The #1 fan always losing ticketing war #7

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Ilya Rozanov Piano Masterclass

31ST MARCH

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tanna Schulich Hall, Schulich School of Music, McGill University. 

527 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, QC H3A 1E3

Call: (51) 1410-1919

The Masterclass is open to the public for observation and learning.

It will feature multiple sessions. You can choose to attend individual sessions or stay for the entire afternoon.

Full session details will be provided closer to the date.

AUDIENCE TICKET PRICES

$20 per person CONCESSIONS / STUDENTS

$40 per person ADULTS

Registration is REQUIRED - www.rozyperfectpianist.ca

I: Good morning my favorite #1 fan.

I: You free on March 31st? 🥰

S: Why do you ask?

S: Yes. I'm free all day.

S: Are yougonnaask

＊

數分鐘過去，Rozanov仍然沒有回覆，Shane刷著社群媒體，然後看到一則貼文，立刻皺起眉頭。

A few minutes passed without a reply from Rozanov. Shane was mindlessly scrolling through his feed until he spotted a post that made him frown immediately.

＊

Wife of Ilyusha@rozanovhousewife: @Ilyarozanovofficial Which ticket tier gets me stabbed by that 🔪?

Rozy's Bicep@toplessshouldbeofficial: Sooooo this is Rozy's "uniform" for teaching. Good to know... 🫦

Jane🎹looping album@rozno1fan: I don't know why I'm both excited and disappointed at the same time...

Piano Keysser💋 @kissrussianpiano : Masterclass? What the f*ck is masterclass? Is masterclass a Crazy Horse?

＊

Today, 10:43 AM

S: I thoughtyouweregoingto

S: Never mind.

I: What? Shane, dont say only half.

I: Dont tell me you have other plans for March 31st.

I: ...If your schedule really conflict, I will try change dates.

S: I haven't even said anything yet!

S: I just couldn't get a ticket, so I'm still FREE ALL DAY.

I: I add you to VIP list.

S: There wasn't even a VIP option on the poster?!

S: And I can buy my own ticket!

I: I suggest not. If MHL star sits with students, I worry whole college go crazy.

S: I

S: Fine. You've convinced me. Just send me the VIP ticket.

I: You dont need a ticket.

I: Just tell staff at door: "I am MHL player Shane Hollander" and they take you to VIP seat.

S: That's no different from announcing it loudly!

I: Anyway, fans recognize you even without you saying it.

S: Then what's the point of the VIP section?!

I: To enjoy VIP privileges.

S: WHAT VIP PRIVILEGES?! Getting stabbed by that knife?

I: What knife?

S: ...The one from the poster. Everyone is talking about it online.

I: What poster?

S: Do I really have to show you? Fine.

(A image attached: Materclass poster)

I: Oh, THAT.

(images attached: BTS photo.)

Shane點開照片，然後縮放，但是那張幕後照裡根本沒有那把道具刀。

Shane tapped the images open and pinched to zoom, but there was no sign of the prop knife in those behind-the-scenes photos.

S: Are these... behind-the-scenes photos?

I: Yes. You like what you see?

S: I'm not sure...? Why did you send these to me?

I: I thought fans like BTS things. Looks like my #1 fan is tired of me. Sad.

S: I didn't say that!

S: We were just talking about your poster, and now I'm confused.

I: You zooming in on the photo and staring. Now you try hide your blush.

S: I'm not blushing!!

I: So you admit you zoomed in.

S: I was looking for that knife! YES, THE KNIFE.

S: ...Have you been distracting me this whole conversation?

I: No. (Yes)

(images attached)

S: 🤨

S: ...Why did you send me more?

I: I can hear you saving pictures.

S: Bullshit! You can't hear that!

I: Keep saving pics. I do not mind.

(A image attached: Ilya's behind-the-scenes photo, a back view in tight jeans, highlighting his firm backside.)

S: Holyshit.

