"...Can you stand up now?" Shirakawa Sawahei awkwardly asked, "I’ll take you to the nurse’s office right away for a check-up."
Hayakawa Kashi extended her uninjured right hand and was carefully helped up by Shirakawa Sawahei.
It’s a pity he didn’t have any medical skills; otherwise, he could have helped Hayakawa Kashi with some basic treatment.
He supported the girl out of the lounge, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. Especially since Shirakawa Sawahei and Hayakawa Kashi were leaning against each other, supporting the girl at his side. This intimate gesture naturally led to wild speculation by onlookers.
"So the rumors are true, Akihisa High School’s top beauty has been won over by that scoundrel Shirakawa Sawahei!"
"Damn it! I bet someone else that this was fake news. Now I have to wash my hair while standing on my head."
"Washing your hair upside down is nothing; I have to stick my head in the toilet!"
"Seems like President Mita didn’t lose unjustly..."
Shirakawa Sawahei pretended not to hear and quickly left the backstage of the auditorium with the expressionless school beauty. He swiftly reached the nurse’s office.
It was the same familiar female school nurse. When she saw Shirakawa Sawahei supporting a girl walking in, she was initially surprised. Then, maintaining her professional demeanor, she hurriedly began examining Hayakawa Kashi’s injury.
"She fell." Shirakawa Sawahei awkwardly replied.
Hayakawa Kashi glanced at him without saying a word.
"How could you be so careless..." The female school nurse brought gauze and a splint, carefully felt Hayakawa Kashi’s left hand, and breathed a sigh of relief, "Fortunately, it’s just a dislocation."
Shirakawa Sawahei was completely relieved. I told you, you’re not made of porcelain! It’s impossible for you to break your hand so easily.
Hayakawa Kashi, you wouldn’t be trying to scam for compensation, would you?
"Even though it’s just a dislocation, you still need to be careful. I’ll bandage it to reduce some pressure. If there’s further discomfort, you should go to the hospital for an X-ray, understood?"
"Understood." Shirakawa Sawahei nodded, "I’ll take note of that."
"You should exercise more regularly and get plenty of sunshine," the female nurse advised a few more times before letting them leave on their own.
As usual, Shirakawa Sawahei supported Hayakawa Kashi as they walked out of the nurse’s office. He sighed, "Hayakawa, the school nurse said you need more exercise."
"Heh." Hayakawa Kashi’s voice was cold.
"As long as you’re okay," Shirakawa Sawahei didn’t mind the Scorpio-like arrogance, feeling no pressure in his heart, "I’ll take you back to the auditorium."
Hayakawa Kashi said calmly, "There’s still a performance left."
Shirakawa Sawahei was taken aback, "Can you do it with one hand?"
Hayakawa Kashi stared at Shirakawa Sawahei’s face for a moment, then said, "I can’t play."
Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."
"Can it be canceled?"
Shirakawa Sawahei hesitated, "Has that professor met you?"
A hint of doubt appeared in Hayakawa Kashi’s eyes, "Are you thinking of finding someone to replace me?"
"That’s the only way now."
"Who do you want to find?"
No need to say more; naturally, it’s the drama-loving little Asano Nazuki. After all, she loves acting, so why not let her pretend to be Hayakawa Kashi!
After all, they’re both girls; it’s hard to tell them apart.
"I have someone in mind." Shirakawa Sawahei explained, "Her piano skills are impressive. She shouldn’t be much worse than you."
"Things are a bit sudden. We should contact the teacher in charge first."
A curly-haired middle-aged woman, upon hearing the news, quickly came to Hayakawa’s side and asked anxiously, "Hayakawa, are you okay?"
"Not seriously injured... but I might not be able to perform on behalf of the school." Hayakawa Kashi said, "Teacher Murakami, can you explain the situation to the school?"
"This... this..." Teacher Murakami was also a bit flustered, "I’ll make a call to the higher-up to check."
After making a call, Teacher Murakami looked crestfallen, "There’s no way around it. That professor’s visit schedule can’t be changed..."
"Can someone else replace Hayakawa on stage?"
Responsibility fell heavily on Teacher Murakami. She shook her head decisively, "There’s no one in this school who’s better than Hayakawa. If we randomly send someone up to deal with the master, it might actually anger him."
"Given the situation, we’ll have to apologize for our rudeness..."
Shirakawa Sawahei frowned. Asano Nazuki’s level is high, but the teacher in charge not believing it is a problem.
It’s unlikely they’d believe if he said the little girl is a hidden genius, just based on his word. Responsible adults aren’t likely to be swayed by an outsider insisting they send someone unfamiliar into a risky situation.
If only Hayakawa Kashi knew the little girl; unfortunately, they’re not close...
At this point, it must fall on him to team up with the Evil Little Arrogant to solve this issue.
He winked at Hayakawa Kashi and asked, "What piece was going to be performed?"
It was the piece that Hayakawa Kashi had previously played in the auditorium with the piano. Shirakawa Sawahei understood, "In that case, I’ll do it."
"Shirakawa... you?" Teacher Murakami was clearly unconvinced.
Though your grades are top-notch at Akihisa High School, no one has heard about you playing the piano.
"I understand, Shirakawa, your desire to help... but this is quite a serious matter..."
Teacher Murakami was tactful, but her main point was still "You’re not qualified."
Thanks to Shirakawa Sawahei’s reputation as a model student, if it were someone else making such a claim, she might have outright told them to go away.
"I just happen to know this piece." Shirakawa Sawahei didn’t elaborate much further. Even if he spoke eloquently, it wouldn’t help as much as Hayakawa Kashi putting in a good word for him.
A professional endorsement is more convincing than self-recommendation.
Hayakawa Kashi slightly frowned, seemingly unable to grasp Shirakawa Sawahei’s angle.
"Since we’ve reached an impasse, why not let Shirakawa perform a bit in front of Teacher Murakami first?"
Teacher Murakami didn’t expect Hayakawa Kashi to join Shirakawa Sawahei in causing a fuss. Reluctantly, she said, "Well... alright, Shirakawa, demonstrate first..."
She wasn’t hopeful at all; if Shirakawa was really good, he wouldn’t have kept it hidden until now.
Surely he couldn’t have kept pretending to be inconspicuous this long!
Might as well think about how to apologize to the master... Treating to a meal is unavoidable... As for presents, that eccentric old man didn’t seem interested in money...
"Let’s try it in the music room first."
Teacher Murakami decided to quickly let Shirakawa Sawahei and Hayakawa Kashi give up, so she could free up time to handle upcoming issues. Unexpectedly, Shirakawa Sawahei didn’t follow her lead but suddenly asked, "How long until Hayakawa’s performance?"
Teacher Murakami was confused, "Another hour and a half..."
Shirakawa Sawahei nodded.
"Then give me an hour to learn from Hayakawa."
"An hour later, Teacher Murakami can come to the music room to see if I’m qualified to replace Hayakawa on stage."