I play wind instruments in Kansai.

A faint scent of hairspray wafted in the air, mixed with the sweet fragrance of fabric softener.

At just one station, Miyamine-no-Miyazaki could see several small groups in different marching uniforms, the air filled with the fragrance of flowers. I wish every day could be a marching day.

"The weather is really nice today."

While waiting for the local radio at Kishigawa Station, I heard the same lines the female radio host had said that morning.

The light traced the outline of her figure, and her peach-colored lips looked especially alluring beneath her pert nose.

"I've already started sweating."

Miyamine Nozomi withdrew his gaze from Kirishima Ruka. He had lost count of how many times he had encountered her at the station. It seemed that at a certain place and time, he was bound to meet someone.

"After the march, everyone will have to choose a direction. What do you think, Miyamane-kun?" Kirishima Ruka's solid and mellow voice was enough to make anyone blush and their heart race just by listening to it.

Looking at the tracks, Gongling said, "I'm on Liu Mu's side."

Kirishima Ruka seemed to have anticipated his words, and then gently raised the corners of her mouth and said:

"Gong Ling, aren't you on my side?"

"Does what you mean by that mean you'll stand against Liu Mu?" Gong Lingwang asked.

"..." She paused for a moment, intending only to tease her. "I never thought that way, and I have no intention of arguing with her."

"That's fine."

Gong Lingwang put his left hand in his pocket, leaving only his handsome profile facing her.

"Speaking of which, I'd like to know what you've done to help Shiraishi-kun before."

"..."

Only now has Kirishima Ryuka realized that Miyamine Nozomi is not as "simple" as she imagined.

He said "I want to hear" instead of "Can you tell me?", taking the initiative to seize control of the situation.

But Kirishima Ruka didn't dislike this about him either, which saved her from the internal struggle and made all the conversations between the two seem natural.

"I did help Xiaotong before."

Kirishima Ryuka, her legs gleaming beneath her skirt, stood ramrod straight and began to speak.

“I’ve known her since we were little, in the same kindergarten. At that time, Xiaotong’s father was having an affair. She was a vocational teacher at our school, and she was a beautiful, gentle and dignified woman.”

"......"

"Everyone knew about Xiaotong's biological mother causing trouble at the kindergarten. After that, whether out of good intentions or not, everyone said that Xiaotong's father didn't cheat on her; he just gave Xiaotong a new mother."

"...Your kindergarten kids are quite humorous."

Kirishima Ruka, standing to the side, frowned slightly and glanced at him. Miyamine Nozomi shrugged and said softly,

"Sorry, I just didn't want the atmosphere to be too awkward."

Kirishima Ruka's eyelashes drooped, and a melancholy expression appeared on her face as she said:

"But Xiaotong always says it's her fault, because her father always picks her up from school. If her mother picks her up, this wouldn't happen."

It turns out that Shiraishi Hitomi has always had this kind of personality since she was a child. Whenever she makes a mistake, she always looks for the cause within herself first. No wonder she is always suffering from mental exhaustion.

"So you helped her get her mother and father back together?" Gong Lingwang asked.

“No.” Kirishima Ruka shook her head, her fingernails gripping the strap of her backpack, and said, “I made Hitomi’s parents divorce and let her father live with the other woman.”

"Well......."

Gong Lingwang stared at her, unable to hide his astonishment. Shouldn't the third party be kept completely away? What's going on?

So, the woman he met yesterday was not Shiraishi Hitomi's biological mother, but her stepmother.

Judging from her behavior, she seems to treat Shiraishi Hitomi quite well?

Kirishima Ruka lowered her head. Her loafers were impeccably clean, the tips reflecting light, making the white lace stockings around her ankles even more alluring.

"Xiaotong's parents' relationship is completely beyond repair. It's like a fruit that looks beautiful on the outside but is rotten inside. If they continue to live together, it will only be a burden for Xiaotong. It's better to separate."

"...So, Shiraishi-san thinks you helped her?"

Kirishima Ruka shook her head again, which made Miyamine Nozomi feel even more foolish.

"I just wanted to make that person love Xiaotong more, to make her treat Xiaotong like her own daughter."

Upon hearing these unexpected words, Miyamine Nozomi remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"How could you figure these things out when you were so young?"

Kirishima Ruka gripped the shoulder strap of her backpack tightly, forcing an awkward smile that seemed more like an unvented fatigue accumulating deep within her.

"Actually, I don't understand anything. I can be decisive about things that others can't necessarily be decisive about myself. Jie Deng is right, I am very selfish."

Gong Lingwang pursed his lips and asked her softly:

"...You have a new mother too?"

Kirishima Ruka stared at him, raising her eyebrows as if she wanted to say something, but just then the streetcar arrived at the station, bringing the topic to an abrupt end.

The two sat together, and she seemed to be in a bad mood, while Gongling Wang did not say anything.

Upon arriving at Kirei Station, Kirishima Ruka stepped out of the carriage first, seemingly having no intention of waiting for him.

Gong Lingwang walked into the school alone, opened the shoe cabinet, and found several love letters inside.

