I play the wind instrument in Hokkaido.

Page 187

"Saito-kun, can we talk?"

Saito Haruka had no idea what he wanted to talk about, but she nodded nonetheless:

"Ah."

"Teacher Kitahara, would you like me to prepare a soundproof room for you?" Haruka Shinomiya's tone was meaningful.

Kitahara Hakuma gave her a look that said, "Don't make a scene in front of the students," and said:

"No need, it's right here..."

Saito Harutori, however, raised her head, her face displaying an expression that left no room for argument, and said:

"No matter what it is, I only want to talk to Kitahara-sensei alone."

A hint of coldness crept into Shinomiya Haruka's gaze as she looked at her, clearly expressing her desire to be alone.

Kitahara Hakuba noticed that Shinomiya Haruka's expression was not good, and quickly raised his hand to indicate that "it's okay."

Because in his eyes, he and Saito Haruka were only teacher and student, and no other feelings would develop between them. Even when they were alone, they were talking about serious matters.

“Alright, come with me. There’s a coffee shop not far away,” Kitahara Hakuba said.

"Ah."

Saito Haruka didn't even glance at Shinomiya Haruka before following him through the door.

The two arrived at a coffee shop.

Despite being called a "hall," it's actually a very small coffee shop.

Judging from the seating, the restaurant can only accommodate twelve guests. The floor is covered with a rouge-colored plush carpet, and the tables and chairs are made of ebony.

"Please sit down." Kitahara Hakuba was the first to sit down.

However, to his dismay, Saito Harutori did not sit opposite him, but instead sat next to him.

The setting sun streaming in through the window fell on her profile, and Kitahara Hakuba could even see the fine downy hairs on the girl's face.

Kitahara Hakuba couldn't help but doubt his own eyes.

Is this her attitude when we're discussing business? Talking sideways must be exhausting!

The girl's light brown, wavy hair contrasted sharply with her bare skin exposed to the summer air.

Moreover, he suddenly recalled a line of poetry: "Viewed horizontally, it's a ridge; viewed from the side, it's a peak; its appearance varies depending on distance and elevation."

He hadn't thought of the poem when he was in Kuno's bedroom that morning.

No, no, this isn't about whether it's big or small.

"You want to sit here?" Kitahara Hakuba asked.

Saito Haruka's thin lips curved into the same smile as always, and she softly said, her fingertips gently stroking a strand of hair:

"no?"

"Then get up, I'll sit across from you, otherwise it'll feel weird."

Hmm:

.

Seeing Kitahara Hakuba suddenly stand up, Saito Harutori looked up at him with a heavy heart, and then sadly got up and sat down opposite him.

Seeing that she was sitting obediently, Kitahara Hakuba ordered a coffee and got straight to the point:

"How do you plan to resolve your family's situation? Are you going to let it continue like this?"

Saito Harutori gave him a "I knew it" look and said in a low voice:

"That's fine. I'll be an adult next year anyway, so family guarantors and all that won't be needed anymore."

“What I’m worried about is that you said you want to rejoin the club. If you want to work and practice at the same time, you will inevitably have to choose between the two.”

Kitahara Hakuba interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on them, saying, "I don't know if you've paid attention to the situation of the brass band since you left. I can only give the members very little free time now. Evening practice goes until nine o'clock. You should discuss this with your family."

At that moment, an older female server brought over a cup of black tea and a cup of hand-drip coffee.

Saito Haruka raised her teacup, the slight ripples on the surface of the black tea making her face appear somewhat ethereal.

What Ms. Kitahara said was very realistic; she had actually considered it a long time ago.

After much thought, there is only one solution.

She would never say that to anyone else, but she even had some hope for Kitahara Hakuba.

Saito Harutori raised her eyebrows and watched him quietly sip his coffee.

The setting sun cast its light on the table, and she really enjoyed being with this person.

Just as the sorrow in her heart mingled with the intense chirping of cicadas, it gradually seeped into the depths of her soul.

Saito Haruka's expression softened, revealing a gentle and endearing look as she spoke:

"Teacher Kitahara, can you support me?"

As if he had heard some extraordinary word, Kitahara Hakuba put down his mug and stared blankly at the girl in front of him.

This coffee is a bit bitter; Auntie's hand-drip coffee didn't taste as good as last time.

"What?" Kitahara Hakuba pretended not to hear clearly and tilted his head with a smile.

