At midday, Suzuki Yuu pushed open the door of the music club.
As soon as he walked in, he saw Hasegawa Aoi holding a controller, staring intently at the screen in front of her.
The screen boldly displayed the red words: ‘YOU DIED’.
Although she had already accepted her fate and given up on fighting games, admitting she wasn’t very good, it seemed she had thrown herself into a new pit of suffering…
When he entered, Hasegawa Aoi quickly stood up and called out to him:
“Junior! Hurry up and help me beat this BOSS! I’ve been stuck here all afternoon!”
“Senpai, if you’re really not good at it, why don’t we play something simpler?”
Suzuki Yuu stepped forward, sat down beside her, and took the controller.
“I. Am. Not. Bad!” She enunciated each word, as if emphasizing something very important.
Suzuki Yuu shrugged helplessly. He was already used to his club president’s stubborn pride.
“Yeah, yeah, got it. Senpai, you’re the best in the world.”
He replied perfunctorily, turning his attention back to the screen.
After a while, he managed to defeat the BOSS, stood up, tossed the controller back to the girl next to him, then stretched his body.
Hasegawa Aoi stared blankly for a moment, seeming a bit dissatisfied, and looked like she was ready to reload the save and try again.
Seeing this, Suzuki Yuu felt a bit helpless.
He suddenly became curious about the ability of the ensemble partner Jinguuji Amane had mentioned—just what had that person done to turn his club president into a couch potato?
Suzuki Yuu sighed inwardly, deciding not to dwell on the question for now. Instead of heading straight for the cello in the corner, he pulled a stack of printed documents out of his bag.
These were papers he had conveniently taken from the student council room that morning—“Detailed Rules and Regulations of the Aoyama Seiryo Academy Chamber Music Competition.”
Inside were more thorough explanations of the rules, as well as the competition’s purpose.
On the surface, it was a school event, but in reality, it was mainly for selecting candidates for the subsequent “National Chamber Music Competition.” National-level competitions could only be entered as individuals, but students who won awards would also bring great attention to their schools.
Therefore, the rules on the paper clearly stated that any group recognized by the school would have all their competition-related expenses covered by the school.
Of course, the competition was intense, because the Aoyama Seiryo Academy selection for the national competition only offered one spot, so basically only first place had a chance.
Reading this, Suzuki Yuu didn’t have high expectations—especially with Jinguuji Amane around.
Still, winning a lower prize for the bonus money wouldn’t be bad.
As he mulled this over, a head suddenly leaned over from the side, with light chestnut hair brushing against his cheek.
“Chamber music competition?”
Hasegawa Aoi’s quiet voice sounded as she read the title at the top of the document.
Suzuki Yuu jumped in surprise, instinctively trying to close the documents, but it was already too late.
He turned his head, meeting the large, clear, and currently suspicious eyes of his club president.
“Junior,” Hasegawa Aoi narrowed her eyes, “Why are you… studying this behind my back?”
“Just student council work…”
“Oh? But you never do student council work in the club room. And unless I’m mistaken, this is a rulebook, isn’t it?”
Hasegawa Aoi’s gaze bore into Suzuki Yuu, leaving him feeling helpless.
“Alright, I kind of want to participate myself. After all, I’ve put in the effort to learn.”
“These competitions require at least two instruments. Are you trying to trick me into joining? Tell me, did Jinguuji put you up to this!”
Seeing her about to get angry, Suzuki Yuu hurriedly explained:
“No, you’re misunderstanding. Senpai already said you didn’t want to enter, I wouldn’t force you.”
“So who are you planning to team up with?”
“I’m not too worried about that. I know plenty of people from other clubs—lots of them play instruments. I should be able to find someone.”
Suzuki Yuu continued, but added quickly:
“Of course, it would be even better if I could pair up with you, Senpai, but if not, there’s nothing I can do.”
After hearing this, Hasegawa Aoi’s earlier emotions faded away.
She stared at Suzuki Yuu again, for a whole minute, as if trying to spot a single trace of a lie on his overly sincere face.
In the end, she snorted, the sound halfway between disdain and resignation.
“Do as you like!”
Hasegawa Aoi suddenly turned around, flopped back onto the sofa, grabbed the neglected controller, puffed her cheeks, and resumed her game.
Seeing this, Suzuki Yuu said no more. He put away the rulebook, set it aside, and began his cello practice.
[Cello (Proficient): 70% → 75%, reach 100% to upgrade to Expert.]
He practiced for a while, watching the numbers on his system rise steadily, nodded with satisfaction, and glanced at the time.
Since he had a part-time job later, he put the cello back in its case, slung it over his shoulder, and said to Hasegawa Aoi:
“Senpai, I’m heading out. Watch out for the dean.”
“Got it. Safe travels.”
Hasegawa Aoi responded flatly, without even looking at him.
Seeing how absorbed she was, Suzuki Yuu didn’t say anything else. He quietly left and closed the door.
When the faint “click” sounded and the door was completely shut, the clubroom returned to silence.
Hasegawa Aoi’s in-game character suddenly stopped moving, letting the small monsters attack.
She perked up her ears, listening for several seconds, making sure the footsteps in the hallway had truly faded away.
Slowly, very slowly, she turned her head and stood up, realizing Suzuki Yuu had left the rulebook on the table.
Her cheeks puffed up again, seeming a little annoyed:
“That jerk Suzuki, even wants to team up with someone else!”
She muttered to herself, then bit her lip, glanced guiltily at the tightly closed door, then slid off the sofa and tiptoed over to pick up the rulebook…
“Why even bother with this kind of competition… It’s not even fun.” she grumbled as she opened it.
“Just taking a look, I’m not joining, absolutely not!”
She said, and began to leaf through it.
But soon, her gaze froze on one rule, her pupils shrinking slightly:
[…The judging panel will place great emphasis on “originality” of works, and especially encourage participants to present “innovative arrangements” of classical pieces in their own unique style.]
“That actually sounds kind of interesting…”
She mumbled, and an odd thought popped into her mind:
“If Junior teams up with someone else, they’ll have to practice together a lot, right? What if it’s a girl…?”
Suddenly, her mood turned sour, the more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.
That idiot Junior, he’s only been learning the cello for how long? Forty-something days?
If he messes up on stage without me around, what then?
No, if he messes up, serves him right! Who told him to join in the first place?
But…
What if the partner he finds is really good? What if they work together perfectly?
Wouldn’t that make her look useless?
“So annoying!”
Hasegawa Aoi furiously scratched her head, tossed the rulebook onto the table.
She curled up on the sofa again, hugged a pillow, but didn’t continue the game—she only rubbed her cheek against the pillow’s soft fabric, her eyes full of uncertainty and conflict.
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