Chapter 317: Chapter 315: Grandpa, I’m Really Rising Again!
"Pretty boy... why are you looking at me so strangely..."
"..."
Shirakawa Sawahei looked at the Black Hearted Lolita with a deep sigh and said, "I find that you’re a bit like chicken ribs."
Asano Nazuki was stunned for a second, then immediately reacted, fuming with rage: "How dare you say I’m useless!"
"I didn’t say that."
"That’s exactly what you mean!"
"If that’s what you think, I can’t help it."
Perhaps feeling his words sounded strangely like those of a scumbag, Shirakawa Sawahei coughed lightly and said, "Let’s not talk about it, come on, I’ll treat you to a crepe."
"I don’t need your charity!"
"Oh, then forget it."
"Hey! Pretty boy! You! I’ll give you one more chance to ask me... the last chance! Make the most of it..."
"..."
...
The new semester’s canvas unfolds slowly in the backdrop of this mundane yet warm club activity... The Black Hearted Lolita, after eating a crepe and receiving a few compliments, happily agreed to help Shirakawa Sawahei get in touch with Slatter.
That piano master seemed to still be quite fond of Shirakawa Sawahei. As soon as he heard that Shirakawa wanted to see him, he immediately said he would hurry back to Neon.
Upon hearing the news, Shirakawa Sawahei suddenly felt a bit regretful. If he had known earlier, he would’ve kept Slatter’s contact info. That way, he might have saved a crepe...
For him, life over the past few days seemed a bit calm. Apart from waiting for the piano master’s return to Neon, Shirakawa Sawahei quietly went about his daily life, not even trying to probe Tsukimi Sakurazawa for any information.
The silly crier surely doesn’t know anything... Starting from her won’t yield any results. Shirakawa is fully aware of this; the only place he might find answers is probably from Tsukimi Yamadori.
He had previously met Tsukimi Yamadori once, and that kimono-clad woman had very formally apologized for Tsukimi Sakurazawa staying over at his house. It could be said that he had a very good first impression of Tsukimi Yamadori; such rigor, which could even be considered stiff, must be from a traditional, prominent family.
With such a serious mother, yet a lively and quirky daughter like the silly crier, this implies that Tsukimi’s father might be quite lively and interesting, otherwise there’s no way he could have raised a daughter like her.
The question now is, if they’re really investigating him, is it Tsukimi’s mom or dad who’s responsible?
Facing different parents requires different attitudes; one cannot be careless.
While the plan to meet the silly crier’s parents is still brewing, on the other hand, Master Slatter is already eager to rush back to Neon, urging him to meet soon.
Nothing is more important than me, grandpa, taking on a student! If this young man called Shirakawa Sawahei also becomes my student, then my historic status in the piano world will reach terrifying heights...
Having one super genius call me teacher could be seen as luck in finding a good student... but if it’s two super geniuses, and the second one is even better, then it really shows how strong I am as a teacher!
This pot, this pot will directly ascend to the heavens.
I, grandpa, am really going to rise! (clenched fist)
With this thought in mind, the moment Slatter got off the plane, he couldn’t even bother adjusting to the time difference and excitedly went to meet Shirakawa Sawahei. Unfortunately, the first sentence from the young man he pinned his hopes on completely left him dumbfounded.
"Excuse me... Master, do you still hold concerts?"
Thanks to previous challenging experiences, upon returning, Shirakawa Sawahei spent a bit of time honing his skills and successfully became proficient in Italian. Now, apart from a slightly odd accent, he no longer needed a translator to communicate with Slatter.
"..."
Upon hearing this, George Slatter couldn’t help but recall the fear of being plucked bald by Hayakawa Kashi...
What the heck concert! Those are musical performances! Where’s my prestige! Where did you put my prestige!
Hayakawa Kashi... are you in cahoots with Hayakawa Kashi!
Old Man Slatter shook with anger, yelling, "Boy... you should be honest... I’ve held enough musical performances for the Hayakawa family..."
My goodness! I used to think you were a decent kid, didn’t expect you’re also in cahoots with Hayakawa Kashi! I was wondering why you two seemed so alike!
Shirakawa Sawahei was taken aback, seemingly confused as to why Master Slatter would associate him with the Hayakawa family.
"No, no, no, Master, you’re mistaken, I’m not here on behalf of the Hayakawa family..."
"Then you’re here on behalf of Hayakawa Kashi personally??? That demon still won’t let me go! Didn’t we agree to settle everything! She still wants to make money off me!!"
"..."
Shirakawa Sawahei silently sighed, thinking to himself that Miss Kaori’s demonic image had already etched itself into people’s hearts... Poor Old Man Slatter might be suffering from PTSD thanks to her...
Now I’m in trouble. That Hayakawa Kashi has plucked the old sheep silly, and when I want to pluck a little wool, it’s even harder.
"I’m not here on behalf of Miss Kaori either... Master... I just wanted to ask if there’s a chance to earn some pocket money..."
Slatter caught onto the key point, hesitating as he asked, "Boy? Are you very short on money?"
"It’s normal, I just want to earn some." Shirakawa Sawahei responded concisely.
"Oh, that’s easy, I have a granddaughter whose father sells musical instruments, very wealthy... you might consider..."
"Let’s skip that... I want to earn money through my own efforts, not rely on others or external forces for money..."
With a darkened expression, Shirakawa Sawahei resolutely rejected Slatter’s suggestion.
What’s with these people, one after another? Can’t they have a bit of positive energy? Self-reliance and resourcefulness is the way! How can one just rely on being kept every day?
"Oh... is that so..."
Slatter looked at Shirakawa Sawahei somewhat regretfully, as if he understood something.
As a normal teenager, to refuse the temptation of being kept by a rich beauty... he’s either bent, or... he’s already got a better rich beauty
Come to think of it, although Hayakawa Kashi is a bit nasty, if spoken as a rich beauty, there’s nothing to say... She had mentioned having a good relationship with this young man before...
Could it be, that’s how "good" it is?
The life of the wealthy is truly indulgent...
But... if he’s being kept by Hayakawa Kashi, how could he not have money? Unless that woman also signed some sort of contract with him... not paying without enough rent?
"Well then... Master, can you introduce me to any piano-related jobs?" Shirakawa Sawahei asked very politely, "Preferably paid per session, since I’m still in school..."
This request made Slatter frown; he originally wanted Shirakawa Sawahei to be his granddaughter’s piano teacher. But since Shirakawa didn’t want to affect his school time, this thought couldn’t be realized.