I: THE KNIFE you looking for, yes?

S: I won't answer this question.

－－－

直到Shane出發前往大師班之前，信箱仍然沒有收到VIP票或是吊牌，他才相信Rozanov說的是真的。但是Shane當然沒有在門口大喊出自己是MHL球員，他只是對工作人員小聲說出名字，甚至因為講得太小聲聽不到，他得重複好幾遍，尷尬得覺得自己已經被後方隊伍認出來了。

工作人員將他帶到Tanna Schulich Hall的中間排座位，舞台視野與音場最好、靠近走道，遠離前排的學生席以及後排的一般席，幾位看似學院教授或贊助商的觀眾已經入座同一排。Shane今天穿得很簡單，白襯衫、黑西裝，他的領子上本來甚至繫著黑色領結，但在出門前覺得太莊重，拆掉塞進了口袋，因為他真的不想在觀眾席裡引發騷動。

舞台上擺放兩台鋼琴，並排。McGill University的Piano Area Chair of Department of Performance走上舞台，介紹了自己與今天的名單後，此時，一位褐色捲髮的女性從階梯走道毫不猶豫地坐進Shane旁邊靠走道的空位裡。

「Lily!」Shane小聲驚呼。

Svetlana遲疑了一會，然後才露出笑容，與Shane握了手，「Hi, "Jane." 但我更喜歡見面的時候叫我Svetlana.」

「Of course, Svetlana.」Shane回以微笑，能遇到熟人讓他再安心不過了。

「很高興你今天能來，這樣我就放心了，」Svetlana靠向他，小聲地說，「他剛剛還跟我反覆確認你進場了沒。」

Shane突然張著嘴支支吾吾，然後他低下頭，「他事先跟我確認過我今天的空檔，這樣我就更不敢缺席了。」然後他無奈地笑起，「而且我這次也沒買到一般席位。」

Svetlana小聲笑出聲，然後瞥了一眼Shane的腳下，「這是今天的百合？」Shane順著她的視線看向座位下方露出來的百合花束，他靦腆地點頭。

「然後，Jane，」Svetlana的肩膀碰了碰他，「今天晚上先謝謝你。」

Shane疑惑地哼了一聲，台上的兩聲拍手聲打斷了他，Shane看向舞台。他們都沒注意到Rozanov已經站在舞台中央。

「Okay. So...」Rozanov環顧觀眾席，視線對上Shane，他的嘴角揚起，接著面向側台的學生，「Who is my first victim?」

觀眾全都笑了。

Shane hadn't received a VIP ticket or a lanyard in his mailbox by the time he left for the masterclass. That was when he finally believed Rozanov was serious, he really didn't need one. Of course, Shane didn't shout his name at the entrance. He whispered it to the staff so quietly that they couldn't hear him, so he had to repeat it several times. He felt so awkward, thinking that the people in the line behind him might have already recognized him.

The staff led him to a seat in the middle row of Tanna Schulich Hall. It had the best view and sound, and it was near the aisle. He was far from the students in the front and the general seats in the back. A few people who looked like professors or sponsors were already sitting in the same row. Shane dressed simply today in a white shirt and a black suit. He actually had a black bowtie on his collar earlier, but he felt it was too formal, so he took it off and put it in his pocket before leaving. He really didn't want to cause a scene in the audience.

Two grand pianos were on the stage, side-by-side. The Piano Area Chair of the Department of Performance walked onto the stage and introduced himself and the program. At that moment, a woman with brown curly hair walked down the aisle and sat in the empty seat next to Shane without hesitating.

"Lily!" Shane whispered in surprise.

Svetlana hesitated for a moment, then smiled and shook Shane's hand. "Hi, 'Jane.' But I prefer you call me Svetlana when we meet in person."

"Of course, Svetlana." Shane smiled back. Seeing someone he knew made him feel much safer.

"I'm glad you could come today. Now I can finally stop worrying." Svetlana leaned in and whispered. "He kept checking with me just now to see if you had arrived yet."

Shane started to stammer and looked down. "He checked my schedule beforehand, so I didn't feel like I could skip it." Then he gave a helpless laugh. "Besides, I couldn't even buy a regular ticket this time."

Svetlana laughed quietly and looked at Shane's feet. "Are these today's lilies?" Shane looked down at the bouquet of lilies under his seat and nodded shyly.

"And, Jane," Svetlana touched his shoulder. "Thank you in advance for tonight."

Shane made a confused sound, but two claps from the stage interrupted him. He looked at the stage. Neither of them had noticed that Rozanov was already standing in the center.

"Okay. So..."

Rozanov looked around the hall. His eyes met Shane's, and a smirk appeared on his face. Then he turned to the students on the side of the stage. 

"Who is my first victim?"

The audience all laughed.

Rozanov穿著水綠色 (Seafoam Green)的絲綢長袖襯衫以及藏青色(Navy Blue)的長褲，水綠色的領結式領口(Pussy-bow neck)讓他整體的風格很優雅、柔和，不同於平常凶狠的形象，似乎也如同他幽默的開場，諭示了他的大師班氛圍。Rozanov先讓學生(student)彈奏一遍全曲，同時在樂譜上做筆記，雖然看似嚴肅，但在參與者的演奏結束後，Rozanov立刻根據選曲幽默幾句，參與者與前排觀眾都小聲笑了，然後他開始翻閱樂譜，邊解釋邊重彈，讓參與者跟著他的建議重新彈奏，反覆地修正、調整，語氣輕柔，充滿耐心。當他們因為緊張而聽不懂他的俄羅斯口音的時候，Rozanov會哼著節奏，時不時表現誇張的表情與手勢，彷彿在空中描繪音符的位置，教學的氣氛也更加輕鬆。Rozanov的大師班比起正式教學，更像一種「教學式」的表演秀，但是參與者的演奏經過他的指導後，都在技巧之間融入了更多情感，呈現更鮮明的詮釋。

那是樂迷從未見過的Ilya Rozanov。

Rozanov was dressed in a seafoam green silk long-sleeved shirt paired with navy blue trousers. The lavallière neckline lent an air of elegance and softness to his overall style, a striking departure from his usual fierce persona. Much like his humorous opening, his attire seemed to foreshadow the gentle atmosphere of the masterclass.

He began by having the students play through their entire pieces while he took meticulous notes on the scores. Though he appeared solemn during the performances, the moment a student finished, Rozanov would crack a joke about the repertoire, drawing ripples of quiet laughter from the students and the front rows. Then, he would pore over the marked scores, explaining as he demonstrated on the keys, guiding the students to re-play according to his suggestions through repeated, patient corrections.

Whenever the students grew so nervous that they struggled to follow his Russian accent, Rozanov would simply hum the rhythm instead. He'd pair it with vivid facial expressions and sweeping gestures, as if sketching the placement of the notes in mid-air, allowing the tension in the hall to gradually melt away. His masterclass felt less like a formal lesson and more like a curated "educational performance". Yet, under his guidance, the students' playing transcended mere technique, infusing their interpretations with deeper emotion and vivid clarity.

It was a side of Ilya Rozanov his fans had never seen before.

當第四位參與者的講授結束後，音樂廳響起掌聲，The Piano Area Chair再次上台為大師班作結語，先前的參與者也走上前與Rozanov合影。

Svetlana起身走下階梯，當Shane也準備離席的時候，她突然停下腳步看了他一眼，然後拍了自己的額頭，「Blin,我差點忘了。」她回頭拉住Shane。

「你晚上原本真的沒有其他安排，對吧？雖然Ilya說他問過你了，但我還是覺得很抱歉。」她邊問著，拉著Shane走下台階，轉進工作人員的後門。

Shane疑惑地眨眨眼，被拉著走，「...沒有？我是這麼跟Rozanov說過。」

「太好了，太好了。」Svetlan帶著他穿過走廊，Shane好幾次想停下來問她，但Svetlana只是催促著Shane先去休息室等著，以及她的手機響個不停，Shane根本插不上嘴。等他注意到時，已經站在休息室裡。

