I play wind instruments in Kansai.

"Hmph." Daidouji Seiko glanced at him coldly.

An Hechun whispered to Gong Lingwang:

"Just in case you don't know, let me introduce you beforehand. This is the clarinet group leader, Tatsuno Sawamura."

This is Sari Amano, the head of the oboe and bassoon section.

This is Nana Shida, the saxophone section leader.

This is Daidoji Seiko, the leader of the trumpet section.

This is Chiyo Akamatsu, the leader of the trombone section.

This is the French horn section leader, Medieval Kojima.

This is the bass section leader, Gu Huayin.

I'm An Hechun, the percussion group leader.

An Hechun would point at each person as she spoke, which seemed very impolite, but the people in the club seemed to have gotten used to it.

"Hi~~~"

Chiyo Akamatsu, who was sitting with Seiko Daidouji, waved to Nozomi Miyamine, a slight smile blooming on her lips that had been pressed into a thin line.

"If you don't understand anything, you can come to me! Whether it's about playing instruments or anything else, I know a lot about it."

Her long, wavy black hair, slender almond-shaped eyes, and black-rimmed glasses perched on her nose made a striking impression, giving her an extremely intellectual air.

"Chiyo, don't say things that could be misunderstood to your junior."

The man opposite her, Medieval Koichi, raised his hand and rubbed the bridge of his nose, saying...

"Sorry, that's just how she is. She doesn't think things through. Just ignore her."

She had neat short black hair, a beauty mark under her left eye, and her cheeks and chest had a soft, beautiful appearance.

A phrase suddenly came to mind for Miyamine Nozomi; she couldn't recall where she had heard it before—

"Her blood must look delicious. I feel like I want to bite into her neck as soon as I see it."

Chiyo Akamatsu simply smiled slightly, her deliberately lowered voice carrying a hint of allure, which would make Nozomi Miyamine's heart skip a beat:

"The French horn is really amazing! Want to try working with me?"

Cluck cluck cluck—!

The sound of fingers tapping on the table echoed in the first music classroom. Daidouji Seiko's hand was striking the table:

"Quiet down."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thin sheet of ice, clearly cutting through the noise.

Chiyo Akamatsu simply raised an eyebrow, revealing an innocent smile, and said:

"Alright, alright, let's leave the child to Changdi."

“Gu Hua, my classmate,” Daidouji Seiko said.

"Well......"

Gu Huayin let out a soft breath, forced a smile, and said...

"We're having a meeting of the leadership today to decide on the future development of the organization. In short, let the Holy Son decide."

She seemed to know that the topic she was about to discuss wouldn't be easy to control, so she simply left this troublesome matter to Daidouji Seiko.

"She doesn't seem like a minister at all," Miyamune Nozomi whispered to An Hejun.

"Shh—" An Hechun held up one finger.

Daidouji Seiko stood up, and the edge of the table was just at the top of her thighs, revealing a small section of her fair and tender thighs on the table.

"I'll just say it straight so as not to waste everyone's time: today's march was terrible. Does anyone have a problem with that?"

Her voice faded, but no one answered.

Perhaps they had all gotten used to Daidouji Seiko, and there was no tense or sticky atmosphere in the air.

“This won’t do. If we continue at this level, we won’t even be able to pass the selection process in Wakayama Prefecture, let alone the Kansai Tournament.”

Daidouji Seiko looked at every face in the first music classroom and said solemnly.

"This year's goal is to qualify for the national championships—"

As soon as she finished speaking, Akamatsu Chiyo next to her gave an awkward laugh:

“This is not something that can be done just by talking about it. This is Kansai. Even in Wakayama Prefecture, there are two schools, Hoshibayashi and Otakayo. Setting inspiring goals is good, but if it is out of touch with reality, it will not be effective.”

She wasn't nitpicking; she was considering things from a realistic perspective.

"That's precisely why we must do it seriously, work hard, and give it our all."

Daidouji Seiko placed his hands on the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone's faces as he spoke.

"I believe everyone can do it, and I will lead by example. For a wind instrument player, there is nothing more wasteful of life than wasting three years in a daze, Minister."

"Well--"

Daidoji Seiko's call of name made Tani Hanane quickly raise her head.

"...I agree with the Holy Son's idea. Times have changed. The quality of babies born in the first year is better than in previous years. We can give it a shot."

Voting is a fundamental element of democratic societies and the most common method used to decide matters in cadre meetings.

"Chief Shida," Daidouji Seiko called out in turn.

Nana Shida waved her hand dismissively and said calmly:

"I personally have no objection. Anything is fine, as long as everyone doesn't put any stickers on the cabinet glass. It's a hassle to deal with, and each team leader has to talk to their team members."

Miyamune Nozomi's gaze passed over Akamatsu Chiyo's shoulder and landed on the cabinet against the wall, where there were indeed many sticker marks on the glass.

