Chapter 391

"Don't worry! You have to believe me, Nozomi isn't that kind of person!"

"..."

"I just exchanged accounts with Nozomi yesterday, so... give me your contact information, and I'll let you know if I hear anything."

"..."

Two minutes later, looking at the new name added to her contact list, Himemiya Chihaya felt a surge of relief.

The only person who could so easily obtain the private message account of someone with such a thick wall around their heart is myself.

Although he didn't tell her that he had only given Kasamaki Nozomi his contact information unilaterally, and she still hadn't added him... but that's a minor issue! It's nothing!

"Alright! Now, let's talk about something boring!"

He walked over to her music stand and seat. "You were just playing the Oboe, weren't you? Do you have any extra reeds?"

"?"

Tsuruzuka Mizore, who was being semi-forced to take her account, stared blankly at him, confused and bewildered, not knowing what he meant.

"Come sit down~ I'll teach you how to play the Oboe!"

He gave her a gentle smile.

He's a person with a conscience and morals; he wouldn't take something from someone for nothing!

"Oh, Oumae?"

"Kousaka student... you're here too?"

At the school gate, Kumiko Oumae awkwardly responded to Kōsaka Reina, who had spoken to her.

"What's wrong? Isn't today your day off?"

"Hmm~ It's probably for the same reason as Oumae."

"Haha~ So, you're here for that person too?"

She gave a wry smile.

Sure enough, even Kousaka student is very interested in him.

When the trio went home yesterday, they did discuss whether or not to come over today... but Kawashima Midori had to take care of her younger sister, Kato Hazuki said she wanted to go shopping during her rare holiday.

In the end, it was only she who, having nothing else to do and being interested in both Himemiya Chihaya and Kōsaka Reina, couldn't resist coming over. After all, it was just her mother and older sister at home, and she was bored anyway.

Although it was just a guess, I never expected to actually run into one of them at the school gate.

"More or less, though it was just out of curiosity."

Kōsaka Reina gave a neutral, expressionless reply.

The two coordinated their pace and gradually walked side by side towards the teaching building.

Although the door to the activity room couldn't be opened, it didn't make much difference to them, since it was just a place to practice ensemble playing anyway.

During their daily free practice time, they practiced in their respective vocal practice rooms, or anywhere they could find, such as a rooftop or a corner of the school building.

As soon as they stepped into the school gate, the two of them paused in their tracks. The beautiful melody drifting through the air made them stop in their tracks.

"That sound is... Oboe, isn't it?"

Kumiko Oumae guessed uncertainly.

"Yes, it must be Yoroizuka- senpai practicing. She comes very early every day."

Kōsaka Reina confirmed her idea.

"Eh~ Is that so? By the way, how did you know, Kousaka student?"

She looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Knowing that the other person arrives very early every day means that you also have to arrive very early.

However, Kōsaka Reina had no intention of answering her question, and instead touched her chin with a puzzled look. "But, is Yoroizuka- senpai's technique really that good?"

"Ah,"

Hearing her say that, Kumiko Oumae also realized what she meant. "Indeed, it felt even more beautiful than the usual Oboe... Could it be that Yoroizuka- senpai encountered something good?"

"Have no idea..."

The two didn't consider any other possibilities, because Tsuruzuka Mizore was not only a powerful player recognized by everyone, but also the only Oboe player in Kitauji, and they couldn't find a replacement.

"By the way, what piece of music is this again?"

"I think I've heard of it before, it's called... <Liz and the Blue Bird>, and there's a fairy tale with the same name, have you read it?"

No, no...

"... Yo-yo..."

The campus wasn't large, and the two quickly entered the teaching building.

However, it's also possible that the two wanted to appreciate the music up close, which unconsciously led them to quicken their pace.

Following the corridor and stairs, the two headed towards the top floor where the sound was coming from.

"..."

"..."

When they saw the reality before them, the two were so shocked that their facial features distorted, and they stood frozen in place.

The person they had assumed was Tsuruzuka Mizore, who was standing quietly by the glass window in the corridor, gazing at the distant Aoyama and birds, as usual unaware of the two's arrival.

The clear face, the Hidemi black hair, and the sunlight streaming through the glass create an extremely beautiful composition.

And the one who made the sound, "ruining" this beautiful scene—unfortunately, his swaying figure as he pressed the clarinet was even more beautiful than the senior Yoroizuka beside him...

