Dahe Music Hall was open, the gentle tones of music spilling softly from inside out.
Dubian Che and Kiyono Lin parked their bicycles and leisurely walked in.
Fifty-five members of the Goda Wind Instrument Club were seated neatly on the stage, with a scattering of audience members below, resembling an obscure orchestra performance.
The two headed for the front row.
Upon spotting them, the Wind Instrument Club members' reactions varied—some widened their eyes, some played more intently, and some made panicked mistakes.
As soon as Kiyono Lin slightly furrowed her cool, attractive brows, everyone promptly straightened up.
Dubian Che glanced at the front row, where Xiaoquan Aonai was sitting listlessly with a phone in hand, occasionally glancing at it.
"Good morning, Mr. Xiaoquan."
"Hmm?" Xiaoquan Aonai, hearing the voice, straightened up and turned around, "Kiyono, long time no see."
"Long time no see, Mr. Xiaoquan," Kiyono Lin responded.
Xiaoquan Aonai's gaze moved past her, looking at Dubian Che behind her, who was winking at her.
A smile uncontrollably spread across Xiaoquan Aonai's lips.
On stage, Ayane Kumi, originally conducting, noticed Kiyono Lin's arrival, clenched her hand, and stopped the ensemble.
She herself descended the stage and walked towards Kiyono Lin.
"Long time no see, Kiyono, Mr. Dubian," Ayane Kumi greeted with a hint of urgency in her voice.
The Wind Instrument Club had been without Kiyono Lin's guidance since August, and with the competition date drawing closer, the anxious section leader was nearly frantic.
"Long time no see, Ayane," Dubian Che replied.
Before Kiyono Lin could speak, Ayane Kumi looked at her and said, "Kiyono, could you help guide us?"
"That's exactly why I'm here."
Without further ado, the two went up on stage.
Ayane Kumi picked up her bassoon, settling amongst the club members; Kiyono Lin took up the conductor's baton, standing in front of the music stand.
"The reasons for not improving, despite reminders, are twofold—one is lack of effort, and the other is lack of ability."
"Regardless of which, you all are even worse than I imagined."
As soon as she stepped onto the stage, God Kiyono informed the Wind Instrument Club what it meant to have no emotion.
The Wind Instrument Club listened intently.
Some were ashamed, some thought it was the baseball club's cheering that wasted their training time, so they felt somewhat wronged.
But regardless of who it was or what they felt, now everyone faithfully endured the scolding.
"Starting with the Woodwind Group's flute, each of you play in turn," Kiyono Lin instructed mercilessly and immediately began coaching.
Dubian Che sat down beside Xiaoquan Aonai, glancing at the back row of casual spectators who clearly were all shocked by Kiyono Lin.
The two sat side by side, watching the Wind Instrument Club as if in a meeting, marking down every word spoken by Kiyono Lin on their respective music scores.
Xiaoquan Aonai hesitated on how to start talking.
Whether as lovers or as a teacher and student.
With so many people in the music hall and so many students in front...they could only converse as teacher and student...
"Did you get my letter?" Dubian Che whispered.
The slightly dejected mood of Xiaoquan Aonai was instantly washed away by these words.
"Yes," her voice was very light, like the note played by Haomei Yuzao on stage at that moment.
"Why didn't you go out to play?"
"I am a teacher, after all," Xiaoquan Aonai said in a girlish tone.
"I like teachers the most."
"I don't believe you," she replied.
"Why?" Dubian Che turned his head to look at her.
Because the stage was full of people, he didn't laugh but his eyes showed laughter and affection.
"Have you forgotten?" Xiaoquan Aonai crossed her arms, taking on the authoritative stance of a teacher, "A month into last year's term, you still didn't know my full name; back then you kept saying how much you liked teachers, how you're studying all for the teachers."
"Teacher, you're mistaken."
"I remember very clearly!"
"What I said about loving teachers meant I appreciate the profession, not you personally."
"What does that mean? Planning to become a teacher in the future?"
"It means, whether I've graduated or not by then, please continue to be my teacher."
Dubian Che's flirtatious tone made Xiaoquan Aonai, who often heard Miyazaki Mieko comment about 'students fancying beautiful female teachers,' instantly understand.
"Be serious!" she said, blushing, her pale oval face flushed with embarrassed anger.
"If we weren't sitting in the front row, I would want to put my hand on your leg right now."
"Mr. Dubian." On stage, Kiyono Lin turned around, giving Dubian Che a cold look.
"Since you're sitting there doing nothing, come up and help coach the woodwind instruments." ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by N()velFire.net
"Good luck!" Xiaoquan Aonai teased with a soft chuckle.
"Do you still remember the method I taught you to train them?" Dubian Che murmured as he stood up.
"Yes—" Xiaoquan Aonai tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Should I try playing it again?"
"Were you making such... girlish movements with my body then?"
"Yes." Xiaoquan Aonai was obviously lying as she nodded at Dubian Che.
"Coming, coming. The vice president has human rights too."
Correcting the runaway pitches, making the rhythm uniform, adjusting the volume balance between the instruments... Repeated practice of the same section, dozens of times.
The audience below came and went, few maintaining long-term interest in the Wind Instrument Club's practice.
The relentless practice continued without a break.
Around noon, Jiutiao Meijie and two other ladies arrived.
Xiaoquan Aonai's eyes darted from side to side before she finally mustered the courage to approach them, "Good afternoon, Mrs. Jiutiao, Mrs. Kiyono, and student Meijie."