Opus 24 - A Heart-Filling Harmony

Episode summary:

Hino goes to the rooftop then sees Tsukimori standing there, waiting for her. He gives her an invitation to the charity concert where he and his mother will be performing. Hino remembers the time before the 2nd selection where she told Tsukimori about how he must be nervous because his parents would be in the audience… and then realizes how Tsukimori is now inviting her to this concert despite that anxiety he has. “I want to let you hear / see my performance”, he says. Hino reflects on this sudden change in Tsukimori and realizes that perhaps he is trying to bridge the gap between them. Seeing the effort that Tsukimori has put into not only inviting her, but also on deciding to join this concert, she accepts his invitation and tells him she will surely come. Tsukimori was quite stunned by Hino’s full-acceptance of it (surprise of joy ^^), and leaves. Hino tells herself to do her best as well.

Hino spends some time in the garden, reading Ave Maria’s music score. Lili pays her a visit, and then Hino tells him that she’s going back to the basics, that is, performing it according to how it is in the music piece. She believes that this score reflects the composer’s thoughts and feelings [and intentions], and that it would be better if she would be able to express those feelings in her performance. Lili tells her that it’s good that she’s going back to the basics, but reminds her that the one’s who’s going to play it is no one else but herself (as though telling Hino that she should perform it by conveying her own feelings, and not of others). Lili came only to tell her that, then encourages her to do her best.

On the other side of the garden, Amou takes pictures of Fuyuumi, and thanks her for allowing her to make great shots. Fuyuumi is as bashful as ever, and was embarrassed by this remark. Amou tells her to work hard in the final selection, and comments on how she’s not as shy as she was before anymore. Amou thinks that it must be because of the growth that she’s had throughout the concours (music skill-wise, and social-skill wise). Fuyuumi completely denies it and says she hasn’t really progressed that well yet, to which Amou-san tells her that she doesn’t have to outright deny it ^^;; Amou reminds her that saying those things will make Hino worried, since Hino is the one who’s been having a hard time advancing in her practice. Just then, a couple of guys (Fuuyumi’s fans perhaps :p) sees Fuyuumi and tells her that they’ll be cheering for her. Fuyuumi thanks them in reply but ended up stuttering and hiding behind Amou. With this, Amou san comments on how this side of of her is indeed far from better.

In the faculty room, Kana-yan stares out the window while singing an opera song [whose name escapes my mind at the moment] (that he probably used to sing). He was having a hard time singing and ended up coughing, unable to finish what he was singing. Just then, Hino comes in and asks him if he’s alright. Kana-yan was surprised by her sudden appearance, to which Hino apologizes, and tells him she came to return the music stand. Hino then asks him, “Are you not singing anymore?”, which surprises Kana-yan. Hino continues, “The one singing in the casette tape we heard before, it was Kanazawa-sensei, right? It was such a beautiful voice…”. This renders him speechless, as he’s not able to sing like he used to anymore.

Hino notices the sadness in his face, then realizes that perhaps the reason why he’s not singing anymore is because of his throat. “Not being able to find a new path, is really painful” Hino remembers those words by Kana-yan, as she realizes exactly what he meant that time. Hino deeply apologizes for what she just said, and was about to leave the room when Kana-yan tells her, “Seeing you guys working so hard seems to have healed this wound of mine… something like that”… Hino tells him that he wants (or hopes) to see him singing again, then leaves the room. Kana-yan continues sitting by the window, and was about to take a smoke then stops his urge to do so (since it’s most likely just his escape from all his problems). And then we see a flashback of Kana-yan when his opera singing career was still at its peak.

