Volume 4-1: Sasuke becomes a student at Kotono’s violin school.

TL: I probably be updating irregularly during this week with my prelims upcoming.

Kotono’s paternal grandparents, the previous master of the Harukawa family and its mistress, live in a large mansion in Kyoto.

　They used to live together until she lost her sight in an accident, and there was a little dispute between them and Kotono’s mother, Ikuko, over the accident.

　Of course, the accident was not her mother’s fault, but they might have wanted to blame someone else for the tragedy of her adorable grandson going blind.

　To begin with, Kotono is a bit old-fashioned name for my generation, but it was given to her by her grandmother, who lives in Kyoto and is a master of koto music.

　If She had a daughter, She would have raised her as my successor. But unfortunately, she was only blessed with a son, and her wish was passed on to her grandchildren’s generation.

　When Kotono was born, she was determined to teach her all the techniques as her first apprentice.

　She named her Kotono, a somewhat old-fashioned name, and placed too much expectation on a baby who had not even opened her eyes yet.

　However, it was unfortunate for her grandmother that Kotono, who was the most important part of it, did not listen to anyone. Although she still obeyed her parents’ orders, she hated being told what to do by other people more than anything else.

　She did not want to learn koto music no matter how much her grandmother tried to persuade her. Her grandmother finally gave up on her, and now she teaches her niece as her apprentice.

　As Kotono didn’t get along well with her grandmother, there was always something that didn’t feel right between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. According to Ms. Hyuga, the oldest housekeeper in the house, it may have all come to a halt when Kotono lost her sight.

　Thus, Kotono did not become her grandmother’s apprentice, but instead took up the violin. The reason for this was unusual.

　It was when Kotono was only five years old.

　It was when she was only five years old, and her father Tatsuhiko (who graduated from Cambridge in England) was watching his favorite British drama, “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.”

　At the opening of the drama, there was a melancholy violin tune, and Kotono was imitating playing the violin to the tune.

　Mr. Tatsuhiko was amused.

“So, Kotono, would you like to learn to play the violin?”

　Kotono nodded her head happily.

　The story doesn’t end there.

The first time she was given a violin to practice on, she immediately mastered how to play the sound.

　After the second lesson, she was able to play the opening song of “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” which she had learned by ear.

　It was the teacher who was surprised. He must have felt like he was witnessing an unparalleled genius. He was excited to think that she was the second coming of Fritz Kreisler, the genius violinist who entered the Vienna Conservatory at the age of seven and graduated at the top of his class at the age of ten.

　–a miracle genius indeed!

　When Tatsuhiko heard her teacher’s excited report, he had a strong sense of crisis.

　She was selfish, stubborn, and assertive. If she were to be treated as a child prodigy and spoiled by the people around her, she would definitely go crazy.

　Thinking so, Mr. Tatsuhiko changed her teacher. He brought in a German violin teacher, who was reputed to be the strictest in the neighborhood, and asked him not to indulge her in any way.

　This worked, and Kotono was able to steadily improve her skills as a student, not as a child prodigy.

　It may be a general rule to praise and develop people, but I heard that it has the opposite effect on children like Kotono who have too high self-esteem.

　Her name is Sophie, she is 70 years old, a naturalized Japanese citizen, and speaks fluent Japanese. She’s very strict and has a very harsh personality, but for some reason she likes her and buys her cakes and stuff during lessons.

　When Kotono lost her sight. Mr. Tatsuhiko felt sorry for her and asked her to take a break from violin lessons for a while.

　–Ms. Sophie replied, “You’ve got to be kidding.me, If she rest that long her fingers will get stiff”

　She kicked him off the room

　”I’m not going to spoil you, Kotono-chan, whether you’re blind or not, as I’ve always done. You’ll never miss a lesson.”

　That was quite an accomplishment.

　Kotono, who doesn’t listen to what others say, listens to Sophie-sensei, and besides, she respects her from the bottom of her heart. I also think that Dr. Sophie is probably the Sullivan of Kotono.

　When I think about Ms. Sophie and Kotono, I realize that the talent to teach and the talent to play are two completely different things.

　I think it’s true what they say that a great player is not a great teacher.

　Ms. Sophie also graduated from a prestigious music school in West Germany, but as she taught children to earn a living, she realized that she was better suited to teaching than to playing.

　Judging from the way she taught Kotono, Ms. Sophie was definitely a top-notch teacher. She was strict, but she gave praise where it was due.

　Kotono, on the other hand, is a top-notch performer. She would probably cause a sensation if she appeared on TV.

　However, she is horribly unqualified to teach. I don’t even think she should be teaching anyone music, no matter what happened.

　Because I’m her only, first and last student.

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