"I'm scared."
Arima lowered his head, tears filling his eyes.
That was a memory that belonged solely to the boy on the other side.
At competitions, sound was everything. All that mattered was him and the piano.
That day, everything ceased to exist.
He couldn't hear anythingeverything felt dark and lonely, as if he were drowning in a deep sea, alone.
So dark. So dark.
"Did you breathe a sigh of relief?"
A sudden question, from nowhere, shattered the boy's monologue.
"From the moment you couldn't hear the sound, you found an excuse, didn't you?"
"You found a reason to never step on that stage again."
"Because you're not Beethoven."
As he faced this question, his thoughts returned to that day.
The murmurs and mocking laughter of the audience.
The terror of suddenly losing the sound of his performance... The scene turned dark, as if it was going to consume Arima.
Would he once again be alone, sinking into that dark sea?
The darkness was broken by a smiling girl and the warm sunlight shining down from a clear sky.
"I'm still here."
It was a declaration of true feelings from the girl, words she had never said to anyone else.
"I know"
"You can't hear the piano, and you're not playing anymore."
"I know everything."
"But I still choose you."
"Maybe, as you said, the performance won't be perfect, but I will still play!"
"As long as there's an opportunity to play, as long as there's an audience, I will give it my all!"
"To make sure the audiencenever forgets me, to engrave it forever in their hearts."
"This is the reason for my existence."
"Because I am a performer, just like you, so I beg of you."
"Please accompany me."
With her head lowered, Miyazono Kaori's expression was hidden by her long hair.
"Please, give me just a little bit of strength."
"Please support methis version of me that's about to break."
The next page revealed the sorrowful, tear-streaked face of the girl.
Tanaka could almost imagine how she must have tried to suppress her tears, doing her best not to cry too much, hiding her sadness behind an almost forced smile.
"Maybe the lively Kaori Miyazono isn't as cheerful as she appears."
That thought naturally popped into his head when he saw the scene unfold.
However, he didn't have time to dwell on why she was crying.
In the next frame, in the shadowy close-up, Arima Kousei stood up.
His trembling hands balled into a firm fist.
"I'll do it. I'll accompany you."
"Just don't blame me if I mess up."
In the face of his blunt answer, the reason for Kaori's sadness seemed to lose its significance.
Tanaka couldn't help but feel happy for the pair of unlikely partners who had finally come together!
"..."
The city I live in began to feel more vibrant and colorful.
With this monologue, Volume 1 came to a close.
"Oh! Is Arima finally going to play?!"
"This former prodigy!!"
Tanaka was doing his best to suppress the excitement building up inside.
If it was anything like the last time, and things went wrong again, just imagining the stares of those around him would make him cry!
Even though it was supposed to be a slice-of-life story, for some reason, it suddenly felt so intense.
He was eager for what would come next.
"Just as I though this is really good!"
The decision to release both volumes simultaneously was brilliant!
If it had ended there, the wait for the next chapters would have been unbearably painful.
With those chaotic thoughts, Tanaka eagerly flipped open Volume 2!
"We'll make fools of ourselves together."
With the cheerful words from Kaori, the story of Volume 2 slowly unfolded before him.
Arima Kousei hesitated at first, as his mother's teachings weighed on him.
But the moment he stepped onto the stage, the scene became tense and intense, yet he stayed steady, playing in sync with the music.
However, as the image of his mother in a wheelchair appeared in his mind, the notes he could see in his sight began to fade.
Despite the audience's complaints and the still beautiful sound of the violin, the sound of the piano was nowhere to be heard.
Arima's playing became hesitant and chaotic, as if he were once again drowning in the darkness of the sea.
The performance stopped.
Because Arima knew that if he kept playing in this state, he would affect Kaori's performance as well.
That would leave an indelible stain on her music career!
So, he stopped.
Then Kaori, playing the violin, also stopped.
But...
"Let's try again."
It wasn't a stop; it was a reset.
The performance for this competition had ended when it was interrupted, but the "competition" was never her true goal!
She just wanted to play, to let people hear her musicthat was enough!
So, until the allotted time had passed, the performance wasn't over!
