My System Always Wants to Force Me to Confess
Chapter 180: Four Hands Joint Performance

Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Four Hands Joint Performance

Upon hearing the news, Shirakawa Sawahei instinctively glanced at the Little Arrogant Study Girl beside him. With their good rapport, the two began a silent conversation through eye contact.

"What’s going on?"

"How would I know?"

"Even you don’t know?"

"Why should I know everything?"

The middle-aged leader watched as the two students unabashedly stared at each other in front of him, and couldn’t help but cough lightly. Then he continued, "...This competition is quite large in scale, and the prize money is also substantial. Akihisa High School always puts its students first. If you two can achieve a good ranking, not only will the school offer additional rewards, but there will also be more weight allocated in terms of scholarship..."

"Moreover, the results of such competitions are beneficial for applying to some prestigious universities..."

This statement almost instantly hit Shirakawa Sawahei’s weak spot. Applying to universities in Neon doesn’t entirely rely on grades; many use independent admissions. The Neon college entrance exam is more like an entry ticket, and different universities have significant autonomy in their choices.

The piano is a refined activity. Many schools believe that a student who can play a musical instrument or has an interest in music might excel more in cultivating cultural interests, and might appear to have a more flexible mindset—Einstein particularly loved the violin. Many famous figures serve as real-life examples of this.

In the past, he was always busy improving his academic skills, with no time or ability to participate in such competitions. Now it was different. After taking in Asano Nazuki, he could easily dominate such competitions.

Thus, Shirakawa Sawahei agreed.

"Alright, I’ll thoroughly prepare for this competition with Hayakawa."

Hayakawa Kashi heard the words from beside him, glanced at him lightly, and said nothing.

The middle-aged man, seeing this, showed a happy expression and said, "Then I can rest assured. You can freely use the piano in the auditorium, as well as the one in the music room! I’ll look forward to your good news."

He stood up and solemnly shook hands with Shirakawa Sawahei, "Having a student like Shirakawa is truly a blessing for Akihisa!"

"Well... it’s what I should do..."

The enthusiasm from the middle-aged school leader made Shirakawa Sawahei feel slightly uncomfortable. After the conversation ended, he and the Little Arrogant Study Girl left the office together.

"Hayakawa seems to lack interest in this competition?" Once outside, he finally voiced his doubt.

"Yeah, I’ve participated in many before, and it’s enough for applying to universities."

"Oh, I see. Then why didn’t you just refuse the school’s request?"

Hayakawa Kashi looked at him strangely, "Didn’t you accept on my behalf?"

"I didn’t accept on your behalf. If you don’t want to go, you can tell the school. I think I can secure a ranking on my own."

"You know my level, so regarding the school..."

"Are you saying you can secure a ranking by yourself?" Hayakawa Kashi suddenly smiled, "Do you have four hands?"

"What do you mean?"

He didn’t immediately get it, and the Little Arrogant Study Girl slowly said, "This competition requires a four-handed duet."

"..."

Shirakawa Sawahei awkwardly said, "Well... I’m really sorry then..."

Making a decision without fully understanding it was not his usual style. Now, taking on this four-handed duet piano competition was like shooting himself in the foot.

A four-handed duet requires a good rapport, and rapport is something that can either be innate or needs plenty of rehearsal time.

No wonder that school leader looked so excited; it turns out they couldn’t persuade Hayakawa Kashi themselves! Using me as a tool!

How infuriating to be outsmarted by a middle-aged man’s scheme; what a disgrace!

"Ahem... If Hayakawa doesn’t want to... we can switch to Asano."

"Why switch?" Miss Kaori asked, indifferently, "Coincidentally, I also want to see where the gap between me and Shirakawa is."

"If I really hold back Shirakawa, I will consider letting Nazuki go."

(Black Hearted Lolita: Backstab damage from Black-hearted Sister +10000...)

About their sibling relationship, Asano Fūsei has probably spilled everything, so Miss Kaori naturally was not interested in pretending anymore and mentioned directly, "Nazuki indeed has a higher skill level than me. If Shirakawa likes, you can directly ask her."

In a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, this would be a surefire death sentence, but Shirakawa Sawahei wasn’t going to argue over such a trivial matter. He immediately said, "No worries, personally, I prefer the choice of Hayakawa."

"Hmm? Is Shirakawa taking care of a useless girl’s self-esteem? How gentle." Hayakawa Kashi smiled as she walked alongside him, and to others, it seemed like they were in a lively conversation.

"Simply weighing the pros and cons and choosing the lesser evil. Don’t you have an idea of your sister’s personality?"

"Indeed, arrogant, exhibitionistic, inconsiderate; the way she misleads others’ feelings is quite terrible too..."

"However..." Hayakawa Kashi paused, then said nonchalantly, "That’s exactly what makes her my lovely sister."

"Are you subtly hinting that you’re a siscon?"

"That’s your interpretation, nothing to do with me."

"If you’re not a siscon, maybe Hayakawa is describing herself, which might be quite apt."

"So that’s my image in your mind, Shirakawa? I thought at least there would be one or two merits."

Shirakawa Sawahei seemed to recall something and suddenly smiled, "There are merits, like being calm, not crying in life-or-death situations, and recovering quickly after hitting your head, looking the same as before, or even cuter."

"Not being able to show my embarrassing side to you as my savior, it really is a pity."

"Ah, is Hayakawa expressing anger?"

"That’s your thought; it has nothing to do with me," Hayakawa Kashi said softly, pursing her lips.

He couldn’t help but turn his head to observe Hayakawa Kashi’s expression and found the girl quite amusing.

Indeed, the real-life Little Arrogant is much cuter than in anime.

The image of the Study Girl seemed to become more vivid in his heart. Shirakawa Sawahei glanced over twice but didn’t keep staring, perhaps fearing she might genuinely go on a rampage.

After all, she’s someone who has gone berserk in the entire school, and her anger would surely be more severe than an average person’s.

Together, they walked side by side to the absurdly expensive piano in the auditorium. It was still class time, and the place was empty, making it seemingly fitting for them to practice.

He moved a long bench from backstage, placed it on the stage, and wiped the dust with a cloth before Hayakawa Kashi came up and gently pressed a key.

The sound of the piano rang in the auditorium, then suddenly stopped. After preparing the bench, Shirakawa Sawahei turned to ask, "For the four-handed duet... what’s a good piece to try first?"