I don’t often replay games, but after a recent string of disappointments I wanted to play something I knew I’d like. And I almost had it right with La Corda d’Oro too. The gameplay is still as involving as ever and I love classical music as much as ever. I just made a slight mistake in choosing the romantic interest this time. I wasn’t interested in Shimizu when I first played two years ago and time has changed none of that lack of interest. The dull-eyed, sleepy slacker is always my least favorite character in any kind of  media. Okay second least favorite, after the playboy.

By the time Shimizu finally took an interest in the contest and began to speak above a barely-audible mumble, I had already written him off in favor of getting to know other characters better. Still it was easy enough to get his affection and rivalry to 1000 and get his date ending, so I went ahead and did it. I don’t know what he said in the end though, because I mashed X through it and turned the PS2 off. Phew.

But enough about that. No need to turn this into a Shimizu-bashing session. Not when I have more interesting things to think about. All along I’d assumed that nobody ever found out about the gimmicked violin MC used to sweep the first two selections. It turns out I just hadn’t triggered the right events before (or maybe I had but just skipped through them ‘cos they were talking too much. That happens a lot). Over the course of this playthrough, Tsuchiura, Tsukimori and Ousaki all find out about her violin, with different reactions.

Tsuchiura, laid back dude that he is, thinks it’s no big deal and that’s it only natural for a rank amateur to be given a handicap when going up against more experienced players. Hmm, true, I see where he’s coming from.

Ousaki thinks it’s fine too, because it’s not all the magic violin: MC also puts a lot of emotion and skill into her playing. Okay, I guess. She does practice quite a bit. And she does put some thought into picking pieces, outfits and interpretations.

Tsukimori, on the other hand, is completely furious. And who can blame him? He’s been practicing upwards of 5 hours a day for most of his life to get to where he is and here comes this kid with a magical violin, are you kidding me?

Of course he’s mad. It’s easy for Tsuchiura and Ousaki to be chill about it. They’re not the ones in the music department. They’re not the ones who have to practice day in and day out, living up to constant pressure from within and without and dealing with the “Wow Tsukimori, you really suck compared to this newbie!” comments. I’m surprised he didn’t just drop out of the competition in protest.

I mean I do see how it would be unfair to toss MC into the contest when she had never even held a violin before, but the obvious answer would be to not let her compete at all. And if she does compete and it’s “only natural” for her to get a handicap then why try to keep it a secret? Lili the fairy is such a cheat.

Poor Tsukimori Len, so ill-used and hard done by. I wonder how he’ll react when MC stops using the magic violin and still trumps him handily? That’s just my way of saying I really want to replay La Corda d’Oro right now and do Tsukimori’s route. And I’ll do it too, eventually. Right now, though, I’m feeling quite fortified by the familiar so I’m ready to strike out in new (but not too new) directions. Now’s a good time to start either Shining Tears or Sakura Taisen 3 while my PS2 is still in a good mood. I’m all but certain I’ll enjoy the latter, so I’ll start with that now and get back to La Corda d’Oro later. Mata ne!

Related posts:

La Corda d’oro – Forever alone! (spoilers) La Corda d’oro – Tsuchiura GET! La Corda d’Oro – Tsukimori Len GET! La Corda d’Oro 2 – Hihara true end, Shimizu, Tsukimori and Yunoki GET!