I play wind instruments in Kansai.

When Kato Ai was here before, it was actually acceptable for the two of them to sit together, but as soon as she left, Daidouji Seiko felt something was off.

"Bass horn".

Gongling Wang said, stroking his chin.

"Two tukuleles are enough, because if you want to go to the national competition, it is more important to pursue a higher level of harmony and performance quality."

As the level of competition increases, the requirements for pitch accuracy and timbre integration also become higher.

In highly unified passages, a solo performance by a single instrumentalist often produces a purer and more precise sound than a multi-person ensemble.

"What? Your statement doesn't apply to the oboe?"

Daidouji Seiko gradually began to look at Miyamine Nozomi with a different gaze, a sneer of disdain playing on his lips.

"So when you said the oboe plus one, wasn't that based on your distrust of Amamiya-senpai?"

Miyamine Nozomi does not deny this. At first, he wanted to selfishly let Kato Ai stay, probably because of his feelings for the "first stock".

But upon calming down, it became clear that her motives were not pure at all, and she was far too naive compared to others, especially Hayami Tenma.

If her own motives remain unchanged, staying will only increase her mental strain.

"Senior, please don't be angry. I didn't mean to mock Amamiya."

Miyamine Nozomi discovers that although the two are not biological sisters, Daidouji Seiko seems to care a lot about what others think of Amamiya Sumire.

“She was brought in by you, so naturally I support her 100%. Therefore, I have no objection to Kato leaving the club. Of course, I will also talk to her about it.”

Daidouji Seiko rummaged through a drawer, saying casually:

"What do you mean? You want me to leave one of my oboe positions empty?"

She seemed completely indifferent to Kato Ai's decision to stay or leave.

“No, an oboe will do,” Miyamune said.

If this person were Yuki Yanagi, he would have gritted his teeth and tried to win her over, but unfortunately, this person is Ai Kato, so he wouldn't risk it.

Daidoji Seiko pulled out a colorful form from inside.

It looks like a calendar, and she has circled some key dates with colored pens:

"Is there anything else we need to discuss?"

Gong Lingwang shifted his gaze from the safety ring on her black stockings, nodded, and said:

"Have."

"what?"

Gong Lingwang forced a faint smile and asked:

"Excuse me, is Amamiya really your sister? I don't mean anything by it, I'm just curious."

Daidouji Seiko placed her slender wrist on the table, glanced at it, and said:

"Is it important?"

"No, I'm just curious, like when I'm bored at night I search why sheep eat chicks, or why cockroaches turn over when they die."

Daidouji Seiko looked disgusted and tapped his finger on the table, saying:

"If there's nothing else, you should leave. Don't stay here all the time."

"it is good."

Gong Lingwang didn't pester her. He had realized that the only way to deal with the cold and aloof senior was to listen to her first.

Once we advance to the Kansai region after the Wakayama Prefecture tournament, Daidoji Seiko will definitely be in high spirits, and it should be much easier to ask her for some "rewards" then.

Just as Miyamine Nozomi opened the sliding door, Tani Hanako happened to be standing at the doorway, her hand still resting on the armrest.

“Junior Gongling.” She was slightly surprised, but quickly managed a smile.

Her brown hair slid down her shoulders, flowing over her full, undulating shoulders, shimmering like honey-colored fruit.

Her waist was very slender, which was made even more supple by her plump hips.

"Good morning, Minister."

Miyamune bowed in greeting, put on his shoes, and left to find Kato Ai.

Gu Huayin watched his departing figure, her hand resting on the doorframe, her gaze shifting to Daidouji Seiko, a smile playing on her lips:

"Did I disturb you?"

Her words were so gentle that they revealed no deeper meaning.

"No."

Daidouji Seiko stood up, the back of her knees slightly creased with the fabric of her stockings, the black stockings stretching into a straight line along her Achilles tendons.

She hung the schedule on the wall.

Gu Huayin took off her shoes, stepped onto the soundproofing material laid on the ground, and said:

"If it's about the brass band, would it be convenient for you to tell me?"

Daidouji Seiko glanced at her and said:

"That's really strange. I didn't look for you, but you came to ask me on your own initiative."

"Ah."

Tani Hanane didn't deny it; the way she spoke was like that of a bewitching enchantress who knew exactly how to seduce.

"I'm only asking questions now because I feel smug. Even if you took my place, I wouldn't complain. I've seen all your hard work for the brass band, but there are many things I can only watch from the sidelines. If possible, I hope you can communicate with me more..."

Her self-deprecating tone reached Daidoji Seiko's ears.

Even now, Daidouji Seiko still feels that she, who was handpicked by her predecessor to be the club president, is not a particularly suitable candidate.

If she were to be chosen as the new minister, Daidouji Seiko felt that she was not a suitable candidate.

How could a minister chosen by those people possibly be any better?

