Bicycles parked on the side of the road.

Deep blue mountain trail bike on asphalt.

"It's still ......"

On the handle is the traces of time that cannot be washed many times.

When Takuhisa was still living in Tokyo, the owner of the bicycle often stopped at this place, and he still sees it.

The front wheels were locked, and it looked like the owner of the bike was not here.

Takuhisa stopped for a second before moving forward.

At least some things haven't changed.

This discovery made him inexplicably happy.

In the sky with white clouds, Takuhisa walked in the direction of the clouds, and he used to know the way in the same way.

He's a road idiot.

You can still find your destination accurately in the midst of the fight, relying on the clouds moving in the same direction in the sky, and when there is no mobile phone map.

Passing through the winding alley, under the cover of the guardrail, the piano shop with faded marks came into view.

"Here...... It's still there. ”

The cool wind blew across his face, and Takuhisa couldn't hide his joy.

In the past, he and Ikuta Erika studied piano here, and the owner of the piano shop was an accomplished music artist, who was once very well-known in the world, and later chose to return to China after marriage to open a piano shop.

It is also thanks to her international popularity, and there is an endless stream of people who have come to study here in the past.

Another impression of things is still there, which makes him even more comfortable.

It was about the time before the class was held, and there was no one at the door of the piano shop. Walking inside, inside the reception table inside the door was a little girl about ten years old with a double ponytail.

"Is there anyone in the piano classroom now?"

Familiarly approaching the reception table, Takuhisa asked the little girl.

If he was not mistaken, this should be the piano teacher's daughter, compared to the age of the baby he remembered.

"Nope. ”

Probably touching only temporarily managed the table for her loved ones, and the little girl's attitude was cold and distant.

But Takuhisa still got the information he needed.

"Ah......hh I'm sorry, I just walked away, do you have anything to do?"

When Takuhisa wanted to inquire further, a middle-aged woman walked out, she was well-maintained and looked only in her thirties.

"Teacher ......"

Looking at her, Takuhisa involuntarily exhaled his nickname for her.

The person who taught him before was the woman in front of him.

"Huh?"

Probably not understanding why Takuhisa called her so, the woman was surprised.

"Uh...... I'm sorry, but I studied with you before. ”

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry, I'm getting older, and my memory is a little poor. ”

Knowing the reason, the woman said with a smile.

She has also educated a lot of students over the years, and when she saw Tuojiu, she really couldn't remember it.

"I want to use the piano classroom, can I?"

After chatting for a while, Takuhisa made his own request.

"There's no one in the piano classroom now, that's fine. ”

"Thank you, teacher. ”

Perhaps because he said that he was a former student, the woman easily agreed to Takuhisa's request.

Takuhisa bent down to express his gratitude, and then walked into the first piano room in the hallway on the right inside the piano shop.

It is also the same structure as before, without any changes.

"Refers to the original ......"

After Takuhisa walked in, the woman gently read the name given by Takuhisa again.

"Have I really accepted a student with the surname Zhiyuan?"

I don't understand, after all, Takuhisa only gave the surname, and it was also the surname of a relative who was changed after the accident.

No matter how good her memory is, she can't remember it, because it doesn't exist.

……

Naturally, it entered the interior of the classroom.

There isn't a lot of space, and the piano occupies almost half of the range. Therefore, the maximum number of people who come to study here at a time is fixed at two people.

Groping for the walls, the familiar touch gave him mixed feelings.

Takuhisa saw it.

At that time, he was also after coming in, sucking the wall with his five fingers, step by step, with his eyes closed, and the rough feel made him feel quiet.

[Na, don't rub it in, take advantage of the teacher's absence, hurry up and play the piano with me]

Suddenly, the familiar girl's voice sounded in his memory, making him stop feeling before he started.

Takuhisa lowered his palms and looked around at the empty room except him.

Ahhhh

I can't stand it anymore.

He unconsciously recalled fragments of the past.

Can't stop it.

Sweet, shy, black history.

Takuhisa shook his head as if he had given up on himself, and instead of standing, he sat down in front of the piano.

