Chapter 414

Hmph, as a rising star and titan of the fashion world, does he even understand the true value of his work?

Kanau had just said a few nice words and acted a little more coquettishly, her mother could have realized her dream much sooner.

"Asuka-- "

Not far away, Club President Ogasawara Haruka called out, "Time to straighten out the formation!"

"Ah, it's almost time."

Tanaka Asuka nodded at her and asked quickly, "So, Himemiya student, you're lost? If you want to see the parade later, you can go to the tree-lined path over there now. All the schools will be taking turns to line up and perform."

She pointed to the path leading out of the playground.

Chapter 387 marks his official debut against Liz.

"Although I did come to see the performance, I'm standing here for another reason."

He held up one finger and placed it on his chest.

"Huh? What?"

"Actually, I felt the call of destiny from here..."

"Wait a minute!"

Tanaka Asuka quickly raised her hand to interrupt, "Because we don't have much time, and our advisor is still watching, can you keep it short?"

"All right..."

Himemiya Chihaya regretfully agreed, explaining simply, "I came down to the playground in order to find someone special among all these high school students who would catch my eye."

"What a strange reason! So? Did you find it?"

Her expression was strange.

"Found it!"

Himemiya Chihaya narrowed her eyes, a playful smile on her face as she pointed at the group in Kitauji, "Aren't there a bunch of them here?"

"..."

X N.

The people gathered around fell silent, surprised that he had come for this reason.

"If we're talking about special cases, it would be Rikka or Luqiu. You didn't go to their side; your taste isn't very good either, waaaaah..."

Kumiko Oumae muttered to herself, her eyes narrowed to slits.

Tanaka Asuka, her face dark, pulled and pinched her cheek, scolding, "Oumae-chan ~ you mean~ we're not as good as them? Saying such discouraging things before we've even started... huh?"

"I'm sorry!"

"Snort!"

Himemiya Chihaya smiled at their amusing interaction and answered her question, "Because the traditional top schools are too boring, I've already heard plenty of good things about them along the way."

"It's more interesting to bet on rising stars than on schools with a long and established history."

"You really have a lot of faith in us, huh?"

Tanaka Asuka released Kumiko Oumae's hand, which she had used to punish her, and adjusted her glasses with a gleam in her eyes.

"I have more confidence in my intuition."

He approached her like a gentle breeze, and their eyes met.

"Tomorrow the fragrance will be sweet--!"

Ogasawara Haruka frowned and urged him again.

Although Tanaka Asuka is the best third-year student in Kitauji, or rather, the best student in the entire school, she has no interest in being a club Club President, and she is even reluctant to be Vice President. She is completely independent and free-spirited.

However, due to her outstanding abilities and reassuring leadership qualities, most people still believe that she is more suitable to be Club President; sometimes, her words carry more weight than those of a teacher.

Therefore, even Ogasawara Haruka couldn't do anything about her.

"Hi hey! I'm here~! Club President ~!"

She quickly and enthusiastically replied, "We can't wait any longer! Goodbye then~ Himemiya student, enjoy watching Kitauji's dance!"

"Yes! I'll be looking forward to it!"

After saying goodbye to him, the others jogged together to their designated spots.

Ignoring the bewildered looks from the student advisors, he put his hands in his pockets, turned, and walked offstage to find a good spot—or perhaps he should climb a tree later?

Before leaving, he turned back and surveyed the entire playground with unbridled abandon, only to find that there wasn't a single person he could fight!

Ah~ It's so nice to be away from the monster's lair; even the air is so fresh.

The scenery is beautiful, with mountains and green trees everywhere.

Although there are students there who are good at playing musical instruments or have excellent grades, compared to that awful place, Tokyo... well, it's incomparable.

The most outstanding one among them should be Tanaka Asuka, whose musical instrument skills are top-notch, reaching the level of a prestigious school, and whose academic performance is also among the top 30 in the country, right?

Unfortunately, even she only barely passed the test of those monsters in Tokyo...

The All Japan High School Wind Orchestra Competition? Isn't that a competition only for people who can't play in a band?

While students here and elsewhere are still struggling with questions like whether they can qualify for the National Competition or get into a music university.

Meanwhile, the monsters from the same year have already begun to crush a group of Music University, shining brightly in the professional and semi-professional fields.

