On to the summary.
Lesson 130
Music that sounds more pleasant
Somehow, in Nodame's flight, she ended up in Cairo, Egypt. The first scene showed her asking for a drink in a bar. The bartender started a conversation with her. Well, actually, he kept asking her questions like what she's doing alone in Egypt? Where are her parents? Nodame said that she's not a baby and wonders why people are treating her like a kid. The bartender just laughed but kept on asking her questions. "You're a tourist right? Are you Japanese? Why are you here alone?"
Nodame explained that she carelessly got off the bus. The bartender asked her where is her real destination, her final destination. She said it was supposed to be where he is. He being Chiaki. Then she went on saying that she already went there with somebody else. The man asked her if she's already on her way home.
The scene shifted to London and here we see a character that, although we have seen a few chapters back, hasn't played so much role yet. It is Charles Auclair. He's in London as a judge for some competition. At the hotel lobby, he bumped (not literally) to Stresemann who's going out with Elise on his heels. Stresemann is worried about Nodame.
Apparently, Stresemann and Auclair had already performed together and it has been 20 years since they last saw each other. They quabbled with each other a bit, arguing who's younger. Stresemann asked if Charles was there to see him. He said he wasn't and was there for a competition.
Charles mentioned that Stresemann did something really crazy to his student (Nodame). Stresemann said that there was no need for Charles to thank him but Charles vehemently said that there was no reason for him to thank Stresemann because he destroyed his plan. Just a little bit more and Nodame would've become a true pianist.
Stresemann wonders what's being a true pianist all about. Charles explained that it is the resolve to make living as a pianist regardless of whatever happens. He said that Nodame didn't like the competition and the business of the music world even though she likes music. Worst of it all is the fact that she made that far with only the goal of performing with her boyfriend.
Stresemann talked about seeing Nodame in Japan first and thought she was wonderful. He said he thought that the only thing left was to get her to perform on stage. He was just like being a parent. He said that the performance was a success and so was her debut. Charles reminded him that Nodame has gone off and he was a devil who doesn't know about parental love. He should stop being childish and grow up. Elise who was listening nearby agreed with him. Charles continued that he doesn't care about the people around him. Stresemann, a bit taken aback, wondered what he should do. Charles said that there's nothing for him to do. Nodame has to decide for herself.
In Italy, Chiaki was having lunch with Jean when he received a phone call from Nodame's number. When he answered, the caller said, "Shinichi-kun, it's Nodame. I love you." However, it wasn't her. Chiaki quickly realized it was Elise and asked her what she's up to. He even said that it pisses him off because she just sounds like Nodame. Elise asked him if Nodame was with him. Elise said that Nodame had gone missing after saying she cannot play. Chiaki said that he wanted to look for her but Elise said that it's better for him not to. After that, she said she has work for Chiaki in Brazil. Elise said that he has to concentrate on his work and to take care. After he hung up, he thought to himself, "what do you mean you can't play?" All this time, Jean was listening.
Back in Cairo, Nodame is sharing a room with some Chinese girl. She said that she's gonna go outside to buy some food and asked Nodame if she wants to come with her. They talked about sightseeing and the pyramids. However, some guy noticed them and recognized Nodame as the pianist who performed with Stresemann. This guy was so impressed with Nodame's playing and said that she moved him. He said that he was her fan. The Chinese girl was surprised to learn that Nodame was a famous pianist. She said that it was amazing how she can move someone's feelings with her playing. She said she wanted to hear it too. Nodame thought that she did it properly and yes, she faced the music so she doesn't need to anymore.
Meanwhile, back in Italy, Viera was looking for Chiaki as he was finishing a rehearsal. Jean told him that he was in the balcony. Chiaki is in the dumps and he can't be of any help. Jean told Viera-sensei what he heard earlier however he got it all wrong. He said that Chiaki is entangled with a girl named Elise in Brazil. Jean told maestro that he should talk to Chiaki and say something like "I'm the maestro of love." Viera-sensei thought that was pretty idiotic to say. Jean tried again and said that why not the treat me as your father thing. Viera said, "There's no need for him to think of anyone as his father." Lo and behold, Chiaki Masayuki came. He was out to ask Viera-sensei to eat out.
----------------------------
Thoughts:
Quite a long wait, however, not as long as the hiatus so I am not complaining.
After I read chapter 129, I didn't know what to expect for the next chapter. We all know that Nodame's gone off to somewhere. I thought that she had a clear destination but it looks like she just went off in a daze. Hmm, Egypt. I wonder why.
It seems like the thing that happened back in London is still on her mind. No doubt that she's avoiding Chiaki and she's trying to drift away from him. It saddened her that her dream of performing with Chiaki wasn't realized and her debut happened with someone else. However, it also seems like she's also trying to get away from music. It was implied on her thoughts when the Chinese girl was talking about her being a pianist and wanting to hear her performance too. Nodame said that since she already did it properly and faced the music head on, she doesn't need to anymore. It's already enough.
