LESSON TWENTY-NINE
The R S Orchestra members all huddled together in a large circle in the Musikvereinssaal's lobby during the 15-minute intermission. The lobby was gradually becoming much more constricted as the audience came out of the main theater. It seemed as though all of the people coming out of the intricately-decorated wood doors of the concert hall were whispering excitedly to one another.
"As expected, Chiaki-kun's level has really become high," Katayama pointed out in a suave manner, fixing his bangs like he always did.
"What are you saying?" retorted Masumi. "Chiaki-sama's level has always been high!"
"He's really done well for himself over the past years, hasn't he?" said Maiko with a smile. "This performance with the Vienna Philharmonic somehow sums up the great career Chiaki-kun has developed."
"Don't forget," Kikuchi reminded, "that we've only just watched the first part of the concert. There's still the second half to look forward to."
"And Chiaki-kun will be playing Borodin's Polovetsian Dances next," said Takahashi, his voice brimming with delight. "This will be the perfect opportunity to show off his sexiness and charm."
"'Sexiness and charm?!'" Masumi shrieked as he held out his hands and attempted to wring Takahashi's neck.
"Kiyora-chan was amazing with the violin concerto too!" Kaoru piped in.
The others nodded enthusiastically.
"Mine-kun must be so proud of her," said Yuki. "She's become really famous over the years too, hasn't she?"
"It's surprising that the violin concerto was the first piece in the programme," Kimura pointed out. "Isn't a concerto usually the piece for the finale since it's supposed to show off how good the soloist is?"
"But this performance isn't meant to show off Kiyora-chan's skills," explained Maiko. "Chiaki-kun is the big star being showcased tonight."
"Aizawa Maiko!" Masumi suddenly snapped. "You're making it sound like Chiaki-sama's an animal that we're supposed to gawk at in a zoo!"
Mine, who had just joined their circle, said loudly, "Oi, Masumi, don't be so sensitive."
"Where have you been?" asked Kimura.
"I went off to the restroom and on the way out, I ran into an old friend," Mine replied.
"Was it the Samurai?" inquired Kaoru.
"No, I haven't spotted Kuroki yet," said Mine. "It was Stresemann."
"'STRESEMANN?!'" exclaimed the orchestra members in unison.
"Does he still look the same?" Hashimoto asked.
"Well, he's never really looked like the Stresemann we've always seen in the pictures," Mine answered in a joking manner, "but I know it was really him. . . . And guess who accompanied him all the way to Vienna!" he added in a low but excited voice.
"Who?" asked Moe.
"It's Rijichou!" Mine said, grinning.
"The chairwoman of Momogaoka Music Academy?" Kikuchi asked in a puzzled tone. "Do they know each other?"
"She was his ex-girlfriend!" replied Masumi, whose anger had quickly been replaced by enthusiasm.
"Eh?!" many of the others shrieked.
"Was it because of her that Stresemann went to Japan back then?" Tamaki asked.
"Yeah, probably," said Mine, "but I don't know any of the details."
Just then, a woman's voice issued from somewhere above them and resounded throughout the lobby.
"The second portion of tonight's performance will resume in five minutes. Please return to your seats immediately."
As they all made their way back into the theater, Masumi spotted Sakura lagging behind the others. Her eyes were staring down at the floor and there was a downcast look on her face.
"What's wrong, Sakura-chan?" asked Masumi, placing a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.
After a moment, Sakura said in a gloomy voice, "All this time, I didn't know. . . that the Vienna Philharmonic was an all-male orchestra."
"What are you talking about?"
"Hasn't it always been my dream to enter the Vienna Philharmonic?!" Sakura bawled. "Now, all my hopes are dashed!"
Masumi sighed and said assuringly, "Chiaki-sama is the very first Asian person to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic. It means you might have a chance too! There's always going to be a first time. Who knows? You might be the first female member of that orchestra too!"
"Do you think I can make it?" asked Sakura, staring up at Masumi with a pitiful look in her eyes.
"Don't lose hope, Sakura-chan," Masumi said, smiling.
Sakura nodded and smiled back at him.
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"Franz, he is absolutely amazing," said Rijichou to her companion as they made their way back to their seats. "Ever since he was a student, I had no doubt about his talent."
"It's a good thing that his talent was further developed by me," Stresemann put in, flashing her a smug grin.
