Ruribird Nadeshiko didn't put her mind on Kurume at all. After Kurume left, she enthusiastically pulled Ayanokoji and the others into a taxi to go to the flagship store she had long set her sights on.
Ruribird Nadeshiko had been here several times. After haughtily informing a staff member of her name, a female manager quickly came forward, smiling broadly to welcome them.
Ruribird Nadeshiko seemed to have a target in mind already and directly stated the model she wanted.
Upon hearing the model Ruribird Nadeshiko wanted to buy, the other party's smile grew even warmer, and she led everyone to a room.
It seemed that to facilitate customer testing, each room had only one piano, which was incredibly luxurious in a place like Ginza, where every inch of land was precious.
Upon seeing the grand piano in the room, Ruribird Nadeshiko's eyes lit up. After obtaining the manager's permission, she sat down without hesitation to test it.
Soon, a series of flowing notes flowed from her hands.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also had no research into such an elegant music as the piano, but Ayanokoji could feel a comfortable sense of rhythm when she played.
"You play too amazingly! It's simply heavenly!"
Her skill level must be quite high. The female manager was full of admiration, and after she played a short piece, she immediately applauded generously, praising her superb piano skills.
—Of course, it was also possible that the salesperson's professionalism made her deliberately flatter Ruribird Nadeshiko and persuade her to buy this piano.
Ruribird Nadeshiko was very pleased after receiving the praise and sat down to play the piano again. This time, she seemed to want to "show off her skills," choosing to play a piece from beginning to end.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also didn't want to stand around. While she was playing, he left the room with the other girls and wandered around the store.
Pianos are divided into grand pianos and upright pianos. Upright pianos are cheaper and suitable for home use, while grand pianos are expensive and suitable for performance. World-class pianists flock to Steinway grand pianos.
After walking around a few times, he learned that not every piano had a private room; many upright pianos were placed three or four together, and only particularly expensive grand pianos were entitled to their own rooms.
To Ayanokoji's surprise, Hanatemari Kazura could also play the piano, and quite well too.
Seeing Ayanokoji's surprised expression, she shyly smiled and took her hands off the piano.
She said that she also had a piano at home, but it was only an upright piano.
When she was in elementary school, her parents had hired a private tutor for her for a few years, but it was only to cultivate her interest as a hobby, not to make her take exams, so she didn't know her own skill level.
Since entering middle school and coming to Private Hyakkaou Academy, she had no longer systematically studied piano, so her playing had become much rustier.
So Hanatemari can also play the piano... Ayanokoji Kiyotaka realized this and a thought immediately came to his mind.
Originally, the piano was bought for Ruribird Nadeshiko, but since Hanatemari also knows how to play, if this girl doesn't perform well and starts slacking off, then he'll just give the piano directly to Hanatemari.
Ayanokoji now considered Hanatemari as one of his own.
Speaking of which... he had indeed never given Hanatemari Kazura any gifts. Giving her a piano seemed like a good idea too.
Originally, Ayanokoji only intended to casually choose a piano for Ruribird Nadeshiko, but now that this piano might become a gift for Hanatemari, Ayanokoji became serious.
While the three girls were casually wandering around, he found a staff member alone and asked her which piano would be better to buy.
When Ruribird Nadeshiko happily finished testing the piano and walked out of the room, she saw a situation that chilled her to the bone.
On one side, Hanatemari Kazura was sitting at a piano playing, with Meari and Anna standing not far from her, listening to her play. On the other side, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was talking privately with a staff member, holding a booklet, seemingly choosing a piano.
Hey, wasn't this supposed to be for me to choose a piano? Why aren't you listening to me play, but listening to her play the piano instead! Ayanokoji, why do you need someone else's recommendation? Wouldn't choosing mine be fine!
Ruribird Nadeshiko instantly panicked. She felt a sense of crisis.
Who exactly is Ayanokoji buying the piano for? It wouldn't be for Hanatemari Kazura, would it!?
She could tell that although Hanatemari Kazura's piano playing technique was rusty, based on the accuracy of her playing, she must have practiced for several years.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wouldn't be thinking of kicking her out and letting Hanatemari Kazura play the piano, would he?
While this level isn't enough for a stage performance, it's more than sufficient for a small casino.
Ruribird Nadeshiko's vigilance soared. She quickly walked in front of Ayanokoji, feigning nonchalance as she asked, "Ayanokoji, I've already tried the piano, and it meets my requirements. Should we buy it and pay now?"
Although she tried her best to appear calm, Ayanokoji still sensed her impatience.
"Oh, you've looked at it, no rush."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka glanced at her, pointing to a picture of a black grand piano: "You can take a look at this one. The staff recommended that I buy this model."
Ruribird Nadeshiko's gaze followed his finger. Ayanokoji was looking at a Steinway D-274 model piano.
The one Ayanokoji chose was even more to Ruribird Nadeshiko's liking than the one she had just tested. This was also her first choice.
Ruribird Nadeshiko's face lit up, and she subconsciously wanted to agree, but she quickly realized something—why was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka so kind as to choose a piano for her? This piano wasn't for him, but for someone else!
If he were choosing for himself, why wouldn't he ask for her opinion?
Although reluctant, Ruribird Nadeshiko lightly coughed and said with righteous indignation, "While this piano is excellent, its footprint is too large, and it's not suitable for playing in a casino room."
Ruribird Nadeshiko wasn't lying. This piano was indeed the most suitable grand piano for performance, the most classic and popular concert piano, and the first choice for top artists and concert halls worldwide, but it wasn't suitable for home placement.
Ayanokoji casually asked, "Then which piano is suitable for home placement?"
Ruribird Nadeshiko's heart tightened—Ayanokoji indeed had other ideas!
"If it's for home use, there are better choices. For example, the Steinway B-211 I just looked at is suitable for homes and small performance halls!"
Ruribird Nadeshiko desperately wanted to dispel Ayanokoji's other thoughts and quickly said, "steinway pianos are actually more suitable for players with a certain skill level. In the hands of a beginner, they're no different from ordinary pianos. Only someone with a certain skill level like me can truly unleash their power…!"
Ruribird Nadeshiko was flustered, even starting to promote herself.
"What are you talking about? This piano is for you. Since you like this one, let's buy it."
Ayanokoji smiled, closed the book, and deliberately glanced at Hanatemari Kazura, implying, "However, you should understand that besides you, there are others who can play the piano."
Ayanokoji's words gave Ruribird Nadeshiko a strong sense of crisis. If she didn't perform well, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka might give this piano to Hanatemari for her to play…
She had to work hard. This piano belonged to her!
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