I play the wind instrument in Hokkaido.

Page 158

"Yes!"

The tall and alluring Shinomiya Haruka stood beside him, smiling as she said:

"It's been a long time since I've seen you all. From now on, I, Haruka Shinomiya, will be in charge of the bass section. I will also lead the B section members who did not pass the A section selection. Although I am not as good as Mr. Kitahara, I will do my best."

"You're too kind. I have great faith in Mr. Shinomiya's teaching abilities." Kitahara Hakuba smiled.

"Oh dear, are you putting pressure on me?" she replied elegantly, covering her mouth with one hand.

"No, I just simply believe in you."

Watching the two of them speak politely on stage, Kuno Tachibana couldn't help but mutter a complaint under his breath:

"They're clearly dating, yet they're being so polite..."

.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the side, and she noticed that Yu Shou's eyes had already lost their color, and he was barely able to hold the trumpet properly.

"Alright, let's start practicing now." Kitahara Hakuba rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, exposing his elbows.

"Yes!"

Shinomiya sat on the zither bench, her slender white fingers pressing down a long note.

Each member of each vocal section straightened their back and followed her in tuning.

Then, as the wind chimes rang out, the wind band began playing the free piece "The Tears of Princess Kinada of the Hii River," with the sounds of brass, woodwinds, and percussion resounding back and forth.

"Stop, trumpet! Nagase and Kuno, you need to listen carefully to each other's voices. Why are you both gradually raising the pitch?" Kitahara Hakuba said.

Whenever Kuno Tachibana starts playing the trumpet, his entire demeanor changes, radiating unparalleled confidence.

"It's because Nagase-senpai is pushing too hard, so I have no choice but to pull her up."

Nagase Tsukiyo frowned slightly, but her tone remained calm:

"It's because Kuno-senpai played a bit too high. I had to raise it to support you, otherwise the difference between high and low notes would be immediately apparent."

“How could I possibly play it wrong? That’s how Mr. Kitahara taught me.” Kuno Tachibana’s eyes narrowed into arcs, his tone filled with absolute confidence.

Hmm:

Nagase Tsukiyo remained silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to Kitahara Hakuba on the stage, hoping he could explain.

Subtle differences can affect the overall listening experience. Over the past few months, with Kitahara Hakuba's meticulous attention to every detail, everyone's sheet music has been filled with notes.

Kitahara Hakuba held the baton in his hand:

“Nagase-san is right. Kuno-san was indeed a little too high just now. It was hard to hear, but it’s okay. She can just correct it.”

Upon hearing Kitahara-sensei agree with Nagase Tsukiyo's words, Kuno Tachibana's pretty face showed a hint of bewilderment, and she pursed her lips.

She could refute anyone, but she didn't want to refute Kitahara Hakuba.

Chapter 142, Section 141: Training Camp: The Trumpet Parts Are Almost Completely Ruined (4K)

Kitahara Hakuba's words immediately caused many people to look around nervously, and small ripples gradually spread throughout the room.

Because chatting is prohibited during ensemble performances, everyone can only communicate with each other through eye contact.

But no one's eyes revealed "dissatisfaction" or suggested that Kitahara-sensei had begun to develop "favoritism" towards Nagase Tsukiyo.

After all, the "rules" were clear from the beginning: everything was based on Kitahara Hakuba's judgment, which was irrefutable and beyond question.

Having spent so much time with Kitahara Hakuba, they knew he was a very serious person whenever it came to ensemble performances, and anyone who made a mistake would be ruthlessly pointed out in public.

He doesn't show favoritism towards anyone.

Surprisingly, Kuno Tachibana is a very skilled trumpet player, yet Nagase Tsukiyo is able to perceive details that she cannot.

Kuno Tachibana remained silent, simply raising his hand to brush the bangs from his forehead, as if nothing had happened.

However, without realizing it, she herself fell into the trap of taking it for granted that "Teacher Kitahara would definitely be on my side."

"Don't get distracted, keep practicing," Kitahara Hakuba said in a bright voice.

"Yes!"

Nagase Tsukiyo peered at Kuno Tachibana's face, raising her trumpet as if she didn't care, her gaze fixed on Kitahara Hakuba.

But she could understand that the girl was putting on a brave face in front of so many people because her movements were too stiff and unnatural.

As her senior, I should say something to encourage her after training...:

However, this idea was nipped in the bud by Nagase Tsukiyo.

She thought about it and realized that Kuno Tachibana wouldn't be happy about it; in fact, he might feel like he was showing off Kitahara-sensei's approval.

just forget it.

Training continued, but it ended at noon due to strict meal times during the accommodation period.

"The chairs and music can stay here without being moved. We can continue practicing at 1:30 pm."

"Yes!"

