Chapter 381

"As expected of Asuka- senpai! She's truly a role model for us all!"

"Hi! Desu's tone is absolutely beautiful!"

"Wow~ I actually got three Yukichi! Asuka, you're treating us to Asuka today!"

"I want some too! I want some too!"

"..."

As soon as she came down, she was surrounded by Ogasawara Haruka and the members of the Low Tone Section.

"Wow~ Extortion?"

Tanaka Asuka stared speechlessly at the group in front of her, then handed the instrument back to Kumiko Oumae. "Oumae-chan ~ Aren't you really going up?"

Because she is the team leader and doesn't need to perform, she didn't bring her silver Euphonium today.

"Hey, hey... no need, my strength is at most about the same as the previous ones."

Kumiko Oumae shook her head, her face contorted and her eyes closed.

"You really have no spirit of challenge at all!"

She crossed her arms and sighed, shaking her head at the incompetence of her juniors. "If you want to improve and become special, you need to challenge yourself at times like these."

"Okay, I understand."

"You..."

"..."

Tanaka Asuka's successful challenge briefly reignited everyone's enthusiasm for trying it.

Next, another group of fearless challengers stepped onto the "high platform".

But courage cannot immediately translate into strength, and the result was predictable, much like before.

Occasionally, a few exceptional individuals, such as Rikka and Luqiu, who were skilled players, managed to obtain a large, unappealing banknote from him, eliciting cheers and applause from their school friends and acquaintances.

People from other schools were not to be outdone and were even more enthusiastic about registering.

Himemiya Chihaya felt something was off; it was as if this was no longer the end of the performance, but had become an alternative overtime match between the schools... The school with the most successful students was considered the most powerful.

As his banknotes dwindled, another person he recognized appeared.

Hello, nice to meet you.

"Oh... hello."

Looking at the familiar face before her, Himemiya Chihaya was both surprised and unsurprised.

The ice-cold beauty with long, Black Long Straight Hair holding Trumpet in front of me is none other than Kumiko Oumae's CP, Kōsaka Reina —although their relationship doesn't seem that close right now.

Given her personality of seeking the extraordinary, she would most likely not miss such an opportunity, especially since Taki Noboru and Tanaka Asuka had already passed the test.

However, for others who don't know her, the focus is obviously on other things.

"Wow~ She's just as pretty as that girl with the Euphonium!"

"They're all wearing the same team uniform, right? They're from the same school?"

"Damn! There are so many cute girls in Kitauji? I should have gone to Kitauji too!"

"Don't even think about it, it's impossible."

"..."

Ignoring the chatter behind her, Kōsaka Reina nodded to him, then used her long, slender fingers, hidden inside her white gloves, to press down on the Trumpet and raise it in front of her.

After taking a deep breath, he fearlessly blew a loud horn!

The long, hollow, and resonant sound of the Trumpet echoed under the clear blue sky, compelling everyone to listen attentively.

The nostalgia of Taki Noboru and the lonely longing of Tanaka Asuka, each with their own unique aloofness and stubbornness, were clearly conveyed to everyone present.

"Is this piece 'From the From the New World'?"

"Wow, this girl is amazing!"

"This level of skill is already on par with many Solo musicians from top universities, isn't it?"

"Is Kitauji this good this year? Their previous Marching performances were also quite good."

"It looks like there might be some upsets in this year's prefectural tournament."

"..."

As the song ended, Kōsaka Reina casually dusted off her Black Stockings, then shifted her gaze to his eyes, as if urging him to announce the result.

A round of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from below, praising those who dared to step onto the stage.

"Qualified."

After the applause, Himemiya Chihaya was about to give her one of the few remaining banknotes...

"Etc!"

Kōsaka Reina stopped him, quickly saying, "I want to do what Teacher Taki did and use something else instead."

"Oh?"

He paused, looked up at her, and sensed something was amiss. "You mean...?"

You deliberately waited until after it was approved to say it, Hajigoo, you rascal...!

Kōsaka Reina remained unmoved, clutching the ample fat on her chest that Kumiko Oumae envied, her expression serious. "I heard you're a third-year student. Can I see what you look like?"

She still couldn't believe that a high school student like them could possess such strength!

With that kind of performance ability, she'd believe he was a professional musician from somewhere; how could he just be a high school student?

