I play wind instruments in Kansai.

"I can do it myself!"

56. Perhaps I don't exist in his heart. (6K)

When the willow-wood lantern arrived at the backstage area behind the curtain along the side, it found several people talking to someone.

Upon approaching, I found that Hasebe Souta, who had been lively and energetic when I met him earlier that day, was now curled up on the floor, clutching his stomach and making "hissing" sounds.

"What happened? Did you get hit?" Hinata asked.

Shida Nana glanced at her to the side, not quite understanding why she would think that way:

"She said she had a stomachache, and given her current condition, it's impossible for her to go on stage and perform."

"Is it really such a coincidence?" Kohinata Hina muttered.

Actually, she wasn't the only one who thought it was too much of a coincidence; everyone else felt the same way.

Because Miyamine Nozomi's flute skills were so dominant, Hasebe Souta dared not go on stage to play and could only cover it up with this lie.

"Well--"

Souta Hasebe was curled up on the floor, clutching his stomach, making indistinct whimpering sounds, looking extremely pained.

"Okamoto, take him to the infirmary!" Hayami Tenma Sei hurriedly said.

In most cases, the illnesses in a student's body are difficult to show on the surface.

But usually, if the performance is done properly, especially if the facial pain compensation is done well, it can completely deceive.

Even though Hayami Tenma, as the supervisor, knew that Hasebe Souta was faking it, he couldn't say anything—

"I don't believe it, get back on stage and keep playing."

This has nothing to do with favoritism towards Miyamine Nozomi; it's simply because she is a supervisor and cannot gamble with a student's body.

Okamoto, who often accompanied Hasebe Souta, nodded quickly, helped Hasebe Souta up, and walked out.

"Waaaaah—Slower, slower!!"

Hearing him groan in pain, Okamoto simply rolled his eyes.

Miyamine Nozomi packed up his flute. He didn't really care whether Hasebe Souta played or not; the outcome was already decided in his heart.

His gaze swept across the area and he spotted Liu Mujie and the others. He picked up his instrument case, intending to walk over.

“Miya Ridge, classmate.”

As a result, they were "stopped" halfway by Kirishima Ruka and Shiraishi Hitomi.

The two of them were like flowers about to bloom, nestled together in the spring breeze.

"Your flute playing is beautiful. You're even more talented than I imagined. It seems I was right about you," Kirishima Ruka said with a smile.

A slight smile curved Shiraishi Hitomi's lips as she spoke softly:

"Great."

Gongling Wang said with a smile:

"Thank you, let's work hard together from now on."

"I don't think Daidouji-senpai will ask for a rematch anymore, and I doubt anyone will object to the flute solo."

Kirishima Ruka said, holding her schoolbag in both hands.

"It's really possible that Jiki will win the Wakayama Prefecture spot this year."

"It's best not to say these things to other members."

Miyamine Nozomi said in a relaxed tone,

"The confidence of the strong should belong to us, not them."

One person's strength cannot influence the entire brass band, nor can one person's strength save the entire brass band. Those plots that glorify individual heroes only exist in movies.

"You're really calm."

The words that Kirishima Ruka uttered were exceptionally clear, and it was clear that the brass band's goal was difficult to achieve.

"But it's good that you're here. Everyone should be able to understand to some extent that hard work doesn't necessarily lead to no good results."

Although it cannot affect the entire brass band, the lower limit of the Haruki Brass Band will definitely be raised again because of Miyamine Nozomi.

Shiraishi Hitomi gazed gently at Miyane Nozomi's face, yet a strange sixth sense compelled her to look away.

His gaze shifted, passing over his figure and landing on another girl.

Willow Knot Lantern stood still, her fingertips unconsciously curling as if trying to grasp something, but she could only cross her arms.

The shell of pride that envelops her is still stubbornly holding on.

But those eyes, which always shone with arrogance, were now like the surface of a lake ruffled by the wind, swaying and unable to settle down.

Shiraishi Hitomi clutched the scarf in front of her chest. She could sense the melancholy emanating from Yanagi Kiyodori, and she had never seen her like this before.

"Gongling!"

At that moment, Daidoji Seiko suddenly shouted.

"exist!"

Gong Lingwang responded subconsciously.

"That's enough for today. You can go back now. We'll talk more at the club meeting tomorrow at noon," Daidouji Seiko called out to him from more than ten meters away.

"Okay." Gong Lingwang nodded.

Next up is their senior's business. Rather than getting involved, Gong Lingwang really wants to show off in front of Liu Muyu.

