The Piano Forest (ピアノの森)

It's almost time, Mr. Ichinose.

Hey, Chopin.

I've finally made it.

CHOPIN ÉTUDE OP. 10, NO. 1

Everyone, can I have your attention?

I'm Shuhei Amamiya, from Tokyo.

I've been learning how to play piano since I was four.

I hope to become a pianist one day.

-Pianist? -How wonderful!

Wow!

-Everyone be nice, okay? -He plays the piano? That's so girly.

Okay!

Is this a girl?

It's a ritual you've gotta do!

Don't you wanna be one of us?

Why in the forest?

In that forest,

MUSIC ROOM

there's a cursed piano.

You have to play it.

Even though it's broken, when night falls...

Do re mi...

Do re mi...

It's said a dead body was found nearby,

so its ghost plays it every night.

So, go play that ghost piano!

Then we'll know you're a man.

I'm not going to...

Then you wanna show us your willy then?

No way!

Then I guess it's the piano.

You've been playing since you were four, right?

Do, re, mi!

Do, re, mi!

Do, re--

Kai! What are you doing?

I added sound effects to your stupid story.

He's a boy?

You're just the poor kid from the edge of the forest!

-Don't talk to me like that! -Then stop making crap up!

-The piano in the forest isn't broken! -It is, too!

It didn't make any sounds when I hit the keys!

That's probably because you're a scaredy cat.

I'm gonna kill you!

Why you little...

Besides, that's my piano!

Don't touch it!

How can someone poor like you afford a piano?

Someone threw it away, so I picked it up!

-You liar! -I'm not a liar!

-Shouldn't we stop them? -Nah, it's fine.

-They're always like this. Let them be. -But...

What are you doing?

-Crap, it's Ajino! -Don't horse around near the instruments!

Let's get out of here!

Hmm?

What is it?

Go home if you're done cleaning.

What's wrong?

Are the rumors about the piano in the forest true?

They're not true.

-But... -Are you the transfer student?

Yes.

That piano is broken.

It doesn't make any sound.

Now go on home.

Goodbye!

KAI ICHINOSE

Is that "Little Brown Jug?"

You go on home, too, Ichinose.

Or do I need to keep playing?

No.

I don't wanna hear your crappy playing.

You played the wrong note.

And your left hand was late twice.

Wait a second.

You can hear that?

Yeah.

But I've only played this piece once during class.

I may be a kid, but I'm not stupid!

You only need to hear it once to memorize it.

What?

And one more thing, the piano in the forest isn't broken!

That's my piano!

What is going on?

Kai Ichinose...

How wonderful! You've made that many friends already on your first day?

-Yes. -I'm so glad to hear that!

I was worried you might get bullied.

Invite your friends over sometime.

Okay, I will.

I should practice. Even missing one day can put me behind.

You're right. I know that you want to become a pianist like your father one day.

Good morning, Amamiya!

What are you doing?

-Your name is Kai, right? -Yeah.

Thank you for helping me yesterday.

-Hm? -Were you hurt?

That was nothing.

We'll be late if we don't hurry.

Huh?

Wait, are you scared of Kinpira or something?

It's better to just get it over with.

He's a persistent one.

It's easy to say that...

Then, wanna go play the piano together?

Huh?

Hurry up, Amamiya!

You'll get lost if you don't keep up!

I'll be right there!

Geez, what is he doing?

Time to take attendance.

Mr. Amamiya.

Shuhei Amamiya?

Oh, is he absent today?

He wimped out and ran away.

Are you cold or something?

No, these are for protection.

I can't risk hurting my hands.

Oh...

Okay, I'm ready.

That's pretty awesome!

This is the first time I've ever ditched class.

Yeah?

Um, Kai?

Hmm?

Is it true that a dead body was found in this forest?

That's a lie.

I only said that I found a dead cat.

Oh...

But aren't you scared to come here alone?

Nope. The forest is awesome!

It's so cool in the summer and it smells so nice.

I see...

What is it?

Look over there!

There really is a piano...

Of course! This is the piano in the forest.

It's a piano!

I can't believe it!

With the light pouring through, it looks like the forest is a stage!

It's even prettier at night.

Okay. You're my witness, okay?

You got it.

-It's broken. -What?

No way. It makes sound.

But...

See?

-Try pressing the keys harder! -There's no sound.

Let me try.

Just watch. It's never not made a sound!

See?

-Told ya. -No way!

How?

Well, this is my piano after all.

I bet it only opens its heart for me.