Through the glass, there weren't many trophies or medals inside; most of the items were group photos from events.

"Chiyo."

"Long live neutrality!" Chiyo Akamatsu shouted with a smile, raising her hands.

Daidoji Seiko frowned and looked at Chūseko Hitsuri.

"Well, I'll remain neutral then." She gave an embarrassed smile.

It takes immense courage to confirm and implement something; such matters, which are "decided by oneself through voting," are actually very tricky.

"I agree!" Tatsuno Sawamura raised his hand high and said, "That's exactly how it should be done!"

Daidouji Seiko nodded:

"Amano-kun."

Amano Sari seemed to have a headache, repeatedly raising her hand to smooth her bangs before finally saying:

"Actually, I want to be free of all worries. My wish is directly related to everyone's feelings, but the thought that one day we will really come to an ordinary end makes me regret it. Then that regret will become a new burden, continuing to weigh on myself and everyone else..."

When she suddenly paused in her speech, applause erupted in the first music classroom.

Everyone turned their attention to the spot and discovered that it was Gong Lingwang clapping alone.

"As expected of Amano-senpai, you spoke so well." Miyamine Nozomi smiled at her, completely ignoring the gaze.

"Uh, eh? Me?"

Amano Sari was surprised to receive praise from her junior, and a shy smile appeared on her face as she raised her hand to scratch her cheek.

"Thank you."

"So what's your opinion?" Daidouji Seiko asked.

Amano Sari nodded with a tense face and said:

"I agree."

An Hechun didn't want to be called out at this moment, so she raised her hand and said:

"I also can."

"Two first-year students?" Daidouji Seiko seemed satisfied with the result, his tone becoming much more relaxed.

“I agree,” Kirishima Ruka said.

Gongling Wang nodded without the slightest hesitation:

"Agreed."

He was already a "soldier" of Daidouji Seiko, and since she had chosen to keep her promise, he had no reason to switch sides at the last minute.

"I disagree." A lone hand was raised on the other side.

Tatsuno Sawamura was very unhappy and took the initiative to speak:

"The cadre meeting made it clear from the beginning that the minority must obey the majority, and it's no use if you disagree."

"So what? I disagree, and that's it. Why should we start practicing this year? I'm busy, and so is Okamoto," said Sōta Hasebe.

An Hechun asked curiously:

"Do you mean going out for fun?"

"Aren't you playing too?" Hasebe Souta crossed his arms and looked up, saying, "We're about the same."

"How could that be? I was playing in a neutral position."

Gongling Wang: "..."

What on earth is this senior student saying?

Daidouji Seiko glanced at Hasebe Souta, her face showing no surprise whatsoever.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that the wind section has been under duress for a long time because of the scarcity of flutes, and they often have to cater to the whims of this section.

"In that case, you can forget about being the flute leader."

do you understand?

These words immediately silenced the First Music Classroom, and Tatsuno Sawamura was also stunned, never expecting that Daidouji Seiko would dare to say such a thing.

She was just a deputy minister and had no right to change the group leader.

Because the current section leader is usually appointed by the previous section leader, just like the department head, who is appointed by the seniors.

"Huh? What are you talking about!"

Souta Hasebe quickly stood up, nearly causing the steel tubing chair behind him to tip over.

Daidoji Seiko, head held high, said:

"It means exactly what it says. We no longer need you to be the flute leader. I won't force you to leave the wind section, but if you're unhappy, you can leave."

Upon hearing her words, Amano Sari was very surprised, her eyes widening like cowbells, and Nakajiko Higeru, who was standing next to her, also gasped.

Amano Sari stared at Tani Hanane in astonishment, her gaze seeming to say—

"This is outright dictatorship! Look at that!"

However, Tani Hana-on just smiled awkwardly.

Hasebe Souta's breathing became rapid. He hadn't expected Daidouji Seiko to dare say such a thing. He raised his arm and waved it wildly.

"Are you sure? There are only a few of us in the flute section now! If I leave, Okamoto will leave too! Toda too! Who are you going to rely on! This person!"

His finger pointed towards the palace ridge.

Gongling Wang quickly raised his hands and asked:

"Um... does Toda-senpai know she's leaving?"

Gu Huayin whispered a reminder:

“Holy Son, this matter needs to be taken slowly. There are very few people in the flute section, and unlike specialized instruments, they can choose not to perform.”

"I chose to do this, and there must be a solution."

Daidoji Seiko turned his gaze to Miyamine Nozomi and spoke in a calm and unhurried tone.

“Either we actively avoid repertoire that relies on the number of flutes, or we actively play to our strengths, such as choosing ‘Murdoch’s Last Letter’ as an optional piece.”

Upon hearing the title of the piece, Akamatsu Chiyo immediately perked up and said: