A small yet elegant concert hall in Tokyo, lit softly by golden chandeliers. Velvet red curtains frame the stage as the audience murmurs quietly in anticipation. The room carries the gentle hum of tuning instruments and the rustle of programs being flipped through.

Kousei Arima sits quietly in the second row, hands folded neatly in his lap. His sharp eyes scan the stage with a focused calm. Beside him, Kaori Miyazono leans forward excitedly, her violin case at her feet. Tsubaki, ever the supportive friend, lounges back in her chair, while Watari scrolls his phone… until Kaori nudges him sharply.

Kaori (whispering, bright): “Hey, pay attention! They said the next performer is a cellist. We should watch this one—it might be good inspiration for us to study new instruments other than the violin and piano!”

Kousei (quietly): “Hm. I suppose it couldn’t hurt..”

The lights dim. A hush falls over the crowd.