How could I do my best to help the twins? How could I get better at tuning? If I knew the answer, I would leap into it with every ounce of strength I had. No matter how tough it might be, no matter how painful or trying, I would do it – if only I knew what it was.

Perhaps it was the same for a pianist. Learning the basics and practising one’s technique are of course indispensable, but how do you polish your expression, your interpretation? It requires an extra unfathomable ingredient to create truly beautiful music. But who can say for certain what that might be or whether it can ever truly be acquired?

‘I’m ready to sweat blood here to do my part.’ Mr Yanagi, his right hand balled up in a fist, seemed to realize I’d been staring at him all this time. ‘Do you know what I mean?’

‘I do. Definitely. But I don’t know what I should do my best at, or what sort of effort I should make to be able to create a better sound.’

‘Ah, so you do understand.’ Mr Yanagi looked like he was pondering something. ‘Maybe some good, hard physical activity would be the thing for you – early-morning runs, skipping rope. They say swimming’s good, too – two kilometres a day in a pool.’

‘Do you really think it would help?’

‘What do you think?’

My downcast face made him hoot with laughter. ‘Building up your strength through running or swimming is important for you as an individual – but it won’t really help you develop as a tuner! I wouldn’t ever do it myself.’

‘You wouldn’t?’

‘Of course not! I can’t stand running. There’s something about pounding such filthy roads … it’s just not for me.’

I smiled, remembering Miss Hamano’s words and discoveries of old.

‘You spend a lot of time tuning the pianos in the showroom, don’t you, Tomura? I think exercise would be about as useful as doing that. I’m not saying that tuning so many pianos of the same brand and in such good condition is a waste of time, but after you’ve done a few circuits I don’t think it’s going to be that helpful any more. It’s a lot better than not doing it, but it’s time to move on to the next level.’

The next level. It’s all I wanted – if I was capable of it. But if I didn’t do my best I’d only be fooling myself. Kazune and Yuni had already begun to walk their own new paths in life.

A lack of self-confidence was once more rearing its head within me. I felt at a standstill, not knowing how I should proceed. Yet what I wanted more than anything was to spend more time with the twins, to be of service to them as they chased after their dreams.