After arriving at the fireworks festival, Kazusa had been smiling the entire time, seemingly enjoying herself.
However, Chisato, who knew her very well, could sense something different hidden within her smile.
If he had to describe exactly what felt off, he couldn't immediately put it into words, but he was certain that something was on her mind.
And when Kazusa suddenly said those words during a brief pause in the fireworks display, Chisato understood—she was about to confess something to him.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't worried.
Right now, Kazusa's expression was both sorrowful and serious, and there was a resolute glint in her eyes that gave Chisato an uneasy feeling.
Surely… she's not planning to break up with me right now, is she?
Suppressing the pessimistic thoughts flooding his mind, he took a shallow breath, trying to appear as natural as possible so as not to put any pressure on her.
"What is it?"
"I'm sorry, Chisato..."
Kazusa lowered her head, her hands tightly clasped on her lap. A moment ago, her bright eyes had been gazing up at the fireworks, but now they seemed dim and lifeless.
"At the end of this semester, I will be withdrawing from school."
After saying this, she cautiously looked up at Chisato, her face filled with unease and worry.
"Withdrawing from school..."
Although Kazusa hadn't provided any further details, Chisato quickly pieced things together from her reaction and the hints he had received from Touma Youko earlier.
If it were merely a matter of withdrawing from school, Kazusa wouldn't have found it so difficult to bring it up, nor would she look so sad and anxious right now.
So, this was definitely not the whole story.
Ever since his own confession, Kazusa had decided to pick up the piano again.
Considering that Touma Youko had spent years abroad, that the piano originated in Europe, and that Kazusa seemed like she still had something left unsaid, Chisato could already guess the conclusion.
Taking a deep breath, he asked,
"Kazusa, are you leaving Japan?"
"..."
Kazusa's pupils dilated slightly before she lowered her head in defeat, clasping her hands together. After a few breaths, she finally responded with a soft "Mm."
"Where are you going?"
"Vienna."
Vienna, located along the Danube River, is the capital and largest city of Austria, as well as one of Europe's major cultural centers.
It is renowned as the "City of Music," with countless world-class musicians having ties to the city, including Haydn, Beethoven, and Mozart.
The moment Kazusa said the name, Chisato's mind automatically filled with all the relevant information about the place.
Just as ambitious tech companies aim to establish themselves in Silicon Valley, and the ultimate dream of basketball players is to make it to the NBA, for classical music enthusiasts, Vienna is an undisputed holy land.
"Mom said I've wasted the most precious two years of my life. If I want to achieve real success in the future, I need to make up for that lost time as soon as possible..."
Kazusa muttered softly, explaining her plans.
"Mom has asked her former mentor to guide my piano studies. That old lady is settled in Vienna and is already quite elderly.
Given her health, it's impossible for her to travel all the way here, so the only option is for me to go there instead."
"I see."
Chisato nodded to show he understood.
"Then, how long will you have to study under that teacher before you can be considered fully trained?"
"I'm not sure. Mom said that her mentor is a very kind woman, but when it comes to music, she becomes like a completely different person—strict, rigid, and obsessively perfectionist.
Mom spent nearly three years before she finally earned her teacher's approval and graduated from her tutelage.
As for me... since I stopped practicing for two years, my piano skills have deteriorated significantly. It might take me even longer."
Kazusa looked at her hand, which was being held by Chisato.
As she listened to his gentle voice and felt the warmth from his palm, an indescribable sense of reassurance washed over her. Her previously anxious heart gradually calmed down.
"Three years, huh... That's about the same length of time as middle school and high school combined."
Chisato didn't seem particularly bothered by the duration.
Three years was certainly not a short time, but if it meant achieving something significant, then the effort would be worth it.
"I'm sorry, Chisato… I made this decision without discussing it with you in advance."
"Don't worry about it. I encouraged you to follow your own path, didn't I? This is your choice, Kazusa. I respect that."
However, Kazusa was not entirely satisfied with how lightly Chisato was taking things.
She pulled her hand away from his grasp.
"I thought you'd be more emotional after hearing this news, Chisato."
Instead of responding immediately, Chisato calmly tapped on his phone.
"Kazusa has found the path she wants to pursue in life. I'm happy for you—why should I be upset?"
"Then! Not being able to see each other whenever we want from now on doesn't bother you at all?"
"Uh…"
"I get it now! You have so many girls around you anyway, so losing me doesn't even matter, right? That's exactly what you're thinking, isn't it?"
Kazusa wasn't normally the type to overthink things, but the fact that Chisato was surrounded by other girls was an undeniable reality, so she couldn't help but dwell on it.
Chisato remained calm in the face of her reaction.
"Well, if I asked you to stay, would you?"
"..."
Seeing her fall silent, he reached out and held her hand again.
"What's happening to us now is just like those scenes in movies.
One person in a couple has to go abroad for work or some other reason, and then friends or family come in with lines like, 'If you truly love someone, you have to learn to let them go. It's for the best for both of you.'
But I completely disagree with that. If you love someone, you hold onto them and never let go, no matter the external circumstances.
Kazusa, if you're willing, I can make time every week to visit you in Vienna."
Hearing his declaration, Kazusa's expression noticeably softened. Then, looking at Chisato's serious face, she couldn't hold back a chuckle.
"Every week? Are you stupid? No, you are definitely stupid.
The fastest flight from Tokyo to Vienna takes over twenty hours. Including the time spent waiting to board and disembark, that's almost an entire day gone.
A round trip would take about forty-eight hours.
Just the travel time alone would take you nearly two days. As a student, you only get two days off per week. No matter how you calculate it, it's impossible."
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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