Inside the music club activity room, Suzuki Yuu was currently watching the girl lying on the sofa, engrossed in a strange manga.
He was deep in thought, trying to figure out how to coax her into joining the competition.
This was proving to be quite the challenge. If they were to participate in the chamber music competition, they’d have to put in a lot of preparation afterward. In his view, a genius like Hasegawa Aoi would surely not want to settle for a poor ranking.
He picked up his phone and started checking the rules for the school’s chamber music competition.
“The piece must be from the Classical to Romantic period,’ ‘Performance must not exceed eight minutes,’ ‘Formal attire is required’… There sure are a lot of requirements.”
Suzuki Yuu skipped over those trivial details and continued reading:
“Two rounds of competition… The first round is the preliminaries, where you select a piece from the school’s designated repertoire and perform. If you pass, you proceed to the second round.”
As he read, he mentally organized the information, focusing especially on the second round.
The second round wasn’t held at the school, but rather in a large concert hall outside—it was the finals. Groups who made it to the finals could freely choose one piece to perform, with no restriction on style.
What really caught his eye was this line:
[Participants are especially encouraged to present innovative arrangements of existing works.]
This happened to be Hasegawa-senpai’s specialty.
Suzuki Yuu made a note of it, but just then, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“Yo, junior, what are you looking at?”
It was Hasegawa Aoi. She seemed to have just finished her book, still a little lost in the story’s atmosphere.
Suzuki Yuu quickly turned off his screen. He hadn’t figured out how to talk to Hasegawa Aoi about this yet, so he made up an excuse:
“It’s about the school trip plan. We’ll be leaving in a few days.”
“What’s so secret about that? I thought you were sneaking in here to read dirty magazines.”
“Can you not make me sound like you…” Suzuki Yuu retorted.
“What do you mean, like me? Would I read dirty magazines? These in the activity room are clearly works of art—I’m appreciating art!”
Hasegawa Aoi declared this righteously, and Suzuki Yuu rolled his eyes at her.
“If you said that to anyone but me, I might believe it.”
“Aw, don’t take it so seriously, junior~” Hasegawa Aoi’s tone softened.
Then she asked,
“So, junior, what kind of activities are planned for this school trip?”
“Didn’t your teacher tell you?”
“I spend almost all day in the activity room, I have no idea what the teachers say.”
“You really… never think about your grades, huh.”
“As long as I hit the passing line, it’s fine. So, junior, hurry and tell me what activities there are!”
Hasegawa Aoi’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“It’s not much different from usual. The first day is pretty relaxed—there’s a beach volleyball match to watch, and the second day is full of things like pottery, sea fishing, and other hands-on activities.”
“Sounds pretty nice~”
“On the third day, we have to go hiking—everyone has to participate.”
“Hiking? Everyone, mandatory?”
At that, Hasegawa Aoi unconsciously took a few steps back. But then she gave a fawning smile and scooted closer to Suzuki, asking,
“Junior, is there any way I can skip it?”
“Nope. Most of the time, we’re just taking stairs, right? Haven’t you done this kind of fitness activity before, senpai? Didn’t you do it when you were a first-year?”
“Ugh…”
Hasegawa Aoi seemed to recall a bad memory.
“I almost collapsed back then. I squatted in one spot for so long the teachers thought I’d gone missing.”
“Senpai, you really are hopeless…”
Suzuki Yuu couldn’t help but tease after hearing that.
“I’d rather spend the afternoon sculpting sand and then take a nap…” Hasegawa Aoi’s voice lost all energy, as if picturing the upcoming ordeal.
Suzuki Yuu thought for a moment and said,
“How about this: I’ll stick with you that day. That way we can look out for each other.”
Hearing that, Hasegawa Aoi’s mood seemed to lift a little.
“Alright, but you’d better not walk too fast.”
“Deal.”
“At least the rest of the time is pretty free…”
Hasegawa Aoi muttered, then, as if something occurred to her, she sat up straight, eyes gleaming as she looked at Suzuki Yuu:
“Oh, right! Junior! You’re in charge of arranging the accommodations, aren’t you?”
“I’m just organizing the applications. The final decision is up to the president.” Suzuki Yuu immediately shut down any hope. He knew exactly what she was about to say.
“Don’t be so stingy,” Hasegawa Aoi leaned in, pressing her hands together and putting on a sickeningly sweet voice, “Look, we’re so close, and you’re my exclusive cello student… Just put me in a room with good reception, close to the convenience store, and with an ocean view if possible—is that too much to ask?”
“That’s way too much,” Suzuki Yuu pushed her face away with a blank expression, “Besides, why wouldn’t I save such a nice room for myself?”
“Hm? You could pick one for yourself too. Are you trying to tell me you’re completely selfless, junior?”
Hasegawa Aoi eyed Suzuki Yuu suspiciously.
“I figured you’d arrange your room near the girls’ wing, then sneak around with all sorts of gadgets to spy on the girls soaking in the hot springs.”
“Hey, hey, that’s illegal.”
Suzuki Yuu replied, but didn’t defend himself, because—truth be told—he did have similar thoughts.
Come to think of it, who knew what those shady friends of his were planning?
“So, junior, where are you staying? I’m curious.”
“Why are you curious about that…”
Seeing the stars in her eyes, he sensed danger.
“Obviously so I can find a good spot and spy on you with my binoculars.”
“Now there’s even less reason for me to tell you…”
“Why not! With a body like yours, isn’t it meant for girls to look at?”
“You’re definitely a pervert! I refuse! Don’t even think about it!”
“Junior~ just let me have a look.”
“Rejected!”
The activity room was lively once again. After much squabbling, Hasegawa Aoi finally sat on the sofa, cheeks puffed in annoyance.
“If you won’t tell me, then fine. I don’t care.”
She turned her head, sulking.
“What gives you that kind of motivation?” Suzuki Yuu rubbed his forehead.
He sighed and explained to her,
“Whatever, I’ll just tell you. During the school trip, I’m going to be locked up.”
“Huh?”
Suzuki Yuu told Hasegawa Aoi about Shiina Chisa’s arrangement.
“Junior, you…” Hasegawa Aoi looked at him pitifully, “Poor thing. You’re not going to get, like, ‘handled,’ are you?”
“I don’t know, but I plan to escape and camp outside if I have to.”
“So sad…” Hasegawa Aoi repeated.
“So give up, senpai. You’re not going to get your way.”
“No big deal. You’re bound to show up at the beach. I’ll get to see your figure there. I’ve already got a high-powered camera ready, so just you wait!”
“You little—” Suzuki Yuu was about to argue some more.
But at that moment, someone from the student council knocked on the activity room door, looking for him.
He quickly went out with them.
Hasegawa Aoi, meanwhile, stayed in the activity room, pondering what Suzuki Yuu had just said. Especially when she remembered the hiking activity, she couldn’t help but sigh.
However, as she thought about Suzuki Yuu’s lodging arrangements, her eyes darted mischievously, as if she had come up with a plan. Suddenly, she smiled and muttered to herself:
“Mm, it’s decided!”