Soon, it was time for school to let out in the afternoon. At Taki's invitation, Duanmu Huai went to the Music Classroom.
"Ah, Teacher Taki!"
"Good afternoon, Teacher!"
Taki opened the classroom door and walked in, immediately receiving a chorus of greetings from inside. Duanmu Huai curled his lip at this, then followed Taki into the room.
"..."
The next moment, the previously noisy Music Classroom fell completely silent.
The students stared at Duanmu Huai as he entered the classroom, not daring to breathe too loudly. No one dared ask why a physical education teacher had appeared there, either—but Taki soon provided the answer.
"I'm sure everyone knows Teacher Duanmu. In fact, I invited him to serve as our Wind Music Club's assistant advisor... Of course, Teacher Duanmu won't be giving you any guidance on musical technique. He'll only be observing from the side. So don't worry about him. Just act as you normally do."
"..."
"Understood?"
"Yes..."
The students quietly glanced at Duanmu Huai as they answered in low voices. Hearing them, Taki raised his head.
"Too quiet. Again."
"Yes!"
"Good."
Taki nodded, then picked up his baton.
"Then... once you're ready, we'll begin."
"..."
No one spoke. Everyone obediently prepared their instruments and opened their scores, while Duanmu Huai leaned against a corner nearby and watched the club members from behind and to the side. Seeing that everyone else was ready, Taki nodded as well, then raised the baton in his hand.
"One, two, three..."
"Bwuh...!"
However, the moment Taki's baton came down, a trumpet blaring a cracked note suddenly leaped out. Everyone turned to look, only to see a girl lowering her flushed face.
"I-I'm sorry! It was my mistake!"
"No problem. We'll try again."
Taki was quite patient. He smiled faintly, then raised his baton once