thefictionvixens Page 326
Page 326
"Of course I want the brass band to get better and better, um, stop messing with my braids."
Sakurako Yukawa doesn't really like people playing with her braids.
"Besides, I'm not an emperor."
Kitahara Hakuba looked at Kuno Tachibana, who was pulling Kirishima Mai out of the oboe classroom.
She's right. If they can't win gold at the national championships, he will definitely choose to stay in Shenxu and continue teaching until the brass band wins the national gold medal.
But that possibility is very small; he is determined to win the national gold medal this year.
Chapter 250, page 249: The National Tournament, Shenxu No. 1 makes his appearance!
After school in the afternoon, in the first music classroom.
I continued to practice the two pieces back and forth, constantly improving the completeness of the pieces.
“Alright, let’s take a fifteen-minute break,” Kitahara Hakuba said, flipping through the score while standing at the conductor’s position. “There’s one thing I want to remind you of: treat the solo parts in the score as a private project to work on.”
After I offer my feedback during the ensemble, I will no longer push the solo sections and will move directly to the next measure. Please be mindful of this.
"Yes!" the members responsible for the solo performance responded.
"There's one more thing—"
Kitahara Hakuba continued speaking, calling back some of the girls whose buttocks had already left their chairs.
The staff members who had hoped to use the fifteen minutes to quickly relieve themselves all wore frustrated expressions.
They already have very little rest time, and now they have to "go overtime".
Even if you are Kitahara-sensei, as long as you take up their rest time, you will inevitably be criticized by the girls behind their backs.
Favorability -1.
“I’m sorry, but I think you’d be interested to know about this.” Kitahara Hakuba’s gaze shifted from the score, which was full of rests.
Upon hearing this, the girls below all cast strange glances at him, and many of them sat up straight.
The only news that could collectively interest them would be the national convention.
The only information available now is the order of appearance.
"I have received news that the performance order for the national tournament has been announced."
Kitahara Hakuba placed his hands on the command platform, his usually gentle face becoming much more serious.
"Actually, I was quite surprised to get this result at first, but after thinking about it carefully, it may be an option for the Shenxu Wind Ensemble as well."
The moment those words were uttered, an indescribable restlessness filled the music room, as if the air itself had thinned.
Judging from his tone, it seems he's saying that this time the fortune is terrible. The sunlight outside the window is still bright, but it seems unable to dispel the tense atmosphere inside. Someone takes a deep breath trying to calm down, but his eyes cannot hide his anger.
Kitahara Hakuba raised his right hand and extended his index finger, saying:
"Shenxu High School will be the first to perform in the national competition's higher education group."
The moment the words left his mouth, the music classroom erupted as if a silent firecracker had been lit.
The tense atmosphere was torn apart and replaced by a boiling uproar.
Disbelief was written on everyone's face; their eyes were wide as they processed this unexpected news.
Even Kanzaki Eri, who usually keeps her head down, subconsciously raised her head upon hearing the news.
"really?"
"W-Did I hear that right? The first one to go? Us?"
"What kind of luck is this?"
"Us? Number one? There are thirty schools in total! We're ranked number one?!"
In fact, not only did they not expect it, but even Kitahara Hakuba himself did not expect it to be like this.
Being scheduled to perform first in the national tournament undoubtedly put immense psychological pressure on the girls, even the club president, Sakurako Yukawa, was constantly taking deep breaths.
They had no experience whatsoever, and this was their first time making it to the national tournament, where they were to be the first to perform.
"I really didn't expect this result," Saito Harutori murmured softly, rubbing her fingers together.
Sitting next to her, Yuka Isomoto was already lost in thought. It was just a matter of the order of appearance, but it made her extremely anxious.
Only the trumpet girls, with their strong vocal abilities, showed more excitement on their faces.
Especially Kuno Tachibana, who was so excited that he shook his legs, his calves, encased in black stockings, swaying gently with the movement.
Kitahara Hakuba placed his hands on the command platform and said calmly:
"I was also surprised by this, but for the Shin-hsu Wind Ensemble, being able to perform first in the national competition might be an option."
