Piano (The Melody of a Young Girl's Heart) 2002

With Feeling

Hi!

Oh, sorry. Did I startle you?

Oh, for crying out loud...

You could hear me outside?

It's echoing all through the hallway. Anyway...

I was wondering why you suddenly stopped playing.

I forgot my music sheets.

Huh?

I've got a lesson today...

I don't remember what comes next.

There's more to it?

You only heard half of it.

Mr. Shirakawa's going to give me that awful look of his again.

Yuuki?

Yuuki, are you sure you can miss your club activities?

It's fine. I heard it from one of the seniors earlier.

The gym's reserved for the volleyball club and the gymnastics club today.

No room for the track team to do muscle training.

I see.

So, shall we go?

But...

You're blowing off your lesson today. Didn't we decide that?

Well, I should at least make a call about it.

To who, your mom? You got a cell phone?

I'd better not...

Won't she get mad at you? Or worry?

Hmm... I can't say which. Forget it.

Okay! First, there's a CD I want to buy!

You can keep me company. Then we'll get some tea!

Found it!

This is it!

Takizawa said this one was great!

This?

Uh-huh! He is SO refined!

Refined? But it's so flashy, with all those colors...

Oh, jeez... That's not what I meant.

'Kay, wait here a sec.

Takahashi...

Yeah, I saw him headed to a cram school. Seniors have exams to study for.

He's not my cup of tea, but he's got his charms.

Yuuki...

Classical

Miu, it looks like the rain's letting up. Don't forget your umbrella.

Huh?

You can still make it. For this.

Yuuki...

Today I learned my right from my left!

Um, excuse me. I know I'm late, but...

Oh, Miss Nomura. You're Mr. Shirakawa's student, right?

Yes.

One moment, please.

Is he teaching a lesson?

Or he's ignoring it, as usual.

He hates having the lessons interrupted.

He's young, but so stubborn. That's the way he is.

Oh, Mr. Shirakawa? Sorry to interrupt your lesson.

I have Miss Miu Nomura down here.

Oh, I see...

Yes, I'll tell her.

Um, it's my fault I'm late. I'll just come next time.

His message is "Wait here."

Huh?

He moved up the order so that you'd be last.

Wha? Is that okay?

He told me to have you wait. Then, "click!"

R-Right...

If you don't put the left shoe on the left foot, it feels tight and it hurts.

Really? Can you show me?

Maybe...

Goodbye, Teacher!

Goodbye!

Mommy, since I did so good today, can we get ice cream on the way home?

Yes, yes.

It played!

You like the piano, don't you, Miu?

Uh-huh! Do you, Miss Yuri?

I like seeing you like the piano, Miu.

See you next week, Yoko.

Yes, ma'am. Bye-bye, Teacher!

I hope I wasn't drooling, on top of this!

Maybe I should have just blown the lesson off...

Miss Nomura? Miss Miu Nomura?

Yes, coming!

He's in a bad mood today.

I never should have come.

Excuse me, sir.

You're very brave to not offer any excuses for being late.

No. Excuse me, sir...

It's just... I forgot my sheet music.

So?

Well, the truth is...

So, you went home to get it?

No, sir...

Your face tells me you tried - and failed - to skip your lesson.

Your face is an open book, no matter how much you've grown.

Excuse me, sir...

Never mind. Try and play.

But I forgot my music.

Play as much as you remember.

FORTISSIMO MUSIC SCHOOL

Um...

I'm listening.

Yes sir...

Um, pardon me. I can only remember it up to this part.

Nomura, how long did you spend working on this song?

Um, about a month, I think.

And how many years have you been studying under me?

Wha?

6 years, sir...

And this is the first time you've ever forgotten your music sheets.

Yes sir.

Would you like to have another instructor in my place?

Your face says you didn't forget your music on purpose.

Mr. Shirakawa...

I understand.

Just try to play without the music. Anything at all.

You say "anything", but it's still...

You won't be heard much over the sounds from outside.

Nomura, what's that song?

Eh?

Yes?

Um, Mr. Shirakawa, I've tried over and over to call you, but...

Hm? Oh...

This is the only piano we have open today,

and the other teachers and students are waiting, so...

I see. We're just getting it tuned up.

Sorry, but could you hurry?

I'm sorry. It's because I was late.

Nomura?

Yes?