I play wind instruments in Kansai.

For wind instrument players, it's usually possible to tell how proficient someone is with the instrument within just a few bars.

The sixteenth notes gradually surge and swirl, as if a brass instrument were playing in the background.

Gong Lingwang moved his fingers quickly, each note dancing crisply under the keys, his breath as steady as a long-distance runner.

His crescendos, sixteenth notes, double tonguing, hidden accents, and rhythmic anchors were all handled very well, and even in the high notes, there was no whistling sound that often occurs in flutes.

No matter which technique Miyamine Nozomi used, it left Erika Toda speechless with astonishment.

I didn't think much of it when we practiced together back then, but now that I'm just an observer, it's a completely different experience.

"So amazing..."

She looked at the group leader, Hasebe, with barely concealed astonishment. He looked terrible and had intended to reprimand this junior who had returned from a prestigious school, but instead, he had outmaneuvered her.

Okamoto-senpai also put down his phone, which he had intended to use to save the images. He thought that if the images were on his phone, he would be furious if he saw them at night.

Just as I was about to go downstairs for marching practice, the melodious flute music coming from the flute practice section immediately attracted the attention of many people in the corridor.

Seeing a group of members standing outside, Tani Hana quickly walked over.

Is it Xiaotong?

As I walked over, I found that Nana Shida and Seiko Daidouji were already standing there watching.

Tani Hana didn't speak. She understood that it was extremely impolite to talk while someone was playing a piece, even if the performer couldn't hear her.

Looking inside, they discovered that it was Gongling Wang playing the flute.

Even Shiraishi Hitomi, the genius in her heart, merely sat aside and stared at him.

The flute music in the room faded away, beautiful and flawless; few in the department could achieve that.

But Gu Huayin wasn't too surprised. She had been mentally prepared when Liu Mujie Deng told her that he was faking it.

Unexpectedly, it's actually true.

"Truly worthy of being from Shenxu—"

Gu Huayin turned her head to the side, wanting to talk to the other two cadres.

However, they noticed that Daidouji Seiko's pupils dilated slightly, his cheeks gradually turned rosy, and his breathing became slightly rapid.

She understood that the Holy Son was not aroused because of Gongling Wang, but because the flute he played made the Holy Son aware of something, that he could see something in the future.

Daidouji Seiko turned his head and immediately met Tani Hanane's gaze. The look in her eyes seemed to say—

"This person is good; I'll protect him."

Gu Huayin: "......"

[Market Update: Daidouji Seiko, up 10%]

Current price: 122

[Analysis of the anomaly: Signs of stability emerging in the department's flute section]

what?

Miyamune's mind was immediately pulled away; he never expected that just by playing a song, Daidouji Seiko's stock price would surge by ten points.

This is good news, but the bad news is that I haven't spent a single penny on this senior.

"Forget it, I'm lucky if I get it, and I'm destined to lose it," Gong Lingdao told himself, explaining that he found playing this game was a great way to toughen up his spirit.

"sharp--!"

An Hechun raised his hands and clapped, then said to Liu Mujie Deng beside him,

"Your childhood friend is amazing! The strongest flute player!"

Willow Knot Lantern didn't originally intend to come, but couldn't resist coming anyway.

Hearing him praised by Senior Anhe, even she herself felt an unprecedented sense of pride:

"Tch, it's alright, just so-so, there's still a lot of room for improvement."

Miyamune Nozomi's good looks and academic performance are actually nothing special within the brass band.

But his flute playing was so good that he immediately gained the absolute attention of the girls in the brass band.

"So handsome..."

"He's a junior, what are you thinking?"

"No way! You're so annoying!"

The girls around them were smitten, which made Mizuno Souji and Tatsuno Sawamura both envious and resentful.

If this continues, won't they become like the male supporting characters who are the best friends of the male protagonists in light novels? Everyone will be thinking about Miyamune Nozomi, which will make it impossible for them to find girlfriends in the brass band.

"Damn it, I didn't even know!" Mizuno Souji said through gritted teeth.

Tatsuno Sawamura said, quite annoyed, "Didn't you say he was Editor B?"

"Playing dumb to fool others! That's disgusting!"

Inside, Hasebe Souta's face turned pale.

He had intended to take this opportunity to teach Gongling Wang a lesson, but he didn't expect that this person was truly capable.

As the head of a vocal section and a senior member, he couldn't be happy when a 'genius' junior emerged in his group.

It shouldn't be like this.

In his view, a clear senior-junior relationship is even more important than playing the instrument.

Gongling Wang had to be a complete idiot, and then I would train and guide him in tuning, pitch, posture, and practice to maintain my position as the group leader.

But now, Gong Lingwang clearly doesn't need him as a senior, and is even stronger than him.

The girls outside the window were all captivated by his flute playing; all eyes were on him, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he enjoyed the exclusive affection of the girls.

Miyamine Nozomi remained silent, waiting quietly for Hasebe-senpai to speak.

