I play the wind instrument in Hokkaido.

Page 481

In Hiraishi Memeko's mind, if she wanted to overcome the obstacle of her older sister, she would have to gain his approval.

Hearing him say, "You're more outstanding than your sister," would be a dream come true.

Kana Eto's chest rose and fell slightly.

It's usually the seniors who put pressure on the juniors, but this junior, Kuno, is doing the opposite, putting pressure on her senior instead.

Kitahara Hakuba slowly began to speak:

"I know this piece is very difficult, but I believe everyone is capable of playing it well. There's nothing else important to do. Eto, stay behind. The rest of you may leave."

Kana Eto was stunned for a moment, not understanding why she was being called out to only one person.

But thinking about it carefully, she is a minister, so there may be some private things that can only be said to the minister.

Kami Takahashi, however, winked at her, giving her a knowing look.

Kuno Tachibana held Kirishima Mai's small hand and glanced at Kitahara Hakuba as he left.

Chapter 352, Section 351: Minister, I'm Resigning (4) >>

Only Kitahara Hakuba and Eto Kana remained in the first music classroom.

Kana Eto sat quietly to the side, her toes curling nervously, thankfully her soles weren't itchy this time.

Last time it was probably because the socks were worn for two days and weren't very clean.

Looking at Kitahara Hakuba's handsome and charming profile, and his lips that could take a girl's breath away, Eto Kana's heart was pounding.

Is this...?

The ministerial benefits that Canada and the US were talking about?!

“Eto-kun.”

"Yes!"

Her voice was unusually loud, startling Kitahara Hakuba.

"I'm sorry!" Kana Eto bowed and apologized as soon as she saw his expression change.

"It's nothing," Kitahara Hakuba said with a smile. "Why did you decide to give up your spot today? Can you tell me?"

Kana Eto kept her legs together, and as she heard his words, she felt a faint, warm, damp sensation on the soles of her sock-covered feet.

I was so nervous that I started sweating.

"Is it because of me?" Kitahara Hakuba continued.

Kana Eto felt the dampness becoming more and more pronounced, as if even her heartbeat was accelerating with the tension.

She admitted that the moment she heard Kitahara-sensei choose Kirishima Mai, she felt that he was saying, "I've made my choice, so don't object."

Everything was based on Kana Eto's belief that they had to follow Kitahara-sensei's wishes.

This is something Minister Kawa often told her; you can't go wrong by listening to Kitahara-sensei.

"Sit down," Kitahara Hakuba said when she didn't respond.

"kindness."

Kana Eto pulled the steel pipe chair over, covered her skirt with both hands behind her back, and stroked down along the contour of her buttocks.

The pleated skirt fabric outlines the girl's rounded hips, but Kitahara Hakuma is more commonly seen, and Eto Kana's hips might not even rank in the top three.

"The atmosphere created when leading a group is crucial, whether it's laziness, diligence, humility, or striving, there are all sorts of atmospheres."

"Hmm." Kana Eto nodded.

Kitahara Hakuba crossed his fingers and said:

“What Takahashi said makes sense. Your position is very important. Sometimes you have to make up your mind and not give up just because Kuno is too assertive.”

"I'm not very good at dealing with Kuno-san," Kana Eto said awkwardly, scratching her cheek. She suddenly felt like she was tattled on someone.

This feeling is wonderful.

“Sometimes what she says might be unpleasant to hear, but it’s useful for the club. But that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to argue with her.”

After speaking, Kitahara Hakuba paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "In short, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Everyone feels troubled and confused."

"Does Kitahara-sensei also experience worries and confusion?"

In Kana Eto's eyes, Kitahara-sensei was omniscient and omnipotent, practically a superman.

Kitahara Hakuba nodded and said:

"Yes, for example, I used to be quite naive when dealing with relationships with others, and I never thought about the consequences."

"Could this be?"

Kana Eto was surprised that someone as rational as him wouldn't have considered the consequences.

She probably never imagined that the people who had entangled with Kitahara-sensei were her seniors from three years ago.

Kitahara Hakuba clenched his fingers tightly, and waves of pain shot through his fingers:

"Yes, so much so that I am still suffering the consequences now."

"Even Kitahara-sensei experiences something like this?"

"After all, no one is perfect."

Kitahara Hakuba's tone was calm, and his eyes were as gentle as a clear, bright lake.

"But I left you here alone not just to say such nonsensical things."

Kana Eto sat upright, her legs filled with alluring shadows, like a secret garden hidden beneath a high wall.

