Chapter 272: Nishikawa Yuha’s Kind Overtures
It’s hard not to make an already scandalous situation worse when you’re one of two pianists to pull off an original rhapsody in the preliminaries.
The audience, the judges, even the other pianists and online netizens can’t help but speculate about the two of them.
One commenter boldly stated:
Lin Tian only made it to the finals because he played the same type of piece as Nishikawa Yuha.
Now, most people, including the media, believe that the “Croatian Rhapsody” is a world-class masterpiece far surpassing “Dawn Nightfall.”
Even if Lin Tian’s playing was a bit rougher, it doesn’t change the fact that this Croatian gem outshines everything else.
So now Nishikawa made it through—
If it didn’t go so well for Lin Tian, it would look awful!
Then the media would report:
“Dawn Nightfall” advanced, while “Croatian Rhapsody” did not.
It’d be the same type of piece too.
Should “Croatian Rhapsody” become a timeless hit down the line, everyone who sang it in future centuries would know it almost didn’t make it.
“Oh, that piece? It almost went kaput when ‘Dawn Nightfall’ smacked it down in the 2025 Sato Sakura International Piano Competition!”
This would be pretty embarrassing!
Like how people still talk trash about God of War 4 whenever they bring up Red Dead Redemption 2.
For ten years after, anyone praising Red Dead gets reminded how it lost big to God of War, and they end up hating on the TGA awards instead.
Sato Sakura International is not taking that risk.
They’re not going to let that kind of embarrassment happen again.
Which is why Lin Tian made it into the finals.
Some netizens think this way.
But it’s a real pain for Nishikawa.
People now automatically assume Lin Tian’s music trumps his, despite Lin Tian’s less polished performance.
From now on, every time Nishikawa steps onto the stage with his own compositions, people will remember a certain prodigy named Lin Tian who blew him away.
There’ll always be this dark cloud called “Lin Tian” hanging over his career.
Every step forward…
Who could take that? Seriously, he’d probably explode!
That’s why Japanese fans are losing their minds.
They’re all like:
“Just because you had some lucky break, Nishikawa-kun! You’ll turn things around in the finals for sure!”
“He’s just some newbie who isn’t that good, let’s not hype him up!”
“And honestly, it sounds like he stole someone else’s work. Anyway, Nishikawa-sensei’s real rival is still Mr. Burke.”
Japanese Twitter users are on fire, attacking Lin Tian on two fronts: “not a good player,” “not even his own compositions.”
This led to a huge online feud between Lin Tian and Nishikawa Yuha.
Some comments got really spicy, and Lin Tian himself found it tough to keep a straight face.
He put down his phone, blushing.
Oh great, now I’ve pissed off Nishikawa, and I’m gonna get it again from those crazy Japanese fans as soon as I step out of here, right?
“.”
“Mr. Lin Tian,”
A voice broke the silence in the rest room.
And lo and behold!
Nishikawa Yuha walked in looking sharp in a white suit.
What are the odds!
Lin Tian had seen him play before and knew who he was—
Nishikawa Yuha.
“The last time we weren’t in the same lounge. But now, we can finally talk.”
Nishikawa Yuha smiled kindly as he approached.
Surprisingly, his Mandarin wasn’t half bad.
“I’m Nishikawa Yuha, Mr. Lin Tian. Did you see my performance last time? I was playing another rhapsody on stage then,” he said modestly.
“Oh, a vague memory,” Lin Tian nodded, “Hello.”
He couldn’t help feeling a little awkward.
Just last night, he’d been basking in praise online while trashing Nishikawa.
Now here comes the guy himself, being all friendly.
“Mr. Lin Tian, the Croatian Rhapsody you wrote was incredible! I practiced it a bit myself; it’s fantastic, really! So inspiring!”
Nishikawa spoke sincerely.
“Thanks,” Lin Tian replied politely.
Who knew he’d be so upfront.
No wonder he’s got a big fan base.
Not only is he good at piano, but he seems to be good people too.
Logically, Lin Tian should have complimented Nishikawa back, but honest to God, he couldn’t find it in him.
At least, not after Watanabe Satoru had already told him it sucked.
As the silence stretched on, Nishikawa looked slightly embarrassed.
After a few seconds, he tried to laugh it off,
“A shame though, your rhapsody beat mine last time. My stuff just isn’t as good. I got outclassed, fair and square!”
Admitting inferiority in an art form as subjective as music—it’s rare and admirable.
Lin Tian genuinely never met a nicer pianist before!
Seeing this, Lin Tian finally stood up with respect and said seriously,
“Mr. Nishikawa, I didn’t mean any disrespect last time. It was unintentional.”
“This time, I’m picking something very niche—no head-to-heads!”
“Really?”
A pleasant surprise lit up Nishikawa’s face, as if he had finally gotten the answer he always hoped for.
“Really!”
Lin Tian confirmed.
While Sato Sakura didn’t technically reveal the list of entries,
this new composition of his was definitely obscure.
In this era of hit pop tunes, it’s like he’s digging up some rare treasure no one else cares about.
There’s no chance anyone else’s gonna do this.
“A shame we can’t compete this time,”
Nishikawa tried to look disappointed,
“Still, I’m thrilled to share the finals with you, Mr. Lin Tian!”
And with that, he held out his hand,
“Please, teach me a lot!”
“Mmm,”
Lin Tian shook it, nodding,
“Please do.”
