Mariko said.
Yes, that’s because Father died
Their father died?
Father collapsed suddenly this spring, it was colon disease. Then, he became too ill to continue running the company so he sold the company he’s nurtured for 20 years to protect the livelihood of the employees Half a month after selling the company, Father died
Miki-san speaks sadly.
Father loved music. He had fun teaching us music, and even allowed us to go with the path of music
Father bought this violin for me
Miki-san pats her violin case with love.
I see, that must’ve been painful
Mariko speaks to the Matsumoto siblings with care.
Mother had it worse, she’s completely fallen bedridden due to nursing fatigue and the loss of Father
Currently, Mother’s living at her family’s home
Maki-san lives in the dorm in that school, but.
Miki-san’s staying at her mother’s home.
But, Father’s company is no longer there, and our reserves are dwindling
Their father sold the IT company, so there will be no more income for them
Then, Grandfather;
Matsumoto Maki pauses for a moment.
Grandfather doesn’t like music
He says that studying music is useless
The drugstore chain owner has no interest in music?
Grandfather said that he’ll take custody of Mother and us sisters
Uhm, we didn’t ask for it, it’s Grandfather who wants to take us into his home no matter what
Then, he’s telling us to stop studying music
Grandfather’s telling Nee-san to stop on her current high school and go to a regular high school, a business-focused one that Grandfather wants
He’s telling Miki to stop playing violin too
He says that I don’t need Father’s violin and he’s selling it
I see. So that’s it.
And so, you turned down your Grandfather’s offer and want to continue with your music as before, right?
I asked.
No, Grandfather is not offering his assistance
Grandfather’s giving us orders
The sisters speak with a hopeless expression.
Oh, I see. His son didn’t follow what he wanted so, this time, he wants to take control of his son’s daughters
Mariko said.
The music topic is irrelevant to him. He just wants his granddaughters to do what he wants
I think so too
My mother was like that.
She doesn’t find value in my existence, and yet.
She takes control of me, saying that I can’t leave the room, or have only a single cardboard box of belongings
I don’t mind not continuing to play the piano. My talent isn’t that much, but my sister, Miki’s different
Maki-san, who’s at the top rank when it comes to piano, has said.
Making Miki stops playing her violin would be too much. So, putting me aside, please help Miki so she can continue playing her violin!
The elder of the siblings bows her head.
No, I’m okay, Onee-san should.
What are you talking about? Don’t mind me. But I’m sure that even Father would feel sad if Miki’s talent is wasted
Then.
Indeed, Miki-san’s talent is splendid. You won’t find someone in your age who can play as well as her.In Japan that is
Minaho-neesan said.
Right, compared to the ranked first in her piano in high school, the younger sister is much more amazing.
If we leave Miki’s violin at home, Grandfather might take it away and dispose of it without permission, so I keep it with me in my private room at the dorm
Today, Nee-san brought Father’s violin
Even Grandfather can’t enter the girl’s dorm in our high school. However, if I were to leave my current school, I would have to leave my dorm too
And if we’re taken by Grandfather, father’s violin will get sold. I don’t want that1
I can feel the sorrow of these sisters.
Everyone in the dorm already know that Father passed away, and I told some of my friends that I might have to quit school, that’s when Takahata-san approached me
Matsumoto Maki-san looked at Marika.
Seeing Matsumoto-san’s struggle, Marika called out to her.
And so, Takahata-san told us that she received support from Kuromori-sama, which enabled her to continue going to school. And, uhm, I’m aware that it’s a very generous offer, but she told me that we could receive help too I didn’t believe it at first, but, I told Takahata-san my story
Anyway, since we had no other contacts to help, I decided to put my faith in Takahata-san’s story and came here today
Marika knows that she can’t explain the details of the Kuromori house to Matsumoto-san.
You can’t say that we’re running a high-class brothel for political and business VIPs.
She can’t talk about the connection with the Kouzuki house either.
She must’ve used they’re connected to wealthy people, and they’re involved in various business when talking.
That kind of explanation would make it hard to believe.
Still, the Matsumoto siblings believed in Marika and they came here today.
That’s all I have to say
Matsumoto Maki-san said.
But.
Really? Is that all?
Minaho-neesan?
Matsumoto Maki-san, did you believe Marika-san’s story because you had no other contacts that could help you? And?
Minaho-neesan looked at Marika.
Marika-san, did you introduce Matsumoto-san to Kou just because your classmate was in trouble?
That’s.
I believe you still haven’t told us the most important one?
The most important?
Oh, I see. I got it now!
Mariko claps her hands.
What is it, Mariko?
I asked her right away.
There’s something that’s been bothering me. Jasmine-chan wanted Kou to hear Matsumoto-san’s performance before talking
That’s because she wanted me to see Matsumoto-san’s talents before I get any weird preconceptions, right?
I said.
Really? Because we already had an idea when we talked to Matsumoto-san in the cafeteria that they have some kind of problem, and that perhaps it was a financial problem Now that you mention it.
I mean, Marika brought these sisters who looked gloomy.
I figured out that they wanted me to help them with something.
That’s not what Jasmine has in mind
Mariko looks at Kurose Anju.
Hey, Kurose-san, for example, you have this professional football player that you’re a big fan of.
In case Kurose Anju is a fan of a football athlete?
What do you tell your close friends about that athlete?
Kurose Anju;
Well, I’ve never been a fan of anyone so I don’t know if this would help
Give us an answer
O-Okay, I’d tell my friend about my favorite athlete, and let them watch the game he’s playing, or even record it so they can see him in action
Kurose Anju said.
As expected, you want them to know how cool they are, right?
Yes, that’s right
Mariko looked at Marika.
Meaning, Jasmine-chan wanted Kou to hear Matsumoto-san’s piano performance.
Err.
Hmm.
Wait?
Jasmine-chan is into Matsumoto Maki-san!
1397. School Festival Day 2 Concerto
Jasmine-chan likes Matsumoto Maki-san, right?
Mariko told Marika.
eeh?
uhm, I.
Marika blushed out of embarrassment.
And Matsumoto Maki-san’s also into Jasmine-chan
Mariko’s gaze turns to Matsumoto Maki-san.
Isn’t that why you decided to go all or nothing with Jasmine-chan’s story, right?
Thinking about it again, no matter how much these sisters were in danger of being forced by their grandfather to give up on their music study.
It’s not easy to take on a classmate’s suggestion and go to someone you don’t know, and ask for assistance, right?
But since it’s Jasmine-chan, someone you care about, you believed her. No, you want to believe her, that’s why you came here today
Matsumoto Maki-san.
Yes, you’re right
She admits what Mariko says about her.
I’ve always wanted to be friends with Takahata-san after hearing her play. I like Takahata-san’s piano