I play wind instruments in Kansai.

Willowwood Lamp said matter-of-factly.

"That's just the kind of person she is. Although she only thinks about having fun, she gets serious when everyone else gets serious, so she doesn't spoil the fun."

"Ah."

Koharu looked down at the black instrument case at her feet. Kiyotomi was right; Anwa-senpai was just that kind of person.

It was precisely because she was so good at reading people's expressions that Anwa was able to stay in the brass band and even serve as the section leader without being disliked by Daidouji.

"That's enough, let's keep practicing," Liu Mujie said, picking up his trumpet.

"Ah."

The little sunflower nodded.

Anhe, a senior student, once told her that she didn't actually like percussion very much, but her parents wanted her to play it and gave her excellent resources from childhood.

"Is the 'favor' that can be bestowed truly the favor I want?" Kohinata Hina murmured to herself, somewhat disappointed.

◇

The students of Daigoyo all wore light gray Western-style uniforms, black ties, and plaid skirts that matched the color of their shirts.

Their attire was very clean and neat.

Their school is near Wakaura Tenmangu Shrine, so it was quite strange to run into them on the Kishigawa Line tram.

Gong Lingwang looked at the group of women carrying instrument cases; their numbers almost filled the entire carriage, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"He's probably going to a commercial performance," Kirishima Ruka whispered beside him.

Her hand gripped the ring, and Gong Lingwang turned his head to look at her. Because of the height difference, his gaze could perfectly follow the soft lines of her arms.

There are shallow creases under the armpits, and the skin is very well maintained, without any imperfections that would affect the appearance.

However, it cannot be considered miscellaneous items. Miyamine Nozomi believes that human evolution has its reasons, but the absence of nature is the best.

"Ah."

School orchestras with the capacity will take on some commercial performances and charity events, and the top orchestras in the country will also receive invitations from foreign countries.

The most famous are Kyoto Tachibana, whose itinerary is exemplary. They are not only invited to participate in parades across the country, but also go abroad to participate in the Rose Parade in the United States.

But there's only one wind band in the whole country that can achieve this level of performance.

Even though Otakayo is a local powerhouse and can't go abroad, it's already quite famous in Wakayama City, and many junior high school students are proud to join Otakayo.

"Does our school have any off-campus activities?" Miyamine asked. "Not the kind that are big parades."

Kirishima Ruka shook her head and said:

"I haven't heard of that before."

Just then, a girl with a high ponytail, carrying a musical instrument case, suddenly turned her gaze toward them.

She was talking to her companion when she glanced at something and her words stopped abruptly.

The companions who had been talking to her followed her gaze, and a feeling of longing spread through them like water from the center of a glass.

The profile of Gong Lingwang was softened by the backlight, and his white uniform shirt made his face appear even more delicate.

"who is it?"

"They're from Zhimu, right? They all take this line."

"Wow, so handsome! Are you alright? Did you get caught?"

The girl with the high ponytail placed the instrument case firmly on the carriage floor, her dark eyes gleaming as if she were confirming something.

"Wait, can you take a look at this for me?"

After she finished speaking, she took small steps toward Gongling Wang, muttering "Excuse me" repeatedly.

Her other companions, thinking she was in such a whiny state, looked at each other in astonishment before bursting into laughter.

"Liu Ge?"

A familiar yet unfamiliar voice reached Kirishima Ruka's ears. She subconsciously turned her head and saw Hirasawa Yoshimi standing beside her in Otaka Yoshimi's uniform.

Gongling Wang looked at the two of them with a curious expression.

"What a nice view?"

The friend I hadn't seen in a long time seemed to have a mature air about him for some reason.

"It really is you!"

A look of joy appeared on Hirasawa Yoshimi's face, and a happy laugh escaped her throat, but she dared not make a loud sound because they were on the street.

"Where's Xiaotong? Is she here too?"

When her name was mentioned, Shiraishi Hitomi raised a finger and gently poked her shoulder, whispering:

"What a nice view."

"Hitomi~~! It's so good to see you two." Hirasawa Yoshimi happily reached out and hugged the two of them.

However, although Kirishima Ruka managed a smile, Miyamine Nozomi could sense that she didn't seem very happy.

Shiraishi Hitomi didn't say anything, but simply let her hug him with one hand.

Miyamine Nozomi doesn't particularly dislike seeing girls posting pictures.

"Hmph, Liu Mu is also working on the woodwork, right? Where is she?" Hirasawa Yoshimi said with a smile.

As if anticipating her question, Kirishima Ruka's originally clear eyes seemed to have been struck by a grain of sand, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.

"she......"

Hirasawa Yoshimi immediately sensed something and said with a smile:

"That's just how Jie Deng is, she's a bit stubborn, so don't be angry with her."

"Won't......"

Hearing her say that, Kirishima Ruka felt no joy at all.

Although I know it's meant to comfort, everyone has their own standards of judgment, and she did make mistakes.

