~ To Successfully Gain Her Attention Was Spring's Activity ~

Kae:"Ah...! Nakayama." He immediately turns round "Ogawa!!" with a nervous expression. She asks if he's there to fetch his brothers again and he sweatdrops, saying yes. Just then his brothers arrive saying that he was using them again. He loses his cool, yelling at them to just get their butts in the school.^_^ He and Kae sit on the steps as he hands her a PlayStation game, knowing that she enjoys them. And she's thrilled!
Nakayama:"How about making a trip to my place another day? I've lots more games at home."
Kae:"Really? O.K."
Nakayama:"Ogawa, there's something I'd like to tell you...." His interrupted, thump.. thump... We see an impatient Sensei rapping at the glass doors, looking at Kae. He taps at his wristwatch.
Kae:"Sensei? Wha...! I forgot all about class! I've got to go Nakayama, we'll chat another time alright?"
Nakayama:"U..Alright.." (Someday.... I'm gonna kill that guy)he thinks, as lightning flashes in the background. ^_^

Sensei:"Really...! Your intention of having a teacher escort you in, is to be admired."
Kae:"Oh C'mon, I've already apologised...."
Uchida clarifies some matters with Sensei about his upcoming business trip and Kae asks if he'll be out of town.
Sensei:"That's right, I'll be out of town, so be a good baby and look after the home okay?"
Kae:"Don't talk to me in such a tone!"(popped vein)"Hey, I'm pretty busy myself you know. Well.. it doesn't matter, I've already managed to borrow from Nakayma a whole lot of games."
Uchida remarks that Kae gets along well with Nakayama and Kae agrees, stating that aside from the fact that they are of the same age group, he's also pleasant and jovial. She tells them that Nakayama also invited her to his place to try out his other games. Sensei cautions her saying "Enjoyment is a good thing, but you should be cautious when a guy treats you well." She tells him that Nakayama is a friend and he tells her not to just look at things on the surface, think a little deeper. She gets frustrated, "I don't know about such things! Adults are hateful in such ways, always trying to second guess a person's emotions! Sensei, you are the one who should change your ways, quit the bad habit of lecturing like an old man."she slams into the music room.

Sensei stands there in popped vein mode whilst Uchida and the shop manager are grinning and sweatdropping in the background. Uchida remarks that Sensei is sure having a tough time whilst the shop manager adds that Kae's insults are getting more and more to sound like Sensei's.^_^ He quickly turns away when he sees Sensei's dangerous expression.

Nakayama's brothers discuss about Kae and Sensei, saying that it was tough on Nakayama, having to fetch them even on such a day, it looks like it's going to rain. He scowls as he listens in the background. They bump into his classmate on the way and they tell her that he's there for the sake of a girl, freaking him out! She wonders what sort of girl he'd go after, since he looks like a playboy. Just then, Kae calls out to Nakayama from the bridge above. She offers him her umbrella as she's got another left at the music school, saying he could take it as gratitude for the games he lent her. She lets the umbrella drift down from the bridge and he reaches up to catch it. "Thanks!"he shouts out to her as she smiles and leaves. Wow... she looks like a doll, is she the one?his classmate asks him. Don't be fooled by her delicate appearance, she's got a real strong character. She folds musicscores she hates into aeroplanes and lets them out the window.^_^ "Oh well... do your best then, whether or not you have any luck remains to be seen."is her bored reply.

Kae arrives completely drenched and admits to Uchida that she'd actually lent her umbrella to Nakayma, not expecting the rain to come pouring down later. Sensei is real irritated with her and insists that she put on his coat. She declines, saying that her clothes would dry in no time. "You'll get a fever being completely drenched! Follow advice occasionally!"he says as he encloses her in the oversized coat. She looks at him in stunned silence. Passers-by are chuckling as they see Kae standing in the oversized coat waiting for Sensei with a sour expression. She just looks so odd!^_^ Sensei tells her that she should think before doing anything, giving Nakayama her umbrella whilst she ended up drenched herself just wasn't smart.
Kae:"That's cos I like Nakayama. He doesn't always harp on work, he's different from Sensei, he's gentle."
Sensei:"This conversation's too childish, I can't get through."he hands her the umbrella and walks on ahead.

