Chapter 32: The True Identity of the Maestro

The next morning, at the campus cafeteria, Ayaka, Reina, Mika, and Sayo were all eating together again. Their conversation this time centered on Minase.

"I feel like Minase-kun has been secretly stalking us lately," Ayaka whispered. "I often feel like she's watching me."

"Me too!" Sayo chimed in. "She keeps staring at me with a sharp gaze."

Mika crossed her arms. "Maybe she suspects we're hiding something?"

Reina, with her flat face, just nodded in agreement. "Maybe. She's very observant."

I heard their conversation and nodded along. "I feel the same way."

After lunch, I intended to return a book to the library. As I passed the corridor near the music room, I heard the exact same piano melody I had heard at the station.

Curious, I opened the door to the music room. There, Minase was hurriedly packing her bag, her face looking like she had just been caught.

"Huh? Akira-kun, what are you doing here?" she asked in her tomboy tone, trying to sound normal.

"I was just curious about that music," I said, my eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Were you just playing it?"

Minase immediately panicked. Her face flushed. "O-oh, about that... just now, a female student left. She was in a hurry, she said she had a piano lesson!"

I looked at her suspiciously. Minase became even more flustered. "Well, I have to go! I have to go home!" she said, covering her face with a hat and running away in embarrassment. I could only shake my head.

The next morning, Minase woke up as usual. She was a very responsible person. She prepared breakfast for her younger siblings, including Kotaro, who was still a baby. It turned out that their mother (Minase's older sister) had died giving birth to Kotaro, and her husband had drowned shortly after. Minase was now like a single mother, taking care of all her family's needs. She was a famous pianist who had received many awards, but for her family's sake, she didn't want fame and avoided trouble.

"Kotaro, come on! It's time for your bath!" Minase called out. "And Kiba, Miyabi, get ready. You have a test today, right?" she shouted from the kitchen.

After walking Kiba and Miyabi to the school bus, Minase returned to the park to walk with Kotaro. The mothers in the park watched the scene with a mix of sadness and happiness.

"She must have just gotten a divorce and is busy taking care of her child," one mother whispered. "I feel so bad for her."

"What a beautiful woman. What kind of husband would leave such a beautiful woman for another?" another mother whispered.

"She's really so pretty, isn't she?" a third mother chimed in.

Minase, who heard them, just focused on walking Kotaro around the park. Suddenly, Kotaro's pacifier fell.

At the same time, I happened to be walking by. I saw the fallen pacifier, then picked it up.

"Excuse me, Ma'am! You dropped this," I said, handing her the pacifier. I didn't recognize Minase, who was wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Minase looked at me, her eyes a little surprised. "Do I know you? I feel like I've seen you before."

"Um, you might be mistaken," she replied. "And thank you," she said, immediately taking Kotaro's pacifier.

As she was about to leave, Kotaro suddenly started crying loudly. "Kotaro, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Sister is here," Minase tried to calm him down, but Kotaro kept crying.

I walked up to Kotaro and tried to comfort him. I made funny faces, gently tickling him. Suddenly, the little Kotaro laughed and was comforted.

The mothers in the park whispered to each other, "Look! The young mother just met a handsome man, just like in the dramas and soap operas we watch!"

After that, I said goodbye and left. Kotaro was very happy playing with me. Minase herself admitted in her heart that I was perfect to be a father.

The next day, I wanted to rent a book at the library. As I passed the corridor, I heard the same piano music again. This time, I wouldn't let the pianist get away!

I opened the door to the music room. I was so surprised to see that the one playing the beautiful piano music with her eyes closed was Minase! With her long, beautiful hair undone and her graceful dress.

Minase opened her eyes and was shocked. Her face immediately turned red. She felt that her secret was exposed and couldn't say anything to explain herself.

"Akira-kun... I... um... I..." she stammered, trying to find an excuse.

I gave a small smile. "So, you were the pianist at the station that day, weren't you?"

Minase, feeling embarrassed, tried to run out. But when she tried to open the door, it was locked.

"Huh? The door is broken, I can't open it!" she said in her tomboy voice, panicking.

Suddenly, a heavy rain began outside. Lightning struck, followed by a loud thunder.

"Kyaaa!" Minase screamed, jumping in fear and hiding behind me. Her feminine side came out completely.

I was very surprised. "Kyaaa! What was that? Could that sound have come from you, Minase-san?!" I had thought Minase was a boy. But she was a girl!

Minase, cornered, finally gave in. She explained everything, from her true identity as a pianist to why she had been hiding herself. She begged me not to tell anyone. I agreed.

Suddenly, the door to the room opened on its own, sending shivers down both our spines.

I looked at Minase, who was still embarrassed. "I'm starting to realize," I said with a teasing smile. "That you're not very good at hiding your cute side."

My words made Minase even more embarrassed, her face turning bright red. She lightly hit my shoulder. "W-what are you saying?!"