The beam of light passed through the window, resting on his shoulder.

With his back to him, Takuhisa could still feel the dazzle of the beam.

Let's play.

That's how he's spent so far.

If you have a complicated mind, just play it.

Play piano music that suits your mood and forget everything in the soft music.

For such a simple reason, he buried himself in the unrestrained torrent of music, in the world of intoxication. When he woke up, he was completely different from himself at that time.

The instructor praised his musical level for its purity and sincerity, and in the direction of the musical, the actors no longer looked down on him, but performed the most perfect drama with him with fear and admiration.

In the turn of the moment, there are so many changes.

The initial thrill of mastering new knowledge, the joy of talking to people, and the tenacity of sharpening oneself, he continued to move forward to a future that he could not have imagined at the beginning.

But.

Erika, can I let go of my feelings for you?

The emotions in my heart have been stopped, and they have been staying in this classroom.

On the surface, I am constantly moving forward, but the real me has always been here, never started.

Is that so?

He was answered by the music that sounded.

To Alice

When Beethoven was a teacher, he developed a crush on his lively female student, a woman named Teresa Marfati. At a certain time when he was in a good mood, he wrote this little song and gave it to her, leaving no manuscript for himself.

It was only after Teresa's death that this piece was found among her relics and became one of the most famous piano pieces in the world.

From the sound of the slow and fast wave harp, Takuhisa's hands kept changing, his posture became more and more crazy, he closed his eyes, and sank into another world.

The simple and intimate music depicts the gentle and beautiful image of the hostess.

Takuhisa left his worries behind and pondered.

Why did Beethoven write this piece for her?

No one was Beethoven, and no one could answer him, but that didn't stop Takuhisa from pondering the question.

The smooth music advances layer by layer, like an early warning when the male protagonist's heart is excited, and the irrepressible flame represents his innocent and passionate love, his confession, his pursuit, is so touching.

It seems to be lovers confessing to each other on the sparkling lake.

Cherry blossoms flutter around them.

The warm air, the blue sky, the fragrance of flowers and plants, and the endless sea.

Every time he plays this piece, Takuhisa remembers this image.

The new world he built immersed himself in it.

Can.

Today is different.

The image of the host and the hostess is no longer a white faceless illusory appearance.

It was a man and a woman, very young.

The fresh country atmosphere is gone, replaced by the classroom he is now in.

What doesn't change is the cherry blossom petals that drift in through the window.

[This is not right!]

The boy was playing the piano, and the girl who was listening shouted at the boy as if she had discovered a mistake.

[Then what do you say is wrong!]

It may be that he doesn't admit defeat, the boy doesn't believe it, and his mouth is stiff.

[The rhythm of this section is not so low, Takuhisa you play completely different from the teacher, is this really expressing Beethoven's love]

Well-founded words spit out of the girl's mouth.

[Then you come, let me see the difference]

[I'll come, I'll come, hum!]

Angry words came out of the girl's mouth, and she sat down in place of the boy.

The beautiful piano sound sounded, but it was the exact opposite tune of the boy.

High and full of hope, gradually rising, fiery love comes and goes, but it makes people feel comfortable.

In the end, the music becomes soft, like lovers who are in love with each other, and has a perfect ending.

[That's right, Takuhisa, you always play very sadly]

The girl said, and left her seat as well.

[But...... I can't relate to what they feel.]

In a moment of hesitation, the boy spoke his true feelings.

【Why?】

[I can't understand ......]

[Can't understand?]

[Well, the sincere and passionate love of Beethoven that the teacher said is incomprehensible]

The boy nodded.

[So what to do?]

With her mouth bulging and her brow furrowed, the girl was worried about the boy's condition.

[It's okay, it's not a ......]

[I thought of it!]

The boy's dissuasion was drowned out by the girl's voice.

[As long as you can experience it, then you can understand it]

[But I can't experience it]

[I read a book that says that as long as the lips of the opposite sex touch, their hearts will be intertwined, and they can feel each other's future and past, and there will be love between them, although I don't know if it's true, but we can try it]

【Hey】

Before the boy could react, the girl had already run in front of him.