The next day, Nakayama finds Kae banging away on the piano. (Uu... she looks scary....)he thinks. He asks her where Sensei is and she tells him with an impatient expression that they haven't met since yesterday. They talk about her learning piano at an advanced age and she tells him that her fingers are too short, so she can't reach that far. She reaches out to compare her palm against his to prove her point and his heart skips a beat.^_^ (Ogawa, there's something I'd like to tell you...) he thinks. She talks about Sensei's long beautiful fingers, saying that's the only thing she's noticed during the lessons these past 5 years, that's probably why her skill doesn't improve. He shocks her by reaching over to cup her mouth. "Hush... don't talk about him anymore."he tells her. He's shocked by his own actions and immediately releases her when she calls his name, and quickly apologises.

2 days later, Kae finds out the Sensei had actually left for his business trip earlier on and would be returning the next day. Nakayama approaches, gulping repeated. (I must tell her today.. I must tell her today...) He spots her at the couch.
Nakayama:"Ogawa, why so listless today?"
Kae:"What should I do? Sensei's mad at me. Each time we quarrelled, I never apologised, we always just made up - he's afterall a grownup. It's all because I was sulking, so he just left without a word! What should I do?"she sobs. Nakayama looks at her, (Ogawa.. I like you...) "it'll rain today, so take this umbrella and go meet him. Both of you are sure to make up."he says as he hands her the umbrella.(I really really like you....)

Sensei spots Kae as he walks out from the station.
Kae:"I heard that it'd rain today, so I came to pick you."
Sensei:"I'm back."
Kae:"Welcome back...!" she drops the umbrella as she rushes to hug him. Sensei tells Kae that it's a great idea and that it can be used again the next time they quarrel.(smirk) ^_^ Kae insists that she'd never apologise and Sensei replies with his exasperated "yes...yes..."

Nakayama meets his classmate on the street again and she finds out that he'd let Kae go. He tells her that he couldn't stand seeing her crying. His classmate tells him, well, as the saying goes, your lost is my gain. He gets mad as he asks her what kind of a consolation is she giving? Then he pauses and questions her, just who's is this "my" she's referring to? As she smiles at him.

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~ He's Always So Indifferent & Feigning Ignorance ~

"What are your plans for Christmas Eve this year, with that grownup boyfriend of yours, Kae?"her classmates are having a meal with her at a fastfood outlet. (uh..pls stop spilling food about whilst you're eating....)her classmate tells her. "I don't know, haven't asked him yet."she replies. A classmate present is surprised that Kae has a boyfriend, and a grownup at that! The others fill her in that he's gorgeous and looks like a model. Kae gets irritated and butts in, "it's not as great as you think! As an adult, he doesn't indulge me at all! It really tires me out!!" They burst out into laughter, "Ahahha... for Kae to talk as if she thinks she's a woman, it's hilarious!" putting Kae into a dangerous mood.^_^

Sensei:"The 24th?, I've got work."
Kae:"Work? On Christmas Eve?"
Sensei:"Kae, what occasion is Christmas?"
Kae:"It's Jesus' birthday."
Sensei:"That's right, so leave the celebration to his family."a shadow passes Kae's face as she gives him a disgusted look.^_^
Sensei:"But there's time to meet up at night. Do you wanna wait up?"
Kae:"Yes..!"she grabs onto his sleeve, it's confirmed...it's a promise right?
Sensei:"I know... I know..." he smiles at her waiting. She immediately lets go of his sleeve. (This guy... his a grownup, so he's cunning, he knows how to please a girl) She seeks the advice of the shop manager and Uchida, on what Christmas present to get Sensei. Uchida ends up volunteering to ask Sensei about what he intends to purchase with the upcoming bonus. Sensei mentions about changing to a car which requires lower maintenance, Kae and the shop manager who are listening in have gone SD Mode.^_^