Chapter 399 Inside You.

"Isn't this scene beautiful? Doesn't it feel like watching a musical?"

A mysterious, playful, and teasing voice whispered softly in their ears.

The sudden sound from behind them startled the two women, and Kumiko Oumae couldn't help but scream.

"Asuka- Asuka?! And Kaori and the Club President..."

After finally seeing the other person clearly, she stared in astonishment at the three of them.

"Don't shout it out loud! You'll interrupt such beautiful music!"

Tanaka Asuka gave her a chop to the neck.

"Why are you all here?"

Kumiko Oumae covered her head with tears in her eyes.

"That's because you two are too slow!"

Tanaka Asuka crossed her arms and said matter-of-factly.

Hehe~

Nakasako Kaori smiled gently and explained to the two of them, "We agreed to come together, and we only arrived a little earlier than you."

"I see..."

Kumiko Oumae understood, glanced back at the two who seemed to have completely ignored them and were still busy with their own things, and then returned to the main topic.

"Um, what's that over there...?"

"It's very regrettable, as you can see."

Tanaka Asuka sighed with her eyes closed, equally speechless.

"How could this be...?"

Kumiko Oumae collapsed to her knees, feeling utterly hopeless and utterly desolate.

While she was still struggling to improve her Euphonium six or seven years of learning in the Wind Ensemble Club, someone else was able to master so many instruments at the same time... How could anyone else compete?!

"And it's Oboe..."

As is well known, the Oboe is one of the most difficult instruments to play in Wind Instrument Music.

While others learning other instruments can already play them, those playing the Oboe may only be just getting started.

Kōsaka Reina, standing beside her, had a lifeless look in her eyes, her eyes devoid of light, and she began to doubt herself about her pursuit of a "special" goal.

Compared to everyone in the Wind Ensemble Club, it's one thing, but no matter how hard she tries, she can't reach this level...

"Well, I understand how you feel, but you don't have to compare yourselves to him."

Tanaka Asuka patted them on the shoulders, comforting them.

"After all, there probably aren't many people like him in the whole world... probably."

"Probably..."

Kumiko Oumae mechanically raised her head, staring at the white figure's retreating back, then clutched her head in anguish, "How terrifying! Tokyo are so scary!"

What are you arguing about?

At some point, Himemiya Chihaya, who had stopped playing, removed the reeds, and returned the Oboe to Tsuruzuka Mizore, came up to the group and complained to them.

In fact, he had been teaching Tsuruzuka Mizore for over an hour.

He only gave her demonstrations during her break after practice.

"Himemiya student, is there any musical instrument you can't play?"

Ogasawara Haruka stared at him with helpless and resentful eyes.

"There are many, such as the erhu, water harp, theremin, conga drum, taiko drum... there are too many to count. I actually don't know many, just the instruments I know."

He solemnly explained the situation to Jiu Lin and Lu Lianqi, but it only left them speechless.

"..."

X N.

"By the way, why are you all carrying bags?"

Noticing the items they were carrying, he asked them, puzzled.

"Oh, this? Because we were busy practicing the past few days, we didn't do much homework. We were planning to come over today to find time to hold a study session..."

"Write, do homework? Oh, I see..."

Upon hearing this inexplicably oppressive word, he couldn't help but feel a surge of tension.

Besides that, there was also a hint of—guilt?

After all, he hadn't done any homework since the start of the school year... The last time he did homework was at home in New York, which was several years ago.

Even he had to do homework when he was a child. Although he later started to choose what he was interested in and study independently, no one assigned him any more tasks.

"Do you need my help?"

Having nothing else to do, he suggested.

"Eh? You want to add more homework to your assignment? Himemiya student is really a weirdo..."

After saying that, Kumiko Oumae quickly covered her mouth and nose, "Sorry!"

Pfft!

Kōsaka Reina, standing next to her, covered her mouth with the back of her hand and couldn't help but laugh, her body trembling.

But soon, she couldn't laugh anymore.

"It's okay! It's good to review what you've learned since it's a rare opportunity to do homework!"

Himemiya Chihaya waved her hand dismissively.

"..."

X N.

"Don't you usually do your homework?"

Tanaka Asuka, also dressed in a sailor-style school uniform, crossed her arms and frowned, as if looking at a delinquent.