Chapter 613

After finishing that, he returned to his apartment and began working on other things—such as writing the third volume of "DanMachi".

He didn't sleep a wink last night, busy with work and sewing clothes.

I arrived at school in the morning, and as usual, the exam was being held under a drizzly sky.

The sky seems to have drunk too much water; even after two days of continuous rain, there's no sign of it clearing up, and it remains quite gloomy and dark.

This morning's exam was in science subjects, specifically the intersection of physics, chemistry, and biology. The afternoon's exam was in health and physical education.

As usual, it took him a little over half an hour. Amidst the sighs of the girls behind him, he handed in his paper early and left the examination room under the helpless gaze of the proctor.

Today wasn't for work; I had other things to do.

Fujisawa Municipal Concert Hall

Today, the lobby on the first floor here has been booked for an event: the [35th Higher Education Joint Music Concert].

This year's organizer is Shirahamasaka High School.

That's right, today is the day of the presentation for Okita Sawa and her Choir Club.

However--

At the backstage entrance on the side of the stage, Sakai Wakana bowed deeply to a short-haired, capable woman wearing a pencil skirt and glasses. "Could our Choir Club be the last to perform?"

"They're on their way here, they'll definitely come!"

"I know it's hard for people to accept this kind of request suddenly..."

On such an important day, their department's advisor, the principal, was involved in a car accident due to the rain and was currently in the hospital.

Without an advisor or deputy advisor to lead the team, they cannot participate in off-campus activities, and the bus carrying the members cannot start.

At the request of Club President Miyamoto Raika Sakai Wakana, who had not planned to participate in the event, was pulled out of physical education class and asked to come and participate in the rehearsal first.

Although we have now found the principal and sent the deputy advisor, Mr. Takahashi, on his way, and the club members are on their way, the presentation has already started, and it's unclear whether we'll make it in time.

Is it fair to say that Miyamoto Raika was truly unlucky? Despite her deep love for singing, she always seemed to run into unexpected trouble at crucial moments.

Last year, you could say she was just too nervous, but this year... well, you can only say that things didn't go as planned.

"The principal and teachers just contacted me," the usually aloof head teacher said calmly, her back to her.

"Although it wasn't my intention, I'll let you perform after the Vocal Music Club."

She had always been against the Choir Club's activities, which were almost like playing around, especially since the person who organized it was Miyamoto Raika.

It's precisely because this year is so important that she opposes her and them participating.

But for her, compliance was more important than personal preference, which was why her bus wasn't allowed to depart with them that morning.

Conversely, as long as it complies with the regulations, even if one doesn't particularly like it, one won't firmly oppose it.

"Thank you very much." Sakai Wakana and jogged to the side to continue contacting her teammates.

On the other side,

The pregnant associate consultant, who was being forcibly dragged out of the car to go to the hospital for a check-up, was there with Okita Sawa, Miyamoto Raika, and two others.

"We're almost there," said Deputy Advisor Takahashi Tomoko.

"We're finally about to make it." Okita Sawa breathed a sigh of relief.

Wearing a raincoat, she raced through the rain on her bicycle, shuttling between the school, the other person's house, and the hospital, frantically searching for someone... Who knows how hard she worked?

She smiled bitterly to herself. Had the situation she feared most during her walk with Mr. Chihaya a few days ago still come to pass?

"Yes, indeed." The deputy advisor had nothing to say about their luck.

It's really amazing that they could encounter such a coincidence...

"By the way, have the other members arrived yet?"

"We're on our way to the venue now; only Sakai-san has gone ahead."

"Sakai-san?" Takahashi Tomoko paused, then raised an eyebrow. "Eh~~"

Sakai Wakana suddenly gave up music this year, transferring from the Music Department to the General Department. The specific reason remains unknown because she is unwilling to talk about it.

She thought she had completely lost interest in music, but it seems that's not the case.

Even in places unknown to the public, the reason the principal approved the establishment of the Choir Club was because he saw Sakai Wakana's name on the membership list...

But this was actually a misunderstanding. Sakai Wakana were just dragged in by Miyamoto Raika Motokazu to make up the numbers, and they didn't intend to continue.

"Whoa! Haaa!! Aa..."

The sudden scream from the back seat startled the two people in the front, causing the car to sway slightly.

"You scared me!" The good-natured assistant advisor, who was also their former teacher, Takahashi Tomoko, was a little frightened but not angry. She simply said, "This could cause an accident, you know?"

The reason I say "before" is because she was on paid maternity leave.

Miyamoto Raika in the back seat, had a determined look in his eyes and muttered to himself, "I've done special training! I'm not the same person I was last year!"

"Relax, relax, relax, relax..."

But the very fact that she said that shows she wasn't relaxed...

Soon, the five-seater van drove into the Parking Lot in front of the concert hall, and the three of them rushed to the backstage area without wasting a second.

Inside the hall, the host's voice was broadcast over the loudspeaker.

"Next, please enjoy the song performed by the Shirahamasaka High School Choir Club: [Heart's Melody]."

