RNP Page 145
Page 145
When Kitahara Hakuba arrived at the First Music Classroom, he found Yukawa Sakurako and the other brass band executives, as well as the heads of each section, inside.
They didn't seem to be there for a girls' "tea party," because the blackboard listed the names of eleven high schools in Hokkaido, all of which had won regional competitions.
Minister Yuchuan was tapping the blackboard with a baton in a very professional manner.
"Hmm? You held a meeting secretly without telling me?" Kitahara Hakuba stepped forward and said.
Sakurako Yukawa stood on the podium, and as soon as she saw him coming, she put down her baton.
"Teacher Kitahara..."
Instead of "No need, you continue, I'm listening."
Kitahara Hakuba waved his hand. He had originally planned to explain it himself at a later time, but unexpectedly, Yukawa took the initiative to explain.
At that moment, both Yuka Isomoto and Amemori stood up simultaneously and said in unison:
"Teacher Kitahara, please sit here..."
3
The two girls stared at each other in surprise, both seeing embarrassment and hidden shyness on each other's faces.
Kitahara Hakuba shook his head and said:
"No need, I'll get a chair myself."
He disliked the feeling of being waited on, let alone sitting directly in a warm chair left by a girl, which was even more unacceptable to him.
Sakurako Yukawa only wanted to "discuss the enemy situation" with her club members, but the arrival of Hakuba Kitahara made her face tense up immediately.
"The long-standing champion in Hokkaido is Tokai High School, which has won many national gold medals. Another strong school is Asahikawa High School, but the Nayoro District Tournament in Hokkaido recently ended, and the high school that emerged victorious was Meisei High School."
“Mingcheng Affiliated High School isn’t strong at all, is it? Last year, the whole province only got bronze, just like us.”
Sayaka Akamatsu rested her arm on the podium, propped her chin on her hand, and said, "In my opinion, there's absolutely nothing to worry about."
Sakurako Yukawa frowned slightly and said:
"Don't underestimate them. I heard they're implementing 'military-style' management this year, which is very strict. They're a complete dark horse."
"Dark horse, dark horse, what's there to be afraid of? Our Shenxu is the biggest dark horse in Hokkaido!"
Seeing this, Yukawa Sakurako could only smile. She had also heard people outside saying that Shenxu was the dark horse this year.
"Speaking of which, Donghai Affiliated High School is really amazing. It's so consistent every year. Are their students really that good?" Akamatsu Sayaka asked, scratching her head in puzzlement.
Watanabe Hama sat up straight and said:
"The most important person is the mentor, and their mentor, Sanae Igarashi, is undoubtedly a great advisor. She has won a gold medal for teaching at a private school in Tokyo."
“However, we have Mr. Kitahara this year, so we should be considered one of the top schools in Hokkaido,” Amamori said, sounding unconvinced.
Kitahara Hakuba spoke first:
"But we still can't let our guard down. There's only one chance a year, so we need to remind ourselves all the time."
“Actually, for me, defeating Asahikawa High School is a success!” Akamatsu Sayaka said.
Suzuki Yoshie remarked, "You hold grudges so much."
"I don't know why, but the thought of Professor Otaki being there as an advisor makes me want to trample them under my feet."
"I understand. It's like a girlfriend in a TV drama who gets dumped and wants to give her ex-boyfriend a hard time."
"Your analogy makes me uncomfortable! I've been Kitahara-sensei's female soldier since I was a child! Loyal—!"
Kitahara Hakuba: "::
Watanabe Hama crossed his arms and said in a cool tone:
"Asahikawa High School is not important. We just need to play our own music well. Instead of thinking about making our opponents make mistakes all day, we should improve our own performance."
Yuka Isomoto's gaze was fixed on the names of the twelve schools on the blackboard, when she suddenly felt a heavy weight on her shoulders:
There can only be two...
"
"I'll make a big table later and stick it on the wall to remind everyone."
Sakurako Kawawa, with her hands supporting her on the podium, said...
"With Mr. Kitahara around, this year is our most promising year. We must put some pressure on the members."
No one objected. Sakurako looked at Hakuba Kitahara, and he nodded.
That's good. I suggest writing "Countdown to the All-Round Conference: Days" on the blackboard.
Just as Kitahara Hakuba was feeling the atmosphere was getting better, he was quickly stumped by a question from Akamatsu Sayaka:
"Teacher Kitahara, where should we go for our training camp this year?"
"It's not a game..."
"
Kitahara Hakuba gave a wry smile.
"It's just pure practice, and you have very little free time. You usually have to practice until 10 p.m. before you can rest."