Memorizing sheet music painstakingly and practicing diligently to develop muscle memory? What is that?

Isn't sheet music something you can memorize at a glance and become familiar with after playing it a couple of times?

While they were still feeling lost about their Mirai plans, some of the extraordinary individuals in Tokyo had already reached the upper echelons of their respective fields.

Sigh... the difference between people can sometimes be truly...

It's unbelievable how Tokyo and Kyoto differ in strength so drastically!

The concentration of resources and talent is just too exaggerated!

On the other side, as time went by, the formations of each school gradually came together in an orderly fashion.

The Kitauji contingent was organized according to their respective Saxophone Section, Clarinet Section, Flute & Piccolo, French Horn Section, Percussion, with each section standing in a different location within the formation.

If there are people who do not participate in the playing but take on other tasks, they will be counted separately.

The interplay of broadcasts and music created a scene reminiscent of a sports meet.

"Everyone in the Rikka High School Wind Ensemble Club, please get ready."

As time went on, the announcement began calling out for Kitauji in front of Rikka, and both sides tensed up simultaneously.

Whispers began to rise in Kitauji's ranks.

"Gotoh-san, we've practiced so hard, we have to succeed!"

"Um."

"That persistent demon always makes us do the same thing over and over again!"

"We need to make him understand that we have done a perfect job!"

"I'm so nervous!"

"..."

"..."

Outside the venue, staff members who were not very familiar with the situation and onlookers pointed and commented on the school without any restraint.

"Next up is Rikka High School, right?"

"Then, one next to her is Luqiu."

"That school stuck in the middle is so pitiful~"

"Isn't it better that way because it's more noticeable?"

"Hahaha..."

"..."

A few minutes later, after the previous school finished performing, the broadcasting staff announced again, "Next up is the Rikka High School Wind Ensemble Club."

As the broadcast ended, enthusiastic cheers erupted both inside and outside the venue.

Most people who come here have some interest in Wind Instrument Music, and they are naturally familiar with this National Gold Prize medalist who has won many years of Marching band competitions.

Even if it's a seated instrumental piece they're not particularly good at, a casual performance would have been a lifelong achievement for Kitauji...

"What is this? It's amazing!"

Kato Hazuki held up a hand-held flower, looking around nervously, cold sweat dripping down her face.

"That's Rikka High School's specialties."

Kawashima Midori was not surprised.

"They're here!"

Wow, that's amazing!

"Right?"

"Nothing went wrong..."

"We're in big trouble now."

"Take a deep breath."

"Yes!"

Why am I becoming less and less confident?

"It's okay, calm down!"

"..."

After Rikka's perfectly synchronized Marching figure appeared before them, effortlessly showcasing his strength, Kitauji's team gradually became noisy, their confidence shaken.

People are afraid of comparing themselves to each other, and the same goes for competitions between schools.

Facing an opponent who was clearly the MVP of the game, the team that followed immediately felt immense pressure.

"Hey! We're about to go on stage, are you guys being cold...?"

Ogasawara Haruka turned to look at the tense group, her heart filled with anxiety.

??????~

A melodious and loud Trumpet sound rang out without warning, causing the previously panicked crowd to stop in their tracks.

After a brief two or three bars, the girl with Black Long Straight Hair, who was holding a Trumpet that gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, put down her instrument again.

"..."

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Yoshikawa Yuko, a second-year student also playing the Trumpet in front of her, whispered angrily, "Idiot! Kōsaka! Why are you making a sound? Don't you know it's a no-no-sounding area?!"

"Feel sorry."

Kōsaka Reina bowed slightly without any remorse, then tossed her long hair over her shoulder with an imposing air.

It's as if it's declaring that the fault isn't mine, but rather your chaotic mess.

However, her interruption did lighten the atmosphere within the team.

"Oops, that gave me a fright!"

"That's what I mean..."

"..."

Soon, the announcer's voice came over the loudspeaker again. "Next up is the Kitauji High School Wind Ensemble Club."

"Teacher, let's begin!"

Kitauji's advisor, Taki Noboru, pretended to squat down and tie his shoelaces, then said, "Music, in essence, isn't about showcasing your skills to your opponents."

"However, many students from other schools and spectators present here are still unaware of Kitauji's strength. Therefore, the teacher believes that today is a good opportunity for them to learn about us."