Chapter 383

"..."

Chapter 393 Blocking the door isn't new, but it works.

"How amazing does the teacher think Himemiya student is?"

Someone then asked the same question again.

"Um..."

Taki Noboru smiled seldom, knowing exactly what they wanted to know. "Very impressive."

"Is he even better than the teacher?"

The student who had just thought the Saxophone was better continued to ask questions.

"How is that possible?!"

Kōsaka Reina couldn't help but stand up and retort, her delicate face full of indignation.

This was not only because she had a crush on Taki Noboru since childhood, but also because subconsciously she was unwilling to admit the fact that he was so strong as a high school student...

"Forehead..."

The person asking the question was startled by her, and the people around her stared at her blankly, not expecting that she, who was usually so taciturn, would suddenly have such a big reaction.

"Kousaka student..."

Kumiko Oumae was also taken aback and silently watched her.

Ever since her school won the Wasted Gold at the Kyoto Prefecture tournament in her third year of junior high, and she said to the heartbroken and tearful Kōsaka Reina, "Do you really think we can advance?", it took her two weeks this semester to finally strike up a conversation with her—even though the other girl didn't seem to care much about it.

[Note: In each level of the Wind Instrument Music competition, the awards are divided into three grades: gold, silver, and bronze. Only a portion of the schools that Gold Prize can qualify for the next level. Gold Prize that do not qualify are called "Wasted Gold."]

A month has passed since the start of the school year. Because they are in different classes and sing different parts, the two haven't talked much. This includes scenes where they were caught by Tsukamoto Shuichi when he was talking badly about Taki Noboru's strictness to his childhood friend, Tsukamoto Shuichi, and they apologized to each other at school the next day...

We only bumped into each other at the Wind Ensemble Club every day, and occasionally ran into each other a few times on our way home.

Although she knew that Teacher Taki admired her, she didn't expect her to act like this in front of everyone—she thought to herself, staring at Kōsaka Reina's profile.

Taki Noboru glanced at Kōsaka Reina, smiled and nodded at her, not thinking much of it, assuming it was because of their old friendship.

"Thank you, but Himemiya student is indeed more talented than me, and probably even more talented than the average professional musician. Her composition and performance are both impeccable."

"Although people haven't heard of him yet, he may Mirai become a well-known musician."

"Among the people I know, he's probably the most Talent, so losing to him isn't a big deal... Well, that's still a long way off for everyone. We should just focus on the National Competition."

"Wow..."

The passengers in the carriage were all utterly astonished, their expressions varying.

They knew their opponent was very strong, but they didn't expect Taki Noboru to give such a high evaluation.

Kōsaka Reina clenched her fists tightly, her heart filled with a complex mix of frustration, resentment, and longing.

At that moment, she understood, or rather, only now admitted—if there are such things as "special" people in the world, then it must be someone like that person.

However, that place is far too far from where she is now...

No, not necessarily! I still have two years; I might be able to reach their current level if I practice relentlessly!

"Even the teacher says so, that person is just too perfect..."

"Is he really a third-year student? Ha... have mercy on me."

"Are there really a lot of people like that in Tokyo? Is it true?"

"There are actually people in this world more outrageous than Asuka- senpai?! I'm going to die~"

"Hey! Just say what you want to say, why are you dragging me into this again?"

"We'll probably only get to meet someone who exceeds the limit once in a lifetime, and then we won't see them again."

"Asuka- senpai~ Don't you really have his contact information?"

"No, no~ How many times do I have to say it before you understand!"

"Kumiko?"

"Eh? Me?"

Startled by the sudden conversation, Kumiko Oumae quickly turned around and waved her hands, exclaiming, "No, no, no! How could I possibly have such a thing!"

"That's a real shame... Do you think you'll have a chance to meet again in the future?"

"Haha~ I think it's impossible... You might only encounter this kind of chance a few times in your lifetime, right?"

"That's true."

"..."

But as it turns out, chance encounters are ultimately no match for the scheming of those with ulterior motives.

An unintentional encounter is called a chance meeting; what do we call an intentional one?

I've traveled thousands of miles to see you.

Twenty minutes after the school bus from Kitauji entered the school, a boy carrying a huge travel bag, with long, straight silver hair divided into two strands hanging down his chest, and wearing a simple mask arrived at the school gate of Kitauji —it was Himemiya Chihaya.

After navigating to a nearby Parking Lot, he carried his bag and came over, ready to proceed with the next step of his plan.

Simply getting to know someone isn't enough; we need to deepen the relationship.

