In front of the Empire’s most famous musical instrument shop stood a carriage.

“Well then, I’ll leave it to you.”

There were three people on the carriage, but only two got off.

As the young boy and the silver-haired man set foot on the ground, the woman who hadn’t stepped out of the carriage nodded her head.

It was a delightful weekend, and it was originally a promise to choose an instrument for the child. However, something came up for the child’s mother suddenly.

“Yes, I’ll choose an instrument and bring it back safely. Don’t worry.”

Lion, with a somewhat regretful expression, watched the swiftly moving carriage.

And looking at the child, who seemed to slip away slowly from his hands, he found that the child seemed to ignore the mother’s words to hold hands.

The chubby-faced child was somehow different.

Unlike when he was with his mother, he now had a small mouth, puckered lips, and puffed-up cheeks.

“Well then, shall we go inside?”

Lion didn’t find anything strange about the child.

He hadn’t seen the child interact with other adults, and it was normal for children to feel uneasy when separated from their mothers.

He was just happy to finally have a chance to get close to the child as an opportunity given by heaven.

As they entered the store together, a deep scent of wood, pine resin, and a faint varnish smell filled the air.

“Welcome. Welcome to Jean Loop Instrument Shop.”

“Long time no see, Master.”

“Oh, isn’t this Master Lion?”

The neat elderly man in refined attire greeted Lion as he adjusted his small glasses.

The child, who was silently observing their welcoming greetings, looked beyond them at the unfamiliar scenery.

With a small mouth wide open, she saw violins covering the wall, cellos below, and a piano in the window bathed in sunlight.

Nia, who had never seen musical instruments before, found the elegant figures fascinating even to her young eyes.

“How have you been?”

“I’m doing well. My fingertips may have dulled, but there’s still no one to match my hearing.”

“Of course. There will be no one to match Master in the future.”

“Haha, thank you for matching my arrogance. But this child… No…?! Could it be!! Is this your child!?”

Marquis Jean Loop, who blamed himself for being out of touch with the world, was surprised.

He was Lion’s music teacher and, in his youth, the chief of a legendary ensemble. Since growing older, he had been busy working as a tuner and instrument maker.

Therefore, missing the wedding of his first disciple and seeing his disciple’s child for the first time was both disappointing and astonishing for him.

However,

“…No way!”

Was there ever a time when someone, a first-time acquaintance, showed such strong determination?

With a short forehead and an intense gaze, the child vigorously shook her head.

In response to that sight, Lion, feeling somewhat embarrassed, quickly replied to his master as if justifying himself.

“Ah, the child is right. This… On this side, she’s… a child of a close acquaintance, named Nia. She came together to choose her first instrument.”

That Lion came to help the child choose an instrument.
How precious could this acquaintance be? Despite the curiosity, Marquis Jean Loop felt relieved for now.

Kneeling on one knee in front of the child with a bright smile, who had such a shining aura that one could mistake her for the disciple’s child.

“Ah, I see. I apologize for the misunderstanding, Miss Nia. Instead, I, Jean Loop, will choose your first instrument with all my honor.”

“…….”

As he smiled kindly, Nia bowed her head slightly, seemingly feeling sorry.

And soon, with lips pursed, she mumbled.

“…Thank you, Mr. Myan. I’m grateful…….”

“Oh ho. Apologizing and being such a kind child.”

Observing their heartwarming scene, Lion couldn’t help but smile at his master’s unchanged appearance since their first meeting.

Following Jean Loop, who brought out various instruments from the store, the two stood in front of the piano bathed in sunlight.

After exchanging glances, they started playing in front of the child.

Naturally, the piece they played was a composition by Lion and Jean Loop, a small forest.

The melody of the piano sounded like a stream at first.

Then came the sound of footsteps of forest animals approaching the stream, accompanied by the bouncing sound of Lion’s violin.

Perhaps the cute footsteps had touched Nia’s hardened heart, as her expression gradually softened as if under a spell.

When the performance reached its climax, the violin produced a beautiful melody like the chirping of birds settling in a small forest.

Nia’s slightly bent back straightened at the sound.

On the roof, colorful birds she had seen while being held by her mother.

Her mother, who had allowed her to soar into the sky like the beautiful birds trapped in a dark warehouse.

Nia recalled the scenery of the sky and her mother’s embrace from Lion’s violin.

Lost in the enchanting tones, Nia, not realizing that the performance had ended, stared blankly at the sky reflected in the window.