The Benefit
Monday started with meeting Tsubaki outside and a hug and kiss and walking to school arm and arm. He was nearly silent the entire time causing Tsubaki to ask if everything was okay. He just replied he was very intent on tonight and possibly a little nervous. She squeezed him against her and told him he would be great. They headed to Ma Fille and dropped off the program listing for the print shop to make up the programs for the benefit.
Throughout the day Kosei couldn't concentrate at all, his mind fully out of focus for his classes. Every so often he'd stop listening to the music in his head and catch part of a class lecture. Thankfully he knew he could get notes online and from his friends. At lunch he played music from his phone as he sat down. Within a minute he felt one earbud come out and Tsubaki put it in her ear and asked what the hell was he listening to and Kosei just smiled and said it is a tune from the West.
After classes ended Tsubaki said her parents offered to drive them to the benefit. Changed and ready he came out with his suit, music sheets in a folder, and just a few beads of sweat. Joining the Sawabes they drove downtown and realized parking may be a little harder than thought. They headed up a hill where stores were also located also and pulled into a bank parking lot which had signs welcoming "Kosei Stock" fans. From this hill above Main Street there is a view of the large park adjacent to the city. Getting out of the car and walking toward the steps of the parking lot to the lower level Kosei dropped his music sheets and they scattered in the parking lot as he gasped. He quickly picked them up before any wind could take them away. Tsubaki got out of the car and started to ask what was wrong when she gasped too: The entire park was filled with people. He figured there had be 1500 people there not including the 400-500 in the seats on Main Street. The few beads of sweat turned into more. The four of them walked down the stairs and towards the front of Ma Fille. Kosei wiped away his sweat and told Tsubaki it was just the weather. She rolled her eyes, smiled, and said, "Sure."
Greeted by Mayazonos enthusiastically they were ushered inside to the shop...where every single treat from the refrigerated display case and shelf was gone. Kosei asked where everything was and they smiled and said it was all gone, everything was purchased. The PR photographer from Yamaha greeted Kosei and said it was an honor to meet him and introduced Chika as well. Led outside he found there was a A/V crew hard at work, his own for the night. They'd set up speakers on the stage, all over the park lawn, two large screen monitors, and lights on the stage area. Draped along bike racks on Main Street were vinyl banners with the Yamaha logo written and a number to call for event-planning and fund-raising. Chika led him to the set up...a large electronic Yamaha keyboard complete with pedals. He said down and played a few notes to test and people started to cheer. Kosei felt himself go flush for a minute. The benefit was to start in 30 minutes. Dr. Ogawa and his wife showed up and gave them all a beautiful copy of the concert program. It had a photo of Kaori on the cover complete with her beloved violin, the program listing for the night including a recess, credits and thanks inside, and it even noted "Special presentation TBA." Kosei looked at Chika and the Miyazonos who smiled and didn't say a word.
Kosei went onto stage area set for him and Chika and poured a glass of water into the nice glass provided to him with the bottle of water with the Yamaha Charitable Division logo on a label wrapped around it.
Mr. and Mrs. Miyazons came out and together made the opening remarks:
"Good evening. Before we say anything else I'd like to thank you all for coming, that we reached our goal, and have nothing but thanks for everyone. You cannot imagine how much this means to us," Mr. Miyazonos began.
"Our dear daughter Kaori, who was to us the spirit of music itself, was laid to rest just under a month ago. She may be gone, but her memories will live. Again we thank you all for coming. With that we'd like to begin our concert," Mrs. Mayazono said with pride.
Kosei stood up, bowed, and cleared his throat. Cracking his knuckles he looked into the front row of chairs. There was a single chair in the center, unoccupied, with a single piece of paper which said "Guest of Honor." Tsubaki sat next to it with her parents. On the other side were the Mayazonos, Dr. Ogawa and his wife, noted merchants of the area, school friends, Takeshi, Emil, Nagi, Mrs. Akito, Ashai, Ryota, and even Miike were all present. He put out his sheet music, looked to the sky above, and then back at the chair for the Guest of Honor and began...
He opened with Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and saw families happily and gently shaking their toddlers on their shoulders and they listened smiling and pointing. He moved onto Thomas The Tank and the slightly older children began to all smile, and he finished with the Tetris theme. The crowd was enjoying it and he was off to a great start. He even quickly played Sonic The Hedgehog for a few bars to see Takeshi smile and give a fist pump.
