Before her family's downfall, Sakiko Toyokawa had attended numerous concerts and listened to many master violinists. She had to admit that true masters were incomparable—whether in rhythm, phrasing, melody, or emotional control, ordinary violinists simply could not measure up.
Yet in Miki Kashiwagi's violin playing, she heard a unique resonance. The melodies of this seemingly ordinary man standing before her were not just ordinary music; they were... stories.
Yes, Sakiko realized. This man was telling a story with the instrument in his hands. Though lacking the professional polish of the greats, his music possessed a rare, rich texture that was his alone.
Chapter 20