But the problem is that he can't come to Kyoto Tokyo, so he needs to make the most of his time.

About ten minutes later, the already empty Kitauji Village, which was on holiday, began to see groups of people emerging from inside – members of the Wind Ensemble Club who had just returned from outside.

Upon returning, they needed to recount the number of people, move the instruments back to the activity room and storage room, change their clothes, and go back to the activity room to listen to the advisor's explanation of the upcoming activities.

Only then did they go back to their own homes and find their own mothers.

"Wow! I'm so tired and hungry, I can't take it anymore!"

"Me too! I was starving back in Yamashiro... Let's hurry! Let's go to a fast food restaurant for lunch!"

"Wait for me! I can't walk anymore..."

"... said=Yi'er 0IIer Ying Umbrella Order 2..."

"Hey~ We have the afternoon off, what's a good thing to do?"

"I don't know, but right now I just want to get some sleep."

"After such a long vacation... crying!"

"After all, I had to come to school to practice every weekend before. There's still one more day tomorrow, and then it'll be another long period of practice... Suddenly I'm thinking of quitting the club."

"Haha! If the seniors hear this, they'll beat you up!"

"..."

"By the way, have you finished your homework?"

"Don't say such discouraging things! I haven't even touched a single word yet!"

"Well, because we've been practicing a lot, we wanted to relax a bit after getting home, right?"

"Shall we go to a family restaurant together tomorrow to finish our homework?"

"Really...? My precious vacation..."

"..."

The different groups discussed different topics, but when they reached the school gate and spotted a certain figure, their reactions were surprisingly consistent.

"Hey! Who's that...!"

"No way?! What's he doing here?"

"I just said I might never see you again, Ni..."

"Straight posture, smooth skin, pure hair color, he's really handsome!"

"Then why don't you go up and ask for their contact information?"

"Maybe I shouldn't. If I get rejected, I really won't be able to go on living."

"But what is he doing in Kitauji? Who is he looking for?"

"Could it be that she came to see Asuka- senpai? I knew she was lying to me!"

"Or maybe they're here to see Teacher Taki?"

"..."

Himemiya Chihaya remained silent, waiting patiently.

Compared to the grand scenes before, this number of gazes was practically nonexistent, similar to what he would encounter when walking down the street.

He kept glancing around the school grounds, and after a while, he spotted a familiar figure.

But the person who came was not Tanaka Asuka, nor Kumiko Oumae or the others.

"..."

"..."

The two locked eyes and froze—or rather, only she, who was pushing her bicycle, froze.

A gentle breeze stirred the fallen leaves, causing them to swirl and dance, and in doing so, lifted the hem of her knee-length brown sailor uniform. The scene of the two beauties gazing at each other was like a painting from a movie.

He blinked, unable to resist the slightly awkward and ambiguous atmosphere, and took the initiative to greet her, "Yo~ we meet again."

"... How did you get here?"

Kōsaka Reina's eyelids twitched slightly, her lips moved, and she finally asked casually.

"Waiting for someone."

"Oumae and the others? Or Tanaka- senpai and the others?"

"Whichever one counts? Let's see whoever we can wait for."

"What does that count for?"

"Ha ha..."

He chuckled dryly, surprised that she would be the first person to appear.

But thinking about it carefully, this is quite normal.

Having almost no friends and a shallow social circle, it's quite normal that she left the club earlier than others, right?

"Actually..."

He was about to explain when a familiar voice interrupted their conversation.

"Huh~ Himemiya student?"

Tanaka Asuka, pushing her bicycle alongside two other third-year students, was surprised to see him, just like the others, and then asked the line everyone would say:

Why are you here?

Nakasako Kaori and Ogasawara Haruka, who were standing nearby, also opened their eyes and covered their mouths, feeling incredulous.

"Come find the tour guide."

His face twitched, and he offered a weak explanation.

"Tour guide?"

Tanaka Asuka frowned and pouted, then realized what she meant. "Ah~ do you want me to show you around Uji?"

"Well, after all, the only people I know here are the people from Kitauji."

He composed himself, clapped his Hands, and requested with a friendly smile, "Of course, that's on the condition that it's convenient for you, Asuka..."

Well, they're not only all in the same club, but unlike usual after school, they're all hungry and tired, so it's normal for them to all want to go out for dinner and then go home, right?

"Um..."

Tanaka Asuka frowned in distress, her tone helpless. "To be honest, I'd rather have a meal, go home, take a shower, and get some sleep..."

"Are you getting ready to eat? Perfect, I am too! How about I treat you? What would you like to eat?"

He immediately added.