「還有一件事，你有忌口的食物嗎？」

「什麼？」Shane訝異地看向Svetlana。

她握著門把，撐在門框上聳聳肩，「過敏，或是醫囑禁食的食物？」

雖然搞不清楚狀況，但Shane還是回答了，「...I am on macrobiotic diet. No dairy, no sugar, no alcohol?」

「這辦得到，沒問題。」Svetlana闔上門之前，她又回頭，「真的很謝謝你，Shane.」

徒留Shane處於混亂之中。

After the fourth participant finished, the hall was filled with applause. The Piano Area Chair went on stage again to end the masterclass, and the students went up to take photos with Rozanov.

Svetlana stood up and walked down the steps. When Shane was about to leave, she suddenly stopped and looked at him. She slapped her forehead. "Blin, I almost forgot," she said. She turned back and grabbed Shane's arm.

"Do you really have no other plans tonight? Ilya said he checked with you, but I still feel bad about this," she said while pulling Shane down the stairs and through the backstage door.

Shane blinked in confusion as he was dragged along. "...No? That is what I told Rozanov."

"Good, good." Svetlana led him through the hallway. Shane tried to stop and ask her questions many times, but Svetlana just told him to wait in the lounge. Her phone kept ringing, so Shane couldn't get a word in. Before he knew it, he was already standing inside.

"One more thing. Is there any food you can't eat?"

"What?" Shane looked at Svetlana in surprise.

She held the door handle and shrugged. "Allergies? Or a special diet?"

Even though he didn't understand what was happening, Shane still answered. "...I am on a macrobiotic diet. No dairy, no sugar, no alcohol?"

"That is doable. No problem." Before Svetlana closed the door, she looked back one more time. "Thank you so much, Shane."

She left, leaving Shane standing there in total confusion.

＊

S: Tell me why I'm sitting in the lounge. What did you forget to mention?

I: Students talk too much. Wait a minute, I be there soon.

S: ROZANOV.

S: The masterclass is over. WHAT DID YOU FORGET TO SAY?

I: VIP privilege?

I: You said you are free all day. "All day" include evening, yes?

S: WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS PRIVILEGE EXACTLY??!!

I: A charity fundraising gala?

S: A WHAT

＊ 

L: Plans changed. You take elevator to venue on floor -2 of this building?

L: Typo. Ilya doesnt have time go back to lounge.

S: Svetlana, I'm about to leave.

L: WHAT WHY

S: This wasn't on my schedule today. I have no idea why I'm attending the charity gala.

S: Can I just leave the lilies in the lounge? You can give them to him later.

L: Shane. Please stay please please

L: Sorry Im so so sorry. I should told you early. I had other plans.

L: TYPO! He has other plans!!

S: What do you mean???

L: Piano Area Chair fucking invited us at last minute.

L: Invited Ilya, correctly.

L: Gala is opportunity for us to enter Montreal music circle.

L: For Ilya, actually.

S: What's the point of having me accompany him to such a big event?

S: I'm just a fan.

＊

now

I: Sveta cannot be there.

1m ago

I: Please, accompany me.

1m ago

I: You are not just a fan, Shane. 

＊

now

I: I need you.

－－－

All the materials used in this chapter are sourced from Connor's Verizon ad. For images that have been heavily edited or had the brand logos removed, I've included source disclaimers. Thank you for your understanding! 🌞

My photo editing teacher taught me, "Once your technical skills reach a certain level, you must possess a corresponding sense of professional ethics." AI-generated content makes people forget the chaos Photoshop once caused many years ago. 

We might not be able to return to the era of "handcrafted", but our ethical conscience must advance as technology does.