I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

"The brass band?" A hint of surprise flashed in Hiratsuka Shizuka's eyes. "Yes, since you've already decided, then you should participate in the club activities properly!"

Despite the seemingly uninspired encouragement, Kiyoshi felt there was more to the other person's words than met the eye.

At this moment, Reina had already arrived at the music classroom. Without any hesitation, she pulled open the sliding door and strode in.

Kiyoshi then went in and said softly, "Excuse me."

Then she saw a familiar face staring in horror at Reina, who walked in without looking away and announced her "entry into the club." It seemed that the person's facial expression control system had broken down.

"Kosaka-san!"

Huang Qian cried out Reina's name in a hushed voice, which made Kiyoyori want to tease her.

"Huang Qian, classmate."

"Eek—Tachibana-san!"

Huang Qian felt her worldview might be crumbling. Why would she encounter two former ace brass band members from her junior high school brass band at the relatively unknown Zongwu High School?! She had assumed they were either from Luoqiu, Lihua, or even Qingliang!

There must be something wrong with how I'm opening it.

Kiyoshi smiled with pleasure as he looked at the other person's eyes, which had lost their luster.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

"Has the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament started yet?"

what--

So you're still angry?!

Chapter 60, Part 03: The Burning Soul of the Lily

"what--"

Huang Qian, looking dejected, walked towards the station with the two classmates who had just volunteered to join the brass band.

"What's wrong, Kumiko? Do you know those other two girls from earlier?"

"Kato Hazuki," a spirited short-haired girl asked curiously. She stood shakily in front of the pedestrian crossing with the red light, her toes lightly touching the ground, still savoring the "moving" ensemble she had just heard in the brass band.

"Hey……"

Huang Qian sighed again, "Back in junior high, I was in a brass band..."

"But I'm not familiar with them either. I hardly ever see them except during club activities. They are both top students in the school, and they are usually the top two in the grade in every exam."

Huang Qian said with a worried look on his face.

"Huh? That's amazing!" Kato Hazuki exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise. "Come to think of it, the person who talked to you earlier was the freshman representative this year!"

"Well, and," I didn't expect there to be so much to sigh about on the first day of school, "Kousaka is the principal trumpet player, and Tachibana is the principal oboe player. Even when the teacher is choosing pieces for the competition, he unconsciously favors pieces that feature these two instruments."

"Wow...that's really impressive..."

"Obi? Tachibana..."

The shortest of them all, Midori Kawashima, tilted her head as if she had just thought of something. She graduated from St. Mary's Middle School, a famous school known for its strong brass band, and she herself had been a member of the St. Mary's Brass Band. She had considerable skill, and despite her small stature, she played a very large double bass.

"Could she be Tachibana Touko's daughter?!"

Kawashima's eyes were practically gleaming.

"Hmm..." Huang Qian pressed his finger to his chin in distress, "Although she has never admitted it directly, most people in the club guess that's what she thinks, and Tachibana Touko even went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament to watch the game last time..."

"Huh? Who is Tachibana Toko?"

This is Kato Hazuki, who is still unaware of the situation.

"Tachibana Toko, she's one of the most famous oboists in the country right now!" Kawashima clasped his hands together in front of his chest, his eyes sparkling like stars. "Once you've heard her play, you'll never forget it! The Holy Maiden was fortunate enough to receive her instruction once! And she's beautiful too! Especially her full breasts!"

"Little Green, you look like an old man..."

Huang Qian glanced speechlessly at Kawashima, who had suddenly started to swoon over a girl.

"Thank you for praising my mother so much."

A slightly deep voice sounded behind the three of them, especially Huang Qian, who could even feel the strands of hair behind her ear being blown by the breath of the person who came.

"Yeah!"

Huang Qian covered his ears and turned around in a panic, then took small steps back.

"Tachibana-san!"

"When did Huang Qian start stuttering? You were speaking quite fluently before." Kiyoyori raised a kind smile. "Did you forget my name? Well then, let me introduce myself again. I am Tachibana Kiyoyori, and I am also the daughter of Tachibana Toko, whom you all mentioned."

Huang Qian nervously swallowed, seeing Qing Lai, who was smiling, as a demon with horns and a tail in her eyes.

She was definitely alluding to that line she said at the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament.

Meanwhile, Kawashima had already started talking to Kiyori, his eyes occasionally lingering on Kiyori's chest, waist, and hips, and Kiyori did not stop him.

"NICE BODY!"

