NABC Page 35
Page 35
"Very good, keep the hand gestures, let's practice connecting them." Kitahara Hakuba straightened his back and patted her shoulder with one hand to encourage her.
Yuka Isomoto's cheeks were as red as cherries, and perhaps because she was too ashamed, her expression looked like she was about to cry.
The hands of the clock moved forward listlessly, because the room was low, and all that could be seen were scattered lights and a pitch-black night sky.
Only the euphonium, capable of making one's insides tremble, resonated brightly in the room.
[Level Up]
[Character: Yuka Isomoto, lv+1, currently lv9]
[Member promotion reward: 90,000 yen]
It was 10:30 p.m., and after more than three hours of dedicated practice, Yuka Isomoto finally advanced one level.
The moment the system announced his level increase, Kitahara Hakuba felt an indescribable sense of pride, something he had never experienced before.
He gradually realized that compared to Kirishima Mai, whose growth potential was S, Isomoto Yuka's growth made him more concerned and proud.
"That concludes today's practice. It's getting late, I'll take you home," Kitahara Hakuba said with a smile.
"I can practice more!"
Yuka Isomoto's face was still flushed. Kitahara-sensei always gets to the point, which is very helpful.
It's very exciting to be able to clearly feel myself making progress.
Kitahara Hakuba put on his coat and was ready to go out.
"I know you're very diligent, but I need to sleep. Come back tomorrow."
Yuka Isomoto then realized that she wasn't giving anyone a break!
Thinking of this, she quickly put the euphonium into the box and pressed the metal clasps on one by one.
When she turned to look at Kitahara Hakuba, who was already standing in the entrance hall, her heart suddenly clenched.
He's so good, what can I give him in return?
"Teacher Kitahara—"
"Hmm?" Kitahara Hakuba turned his head and looked at Isomoto Yuka standing behind him, who was shyly lowering her head.
"You've been so good to me, I don't know how to repay you."
"It's alright, just praise him during the competition. Your growth is the best reward for me," Kitahara Hakuba said with a smile.
Because we still need you guys to make money.
Yuka Isomoto increasingly felt that she would rarely encounter such a selfless teacher again.
After hesitating for a long time, she walked up to Kitahara Hakuba, held Okamoto in both hands, and bowed deeply.
"I have no way to repay you, so I'll give this box to you, teacher!"
"......"
Kitahara Hakuba, who had been smiling, suddenly felt a sharp twitch in the muscles on his face.
Where do students give Okamoto toys to their teachers?
Is this normal?
"No need, you keep it—" Kitahara Hakuba, who almost said "use," quickly corrected himself, "You keep it for someone who needs it."
"Teacher, this is actually quite expensive. I thought you would definitely need it in the future."
Yuka Isomoto, her face flushed, spoke with righteous indignation.
"After all, you are an adult, teacher. It's good to keep it just in case."
—Just in case, who can I share it with? The bed sheets?
The angle at which she bowed revealed the outline of her hips hidden beneath her skirt. Realizing the other party's sincerity, Kitahara Hakuba reluctantly accepted the box and stuffed it into his pocket.
"Okay, I'll give you the money."
"No need, just consider it a training fee for the teacher," said Yuka Isomoto with a smile.
Kitahara Hakuba was unsure whether to cry or laugh.
—Country girl, I don't think you understand how treacherous private music lessons can be.
Chapter 39. Huh?!
The next day was a beautiful day.
The sky was a deep blue, like a clear blue that had been washed by water. The sunlight poured down without restraint, making the leaves look so tender and sparkling.
After taking Yuka Isomoto home yesterday, Hakuba Kitahara fell asleep almost immediately and slept very soundly.
Upon arriving at the school, I found a thin layer of dried, discolored cherry blossom petals piled up on the grass.
In Kitahara Hakuba's understanding, cherry blossoms in the northern country wither early, usually dying completely by the end of April.
The shouts of the track and field club echoed across the playground. As he prepared to head to the school building, he noticed a girl in a blue tracksuit jogging breathlessly.
It was Yuka Isomoto with her hair tied in a ponytail, the light cleverly filtering through the gaps in her hair and shining directly onto her slender white neck.
