Chapter 326: Chapter 324: Serious Piano Work!
[Shirakawa! I feel like my dignity as a human is being trampled by you...]
[Are you sure you’ll be home in ten minutes? Then I’ll just entertain your guests as the hostess~]
[Absolutely not.]
[How mean! Shirakawa! Take back what you just said!]
Shirakawa Sawahei ignored her, and after the train arrived, he quickly exited the station and headed toward his apartment. When he reached the elevator, he didn’t see the old man that the slacking girl mentioned.
No way... Is this guy really going to try and be a mathematician to prove himself?
Old man? The only old man I know... is probably Master Slatter... Hopefully, this fool doesn’t mess up my money-making plans!
Shirakawa Sawahei made a swift decision, opened the door, and saw the slacking girl eagerly pouring tea for a middle-aged man wearing a gray beret on the sofa. Judging by his energy, the man was only in his mid-forties, but his face looked older from life’s wear and tear.
The middle-aged man placed his cane to one side and, with both hands, accepted the tea from the slacker girl, gently sniffing it. As the door sounded, he didn’t have time to take a sip and gently set the tea down, turning to look at Shirakawa Sawahei.
"Shirakawa, you’re back."
He nodded lightly, and the middle-aged man stood up, stretching his hand: "This must be Mr. Shirakawa."
"Yes, may I ask who you are..."
"I was introduced by Master Slatter... I heard there’s a young piano prodigy here whose music would be perfect for my new film’s soundtrack. So I came specifically to visit."
The slacking girl blinked beside him, momentarily dumbfounded.
What Master Slatter... is Shirakawa a genius kid? How come I didn’t know about this?
Hearing this, Shirakawa Sawahei understood and hesitated: "May I ask for your name?"
"My name is Furuta Kei, but you can just call me Furuta."
"Ah!"
The slacker girl suddenly gasped in shock. Shirakawa Sawahei glanced at her, wondering why she had such a big reaction.
"Ise Yu, could you please make another pot of coffee?"
"No need, this young lady has made the tea quite excellently... did you study tea ceremony?"
"Not at all~ I just learned a bit from friends before." The cute little Ise Yu waved her hand modestly: "Mr. Furuta, do you find it tasty? Want me to make another pot for you?"
"No need, this is more than enough, thank you."
Taking advantage as Ise Yu Yuzhijin returned to the kitchen to grab something, Shirakawa Sawahei took her aside.
"Did you really study tea ceremony?"
"Hehe~ Sakurazawa taught me a few basic steps earlier, but I’m just all show..."
"..."
As expected, a slacker can’t just turn over and change instantly.
"Hmm... do you know this Mr. Furuta?"
"Shirakawa! You can’t possibly not know Furuta Kei!"
"Even if I am knowledgeable, I can’t know everyone, right?"
"Oh... yeah, Shirakawa, you don’t even watch animated movies... This Mr. Furuta is one of those rare kings of animated films who smash both box office and reviews! He’s definitely a master director known for inducing deep emotions..."
Shirakawa Sawahei was a bit taken aback: "A master of inducing deep emotions?"
"Yes! Many of his works are real tear-jerkers... Rarely end happily... Even when they end well, there’s a lingering tinge of regret... Overall, it’s so good you can’t put them down... I first got into his films through voice acting... If I hadn’t heard his name, I wouldn’t have known he looked like this..."
"..."
Goodness, Slatter is quite straightforward... didn’t use any minor character to brush me off... Hmm, I should remind Hayakawa Kashi later to treat this old fellow a bit nicer in the future...
Composing for animated films? This job indeed pays handsomely and in one go!
Thinking of this, Shirakawa Sawahei walked towards Furuta Kei on the sofa and proactively proposed: "Mr. Furuta... We don’t have a piano at home... How about we go to a place with a piano and discuss this matter?"
"At the same time, it gives you a chance to verify my skills..."
Unexpectedly, Furuta Kei waved his hand, smiled, and said: "I’ve been a long-time friend of Master Slatter. Knowing his character, he wouldn’t risk his reputation over such minor matters."
"So, I believe you, Mr. Shirakawa, have the competence to play the soundtrack well... I’m here primarily to discuss the theme of this film with you and how to modulate the emotional undertones in the music..."
The slacker girl cheekily brought some snacks over and sat down next to Shirakawa Sawahei.
"?"
Under Shirakawa Sawahei’s death stare, Ise Yu Yuzhijin reluctantly gave up the idea of learning about Furuta Kei’s new movie in advance and returned to her room...
"I apologize, Mr. Furuta."
"It’s alright... Shirakawa, your girlfriend has a very lively and lovely personality..."
"???"
"She’s my classmate. We’re just cohabitating."
Shirakawa Sawahei could no longer remember how many times he’s explained the shared living arrangement with Ise Yu to others. Hearing this, Furuta Kei was visibly surprised.
Cohabitating, huh...
Cohabitating with just classmates? Are today’s youngsters living that wildly?
The two didn’t dwell long on this topic, and Furuta Kei quickly began talking about his film, including where this piece of music might be used and the relevant scenarios. For his first proper piano job since leveling up to lv5, Shirakawa Sawahei listened very intently, occasionally posing his queries.
"So, how does the male protagonist feel when confessing to his girlfriend in this scene?"
"Sadness."
"Sadness?"
"That’s right. Only pure sadness would provoke such a choice in that situation..."
Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."
Truly deserves the name, master of inducing emotional depth... The way Huaxia’s streaming platforms have become, you emotive creators of tales like ’Five Centimeters Per Second’ are nowhere near innocent!
After chatting for quite a while, the slacker girl had already finished cooking, yet neither of the two showed any sign of dining.
Two hours later, the red braised pork the slacker girl made had grown cold before Furuta Kei and Shirakawa Sawahei finally took a deep breath and shook hands.
"Mr. Shirakawa, after our discussion, I’ve gained a lot of new insights... I’ll head back to revise the script... If possible, I hope you can come to our company to sign the contract and also record the piano soundtrack..."
"It would be my honor... Mr. Furuta, won’t you stay for a meal? I could ask a friend to make another batch."
"No need... Inspiration is exceptionally precious and shouldn’t be squandered on meals." Furuta Kei laughed: "Through my conversation with you, Mr. Shirakawa, I found Master Slatter’s evaluation of you wasn’t wrong."
"You truly are someone to be trusted."
"You flatter me."
"I’m very much looking forward to our collaboration..."
"So am I."
After sending off director Furuta Kei, Shirakawa Sawahei was in a great mood. Looking back at the slacker girl napping on the other sofa, he surprisingly found cute suddenly in Ise Yu, who used to just seem troublesome.
"Get up, let’s go eat! It’s my treat!"
"Eh... Shirakawa, can’t you wake me up gently... You’re pinching my face like that, it’s so rude... Hmm? Wait? You’re treating!"
"Then I want a double portion!"