Chopin :3 . So awesome!

After hearing this played, it quickly became her favorite Etude, and she wanted to play this for prelims, and now, she was playing it; the Etude that she quickly learned to love was being played by her, for the audience. This would hopefully be her ticket to the final round, when she would show Kazama how much she has grown, and that she has surpassed his skill level.

She finished playing. She was sweating from her exhilaration, but she kept it under control so that she wouldn't overplay the dynamics. She had such a good time playing it.