He played Pyote Tchaikovsky's March of the Toy Soldiers
Children and adults nodded along recognizing the tune.
Don McLean Vincent's Starry Starry Night was next and it caused emotive reactions and the children still listened moved.
Harry Gregson-Williams Smiling
For some of us this may be best known as the theme to the OMEGA Coaxial watch.
He paused and received applause and he nodded to the audience and caught a glimpse of himself on a large monitor on one side of the park.
He quickly took a drink of water and resumed and played Mozart Piano Sonata 11 as a nice bridge to the heavier pieces of the evening. Kosei nodded to the audience and began to play with more spirit.
As he played Kosei looked into the audience and saw Kaori's spirit slowly appear in her chair. He smiled and she smiled back as he continued to play. When he finished he paused. Uproarious applause followed and he stood up and even a little sheepishly smiled. Mr. & Mrs. Miyazonos announced a 15-minute recess.
Kosei ran to the back of Ma Fille and washed his face feeling a little overwhelmed when Tsubaki came in excitedly and told him he was doing great.
Walking back to the stage applause resume and Kosei resumed his playing:
Beethoven-Moonlight Sonata
He saw the audience moved and Kaori wipe a tear away while Tsubaki held her chest.
It was followed by Beethoven-Fur Elise
At that moment Kosei noticed Tsubaki turn towards Kaori and start speaking and was a little angered.
He felt she must be talking on her phone. "How could she be talking on her phone at a time like this?!" Kosei wondered.
Kosei continued playing and then the mood shifted a little to:
Vivaldi Four Seasons -Spring
Tsubaki again turned towards Kaori and resumed speaking and was getting angrier. He felt she must be talking on her phone since the Miyazannos were clearly not responding. He continued playing with Kaori just nodding and smiling and even laughing a little
He played on and did his best to hold back any anger figuring he'll discuss it with Tsubaki later.
He smiled knowing people would recognize it and played Rachmaninoff -Flight of the Bumblebee
Kosei was about to play his next piece when suddenly Tsubaki turned towards her parents and he clearly saw she didn't have her phone's earbud in her ear!
His jaw dropped.
He finished playing for a moment and people applauded and his eyes were fixed on Kaori and Tsubaki intently when they both gave the, "What are you waiting for? Keep going" look and nod.
He looked back at the keyboard and look a drink of water and put the glass back down.
He followed with Erik Satie Gymnopédies and Tsubaki held her chest once again now feeling a connection to the song all the stronger. Would this be their song? Karoi looked towards Tsubaki and said something causing her to nod!
A little shaken Kosei moved on to Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody #2 and played like he was Liszt himself with intensity and calm, reflection throughout. The audience was quite moved. For any real fan of Looney Tunes one may recognize it as a tune Bugs Bunny played during a piano recital he did.
Coming out of the the heavier stuff he shifted to the "exciting" set and played
Rossini/Liszt The William Tell Overture
Parents started shaking their toddlers who had by now fallen asleep. Parents mimicked twirling a rope over their head and lassoing a bull. Many people may know this piece more at "The Lone Ranger's theme." Children woke up and pointed and smiled again. A few mimicked riding on a horse.
Smiling at the shift Kosei moved to play a piece enjoyed for its spirit:
Aaron Copeland's Hoe-Down from Rodeo for some they may be reminded this was the "Beef! It's what's for dinner" from the National Beef Association theme for years.
Many smiled and laughed.
Following up he finished "Western" style with the piece many may remember from United Airlines advertising campaign "It's Time To Fly", the sonorous tune of
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and everyone was moved from child to the elderly as it is quite a tune to listen to by a great pianist, one doesn't even need an orchestra accompaniment.
After playing the last of the notes he looked over the audience with pride, stood, and bowed. All attendees gave an uproarious round of applause.
Chika came on stage and took the microphone from the stage and in her arm held paperwork. She motioned Kosei to stand up.
Chika began smiling, "Kosei told me he wants to start a foundation tonight called Victorious Violins to assist in the purchasing of instruments for those who cannot yet afford them. It would be to carry on the legacy of our Guest of Honor, Miss Kaori Miyazonos."
Karoi held her chest and was shocked. Tsubaki looked very proud. The Miyazonos nearly fainted. Obstructed from full view two men came on stage from the right of Chika.
Chika continued, "In honor of this noble endeavor we want to help you start with this..."
The two men handed Kosei one of those large promotional checks the length of a surfboard.
