pianst

*sigh*...

Are you here to deliver meds to Mr. Czerny again?

Mhm.

Sounds rough.

Er, not that he's a bad person or anything, but it certainly would be easier if he remembered to show up for his regular treatments.

Yeah, I wish he'd be a little more mindful of his health.

But I guess that's what makes him who he is.

I'm gonna get back to work. Want to grab lunch later?

Sure.

Mr. Czerny, I'm coming in.

Come in.

Huh?

Based on past experience, she wouldn't normally get any sort of response, causing her to resort to more drastic measures – such as applying for a spare key card for his room.

But Czerny doesn't seem to be his usual reclusive self today, and the dorm's automatic door slides open almost immediately after his response.

What do you need?

Somewhat suspicious, she steps inside.

Strewn haphazardly across the room are leaves of sheet music, packets of various kinds of instant coffee, tomes related to Arts research, and a frowning Elafia standing in the middle of it all.

An all-too-common sight within Czerny's dorm room.

Most of the time, this scene signifies that he is deep in the creative process, and that nobody may interrupt him.

—In other words, many others from the Medical Department have already made such attempts.

However, the situation seems a little different today. There are no music scores splayed in front of him, nor does he seem to be composing anything.

If anything, this makes her somewhat angry.

Mr. Czerny, if you're not busy composing, I do hope you can remember to come to Medical for your check-up.

We've already made a special exception for you, so please don't take it for granted.

You came at just the right time, Hibiscus.

Of course I did. After all, you've been like this for more than just a day or two now.

If I wanted to start a piano class here at Rhodes Island, and take on some students, how would I go about doing that?

Huh? Well, uh, you should go to Logistics and fill out the requisite paperwork?

Wunderbar. Thank you, I'll head over there right now.

Huh? What??

Umm... What's this on the table...?

His last medical report?

Wait, Mr. Czerny! You haven't had your check-up yet!

...I had no idea so many people would show up after we announced he would be holding classes.

Excuse me, is this where I sign up for Mr. Czerny's piano class?

Yes. The end of the line is right over here. Please wait a moment.

Goodness, look how long the queue is! I told you to get up earlier, but you just wouldn't listen.

Mom, I don't wanna learn piano!

The instructor is very famous in Leithanien. If you miss this opportunity, there won't be a next time!

This is your one chance.

...Okay.

Ma'am, I've heard that Mr. Czerny can be difficult to get along with. Is there anything I should know ahead of time?

Uhh, I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Since coming to Rhodes Island, he's not nearly as hot-tempered as he was before.

Oh, good to hear.

Stand up straight, be attentive, and make sure you look ready to learn. Be on your best behavior in there.

I know...

Excuse me, is Mr. Czerny well-known even in Victoria?

Hm? Aren't you his assistant? And you don't even know that much?

Sorry, but I'm his doctor, not his assistant. I'm only here to keep things running smoothly, just in case.

Oh, a doctor? I suppose you don't know much about music then.

His <i>Morgen und Abend</i> has been making waves even through Victoria's aristocratic circles.

Makes sense.

Though, this is quite surprising. As far as I was aware, he only came to Rhodes Island for treatment. I thought I'd be lucky to hear even a single piece from him.

I'd always heard the maestro was rather eccentric, but I never imagined he'd be willing to start teaching. Would you happen to know why?

I... honestly don't know.

Maybe he wanted a change of pace.

Haha, fair enough. In any case, I'll be the envy of all the housewives once I get back from this trip.

What's wrong, Mr. Czerny?!

Sorry, something urgent came up.

Huh? Please wait a minute!

(*whispers*) That look on his face...

My apologies, sir. Please wait here. I'll go check on him.

Hibiscus's initial assumption is that he wasn't feeling well, so she follows closely behind him.

Unexpectedly though, Czerny does not return to his room, but instead makes a turn towards the training room.

Once he arrives inside, he plants his feet in front of a sandbag and starts pounding away at it viciously.

By the looks of things, he has a lot more vigor than she expected.

That noble, that damn noble, just wouldn't stop buzzing in my ears with his superficial grasp of music.

Does he have any idea how many misconceptions his children have been forced to accept because of his self-righteousness?

Music is nothing like that! How could it be?

His child's rejection of it is due solely to his own superficiality!

And the person before him! And the one before that!

Oh, that one wasn't so bad. They only wanted their child to have an appreciation for music...

Mr. Czerny.

Hibiscus? What are you doing here?

And here I was, thinking you weren't feeling well.

It's nothing much. Just venting a little frustration, as you can see.

Even back in Leithanien I used to encounter plenty of nobles like that.

They'd send their kids to me through Gertrude, hoping I'd be able to turn them into virtuosos.

Of course, I have no objections to teaching, but the majority of them didn't even really care if their children became pianists or not.

All they really wanted was a private performance from me, or an opportunity to strike up a conversation with Gertrude.

And even for those that truly wanted their children to become successful, it was only to the extent that musical skills would benefit their status as nobles.

On top of that, most of the children had already been indoctrinated into being dull or snobbish.

Or both even, a combination that makes my blood boil.

I'm glad you recommended I start exercising. It's proven to be a great outlet.

Czerny points at the sandbag.

Not everyone can be as pure as you.

I know that much.

In the Afterglow, I had neighbors who wanted me to teach piano to their kids too, just as a hobby.

Or rather, that was true for most people.

But at the very least, they were far more charming than the nobles, which is why I vastly preferred the atmosphere there.

I don't care if people lie to me, but they should at least be honest when it comes to music.

If you don't care for all the nobles who only show up for the prestige, then you probably shouldn't be holding classes.

Medical is also worried about your health–

Nein, that's not an option.

I <i>need</i> to hold these classes. It is a challenge I must overcome.

Well, if you really don't want to deal with the guardians, I can go talk to them myself and just ask them to send their kids in.

I can even forbid them from sitting in during the lessons.

That should make things a bit easier on your end.

Oh! That's a wonderful idea.