Vienna, Golden Hall.
The Ke'er Cup International Music Competition finals.
As all the contestants had finished performing.
The hall
slowly fell into an eerie silence.
As though they were waiting for something—or perhaps unwilling to miss a single detail because of the noise—every audience member wore an excited or thrilled expression, yet held themselves back.
"..."
(It was finally here.)
Connor raised his head, took a deep breath, and said solemnly,
(The final scores will be revealed!)
After a brief three-minute break,
the announcement rang out without making everyone wait too long:
(Contestants Isaac and Gan Yan Yu, along with your respective accompanists, please come onstage!)
Thump, thump, boom—
Hearing that announcement, like a verdict from fate about to be delivered, every musician's heart tightened.
It was coming!
The only two contestants in this final whose scores had not been made public!
The champion would emerge from between them!
As Lin Tian took Gan Yan Yu's hand and was about to leave the lounge,
he happened to run into Nishikawa Yuuhaku, who had risen at the same time.
Nishikawa Yuuhaku met Lin Tian's gaze and smiled faintly.
"Where's Isaac?"
Lin Tian asked.
Ten minutes ago, Isaac had still been talking at the doorway, but somehow, he had not returned to the lounge since.
"I don't know."
Nishikawa Yuuhaku smiled helplessly. Yet judging from his expression, he did not seem anxious. Instead, there was a sense of resignation and relief.
"Maybe he needs some time alone."
"Then we...?"
"Let's go first, Teacher Lin Tian."
At that moment, two cameramen had already appeared in the corridor, recording the group making their way to the stage from two different angles.
After pushing open the lounge door, Lin Tian openly took Gan Yan Yu's hand, interlacing their fingers right in front of the broadcast