Kawashima gave a thumbs up. Despite being a cute little girl, he always looked at girls with the eyes of an old man.

"Thank you." Kiyoyori smiled gently.

Little Green, stop talking! This person isn't as gentle and refined as he seems on the surface!

Huang Qian, who had once witnessed Qing Lai scolding a member to tears without uttering a single swear word, cried out in his heart.

“By the way,” Kiyotaka turned to Kyouzen, “Reina is actually quite interested in you, and she doesn’t hold a grudge about what happened before. She’s not very good at talking to people, so please bear with her, Kyouzen.”

Kiyoshi wasn't lying; Reina truly didn't hold a grudge. But Kiyoshi didn't see it that way. Although she was angry, it wasn't because of that remark, but because Oki had successfully made Reina even more upset.

She just wanted to get a little revenge on the other party.

Looking at Kiyoshiro's cool smile, Huang Qian's back was soaked with cold sweat.

"Excuse me, farewell."

Kiyoshi and the other two bowed and turned to walk in the opposite direction.

“Oh, right, there’s one more thing,” Qinglai turned around again, and Huang Qian took another step back warily. “Huang Qian, if you walk any further back you will be on the road, and the light is still red.”

"Huh? Why is this red light so long?"

Kato Hazuki suddenly realized what was happening.

"Because you forgot to press the traffic light button."

Kiyoshi kindly reminded him, and then he started walking towards home.

"She went in the opposite direction..."

The three of them looked in the direction Kiyoyori had left without prior arrangement.

Kawashima reached out and pressed a button beside him. "Kiyoshi hasn't been following us since he left school, has he?"

"Kiyoshi?" Huang Qian noticed the change in Kawashima's address.

"Was it because he said these things on purpose...?"

"Ew! How scary...!"

"right……"

............................................................

Two weeks have passed since their last "chance" encounter with Kiyoyori on the street, and Huang Qian still hasn't found a chance to speak to Reina. Every time she sees her, her heart races uncontrollably. She imagines them having such a harmonious conversation, even calling each other by name affectionately, but—

The harsh reality taught Huang Qian how to be a person.

Reina either engages in polite conversation or completely ignores him, and most of the time that devil Tachibana Kiyoshi is walking with Reina. Under the other party's "eager" gaze, Huangqian simply cannot walk up to Reina and talk to her naturally.

However, Huang Qian did indeed misunderstand Qing Lai.

Kiyoyori wasn't deliberately trying to hinder Oumae and Reina's relationship; in fact, she was happy about it.

This is the first time Reina has shown interest in anyone other than Kiyori and Taki. Simply put, Reina Kousaka doesn't have any other very close friends in her life besides Kiyori, and Kiyori doesn't particularly like Taki, especially after learning about Reina's feelings for him.

"It's not LIKE, it's LOVE."

Kiyoyori became even more resentful of Takigatsu.

Therefore, Kiyoshi was quite interested in Reina's new relationship, or rather, he was too curious and wanted to witness the entire process of Oumae and Reina's relationship firsthand.

She could feel her burning lily spirit.

However, her overly intense gaze seemed to frighten the timid Huang Qian.

Girl, you'll never win over someone as aloof as Reina if you keep going like this.

Kiyoshi began to think about how he could subtly give them a helping hand.

............................................................

Wind Ensemble

"Everyone, please be quiet!" Ogasawara stood on the podium. "New members, please note that our previous advisor, Rikako-sensei, is on maternity leave, and her successor, Taki-sensei, will not arrive until tomorrow. So, we will assign voice parts today."

"Next, the principals of each section will introduce their instruments. If you find a section that interests you, please go to your assigned area and line up," Ogasawara cleared his throat. "If a section becomes popular, we will hold a selection process. If you are not selected, please try other sections. We appreciate your understanding!"

"Yes!"

A response filled with excitement and anticipation rang out.

Kiyoshi glanced casually at the seniors holding their instruments, but didn't see the oboe.

P.S.: Why didn't I see any little angels? Because the little angels are really too tiny, so cute.

The Service Club serves as a catalyst for the main characters' relationship, and its related storylines are also a prelude to the main storyline. However, Kiyoyori's club activities are primarily focused on the brass band, of course. I will try my best to create opportunities for the two clubs—or more precisely, for members of both clubs to appear together, meaning for overlapping storylines. I will do my utmost! Of course, Kiyoyori's participation in the Service Club isn't limited to just one form—for example…

Thank you everyone for subscribing!

Chapter 61, Section 04: The Many Layers of Tricks You Don't Understand