Leaving or lowering the target isn’t possible, there was no choice but to think seriously about a solution.
The Human Observation Department sunk into a thoughtful silence.
"Ayane," Kiyono Lin initiated the conversation.
"Has Kiyono come up with a solution?" Ayane Kumi looked over expectantly.
"I could share my experiences managing the Wind Instrument Club, try doing as I did, how does that sound?"
"Hmm—" Ayane Kumi pondered for a moment, "I’m afraid that won’t work."
"I don’t have the musical talent you possess, Kiyono, and I am not necessarily the best in the second year; it would be hard to get others to follow me."
"What about the power of the Minister?" Dubian Che inquired curiously, "Shouldn’t it be, in the Human Observation Department, everything under heaven, with the Minister having ultimate authority?"
"Do you have any complaints, Mr. Dubian Che?"
"None." After dealing with his own minister, Dubian Che said to Ayane Kumi, "It’s something , see?"
Kiyono Lin was even more dissatisfied, but she couldn’t refute that scene she had just witnessed.
Ayane Kumi couldn’t help but laugh twice, then helplessly said:
"Previously, it might have been possible, but after Kiyono, the Wind Instrument Club has become a meritocracy."
"The main issue is that as the Minister, you lack the strength." Kiyono Lin, not minding how hurtful the truth was, continued to contemplate a solution for Ayane Kumi.
"I’m sorry." Dubian Che apologized to Ayane Kumi on her behalf.
"It’s okay, what Kiyono said is totally correct." Ayane Kumi, having experienced Kiyono Lin’s ’sharp tongue’, responded, "And, even if I were strong enough, my personality is too weak to forcefully get everyone’s compliance."
"Being gentle isn’t necessarily a bad thing," Dubian Che comforted.
He thought for a moment then said, "I have an idea."
Kiyono Lin looked up, "Let’s hear it."
"Firstly, reaching a consensus. If we adopted Kiyono’s style, would it change the current situation of the Wind Instrument Club?"
"Yes," Ayane Kumi nodded.
"Then, we just find someone who can replace Kiyono, wouldn’t that work?"
"Mr. Dubian," Kiyono Lin, with her arms folded and her beautiful swan neck upright, "No one can replace me, I am the most special, above all else."
Praising herself with what others praised her for?
How could someone be so narcissistic?
"I also think no one can replace Kiyono," Ayane Kumi agreed, nodding fervently.
"Do you want to join a religion?" Dubian Che couldn’t help but ask.
"Join a religion?" Ayane Kumi looked at him puzzled.
"Never mind." Dubian Che skipped over this private topic, "Of course, no one in this world can replace Kiyono, I understand this best."
"What do you mean, Mr. Dubian?"
"We can create an Artificial Intelligence, input Kiyono’s will into it..."
Kiyono Lin gave him a warning look.
"Hm-hum." Dubian Che cleared his throat, "What I meant was, the Wind Instrument Club could establish club regulations."
"Club regulations?" Ayane Kumi asked subconsciously.
"It’s indeed a feasible solution," Kiyono Lin nodded in agreement.
"Hmm?" Ayane Kumi looked towards her again.
"Ayane, you lack the strength and are too gentle; so just enact strict rules. Let every matter in the Wind Instrument Club be governed by these regulations," Kiyono Lin explained.
"I see!" Ayane Kumi clapped her hands lightly, excited, "I’ve been thinking about how to smooth the relationship between the first and second years but haven’t thought about addressing the root problem."
"Before establishing the regulations, there’s one last issue: should we favor first-year or second-year students?" Dubian Che said.
He and Kiyono Lin watched Ayane Kumi.
She could suggest anything she likes, but whether it’s adopted and to what extent remains entirely up to the Wind Instrument Club.
Faced with this problem, Ayane Kumi’s gentle—bluntly speaking, overly kind—character made her hesitate once more.
"Senior," Dubian Che gently knocked on the table, "the goal is the national gold, you know."
"I know, but..." Ayane Kumi tightened her grip on the pleated skirt’s hem.
"Are you worried that if the rules are too strict, the second-year students will leave?" Kiyono Lin asked.
Ayane Kumi didn’t speak, only nodded.
"These people are really confident, thinking that by simply trying a bit harder next year, they can achieve national gold?" Kiyono Lin scoffed dismissively, "Being academically excellent is one thing, but they also think they have exceptional musical talent as well."
Dubian Che noticed Ayane Kumi’s face slightly redden.
It seemed this senior held that belief too.
"However, I can understand," Kiyono Lin’s tone returned to calm, "People who excel academically often have blind confidence in unfamiliar fields—I’ve observed this from that man long ago."
Dubian Che pointed to himself, puzzled.
Kiyono Lin nodded, affirming his suspicion.
After dealing with Dubian Che, she continued:
"Ayane, you are the Minister of the Wind Instrument Club, it’s up to you to decide what to do, all I can do is share my thoughts."
"Yes, thank you, please tell me."
"Last year, even I needed Mr. Dubian with me to lead you all to the national gold. Without Mr. Dubian, even a miracle couldn’t have secured more than a silver in the national competition given Wind Instrument Club’s level," Kiyono Lin stated, then fell silent, giving Ayane Kumi time to think.
Ayane Kumi didn’t hesitate.
Releasing her tightly gripped pleated skirt, she looked at both of them with a voice clear and resonant:
"The goal of the Wind Instrument Club is the national gold."
Kiyono Lin smiled, "Then, let’s start discussing the regulations."
Setting rules was Kiyono Lin and Ayane Kumi’s affair; Dubian Che went back to his book.
The day after tomorrow would welcome spring; the cold brought by the north wind outside the window showed no signs of diminishing.