A light rain fell relentlessly, tapping a surprisingly pleasant rhythm against the corridor windows.
Aoi Ichiki eagerly led the way, while Asako Hanada and Rin Seino discussed the general situation of the Wind Instrument Club.
Watanabe Tetsu fell to the back, taking in the sight of Rin Seino's black hair cascading like rolling waves.
The four of them were on their way to the Wind Instrument Club.
"So, a lot of the members haven't been practicing recently," Asako Hanada whispered.
"I see," Rin Seino nodded, giving nothing away.
As for Tetsu, he wasn't listening at all.
Although the Wind Instrument Club couldn't compare to the baseball or soccer teams, it was undoubtedly the top among cultural clubs.
Their activity room wasn't just equipped with thick, soundproof doors—each section also had its own small practice room. With a total membership exceeding eighty, they were leagues ahead.
Compared to the Human Observation Club, which had only three members and used a former storage room as its "clubroom," it was like the difference between Miki Yuki's luxury mansion and Tetsu's rental apartment.
"That's a lot of people," Tetsu said, with a touch of envy.
"What good is that many people? I've listened to their practice for two months. Except for the bass section, the rest are just a disorderly crowd," Rin Seino bluntly remarked.
She sighed and added, "It's amazing they even dare set their sights on the national competition—just as oblivious as Watanabe-kun trying to challenge me."
"Uh…"
Tetsu didn't mind being called oblivious, though he shot an apologetic glance at the two Wind Instrument Club members.
Asako and Aoi, however, seemed to hit a sore spot and lowered their heads in shame.
"Vice President Watanabe," Rin Seino said with the authority of a senior, "even though our Human Observation Club has only two active members, if we want, handling a solo performance would meet our club's minimum standard."
It seemed she still didn't acknowledge Miki Yuki's full membership.
And even if it were true, Rin could at least mind the timing! Didn't she notice how unfriendly the other members' gazes were?
Asako Hanada, noticing the stares as well, hurriedly said to the other two: "Senpai Mai is in the bass section's small practice room. Please follow me."
The four left the Wind Instrument Club's main room and entered a practice room about half the size of the Human Observation Club's usual space.
It was lavish!
For just one section, why this luxurious?
Before Miki Yuki joined, their activity space consisted of nothing more than a single beechwood table.
Inside the small room, Mai Asuka was guiding three students on the contrabassoon. In the corner, two people sat holding tubas.
Tetsu noticed a first cello case on the instrument rack labeled "Asako Hanada."
"Senpai Mai," Asako Hanada whispered as she stepped forward. "Rin and Watanabe-kun would like to observe. May they stay?"
"…Sure," Mai Asuka replied, her voice void of any emotion.
"Thank you." The two of them bowed and took seats on the corner stools.
Mai Asuka, it seemed, was the leader of the bass section, not only instructing freshmen like Aoi Ichiki but also organizing group performances.
Tetsu glanced at Rin Seino, who was paying full attention to the music, and decided it was time to use his little-known 30% mysterious ability.
This was partly to repay Rin for helping him see through Miki Yuki's lies, enabling him to reconcile, and covering up the string of false confessions.
And also because he wanted to finish this task quickly.
'The Ultraman, no—time traveler who helps others capture girls… Watanabe, you're the first, and you'll be the last! Activating detector!'
A blue transparent panel appeared, displaying the girl's information:
[Name: Mai Asuka]
[Intelligence: 8]
[Charm: 8]
[Stamina: 6]
[Information: Emotionally deficient; highly drawn to experiences causing strong psychological impact; currently obsessed with Watanabe Tetsu's smile]
[Can be targeted]
"Huh?" Tetsu blinked.
Mai Asuka's eyes, like scoops of pure summer lake water, were focused on the sheet music on the stand, her cherry-colored lips pressed to the icy mouthpiece.
The contrabassoon's gentle, mellow, and soothing tones flowed slowly through the small room.
'Obsessed with Watanabe Tetsu's smile?'
No matter how he looked at her, he could see no trace of such an obsession.
But the "detector" couldn't be wrong.
Could it be due to emotional deficiency? So even if she was obsessed, it wouldn't show outwardly?
"Stop." Mai Asuka's smooth, emotionless voice filled the room. "Practice again. One more ensemble before finishing."
"Yes."
Everyone, including Aoi Ichiki and Asako Hanada, resumed practicing diligently. Mai Asuka set her contrabassoon on a chair and walked toward the Human Observation Club members.
"Your feel," she seemed to ask about their previous ensemble, though her tone betrayed no real question.
"Forget the tuba and contrabass, focus on the contrabassoon section," Rin Seino glanced around. "If Senpai Mai solos this part, the chance to enter the Kanto High School Competition increases."
The small room fell silent, save for the sound of the rainy season outside.
"Uh…" Tetsu stood awkwardly. "Sorry, our club president is strict. I didn't mean the others played poorly."
Rin Seino shot Tetsu a sharp look but said nothing further, only brushing her long hair off her shoulder.
Mai Asuka remained oblivious to the awkward tension in the room. After nodding once, she turned her eyes to Tetsu.
"Um… it's all good," Tetsu replied casually.
Perhaps because he lacked formal acting training, he felt everyone's stares were even less friendly.
"Haha," he laughed awkwardly and tugged at Rin Seino, who seemed unaffected by the cold stares. "Thanks for today. We'll take our leave."
Mai Asuka watched Tetsu exit, then quietly returned to her seat, resuming practice without regard for the others' discomfort.
The two members of the Human Observation Club lingered in the corner of the corridor.
"Watch your words, Rin-senpai!" Tetsu scolded.
"Are you asking me to lie?" Rin countered.
"No, just that you could have complimented Senpai Mai's solo performance without mentioning the others' flaws."
"Wasn't that my point?" Rin snorted. "In the two months since school started, even someone who never touched an instrument can play better than them."
"That's their problem," Tetsu sighed.
"They decided to aim for nationals but don't practice seriously, and now they blame the person pointing out the issues?"
"This…"
"If I were the Wind Instrument Club president, they wouldn't sleep until they reached my standards."
"…Fine, forget the Wind Instrument Club. Tell me, Human Observation Club, are there skill requirements? And just to clarify, I must sleep by midnight every day."
Rin laughed lightly, impressed. "Don't worry. So far, I'm satisfied with your skills, whether it's submitting to the Arts Club or tutoring students with low deviation scores."
"And in the future? If a task I haven't completed arises, you won't force me into training without sleep, right?"
"If that happens, you'll already be trying your best before I even start."
Though Rin's knowing smile annoyed him, Tetsu nodded in agreement.
Rin's eyes turned to the bass section's small room.
"Skill level doesn't matter right now. What matters is willingness to work hard. Don't blame others when you can't do it yourself. Forget what I said earlier—the Wind Instrument Club is a mess, except for Senpai Mai."
Tetsu had no reply. He slapped his hand to his forehead. "Fine, whatever."
Rin brushed her long hair and strode out of the corner. "Let's return to our activity room."
Tetsu watched her graceful back.
She wasn't someone irrelevant like him to criticize others, yet when asked, she spoke honestly about her thoughts. Tetsu felt both amused at her naivety and a bit inspired.
Rin Seino was truly a mirror.
If you're not ready to face your true self, stay away.
'How perfect will I become by facing challenges head-on? Maybe I'll do nothing, and every woman in the world will fight to be my girlfriend.'
"Too bad I already have Miki Yuki."
"Watanabe-kun, have you finally gone insane, talking to yourself? Our mental asylum is really—"
"Forget it! I'd never go!"