Good morning, Azusawa, Shiraishi.

Morning, Aoyagi, Shinonome.

This dorm's beds are really nice!

I basically fell asleep the second I lay down on mine.

I have a feeling that this place has better beds than any of the cheap hotels around here.

Yes, they were very comfortable.

Anyway, the cafeteria on campus that Mr. Lloyd told us about should be opening soon...

Right. Let's go get some breakfast.

Hm? A message?

Oh, it's from Shuji...

Speaking of which, you told him that we managed to meet up with Mr. Lloyd, right?

Yes, he replied just now.

(We ended up asking him for help just after arriving here, and he really saved us.)

(I'd like to thank him in a more direct manner... Actually, he just replied to my message, so does that mean I can call him now?)

We'll see you over at the cafeteria, Toya.

Huh...?

Please give your brother our regards.

Yeah, let him know he's a lifesaver and we really appreciate what he did for us!

Yes, of course.

(They're all so considerate...)

(Anyway, I should first ask to see if he's free to talk right now...)

(We just spoke yesterday, but I'm a little anxious about calling him for some reason.)

<Morning, Toya.>

Good morning, Shuji.

So, I really appreciate what you did for us yesterday. We were able to stay in one of the dorms thanks to you and Mr. Lloyd.

<Yeah, he let me know already.

How is your team doing? Good?>

Yes, we were all able to get a good night's rest. They all wanted me to thank you.

<That's good to hear.>

I'm sorry. I know you're busy with your performance right now...

<Don't worry about that.

I'm the one who said to ask if you ever needed help, remember?>

<If anything, I'm glad that you reached out to me. Not often I get a chance to help you like a big brother should.>

<You know, Professor Lloyd said that you remind him of Dad.>

Oh, yes... He did say that to me as well.

Also, I haven't had much chance to ask about this yet, but he told us Dad spent six months studying at the New York Academy of Music as an exchange student...

<Ah, that.

He really does enjoy telling stories about Dad.>

<To be fair, he was at Dad's wedding, so I have to think that they're really close friends.>

I see...

That comes as a surprise. I'd only heard that they were classmates.

<He'll probably tell you all about Dad if you keep asking him. Actually, he might not be able to stop once you get him going.>

<Dad's friends with a lot of musicians in Europe and the United States.>

<Every time I meet one of them, they ask, “What is Harumichi doing in Japan these days?” and, “When is he visiting here next?”>

...

<Surprised?>

Yes, I am...

<Remember that trip to Europe we took as a family when we were little?>

<This huge crowd of famous musicians gathered in the hotel we were staying at after word got out that Dad brought his entire family.>

<Just as things were about to get totally out of hand, he told them to “get lost and go home”. The looks on those musicians' faces were priceless.>

Really...?

I don't remember any of that.

<To be fair, you were very little.>

<Oh...

I need to start getting ready soon.>

<There are plenty more interesting stories about Dad, and Professor Lloyd knows many of them. You should ask him if you get the chance.>

Yes, I'll do that.

<Toya...>

<We won't be able to see each other this time around due to my performance, but let's try to meet in person soon.>

Yes, I'll be looking forward to seeing you.