Chapter 58 Goal: Gold Medal in the National Wind Music Competition!
"President, this is my application to join the club."

"Ok."

The president of the wind band club, Shoko Aoyama, took the application from the girl.

Rather than the fact that someone chose to join the wind band club during this period of time, Aoyama Shoko was more concerned about the extremely special temperament of the girl in front of her.

She has no intention of using a variety of words to embellish the girl's charm.

But from the first impression, the girl looks like a princess visiting the market, dressed in gorgeous clothes and with a delicate face, mysterious and kind.

Obviously everyone is wearing the same school uniform.

Shoko Aoyama noticed the small teardrop mole under her right eye.

"Matsumae-san was studying at Saint's University before, right? How did you come to join the wind band club in Tachibana North?"

"I also need a club in Orange North to fill my spare time."

"That's right. What instrument did Matsumae-san play in Saint Maiden before? There are many vacancies in the club now, so you don't have to consider the choice of instrument at all."

"String section. I've always been in charge of the violins."

"chief.?"

"It's not that great."

"Matsumae-san is too modest. Please wait in the classroom for a moment."

Matsumae Shinchun smiled generously, "No problem."

There were more people in the club classroom than Matsumae Shinharu had imagined. Rumor had it that Mr. Fujii had eliminated more than 30 people at once, but now it seemed that was not the case.

She counted and found that there were currently 21 members in the club, most of them were girls and there were only two boys.

Yue, and Qiansui are also in it.

However, the two of them did not chat cordially as they had done in the past, but stood far apart.

Is there a conflict between the two?

"President, Matsumae-san is the last person to arrive." The girl in charge of the trombone ran to Aoyama Shoko and whispered in her ear.

"clear."

Shoko Aoyama glanced around the club and took the initiative to walk to the front of the classroom.

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment."

She stood in front of the blackboard and asked everyone to look at her in a clear and transparent voice.

She closed her eyes and let her hands hang naturally, making her look quite steady and serious.

"Hello everyone, I'm the president of the Tachibana Kita Wind Ensemble Club, Aoyama Shoko. The instrument I play in the club is the oboe. Most of the students here know me, except for Matsumae who just joined, so I won't introduce myself too much.

"First of all, I need to state my position here. Regarding the recent expulsion of members from the wind instrument club, I completely agree with Mr. Fujii's actions.

"I know that many students in the club think this is too radical. But I would like to ask the students at that time to think carefully. During the days when Mr. Fujii was not here, there were less than ten students who were able to actively choose to practice their instruments. How serious was the situation facing the wind band at that time?
"We have a long history at Tachibana Kita. We were once the best girls' school in Hokkaido. Our wind band club is also well-known in Hokkaido and even in the whole country. No other club can compare to us. But in the past five or six years, our club has been declining and has gradually fallen to the current state."

Matsumae Shinchun turned his head to look at the trophies and medals of the Tachibana Kita Wind Orchestra over the years on the wall to the left, including many gold and silver medals from major competitions.

Indeed, the Jubei Wind Band was very famous back then.

They are all girls, full of energy and vigor.

It seemed that Mr. Fujii had told him that he was specially assigned to the wind instrument club by the school to teach as an instructor.

The wind band club is not a place where you can just eat for free.

The reason why it is called a club rather than a club is because the school will fund the maintenance of the club and there are club funds.

The budget for the wind band club is not small, with the cost of one instrument starting at 200,000 or 300,000 yen, and there are fifty or sixty such instruments in the club.

This is an investment.

In other words, the wind band club is profitable for the school.

The students in the previous wind band club were so lazy and lacked teacher supervision. The school definitely couldn’t stand it, so they sent a teacher to manage the club.

In other words, the school needs Mr. Fujii's help in reorganizing the club.

This is probably the real reason why the students who were forced to quit the group complained to Sasaki Academic Affairs Office about Mr. Fujii but to no avail.

Matsumae Shinchun roughly understood that the members of the club gathered here one by one today, most likely because they had a new goal.

The school needs the club to produce results.

Just like her situation in the Holy Maiden Wind Band, if she doesn’t work hard, she will be eliminated.

The next club seems to be getting crueler.
"There are currently 22 members in the club, including 12 first-year students, 10 second-year students, and 0 third-year students. Our club has reached the point where we can't even put together the smallest orchestra, so our club's top priority is to set goals and recruit new members—"

The sound of the door being pushed open interrupted Shoko Aoyama's speech and she screamed.

"Teacher Fujii!"

"Oh, it seems I came at the wrong time?"

Following Aoyama Shoko's gaze, many students in the club also looked towards the door.

Fujii Itsuki stood at the door, wearing half-frame glasses, with a gentle and friendly smile on his face. He was wearing a gray knitted vest with a dark shirt underneath, which made his already slender figure look even more simple and refreshing.

It is said that the new teacher of Class A is a very young and handsome teacher who is quite popular among female students. Now it seems to be true.

He asked Aoyama Shoko.

"Where are you talking about?"

"I was just about to talk about the difficulties of the club."

"Excuse me, I will explain it to everyone next, how about that?"

"of course."

The host took over and Fujii Itsuki walked up to the classroom podium.

He glanced at the more than 20 people standing in the club, paused for a second or two, and then asked:

"Everyone, what was your original intention in joining the wind band club?"

As soon as the question was asked, Matsumae Shinchun found that most of the students in the audience were silent.

Yue and Chitose were in two different locations, but they raised their hands at the same time.

Fujii Itsuki turned his gaze to the two of them and gestured for an answer:

"Hinako-san, please go first."

"Yes!" Yang Kui Chitose raised her head and shouted without hesitation, "Participate in the national competition and do everything possible to win the gold medal!"

Although she is a girl, her voice is more sonorous and powerful than many boys.

"National competition?"

"No way"

"How could we?"

However, the distant goal of the national competition immediately caused some discussion and doubt among the students.

"Where's Kuka-san?"

"Similarly, we joined the wind band club with the goal of winning the gold medal in the national competition." Jiuhuayue looked at Fujii Itsuki and spoke lightly.

National competition?

Or a gold medal?
This goal is too heavy.

Matsumae Shinchun found that many of her first-year and second-year classmates were afraid.

Yes, after the previous instructor was transferred, this club has basically been nothing but laziness.

Not to mention the slightly experienced seniors in the second year, the first year students know their own level. Some of them can't even read music scores, and suddenly some of them say they want to participate in national competitions or something.

No confidence at all
"teacher"

A classmate raised his hand.

Fujii Itsuki looked over and motioned for the girl to speak.

"Teacher, don't you think your goals are too far away from us?"

"It's really far away, so I'm asking for your opinions. What's your reason for joining the wind band club?"

"The reason is because of the anime," the girl answered hesitantly, "I saw an anime about a brass band and thought it was cool, so I wanted to join the band."

"I see," Fujii Itsuki nodded with a smile, and turned to the crowd again, "Then those who have the same idea as this classmate, and chose to join the wind band club because of anime, some videos, some promotions, or because they saw wind bands somewhere and thought they were cool, please raise your hands."

"."

There was silence in the audience.

"Don't worry, just raise your hands. I'm just asking about your original intentions, not accusing you. It's normal to choose a sport or a hobby because of some opportunity."

After Fujii Itsuki gave his explanation, the students in the audience began to raise their hands one after another.

About 70%, and most of them are first-year students.

Everyone joined the club because they watched the anime Euphonium and thought the characters were cool.

"I see. Coincidentally, the teacher has also watched that animation. Since everyone likes it so much, let's learn from the steps in it and have a democratic vote as well."

Fujii Itsuki said this lightly, picked up the chalk, turned around and wrote two large characters on the blackboard: [National Competition] and [Leisure and Happiness].

Matsumae Shinchun raised her head and saw the heavy pressure on the four sharp words "National Competition".

"Like the teachers there, I can choose both options. You can work hard or use the club as a place to have fun and learn happily. The director will then help count the votes, and everyone can make their own choices and vote democratically."

After saying this, Fujii Itsuki walked down from the podium, and the students below the stage whispered to each other anxiously.

Matsumae Shinharu could feel everyone's inner uneasiness and anxiety.

The teacher is really cunning.
Using animation as an excuse, they also used the tricky method of "democratic voting".

This seemingly fair approach does the exact opposite for students.

Because we are all students, most of the time we don’t have our own ideas or independent thinking.

In fact, from the moment we enter kindergarten, we are destined to be always carried forward by our parents, schools, society, and the collective opinions.

Everyone lacks a clear direction and is afraid of being separated from the group.

Everyone just goes with the flow and just wants to be “getting by”.

The [minority] must obey the [majority]. And among the [majority], there are actually only one or two people who have clear ideas and goals.

Aoyama Shoko replaced Fujii Itsuki, stood on the podium, clapped her hands, and signaled everyone to be quiet.

"Then we will follow the teacher's instructions and start a democratic vote. The first ones to start are the students who want to participate in the national competition. Students who want to participate in the national competition, please raise your hands."

Amidst the endless silence, Jiuhuayue and Yangkui Chitose raised their hands firmly again.

And behind them who raised their hands firmly was Matsumae Shinharu.

Aoyama Shoko was a little surprised. Why did Matsumae, a new member of the club, do this?

After that, two more students raised their hands, and finally a few more students raised their hands slowly.

"The final result is - seven votes."

Aoyama Shoko glanced at him and then looked away. "Next, students who don't want to participate in the national competition, please raise your hands."

As soon as the words fell, the air became silent for an instant.

Matsumae Shinchun saw that the girl who had spoken before wanted to raise her hand, but she was hesitant and kept hesitating.

Until the end, she didn't dare to raise her hand to vote.

Not only her, but also some classmates who have no confidence in the national competition.

Without anyone taking the lead, no one will choose to be the first to take action.

No one wants to offend anyone.

“0 votes.”

This time, no one rejected the goal of participating in the national competition.

Even Shoko Aoyama was surprised. Excluding her, the number of people who abstained was as high as 14.

Fujii Itsuki walked back to the podium and faced everyone calmly, "Then the next goal of the wind band club has been determined."

He turned around and drew a big cross on the line of words [Leisure and Happiness].