"..."

No, the demands you're making are getting more and more outrageous!

"What? Are you saying it's a lie that you're a third-year student?"

She used a simple and direct provocation, paused, and then added, "Or is there some unspeakable reason?"

The audience below gradually started discussing, each one somewhat bewildered. If Kōsaka Reina hadn't mentioned it, they wouldn't have known that such a rhythm master was a high school student like themselves.

Are you kidding me?!

"No, I just don't understand the connection between appearance and whether someone is a high school student. Maybe I just look young or old?"

He tried to persuade her.

To be honest, if you judge his age by his appearance, his parents should only be around 20 years old.

Appearances are notoriously unreliable.

For example, the difference in demeanor between freshmen and sophomores can make them seem several years apart.

He was the same. The reason why Hiratsuka Shizuka and the others couldn't figure out his age before was because his experience, temperament, and maturity completely exceeded what one would expect for someone his age.

Even if you say he's a young man in his twenties, it's not that hard to understand.

"That might be true... but I don't have anything else I want. If it really doesn't work out, then forget it."

Kōsaka Reina frowned slightly, accepted his explanation, and then bowed to him in apology.

"I'm sorry to bother you with this request so suddenly."

"I don't need the 10,000 yen; please leave it for the next person. I'll be going now."

With that, she turned around gracefully and walked back the way she came without any hesitation.

Chapter 392 The second person I fell in love with at first sight.

Staring directly at her back, Himemiya Chihaya opened her mouth, but was speechless.

Well, I've been outmaneuvered again by this guy who's got plenty of money... So, you rich kids are really something!

"Wait a moment!"

"Um?"

Kōsaka Reina turned her head to the side, her thick, lead-white hair gleaming in the sunlight.

"I'll pick them, okay? But I can't control how old you think I am."

He gave up, making a deadpan expression, and then raised his slender, fair, and beautiful hand, which looked fair and elegant even from a distance.

He paused his finger in front of his face, glanced around at the hundreds of large, "bat-like" eyes that were all staring at him without moving, and after confirming that no one was taking pictures, he quickly removed the face covering.

The warm object that had been covering his face was removed, and a cool sensation immediately washed over his face. He shook his silver hair, which had been ruffled by the mask, and swept it back behind his head.

This action revealed even more of his forehead skin.

"..."

X N.

One, two, three... Okay!

After silently counting to three, he put the seal back on.

"Finished looking? I'll put it on now."

He smiled faintly as he looked back at Kōsaka Reina, who stood there blankly, her eyes vacant. "Reina-san, are you satisfied with this answer?"

"..."

Kōsaka Reina remained silent, as if she hadn't heard his question.

Not only her, but most of the people on the field seemed to have been frozen in time at this moment, their mouths agape, staring blankly at him, forgetting to speak.

The most obvious sound was the neat "hiss--" sound when he just picked it.

A while later.

"Eh, eh, eh--!!!"

X N.

"This face... I think I'm in love, Koshiori!"

Me too~

"Could it be some celebrity? A newly debuted musician?!"

"Really?! Is that a boy?! It's definitely a girl!"

"He could be a boy, but he seems to fit my aesthetic even better than the girl from before..."

"Such formidable musical talent, and such an appearance... Excuse me, I'd like to go to the mountaintop for some peace and quiet."

"I'll go too."

"Remember to come back! Don't actually jump!"

"..."

Kitauji.

"Wow~ Oh, korewa korewa (This is really, really)~"

Tanaka Asuka twisted her body, covered her face, and said with great gossip, "I never expected that Himemiya student would have such a cute face~ Is that why he wears a mask?!"

"Um, are you willing to say he's cute now?"

Kumiko Oumae couldn't help but complain.

She had just said that she would only use the word "cute" to describe girls.

"That was just now, this is now!"

She waved her Conductor's Baton with a grin, striking a golf-playing pose, her expression full of enthusiasm.

"And then! Among our Little Birds, are there any who have a crush on Himemiya student?"

"Forehead..."

"While Himemiya student is indeed quite handsome... or beautiful?, I, Kogoro, am even more fascinated by his music!"

"Oh~ Sophia Kawashima, are you in love with his music?"

"Yes! I'm in love with his music!"