Saito Harutori straightened his back, took a sip of black tea with a gentle and refined manner, and said:

"I hope that Kitahara-sensei can support me. I will support you from now on and I will definitely not let you suffer any losses."

She didn't seem to be joking; Kitahara Hakuba's expression had never been so complex.

It's not a prostitute, how did things turn out this way?

The system originally told him to support Nagase Tsukiyo, but in the end he ended up supporting Saito Harukori. This is too outrageous.

Is it normal?

Looking at Kitahara Hakuba, who seemed somewhat frightened, Saito Harutori tried his best to suppress the unease surging in his chest and said in a serious tone:

"First of all, I rank among the top three in my school academically, which means I can get into any university in the country. My future is bright."

Secondly, I'm very good at housework; I can do laundry and cook. Thirdly, my biggest expenses are food, drink, housing, and transportation; I rarely use skincare and cosmetic products, and I don't use expensive brand-name items.

They have a habit of rationally planning their finances.

Then, I don't have any male friends; my life revolves solely around you, Kitahara-sensei.

Finally... I should be very beautiful.

When she said, "I should be very pretty," she seemed a little shy and turned her face slightly away.

Saito Harukori's explanation completely won over Kitahara Hakuba.

She seemed like a naive salesperson, trying her best to convince him that investing in her would never be a loss.

"Teacher Kitahara, would you like to consider investing your money in me now?"

To hide the heat rising from her cheeks, Saito Harutori picked up her teacup and lowered her head, trying to conceal her flushed face.

But the ears peeking out from between her hair were bright red.

She used to think that she absolutely could not use a single penny of Kitahara Hakuba's money again, and she absolutely could not cause him any more trouble.

But now, things are completely different.

She wanted to use him up, to make him invest more in her.

Only by spending the money he left behind can she reconnect with Kitahara Hakuba.

Saito Harutori knew that some of the girls in the brass band, such as Isomoto Yuka and even Nagase Tsukiyo, harbored unusual feelings for Kitahara Hakuba.

However, this feeling will gradually disappear after high school graduation, as the two stop seeing each other and move on to new lives.

But as long as she holds on tightly, even after graduating from high school, she can still form an unbreakable bond with Kitahara Hakuma.

At that time, she will be the only girl left by his side.

Moreover, rather than relying on her father, who brought prostitutes home, to support her, she would prefer to have Kitahara Hakuba support her, and then slowly repay the loan in the future.

Kitahara Hakuba felt a sudden dryness in his mouth and gave an embarrassed smile, saying:

"Isn't this behavior inappropriate? I'm the teacher, and you're the student."

Upon hearing his words, Saito Haruka rested her elbows on the table, her ten fingers interlaced and resting on her chin, her small, cute little finger drooping slightly and naturally with the corner of her eye.

The girl gave Kitahara Hakuba a sweet smile, her lips, which had been pursed into a thin line, parted slightly:

"So, keep this as a secret between you and me."

Her smile possessed a pure charm that could draw moths to a flame, leaving Kitahara Hakuma momentarily stunned. He never imagined that a girl of only seventeen could possess such an alluring smile; no wonder Isomoto Yuka was so captivated by her back then.

Fortunately, he was determined.

Kitahara Hakuba kept organizing his thoughts, and instead of drinking his coffee in one gulp, he took five or six sips. Saito Harukori, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy his bewildered look, almost saying "So cute."

"Actually, my father is a very violent person. Since his divorce from my mother, he often brings girls my age home to spend the night."

The girl rubbed her left index finger back and forth on the back of her right hand and said softly, "Even though he is my father, I have no sense of security at all, so I may never be able to build a good relationship with him, as you mentioned, Kitahara-sensei."

"Is that so?" Kitahara Hakuba frowned.

Is this the father?

In front of his daughter, he went to sleep with another girl who was about the same age as his daughter?

Is this a human being?

Chapter 161, Section 160: Changing Nicknames and Water Magic (4K)

...But upon closer reflection, I truly don't deserve your support, Professor Kitahara.

Just as Kitahara Hakuba was inwardly filled with utter contempt for her father, Saito Harutori gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"But if you ask me to go back and reconcile with him, I don't think I could ever do it."

Her tone suggested that even she felt helpless, and Kitahara Hakuba hesitated about how to respond.

In those few brief seconds, Saito Harutori lowered her head and murmured:

"I'm sorry, I know this will add to Kitahara-sensei's mental burden, and there are some things in the future... I always make a mess of things and cause you trouble. I'm sorry, just pretend I didn't say those things."