She could sense that Kitahara-sensei wanted to tell her something very important.

What kind of great task is it that requires her, Kana Eto, to do, and only she, Kana Eto, can do?

Kitahara Hakuma's expression was very calm, and at first glance, he looked no different from usual. His eyes were fixed on Eto Kana, making her feel a little embarrassed.

"What is it?"

Kana Eto felt that if he didn't speak up, she might faint under his direct gaze.

The kind of person who can't wake up for three days.

"I'll resign after this academic year ends."

As Kana Eto's body felt as if it were being gently scorched by an invisible flame, Hakuba Kitahara uttered the words he was bound to say sooner or later.

The girl's surprised expression froze on her face, as if time had stood still at that moment.

His words echoed in her ears, each one like a fine needle gently piercing Kana Eto's heart.

Suddenly, it felt as if the once clear blue ocean was now shrouded in a thick gray veil, and the calm waves began to surge restlessly.

In the blink of an eye, the wind turned into a raging roar, stirring up towering waves that violently tossed the Shenxu Wind Ensemble, a ship that had finally managed to enjoy a clear sky, high into the air before crashing it down.

Both the pole and the hull were completely torn apart.

呗》

Completely unable to process those words, my chest felt like it was blocked by a hard object, and I could only let out an incomprehensible groan from deep in my throat.

Kitahara Hakuba raised his hand, pinched his nose, and said:

"Since you are the minister, I intend to clarify this matter with you first, which may benefit your future plans for the club."

"Then, this new piece I composed is in the style of Clanette and can be used as an etude for each voice part. However, I don't recommend using this one for percussion; you should use the previous set of etudes instead."

"There's one more thing, and it's very important. Next year, if there are any distinctive instruments like the bassoon, we must showcase them more often. I've always felt it was a pity that Watanabe's bassoon performance in the freestyle this year didn't get to go on to a better section."

"Then, this is something I should have told Mizuno-san, but after thinking about it, it's the same as telling you. You must go to all the festivals and events next year, even the small park spring party. To be honest, the students in the Shin-Asahi Brass Band are not very talented. Apart from a few individuals, most of them can only be considered as below average. And playing brass band doesn't depend on the individual, but on the whole team."

"As for anything else, I can't offer any more advice; it's mainly up to you to decide."

1

Hearing Kitahara Hakuma's words, which sounded like a deathbed entrustment, Eto Kana felt dizzy and her breathing became shallow and rapid.

Finally, she forced a faint smile, raised her hand to touch the top of her head, and said:

"What is Kitahara-sensei saying? Is it a joke? Let's not talk about jokes like that. I get it, everyone's just messing with me, right? Kami and the others are probably at the door hoping to see me cry."

After finishing speaking, Kana Eto stood up and walked stiffly to the classroom door. She opened the sliding door but found no one there.

In the corridor, only Takahashi Kami was leaning against the window, chatting with Mizuno Kase and others, with the occasional sound of random musical instruments in the background.

As their eyes met, Takahashi Kami tilted her chin towards her, as if to say, "What are you doing?"

Kana Eto unconsciously tightened her grip on the sliding door, her fingertips turning white from the force. Her eyes lost their luster in an instant, like a journey shielded by dark clouds, dim and empty.

Mr. Kitahara is telling the truth; he's not joking. He really is leaving the company.

Realizing this, and as if unwilling for the information to leak out of the classroom, Kana Eto fearfully closed the sliding door, with more force than usual.

"Huh? What happened?" Mizuno Kaze frowned in confusion.

"What did you do?" Takahashi Kami asked.

Don't you think there's something wrong with her expression?

Kami Takahashi shrugged and said, "No."

The door slammed shut.

"Maybe she doesn't want us to know what she and Kitahara-sensei are up to."

Kami Takahashi smiled and placed her finger on Kase Mizuno's soft belly, saying...

"She once told me that she wanted to dedicate this place to Kitahara-sensei, and maybe she's using the minister's name to..."

"Stop it!"

Kaze Mizuno glared at Kami Takahashi, clearly annoyed.

"You're following Senior Akamatsu, and you're only learning bad things instead of good ones."

In her heart, only Amemori-senpai could offer this place to Kitahara-sensei; no one else would do.

"You didn't seem to learn anything amazing from Yushou-senpai," Takahashi Kami said with a wry smile.

Mizuno Kaze clicked her tongue dismissively. She believed that the reason she couldn't learn the essence was because she couldn't love and protect him like Amemori-senpai did.