Chapter 176: I must be a born scumbag, right?
Time flies. It feels like the final exams just ended not long ago, but there is only one week left until the county competition on August 25th.

"Everyone! Get ready!"

Following the order from the president Shoko Aoyama, the performance of the Tachibana Kita Wind Ensemble officially began.

Fujii Itsuki's elegantly waving baton traced out a trajectory, and the members followed his movements. Rows of golden horns followed closely, followed by cellos, violins, oboes, and pianos.
The musical notes seemed to fly out from the fingertips, and the warm and rich timbre hovered in the air.

Incredibly light.

Yang Kui Qiansui always felt that the music that could only be played after more than 50 people had gone through training was part of her own dream and also part of Brother Shu's dream.

Xinchun, and Jiuhuayue, who reconciled not long ago, must have thought the same thing.

"OK! Listen to the radio!"

Fujii Itsuki smiled and put down his baton. The sunlight reflected on his glasses, causing some glare. Akai Muko stood beside him.

"There are a total of 16 schools participating in this county competition. Well, Otaru will definitely be on the Sapporo side. If we win the game in Sapporo, we will have to compete with people from Hakodate Prefecture and Ne City Prefecture next."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone started whispering to each other.

Everyone is complaining that this arrangement is unfair, because the place with the most abundant resources in Hokkaido is Sapporo, where the competition is the most intense.

It is really unfair that a team that was eliminated in Sapporo would definitely qualify if it moved to other prefectures.

Fujii Itsuki signaled for everyone to be quiet.

When the club was first formed, it took half a minute for the classroom to become quiet, but now it only takes less than ten seconds.

Fujii Itsuki rested his hands on the podium, looking serious:
"I understand everyone's dissatisfaction. The fact is just as everyone said. The competition in Sapporo is quite fierce. I don't need to say much about the Saint Girls Band. Following closely behind it are strong players like Dong Ling and Qiu Zhu. There are indeed very few places to qualify.

"However, what the teacher wants to say is that if you feel that you are out of breath right now, you might as well think about our goal.

"What is our goal?"

"The National Competition!" everyone answered in unison.

"Yes, the national competition. If we choose to retreat even in the face of such a difficulty, how can we win the upcoming Sapporo Prefecture Competition? Or even the Hokkaido representative competition, the national competition, and the gold medal of the national competition?

“If we can stand out in a highly competitive area like Sapporo, our strength should be feared and awe-inspiring!
"The teams from the other two counties are all afraid of us, just like they are afraid of the saint.

"As one side gains, the other side loses. Why can't we win the Hokkaido representative competition in the future and enter the national competition in one fell swoop?"

As soon as Fujii Itsuki's voice fell, applause broke out.

But this applause only belonged to Yang Kui Chitose.

Fujii Itsuki was a little embarrassed on the stage.

But perhaps it was because she took the lead, Jiuhuayue, Matsumae Shinchun, and other main players of the wind orchestra all applauded, and the atmosphere was boosted.

It was very lively for a while.

Seeing that everyone was in good condition, Fujii Itsuki spoke in a gentle voice that was no different from his usual tone:

"Everyone has worked hard in the training during this period. Not long ago, we had a second selection, and the candidates who were scheduled to compete have changed. But don't be discouraged if you are temporarily replaced. As long as you are willing, you can still train with everyone and you will still have the opportunity to play in the future.

"The third-year members who were replaced by you before were training with you and now they are replacing you. This is the result of their hard work after the loss.

"As a teacher, I shouldn't ignore this phenomenon. There are many third-year students here, and this is their only chance. I hope the students who are being transferred can understand."

After saying this, Fujii Itsuki laughed again:

"Let me announce the information of the public competition. We have less than a week of training time left. Coincidentally, our team will compete after the Saint."

Everyone started whispering again.

After all, Saint's is a strong school, and no one wants to be compared behind a strong school.

"Don't worry about it. Didn't we become famous in the last Nakajima Festival? From now on, we just need to keep a normal mind and maintain our current level."

Fujii Itsuki closed his eyes and said in a calm voice:

"The practice day and night since the Nakajima Festival has been the nourishment for our victory. Whether it is the county competition or the Hokkaido representative competition, we will definitely prove ourselves. Let's play to our heart's content and let everyone see the glorious comeback of our Tachibana Kita Wind Ensemble."

"Yes!"

Everyone's energetic answers made Fujii Itsuki smile with satisfaction.

"Okay, everyone, go downstairs. The truck should be here soon. Let's load the instruments onto the truck first."

Because we have to go to Sapporo to participate in the competition, the entire club is essential, and everyone needs to go to Sapporo to stay and prepare in advance.

Some of the various musical instruments in the wind orchestra are so large and heavy that they can only be shipped by truck.

The situation was similar the last time I attended the Nakajima Festival in Sapporo.

Fujii Itsuki stood beside the music classroom and watched the students go downstairs. Akai Muzi walked over to him and looked at the students in the club with him.

"It seems that ever since you, Shu, reorganized this club, everyone has been busy from morning till night and rarely rests."

"After all, there is no national competition without pressure."

"That's not what I meant." Akai Muzi said with a smile.

Fujii Itsuki looked at him, "You mean I should give everyone a day off to relax?"

"It's a combination of work and rest. I think the competition is approaching, so it's not good to keep pressing for training."

Fujii Itsuki thought about it and nodded in agreement.

"That's fine. When we get to Sapporo tomorrow, I'll give everyone two days off, and then we can continue training."

"can."

After finishing the official business, Akai Muzi asked about the dean again.

Fujii Itsuki told her that the director's operation was successful and she would be discharged from the hospital after recuperating for a while.

"Ashu, how are you going to repay the Matsumae family for this favor?"

".To be honest, I can't pay it back." Fujii Itsuki saw Matsumae Shinchun and Jiuhuayue moving boxes on the playground downstairs. Jiuhuayue looked like she was a little concerned about Shinchun.

"and you."

Fujii Itsuki sighed and said:
"Muzi, I am also very confused about my current situation. Xinchun's aunt wants me to become the son-in-law of their Matsumae family to save Xinchun's future fate."

"What do you think about this, Shu?"

"Being a son-in-law of the Matsumae family? I don't feel it is real. After all, the Matsumae family is an extremely large family, and I am just a small teacher in Tachibana Kita. How can I manage such a huge system? This is too tiring for me, and I don't like it.

"But if I don't agree, who will save Xinchun? Is there anyone else she likes and who her family agrees with?
"I feel sorry for Xinchun. I'm willing to exchange my future life for the child so that she won't have to show the professor's sadness again.

“But Muzi, you also know that I promised Qiansui before.

"So what if Chitose has placed his feelings on me? And Nimuzi, you treat me the same way."

Akagi Muzi stared at Fujii Itsuki's profile, "Just by listening, I can sense that you are under a lot of pressure, Shu."

"yes."

Fujii Itsuki sighed again, "Not only does it take a lot of energy to lead everyone to the national competition, but even dealing with all the emotions around me is exhausting. Everyone wants to reach out to the other side, but when they reach out, they are restrained by the other side."

Taking advantage of the fact that there was no one in the corridor, Akai Muzi suddenly leaned close to his ear, put her hands on his shoulders, and said with a half-smile:
"In that case, then Ah Shu, why don't you just make everyone happy?"

"Muzi you——"

Fujii Itsuki was a little bit unbelievable.

"Ashu," Akai Muzi shook her head and laughed again, "Don't make that expression!"

"How can I not have this expression? Muzi, what are you saying?"

"Are you surprised? Actually, just let it go. Ah Shu, you still can't remember what happened that day when you drank, right?"

".Besides kissing you and Jiuhua, what else can I do?"

"That day, Shu, you were——"

Akai Muzi couldn't say this casually, so she put her mouth close to Fujii Itsuki's ear and told him the whole story of that day.

"Between the time I sent you back and the time Jiuhua called, Ashu, you—"

After hearing this, Fujii Itsuki was even more incredulous.

This is ridiculous.
"Have I really become a little kid?" "Of course. It's okay, it's okay. In fact, when I held you, Shu, I felt a little sorry for you. Your intoxicated expression was as if you had never received motherly love. It was really pitiful."

Fujii Itsuki: “.”

Akai Muzi pinched her chin and fell into deep thought, "Ashu, your expression at that time can be described as 'intoxicated'. Although I have never been a mother, I also unconsciously played this role. Is it because the natural maternal love of women overflowed?"

".Muzi, you"

"Ok?"

Fujii Itsuki really didn't know what to say to himself when he was drunk.

Akai Muzi looked like she didn't mind at all and was analyzing it seriously.

Fujii Itsuki just felt extremely embarrassed
Is it because I have never sought dependence, so when I get drunk, everything explodes?

"Ah Shu, I seem to have gone off topic. Actually, I said this because I wanted to say that when I saw you forcefully kissing Jiuhua against the wall that day and Jiuhua didn't put up too much resistance, I didn't feel too uncomfortable but was rather relieved."

"Relieved?! Muzi you——"

Fujii Itsuki thought it would be better for him to keep quiet.

Nothing feels right.

Is it that something is wrong with me, or with Muzi, or is it that something is wrong with everyone?
"Ashu, I can't fake my love for you. I told you what I thought that day. Until now, I still think you are the first ray of light that shines into my life."

