Chapter 433

"So, for those of you who don't have a textbook, I suggest you buy one after school."

"I know this process is very tedious, but you should know that some musical geniuses in the world, even those with extraordinary talent, spend more than several hours a day on Chopin Études... When you think about it that way, doesn't it seem like nothing?"

While recalling someone's crazy behavior, he gave them earnest advice.

I wonder if that person is still hunched over the Piano, spending their Golden Week holiday solely with the Piano... or perhaps someone dragged them out to play?

"Hi!"

"Please speak, Asuka."

"Is that Piano prodigy who spends hours practicing the fundamentals every day someone you know?"

"Is that so? What's wrong?"

"No, it's alright now."

After asking the others what they were thinking and receiving their answers, she quietly shut her mouth.

But now, it's the others who are left feeling bitter.

"You spend so much time practicing these every day..."

Kumiko Oumae glanced at the beauty beside her.

"Hmm? Isn't that normal?"

Kōsaka Reina turned to look at her.

"Huh? Does Kousaka student do this every day?"

She asked, taken aback.

"Although not now, that was the case for a while. Now, I have to balance club activities and studies."

Kōsaka Reina provides a simple explanation.

"Is that so...?"

Kumiko Oumae slumped weakly against the railing. "Just thinking about how long I have to do basic exercises makes me tired."

"It's nothing, it's the same principle as when Teacher Taki made us run to improve our lung capacity."

Kōsaka Reina offered a word of comfort that was perhaps not entirely consolation.

Fortunately, Kumiko Oumae is a person who recovers easily. After feeling melancholy for a while, she stood up again.

"Yes, that's true!"

Ignoring their subtle movements, Himemiya Chihaya continued her lesson, "Of course, I'll also teach you advanced techniques and how to blow with fullness and emotion... but only after you've met the basic requirements."

"Fortunately, no matter how difficult the high school Wind Instrument Music competition is, it won't be too high-level!"

"The truly talented monsters are either already professionally debuted and busy performing, or receiving standardized or individual training in the Music Department of professional schools. They will never compete with you on the same stage, so you can rest assured!"

"Uh... is this some kind of comforting?"

Kumiko Oumae pointed at herself blankly.

"Probably, although his standards and way of expressing himself are definitely problematic."

On her other side, Tanaka Asuka, supporting her chest, made a sarcastic remark.

"So!"

He tapped on the railing, making a crisp sound, signaling them to stop whispering.

"If you practice hard for the next five months, you still have a chance to win the National Gold Prize!"

[Note: In reality, the national competition for Wind Instrument Music is held in late August, but in "Euphonium! Euphonium," it's around the end of October. We'll follow that date here.]

"Oh--!"

X N.

Sparse applause rang out from below; after all, there were only a few people, so it was impossible to create a very enthusiastic effect.

"Alright, time is precious, so I won't say anything more. Let's start practicing now! Just so you know, there won't be any breaks this afternoon."

"Yes!"

X N.

The practice process was both painful and fulfilling, both joyful and boring.

In the blink of an eye, the sun began to set and night fell.

"Ugh, my mouth muscles are so sore, and my mouth feels so numb..."

Kumiko Oumae narrowed her eyes, moved her pink lips bitterly, and fanned herself uselessly with her hand, "My fingers are so sore, I've overused my hands and mouth..."

"Me too."

"I agree, but it feels like I could blow it even better."

"..."

"It's all Himemiya student's fault! You have to take responsibility!"

Tanaka Asuka pointed at him with her hand on her hip, her delicate finger extended, looking completely justified.

"Huh? I'm the one with the most missions... Never mind, what do you want to do?"

Himemiya Chihaya pursed her lips. Her hands weren't very tired, but after talking all afternoon, her tongue and throat were a little dry.

"Soaking it in warm water at home will solve the problem."

Kōsaka Reina whispered advice to Kumiko Oumae, her eyes showing signs of fatigue.

The high-intensity training methods provided by the other party were even a bit too much for her.

"Um."

"You're leaving tomorrow, right? Treat us to a meal!"

Tanaka Asuka chuckled, revealing her true intentions.

"... Generally speaking, shouldn't it be the other way around in this situation?"

Himemiya Chihaya was speechless. Everyone else was being seen off, so why did he have to pay for it himself?

"We'll treat you next time you come! How about it? Do you agree?"

"... Next time I absolutely have to go to your house and make you cook for me yourself!"

