Chapter 105 - Uncultured Swine

Over the years Kotone's skill skyrocketed, reaching the level her parents had once reached. She became aloof and cold, barely showing any emotion. Her clan tried to help but nothing worked, her style became mechanical, like a robot that churned out music only following the score perfectly. The words of the old lady sealed along with her heart.

Once she was ready to start high school, her grandfather came to pick her up. Apparently, he worked at a high school for geniuses and children of important people, in which he protected the whole school along with a few others. Her grandfather thought that maybe being with students similar to her, would maybe help her with opening up her heart. From what he had heard, Kotone hasn't smiled since the day she learned of her parent's death.

Her first two years passed quietly and uneventful, she became the number one beauty and the proclaimed her a goddess, yet, no waves were made in her heart. Simply, she didn't care. She continued to play every day, solely focusing on the piano.

Yet one day, during her third and final year, a kohai walked in and changed her life with a simple song. The long-forgotten feeling she once heard in her childhood resurfaced when she heard the boy play the guitar. Kotone couldn't let him go, so she remembered her clan's secret tradition and caused a commotion with her proclamation.

She didn't care, she felt like she needs to be with him at all costs. Though she was flat out rejected, he didn't stop her from being with him. Kotone soon found herself lost in the boy called Acheron. He was an enigma to her and those around him, there was no doubt he was a genius bigger than anyone here at the school, but it all seemed like it was mundane to him, like he was out of tune with the rest of the world.

Kotone isn't sure if what she feels for him is love or just admiration but if there was a moment she would fall in love it was when Acheron played the guzheng while they were touring, and instrument similar to what her mother used to play, but there was no doubt he was realms above her.

Kotone's mind finally returned to the present, she found herself finishing her second-to-last piece for the night, La Campanella by Liszt. Her breathing was ragged and sweat dripped like a waterfall down her face, her face was cramping from all the smiling she hasn't done in years, but her hands were as steady as they have never been before. She turned to look at Acheron, only to receive a full-blown warm smile, like the old lady from 10 years ago.

Kotone took a deep breath and played the last piece of the night, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, the 3rd movement. Kotone dedicated this one to Acheron, as a thank you for breaking the walls around her heart and reminding her of what she forgot long ago.

The keys were covered in sweat but that didn't impede her skill in the least. Her music had long found itself in everyone's hearts, all eyes were on her.

Behind Acheron, Rose was probably the most surprised out of everyone here. She knew what it meant for this girl to reach this level at her age and couldn't help but praise Acheron for finding someone like this.

'As expected of Acheron-sama!'

Acheron knew that he didn't do much when it came to Kotone's current level. Like he had mentioned before on the day he met Kotone, she was lost, and he gave her a chance to find the right way.

He could tell Kotone had certain feelings towards him, other than admiration, just like a certain ninja and pervert sitting behind him alongside Rose. But, there really wasn't much he had done for her, so he wasn't entirely sure what caused her affection towards him.

Acheron sat there and immersed himself in the music. He tapped the armrest with his fingers as if playing an imaginary piano alongside Kotone. Few knew that Acheron was the first person to learn this piece, Beethoven himself gave him the first copy of the score.

No one wanted this performance to end but all good things must come to an end. Kotone finished, she stood up and bowed to the audience. Acheron was the first to stand as he started to clap. One by one, all the students rose from their seats and clapped; a standing ovation.

Suddenly, Rose and the girls noticed Acheron had frozen mid clap. The eyes on his temples moving like crazy in all sorts of directions underneath his eyelids, that's when they heard it. A spine-tingling clacking sound rose from Acheron's throat, his antennae trembled, and his tail shook like a rattlesnake.

There was no doubt, Acheron was angry for some reason. Rose was the first to start scanning the audience for whatever it was.

'Enemy attack?' was the first thing that popped into her head, but she soon found the reason for Acheron's anger.

All around the Colosseum, adults were seating down and were busy with their phones, some were even talking on the phone. They weren't even bothering to clap for the unbelievable performance they were lucky to witness just now.

'Uncultured swine!' Rose spat in her mind,

'You deserve whatever Acheron-sama has in store for you.'

Acheron's frozen state lasted only a few more seconds before he continued to clap as if nothing had happened.

Acheron continued to clap until Kotone had left his eyesight and into the tunnels. Soon it will be his turn, so he best goes and gets ready.

"Let's go, Rose, it's almost my turn,"

Rose nodded and picked up the big metal case that everyone had forgotten she carried the entire time they were together.

The girls followed behind them, while Sakura's father stayed behind. They wanted to wish him good luck before he set for the stage and returned to their seats to watch his performance. Besides, they're curious to see what's inside the case now that they remembered it.

The group found Kotone seating in a chair drinking water, she truly looked exhausted, but she somehow seemed different now, she seemed nobler than before, more untouchable. Kotone began to rise from her seat when she noticed Acheron, but Acheron stopped her with a simple pat on the head.

"You did amazing, now its time to rest," Acheron said,

Kotone nodded and slumped back down on her chair as if her legs had given out.

"Rose, my case, please," Acheron said as he extended his hand towards Rose,

"Yes, Acheron-sama," Said Rose as she handed Acheron the big rectangular case.

______

Papa Ainz The Bone Daddy's Announcements:

1) As I promised! Cheers!

2) Happy Holidays!