Prior to this, Auclair was talking about how Stresemann messed up his plans. He talked about how he wanted to make Nodame realize that no matter what happens in her life, she has to be with music. And she has to know the true joy, meaning and pleasure that comes from music. He also talked about how bad it is that Nodame's dream is only to perform with Chiaki.
Saying that, it all makes perfect sense. The problem that Auclair was trying to avoid is for Nodame to give up music. We kept saying that it was Nodame's dream to perform with Chiaki. It didn't happened. However, there was a point in her life when she already acknowledged that it was because of that dream that she got that far. And like what happened back when the first time they got to Paris, when Chiaki's all busy and his career is taking off, Nodame decided to do a recital so that she herself could move forward. Now, she decided to do it again when she debuted with Stresemann.
When she's saying that she didn't want to do it anymore, she's thinking that it's already enough. Since, she can't perform with Chiaki, she decided to make her debut anyway. She can't fulfill that dream, so she'll rather do it anyway, even without Chiaki. Atleast, she's doing it for her music.
It's because, after that failed 'marriage proposal', she's giving up on Chiaki. So, maybe, she did that final act as a musician and then quit.
On the surface, you might think Nodame's being really shallow. Just because she can't be with Chiaki, she's quitting? She decided to face the music because that's all there is to it? Then after that, ta-ta piano playing?
However, when you think about it, it really wasn't in Nodame's plan to be a pianist. Though gifted, she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. It just all changed when she met Chiaki-sempai. She wanted to be with him so she decided to pursue her music so she can be wherever Chiaki is. So, maybe, yes, her reason is shallow. And that's what Auclair-sensei wanted to change in her. He wanted Nodame to be truly in love with music so no matter what happens, when her only reason (Chiaki) for moving forward with music is gone, she'll stay with her music.
I wonder what's going to happen next?
In other stuff, we finally see Masayuki again. Looks like it's now time to patch up ongoing family problems.
Okay, I know it's already an eyesore for being so long but I just want to make another point. The very first thing that I noticed when I read chapter 130 is the inscription "The Fourth Movement" on the first page (in French). For those familiar, the fourth movement is usually the last movement in symphonies. Could it be that Ninomiya-sensei is hinting that Nodame Cantabile is nearing the end? It could be a new arc but I can feel it in my gut that it's gonna be the end. Nodame Cantabile is running for 9 years now.
Let's all wait for Nodame Cantabile Chapter 131 on June 10, shall we?
Nodame explained that she carelessly got off the bus. The bartender asked her where is her real destination, her final destination. She said it was supposed to be where he is. He being Chiaki. Then she went on saying that she already went there with somebody else. The man asked her if she's already on her way home.
The scene shifted to London and here we see a character that, although we have seen a few chapters back, hasn't played so much role yet. It is Charles Auclair. He's in London as a judge for some competition. At the hotel lobby, he bumped (not literally) to Stresemann who's going out with Elise on his heels. Stresemann is worried about Nodame.
Apparently, Stresemann and Auclair had already performed together and it has been 20 years since they last saw each other. They quabbled with each other a bit, arguing who's younger. Stresemann asked if Charles was there to see him. He said he wasn't and was there for a competition.
Charles mentioned that Stresemann did something really crazy to his student (Nodame). Stresemann said that there was no need for Charles to thank him but Charles vehemently said that there was no reason for him to thank Stresemann because he destroyed his plan. Just a little bit more and Nodame would've become a true pianist.
Stresemann wonders what's being a true pianist all about. Charles explained that it is the resolve to make living as a pianist regardless of whatever happens. He said that Nodame didn't like the competition and the business of the music world even though she likes music. Worst of it all is the fact that she made that far with only the goal of performing with her boyfriend.
Stresemann talked about seeing Nodame in Japan first and thought she was wonderful. He said he thought that the only thing left was to get her to perform on stage. He was just like being a parent. He said that the performance was a success and so was her debut. Charles reminded him that Nodame has gone off and he was a devil who doesn't know about parental love. He should stop being childish and grow up. Elise who was listening nearby agreed with him. Charles continued that he doesn't care about the people around him. Stresemann, a bit taken aback, wondered what he should do. Charles said that there's nothing for him to do. Nodame has to decide for herself.
In Italy, Chiaki was having lunch with Jean when he received a phone call from Nodame's number. When he answered, the caller said, "Shinichi-kun, it's Nodame. I love you." However, it wasn't her. Chiaki quickly realized it was Elise and asked her what she's up to. He even said that it pisses him off because she just sounds like Nodame. Elise asked him if Nodame was with him. Elise said that Nodame had gone missing after saying she cannot play. Chiaki said that he wanted to look for her but Elise said that it's better for him not to. After that, she said she has work for Chiaki in Brazil. Elise said that he has to concentrate on his work and to take care. After he hung up, he thought to himself, "what do you mean you can't play?" All this time, Jean was listening.