It was a check for 1,000,000 Yen made out to "Victorious Violins."
This time Kosei nearly fainted to some laughter. People couldn't tell if he was faking it or not.
An American businessman sat next to Takahiko Arima, hidden until now, and asked how much that was and Takahiko happily answered, "It's about $10,000 US." The businessman next to Takahiko smiled and nodded. It was now time.
Chika nodded to the two men as they now came to the stage. Kosei was dumbfounded to see his father with an associate. The businessman spoke with Kozsi's father translating.
"Good evening, my name is Henry Steinway the Second of Steinway & Sons and when my family first founded this company in the 1820s we had dreams and desires that our pianos could produce music the world over by musicians of all ages. We are honored to see them played in a community which is dedicated to charity and appreciative of our fine pianos and with that I came here tonight to announce a donation of three of our newest pianos for the local high school on behalf of Steinway & Sons from Queens County, NYC and we wish nothing but success and wish you to be the first to hear our new slogan given to us by Mr. Arima: "Music is Immortal." Young Mr. Arima...make sure you help keep it that way." The audience again rose to its feet cheering.
Kosei cleared his throat, several times, and had to take a drink of water before bowing to all and expressing his deepfelt gratitude. He saw Kaori crying tears of joy and Tsubaki turn to her and say something which made her smile and laugh.
Kosei looked at everyone and felt ready to pull an ace from up his sleeve.
He proudly spoke and laughed a little, "We at Victorious Violins have found our first recipient to receive our most valued possession...um second to the support of the community." The audience laughed warmly.
Kosei continued, "Yes, and we have found our first recipient to receive Miss Miyanno's violin. Would you come on stage please?"
Mrs. Akito and Ashai came on stage with Mrs. Akito opening the violin case and Ashai kneeling to receive such an honor.
"Now the two of us have a surprise for everyone here. This will be our first time performing together, so please show some appreciation," Kosei said with pride
Ahsai took the violin out...positioned himself ready...and started pounding his foot and nodded to Kosei...as they played The Devil Went Down To Georgia. While it wasn't the caliber of winning any shows just yet it surely had the "peoples' choice award" and was met with quite an accompaniment of applause. Ashai bowed and everyone knew he would go onto greatness.
Kaori was in tears with her hands over her chest.
Everyone on stage bowed and left and Kosei once again took the microphone, took his seat again, and a drink of water and said, "I'd like to thank everyone for your presence, help, gifts and spirit, and I'd like to close with a beautiful piece under the night sky and this piece is dedicated to the person who has been with me as long as I can remember. She has been an amazing person sharing in my joys of life, a stalwart force in my life helping me through my depths of sadness, a cheerleader when needed, opened herself to me, and when I think of her I think of the cosmos and the beauty of the night. With that please look towards the sky as you'll see the stars have come out."
Kosei played Jupiter from The Planets Suite. His playing was with such spirit you'd swear an entire orchestra was there with him.
A/N: I would really appreciate if you put this on at 2:56 mark to show you what portion moves Tsubaki feels love was truly for real
youtu .be /S9FGnhDozz0
Tsubaki watched with loving eyes, her hands on her chest and at that moment truly realized his love for her was real.
There was no group of "shippers" behind it, no classmates who joked they were already married all their lives. The passion he put into it was amazing. Tears swelled her eyes at around the 4:00 minute mark and Kaori turned to her and said something causing her to smile, nod, and laugh.
Kosei finished, stood, bowed, and thanked the audience.
An immediate standing ovation followed.
The rest of the evening seemed to be a blur:
The local newspaper's cameras flashed as he walked off stage, a little girl brought him a bouquet of flowers, people requested he autograph their programs, strangers hugged him, people constantly wanted a photograph with him, Ashai's parents thanked him, Takeshi and Emi were there and noticed for an instant they were holding hands before each hugged him congratulating him, Nagi hugged him on his shins, and even Miike was there to compliment his performance.
Later that evening Kosei laid on his bed in the dark while Tsubaki's head rested on his chest hearing his heart beat at a relaxed rhythm. Though she told him he was polite, happy, and an all around friendly guy to everyone he confessed between getting off stage and now here he didn't really remember anything with the exception of Ashai's parents thanking him and, without realizing what he was about to say, her joys and Kaori's. Kosei suddenly heard himself and was about to get up when Tsubaki gently pushed him back down and whispered, "I saw her too."