Nobuyuki:"Ahahah.... a car? That's a little difficult on Kae's allowance huh?"
Kae:"Hmph... that's not funny!"
Nobuyuki:"Sorry...sorry..."(grin)
Nobuyuki:"If it's a gift for Masayuki, just the daily necessities like dishwashing detergent and dusters would make him happy."
Kae:"Hmm....."
Nobuyuki:"But I feel that you shouldn't take it so seriously."
Kae:"You're right. But I must make him happy! I want to see his happy expression; I always lose out to him on this point. It's alright, even if you laugh at me for being childish." Nobuyuki is smiling kindly at her. "Then I have a gift for the good baby Kae; leave the 24th free."he tells her, but refuses to disclose his plans.

Kae is with Sensei as he's tuning the piano, she has her hands over her ears as he uses the tuning fork, saying that it sends her head humming. "I haven't heard Sensei playing the piano lately."she says. "I can't hear you."he replies nonchalantly. "I said, I'd like to hear you play the piano occasionally."she repeats. "I don't understand what you mean, here, move aside, you're bothering me."is his reply, sending Kae into a fit!

She shows the gift to the shop manager and Uchida, she finally bought a bottle of Japanese wine. They notice that there are 2 ladies with Sensei. "Oh? Goshima has guests? Lately, there've been people trying to pick him up, as he's been perfoming regularly at some clubs. And he's one who attracts attention, even though he's got the temperament of the devil." Kae approaches them, looking real mad.
Sensei:"Kae?"he asks questioningly.
Lady:"Is she your student?"
Kae:"Ne... Sensei, is being able to kiss well a natural ability? Or is it a skill acquired from experience?" Sensei sweatdrops as he closes his eyes as if praying for patience. The 2 ladies have surprised expressions and little beady eyes now.
Sensei:"Kae, don't ask such questions. Get yourself over there. Get...." he's shocked when Kae makes a sudden move, her arms encircling his shoulders as she leans into his neck.

The shop manager is laughing away as he recalls the look on Sensei's face then. We now see Sensei with a bite mark on the side of his neck. Uchida tells him that with such a mark, other women wouldn't dare approach him, and only Kae's capable of such doing.^_^ Sensei says that kids always come up with such rubbish. Uchida disagrees that leaving a bite mark is something a kid would do and the shop manager adds on that, Sensei actually knows that Kae has been getting more difficult to handle lately, so he's just pushing the blame on childishness. "Oh..! But that bite mark! It really drives one's imagination wild! It looks so hot!"adds the manager, making Sensei's blood boil.^_^

"Kae... is it alright for you to indulge in spirits like that? I thought that bottle of wine was for Masayuki?"asks a bewildered Nobuyuki.
Kae:"Ah.. who cares about him? He looked so smug whilst heavily made-up women were trying to get familiar with him. Nobuyuki, you have to join me today!"she reaches over to fill his glass. A grinning sweatdropping Nobuyuki obligingly accepts. He telephones Sensei asking if he's done for the day, could he pls come home immediately? Though he adds that there's no particular reason why.^_^ Seeing the "reason" asleep on the floor, red in the face from all that wine, immediately puts Sensei into popped vein mode. He questions Nobuyuki what it's all about, and why 2 imps end up drinking Japanese wine. Nobuyuki informs him that Kae actually purchased it for him, saying that being with her, he seldom gets to drink. He gazes down at her. "But anyway, the wine was finished by us."Nobuyuki adds, bringing Sensei back to his bad mood.^_^ Sensei reaches down to pick Kae up "Ahh... this little imp is really twirling me round her little finger..." He instructs Nobuyuki to have everything cleared up before he gets back and Nobuyuki thinks (that brother of mine, he says one thing but does another)

