A few days earlier.
De Shi Grand Hotel, top floor.
Inside the piano room.
"Lin Tian is the biggest obstacle to your winning Best Newcomer this time. If you clash head-on in classical music, you have no chance of winning."
With his hands behind his back, Yao Han circled the room as he spoke to Watanabe Satoru.
Watanabe Satoru sat before the piano, his face dark as he asked,
How do you know we'll both make it to the finals? And how do you know there won't be other opponents?
If I prepare a targeted piece, but Teacher Lin Tian doesn't make it to the finals, or some other formidable opponent appears, wouldn't you be ruining me?
"That won't happen."
Yao Han suddenly bent down in front of the piano, revealing a relaxed yet somewhat sly smile.
"The only two people who will ultimately contend for Best Newcomer are the two of you."
"..."
Watanabe Satoru looked into Yao Han's eyes, still somewhat hesitant.
You're that sure?
Seeing that Watanabe Satoru still did not believe him, Yao Han straightened up. With a confident smile on his face, he began to explain.
"In the preliminary round, Teacher Lin Tian will most likely bring out an exceptionally impressive original piece. And if nothing goes wrong, he'll interpret it very well. It may even deal a considerable blow to Teacher Nishikawa Yuuhaku, who also enjoys performing original works."
"And during that process, Lin Tian will definitely expose one problem: on a stage like Sakubang International, compared with world-class pianists, his performance ability is clearly insufficient. The other contestants can see that, the judges can see it, and the reporters can see it too."
Then... Watanabe Satoru was just about to speak.
But Yao Han turned around and interrupted him sharply.
"However, even so,