Love Live!: School Idol Festival [PART 2]

ENCORE, ENCORE!:

After my 'emergency' meeting with Yoshiko, I noticed that Riko had sent me a message.

She said she wanted me to hear her play the piano again in the Uranohoshi Girls High School music room.

I'd be an idiot if I refused such a great opportunity. The sun will be setting soon, so I don't know how much time I'll have to listen. But I'm going to make the most out of every moment I have.

Hm?

Looks like she's practicing ahead of our meeting. I wouldn't doubt her for a second.

I remember hearing her performance in a contest 10 years ago. I remember spending time in this room listening to her play.

One of her improvised songs lead to Aqours' new song for the Numazu Summer Festival. But one song in particular she played still fills me with emotion.

So much so that I recorded it. But was it a bad thing that I did that without her permission?

I'll just tell her, but first I need to get to the music room.

...

I knew it! Riko's playing the piano.

That serene melody, the soft glow of the sunlight, the sound of the breeze in the distance, the way her hair follows her body movements as she plays...

AKI: "Beautiful."

RIKO: "Huh?!"

AKI: "Ahhh! Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

RIKO: "I-It's okay, I'm just glad you're here! I've got the finished composition of the song to show you."

AKI: "You asked for me, alone? I'm sure that Maki would have liked to hear it too."

RIKO: "She was busy, the members of μ's went diving with Kanan. But I'm glad you're here to hear it."

AKI: "I could never pass up the opportunity to hear you play the piano, Riko. I can't wait to hear what you've composed."

RIKO: "Well, here goes nothing!"