I found it discouraging to think we should aim for a piano that’s merely easy to play, that anyone can handle. And that an average player would not be able to fully appreciate or benefit from a perfectly tuned piano. Was this really the case? It filled me with a sense of conflict over what I should aim for in my new life as a burgeoning piano tuner.

Nothing a Hammer Can’t Fix

The days started to get shorter and cooler. By the time we left a client’s house, night would already be falling.

‘Sorry, but is it all right if I go straight home?’ asked Mr Yanagi one evening as we walked towards the car.

‘Sure,’ I said. ‘I’ll take your case back to the office.’

‘I’d appreciate it.’

A case full of tuning tools is actually quite heavy, so it was a bigger favour than it sounds.

‘Actually, I’ve something very important to do tonight.’

‘Oh, really?’

Mr Yanagi looked a little dissatisfied with my response. ‘How can you be so casual about it? Wouldn’t most people ask, What’s this important thing you have to attend to?’

‘Sorry. What’s this important thing you have to attend to?’

‘Oh, nothing!’ Mr Yanagi said, before looking up, eyes smiling. ‘The thing is …’ he said, suddenly serious, ‘I’m giving my girlfriend a ring.’

‘Girlfriend … a ring …’ I repeated awkwardly, and then, oh! ‘Goo–good lu–luck!’ I said, and Mr Yanagi chuckled happily.

‘What are you getting nervous about, Tomura?’

‘S–sorry.’ I gave a little bow and Mr Yanagi laughed again.

‘You’re a quirky fellow, aren’t you?’

I waved goodbye and climbed into the little white company car on my own. The edges of the twilit mountains were tinged with pink.

As I stopped at a red light a group of sixth-formers crossed in front of me. I was resting my hands on the steering wheel, gazing vacantly ahead, when I noticed one of the girls come to a halt and catch my eye. It was her! One of those twins who played the piano so amazingly. Which twin, however, I couldn’t say. I nodded to her, and she stood there on the crossing and started to say something that I had to lip-read.

‘You’re the piano tuner, aren’t you?’

I rolled down the window and poked my head out. ‘I am,’ I said, although I was still just an apprentice. She said something to her friend before scurrying over to the car.

‘I’m so glad I bumped into you. Kazu – my older sister – said the A above middle C won’t play. But the shop told her Mr Yanagi is tied up with other clients and can’t come today.’