She and he would begin again!
"Lift your head, look at me."
Her words echoed in his mind as he saw her slender, yet steadfast silhouette.
That posture gave Arima the courage to continue, the belief that he could carry on.
Despite not being able to hear the notes, not being able to hear the piano,
He focused on playing with his entire body, imagining the music in his head.
He had to give everything his mother had left him.
The audience and judges were left stunned, mesmerized by the storm that was created by their collaboration.
The music was beautifully haunting.
Though Arima couldn't hear the sounds, he no longer felt alone, drowning in the dark.
Kaori's playing was powerful, like the heartbeat of the music, constantly driving Arima forward.
His response was a fierce match to her intensity.
The performance was so captivating that, even when the time was up, the judges couldn't help but want more, urging, "Wait, just a little longer."
As the performance ended, the room erupted in applause, the loudest praise for the two performers!
"That was amazing!"
"So awesome!!"
This part of the story felt exhilarating and fulfilling for Tanaka.
All the anticipation up until this point had been met with a satisfying resolution!
"Truly, what a master!"
Tanaka couldn't help but praise sensei.
Even though the manga didn't capture the sounds of their performance, and that could be a frustrating aspect of music-based manga, the mangaka had somehow made Tanaka forget about it.
Not being able to hear wasn't a problem!
He could feel the beauty of their music, feel the impact their performance had on the audience.
It was as if, for that moment, he was right there in the auditorium, hearing two brilliant musicians pour their hearts out through their music.
Even though they didn't pass the evaluation in the end,
At least their performance was a success!
But...
"How could she suddenly faint and end up in the hospital?"
Tanaka felt puzzled as he turned to the next page.
He felt a bit relieved when Kaori's low blood sugar was mentioned.
But on the last page of this chapter, seeing her in a hospital room, alone, staring out the window, and hearing her mutter those words
"Really?"
"I fainted again."
The unsettling feeling from her simple words overshadowed Arima's self-questioning about whether he could give up the piano.
When Kaori left the hospital and appeared before Arima again, she proposed an idea.
"Go participate in the piano competition," she said, using the excuse that she had "ruined her performance."
However, Arima responded with a firm rejection.
"I've cast aside the important music scores. I've already lost the right to perform."
In response, Kaori smiled and said:
"That's what many performers go through."
"They always say they don't want to play the piano, that if you want to play, you should play it yourself."
"Even so, they always pick up their scores again, face them head-on."
"And that's how the most beautiful lie is born."
"We're only 14."
"Let's make the decision and throw ourselves into it!"
Without any hesitation, she jumped off the bridge, diving into the river below!
"Dammit!"
"She just got out of the hospital and is already doing something so reckless! Don't do this!!"
Tanaka's heart ached with concern...
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[151] Can you act like a person?!
It wasn't just Tanaka who thought the girl was being reckless.
Arima Kousei had similar complaints.
'But...'
'The things you say and do, everything shines so brightly.'
'For me, it's so blinding, I have to close my eyes.'
'But, it also makes me want to reach for it.'
'How could I forget?'
'The moment when applause thunders, when the atmosphere is electrified, and your music fills everyone's hearthow could I possibly forget that?'
The boy climbs over the guardrail, mimicking the girl's posture, and jumps into the stream below.
Their joyful laughter fills the air.
'How could I ever forget?'
'Because, like you, I'm a performer too!'
With the sound of their laughter, the second volume of the story comes to a close.
"Phew."
Tanaka lets out a satisfied sigh.
Though he feels some regret that there's no continuation, the story reaching its first peak and concluding here wasn't so bad.
After all, the first major climax has already been resolved.
If he hadn't seen the duet today, then that would have been the real disappointment.
"The next part of the story will probably have Arima start participating in piano competitions, right?!"
The former genius boy reappears in front of the audience and the judges.
"I wonder what kind of story will unfold next!"
Tanaka can't help but feel excited about what's to come.
But
"Honestly, it still bothers me!"
That scene in the hospital, with the word "again."
"Is this really a healing manga?"
While it seems like it from what he's seen, thinking back to the mangaka's previous works,
Tanaka shivers, his face stiffening with an awkward smile.