Within the wind band section, there are only a few standards by which a musician is measured—

Pitch accuracy, rhythm, timbre, technique, and expressiveness.

Everyone is being measured by the same standard; others' strengths are directly compared to one's own weaknesses, without any buffer.

In Hasebe's mind, Miyamine Nozomi may have become a "newcomer who doesn't follow the rules" at this moment.

It's a well-established rule in the brass band that junior members play worse than their seniors.

Sōta Hasebe swallowed hard, put his other hand in his pocket, and said in a deliberately calm tone:

"I think there are still some shortcomings, and many aspects could be handled better."

Gongling Wang nodded:

"Yes, senior is right."

"No way! Junior Gong Ling played exceptionally well! It's the best flute I've ever seen! Team leader, our flute section is in good shape!"

Erika Toda stood up excitedly, her calf hitting the steel pipe chair, forcing the chair leg to move backward with a screeching sound.

Gong Lingwang looked at her in surprise, not expecting her to be so naive as to stand up and speak up for him.

Toda's voice was very loud, and the sound of the rice flowers outside could be heard clearly.

She realized that the difference between jealousy and admiration was just a thought.

Hasebe was thinking, "How could he be better than me?", while Toda was thinking, "If we're in a group with him, our voice section is guaranteed to be strong."

But the latter idea is rare and valuable within the brass band.

Souta Hasebe forced a smile and said:

"The blowing wasn't beautiful enough; it didn't give me a refreshing feeling, and there are some areas that could have been handled better."

His words seemed nonsensical, failing to pinpoint areas for improvement and instead resorting to baffling language to make accusations.

Like a conductor with no real talent or ability.

Daidoji Seiko grunted and turned to walk downstairs.

In her eyes, this person was already courting death, so there was no need to say more.

Willow Wood Lamp wanted to speak—

"Where? There's absolutely nothing that needs improvement!"

As a result, Erika Toda became the mouth double for most people, but she herself was completely unaware of this and even enjoyed it.

Seeing that Erika Toda was still arguing with him, and with so many people watching outside, Souta Hasebe glared at her and said:

Are you questioning me?

"Um...uh...that's how it is..."

He wasn't very good-looking to begin with, and when he glared at her, he looked ugly and fierce. Erika Toda immediately lost her imposing manner and shrugged back down.

"That's fine. Gong Ling, you still need to improve, but we don't have enough people in the department. Go play the front row of colored balls, don't go to the back."

"Row."

Miyamine Nozomi wasn't really interested in marching, so playing with colorful balls next to the flag bearer An and her senior was just fine.

"unacceptable."

This arrangement is a complete abuse of power. Eri Toda was furious, but she still didn't dare to speak.

Hasebe Souta looked at Shiraishi Hitomi and said:

"Shiraishi-senpai, you're with F3 Toda."

"Well?"

Shiraishi Hitomi, who thought she was going to play, frowned in difficulty, raised her finger to point to the sheet music, and said...

"Mine."

In marching bands, there is usually an icon indicating the position of each part, and the flute is often abbreviated as F, so F3 is the third part.

However, it seems too absurd that Shiraishi Hitomi, as a new member, would go straight into the arena without having shown her abilities.

"No need, I believe in you," Hasebe Souta said with a smile. "Good luck."

"......"

Shiraishi Hitomi didn't say much, but glanced at Miyamine Nozomi, her gaze clearly carrying a hint of guilt, as if she had taken the seat from her.

In reality, the piccolo is a distinctive instrument and there is no question of it taking up a spot.

"The reason he wouldn't let Shiraishi play is definitely because he doesn't understand the piccolo," Kato Ai whispered from outside.

Kohinata Hina, who was noticeably shorter than everyone else, said:

"Really? I think he's afraid that Shiraishi-kun will play it even better."

If Hasebe were to be humiliated twice in front of all the other club members by a junior member, his position within the club would be in jeopardy.

"Everyone, hurry downstairs! First-year students with no experience don't need to bring instruments! Practice your walking first!"

Gu Huayin suddenly shouted in a strained voice.

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a commotion in the corridor, and people started heading downstairs.

28. Swinging sticks and the most beautiful girl

"Ladies and gentlemen! It's time for our annual mysterious dance moves!"

"Yes!"

On the playground, the members of the wind band stood scattered around responding to An Hejun's words.

The right to use the playground after school on weekdays is something you have to fight for.

Moreover, baseball fields and stadiums are highly sought after by sports clubs and are basically occupied every day; reservations must be made in advance to use them.

The training requirements for the members who perform the music and the members who carry the flag are different, and they are trained separately.

Even though Miyamine Nozomi plays the flute very well, he was still assigned by Hasebe, the group leader, to play with colored balls.

He stood there holding a colorful ball, its tassels shimmering in the sunlight. Looking next door, he saw dozens of people arranging themselves under Nana Shida's guidance.