"Sensei, what the name of this tune?"asks Kae whilst out with Sensei. "I don't know."is the quick reply. "Listen! It's a really nice piano piece from that movie."she adds "I don't know it." (argh.. ! he didn't even think about it!)she fumes.(The tune I've always wanted to hear, but can't recall) Nobuyuki tells Kae to hurry as he meets her on the 24th as agreed. She follows him questioningly, even as he refuses to disclose his plans still. He brings Kae to a hotel where Sensei is performing, saying that he's real weird to accept a job on such a date, since the audience would be full of couples and nobody would bother about the pianist anyway. They call out to Sensei and grin at him, he ignores them as he turns and walks away.^_^ During the performance, Kae asks Nobuyuki if Sensei's left hand is playing another tune. That's the theme song from the movie, it's called "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" (It brings back memories... I feel so vexed... I hate this man. That he can effortlessly perform tunes that cause such happiness to emit from my heart)

Kae:"Li..Lipstick?"
Sensei:"That's thanks for the Japanese wine, even though I didn't get to drink it(Sarcastic remark 1)
Kae:"U..Thank you."
Sensei:"But I guess it's better than having a bite mark left on me(Sarcastic remark 2) Kae's blushing with a disgruntled look on her face.
Kae:"Can I try it?"
Sensei:"Be my guest"
Sensei:"Isn't that a little heavy?"
Kae:"Then I'll have to wipe off a little." She leans over to kiss him. (God..., pls let me be the only one who leaves lipstick on this person's lips...forever..) Nobuyuki:"Wow.. it's snowing, that's rare! I guess those 2 should have made up by now. What a troublesome couple."
Kae:"Ne... Sensei, it's a natural gift? Or is it a skill acquired from experience?"
Sensei:".........."(sweatdrop)

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Nobuyuki turns back to glance at a girl he just passed on the way as she was whistling.
Kae heads over to Sensei's house only to have Nobuyuki tell her that he's still in bed.
Kae:"Hmph... no wonder nobody turned up even though I waited for so long."
Nobu explains that Sensei got back from work real late that night before. Kae heads for his room intending to wake him up and tick him off for making her wait in vain whilst at it. Nobuyuki rushes after her warning her not to attempt to wake Sensei up as he'd suffered mightily in many attempts in the past himself as Sensei can get real cranky when sleepy. Kae ignores his warning and tries to wake Sensei. He cracks open one eye and asks for another 5 minutes of sleep and Nobu is puzzled (he didn't get mad??)

Nobu and Kae settle down for a chat whilst waiting for Sensei. Nobu thinks that Kae's attraction to Sensei is one of her idiosyncrasies; he can't figure out what Kae sees in Sensei and asks her. He's speechless when Kae tells him she can't figure out why either ^_^ but he agrees to keep it a secret from Sensei. He thinks to himself that being in love shouldn't be like that.

I'll just touch briefly on the rest of this chapter as it's mostly about Nobu and that whilstling girl (Morozumi) he met in the beginning of the chapter.
He meets her again whilst walking down a flight of steps in school and finds out who she is from a classmate. Seems that her personality isn't as pretty as her appearance, Nobu gets annoyed with his classmate when he warns him against falling in love with her. Morozumi buys some things from the supermarket Nobu's working in, and he hurries after her when he finds that he'd short changed her by 100 yen. She tells him that it's alright as she bites into an apple, he asks her if she bought that apple and she tells him that she didn't have enough money, so she just took it. He thinks to himself that this girl's personality sucks.

He meets her again in the music room in school and ends up playing the piano for her and she's impressed! She recognises it as JOY by George Winston and requests for him to play the piece from the beginning again. On the way out, Nobu tells her not to mention his ability to play the piano to anyone, as it wouldn't be consistent with his image. Morozumi smiles as she agrees that what he says is true. Nobu pauses as he notices that she smiled.