The following day, Hino continues practicing in a park, when she notices Hihara looking at her behind a tree. Hino was quite surprised to see him there, and Hihara tells her that he’s been there just a little while ago and was waiting for her to finish practicing. Hihara treats her for some dessert, and tells her that it’s her reward for working so hard. “Eating sweets is a good stress [fatigue] reliever”, he says… and tells Hino that’s what Yunoki tells him. This makes them wonder what Yunoki might be doing at that very moment. Brushing off that thought for a moment, both of them indulge in eating the cake [sweets] they have. Hihara was really happy that Hino liked it very much. Hihara stares at her for a few seconds (smiling as he sees her so happy) , then snaps out of his dazed state. “I was just thinking… that it must be something a guys yearns for [dreams for], treating [the girl he likes] to a cake.” (now this is what Hihara intended to say, but ended up being so embarrased and ends up saying “…if cake can be likened to a music [that you like], I wonder what music that will be”) He was trying to say “Cake wa ne, suki na on[na] no ko…” (cake… the girl you like) and says “…ongaku…” (music) instead :p

Hino wonders about this “…music that you like” that Hihara said… Hihara tells himself “What the heck am I saying?”, when Hino suddenly mentions her reply to what Hihara said (which wasn’t what he was intending to say) “…perhaps Gavotte (the one they played together in the first or second ep), because it’s cute and makes your heart flutters”. Hihara smiles as he remembers the time they played it together. “For the last selection, I’m going to perform for the person I treasure most. For the sake of that person whom I want to support, I’m going to continue pursuing music to cheer up that valuable person.”, he says… then Hino blushes. “For some reson, I thought of wanting to tell you these words. Let’s both to our best”, says Hihara.

The next day, Hino practices with Mori-san, where Mori tells Hino that she has improved a lot. Hino tells her that perhaps she still has a long way to go in terms of technique, and Mori agrees. But then she tells Hino that she feels more assured of her performance now, with the way things are going. “It’s because of I thought of playing it according to what the music piece states”, says Hino, and Mori tells her it’s good that she’s going back to the basics. Then they have another round of practice.

On the rooftop, Hino continues practicing, concentrating on the parts that are difficult to play, “.. as it is stated in the music piece”. Just then, Shimizu approaches her and tells her that’s not her music anymore. Hino tells him that she thinks it’s important to play it according to the piece, with which Shimizu tells her that her “musical score” is not that sheet of paper, but rather her heart. “I’ve also found my own ‘musical piece’, and I owe it all to you, sempai”, says Shimizu and gives out a bright smile.

The day of the concert comes, and Hino arrives at the place too early. She decides to take a scroll along the beach close by, and was surprised to see Tsukimori gazing at the sea. She calls him out, before he noticed her presence. Hino thanks him for inviting her, and Tsukimori says it’s not a big deal. Hino looks at Tsukimori and tells him, “I didn’t quite expect to see Tsukimori to be at this place before the concert” Tsukimori honestly agrees with what she just said, and says “I’ve never done this before… I wonder what came into me and I suddenly felt like it.” Hino was thinking of what to reply to him, when she sees a cherry shell lying on the sand. She was about to pick it up when Tsukimori grabs her hand and tells her “A cherry shell breaks easily… what if you end up wounding your hands again? The reason why you are able to play music is because you have these hands, so treat it with more care.” Hino thanks him for his concern and carefully picks up the shell. “It’s so beautiful”, Hino says “Being able to touch, feel, and experience things like this, and getting hurt… it’ll be great if everyone will be able to convey all those feelings in their performance.” Tsukimori then tells her “…performing with the feelings drawn out from your heart will make your music shine through, bringing out a melody from the depths of your heart… That is your music” with this, Hino remembers the words of Lili and Shimizu, and realizes what they mean about “her music”. “This is a good diversion… Looks like I’ll be able perform well today”, Tsukimori says.

