Every exceptional high school wind instrument club holds regular concerts.
If they make it to the national competition and perform well, they can even charge for tickets.
Clubs with no achievements can also participate in these concerts, but may find themselves playing to empty seats, even with free admission.
At the start of the new semester, perhaps unwilling to let high school life end without a flourish, the "upper echelons" of Goda High’s Wind Instrument Club decided:
To compete in the Kantou competition.
They didn’t just spout this slogan— they took concrete steps: intensified their training and actively signed up for the scheduled concerts.
Then, at their first scheduled concert, they were criticized.
And it was the kind of criticism that’s a real blow to morale.
According to Hanaoka Chaozi, she collapsed onto her bed for a whole day after returning home, that’s how deeply it affected her.
"As long as we create happy memories, that’s enough. With our level of skill, even with more practice, it’s impossible to make it to the Kantou competition."
Someone began this sentiment; it wasn’t clear who, but the chorus of agreement grew louder, and the dream of reaching the Kantou competition became just a meaningless slogan written on the blackboard.
Whether they gave up or not didn’t really matter, but the commitment to perform at a concert, impulsively signed up for in a burst of enthusiasm, had to be honored.
Near Sophia University is a concert hall known as Kioi Hall, accessible via a tram ride from "Shibuya Station," with a stop at "Kioicho Fifth District" and then a five hundred meter walk.
The regular concert of Goda High’s Wind Instrument Club was to be held there.
On a Saturday, with a light, unobjectionable drizzle falling, Dubian Che stood at the Shibuya Station ticket gates, holding a clear umbrella.
Today was also the day for club activities of the Human Observation Department: to attend the Wind Instrument Club’s concert for Ichiki Aoi’s love story.
Dubian Che had no idea what the connection between the two was.
However, just before school ended yesterday, Kiyono Lin, with her soft-spoken tone, issued an "absolute must attend" president’s command. With too much at his own risk, he had no choice but to obediently participate.
But going to a concert hall on a rainy day could be a pleasant diversion.
If he couldn’t understand it, he could always just have a nap.
Musing at the raindrops, he heard a familiar sound of footsteps from behind, a cadence carrying the self-assured belief of "the whole world awaits me."
Dubian Che turned around in disbelief.
Jiutiao Meiji, in her retro light blue blouse and white high-waisted skirt, stood there.
"My Meiji is still across the ocean, I must be hallucinating from missing her too much."
Jiutiao Meiji narrowed her eyes, and the dampness of the rain pervaded the air, immediately turning the sensation from crisp to oppressively sticky.
Of course, this was an exaggeration—only Dubian Che’s mood actually shifted.
"Where are you going?" she asked, her arms crossed, a mocking smile on her lips.
"Well..." Dubian Che hesitated for a second, then decided to come clean.
He confessed everything about his recent interactions with girls: where he met them, what they talked about, how many meters apart they were.
Of course, he never mentioned that Mayi Asuka was a weirdo.
If he were that honest, it wouldn’t be candor, but sheer foolishness, practically inviting trouble.
He also modified the dream he had that morning to make Jiutiao Meiji the sole woman appearing in it!
After he finished, Jiutiao Meiji regarded Dubian Che with a profound look: "My Dubian, you seem to be quite close to Kiyono Lin."
"That’s not true, we’re barely acquaintances at most, I already told you how I utterly embarrassed her during PE class!"
"Then why," Jiutiao Meiji stepped under Dubian Che’s umbrella, sliding her long right leg between his, "did you follow her into the infirmary?"
"Hmm?" Jiutiao Meiji’s soft, delicate palm rested lightly on Dubian Che’s shoulder.
Such an intimate gesture drew envious glances from many in the station.
But they didn’t know that this pose allowed Jiutiao Meijie to kick with greater force with her right foot!
Dubian Che didn’t dare to move now.
Subduing Jiutiao Meijie in his arms was of course easy, but what about after that? Stage a grand escape at Shibuya Station?
Watching the speechless Dubian Che, Jiutiao Meijie suddenly smiled with delight and then floated away from Dubian Che.
"Look at you, you’re so cute." She lightly patted Dubian Che’s chest, "Let’s go."
Dubian Che sighed in relief, "Where to?"
"Aren’t you going to the concert? This lady has some free time today, so I’ll fulfill my girlfriend’s duty and accompany you."
"Really? Meijie, you’re just too adorable!" Dubian Che reached out, taking Jiutiao Meijie’s hand, "I really want to take you home for the summer vacation."
"You want me to meet your parents?"
"No, it’s just that thinking about not seeing you for over a month during summer vacation makes me want to kidnap you back and hide you in a storage locker."
"Hmm—That’s not a bad idea. Next time I go abroad, I might as well hide you in my luggage."
"..." Dubian Che changed the subject, "Have you finished with your official duties?"
"Not yet." Jiutiao Meijie turned to look at him, her smile brimming, "When you called me looking all pitiful and said you missed me, I had to come back to see you."
"Meijie, I love you." Dubian Che’s eyes brimmed with tears.
Hand in hand, they walked side by side, laughing and chatting as they boarded the tram to the concert hall, appearing just like a real couple.
Latest Human Observation Department Report:
Like the sun, the radiance of the stars comes from the distant past; what humans experience in the present has, in fact, been destined long ago.
The meaning of Deputy Minister Dubian Che: When one’s mind is not clear, one must not make random phone calls.
And definitely don’t say "I miss you" on the call!
There were plenty of people who came to listen to music for free on weekends, including families and couples holding hands just like them.
When entering, Dubian Che held open the glass door for Jiutiao Meijie. After Jiutiao Meijie passed through, he noticed a woman holding a baby behind them, so he kept the door open for her as well.
"Thank you." The woman nodded her thanks to him.
This act, however, earned Dubian Che an unforgiving stomp from Jiutiao Meijie.
"I..." Dubian Che pointed at the woman’s retreating figure, taking a moment to find his words, "She already has a child, she’s a mother. Isn’t it okay to help her out casually?"
"No women under sixty."
"If I ever see you open doors for women again, it won’t just be a stomp on the foot." Jiutiao Meijie’s gaze on Dubian Che’s face made it clear where she might stomp next time.
Perhaps for some with particular kinks, her punishment could be considered a reward, but unfortunately for Dubian Che, it wasn’t.
"Whatever you say, could you please get your foot off?"
"I thought you liked being stepped on by me?"
"It’s just that it’s too comfortable . If it continues, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop myself from making weird noises."
Jiutiao Meijie made an interested "Hmm—" sound.
"But doing this here would disgrace the Jiutiao Family, right? We should do it secretly instead."
"You’ve become quite the talker." Jiutiao Meijie finally dissipated her anger, satisfyingly lifting her sandaled foot from Dubian Che’s sneaker.