Rijichou laughed and continued, "I knew you'd say that. . . . Miki Kiyora is incredible too. Who would have thought that two students from Momogaoka would be performing with one of the world's greatest orchestras?"
"Are you happy, Mina?" asked Stresemann.
"Of course I am," Rijichou answered. "I can't properly express how immensely proud I am. Those two have achieved so many wonderful things. And besides that, I'm so glad you invited me to watch this performance with you."
"Anything for you, Mina," Stresemann said as he took his companion's hand and kissed it lightly. "Anything at all."
"Franz, you never change," sighed Rijichou, blushing. "Even though you've always been saying that you're a 'changed man' lately," she added with a warm smile.
"I still haven't lost my touch, have I?" Stresemann replied with a wink.
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"Even though they haven't heard the Borodin and the Stravinsky yet, the audience already thinks you're incredible."
Chiaki jumped in surprise and saw Königsberg standing at the doorway of the dressing room. The old man smiled broadly at Chiaki and walked over to where he was sitting in front of a large mirror.
"What did you think. . . of the first two pieces?" asked Chiaki.
"The Tchaikovsky was brilliant," Königsberg replied in a straightforward manner. "You made the right choice when you picked Ms. Miki to be the soloist. It was only the first piece in the repertoire, but I already found myself crying."
"What about the Prokofiev?"
Königsberg paused before saying, "The VPO doesn't perform those kinds of pieces very often. I'm sure you're aware of this. It's still a little too early to determine it, but I think this performance will somehow pave the way for this orchestra to make more adventurous repertoire choices."
Chiaki sighed with relief.
I thought the Prokofiev was going to damage the VPO's reputation, he thought. And mine.
"At first, I believed we were going to have problems with you, Mr. Chiaki," Königsberg admitted. "You're very different from all the others who have had the chance to conduct this orchestra. You are very young and, though it's obvious that you always think about things carefully before you do them, you seem to be the type who likes a bit of excitement. You're very fond of challenges, aren't you?"
"I think they help test my patience," said Chiaki.
"Oh!" Königsberg exclaimed. "Did the VPO test your patience?"
"No, not really," replied the guest conductor quickly. "They weren't a problem at all."
"I'm glad you think so," said Königsberg. "And I am very grateful that you agreed to perform with the VPO."
"But the performance isn't over yet," Chiaki reminded him.
"I wasn't talking about the performance," continued Königsberg. "I was only expressing my thanks to you for accepting our invitation."
Dammit, thought Chiaki irately. And I was starting to believe that he was actually grateful to me.
After a while, Königsberg laughed and said, "Really, Mr. Chiaki, can't you even take a simple joke?"
Chiaki's face broke out into a small smile.
All of a sudden, the concertmaster entered the dressing room and announced, "It's time to go back on stage, Maestro Chiaki. Are you ready?"
"Yes," Chiaki replied, immediately standing up and straightening his tie.
Königsberg stood up too.
"Do your best," he said, nodding at the concertmaster.
"We always do, sir," the concertmaster replied with a smile.
"I'll return to my seat, then, shall I?" said Königsberg.
Both the concertmaster and Chiaki nodded.
"See you both later," Königsberg added before he left the dressing room.
Chiaki turned to the concertmaster, who looked at him rather anxiously.
"Don't look so worried," said Chiaki, smiling at him. "It's time to enjoy music."
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Chiaki felt as though he had turned deaf when he made his final bow to the audience. He could see the thousands of people in the audience standing up and wildly applauding, though he couldn't hear the sound of even a single clap. This was often how he felt right after a performance. He could not explain it. Did he just feel that he was deaf? Or was it all because of the deafening dynamics produced by the orchestra's instruments?
Maybe I just can't believe that I'm standing on this stage, he decided, in front of thousands of people with the Vienna Philharmonic just standing behind me.
He was overwhelmed. It wasn't just because it was only then that the fact that he had conducted the VPO was finally sinking into his mind, but because he did not expect such a fantastic reaction from everybody who had watched his performance. He knew how great his talents were and he admitted that he was quite self-confident, but ever since he had been informed that he was going to conduct that orchestra, somehow he did not believe that he was cut out to perform with such a prestigious group of musicians. He already had enough experience to be regarded as one of the greatest conductors in the modern classical music scene, but he didn't think he could handle that particular conducting stint. He had even told himself that he felt like somebody who had been given an incredibly heavy load which his hands couldn't carry.