Thinking of this, Kirishima Ruka glanced at Miyamine Nozomi, and Hirasawa Yoshimi precisely caught the shift in her gaze.

"Your boyfriend?" she asked with a smile.

The person who asked the question was Kirishima Ruka, but the person who answered it was Shiraishi Hitomi.

"No."

She paused for a moment.

Gongling Wang quickly spoke up:

"No, I'm just their friend. Liu Mu and I are childhood sweethearts."

"Hmm..."

Hirasawa Yoshimi stared wide-eyed in disbelief, her nostrils flaring slightly, and raised her hand to cover her mouth as she spoke.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say those things."

“It’s alright, I quite like her just the way she is.” Gong Lingwang said with a faint smile, “You’re right.”

Kirishima Ruka changed the subject, saying:

"I didn't expect you to go to Gaoyang, Haomei."

"Yes, I can't go to Osaka because of family reasons, but Otaka-yo is also great."

Hirasawa Yoshimi returned the smile; her cheerfulness was like sweet cream, swaggering out from between the bread rolls.

"But I guess I didn't expect it? Ryuka, you actually came to Haruki. It's a pity I didn't see you at the last parade. It was my first time participating and I was under a lot of pressure. All I could think about was making sure I did well, so I didn't wander around at all."

Before Kirishima Ruka could answer, she continued:

"However, I heard that there are many outstanding people in Zhimu this year, which is completely different from before. It seems that this is really the case. There is definitely hope this year."

"Thank you, it's so beautiful."

Kirishima Ruka smiled, accepting the outpouring of kindness.

"But the current Gao Yang is the most powerful."

“Of course! It’s the Great High Yang!” Hirasawa Yoshimi was very proud of it.

Gongling Wang glanced at her, then looked at the other members of the Otakayo Wind Ensemble. Each of them exuded a confident and cheerful aura.

Indeed, the glory of the club is reflected in every member.

"So beautiful! I'm leaving now!"

"Here I am!"

The train came to a stop at Wakayama Station.

See you at the Wakayama Prefecture conference.

"Okay, goodbye."

"Xiao Tong too, and Gong Ling too~~"

"Thank you."

Her energy completely overwhelmed Kato Ai, even surpassing her by several levels.

She even has a higher emotional intelligence than Ai Kato.

The others followed and walked out of the carriage. Da Gaoyang's plaid skirt was particularly eye-catching, and her legs of varying thicknesses beneath the skirt were dazzling.

Kirishima Ruka explained in a low voice:

"She was a friend of mine from when I used to play in ensembles."

“I’ve seen her before. Although she’s grown up, I can still recognize her face.”

Gongling Wang said,

"From what I can see now, they are very good friends, and I hope that Liu Mu can become like that too."

This made Miyamune Nozomi realize that not everyone, like Willow Wood Lamp, harbors resentment towards the past.

But this doesn't mean that Liu Mu Jie Deng is petty, which is why he said "I hope Liu Mu can become like this," instead of just criticizing her.

"That's because Hao Mei is doing very well now."

A bitter smile appeared on Kirishima Ruka's face. Her mood was not overshadowed by Hirasawa Yoshimi's overflowing joy, and she could also sense the deeper meaning in Miyamine Nozomi's words.

"If Hao Mei doesn't have a good life and can't achieve good results to cover up her past, then she will also be resentful about the past, just like Jie Deng."

"..."

Miyamine Nozomi understood that Hirasawa Yoshimi's past had not been healed; rather, she had used her current strength to make the past less important to her.

Being able to greet Kirishima Ruka happily is also proof that she is no longer so important to him.

Of course, he doesn't deny that Hirasawa Yoshimi is a good girl who doesn't dwell on these things.

Gongling Wang said calmly:

"In other words, if we want you and Willow Lamp to reconcile, there's only one thing that can do now."

Kirishima Ruka knew what he was going to say: to enter the national tournament.

Her fingernails gripped the shoulder strap of her backpack, she smiled noncommittally, her delicate eyelashes fluttering.

"This is not an easy matter, and even so, I feel that we can never go back to the way things were before."

The moment she said those words, Kirishima Ruka looked relieved, and her profile still retained a touch of childlike softness.

Gong Lingwang didn't speak; he didn't want to say "You can definitely do it" at this moment.

Because their pain and joy are their own, and they will not suddenly have boundaries because of someone else's intervention.

Even Miyamine Nozomi herself couldn't fully understand the two of them. Since she couldn't understand them, she naturally couldn't draw any conclusions about them. That would be no different from self-indulgence.

"Are you coming home with me today?" Kirishima Ruka suddenly asked.

When Gong Lingwang came to his senses, he realized that the three of them had already reached the crossroads.

The trees along the southeast corner of the road are in full bloom, rustling loudly in the wind, and the traffic light directly in front of us is just turning from green to yellow.