ClassicaLoid 2nd Season

A piano school?

Me?

Yeah, I heard it just opened up in front of the train station.

I was certain you were the one who opened it, Liszt-san.

Oh, look, I picked up a flier.

IN FRONT OF THE TRAIN STATION RISUTO PIANO SCHOOL - Beginners welcome - Get a private lesson coupon for introducing a friend

HAIR SALON RISUTO PIANO SCHOOL ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS

I must admit, he just might be... perfect.

Right?! The way he stands looks so elegant!

The aura he gives off is so dignified!

But above all, his face is so beautiful!

He's just what we were searching for...

...our prince!

Welcome to Risuto Piano School. I'm the head teacher, Risuto Aoi.

This girl here? Is she the friend you mentioned?

Th-that's right!

She said she wanted to take a trial lesson, so...

...we brought her along!

Thank you for the introduction.

To show my thanks, I'll present you each with a discount coupon for a private lesson.

Yes!

We each just got the privilege to spend some one-on-one time with Risuto-sama!

Next time, we'll definitely be bringing Kanae, too...

...and we'll get another voucher!

Is this your first time, as well? Did someone give you an introduction to...

Ah, so you saw that.

We'd be happy to have you join us, of course.

My Risuto Piano School is...

Note: phonetically, "Liszt" and "Risuto" are pronounced identically in Japanese

What do you mean "Liszt"? My Risuto Piano School is...

Eh?

RISUTO PIANO SCHOOL

Going into business while misrepresenting yourself with my name...

YOU'VE GOT SOME NERVE!

Either change the name right away or close the school and get outta here!

Pardon?

You say you're the true Liszt?

This lady's a real riot!

What's a beautiful lady like you doing grumbling like that?

Alright, very well, then.

If you can prove that you're in fact the real Liszt, I will gracefully step aside...

...and leave you to it.

"Prove"?

Liszt vs. Risuto: Bell of Destiny

How?

Why, of course...

...with a piano performance!

Fine. I'm up for the challenge.

However, I'd like to do a little probing of my own... and see just how sharp your skills are.

Now you're talking!

It is said the historical Franz Liszt showed his ability to be a step above

when he engaged in a piano duel with Thalberg, who fancied himself the greatest pianist in Europe.

As my name shares the same pronunciation with Liszt's, I can't very well back down, can I?

I'm the only one who gets to be called "Liszt"!

I'll show you...

the superhuman feats of the real Franz Liszt!

ODEN

...so I said that and began to play, but for some reason I struggled from the get-go!

Gimme another drink!

Well, it is true that I haven't played serious lately.

I was also pretty laid back when I played for my part-time gig at the hotel bar.

I mean, no one bothered to seriously listen to me, anyway.

You know what I mean, right?

At a bar, alcohol takes center stage.

The piano is nothing more than BGM, you see.

No point in going all out in a place like that, you know?!

Right?! You think so, too, don't you? Don't you?!

But, you know... to be honest, I was still somewhat confident.

I mean, time was, I only had to play for a moment

before my listeners - no matter who they were - became engrossed.

Gimme another!

Are you deaf?! I'm telling ya I want another drink!

Just call it a night.

You're already being a bad drunk. If you keep on drinking-

Shut up! Lemme drink!

I lost to the person I hate most in the whole world!

How the heck I am supposed to get by without drinking?!

Beet?

We've secured her.

Schubert, let all the others know right away.

Yessir!

Roger.

We have a message from Chopin-san.

Chopin Found Liszt.

Ah, we finally found her.

Mo-

Oh, really?

Well, how about we grab dinner sometime?

Yeah, yeah... We just found Liszt.

Look, didn't I tell you there was nothing to worry about?

A piano duel?

Yeah, that's what Uzuki said on the phone.

Apparently, she lost to some handsome piano teacher named Risuto Aoi.

A handsome pianist? I can see how that would get under her skin.

He's got too much going for him when it comes to the ladies.

Sosuke, he's got everything that you lack, doesn't he?

This isn't about me!

But, why have a contest?

Seems she told him not to use the name "Liszt,"

but I hear his real name is actually pronounced that way, too...

So, she's just making a baseless accusation... from his point of view, anyway.