But now that everything had come to a close, he was relieved to know that all his hard work had paid off. He was even relieved that all the worrying and the fussing he had been doing over the past several weeks had been worthless. He understood at that moment that he didn't even need to worry about a single thing. Everything had gone and was still going according to his plans and in exactly the way he expected it to turn out.
No, wait, he said to himself. Did she receive the ticket I sent her? And if she did, did she actually come to watch me?
All at once, his eyes started scanning the audience for a familiar set of wide enthusiastic eyes and pouting lips, though he knew for himself that he would never be able to spot her among the multitudes of faces in front of him.
Perhaps she'll come round backstage to talk to me, he thought hopefully.
The person Chiaki had been searching for in the audience was actually standing somewhere in the fifth row. She, like everybody else around her, was clapping her hands feverishly and yelling at the top of her lungs her own share of "bravos", though she knew that her voice would never be heard over the thunderous applause. Tears were continually flowing down her blushing cheeks but she refused to wipe them away. Many of the people around her were actually beginning to recognize who she was and a group of young music lovers who were just standing near her started whispering excitedly.
"Isn't that Megumi Noda, the pianist in the Golden Pair?"
"I thought she'd be in London by now. She has a tour with Jean Donnadieu next month, right?"
"It seems like she's found the time to watch her other half perform with the Vienna Philharmonic."
They all giggled and made stolen glances at the pianist, who seemed to be completely unaware of them.
I must talk to him now, she thought determinedly. We need to have a real conversation. This time, I'm ready to answer all of his questions and I know exactly what I have to say to him. If Nodame doesn't do this now, Nodame will never try doing it ever again.
She made a resolute nod and briskly headed for the exit doors, but suddenly a forceful hand grabbed her by the arm, stopping her in her tracks.
"Hagya!" she gasped.
Nodame turned around and saw that it was Elize, who bore a slightly incredulous expression on her face.
"Where do you think you're going?" demanded Elize.
"I want to pay Senpai a visit backstage," Nodame replied, managing to get herself out of her manager's grasp. "It will only take a while – "
"No," said Elize, who took hold of her arm again. "We are going to the airport to catch a flight at 11:45 and it's already a quarter to 11. The next flight to London is at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning."
"Can't I take that flight instead?" her client insisted.
Elize tightened her hold on Nodame and replied, "I'm not changing my mind. You'll be performing live on the BBC 6 Music station tomorrow night so you should at least practice the pieces while you still have some time."
Nodame pouted and glared at her manager crossly.
How will I ever convince this woman to choose me over Chiaki? Elize asked herself, trying to think quickly of a plan.
In about a minute, her eyes widened.
I should have thought of this a long time ago, she thought.
"Besides," said Elize, "you just might run into Ilsa if you go backstage."
"Who's Ilsa?" Nodame asked, tilting her head to one side in confusion.
"She's Chiaki's wife, remember?"
She'll definitely come with me to the airport for sure.
Nodame averted her eyes and muttered, "Let's go and catch that flight, then."
Without another word, Nodame scurried out of the Musikvereinssaal with a dismayed air about her, leaving her manager to catch up with her.
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Kikuchi Toru was standing outside the door leading to the backstage of the theater. He and his fellow R S Orchestra members, as well as other foreign well-wishers, were waiting for the backstage doors to open so that they would be able to meet Chiaki in his dressing room. He noticed that many of the people around him were holding cameras and even bouquets of flowers.
Are the flowers for Kiyora or Chiaki? he thought in wonder.
He also saw that there were many very beautiful young women standing close to him. However, there was one girl in particular whom he found greatly pleasing to observe. She was standing just a few inches away from him. He looked at her from the corner of his eye and deduced that she was quite good-looking, though he believed that she had put too much makeup on and that her clothes had too many striking designs on them and were mismatched. Nonetheless, he found this woman rather intriguing.
I wonder. . . . Have I seen this girl before? Kikuchi asked in his mind. She looks slightly familiar.
He cleared his throat in the hope of attracting her notice, though it seemed as though her mind was wandering elsewhere. Another glance at her pretty (albeit heavily made-up) face was enough for Kikuchi to tell that she seemed to be growing impatient for the backstage doors to open.
Is she actually one of Chiaki's fans? he thought. She doesn't even look excited to be here.
"Excuse me," began Kikuchi in German as he turned to face the woman.
Once again, she didn't pay him any attention.
Maybe I should try French, Kikuchi decided.