Upon reaching home, Nobu smiles and sweatdrops as he hears Sensei and Kae conversing.(he can't go in as he'd be intruding)
Sensei:"Kae, we've got to get going, how long do you need to take just to apply some lipstick?!"
Kae:"Ahh... it's bcos Sensei hurried me that I smeared my lipstick."
Sensei:"Here, give that to me! Part your lips lightly."
Sensei takes over the task of applying the lipstick on Kae. Nobu looks on as Kae has her lips parted lightly, looking up at Sensei whilst he applies her lipstick for her. He hurriedly hides himself as he blushes, thinking that what he witnessed was even more intense than an actual kiss itself.
Kae:"All done?"
Sensei:"Not yet."
Kae:"Are you done?"
Sensei:"It's bcos you keep talking that it's not done!!"
Nobu thinks, (here we go again), he feels that he's witnessed something that he shouldn't.

Nobu meets Morozumi again in school munching on an apple and he tells her that very few girls go around whistling like she does. She tells him there's a saying that girls shouldn't whistle as the lips are pursed as if kissing whilst you're whistling. She asks him if he thinks it's true. They end up sharing that apple.

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~ "Did you know, it's said that girl's shouldn't whistle in the presence of guys."
"Why?"
"'Cos when you whistle, your lips are pursed like you're kissing."
"Do you think it's true?" ~

Kae notices Nobu day dreaming whilst ironing and calls him, only to find that he'd already left a burn mark on one of Sensei's shirts ^_^; He tells her to keep if from Sensei and she wonders what's bothering him.

Sensei asks Nobu if he's seen his blue coloured shirt and Nobu replies that he hasn't (with a petrified / sweatdropping expression) Sensei calmly walks away as he says that Nobu's allowance for that month would be reduced. Kae offers to adjust Sensei's tie and they argue over how it should be correctly done. Sensei smirks as he tells her that it'd be faster if he did it himself, annoying her. Nobu thinks that Kae's taste is weird, to love such a man (and he adds, "even though he's my brother.")

Nobu's basketball pals ask him why he keeps day dreaming lately - they notice Morozumi walking by and they tell Nobu that there were rumours circulating about her living with a 40 yr old man. She meets him in the music room again and she comments that his fingers are very nimble and that he should be able to be a pianist for a living. He laughs as he tells her that it's impossible, he won't be able to beat Masayuki. Morozumi remarks that he probably suffers from brotherly love syndrome (if there's such a thing??)

On the way home, Nobu offers to guide her in learning to play the piano, telling her that it's probably take about a year for her. She smiles at him, causing him stare at her in silence 'cos she's pretty when she smiles. Nobu's friend confronts him, asking him if he's dating Morozumi and if that's the reason why he seems so preoccupied lately. Nobu denies this immediately.

Morozumi enters the store that Nobu is working in, together with the rumoured 40 yr old man, and he pays for the items she selected. Nobu looks on as they leave, he seems pretty disappointed. The next day, Nobu meets up with her again in the music room to guide her in her piano playing. A teacher comes along to check who's loitering after school hours and they both end up hiding behind a curtain. Nobu ends up kissing her, but the next day whilst he's with his pals, he ignores her when they pass each other on the steps. He's pals tell him that she's leaving the school and that they're relieved that he wasn't seriously dating her. Nobu is surprised at the news of her intention to leave. They hear someone practicing the piano in the music room and Nobu knows that it's her.

They have some sort of a farewell, with Nobu confessing his feelings for her and Morozumi replies that she knows. Kae remarks that Nobu seems to have grown taller and he tells her that Masayuki also had a growth spurt only after entering highschool. Nobu thinks to himself that even if he becomes a grown-up in future, he'd still look back if he heard someone whistling on the street.

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It happened in the darkness during the countdown. Someone kissed Nae during the countdown to the new year and disappeared before the lights came back on, leaving her bewildered. And she thinks to herself that perhaps it didn't actually happen. This chapter is on Nae, Kae's sister.

