Chapter 2
A Ballad of Words
Frederic Chopin's fiancée was Maria Wodzinska. Unfortunately, their relationship had already ceased to exist by the time George Sand, penname for the French author Amandine Aurore Lucille Dupin, came along. Of course, there were rumors that Chopin had a very close male friend as well…
From within the empty bowels of the concert hall emitted whispers of sweet-nothings. Indeed it was sweet, for none other than Chopin's second ballade was being played. The isolated performance was not just for the performer himself, however. Rather, it was in preparation for the newly developed script from the theater club. As the main actor proved unknowledgeable in such music, the blue haired pianist signed himself up to provide it where needed.
One single erroneous note terminated his playing. He ran a hand of frustration through his soft hair, and stood up with one hand on his hips.
"That won't do," he mumbled. "How am I supposed to capture Chopin's own emotional and sensual experiences in his work if I make a mistake like that?"
"Maybe the fact that you strived so hard to replicate his experience without providing your own inevitably caused you to fail," a new voice echoed through the hall. The voice belonged to none other than Yuuko Kinoshita, a top student whose only downfall happened to be the very subject discussed now.
"I find it strange that a person as musically untalented as you would also happen to reach such an epiphany," the pianist joked. For just a moment, Yuuko's eyes flared with anger, and her hands clenched into fists. But such public display of fury was imperfection, and she allowed the moment to pass.
"We are intellectuals, Toshimitsu Kubo. Is it wrong for us to arrive at similar conclusions?"
"I'm not here to banter. State your reason for intrusion, Kinoshita."
"Oh, I have no real reason to be here," she nonchalantly replied, casually strolling around the Pleyel grand piano. She slowly reached into the depths of her breast pocket and withdrew an innocent piece of paper.
"I'm just here to show you something. The list of actors for our new play, that is."
"How will you know this will interest me?" Kubo asked, frowning slightly from his piano bench. Yuuko did not respond verbally, but rather gave him a sly grin as she gently slid the paper over the mahogany piano top. The blue-haired male sought no time in unfolding the letter. His inquisitive eyes quickly scanned through the list; his curiosity was short-lived.
Sensing Kubo's discontent, Yuuko clandestinely slithered over to him. Although she still had some questions regarding his view towards same gender love, she saw no harm in using the inkling of knowledge she had to her advantage.
"Akihisa managed to land a role in the play as well," she assured him. Instantly, the dull, lifeless eyes of Kubo brightened indefinitely.
"Who…who would he happen to be playing as?" Kubo nervously asked, instinctively reaching for his glasses. Yuuko noticed his faltering, shaking hands, and sought to deliver the final blow.
"Tytus Woychiechowski," Yuuko whispered seductively into Kubo's left ear. "He was more than a good friend of Chopin. Rumors exist that he was even Chopin's male lover."
He was shaking uncontrollably now, but his voice was still undeniably firm. Quivering, he glanced up and asked who would be holding the head role.
"Sakamoto. Yuuji Sakamoto. He will be the Chopin of this play."
"Do you mean that president of Class F with a yandere girlfriend?" A hint of inevitable jealousy escaped from his lips.
"He's the one." A smile dawned on Yuuko's lips. The end was near.
"What is your purpose in telling me this?" Kubo questioned.
"I offer you a part in the play as well. It's a bit taxing, seeing as how you are also the head pianist. You'll also have to do a female role."
"That's a wonderful offer, but I suppose I have to refuse it. I'll settle with just playing Chopin, thank you very much."
"Ah. That's disappointing, but I'm glad to see that you still have interest in participating," Yuuko feigned dejection.
Kubo shrugged, and turned towards the piano again.
"No problem," he called after her. "Make sure you close the door as you leave."
"Will do."
Yuuko wasn't sure exactly of what she was planning. If she had questioned Kubo's true sexuality, she knew it now. How this information would help her, she did not know. In fact, she did not even know why she had visited Kubo in the first place. However, to a genius strategist like her, the information would definitely come into play some day. With a smile on her face, she quietly closed the grand doors to the school theater.
In the meantime, she would have to nicely ask her brother for the actual list of actors.