"Shouldn't be, right?"
"I guess I should ask others online for their thoughts."
With that, Tanaka pulls out his phone and opens his chat.
Inside, there's a small group dedicated to discussing the works of the "Warriors of Love and Hope" series.
"Hey, has anyone seen volumes one and two of Your Lie In April?"
As soon as Tanaka asks, the previously quiet group suddenly comes alive.
"Why are these people so crazy!? I was just a bit late, and didn't manage to grab a copy!!"
"Same here! I have no idea when another copies will be available, it's killing me!!"
"You're asking about itdid you already read it? How's the rest of the story?"
"Absolutely amazing!"
Tanaka answers without hesitation, though he can't help but feel a little disappointed.
"Seriously, no one got it?"
How are they supposed to discuss the plot if no one's seen it yet!?
"Forget it."
Tanaka is about to put his phone away when he notices an @ message.
"Did you finish reading it? I know you're in Tokyo, right? Can you sell it to me? I'll pay the full price!!"
Wait.
Is this really happening?
Tanaka's a bit tempted.
But after thinking it through, he realizes he's been working recently and isn't exactly short on money.
"Your Lie In April is a piece worth keepingit doesn't need to be sold."
Just as he's about to decline, another message pops up.
"Wait, I'll pay a premium1500 yen, how's that?"
"So shameless! I was the one who offered first!!"
"The highest bidder wins, huh? Everyone wants to read it so badly!"
"Alright then, I'll offer 2000 yen!"
?? Can this really escalate!?
"You said, highest bidder wins. Then I'll offer 3000 yen!"
Tanaka blinks.
'This is really happening!?'
'So, I spent money on it, and now I can make a profit by selling it?'
'I've already finished reading it, so I could always buy it again later when they reprint it!' With that thought, Tanaka quickly agrees.
"Alright!"
.....................................................
"Your Lie In April is really good!" Eriri exclaims in admiration.
"Yeah, it's amazing!"
Mashiro nods in agreement, her eyes shining. "Mugi, what do you think if I start learning the violin?"
Mugi can't hold back a roll of her eyes, responding helplessly,
"Then, Mashiro, will you still draw?" Mashiro hesitates, then her face falls in disappointment.
Still, she struggles to speak: "Can't I do both?"
"Do you really think you can?"
Mashiro sighs, falling silent.
Akifumi turns to Eriri. "You promised to support me, but you're not buying a copy. You're just freeloading?"
"Well, your fans are too many, and a crowd had already gathered in front of the bookstore early in the morning. I couldn't get a copy!" Eriri grumbles, but then flashes a smile, patting Akifumi on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, I'll buy a copy when they reprint it."
"You're so smart." Teasing Eriri, Akifumi walks towards the room, ready to begin his work.
Now that there are more people at home, two people are drawing instead of just one.
There's not enough room inside, so Akifumi has started working in the room while the three girls are outside.
Just as Akifumi takes a few steps, Eriri calls out to him.
"By the way, what's the deal with that hospital scene?"
"Wasn't it mentioned earlier that performers like Miyazono Kaori never had any past performance cases?"
Eriri nods thoughtfully. "I see."
"So, she's never performed because of her health problems, huh?"
"Well, that explains the earlier setup!"
"Exactly!" Akifumi nods in satisfaction. "Eriri, you're getting smarter."
"Of course!"
Eriri proudly raises her chin.
After all, she's drawn quite a bit herself, so she can see through the basic plotline easily!
Akifumi smiles but doesn't say anything else, walking into the room.
Just then, the quiet Mashiro speaks up.
"By the way, everyone's discussing that scene."
"Hmm? Let me see." Eriri, curious, leans over to look at Mashiro's phone screen, where the latest comments on Akifumi's SNS account are displayed.
"Your Lie In April Volumes 1 and 2 are amazing! Especially the way the climax was portrayedit was perfection!!"
"I agree! Even someone like me, who isn't too into music, got goosebumps when I saw that part!"
"The mangaka's ability to convey emotion is incredible! I'd call that climax an absolute masterpiece!!"