Hmm... I wonder what got her so worked up about it...

Liszt-san is always so easygoing and cheerful, so why...?

Why...?

It's probably because that guy is just like I was back then.

How wonderful!

Ah, how incredibly beautiful!

The timbre of his piano is just like the voice of God reverberating from Heaven...

His figure truly shows the perfection of having been crafted by God!

Liszt, you're the best!

IT'S MINE!

I picked it up first!

Get your hands off it!

Don't touch something that belongs to Liszt with your grimy hands!

At the time, I was idolized in high society.

Wherever I went, my recitals were always huge successes.

Noblewomen all across Europe were enamored of me.

The young me became haughty,

and I even came to think the world revolved around me.

Until I met that girl...

Caroline...

I felt I was no longer playing around and was instead truly in love for the first time.

I loved her from the bottom of my heart, and she loved me right back.

However...

The likes of a tawdry musician like you could never be with the daughter of a count!

Franz! Franz!

Caroline! Caroline!

It was then that I was forced to realize...

That all I had at the time was my youth and beauty.

That I possessed nothing capable of persuading anyone else.

Right, that guy doesn't possess anything like that either.

Just as I did not back then!

And yet, somehow, I still lost to a guy like that...!

Jeez, who could it be this early in the morning?

Good morning! I'm here to deliver a piano!

"A piano"?! But who...?!

I did!

What's with the commotion first thing in the morning?

Eh? Wow, a piano!

It's also a rather high-end model...

Could it be that this...

is a surprise present for all of us from our esteemed landlady?!

Uh, no, I'm afraid not...

I'm sorry, but can you all please leave?

Also, Kitty Cat...

...give this to him.

Huh?!

FORMAL CHALLENGE MR. RISUTO AOI "Formal challenge"? "Mr. Risuto Aoi"...?

Huh?!

I'm counting on you, Kitty Cat.

Hold on! Liszt-san...

Eh? You didn't deliver it? The formal challenge, I mean.

You should know I'm not about to deliver that thing! Why sow the seeds of conflict?

However, in that case, all her effort will be in vain.

Indeed, it seems like over the last few days she's become a changed woman.

I bet her loss to him must've been incredibly frustrating.

I understand how she feels. Personally, I'd look at the opportunity for a rematch as-

I won't allow it!

Aren't I always saying there's no winning or losing when it comes to music?

What's important is whether it strikes a chord in the heart.

I think Li-chan feels the same way about that.

But nevertheless, I get the feeling there's something else that's making her face off against him...

What would that be?

Well, I don't really know.

Hey! Is it true that Liszt-san is gonna have a showdown with that handsome pianist?

How do you know about that, Sosuke?!

So, it is true, then!

Well, the whole city knows by now! Posters have been put up all over the place!

Pianist Showdown RISUTO LISZT

Pianist Showdown RISUTO LISZT

I never expected that Arkhe Corp. would present me with such an attractive offer.

Ah, he's beautiful.

L-lovely, 'kay?

Yes. What's really lovely here is your promise of giving me a major debut if I win.

What's more, it'll be together in a unit with CLASKEY:KLASKY.

I won't be swayed! Idols belong to everyone...

I won't be swayed by anyone other than Bach-sama!

Still, your producer has quite the discerning eye.

He's selected me from among a great many prospects.

I can't look at him... If do, I'm done for, see? He's selected me from among a great many prospects.

I can't look at him... If do, I'm done for, see? I'd really love to thank him personally...

Ah! It's crumbling away! My image as a cool woman is...

Eh? To what end am I doing this, you ask?

It should be obvious.

RISUTO LISZT

It's for the sake of humiliating her.

She's been nosing into my affairs for too long, you see.

I've been looking for a chance to humble her.

Do I really think it will go that smoothly?

It'll be alright. I already have measures in place...

Amazing... When did all of these go up...?

Check it out!

He's beautiful...

No way! Even you now, Kanae?!

Wait, no, no, no... I'm here for Liszt-san... Uh, I mean OUR Liszt-san!

She's our friend,

so I'll support our Liszt-san no matter what!

Right on!

But, the way things are going, all the girls in the city will end up supporting that guy...

"All men, rise up!