Chapter 115 (2/2)

The four students onstage already started their ensemble. Facing Akkad’s whispered questioning, Min Chen quietly typed something on his phone and handed it over to him.

Akkad: “…”

When the short ensemble performance ended, Akkad urgently whispered, “Leaving just after the concert is finished? What the hell are you doing? Daniel said that Bai Ai will start rehearsal tomorrow. It’s going to take you more than 20 hours back and forth, it’s a waste of time!”

A long silence answered Akkad. Min Chen didn’t speak a word in reply.

After a long while, Akkad received only a short reply. “I want to.”

Akkad: “…”

Onstage, Langston of the piano department finished his performance of Bach’s 《English Suite No. 5》brilliantly. Akkad clapped his hands gloomily and sneaked a peek at the man beside him under the dim light.

He couldn’t understand. Why did Min Chen come here over a ten-hour flight knowing that he needed to leave right after the show ended?

… Single dogs naturally couldn’t understand this kind of behavior.

The broad brim of his hat covered the man’s profound face, only leaving his prominent jaw visible. When the host announced the next performers, the college’s orchestra, would be performing two of Haydn’s symphonies, Min Chen’s lips curled into a smile. His cold face softened.

Why did I take a ten-hour flight to come?

Because…

『I miss him very much.』

After an hour-long production featuring the cello, violin, piano, and all the other departments, the curtain finally rose for the orchestra. It was the main event of the evening.

Members of the college’s orchestra had always been the best students in the academy. Each one of them carried their instruments to the stage and walked to their seats in an orderly fashion.

The members represented the highest level of skill in the academy, so they had to show their strengths in a grand concert.

Countless lights flashed. When a handsome young man entered the stage, the atmosphere warmed. Especially amongst the violin students, there were quiet gasps of shock from the audience.

The name “Qi Mu” had widely circulated in the university ever since the first assessment, last semester.

The college assessment had been held for a hundred years, and no one had won the first place multiple times in a row. Only one outstanding piano master from 70 years ago did it seven times and graduated with honors.

But the maestro didn’t get 90 points every time, let alone…

Get full marks from the main judge.

The bright, dazzling spotlights illuminated the stage as thunderous applause seemed to have torn off the hall’s roof.

Under the lively applause, the outstanding young man gracefully shook hands with the orchestra’s conductor, Kawaguchi. He was calm and confident, not disturbed by the audience’s enthusiasm.

When the youth led the orchestra to bow to the audience, Min Chen’s grip tightened against his wooden armrests. Hiding his thoughts and love beneath the dark sunglasses, only his upturned lips revealed how he felt——

His favorite person stood where the lights gathered, the audience applauding him.

“Little Seven… is excellent.” Akkad’s whisper came from his side. “When I saw him for the first time, I thought he’d be something special. Just like now, he led a large orchestra all on his own.”

Min Chen nodded and whispered back, “I know, he’s always been outstanding.”

On the stage, having bowed to the audience with the members, Qi Mu took his place at his seat. Placing his bow on the strings, he was ready to play.

His head raised, he watched Kawaguchi on the podium. The older man gently raised his baton and——

A soothing melody resounded!