"Haha~ Is that okay? I'm not even very confident in my cooking skills."

"Should Kaori go too?"

"Huh? Me? Hmm, it's not impossible..."

"Oh! That puts my mind at ease!"

"Shouldn't I be the one who can rest assured?"

"..."

After treating a few people to a meal near the hotel where we stayed yesterday, we parted ways and said goodbye, each following our own route home.

"Goodbye, Himemiya student! I look forward to your next visit!"

"If possible, please chat with us online more often about interesting things in Tokyo."

"Hmm~ I don't really like this atmosphere, so I'll just say goodbye!"

Ogasawara Haruka, Nakasako Kaori Nakayoko, Tanaka Asuka each delivered farewell speeches.

"Bye-bye, Himemiya student, and seniors!"

"Oh! You guys too, be Kokoro on the road!"

"Me too, have a safe trip."

In the end, only Tsuruzuka Mizore remained silent.

Not to mention now, she barely said a word all afternoon.

From the time she leaves the school gate until dinner time, she basically doesn't say a word unless someone deliberately strikes up a conversation with her.

After bidding a friendly and pleasant farewell to the others, Himemiya Chihaya shifted her gaze to her cute, round, chubby little face, staring at it quietly and intently.

Noticing he was staring at her, and feeling somewhat uncomfortable, Tsuruzuka Mizore finally looked away and added softly, "Goodbye."

"Okay! Goodbye!"

He smiled and nodded with satisfaction, then said meaningfully, "By the way, some good things might happen soon, so be prepared."

Unlike his pure deception in the morning, when he turned on his phone for dinner, he saw Kasamaki Nozomi's friend request.

"Huh? What? Something good... Could it be love?!"

Tanaka Asuka moved closer to the two with shining eyes, radiating youthful energy.

"You associate everything with romance? I think you're really sexually repressed. How about you get a boyfriend?"

"No way! My only boyfriend is Euphonium- kun!"

"Hey~ hey hey... you're absolutely right."

"Hello!"

"..."

Chapter 401 His daily routine was shattered.

The next day, May 6th.

At 3 a. m., in a certain room of Uji Hanayashiki Ukifune-en Butterfly Room.

Call--!

Three seconds after the intro to Okura Rumin's version of "Sound Illumination" begins, a dark figure abruptly sits up in bed, followed by a groan of pain.

"Herbal plant! It sat on my hair!"

Before he could sit up straight, the recoil pulled him back, and he lay face down on the bed.

"Hiss~ Hiss, I'm leaving, I'm leaving this heartbreaking place..."

He got up, rubbed the back of his head, took off his bathrobe, and went into the bathroom to wash up and change.

Half an hour later, he finished his basic grooming and walked out of the bathroom with a nonchalant air.

"I'm still so beautiful today! I really envy Mahiru and Ai for having such a wonderful boyfriend like me!"

Forgetting the unpleasantness from earlier, he hummed a little tune and nimbly packed his belongings.

His gaze swept across the winding Uji River, illuminated only by streetlights, and he stopped moving, staring intently for a few seconds before turning and walking toward the door without a backward glance.

We've had our fun, and the mission is temporarily over; it's time to move on to the next place.

Although I doubt anything will happen there... I should probably stop by Kawasaki on my way back to Tokyo tonight!

Under the starry gaze of the charming receptionist, he was Kokoro touched twice before successfully checking out.

Carrying his luggage, he went straight to the Parking Lot from the main gate, fastened his seatbelt, turned on the navigation, and prepared to leave.

Although breakfast is provided here for a package that costs tens of thousands of yen per night, it's too early now, so naturally there isn't any.

As for yesterday, he didn't eat at the hotel because he wanted to try local specialties and snacks.

Of course, don't ask why he was able to check into a hotel by himself, otherwise he thinks you should ask why some high school students can go into love hotels together... At least he has a driver's license.

He drove from the road along the Uji River into the mountainside, and after leaving Uji, he followed the expressway that ran in the same direction as the coast, passing through Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, and finally arriving in Kanagawa, where Yokohama is located.

Finally, after more than three hours of trekking, he arrived at his destination for the day— Fujisawa City.

After parking his car, he found a breakfast shop and enjoyed a hearty breakfast.

Considering he might not have time to eat lunch, he ordered extra, enough for two people, and left with his stomach full after paying the bill.

Judging by the time, just as the Fujisawa City Library opened, he was the first to enter this rather beautiful building.