"Chill Usumi! You can do this!" Usumi encouraged herself. She was waiting for her turn and her fingers were shaking badly and ice cold. "Dad taught you this! Pull yourself together!" she muttered to herself. She took a little peek at the audience and surely there were a lot of people, it feels like as if she was gonna faint. The person after her was playing the trumpet and she couldn't even believe that there were professionals here. "What am I going to do?" Usumi asked herself. She paced back and forth when she suddenly bumped on someone, "Sorry!" she apologized. "Pardon me Miss" the young man replied. Who's this? Such a familiar voice. She looked up and saw a handsome young man in formal clothing and she was gazing at his eyes that were as blue as the summer sky.
"Eh? President Walker-san?" Conan said. He was just as puzzled as she was, "Fujikata-san?" she exclaimed. She moved back and saw him chuckle, "What are you doing here, President Walker-san?" Conan asked while eyeing her. "Please, just call me President when we're at school" Usumi requested, "Is that so?" Conan replied to her. "I'm here because this is a recital right? I didn't know you were taking lessons here Fujikata-san" Usumi replied to him but with a bit of shyness. "Yeah, I'm studying the drums right now, I'm done with the violin, piano, and guitar you see. Well, I know how to play all different kinds of instrument but let's just save that talk later, so what's Walker-san doing here?" Conan answered with a little grin. Usumi fidgeted and answered with her head down, "I want to win this recital! I… I.. love the piano too much.. that I'm scared to perform!" she stuttered with her fists clenched. "Sokka, gannbatte kudasai, Walker-san" Conan whispered to her before going to the stage to play. They were talking so much that it was already Conan's turn.
"Contestant number 35, Fujikata Conan, will play Ludwig van Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata" the host informed. Conan did a gracious bow and sat on the seat, he sighed and with his hands, he slowly played the keys that give off such a heavy feeling like Beethoven's love for his student before. The audience were all closing their eyes and listening to the calming melody. "How calming" Usumi murmured. Her worries all seem to be engulfed in Conan's music, "Wow, it's like Beethoven playing it" Usui whispered to Misaki. "Yes, it truly is" Misaki answered softly with her eyes closed. Usumi looked at Conan and he was really happy while playing it and almost like a calm sea. She saw him do a little wink for her and he seemed to be saying something, "Calm down" he mouthed. Usumi touched her heart and surely she found her music sheet inside. "Thank you Fujikata Conan, up next contestant number 36!" the host beamed.
When Conan left there was a loud applause, "Contestant number 36, Walker Usumi, will play Mozart's Piano Concerto no.21: Andante!" The host announced. Usumi entered and just like as if a rain swept in her heart, her night sky was now all cloudless. "GO USUMI!" Misaki cheered as loud as she can. Usumi smiled at her and did a wink at Usui who did a thumbs-up back to her. Usumi did a curtsy and sat down, she flexed her fingers and began playing the piano with her smiling. The touching sound of her mysterious melody gave everybody a chance to engulf themselves in her music. After she stopped playing, she received a wild applause and Misaki was smiling at her, so proud to be her Mom. "Thank you, Walker Usumi, up next contestant no. 37" the host beamed with her usual enthusiasm.
Usumi sat down and Conan held out his hand, "You did a great job, Walker-san" Conan admitted. She shook his hand and realized his hand was cold too. "Eh? You're nervous?" Usumi asked. "Well, a little bit" Conan answered while scratching his cheek a bit. "Admit it!" Usumi grinned and leaned her face close to his, Conan suddenly started sweating and was flustered. "Hmm, why are you red and sweating?" Usumi asked when she pulled her face away. "Err… its hot here you see!" Conan breathed. I never knew Takuzawa's sister was this cute, she's totally my type too… Conan thought to himself.
After a while, "Okay! It's the most awaited time of the day! The announcement of winners!" the host announced and the audience started shouting. "Are you ready?" the host asked while holding out her microphone. "3rd place! Toukou Akira!" the announcer announced. A lady who's holding a violin stepped in but with a scowl on her face, she didn't look too happy. "2nd place!..." the announcer opened the paper and with a strange accent, "Sakurai Ayame!" the announcer finished. The announcer smiled and took a look at the remaining contestants, "And finally, first place…." The host said. She opened the paper and everyone was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. "Congratulations…." She went on. Her eyes widened and took a good look at the audience, Usumi tried to find Conan's hand and when she felt his hand brush on her own, she gripped it tight. "You will remember this day…." The host continued to the begging ears out of excitement. Usumi was shaking so badly and wished for it to hurry up. She gripped Conan's hand tighter and this time, he gripped back.
"WALKER USUMI AND FUJIKATA CONAN!" the host declared. Everyone stood up and gave them a round of applause. Usumi loosened her grip but Conan kept gripping it. "We won, Walker-san?" Conan asked. "Y-yeah" Usumi answered. They were too still to accept the truth and pinched each other's cheek. "This isn't a dream…" Conan murmured. "It's real?" Usumi exclaimed. They saw the audience clap and cheering, the judge gave them their trophies and their hands were shaking when accepting it. "Congratulations!" the host declared and the audience screamed with joy. "That daughter of mine really did win, huh!" Misaki cheered with tears of joy in her eyes. "Yeah, I can't believe she played what I told her not to play because it was difficult" Usui said. "Yeah, I'm proud of her" Usui said.
"Congratulations Walker-san!" Conan greeted with joy. "You too! Congratulations!" Usumi greeted back with a huge smile. "Call me Conan, Conan-kun" Conan requested with his hand held out. "Usumi! Usumi-chan!" Usumi happily answered back while shaking his hand. "Well then, goodbye Usumi-chan!" Conan appealed and kissed Usumi's cheek. Usumi turned bright red and touched her face which was hot, "Whenever I think of you I have a smile on my face and in my heart as well, Usumi-chan~!" Conan said with a tongue out and left with his trophy. "Pervert!" Usumi called out. "Congratulations Usumi!" Misaki cried out while hugging her from behind. Misaki spun her in the air and hugged her, "I'm so proud of you!" Misaki said with her eyes sparkling. Usui patted her head and kissed her head, "Omedeto" he whispered to her ear. Misaki saw Usumi's face which was quite red, "What happened Usumi? Why are you red?" Misaki asked, as dense as ever. Usui took a look and smirked, "Well, well, take a look Misa. She can make a cute face like you too, all red and embarrassed." Usui remarked. "Waaah! Don't tease me!" Usumi shrieked.