The Vocal Music Club members from the previous performance walked off the stage through the side door, along with the voices.

"Has Miyamoto-kun arrived?"

"Not yet..."

Before Sakai Wakana could finish answering, the sound of Miyamoto Raika and Okita Sawa running could be heard in the corridor.

"They're here!"

Sakai Wakana instantly switched to battle mode. "Hurry! The host has already started announcing the song list!"

"Have the other members come up on stage yet?" Miyamoto Raika stepped onto the stage steps.

"What? Didn't you come together?!"

"..." Miyamoto Raika's forward movement stopped abruptly, her petite back hunching slightly.

Turning around with a bewildered look, he said, "Huh?"

If Sakurakoji Talent, he probably would have moved to another spot first and then laughed until he was breathless.

Who could possibly tolerate this scene?

Chapter 555 Sometimes a Trio

Miyamoto Raika quickly made a phone call to his younger brother, Miyamoto Makoto.

"Traffic jam, finally over, we should be there soon."

How's it going on your end? Will we be able to make it in time?

"Elder sister..."

Miyamoto Raika's hand, which was holding the phone, gradually slipped down, and she could no longer hear what the other person was saying.

Dean of Students Takakura Naoko glanced over and said, "I'll go report your withdrawal."

"Let's go back..." Miyamoto Raika murmured, her face downcast and lifeless.

Okita Sawa, standing nearby, frowned, took two steps forward, raised her right hand, and slapped her hard on the buttocks!

Snap!

"Huh--!?" Miyamoto Raika jumped up in surprise, clutching her shapely buttocks.

Okita Sawa clenched her fists, her stance resolute. "You've dragged so many people into this! And you think you can just go back without doing anything? Won't you regret it?!"

She warned emphatically, "There won't be a next time!"

"..." Miyamoto Raika slowly raised her head.

"That's true, I must wash away last year's shame."

Her expression gradually hardened as she realized the key point. "As long as I sang, that's enough! Even if it brings shame! Just doing my best is enough!"

"Yes!" Okita Sawa nodded with satisfaction.

The two walked hand in hand towards the stage entrance.

"Sakai-san, thank you so much!" Miyamoto Raika said finally, "I will find the answer to that question from before."

Sakai Wakana was taken aback, recalling the time she had asked Kazuna when she invited her, "Why? Why do you want to sing?"

"Are you ready?" Okita Sawa.

"Hmm, yay! Let's sing a good song before we go home!"

The head of education, who was communicating with the emcee, and the person she was talking to, were both taken aback as they watched the two walk onto the stage.

On the spacious performance stage, the wooden floor and the background wall were both coated with a smooth, gleaming finish.

Aside from the grand Piano beside them, only two courageous young girls ultimately stepped forward to be inspected.

"Crackling and splashing..."

The applause for Sakurakoji Talent, who was in the first row, mingled with the applause, discussions, and questions from behind, creating a reverberating sound in the spacious hall.

After clapping, Sakurakoji Talent rested his chin on his hand, slightly roused himself, and smiled silently.

He really went on stage?

Excellent, commendable courage! I admire courageous people!

The choral performances just now were good, but this one was more emotionally stirring for him.

After all, it's rare for high school students' presentations to be anything extraordinary—as evidenced by the fact that he managed to snag a seat in the front row.

He met the gaze of someone on stage and waved gently.

"..."

With eyesight that didn't require glasses, Okita Sawa immediately spotted the seemingly glowing figure.

In the dimly lit concert hall on a rainy day, he seemed to be surrounded by a layer of pale silver light...

"Talent... sir?"

"Hmm? Someone I know?" Hearing her murmured words, Miyamoto Raika, who was trembling with nervousness, was drawn to her attention.

Okita Sawa responded, "Yeah, I guess so... It's the person I mentioned before, the one I met in the mountains last week."

"Look, it's the one in the first row, the one who's really sparkly."

"What are you saying, Sawa! No one in the world is that dazzling... she really is dazzling!" Miyamoto Raika exclaimed, covering her mouth.

"Right?"

"Um..."

"Are you feeling any more nervous?" Okita Sawa smiled gently, having already noticed her condition.

"I'm even more nervous now. Such a handsome person is looking at me... Is he really a guy? Prince Charming, does he really exist...?"

"Don't ask him that in front of him, okay?" Okita Sawa cautioned. "If you're still nervous, just treat this like a pumpkin patch."

"I've never seen a pumpkin patch or anything like that..." Miyamoto Raika's voice Vibrato.

"..." Okita Sawa raised her eyebrows helplessly, her gaze sweeping over the area below before she suddenly stopped and chuckled softly, "Then let's treat it as a watermelon patch."

Following her gaze, Miyamoto Raika saw a middle-aged or elderly woman wearing glasses, a gemstone necklace, and a watermelon-striped jacket.

"Pfft!" She exhaled softly, turning to look at her. "You're so rude!"

Thump--

A sudden, brief note of Piano music drew their attention.