In the afternoon art class, while the others tried to imitate Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, Watanabe Tetsu painted a version of Katyusha.
Unfortunately, he had never actually seen a Soviet girl, so his Katyusha looked more like a Homo erectus—also called a late-stage ape.
Considering regional traits, one could stretch and classify her as a Heidelberg man.
The art teacher gave him a C, saying it didn't look right.
Watanabe Tetsu wanted to ask, "Teacher, have you even seen a Soviet girl? How can you say it doesn't look right if you haven't?"
But he wasn't willing to waste time on meaningless arguments before turning twenty-five—there were far more important things to do.
Like researching how to handle women's underwear and knee-high socks.
At eight in the evening, in the music room, Group A was practicing under the baton of Rinn Kiyono.
After long hours of holding their mouthpieces, everyone's lips ached, but they played with complete dedication, giving their all.
Rinn Kiyono's baton rose high and fell swiftly, guiding Kamikawa Private Academy's dream ensemble, echoing through the quiet music room late into the night.
But their practice was abruptly interrupted.
At this hour, the classroom door was never opened except by occasional duty teachers—but now it swung open.
And not gently—forcefully, without ceremony.
Miki Yuuki, arms crossed, appeared before the more than sixty students.
She wore a black dress, her slender waist cinched tight, like a blooming black rose.
Among everyone, Miki Yuuki's eyes immediately found Watanabe Tetsu with his oboe, and a faint smile curved her lips.
Rinn Kiyono frowned, about to speak, but seeing Watanabe Tetsu stand, she stayed silent.
He strode quickly to Miki Yuuki.
"Miki? What are you doing here?" he asked quietly.
"Of course, I came to see you," she replied bluntly, ignoring the other sixty-plus students completely.
Her voice, slightly huskier than usual but still melodious, filled the quiet music room, sending a tingling sensation through his chest.
Watanabe Tetsu, unsure if he felt embarrassed or shy, scratched his nose.
He glanced at the others and said to her, "I'm training."
"Stop wasting time on boring things and come eat with me."
"This—"
"Hm?"
"All right."
Miki Yuuki smiled in satisfaction, slipping her soft, cool hand into his. Then, turning to Rinn Kiyono at the conductor's stand, she said, "Rinn Kiyono, my Watanabe, I'm taking him away first."
"Watanabe is our only oboist. The ensemble can't do without him," Rinn Kiyono said coldly, her expression icy.
"Then we won't practice today," Miki Yuuki said indifferently. Her gaze returned to Watanabe Tetsu. "Right, Watanabe?"
"Nothing is more important than going on a date with you," Watanabe Tetsu said, looking at her affectionately. Then he lifted his gaze to Rinn Kiyono. "Rinn, I'm absolutely fine—even going straight to a competition would be fine. You should continue training them. I'll be going now."
The ensemble members scowled; some of their eyes flared with anger.
Suddenly, the warm tones of the tuba rang out in the classroom.
Watanabe Tetsu felt a jolt, his toes curling nervously.
Miki Yuuki looked toward Asuka Mai, who kept her head down on the sheet music, her face obscured by the tuba.
"You seem unhappy about me taking Watanabe?" Miki Yuuki asked.
"…Yes," Asuka Mai replied, calmly but firmly, lips leaving the mouthpiece.
"Mai, skipping a little ensemble practice isn't a problem, and today's almost over anyway," Watanabe Tetsu quickly intervened, steering the tension away from Mai's displeasure to the understandable frustration of ending practice.
"…Mm, okay," Asuka Mai surprisingly agreed immediately. Her bangs swayed slightly, her tone calm as ever, but she seemed unexpectedly obedient.
This made Watanabe Tetsu's heart skip a beat.
Miki Yuuki squinted slightly, smiling faintly as she appraised Asuka Mai's profile.
Watanabe Tetsu held Miki Yuuki's hand firmly, but gently, not wanting to hurt her. "Miki, let's go. I recently found a great sushi place—want to try it?"
Miki Yuuki glanced at him.
Suddenly, the sound of a trombone rang out.
Watanabe Tetsu turned and saw Komi Hiromi glaring at him, furious.
No way…
He racked his memory—he hadn't done anything to upset her recently.
Komi Hiromi said angrily, "You can usually get away with personal attacks, since everyone tolerates you being our only oboist, but now leaving in the middle of practice? Everyone is working hard, and some seniors even gave up exam prep. Can't you be responsible?"
Ah, so that's it, Watanabe Tetsu breathed, relieved.
Turns out, Komi Hiromi really valued club activities.
He had subconsciously assumed that someone who socialized for money wouldn't have such a dedicated side.
Reality proved otherwise—everyone has different faces, and even the same person can be described in opposite ways by different people.
"I gave up exam prep because their playing wasn't good; I skipped training because I'm strong enough not to need it. That's all," Watanabe Tetsu replied.
"You…" Komi Hiromi's almond-shaped eyes widened, her face flushed with anger as she puffed her cheeks and blew the trombone fiercely.
"You changed your persona?" Miki Yuuki asked, smiling.
"I learned the oboe in half a month. These idiots kept dragging me down—it frustrated me. Normally, I'm very patient."
Rinn Kiyono sighed helplessly, watching the furious ensemble members. "If you're leaving, then leave. Don't disturb the rest of us."
Watanabe Tetsu immediately led Miki Yuuki out of the music room, hand in hand.
Walking toward the school gate, Miki Yuuki gave a meaningful smirk. "You and that person, Asuka Mai, are really close, huh?"
"Not at all. Maybe she likes me," Watanabe Tetsu said, poker-faced. "But rest assured, my heart belongs only to you."
"Really?"
"Of course!"
"The furthest distance in the world is saying and doing," Miki Yuuki said meaningfully, gazing at him. "You won't disappoint me, right?"
"Absolutely not!" Watanabe Tetsu promised.
Miki Yuuki hummed noncommittally but seemed satisfied with his attitude toward other girls. Exhausted, she let him off this time.
"By the way, Miki, why did you suddenly come back?"
Miki Yuuki yawned, tears welling faintly in her eyes. "Things abroad are temporarily finished."
"So… does that mean we can go to school together again?"
"You miss me that much? Too bad—you'll have to wait until next week. This week, I'm resting properly," she said, yawning again.
At the school gate, she suddenly said, "Forget it. I'm going back to sleep."
"Huh?" Watanabe Tetsu didn't react in time.
The car door opened, and Miki Yuuki lazily slid inside.
"…."
What was that about? Watanabe Tetsu was left completely baffled.
Well, it was early anyway—finally, a long-awaited swim and some exercise.
Too sleepy…