Kazune lowered her gaze when she saw me shake my head. ‘She’s always been like that. Nothing ever fazes her, and she never gets nervous before a recital. She thinks if she enjoys playing that’s enough, and it’s true that when she plays freely in that way, her performance is really wonderful. On days when she doesn’t feel like practising, she simply doesn’t. I could never do that. I end up practising whatever mood I’m in.’

‘That’s pretty extraordinary.’

‘Yup, that’s Yuni,’ she said, nodding.

‘Actually, I think you’re amazing, Kazune,’ I said, and I really meant it.

‘No, I’m not,’ she shot back.

Was practising something you should do in spite of yourself? I didn’t play, so I couldn’t say. But if you really did end up practising even when you weren’t in the mood, I’d call that pretty amazing.

‘I just like practising on the keyboard,’ she went on. ‘When a new piece turns out well, it makes me feel so good inside. And when I play at home my family and my piano teacher always praise me.’

Kazune said this quite deadpan. It didn’t sound as though she was being arrogant. They praise me, but what does that matter? is how Kazune probably felt. And that was the right attitude. Garnering praise shouldn’t be the main goal when you play the piano.

‘But when it comes down to the actual recital, it’s always Yuni. She’s the one who gives a stellar performance – even though I sound better when I practise. In recitals or even in a small competition Yuni’s the one who always gets the rapturous applause.’

I could understand that. Yuni’s playing was clear as a bell, and I always felt moved by it.

It made me think about my brother, two years younger than me. Whenever we played our special chess game, shogi, at home I was better, but when we competed in contests in town he always beat me. It wasn’t as though he was holding back when we played at home. There are just people who are stronger in their play when it really counts, or who are consistently lucky in competitions.

‘Does that mean you make mistakes when you perform?’

‘No, not at all.’ Kazune made that point clear. ‘But Yuni takes it to another level. She completely sparkles in front of an audience. There’s a brilliance to her. When the time comes, she really shines, really captivates people.’

‘That’s OK, isn’t it? You can’t show what you’re really capable of in front of an audience, so you let Yuni take the prize. You play in your own way and for your own reasons. What’s wrong with that?’