Kae rushes about getting ready for her date with Sensei and Nae asks her if she's lost some weight. "Did I?" Kae replies. Nae tells her that if she's flat chested, she won't be able to hold onto a grown man (there's an arrow pointing to Kae stating 65A) Nae hastily assures Kae that she's just kidding, when she sees that Kae has gone silent and is visibly trembling ^_^;

Nae narrates that Kae is dating a guy who's 7 yrs her senior and she says that having a sister like that, somehow causes her to feel like she's missing out in life.

Next, we see Nae in her Kendo club - her senior, Ninomiya arrives and she thinks that even the atmosphere seems to have changed with his presence. She's obviously likes him and is pretty much in awe of him. He asks her if she's alright, as she stares at him in a daze. She blushes furiously and nervously tells him that she's fine. Everyone thinks that Nae is terrified of Ninomiya but she tells her friend that it isn't so, she's just very nervous around him.

Back home, Nae looks on from the window whilst Kae bids Sensei goodnight and leans into the car window to kiss him. Nae thinks that it's just like in the movies, and is really envious. They relate well in looks and even in the way they kiss, very naturally, giving others the feeling that they are together by choice and both parties don't feel coerced at all.

At the Kendo club, Nae searches for the keys to the club, only to find herself alone with Ninomiya in the locker area. She ends up babbling some rubbish due to nerves once again as she silently cries (who's gonna help stop me??!) Ninomiya tells her that her presence causes those around her to feel relaxed and that the atmosphere changes when she's around. Nae tells him that such a description fits him more. Ninomiya states that Nae is afraid of him however, and she denies this. She stares at him speechlessly as he smiles at her (doki..) He asks her what's wrong and she replies, nothing - she thinks to herself, that's cos the expression in this person's eyes is very gentle.

Nae lectures Kae when she arrives home late (10.30pm) telling her not to make others worry. Kae tells Nae that she had waited for Sensei, but ended up waiting at the wrong place. Nae tells her that she should have at least called home and also that Sensei is a real busy person, so Kae should be more considerate towards him. Kae gets upset and yells at Nae, telling her that she doesn't want to be considerate towards Sensei cos if she falls behind him by 3 steps, she'll never be able to catch up. If Sensei doesn't come for her, she'd go looking for him. Nae thinks to herself, (if only I had that same kind of courage to give it my all).

Nae tries to confess her feelings for Ninomiya the following day but fails to do so. Later, she wakes from a nap in the locker area, to find Ninomiya waiting for her. He tells her that as she was sound asleep, he didn't want to wake her, and that everyone else had already left for the day. She notices that it's snowing outside and she rushes out in delight. Ninomiya sweatdrops as he tells her that it's dangerous to run in the snow as she might slip and fall. Nae tells him that she thinks he's magnanimous, smart and gentle and that she wants to be like him. Ninomiya leans close to her and tells her, that's cos she doesn't know, in this world those who do bad deeds are those with kind appearances. She asks him what he means by that, and he replies, what do you think? (there's a picture of 2 people kissing in the dark - that countdown party incident)

Nae thinks to herself that it can't be, but there's a way to confirm her suspicions. She blushes as she finally confesses her feelings for Ninomiya and receives yet another kiss.

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~ The Man Who's Name Is Goshima Masayuki ~

I hope you guys will be honest with me. Was Sensei a flirt in the past? The shop manager and Uchida stare at Kae in silence, probably too surprised by such a question. ^_^
The shop manager laughingly asks if she's had a tiff with Sensei yet again, and Kae denies it. Apparently, Kae's classmate told her that Sensei, being an adult, knows how to handle women and should be one of great experience. Kae looks disgruntled by such a possibility.

Uchida tells Kae that Sensei's appearance seems so, but even in his youth, he used to have this captivating presence. Uchida first met Sensei when he was in his 2nd year of highschool, due to a competition. Kae and the shop manager start yelling for details excitedly. Uchida slaps on a smile whilst he replies that as it happened so long ago, he's forgotten the details. Needless to say, his audience is disappointed. Kae comments it's surprising that Sensei actually participated in a piano contest, and the shop manager agrees that Sensei hates such activities.