"so?"

"So when I say I'm relieved, it doesn't mean I don't love you. On the contrary, it's because I love you and understand and sympathize with Jiuhua's life experience that I feel relieved when I see that she has found the same relief in you as I have.

“The one who loves doesn’t need to worry, and the one who has the same experience as me can be happy.

"It may sound a little weird, but that's what I think."

Fujii Itsuki fell into deep thought. He had no intention of arguing. He just looked at Akai Muko's face and asked her:

"But this is based on the assumption that you and I have a confirmed relationship. What would you think if you, Muzi, were not present in this complex relationship?"

"As long as you are happy, Shu."

"I am happy?"

"Ashu, you have saved me, and I am very grateful to you. I am still pursuing you now because I hope to get more happiness from you. It is my own greed. If you choose not to agree to me and give up on me, I will respect your choice. I will really see you happy forever."

Akai Muzi had a serious expression.

She meant what she said sincerely.

Fujii Itsuki looked into her eyes and this thought unconsciously came to his mind.

Perhaps he couldn't help but put himself in the position of a weaker party. Fujii Itsuki probably saw the future of Muzi after she was completely rejected by him.
"Muzi, aren't you going to get married in the future?"

"No knot."

"why?"

"To me, this is a blasphemy against our past relationship. It is also unfaithful to the person I will marry in the future. I can never forget you in my heart, so how can I be someone else's wife? Rather than causing disaster in the future, it is better not to get married from the beginning."

"What if your mother urges you to do so?"

“Stay true to your original intention.”

"So you've been watching me from behind?"

"Correct."

"Always?"

"Always."

"."

Akagi Muzi's words made Fujii Shu Ning choke for a long time.

He looked at her face and felt the unwavering love she had for him.
This made Fujii Itsuki think of his previous idea.

If I had not had so many connections with Chitose, Kokoharu, Yue and the others, I would probably have accepted Mu Zi's confession without hesitation and reunited with her, right?

Fall in love with Muzi again.
Maybe I can really go back to high school, back to that imperfect youth that has already passed.
"Muzi. I. Alas!"

Fujii Itsuki's smile was a little bitter. "Now I really don't know what the relationship between us is. We are too close friends and too close to each other. I have done that kind of thing to you. I can still clearly feel a sense of reluctance, and even recall the past."

“This is my ex-girlfriend.”

"Ex-girlfriend?"

"And they are each other's first love." Akai Muzi smiled again in the sun.

This moved Fujii Itsuki even more.

He quickly turned around and looked towards Ju Bei's playground.

The children from the club were still carrying musical instruments downstairs.

The summer is hot, but fortunately the breeze blowing from the sea is fresh and natural.

Akai Muzi leaned on the railing with both hands and looked down with him.

"How about this, since you and I are so close now, Shu. Let's be friends again."

"Muzi, you always say something that makes my jaw drop. In the past, I would definitely refuse it outright, but now, maybe I will consider it."

"If I refuse, I refuse. It's not like—huh? You said you would consider it?"

"It's nice to have someone you can share your mental and physical stress with, isn't it?"

"Ashu, have you come to your senses?!"

Fujii Itsuki sighed, "I just realized that my moral standards have dropped."

"Then tonight——"

"Hey! I didn't promise you. I just said I'd think about it."

"Ashu, you——! You really know how to tease me! One day I will make sure you get drunk and tear off your clothes sooner or later!"

"By then, I'm afraid even if I don't want to be the boss, it will become a fact."

Fujii Itsuki teased with a smile and continued to look at the playground. Akai Muzi saw his smile and immediately looked at the students on the playground.

Very strange.

After this exchange.

Akai Muzi felt that she and he didn't do anything extra.

The distance between the two of them was inexplicably shortened.
Fujii Itsuki saw Matsumae Shinchun wearing a sailor suit and helping her classmates move things on the playground.

Her amber eyes sparkled in the sunlight, her face was stained with sweat, and a few strands of wet hair lingered on the contours of her cheeks.

Plus the teardrop mole under the corner of the eye
It is so charming that one's imagination runs wild at first sight.

"Muzi, I found that I kind of like this kid Xinchun."

"Oh, sure! Do you want me to help you mediate?"

"No need for this."

"I mean mediating the relationship between her, Satsuki, and Chitose."

"."

"Ashu?"

"Being not."

Fujii Itsuki withdrew his gaze from the girl, closed his eyes, and sighed inwardly.

He probably already had a vague sense of it.
If you can't bear to let go of anyone, you will hurt everyone, but you have to do it.

I must be a born scumbag, right?
(End of this chapter)