What a good child! He's teachable.
Kitahara Hakuba stood still, staring at her. She seemed unaware of his presence, and simply forced herself to run forward.
Upon arriving at the office, before he even sat down, he attracted the attention of some of the female teachers.
This is not his fault; the other male teachers are either too old or wear shirts that are so wrinkled they could hold water.
His clothing exudes youthful energy, and he occasionally wears trench coats that perfectly accentuate his slender figure, along with his hairstyle.
Oh no, the stereotype that music teachers are sophisticated people seems to be true!
Fortunately, Kitahara Hakuba breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, she had her English teacher with her, wearing a bodycon skirt and flesh-colored stockings, so she wasn't too lonely.
"Tai... Kitahara-sensei?"
At that moment, Sakurako Yukawa stood at the office door, peeking inside with her little head.
"Minister Yukawa? What's wrong? Is there a problem with the revised sheet music?"
"No, rather, you've made some great changes."
Sakurako Kawakita stepped forward, stiffly rubbing the hem of her skirt with her fingers.
"But... there are some other things I'd like to discuss with you further."
Whether it was the weather today or seeing Yuka Isomoto working hard as soon as he arrived, Kitahara Hakuba was in a good mood.
We can discuss anything; anything is negotiable.
"What's wrong?" he asked with a smile.
Sakurako licked her dry lips and said:
"It's about... the matter of the first trumpet player we talked about before. Could we discuss it together within the department?"
Kitahara Hakuba was taken aback, but still tried to sound casual as he said:
"Why? Didn't we discuss this last time? Kuno's abilities were evident in the last ensemble performance; she's perfectly capable. What are you worried about?"
What are you worried about?
At that moment, a hint of guilt flashed in Sakura's eyes, and she spoke:
"Ayumori, who's been around for three years, is actually similar to Kuno-senpai in that she has experience too, and everyone secretly resents Kuno-senpai..."
"Yu Shou? Which Yu Shou magazine?"
She was also a member of the trumpet group. After Nagase Tsukiyo left the group, she became the voice section leader. Her growth potential was only B- and she was only LV9, which was completely incomparable to Kuno Tachibana.
Kitahara Hakuba finally realized what was happening.
—Good heavens, you violet-flower girl, you've come here specifically to force me to abdicate, haven't you? Trying to force me to change the crown prince?
Wait, that's not right.
He then realized that this matter was probably not something that Chuan could decide alone; on the contrary, as the minister, her voice was less powerful than that of another person.
"Did Saito send you over to give me your feedback?" Kitahara Hakuba asked bluntly.
If Kuno Tachibana continues to hold the number one spot, given her personality, she wouldn't willingly give up 1st if Nagase Tsukiyo really returns.
At that time, the struggle will be no less than a collision between Mars and Earth, unless Nagase Tsukiyo is willing to give in.
If any other third-year student were to take the first spot, giving up 1st spot would be a simple matter of a word, without much trouble.
They can even call it:
"Actually, I've been saving it for you all along."
Kitahara Hakuba frowned slightly.
On the other hand, these third-year students completely disregarded him and didn't take his decision seriously.
"No...it was me..."
"I see. You third-graders are unhappy with the first alt account I personally chose, and you want an alt account battle?"
Perhaps due to nervousness, Kawai Sakurako's constantly intertwined hands finally peeled off a layer of skin from her fingers.
How could she not understand the weight of the word "personally"?
No answer means consent. Kitahara Hakuma crossed his legs, crossed his arms, and leaned back.
"Alright, since you insist on this, I will talk to the head of the teaching department and tell him that the auditorium will be used as a training ground after school today, and everyone can gather there after school."
Sakurako Yukawa frowned slightly and nodded quietly.
Watching her departing figure, Kitahara Hakuba couldn't help but let out a soft sneer.
Relying solely on the members' votes, Kuno Tachibana has absolutely no chance of winning in a year; even he doesn't have a single vote to decide the outcome.
So, you can't intimidate them without showing off your muscles?
"Hey, Kitahara-kun."
Across the table, a single female teacher in her forties smiled and said,