The club members stood up to leave, and Kitahara Hakuba's gaze fell on Kuno Tatsuka, who was getting up to leave. Nagasawa Miyabi and others were still waiting at the door.

"Kuno-kun."

Kuno Tachibana raised his eyebrows, but instead of smiling, he simply raised his handsome brows and walked over to say:

"What's wrong, Kitahara-sensei?"

Kitahara Hakuba was silent for a moment, then said in a gentle tone:

"In my heart, you and Nagase are both in the top tier of the brass band. You are both very strong, and I hope you can complement each other in the competition. If you want a good ensemble to stand out among many strong schools, constantly looking for details is crucial..."

2

"9

Hearing his words, which sounded almost like a preemptive warning, Kuno Tachibana quickly smiled and said:

"Oh, Kitahara-sensei, what do you take me for? I'm willing to do anything to improve my abilities. Nagase-senpai made a very good suggestion just now."

Her subsequent ensemble playing was definitely more stable, um... I quite like her.

Her smile looked the same as always, full of childlike cuteness and innocence, which put Kitahara Hakuba's mind at ease a little.

"Sweetheart, I have high hopes for you." Kitahara Hakuma couldn't help but raise his hand and touch her hair.

She always pretends to be arrogant when she plays the trumpet, but in reality, she is very childlike.

Kuno Tachibana, like a cat having its fur stroked by its owner, wore a comfortable expression:

"However, my solo and first trumpet performances will not be allowed to go out."

Kitahara Hakuba smiled and said:

"Stretch out your hand."

"Ok?"

Kuno Tachibana stretched out his little hand and found that what he was being handed was a green-wrapped mint hard candy.

“When I get tired of drinking coffee, I usually eat mints to stay awake. Here’s one for you,” he said slowly.

Even before putting it in his mouth, he could taste the mint. Kuno Tachibana felt a strange flutter in his heart and smiled, revealing his teeth:

"Teacher Kitahara, you've really driven us girls in the trumpet section crazy!"

"It shouldn't be that bad... I put the same amount of pressure on everyone during training." Kitahara Hakuba gave a wry smile. "Alright, let's go eat. We're already small."

"Ah."

She seemed much happier and knew that when Kitahara Hakuma said she was small, he meant she was small in stature, not in size.

Watching Kuno Tachibana leave with Nagasawa Miyabi and the others, Shinomiya Haruka said to him:

"That girl named Nagase is really amazing. She can talk as well as Kuno-chan."

“Yes.” Kitahara Hakuba nodded and said, “Nase-san has been practicing the trumpet since he was a child, and he is very talented.”

Kuno Tachibana and Nagase Tsukiyo are both S-rank talents, and who is stronger depends on their practice time and personalities.

"And it feels like there's a lot of tension between the voices, something I didn't notice this strongly last time I came." Shinomiya Haruka raised her hand and pressed her fingertips against the bridge of her own upturned nose.

"Because the audition is coming up soon." He sighed. "Sigh, Yu Shou's playing is acting weird today too..."

Shinomiya Haruka stared at his slightly tired profile and said:

"Rain Guard? That tall one with the ponytail who plays the trumpet?"

“Hmm, the tone she played was different from usual, it was rough,” Kitahara Hakuba said, rubbing his temples. “I wonder if it’s because she’s not used to this unfamiliar environment.”

With her arms crossed, Haruka Shinomiya's full breasts, covered by light blue fabric, became even more prominent.

"Come to think of it, it seems like she's been secretly watching me the whole time."

"Really? Or is it just my imagination?"

"How could that be? My sixth sense is very accurate, just like how you've been staring at my legs and chest." Shinomiya Haruka revealed a playful and teasing look.

That really works.

"That child wouldn't...."

"Let's go eat, it'll be gone soon." Kitahara Hakuma didn't let her finish her guess before pulling her hand and walking towards the cafeteria.

Upon arriving at the cafeteria, one is greeted by huge floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides, and plates of food are laid out on the tables.

Each person can choose three meat dishes and one vegetable dish, plus a bowl of miso soup. If you want to order more, you will have to pay extra.

Kitahara Hakuba chose black pepper pork cutlet rice bowl, omelet, and vegetable salad, while Shinomiya Haruka chose dishes that were low in calories and filling, in order to take care of her figure.

The best seats by the window with a clear view were mostly taken by students, so Kitahara Hakuba casually found an empty seat and sat down.

Before the two even started eating, several girls came over with plates.

"May I sit here?"

Looking up, I saw that it was Sayaka Akamatsu, Sakurako Yukawa, and Yoshie Suzuki.

Haruka Shinomiya was the first to answer: "Of course."

The three sat down, and Yukawa Sakurako, sitting next to Kitahara Hakuba, smiled awkwardly and said: