Chapter 376
Sophia coughed lightly, caught off guard.
She had been listening intently when the topic suddenly shifted to her.
She was a bit flustered.
"We're not dating, but this meal is indeed complimentary for Mr. Evans." Sophia smiled at the owner. "I'll pay."
The owner was stunned for a moment, then shot Sebastian a meaningful look: Serves you right!
After the meal, Sophia walked toward the cashier.
The owner pulled Sebastian aside, lowering his voice. "You're slacking, man. Step up your game and win her over. No more free meals next time, or I'll never let you live it down!"
Sebastian sighed softly. "You think I don't want to?"
"Well, well. Finally found someone who can keep you in check. Rare sight."
"..."
"Hold on. Let your old buddy help you out."
Sebastian: "?"
Sophia had already reached the front desk, phone in hand, ready to pay.
After settling the bill, she turned to Sebastian, who was lagging behind. "Shall we go?"
"Wait a moment!" The owner cut in, smiling as he strode to the counter and signaled an employee.
"...What?" The cashier looked confused.
"The tickets."
"Oh! Right!"
The owner took them and shoved them into Sebastian's hand. "My sister got two piano concert tickets. A tone-deaf guy like me wouldn't appreciate it. Total waste! Ha... Since you're both here, take them!"
Sebastian glanced at the tickets and raised an eyebrow. "These are hard to get. Sure about this?"
"Just take them!"
"Alright. I won't stand on ceremony then."
They left the hot pot restaurant under the owner's watchful gaze.
Sebastian waved the tickets. "Maksim's piano concert. Interested?"
"Maksim? Seriously?" Sophia was surprised. "His tickets are impossible to get."
"See for yourself..."
Sophia looked down. They were genuine!
"Kind gesture, but the show starts in two hours. Waste not to go."
Sophia looked up. "Well... shall we go?"
"Great! Let's head out now!"
They drove separately, meeting at the Kyoto Concert Hall.
They entered through the VIP entrance and found their seats.
At 4 PM, the concert began.
The audience erupted in applause as Maksim bowed on stage.
Sophia sat in the front center, facing the stage with a perfect view. She clapped along, murmuring something.
It was too noisy. Sebastian leaned closer. "What did you say?"
Sophia turned, still clapping. "I said—"
Sebastian moved in.
"He's so charismatic."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
"Handsome, and plays brilliantly!"
Handsome?
Sebastian smirked.
He could play too!
The opening was a modernized version of "Flight of the Bumblebee," fresh and innovative.
By the end, Sophia's palms were red from clapping.
The following "Grieg's Piano Variations," "Claudine," and "Cuba! Cuba!" were even more spectacular.
Sophia was completely absorbed in the music.
Sebastian, however, was distracted.
He kept glancing at her, his attention entirely on Sophia.
He barely registered the musical variations.
The dim lighting provided perfect cover, allowing his gaze to soften with affection.
His eyes repeatedly fell on Sophia's fair hands. He fought the urge to hold them, to never let go.
But reason prevailed.
He told himself: Be patient. Soon... just after tonight...
Don't rush. Don't scare her...
Two hours felt like an eternity for some, but for Sophia, it was a rare auditory feast.
Even after it ended, she was still savoring it.
"...Did you catch that 'Croatian Rhapsody'? He added rock elements! Unexpectedly romantic and vibrant, especially the middle variation. So surprising! What did you think?"
Sebastian was distracted. "...Hmm? Yes, quite good."
Lost in her own world, Sophia didn't notice his odd behavior.
Only when they exited the hall, under the streetlights and neon glow, did she realize it was dark.
Remembering her unfinished paper and unprepared lunch for tomorrow's lab, she prepared to say goodbye.
But before she could speak, Sebastian suddenly said, "Come with me somewhere?"
"...Hmm?"
"May I?" A startling brightness flashed in his dark, ink-like eyes.
Though puzzled, she agreed.
But...
"I need to be home by nine."
Sebastian said, "Okay."
...
Sophia followed Sebastian's car toward the suburbs.
They drove along a winding mountain road until they reached a hilltop.
"Sophia, look—"
They stopped at a windy overlook. Sophia was tightening her down jacket when Sebastian spoke.
She looked up, following his pointing finger.
A sea of city lights spread out below them, twinkling like a fallen galaxy.
"So beautiful..." Sophia whispered, mesmerized.
"Do you like it?" Sebastian's voice carried on the wind.
She nodded, amazed. "I never knew Kyoto had a place like this."
Suddenly, Sebastian pulled a bouquet from his car and walked toward her, smiling. "Sophia, happy birthday."
She froze.
She was used to celebrating her lunar calendar birthday. David and Isabella always did.
She hadn't even realized today was her solar calendar birthday.
"You... remember better than I do?" She couldn't help but laugh.
"For you." Sebastian handed her the flowers.
Only then did Sophia notice they were... blue roses!
"These..." She examined them curiously, her professional curiosity piqued. "Natural or dyed?"
It wasn't strange for her to ask. When it came to her field, her mind raced with investigative desire.
As far as she knew, natural blue roses didn't exist.
Market varieties like "Blue Enchantress" or "Blue Peter" were all artificially dyed.
But these...
She reached out and touched them, her expression serious, her gaze focused.
The bouquet was now in her hands.
Seeing this, Sebastian's eyes suddenly lit up.