"This is terrible, Number One! It's terrifying!"
"I've always felt that placing it at the front or back is difficult; a centered order is the best."
"It feels like it's all over."
"
Some members who lacked confidence started to gloom as soon as they learned the order of appearance. The tension was like a vine, constantly wrapping around everyone.
Sakurako Yukawa stood up, trying to appear calm, but her slightly trembling fingers betrayed the nervousness of the three-stranded braided girl.
"Everyone, we have nothing to lose now that we've come this far. Keep your mind focused and don't worry about the order of appearance or get anxious about it. The judges won't set high standards for us just because we're the first to appear, nor will they lower their standards for us just because we're the last to appear. Every school is the same."
Even after she said that, the atmosphere in the classroom was still somewhat tense.
But Kitahara Hakuba could sense that the atmosphere wasn't one of fear, but rather a simple bewilderment: "How did they manage to win such a terrible fortune?"
Chapter 250, Section 249: The National Tournament – Shenxu No. 1 Makes His Appearance!
He raised his hands and clapped them together, making a clear clapping sound.
In an instant, the chattering members turned their gaze toward him.
"And as you all probably know, this year's national convention will no longer be held in Nagoya, but in Utsunomiya."
This wasn't news; many people already knew about it, so there wasn't much excitement.
"Ah! Utsunomiya?! I was hoping to take this opportunity to see Koshien Stadium! Sigh!"
"You're a fake fan of Koshien in Nishinomiya City!"
Only some of the boys didn't know.
Kitahara Hakuba smiled and encouraged him gently:
"Go for it, everyone! The national tournament has been going on for so many years, and the venue has changed this year. Let's think about it another way: our Shin-Asahi is the first brass band to play in Utsunomiya. It may sound a bit strange, but this might just be Shin-Asahi's destiny."
fate
?
Simple words, yet they were deeply imprinted in the hearts of every member at that moment.
Spring's new advisor, sweeping through Hokkaido to secure a spot, national tournament venue changed, number one to appear:
All these strange realities combined made even the most skeptical people have to believe that the Shin-Hsuan Brass Band had been blessed by the goddess of fate.
I'm sure to win gold this year.
The members' initial unease gradually turned into excitement with a single sentence from Kitahara Hakuba, their hearts pounding like drumbeats.
"It can't be that much of a coincidence, can it?" someone couldn't help but say.
"How is this impossible?"
Akamatsu Sayaka turned around, making a cute K-face, and said...
"Because our passionate youth shines brighter than fate!"
"What kind of 'gg' word is that, like something out of a sports product?!" Suzuki Yoshie complained.
The members immediately burst into laughter.
"Fate," Nagase Tsukiyo gazed with unwavering directness, "Is everything now fate?"
"
Is everything she's going through now also fate?
"But fate is not predetermined, but shaped by personal choices, because a person is the sum of their own choices." Kitahara Hakuba suddenly became worried that some of them might be possessed, and continued in a teacher's tone, adding...
"Fate will favor the brave and offer opportunities; in short, personal struggle is of utmost importance."
I can't make this up anymore, let them figure it out themselves, let's disband.
"With thirty schools, how many can possibly win a gold medal?"
"The scoring for the national and provincial conferences is similar, still divided into three stages: A, B, and C, but there are more judges involved."
They reached ninth place.
"Wouldn't that increase the probability of getting a C?"
"That's right, but every year there are about seven or eight teams that win gold, and last year there were nine, or even ten."
"Well, the odds of winning aren't that high."
"After all, any school that can get into the national competition is good."
As Kitahara Hakuba left the classroom, the girls started whispering among themselves again, some even forgetting to go to the bathroom in their excitement.
But someone will always remember.
"Nase-senpai, want to go to the restroom together?" Kuno Tachibana glanced at the girl who was sitting motionless in the chair.
Nagase Tsukiya paused for a while; this was her first time engaging in "bathroom diplomacy."
In a group of girls, those who can go to the bathroom together are considered to have a good relationship.
“Okay.” Nagase Tsukiyo did not hesitate and placed the trumpet on the chair.
The two put on their shoes at the entrance of the music classroom.