The similar height allowed her to dominate the boy without any effort.

It can also be said that boys simply can't resist girls.

It shouldn't be like this......

The piano is over.

In the normal finale.

……

……

"Is it okay to play today?"

"Mmmm, it's okay, just go play a few tunes, it's okay. ”

In the taxi, Erika Ikuta said.

After picking up Asuka Saito, they took a taxi from the bottom of the building and went straight to their destination.

Taxis in Japan are very expensive, but Ikuta Erika doesn't usually go out to play, and the pocket money saved is enough to pay.

It's a little hard to understand why Erika Ikuta brought her here, and apart from a few occasional conversations along the way, Asuka Saito didn't say much.

The relationship between the two of them is indeed estranged.

Even if the talented Ikuta Erika chooses to stop group activities and concentrate on her studies, she can still have the C position given by the operation when she comes back.

And what about her?

Thinking about his situation, what can Asuka Saito say except sigh.

Her character in Nogizaka is a sister, yes.

However, compared to Hoshino Minami, who is set up by another sister, she is not much worse.

I really envy Xiao Nan, she doesn't have to do anything to get the love of others.

When she is alone in practice, this thought flashes through her mind.

It can be said to be jealousy, or it can be said to be envy.

She doesn't have any other talents.

Oh, and maybe there are.

Nogizaka 46 is the youngest of the first generation.

Nothing else.

Struggling between the underbody and the third row, who would have thought that her previous goal was to become the center.

But looking at it now, it's far away.

Or...... Graduated, right?

Sometimes this idea pops up suddenly, and after graduation, I will study hard to be admitted to university and take another path.

Then it was instantly denied.

She is a scumbag, and even if she studies hard after graduation, she can't get into a good university.

can only continue to struggle among the undergirls in the regiment.

"I want you to listen to my piano music, Asuka, we haven't spoken for a long time, haven't we?"

Erika Ikuta leaned her head on her shoulder flatteringly, which made her a little difficult to deal with.

Same as the external image, Ikuta Erika is a very lively person, and he talks a lot, and when the two are about the same status, they often get together to chatter, and there are a lot of quarrels.

Of course, it's all a small contradiction when a girl grows up, and it doesn't matter if it's a big deal.

"Hmm. ”

She replied coldly.

Asuka Saito, who is sweet on the outside, but on the inside, he is a somewhat negative person.

She's not as cute as those fans think, and if she really wants to say it, she's a bad girl who can be disgusted and make people feel dark.

When the car arrived at its destination, Erika Ikuta pulled her out of the car, turned left and right, and arrived in a small alley.

There is a piano shop inside, but there are not many people in and out, and the walls on the outside look a little old, and it looks like a building with many years.

"Good morning, teacher. ”

Erika Ikuta greets a middle-aged woman sitting at the door.

"And Akari is getting cuter. ”

She also said hello to the little girl next to the woman.

It seems that she has a good relationship with them.

"Well, Erika, why did you come to me today, aren't you supposed to prepare a stage play?"

"I want to come here and play the piano. Erika Ikuta said, placing her hands on the table across them, "Is that okay?" ”

"Yes, yes, though. ”

She seemed like she had something to say.

"Ah, nothing. You can go in now. ”

Probably thinking that there was nothing to say, she smiled heartily.

"Oh~ that's good. ”

He turned sideways and prepared to walk towards the piano classroom.

"Asuka, what's wrong with you?"

"Ah, that...... Where's the toilet?"

Perhaps embarrassed, Asuka Saito asked with a trembling hand.

"In the innermost room on the left. The woman showed her the way.

"Thank you, then Erika you go in first, I'll go to the toilet first. ”

Holding his stomach, Asuka Saito ran in the direction of the toilet in a hurry.

"She's a lovely little girl. ”

"Yes, teacher, Azuka is a lovely girl. ”

Erika Ikuta nodded in agreement.

……

After washing his hands, Asuka Saito took a closer look at himself in the mirror and turned to leave.

