My mobile buzzed in my breast pocket. Stepping away from the piano, I looked at the display. It was from Mr Yanagi. The one person I hoped wouldn’t call, but also the one I hoped would call.

‘It’s me. Sorry to bother you, but the ring—’

‘I have it,’ I said in a flash.

‘Oh, what a relief! I was in a panic about it.’ After a pause he said, ‘What’s wrong, Tomura? Is everything OK?’

It must have been in my voice. I gave up trying to hide it. ‘I’m so sorry, Mr Yanagi, but you need to attend an urgent tuning appointment, first thing tomorrow morning.’ It had taken all my strength of will to say this, and I also bowed to Mr Yanagi on the other end of the line. ‘I’m here checking the piano at the Sakuras’ place, but I think I’ve really messed it up.’

Mr Yanagi was silent. ‘O–kay,’ he finally said slowly.

I felt completely dreadful at my own foolishness and ambition. I’d plunged ahead on my own, had screwed up, and tomorrow we would need to return free of charge.

‘But hang on,’ said one of the twins. They were in the corner of the room, quietly watching me. Yuni, I think it was, strode briskly over to the piano. ‘This is actually a really great sound.’ She struck the A above middle C. It rang out clear, free and relaxed, far from the agitation I felt. ‘And this sound is good, too, to go along with it.’ She tapped the adjacent key. Plonk, plonk. The one next to that. And next to that.

‘It might sound a little bold, but I totally get what you’re going for. A commanding sound. I think that’s the sound I was after. So even if it isn’t exactly what you had in mind, I don’t dislike it at all. It just needs a little more – a little more something.’

‘Totally,’ Kazune chimed in. ‘No matter how well it all goes together, if it’s tuned to a totally harmonious, flawless sound, that’s sort of disappointing, even bland. I prefer this sort of defiant sound, too.’

Defiant? What was I trying to defy? All I could do was remain silent. I wasn’t defying anything. I’d simply bitten off more than I could chew.

‘I’m really sorry.’ As I bowed my head, I felt hot tears begin to fill my eyes. ‘Tomorrow morning Mr Yanagi will come over. Again, I’m so sorry.’

‘It’s OK – we’re the ones who dragged you over here!’ Yuni said.

I apologized once more and left the room. My briefcase felt unduly heavy. I’d totally blown it, I thought. Complain about Mr Akino’s methods? Who was I to do that?