"Many things are in the past, and I don't intend to keep bringing up the past."

Daidouji Seiko let out a soft sigh, straightened her back, and looked at her, saying...

“Now, in the wind band, those who are good at playing wind instruments have more say. I hope you can understand this. What we, as leaders, need to do is not to seek personal gain, but to give talented people a platform to show their abilities.”

"So that's why you let Amamiya-senpai in?" Tani Hanane asked.

"That's it in short."

Daidoji Seiko glanced at the schedule, where August 2nd, marked with a blue highlighter, was the date of the Wakayama Prefecture Conference.

When she heard Kato Ai say she was leaving the club, she was quite glad that this junior student chose to quit at this time.

If possible, she doesn't want to focus her attention on things unrelated to playing the flute.

"There's something I'm curious about," Gu Huayin said softly, rubbing her hair back and forth with her fingertips, "How should the trumpet section be organized?"

Daidouji Seiko glanced away without hesitation and said bluntly:

"What do you mean? You think I have ulterior motives?"

"No, no, I just..."

“I know what you’re worried about. If Kirishima-senpai really plays the trumpet better than me, I’d be fine with being the head of the second trumpet division,” Daidouji Seiko said.

Gu Huayin glanced at her uneasily and said:

"But the problem is, when you're playing, who can be the judge? Who is the standard?"

"......"

Her words immediately silenced Daidouji Seiko.

This selection process only included four people: the head and deputy head of the brass band, the concertmaster, and the supervisor, Hayami.

This is the difficulty without professional guidance and advisors. The selection of the A-level editors alone has already encountered problems, namely, what criteria should be used?

Is it going to be a public selection process?

That's absolutely unacceptable.

Even today, there is still no one in the department who can inspire absolute cohesion. Various small groups and factions exist, coexisting without interfering with each other.

If the selection process is open, personal biases will inevitably prevail.

"How about junior Gong Ling? He studied at a top school, his flute skills are very high, and he doesn't seem to be a biased person," Gu Huayin suddenly said.

Without even thinking, Daidouji Seiko shook his head and said:

“He’s too young, how can he be chosen?”

Her words surprised Gu Huayin, who cast a meaningful glance at her and said:

"But he's only two years younger, right? And how can age be a factor in playing instruments? Didn't the Holy Son say that?"

Daidouji Seiko maintained her cold expression and had never been seen to genuinely smile.

"According to your logic, Kirishima-senpai can also serve as a judge, and so can the section leader. In short, the decision-making power in this matter should be in the hands of a few people, the fewer the better."

Gu Huayin didn't press the matter, and smiled brightly:

"By the way, when I went to the office today, I saw Supervisor Hayami being scolded by the head of the teaching department."

"Why?" Daidouji Seiko frowned.

Gu Huayin raised her right foot, placing the ball of her foot on the ground:

"They said they weren't going to prepare anything else, just to learn some random things. Guess what those random things the director was talking about are?"

"what?"

"Read the full score."

"......"

"Supervisor Hayami said she had finished her work, but she still got scolded by the head of the teaching department. Sigh, it's really not easy for adults to go to work."

Daidouji Seiko pursed his lips, his brows unconsciously furrowing into a knot as he said:

"Why study in the office when you can learn anywhere? What's the difference between that and doing homework in a bar?"

"How can you say that? There are still significant differences between the two."

Gu Huayin chuckled softly.

"I'm still looking forward to Director Hayami, after all, he said those things."

"If you could become stronger just by talking tough, everyone would do it."

Daidoji Seiko said.

"What are you doing here? Processing Kato-senpai's resignation application?"

Tani Hanane paused for a moment, but the expression didn't last long: "No, she didn't mention this to me..."

"is it?"

Daidoji Seiko involuntarily glanced away and said...

"Then you go and handle it. She should be waiting outside. I'll go and call her for you."

"Uh, um." Gu Huayin hesitated for a long time, but still nodded.

◇

After leaving the first music classroom, Miyamune saw Kato Ai standing by the window at the end of the corridor.

The sycamore trees outside the window were in full bloom, their leaves swirling in the wind like waves of emerald green. Her shoulders remained motionless, only the tips of her hair shimmering with tiny golden flecks in the light.

The shirt was tucked into the waistband of the pleated skirt. In the backlight, the skin on the back of her thighs was tinged with a warm honey color, and the top of her black stockings covered the fullest part of her calves.

Kato Ai is quite popular in her class; she has a great figure and is also a good student.

Unfortunately, he had already poured all the anticipation he had built up throughout the day into Daidouji Seiko, and didn't feel any particular desire for her.

"Does Senior Gu Hua know you're leaving the club?" Gong Lingwang asked as he stepped forward.

Kato Ai turned her head, a hint of displeasure on her face, and whispered:

"What? Did you come here specifically to laugh at me again?"