"Woo......"

There was some accident and she crashed into a man who suddenly appeared.

Petite, she fell to the ground.

"I'm sorry, are you alright?"

The man was also ignorant, and just found that he seemed to be blocking a girl, and stretched out his hand to apologize.

Raising his head slightly, Asuka Saito looked at the man who had let him fall.

Sadness.

The first thing that struck her was the look in the black eyes.

What is he grieving about?

Then she noticed the boy's appearance.

He has handsome facial features and is a handsome guy.

But I always feel that this person is very affected.

I secretly gave a rating in my heart.

"I'm fine, thank you. ”

Taking the man's hand, Asuka Saito slowly stood up.

After patting her clothes and dusting them away, she noticed Takuhisa looking at her.

"Excuse me......"

"You're wondering, aren't you?"

The man spoke suddenly, his eyes looking directly at her.

Huh?

What is he saying?

The sudden opening made Asuka Saito wonder.

"Your eyes tell me that you are confused, confused about the road ahead, right?"

The man seemed to see through her whole person and asserted firmly.

"What are you talking about......

She retorted, but she was weak.

Because that's the truth.

A sense of oppression came over her, and the chaos slowed down Asuka Saito's body.

She was indeed confused about the direction of the future.

What should I do, I can't see a way out in Nogizaka, do I want to graduate, but what can I do after graduation?

Strong emotions commanded her.

Fear.

It was a feeling that often accompanied her when she couldn't see the road ahead.

Despite this, she did not admit her cowardice in front of this man.

No matter how weak she is inside, she doesn't want to show her weaknesses to others.

"I'm just like you, so I can see your wavering. ”

It is a calm and reassuring voice.

"I don't know what happened to you, but I think you're pretending to be yourself—right?"

“.…..”

It was said that it hit the sore spot.

Negative and dark, she is a sweet and lovely sister in her external image.

That's not the case at all.

"If you can, try to let others know who you really are. Maybe you'll think it's good. ”

After the man finished speaking, he walked away.

Standing still, Asuka Saito chewed on what the man said.

The real you?

What do you mean that I want to show my dark side to others?

How can it be!

How can otaku like such female idols?

But......

"Huh, what is this?"

As she pondered, she suddenly realized that she had something extra in her pocket.

It's a wooden sign.

"Takuhisa...... Is this his name?"

After guessing, Asuka Saito could only think that it was lost by the man.

But the man was walking too fast, and after Saito Asuka walked out, he couldn't find the man, so he asked the woman at the door.

"Ah, there's a guy who said he was a former student of mine and who was practicing here just now. ”

"Do you have his contact information? I seem to have picked up his lost item. ”

"I'm sorry, I only know his last name, his last name is the original. ”

With an apologetic smile.

"Okay then...... Thank you for informing us. ”

Asuka Saito took a few steps back in thanks.

Referring to Takuhisa Hara?

She knew the man's name.

Refers to the original ...... Is he a relative of the AKB's Rino Shihara?

Unwarranted speculation.

There are really very few people with the surname Zhiyuan.

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted.

The whispers of the pulse came from the piano classroom, cheerful and bright like a girl, and laughed like silver bells.

"Erika and that guy are playing the same tune. ”

At this time, the woman said.

"Is that so?"

Asuka Saito asked with curiosity.

"Well, it's all 'To Alice.' ”

The woman nodded.

"But since she came to study with me in the past, she has always been in love with this song, probably because Takuhisa likes this song the most, haha. ”

"You...... Say Takuhisa?"

As if hearing something familiar, Asuka Saito couldn't help but ask quickly.

"Well, he used to come to piano with Erika, but that was a long time ago, and then he moved away because something happened, and I haven't seen him again. ”

Although it was strange how Asuka Saito reacted, the woman was honest.

This......

Isn't it too bloody?

Holding the wooden sign in his hand, Asuka Saito felt that the world was really strange.

Same name, and the same piece played......

Erika, are you hiding something, too?

The wooden sign was put in her pocket.

She felt like she had discovered something terrible.