Chapter 430

"What did she say that hurt you?"

"No!"

She continued in a voice that, even when forceful, sounded like a coquettish plea, "No, Nozomi didn't do anything wrong... The fault lies entirely with me; I'm afraid to see Nozomi..."

Tsk, what a simp!

Where she couldn't see, with her head bowed, Himemiya Chihaya gave her a disdainful look with her cold, large eyes.

But the questioning had to continue, "Why?"

"Because I'm afraid to face reality..."

"Reality?"

"To me... Nozomi is special, she's my most cherished friend."

She peeked out from under her knees and began to slowly recount her story. "I'm not good at communicating with people, I have a gloomy personality, I have no friends, and I've always been alone..."

"I can tell."

He nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"..."

She glanced at him with a complicated expression, then continued, "Until one day, Nozomi ran up to me and said, 'Hey, Yoroizuka- san, do you participate in any clubs?'"

I shook my head, and she said, 'That's the Homecoming Department? You didn't participate in anything?'...

"That's how Nozomi and I became friends. It was because of Nozomi's invitation that I joined the Wind Ensemble Club... I was really happy back then, every day was so much fun!"

"But—to Nozomi, I'm just one of her friends, one of her many friends..."

"That's why I didn't even know she had left the department! Back then, I was the only one who didn't know..."

As she spoke, her voice trembled slightly, and her delicate shoulders and back shook a little.

"She didn't say anything. I'm terrified that to her I'm just a stranger... I don't understand, I don't understand why I'm here ( in the Wind Ensemble Club)."

"If you're feeling this bad, is it even worth staying in the Wind Ensemble Club?"

He bent down and gently patted her back, his eyes filled with sympathy.

"... Only musical instruments, because only musical instruments are proof of the bond between Nozomi and me..."

"..."

Himemiya Chihaya remained silent.

To put it so euphemistically, what I really mean is, you come all the way here every day just to fantasize about a long-distance romance with Kasamaki Nozomi while playing your musical instrument, right?

The atmosphere and the conversation have gone this far, who would believe you if you said you weren't aluminum and copper? I certainly don't.

Honestly, of all the aluminum-copper alloys I've seen so far, I would call you the strongest!

That said, if Kasamaki Nozomi were to have a normal relationship with someone in the Mirai, then this Little NEET would... well, that's kind of interesting to think about!

He swallowed hard, trying to suppress a laugh, and coughed a few times before offering comfort, "Oh, is that so? Do you want me to help you?"

"?"

Tsuruzuka Mizore glanced at him sideways, looking confused.

I have two options for you to choose from!

He winked his left eye smartly and held up two fingers.

"First option! Forget about that Kasamaki Nozomi, and let's become new friends! How about it?"

"..."

"Hey? Why are you looking at me like that? It hurts my heart... Don't you like it?"

"..."

"I just can't do anything with you,"

He rubbed his chest, forcing himself to stop his forced smile, and withdrew one finger. "Then the second one!"

"Let me secretly ask her what she's really thinking, and then I'll tell you the result, okay?"

"... don't want."

She pouted her lips in refusal.

"Huh? You don't want this either? Why?!"

Himemiya Chihaya was taken aback; she had assumed the suggestion would definitely work.

"Because I'm afraid..."

She didn't explicitly say what she was afraid of, but it was easy to deduce from the conversation just now.

"Hmph, how naive!"

He smiled, his eyes narrowing, and with a playful expression, he once again lifted her chin with his finger. "Do you think I can resist asking her now that I know your secret?"

"..."

"So, given that's the case, don't you think it would be a huge loss if you didn't know?"

"..."

"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 of conscience 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...

"..."

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 she could see who it was, she stared at the three of them in astonishment.

"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!"