He turned to look for Liu Mujiedeng, but found that he had already disappeared.

"Liu Mu is gone." As if guessing who he was looking for, Shiraishi Hitomi said proactively.

Gong Lingwang frowned slightly.

Why is she still angry? And what exactly is she angry about?

"Why don't you come home with us today?" Kirishima Ruka said, raising her hand to brush a strand of hair from the side of her face.

Gongling Wang did not object.

After all, they were on the same tram, and he lived very close to Kirishima Ruka's house, which is why she had known him since childhood.

◇

Why did you leave with us today?

Kohinata Hina looked at the willowwood Yuto beside her with a puzzled expression, and even Kato Ai was confused.

Since Miyamine Nozomi transferred to our school, the three of them have rarely been together.

Although Kohi Xianghonga initially complained silently in her heart, she gradually came to accept it as normal.

After all, if Jie Deng misses out on a guy like him, she might regret it for the rest of her life.

And missing out on a friend like her will never be a regret for the rest of my life.

Willow Wood Lamp said, feigning calmness:

"What are you saying? Didn't Akamatsu-senpai give us coupons? It would be such a waste not to use them."

"Hmm... Aren't you going to eat with Miyamune?" Kohinata asked somewhat nervously.

Willow Knot Lamp whispered:

No, I'll eat by myself.

Kohiko Hina dared not speak. She must have known about Miyamine's affair, otherwise she wouldn't be like this.

I hope you won't blame me? I, Hina, know nothing about this.

"Wow, you're eating two portions!" Kato Ai exclaimed.

The willow wood lamp remained silent.

"However, I heard there are limited quantities available, so I don't know if it will be too late to go now."

Kato Ai said, holding up her phone.

"Well, we can eat something else at this restaurant later."

"You don't need to eat anything else..."

Kohi Xiangyangcai isn't really keen on going to these popular photo spots.

Participating in such activities means spending money, and spending money means a crisis of pocket money.

For a child from an ordinary family like her, her monthly allowance was only five or six thousand yen.

Transportation, internet communication, and other expenses all had to be paid for from pocket money, so you had to be careful with your spending.

Not to mention that shops with "French" signs look expensive; a single meal there might cost her her entire allowance for the next month.

"It's okay, I can treat you." Kato Ai swung her legs.

"really?"

"Of course, it's all small change anyway."

Kohikari Hina looked at Kato Ai with envy.

At school, you can tell a girl's daily spending habits just by looking at her hair, makeup, nails, and snacks.

Because hair care alone can cost a lot of money.

The setting sun, like a broken egg yolk, cast a soft halo over the people in the carriage. The girl opposite me dozed off with her mouth open.

As expected, it's contagious. Liu Mujie couldn't help but sigh softly and close her eyes.

Whenever I close my eyes, I conjure up beautifully rendered memories that are extremely beneficial to me.

But at this moment, my mind was unusually clear, and the possibility of future tragedies and irreversible events became even clearer, sketching out a vivid picture.

The willow-wood lamp had no choice but to open its eyes.

The municipal power supply travels along the Kishigawa line.

The "Eclad Jules" dessert shop is located near Wakayama Castle, about a ten-minute walk away.

Light streamed through the shop's floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating bright squares on the floor.

The air was filled with the aroma of butter and caramel, and the warm yellow lights made the whole shop look like a freshly baked cake.

The shop sign is "French," but the owner is indeed a local from Wakayama City, speaking with an extremely fluent Kansai accent.

The three of them occupied a small round table, and the legs sticking out from under the table were unusually white, with a faint cherry blossom color on their knees.

The seasonal dessert right now is peach cake.

"Kinokawa Momoko... Genoise sponge cake, Chantilly cream..."

Looking at the product description displayed on her phone screen, Koharu couldn't help but swallow hard and say...

"It looks delicious."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, here's a seasonal dessert: peach cake."

Three peach cakes were served to the table by the shop assistant.

Kohinata's eyes widened, her fingers trembled in the air, and she said with an exaggerated expression:

"This...this is the legendary peach cake—!"

It looks exactly like the promotional photos. In a world where products are all filtered for beauty, this is truly rare.

Moreover, a single piece costs 1200, which makes it sound delicious just by looking at the price.

"What's with that expression? Haven't you ever eaten this before? What planet are you from?"

Willow Knot Lamp sighed and prepared to pick up his fork.

"Wait, wait, wait—!" Kato Ai pulled out her phone to take a picture. "If we don't take a picture, the price will be halved!"

"..."

Willow wood lanterns don't have the habit of taking photos or videos.