"Is Mr. Dubian planning to give up on Tokyo University?" Ayane Kumi asked.
"Then why are you going to Tokyo Art University? Are you planning to pursue a master’s and a doctorate?"
"I’m just kidding," Dubian Che said nonchalantly.
"Eh?" Ayane Kumi looked surprised, "Where? Where did you trick me?"
"To music university."
"How lame, the lamest!" Yuzao Haomei whispered.
"Scum!" added the girl sitting next to her.
"Disgusting!" came a voice from a girl in front.
Ayane Kumi chuckled bitterly, smiled apologetically at Dubian Che, and sat down.
As she fastened her seatbelt, the bus just started to move, slowly pulling out of the parking spot.
Dubian Che didn’t care about their malice at all, took another sip of his soda, and looked out the window.
There were two staff members, setting up directional signs under the sun.
Back at school, it was moving instruments again.
Thinking about the upcoming Kantou competition, and even the national competition, having to move the instruments around in such hot weather, Dubian Che regretted not slacking off during the morning’s competition.
No worries, there’s still time for the Kantou competition!
But, having been moved twice already, giving up on the national competition just to move things one less time wasn’t worth it.
’"Do something right from the start or stick with it to the end," I should write this lesson down in my notebook as a reminder,’ Kiyono Lin thought.
Kiyono Lin said there would be a break in the afternoon, but many club members chose to stay and continue practicing.
They asked Kiyono Lin for the audio of the competition they had come to, and while listening, offered each other suggestions.
New notes were added to the music scores.
"Mmm—" Komatsu Misaki stretched, "I still can’t believe we made it to the Kantou competition."
"It’s all thanks to Kiyono," Yuzao Haomei said, looking at her score.
"The advisor is indeed the most important, but we all worked hard too," Ayane Kumi said softly with a smile.
"...Mr. Dubian," Mayi Asuka spoke quietly.
"Senior, what did you say?" Ichiki Aoi asked.
"...Mr. Dubian, it’s important."
Everyone looked at each other, lost for words.
Just now, the soft beauty of the oboe in the CD was unforgettable for a lifetime.
"Mr. Dubian’s oboe is indeed impressive, but Mayi’s tenor horn, Ayane’s bassoon, and everyone else, we are all strong!" Hanaoka Chaozi clenched her little fists encouragingly.
"That’s right! Wind music is a team competition! Making it to the Kantou competition means we’re also strong!" Ichiki Aoi shouted, then changed the topic, "Mayi, the summer festival is coming up soon, are you going?"
"With whom?" Ichiki Aoi immediately asked.
Hanaoka Chaozi nodded then looked at Ichiki Aoi, who had already agreed earlier, "If you don’t mind, would you join us, Ichiki?"
"Really? I’m in! That’s great!"
Ichiki’s reaction was a bit exaggerated, hoping it didn’t give them away, Hanaoka Chaozi thought as she looked at the others, "Does everyone else want to join?"
"Sorry, I’ve already made plans," Yuzao Haomei said.
"With a boyfriend? Yuzao, you must be popular!" Hanaoka Chaozi was very emotional about the topic of love, otherwise, she wouldn’t always be helping Ichiki.
"Boyfriend..." Yuzao Haomei’s mind flashed with Dubian Che’s face, "No! It’s best if that kind of thing is dead! It’s a female friend from middle school."
"Oh." Hanaoka Chaozi was a bit startled by her reaction and quickly asked the others.
Others either weren’t going or had other commitments.
The Wind Instrument Club’s Group A had fifty-five people, some close, some not so much, and most just greeting each other; club events maybe, but a private event like the summer festival, how could they possibly go together?
"Okay! Let’s all continue practicing, the Kantou competition is what’s most important!" Minister Komatsu Misaki declared, clapping her hands.