The performance was about to start and Hihara arrives in the concert hall. “Did you also receive an invitation ticket, Kaho-chan?”, he asks, and tells her that he was astounded when he received the letter of invitation from Tsukimori’s mother. Hino was surprised to know that Hihara received it from Tsukimori’s mother, whereas she received it directly from Tsukimori. Tsuchiura arrives after, and says that he was also invited by Tsukimori’s mom. He was just as surprised as Hihara was, as he never thought of receiving such invitation from Hamai Misa (Tsukimori’s mom) herself. Shimizu and Fuyuumi-chan were the last ones to arrive (among the concours participants), and it was by coincidence that they came together. Hino realizes that the only one Tsukimori has given the ticket to is her. Noticing that Hino was the only one seated in front of them, Hihara asks Hino why she is the only one seating in a different row than them (and of course we know the reason why ^^). Hino reluctantly replies (as she didn’t know how to tell them that it was because she was invited by Tsukimori) and just laughs it off. Then the concert starts…

After a wonderful performance with Hamai Misa and the singer by the name of Kanon (voiced by Kanon), it was Tsukimori’s turn to perform with his mother. Tsukimori performs splendidly, and as the participants of the concours were watching him play the violin, they imagine this scene where they see Tsukimori playing in a beautiful garden while the rain falls. Hino could especially feel the heartfelt performance that Tsukimori is showing in this performance of his. After their performance, Tsukimori looks at her mother and brings out a gentle smile. The scene focuses on Hino, which I believe reflects Tsukimori’s sight, as he looks at her from among the audience.

All of them goes to the dressing room to greet Tsukimori and his mom, to thank them for the invitation and also for their splendid performance. Fuyuumi comments on how Tsukimori’s performance was wonderful, to which Hihara mentions how Tsukimori seems to shine brightly as he performed. Tsuchiura reacts to what Hihara said about Tsukimori “shining brightly”, and thinks that it doesn’t quite suit him ^^;; Hino mentions that Tsukimori seems to have enjoyed playing this time, and Hihara agrees, since the performance he showed was different than before. He chose a [completely] different suit, and that it now comes with a necktie (something like that :] ),” as Hihara puts it. Shimizu also comments on how his performance was relaxed and intimate. Hino agrees with what they all said, and was happily smiling.. and all the while Tsuchiura seems to be looking at her (perhaps because of how her happiness shows through her face).

Inside the dressing room, Tsukimori’s mom thanks Kanon-san for her wonderful singing, and replies that she’s also honored to have been able to perform together with Hamai Misa. Hino and company arrives in the dressing room, which makes Tsukimori have this [T__T]-like expression :p Tsukimori’s mom thanks all of them for coming, to which Tsuchiura says that she doesn’t have to mention it, since it’s an honor for them to be invited. “It was really fun!”, Hihara tells her, which Tsukimori’s mother was happy to hear. She looks at Hino, with this mischievous smile on her face ^^… and then says “As I thought”. This surprises Tsukimori, as his mother had known about something… :p Afterwards, she tells all of them to do their best in the final competition.

All of them (including Tsukimori) goes to take a walk, and Hihara tells them that it was indeed a great concert. He also tells Tsukimori that he looks forward to his performance in the upcoming competition, and Tsukimori thanks him. Tsuchiura then comments on how Hihara has such composure to be telling someone else those words. He tells Tsuchiura it’s not really like that. He just thinks that since it’s already the final selection, he has to do his best and enjoy what he does, in order for him to not have any regrets, and Hino agrees.

Hino stops for a moment and looks at all of them, saying “I’ve decided to play the violin using my own style in the final selection. Playing without using the musical score as a basis, but rather my own music.” Fuyuumi cheers on Hino and tells her she looks forward to Hino’s performance. Hino was really happy to hear those words from her, and hugs her in thanks ^^ Hihara then reacts “That’s unfair, Fuyuumi! I was the first one who told her that!” (reacting on the fact that Hino hugged Fuyuumi because of that comment she made XD). Hino then drags Fuyuumi to eat some cake in the store just across where they are. Hihara says that Hino’s back to her usual self, and Tsuchiura tells them “Looks like we have to go and follow after her” (which implies a deeper meaning of course). We see Tsukimori gazing at Hino… and then episode ends