Although he fantasized about living a life like the male protagonist when he was a child, now that it has actually happened to him, he doesn't want it to be like that anymore, as it is very troublesome to deal with.

"Gongling".

Gongling glanced away.

A few days ago, Tenma Hayami wore a dress, but today she changed back into her previous outfit of a white shirt, pencil skirt, and black stockings, looking capable and full of professionalism.

"Supervisor Hayami".

The hem of the white shirt was neatly tucked into the waistline of the black pencil skirt. The shirt fabric was stretched a bit tight, with every cotton thread straining, yet it still couldn't hide the full silhouette that was about to burst out.

Sensing Miyamune's gaze, Hayami Tenma's fingers tightened slightly as he held the lesson plan.

Everywhere he looked felt as if it had been swept by something warm, sending tiny shivers down their spines.

She didn't know why she was dressed like this again today, and she didn't really want to answer the question.

But at this moment, enveloped by Gong Lingwang's gaze, a strange, almost intoxicating heat spread through his body.

His gaze wasn't unrestrained; it even carried the awkwardness and unease typical of youth, but that focused, silent stare...

Even though he knew it was wrong, Hayami Tenma felt a mix of self-reproach, pride, and a sense of pleasure in deviating from worldly morality.

"What is it?" she asked as she stepped forward.

"It must be a love letter; I haven't read it yet."

Gong Lingwang handed over the letter directly. Sure enough, this kind of thing needs to be handled properly to save trouble.

Hayami Tenma frowned slightly, reached out and took the letter, saying:

"It's been confiscated."

“Okay.” Gongling Wang cooperated readily.

"Cough-cough-"

At the shoe lockers, many students were going in and out. Hayami Tenma forced himself to remain calm, adopting an indifferent posture, and said...

"Come with me."

"Oh."

Hayami Tenma led Miyamine Nozomi to a corner, constantly weighing the love letter in his hand, which the other students saw as him lecturing him.

"Daidouji came to apologize to me. Did you tell her?"

"She really went and told her?"

Gong Lingwang was quite surprised; he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

Hayami Tenma Sei frowned slightly and tilted her head, knowing that this angle was where her profile looked best.

"You're so bold?"

"I just think that Daidouji-senpai isn't such an unreasonable person."

Gongling Wang said,

"By the way, did you receive the course materials I sent to your email?"

Last night, he specially contacted his old classmate in Hokkaido and got a free, comprehensive tutorial course.

"Received it." Hayami Tenma Sei swallowed and said, "Thank you for always helping the supervisor."

"Supervisor Hayami, do you really want to learn? You might not be able to learn it even in a year on your own."

Just as Hayami Tenma's popularity was gradually rising, Miyamine Nozomi poured cold water on it.

"One year is good, even two or three years might not be enough to learn it, well... but maybe you really can take on the role of mentor consultant after three years."

"Don't underestimate me, my learning ability is not weak." Hayami Tenma said somewhat unconvinced.

"Alright, is there anything else?" Gongling Wang asked.

Hayami Tenma picked up the letter, gently patted his head, and said:

"From now on, if you receive any more love letters, you must hand them over to me for processing, understand?"

"You're not going to turn around and cause trouble for them, are you? If so, I won't give it to you."

Who do you think I am?

Hayami Tenma gave a soft hum, the sound squeezed from his throat sounding more like a coquettish complaint.

"Hmph, adults are better at handling these kinds of things. Your priority right now is to study hard."

".......clear."

"Go." Hayami Tenma Sei shook the letter in his hand.

Gong Lingwang turned and walked upstairs.

The new advisor will be starting work next week. I wonder how his demeanor will compare to that of Hayami Tenmasei.

But relying on others is not as good as relying on yourself, and relying on yourself is not as good as relying on the system.

With that in mind, Miyamine bought "Conductor" and "Flute Theory Mastery" while going up the stairs, spending 23 profit points.

From now on, he could serve as the instructor and consultant for the wind instrument department, but he has to compete, so he can't do both.

Back in the classroom, you can hear Kato Ai chatting with several girls.

"Yes, I was the first one, and I took the trump card."

"Wow, as expected of Xiao Ai!"

"Hehe, it's nothing. Actually, I didn't really want to be the first one, but Senior Anhe kept asking me, so I couldn't help it."

Kato Ai raised her hand to scratch her cheek, and in the midst of her boasting, she happened to see Miyamine Nozomi walk in, and quickly said...

"By the way, did you bring the Polaroid camera?"

"Of course!"

"I heard the photos will turn out super cute, is that true?"

Miyamune opened the scoreboard and found that Kato Ai's scoreboard had dropped by two percentage points, indicating that she didn't care about the oboe at all.

At first, when I first encountered the phenomenon of such a rapid increase in prices, it was just a passing fad.

Everyone has their own destiny; respect that.

Just as Miyamune was thinking this, a bottle of strawberry milk was placed on his desk.

After delivering the drinks, Willow Knot Lantern walked straight past him without saying a word or even looking at him, and plopped down in a chair.

◇

There are only two classes in the morning.

The members of the wind band began to gather in the club building, which made the other students who had to attend classes very envious.

Miyamine Nozomi and Mizuno Souji, who had come to visit, went to the club building together.