I, Who Acquired the Ability to Read Memories, Am Being Swallowed by Darkness - While I Should Be Protecting Beautiful Girls, I Am Being Drawn into Darkness Each Time I Use My Power, Yet for Some Reason, My Harem of Beautiful Girls Keeps Growing - Chapter 36: Hinata-chan’s recital

Chapter 36: Hinata-chan’s recital

Walking through the weekend streets, the four of us headed to the piano recital of Ryoko’s younger sister, Hinata-chan.

“Onee-chan, hurry up!”

Hinata-chan, walking ahead, turned around and called out.

Her face was tense, but her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Coming!”

“Ryuuji-oniichan, I’m getting nervous…”

The fifth-grade Hinata-chan clung to me, seeking comfort.

“You’ll be fine. You’ve practiced so hard, Hinata-chan.”

Every Wednesday, when I studied at Ryoko’s house, I’d always hear her play.

Chopin’s Waltz.

Her performance was beautiful, beyond what you’d expect from an elementary school student.

“Hey, it’s so nice that you all came, even though you’re busy with exams!”

Indeed, it was the first semester of our third year in high school.

With mock exams approaching, we didn’t hesitate to come.

“Of course.”

Reiko smiled gently.

“I’m into music too. Supporting juniors is important.”

“And I’ve been looking forward to Hinata-chan’s performance.”

Misaki nodded.

“She’s Ryoko’s precious sister.”

Ryoko patted her sister’s head.

“Thank you, everyone.”

Ryoko’s eyes glistened with gratitude.

Her love for her sister and her appreciation for the three of us who understood and supported her.

“Look! That’s the venue!”

A grand hall came into view.

Hinata-chan’s small back straightened with determination.

We entered the hall and eagerly awaited her performance.

“Hayami Hinata, Chopin: Waltz No. 7 in C-sharp minor, Op. 64-2.”

The announcer’s voice silenced the audience.

Hinata-chan walked to the grand piano at center stage.

The concert hall had a solemn atmosphere, unlike her usual classroom.

She was no longer the everyday Hinata-chan.

Her stage dress was a pale blue.

The fabric shimmered like pearls under the lights.

Her usually straight hair was elegantly styled, and light makeup enhanced her innocent beauty.

“Hinata-chan…”

I couldn’t help but whisper her name.

Her step onto the stage, her approach to the grand piano, her deep bow—everything was graceful.

And then, the first note sounded.

Chopin’s Waltz No. 7.

Her back was straight, her posture dignified, just like Ryoko.

“Good luck…”

Ryoko whispered softly.

The four of us, seated in the front row, watched with bated breath.

The first note broke the silence.

The melody, played with delicate touches, was like a string of pearls falling.

“Amazing…”

Reiko murmured.

Even as a piano player herself, she was stunned by the performance.

Hinata-chan’s fingers danced like butterflies—strong yet gentle, sometimes passionate but never rough.

The audience held its breath.

I did too.

The hem of her dress swayed with each press of the pedal.

Sweat glistened on her neck, a testament to her passion.

Her expression was as if she were in another world.

The melody, which began softly, gradually became more passionate.

Her small fingers danced across the keys.

The sound, woven with her skill and pure sensibility, was enchanting.

“It’s so different from her Wednesday practices… it touches my heart…”

I couldn’t help but murmur.

The music I’d always heard during her practice shone even brighter on this stage.

“Amazing…”

Someone in the audience whispered.

“Like an angel.”

No.

Like a fairy.

A fairy of music.

The elegant waltz rhythm, sometimes intense, sometimes gentle.

Her expressive performance, beyond her 12 years, captivated the entire audience.

“Incredible… truly…”

Ryoko’s voice was filled with pride.

The sister of the volleyball ace might be a musical genius.

As the finale approached, the music accelerated.

It seemed as if the music was pouring out of Hinata-chan’s entire being.

The entire venue was under her spell.

The final note echoed through the hall, leaving a deep resonance.

Silence.

And then, thunderous applause.

A standing ovation.

Some wiped away tears of emotion.

Hinata-chan bowed deeply.

When she looked at the audience, she smiled brightly at Ryoko and us.

“It was wonderful.”

“Truly moving.”

“She might be a genius…”

“My heart trembled.”

Our voices of admiration overlapped.

Ryoko’s eyes sparkled with happy tears.

On the way home, Hinata-chan walked between us with a satisfied smile.

It was an afternoon where we felt the brilliance of her immense talent in her small frame.

A few weeks later.

“Ryuuji-kun… I need to talk to you about Hinata.”

After school on Wednesday, following volleyball practice.

Ryoko’s voice was filled with deep worry.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hinata’s… acting strange.”

Ryoko’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Even after such a wonderful performance, a few days ago…”

“Her smile disappeared…”

“She just keeps saying, ‘I’m fine…’”

Her voice trembled.

As her sister, she noticed something was wrong, but felt powerless to help.

“She’s been staying in her room a lot.”

“Her piano practice has decreased…”

“And her appetite is gone…”

Ryoko gripped her uniform skirt tightly.

“We were such close sisters.”

“Did we do something wrong to anger the gods…?”

Small tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Ryuuji-kun… please.”

“Use your ability…”

“Yeah. Touch Hinata-chan’s belongings… find out what happened…”

Ryoko clung to me, her body trembling.

“For my sister… this is all I can do…”

There was no reason to refuse.

Ryoko’s precious sister, even more precious to her.

If my ability could help restore her smile, I would do it.

“I understand.”

I gently embraced Ryoko.

In my arms, she trembled even more.

“I’ll definitely find the cause.”