We have a flashback of Uchida's first meeting with Sensei.
How is it possible not to remember? Uchida thinks. We see Sensei's father (Goshima Yasuyuki) at work, tuning a piano. Other students watch him at work from the wings and comment how suave and macho Yasuyuki is, exclaiming over the fact that's he's already around 40 and that he's wife is also a beauty. Whilst Uchida and Yasuyuki discuss where the piano should be positioned as well as other details, the other students are still enjoying themselves, speculating about Yasuyuki's family. Looking the way he does and having a beauty for a wife, they can't go wrong with the kids?! they chuckle. Uchida just looks on sweatdropping. ^_^

Just then, Sensei walks in, greeting his dad. Everyone turns round in expectant silence. Sensei brought some necessary equipment his dad had forgotten. The students comment what a good looking kid Sensei is, he looks exactly like his dad. Uchida observes that Sensei is just about close to perfection from head to toe. As Sensei draws close to the piano, a student remarks that he's got very elegant long fingers and asks if he too plays the piano. He replies that he plays classical pieces as well as a little jazz. They coax him to play a piece and Uchida feels that he understands why the students want to test Sensei's capability.

They are stunned when Sensei performs "Moonlight Sonata". Uchida narrates that it was a long while before he snapped out of it. Sensei played so naturally, it seemed as if the piano was singing. Uchida stops Sensei on his way out, asking if he's entered any piano performances or competitions before. Sensei replies that he plays solely for his own pleasure. Uchida tells him that he should try it out sometime as it'd be a good experience for him. Sensei turns back as he smiles, telling Uchida that he'd consider.

Ahh.... I can't stomach such individuals! Uchida grouches. Uchida's senior comments that when Sensei's older, he's gonna drive many ladies crazy. Watching Sensei leave, Uchida thinks they won't meet again.
During the 2nd year of Uchida's studies, he spots Sensei's name on the entrance list and rushes to watch his performance. Needless to say, Sensei easily passes the entrance recital. He smiles at Uchida as their eyes meet, on his way out. Uchida thinks that Sensei smiles like his dad - (that was the last time I saw him smiling in such a gentle/approachable manner)
Uchida receives news that Sensei's parents perished in a plane crash. Sensei didn't shed a tear at the funeral, he went through the motions of handling matters.

A year later, Uchida's working at the current music school, together with the entertaining and eccentric shop manager. He's shocked when Sensei enters the store, seeking a position as a piano teacher. "I thought you'd stopped playing the piano!?" Uchida comments. Sensei smirks as he replies "Why not?" Uchida notices that difference in his smile and demeanor at once. In one year, the similarities to his dad, which used to be so obvious were no longer there.
The store manager observes that Sensei's the type that'd drive ladies crazy. ^_^ (He's got a dangerous air about him, keeping others on their guard at all times)

Sensei's lover questions his reason for not staying the night and he tells her that his brother's alone at home. She asks if it's just an excuse; he chuckles as he replies that it's the truth.
Uchida tells Sensei that he'd probably be able to get a better job elsewhere, so why did he settle for a teaching position? Sensei tells him that it's only at a school that he gets to play pianos that are already tuned. Uchida hasn't heard Sensei play any pieces since their most recent meeting, he's afraid that due to the overwhelming workload and stress, Sensei's talent might have suffered.
He spots Sensei playing "Moonlight Sonata" at closing time, he offers to turn on the lights, but Sensei tells him he prefers it dark, as he continues playing.
(Is it due to the darkness? No.... his silhouette... it's deeper, it's heart wrenching) Uchida thinks.

Back to the present. Kae wishes that Sensei would be more open about what he's thinking. (Maybe he's found in her, something that he's lost) Uchida smiles. He sweatdrops as Kae and the shop manager have fun gossiping about Sensei yet again. (He hasn't changed, still so nonchalant about his talent. One's nature is revealed in one's music. I'm all ears..... what kind of music would he be producing in future?)

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