Before Akamatsu Sayaka could even show her distress, Yukawa Sakurako suddenly remembered something:
"By the way, Jia Hui, has the departmental fee been refunded to Qing Niao yet?"
Yoshie Suzuki is not only the section leader, but also the accountant for the brass section.
The fees charged by the wind band club far exceed those of other clubs, covering the purchase of music scores, instrument maintenance, competition registration fees, competition attire, and so on.
In the past, each member of the Shin-hsu Wind Ensemble was required to pay a monthly fee of three thousand bar.
However, after Kitahara Hakuba arrived, the school gradually began to pay more attention to the brass band, providing financial support and additional assistance.
In previous years, each member had to pay a departmental fee of 30,000, but this year the fee is only 10,000.
Suzuki Yoshie gripped the sides of the chair with both hands and quickly said:
"It's true that it hasn't been repaid yet, it's about 100,000 yuan."
The morning sunlight streaming through the window filled Yukawa Sakurako's eyes with radiance:
"I need to find a time to return it..."
Kitahara Hakuba asked curiously, "Why is she paying so much money? Don't you pay monthly?"
this.:
Sakurako Yukawa, with her droopy eye bags and fluttering eyelashes, answered in a voice that sounded like she was sick.
"Because the cost of the brass band club is indeed a bit high, especially during the training camp, some students will feel financial pressure, so Haruno will help them pay the club fee."
"I'm the one who's always paid for by Qingniao."
Yuka Isomoto's fingertips traced the hem of her skirt; her hands, touching the fabric, felt burning hot, and she wore an expression that suggested she had something to say but couldn't.
"Especially since the training camp was too expensive, my family wouldn't let me go. It was Qingniao who paid for it for me."
Sayaka Akamatsu sighed wistfully and said:
"Sigh, it's really a bit strange without Qingniao. I love burying my face in her chest and rubbing against her breasts, and calling her 'Mom'."
"Hey," Suzuki Yoshie said, squinting her eyes in annoyance, "Stop acting like a hooligan in front of Kitahara-sensei."
"It's not being a pervert. I just think Qingniao looks a lot like my mother. Rubbing against someone's chest is a child's nature. Jia Hui, you always think the worst."
“I just don’t want Sayaka to say that to me.”
"Just admit it."
"I don't admit it! Absolutely not!"
Although the two often argue, their relationship seems to be quite good based on their conversations.
Yuka Isomoto looked at the two of them with some envy, which Kitahara Hakuba noticed.
Human relationships are truly incredible; some go from being the closest of kin to drifting apart, while others go from complete strangers to opening their hearts to each other.
Sakurako Yukawa stared intently at Yoshie Suzuki with her gleaming black eyes and said:
"Jiahui, find some time to return the remaining money to Qingniao. If the other members have any difficulties, we'll figure out a solution together."
"Ah."
"Don't worry, I'll talk to the school about the funding. You can all focus on your practice." Kitahara Hakuba said that communication was definitely out of the question. He could get verbal support from the leaders, but providing funds would be like snatching food from a tiger's mouth.
In the end, Kitahara Hakuba had to pay for it himself.
Yama: "Alright then." Yukawa Sakurako nodded.
Before they knew it, it was almost nine o'clock, and the other members of the wind instrument section had already begun playing their instruments in their respective sections.
Today's practice began again under the strict guidance of Kitahara Hakuba, in the overcrowded First Music Classroom.
"Because there were so many people, and so many different instruments and symbols, the sounds were very chaotic to me, and the processing was somewhat haphazard. So..."
The clarinet, along with the bass line, and the percussion, play again.
"Yes!"
Kitahara Hakuba, with his sensitive ears, noticed the flaws. Having been a member of the B editorial team, he gradually came to understand the pressure that the A editors faced, a pressure that kept him on edge.
By removing some instruments, it became easier to identify those who were just filling in the numbers. Kitahara Hakuba mercilessly read out their names one by one.
But no one cried or blushed; everyone listened carefully to the corrections.
Since it's a routine meal, everyone is inevitably called out, even someone as strong as Nagase Tsukiyo.
"Nase-kun, your tone sounds a bit strange today? Were you playing with effort?"
The girl, whose name was specifically called by Kitahara Hakuma, lowered her head somewhat dejectedly, her usually cool and beautiful face now appearing preoccupied.
"I hope everyone can adjust their mindset before the ensemble performance. If you feel unwell, it's best to ask the band members for leave in advance."
Kitahara Hakuba's hushed voice drew everyone's attention.
Kuno Tachibana turned his head to gaze at Nagase Tsukiyo, his gaze seemingly under a spell, unable to resist first sweeping over her fair, beautiful legs before landing on her face.
Given his current state, does he really expect to compete against himself and win a solo performance?