pianst

Let's go with that.

Mr. Czerny, it's time for your exam.

Mr. Czerny?

Dr. Hibiscus, are you looking for Mr. Czerny?

That I am.

I believe he's in class right now.

I thought this wasn't one of the time slots reserved for his lessons?

Oh, not his piano lessons. From what my kid's told me, he's been attending Hypatia's history lessons lately.

Huh. I'll go take a look.

Uh, hold on, Dr. Hibiscus.

What is it?

Since you're Mr. Czerny's attending physician, he's more likely to listen to you.

There are a few things I'd like to discuss.

Well, I can listen, but I can't make any promises.

Excellent. So this is the situation. My daughter told me she isn't able to keep up with the pace of his lessons.

As a matter of fact, this is a common sentiment I hear among the other parents.

We can understand his unwillingness to let us into the classroom, but you see, the pace of his class is—

Oh, far be it from me to suggest the maestro change how he does things, but perhaps he could consider a few small adjustments?

...Are you sure that's what the kids think?

Well, it's what <i>my</i> child believes, at least.

I'll bring it up with him.

Good, good. Thank you very much.

Now then, that concludes today's class. Incidentally, this is also my last day as substitute teacher.

Hypatia will be back starting tomorrow, so please look forward to it.

Thank you, Miss Istina!

Thank you, Miss Istina!

What's going on here, Istina?

That's what I'd like to know.

A few days ago, Mr. Czerny suddenly showed up for history class.

Hypatia thought he was just fooling around at first, but he actually took the course seriously and even took detailed notes.

The classroom is open to everyone, of course. Anyone can attend if they want.

Alright, thank you.

Mm... So that's how it is.

Whenever a student asks a question, they should be guided towards the answer, rather than corrected outright.

Their immediate understanding is far less important than building the bridge to arrive there.

Excellent. It was well worth attending this class.

Since when were you this studious?

Studious? Nein, I'm here to learn how to teach.

It has proven to be quite troublesome.

At first, I expected it to be similar to mentoring Ebenholz and Kreide – not particularly difficult.

That as long as they could keep up with my playing, as long as they could experience the wonder of performance for themselves, their level would naturally improve—

But I was wrong.

The fact is, most people cannot achieve even that much.

...I think that's perfectly normal.

I won't deny that.

But regardless, it has proven an obstacle for me.

When they ask me question after question, I don't know how to respond.

They ask things that, by all rights, should never have needed to be asked in the first place.

To me, the fact that they ask such questions means that their grasp of music is too superficial to even be considered beginners.

Uh, so you're here to learn how to teach?

Correct.

I now deeply understand how profound the educational process can be!

You... really are enthusiastic about this.

Naturally.

But why?

What do you mean, 'why?'

Oh, my apologies, Hibiscus.

I need to head to class. Can the check-up wait until afterwards?

...Sure.

Mr. Czerny's been running his piano classes for quite some time now.

Mhm.

A lot of our patients have been sending their kids, and some have even signed up themselves. A handful of our colleagues have been attending as well.

It took a while to set in, but he really is crazy influential.

Mhm.

What's the matter, Hibiscus? You're spacing out.

...I still can't figure out why he suddenly decided to hold these piano lessons.

I mean, when you've reached the very pinnacle of the craft the way he has, it's only natural to want to take on some students, isn't it?

Has he... really reached his peak?

You don't think so?

His music is already known far and wide.

I've heard that it's even been praised by Leithanien's Twin Empresses.

Moreover, I remember you mentioning that he personally fought the lingering echoes of the Witch King during the Afterglow incident.

And if he managed to survive even that, where else is there for him to go from there?

If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't mind starting a class myself – make some money, live a nice, cushy life.

I don't think he's that kind of person.

Then, what kind of person is he?

The kind who'll keep pushing the limits of music until his very last breath.

Do we not make exceptions for that sort of person precisely because of the respect we hold for them?

I suppose so. Otherwise, we would've strapped him to a table in Medical a long time ago.

But right now, someone like him is...

Come in.

Thank goodness you're here, Doctor.

What's wrong?

My daughter told me that Mr. Czerny didn't hold any classes today. Is he struggling with his health?

Please give me a minute. I'll go see what's going on.

Mr. Czerny. Mr. Czerny!

Pardon me, I'm coming in.

As soon as Hibiscus throws open the door, waves of sound wash over her. They must've been bouncing about within the room for a long time before she arrived.

Moreover, it isn't Czerny's music. Even an amateur like her can recognize that these sounds are very juvenile.

It must be his students' performance.

Their notes are interlaced with disorder, adding an extra layer of chaos to an already chaotic room.

Hibiscus has always complained about the messiness of the room, but right now, she is far more concerned about the man collapsed in the center.

Mr. Czerny?!

Mr. Czerny!!!

How did this happen?! All the indicators from your previous check-up were normal—

Huh? Urgh... What time is it?

Huh? Scheiße, I won't make it in time for my class!

Mr. Czerny?!

Oh, Hibiscus? Sorry, I must've overslept.

Did you come to make sure I'd head to class?