"Might I have the honor of finding out the name of this beautiful woman in front of me?" he asked in his most debonair voice in French.
The girl slowly focused her eyes on him and asked rather irritably, "Were you talking to me?"
"Yes," Kikuchi replied. "May I know your name?"
To his surprise, the woman rolled her eyes and turned her head away.
This is a stubborn one, I see. . .
"You're not from around here, are you?" he continued.
After a long moment, she turned around to completely face him and replied, "What do you want from me?"
"I would just like to find out what brings you here," said Kikuchi, taking care not to forget his suave style of speaking.
"I came to watch the performance," the girl replied bluntly.
Kikuchi thought he heard her say something like "Duh!" in an undertone. He grinned and went on, "I meant, what brings you here outside the backstage? Have you come to see Shinichi Chiaki?"
"Well, yes," she said, "but right now I'm just waiting for my boyfriend."
So she has a boyfriend, Kikuchi thought. Too bad. . . . This will be a little harder than I expected.
"Why?" he asked. "Where did he go?"
"He went off to the restroom," explained the girl, who seemed to be slowly becoming more comfortable having a conversation with a stranger. "But he told me some of his friends came to watch the performance too, so maybe he ran into one of them."
"Do you know Shinichi Chiaki personally?"
"Yes, he was my neighbor for several years in this apartment complex in Paris," the woman continued. "That was back when I was still a student."
"So what do you do for a living?"
"I'm an office clerk, but I used to be a piano teacher."
"Ah, so you're in music too!" Kikuchi exclaimed.
"I was," the girl corrected him, emphasizing the last word.
I daresay she's very stubborn.
"You're French, aren't you?" asked Kikuchi.
"No, I'm not," she answered simply.
Before Kikuchi could ask his next question, the woman shrieked, "Ah, Yasu! Over here!"
A tall and rather strong-built Japanese man strode over to her and said, "There you are! I've been looking all over for you!"
Kikuchi's eyes widened.
"Kuroki-kun?!" he gasped.
The man turned to him and exclaimed in a voice which betrayed his utter surprise, "Kikuchi-kun! I thought all of you already left."
"Er, no," replied Kikuchi hurriedly. "Not yet."
So her boyfriend's the Samurai? Damn, this is really going to be hard. . . . I might as well give all of this up.
"Yasu, you know this person?" asked the girl almost disbelievingly.
"He's one of my old friends," Kuroki replied. "How did you two meet?"
"We haven't even known each other for five minutes," the woman said abruptly. "He hasn't even told me his name."
"I'll introduce you properly, then," volunteered Kuroki. "Tanya, this is Toru Kikuchi." With that, he gestured at his friend.
Kikuchi flashed her a bright smile.
"Kikuchi-kun," Kuroki began, "this is my girlfriend Tatiana Vishnyova."
Tanya made a forced smile and said, "Please call me 'Tanya.'"
"Of course," said Kikuchi, extending his hand towards her.
Tanya shook it but let go of it rather quickly.
There was a long moment when none of them said anything, until Tanya exclaimed, "You're the cellist who won the Tortelier Competition two years ago, aren't you?"
I had no idea that he was the Toru Kikuchi, she thought disappointedly. Back then, I even thought he was rather good-looking. . . but it turns out that he's just some womanizer.
"Yes, I am," replied Kikuchi, who seemed surprised.
Just then, the backstage doors flew open and everybody waiting outside, except for the three of them, rushed inside.
"I'll go on ahead," Kikuchi announced. "It was great to see you again, Kuroki-kun. I hope we'll see each other again soon. It was very nice to meet you, Tanya," he added, nodding at Kuroki's companion.
Kikuchi quickly went backstage, leaving Kuroki and Tanya standing outside in the nearly empty lobby.
"Shall we go in, then?" asked Kuroki, glancing at his girlfriend.
"All right," Tanya said.
Before they went past the doors leading to the backstage, Kuroki turned to her and asked, "What did you two talk about?"
"You don't want to know," murmured Tanya. She quickened her pace as she went down the long corridor and did not say anything more for the rest of their trip to Chiaki's dressing room.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: For this chapter, I decided to write short conversations between various characters instead of my normal long ones which are usually chats between Nodame and another character or Chiaki and another character or Chiaki and Nodame. This was because, as I've said before, I wanted to include as many characters in the story as I possibly could.
Was anybody out of character?
Your comments are welcome.
