‘How can she make such beautiful chords, like bells ringing in heaven?’ I said.

Mr Yanagi grinned.

It was true – everything about her playing was exquisite, but those chords were indescribable. So euphonious that my body felt as if it would melt away, and if I didn’t watch myself I’d be in tears. The way she blended the notes was exceptional. I’d heard any number of people play the same piano; why was her tone so unique? What sort of tuning should I do to bring those chords to even greater perfection?

Mr Yanagi had clients to visit, and back at my desk a thought struck me. I wasn’t simply imagining that those chords were especially beautiful. Pianos tuned using the equal-tempered system create a slightly dampened, almost muffled sound – was she intentionally playing those sounds with less force? At tuning school I’d studied the theory behind this. A few rare pianists are able to apply a slightly lighter pressure to the keys when playing a chord in order to control the clarity of its sound. As I recalled, musicians of this calibre are also able to employ the pedals with consummate skill to manipulate the resonance.

If Kazune really was one of these exceptional pianists, then what could tuning add? If the pedals were adjusted to be even more responsive, would she still be able to play with such nuance?

I stood up, planning to check the pedals of the piano she’d been playing, but decided not to. The instrument had just been tuned for tomorrow’s recital. Fiddling with it now would only spoil that. Get a grip, I told myself. But once I sat down I felt the urge again. If I didn’t check this now, then I wouldn’t be able to try it out the next time Kazune played.

I stood up again and a voice said, ‘What’s up with you, Tomura-kun?’ Startled, I fell back on to my seat.

Miss Kitagawa was staring at me with a quizzical look in her eye. ‘You’ve just been bobbing up and down for the last few minutes.’

‘I was just – thinking I’d adjust the pedals.’

‘Then why don’t you?’

‘Yeah, but then, maybe it’s better not to …’ I mumbled.

Miss Kitagawa burst out laughing. ‘You have something you want to try out, don’t you?’

‘Well, it’s just – when I heard Kazune’s chords, I thought that if I adjusted her sustain pedal so it’s a touch more sensitive, it might make it easier for her to play. It’s just an idea.’

‘Then you should just go for it.’

I hastily shook my head. ‘No, I don’t know if it would be helpful or not. It might be totally unnecessary.’