Back in Cairo, Nodame is sharing a room with some Chinese girl. She said that she's gonna go outside to buy some food and asked Nodame if she wants to come with her. They talked about sightseeing and the pyramids. However, some guy noticed them and recognized Nodame as the pianist who performed with Stresemann. This guy was so impressed with Nodame's playing and said that she moved him. He said that he was her fan. The Chinese girl was surprised to learn that Nodame was a famous pianist. She said that it was amazing how she can move someone's feelings with her playing. She said she wanted to hear it too. Nodame thought that she did it properly and yes, she faced the music so she doesn't need to anymore.
Meanwhile, back in Italy, Viera was looking for Chiaki as he was finishing a rehearsal. Jean told him that he was in the balcony. Chiaki is in the dumps and he can't be of any help. Jean told Viera-sensei what he heard earlier however he got it all wrong. He said that Chiaki is entangled with a girl named Elise in Brazil. Jean told maestro that he should talk to Chiaki and say something like "I'm the maestro of love." Viera-sensei thought that was pretty idiotic to say. Jean tried again and said that why not the treat me as your father thing. Viera said, "There's no need for him to think of anyone as his father." Lo and behold, Chiaki Masayuki came. He was out to ask Viera-sensei to eat out.
----------------------------
Thoughts:
Quite a long wait, however, not as long as the hiatus so I am not complaining.
After I read chapter 129, I didn't know what to expect for the next chapter. We all know that Nodame's gone off to somewhere. I thought that she had a clear destination but it looks like she just went off in a daze. Hmm, Egypt. I wonder why.
It seems like the thing that happened back in London is still on her mind. No doubt that she's avoiding Chiaki and she's trying to drift away from him. It saddened her that her dream of performing with Chiaki wasn't realized and her debut happened with someone else. However, it also seems like she's also trying to get away from music. It was implied on her thoughts when the Chinese girl was talking about her being a pianist and wanting to hear her performance too. Nodame said that since she already did it properly and faced the music head on, she doesn't need to anymore. It's already enough.
Prior to this, Auclair was talking about how Stresemann messed up his plans. He talked about how he wanted to make Nodame realize that no matter what happens in her life, she has to be with music. And she has to know the true joy, meaning and pleasure that comes from music. He also talked about how bad it is that Nodame's dream is only to perform with Chiaki.
Saying that, it all makes perfect sense. The problem that Auclair was trying to avoid is for Nodame to give up music. We kept saying that it was Nodame's dream to perform with Chiaki. It didn't happened. However, there was a point in her life when she already acknowledged that it was because of that dream that she got that far. And like what happened back when the first time they got to Paris, when Chiaki's all busy and his career is taking off, Nodame decided to do a recital so that she herself could move forward. Now, she decided to do it again when she debuted with Stresemann.
When she's saying that she didn't want to do it anymore, she's thinking that it's already enough. Since, she can't perform with Chiaki, she decided to make her debut anyway. She can't fulfill that dream, so she'll rather do it anyway, even without Chiaki. Atleast, she's doing it for her music.
It's because, after that failed 'marriage proposal', she's giving up on Chiaki. So, maybe, she did that final act as a musician and then quit.
On the surface, you might think Nodame's being really shallow. Just because she can't be with Chiaki, she's quitting? She decided to face the music because that's all there is to it? Then after that, ta-ta piano playing?
However, when you think about it, it really wasn't in Nodame's plan to be a pianist. Though gifted, she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. It just all changed when she met Chiaki-sempai. She wanted to be with him so she decided to pursue her music so she can be wherever Chiaki is. So, maybe, yes, her reason is shallow. And that's what Auclair-sensei wanted to change in her. He wanted Nodame to be truly in love with music so no matter what happens, when her only reason (Chiaki) for moving forward with music is gone, she'll stay with her music.
I wonder what's going to happen next?
In other stuff, we finally see Masayuki again. Looks like it's now time to patch up ongoing family problems.
Okay, I know it's already an eyesore for being so long but I just want to make another point. The very first thing that I noticed when I read chapter 130 is the inscription "The Fourth Movement" on the first page (in French). For those familiar, the fourth movement is usually the last movement in symphonies. Could it be that Ninomiya-sensei is hinting that Nodame Cantabile is nearing the end? It could be a new arc but I can feel it in my gut that it's gonna be the end. Nodame Cantabile is running for 9 years now.
Let's all wait for Nodame Cantabile Chapter 131 on June 10, shall we?
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