The two straight lines seemed to completely erase this idea from the minds of everyone in the wind band.

This made most of the students feel uncomfortable.

“Our goal is to officially participate in the national competition.”

After the words were spoken, there was a sparse applause from the audience. Fujii Itsuki also applauded, congratulating the club for achieving this goal so democratically.

He continued:

"Then I will start training for the club. I know that when this goal is set, everyone may be happy, uneasy, or still have objections in their hearts, afraid to face the competition, and think that everyone can't go that far.

“These are all understandable emotions.

“But everyone was still willing to stay in the wind band club despite the previous incident, which shows that everyone still has some aspirations and dreams for wind music and themselves. What if they enter the national competition? What if they accidentally win the gold medal?
"Everyone wants to be able to play great music, be cool, and attract attention, right?"

Fujii Itsuki's expression was cold, and his smile turned into calmness.

"First of all, I want to pour a bucket of cold water on everyone here. In fact, according to the current situation of the Tachibana North Wind Band, the fact is most likely just as everyone is worried. After all our efforts, we were not able to enter the national competition, and we were not even selected for the Hokkaido competition.

"Because in the current Jubei, the first-year students have no formal practice in the first two semesters. The second-year students are also mostly lazy during this period, and I am afraid that they have completely forgotten the previous techniques and methods.

"How can we face the results of his school's training day and night?

"The final result we may get is that all the efforts and training we have made during this period are in vain and meaningless.

"Does everyone understand this situation?"

"."

These heavy words made the atmosphere in the club depressing to the extreme.

We already lack confidence. Why do you have to say something like this to discourage us?

Fujii Itsuki's eyes swept over most of the students who were looking down at the stage.

“But I want to ask, is this really meaningless?”

The calm tone began to rise.

“Humans are mortal, so life is meaningless?

"Our coming into this world is essentially meaningless?
“Those competitors who tried hard and fought hard in the past but ultimately lost in the competition were also meaningless?

"No, that's not right. Absolutely not right!"

Fujii Itsuki raised his head, placed his right hand on his heart, and raised his voice.

“We are the ones who give meaning to these things!
“Even if we fail in the end, even if we are forgotten in the end, even if we get nothing in the end, during this period, we can at least be worthy of ourselves! We have our own goals, we have our own efforts, and we have our own companions!

“We may fail and regret, but many years later, when we recall today, we will remember that we at least had a goal we wanted to work hard to achieve! We at least have a group of companions who have shed sweat and worked hard together, and a group of companions who have worked hard together for this goal!

“We worked hard together, fought together, and the friendships we formed during this period, isn’t that meaningful?
“Youth is doomed to failure, and the youth of most people is doomed to failure!

"But during this period, we fought for it, and our common experience of moving forward was the youth that we, a group of losers, truly had!
“We are worthy of our ideas! We are worthy of our actions! Because we have tried our best and tried our best!

“Why do we still smile when we look back on this failed experience many years later? There is no other reason, it is just because we ourselves are the ones who can give true meaning to this youth!”

Applause, sparse applause.

Then the applause gradually became clearer and warmer, and finally filled the entire classroom.

Everyone was looking at Fujii Itsuki on the stage.

Fujii Itsuki smiled and clapped for everyone, then opened his hands and signaled everyone to be quiet for a while:
"Besides, that was the case when we failed. What if we didn't fail? Wouldn't we have a more wonderful experience? Everyone wants to be praised, noticed, and praised by everyone, right? Then, we have to work hard for it and persist for it! I, the teacher, will also do my best to help you during this period.

"I'm asking you all again, the current goal of our Orange North Wind Band is—"

"National competition!"

"Your answer is too slow and not in unison. Let me ask again. Our current goal of the wind band is—"

"National competition!"

All the girls, everyone answered in unison, and then there was another round of applause.

National Competition
While Matsumae Shinchun was clapping, he noticed Jiuhuayue.

Although Jiuhuayue was only clapping gently, her eager and longing eyes towards Fujii Itsuki told Matsumae Shinchun that the situation was not that simple.

How strange. Why does Yue look at Mr. Fujii like that?
Chitose too
*
After the club was temporarily disbanded, the students around me were still discussing the goal of entering the national competition.

Everyone is worried and afraid, but after hearing Fujii Itsuki's speech just now, more people are thinking, "As long as you practice with all your strength, you won't regret it."

Yue.Yue is like this too?

After Fujii Itsuki left the classroom, Matsumae Shinchun chased after him and called out to him at the corner of the stairs.

"Teacher Fujii!"

Fujii Itsuki turned around and saw the girl in the sailor suit walking down the stairs quickly in her small leather shoes. She came in front of him and bowed slightly.

Matsumae's politeness really makes people feel happy both physically and mentally.

"Matsumae-san, what's the matter?"

Matsumae Shinchun looked at Fujii Itsuki's face and felt extremely safe staying by his side.

"Teacher Fujii, I came here mainly to ask about Yue."

"Jiuhua? What do you want to ask?"

"I saw the way Yue looked at you, teacher."

Fujii Itsuki understood, "Didn't Jiuhua tell you?"

Matsumae Shinharu shook her head.

"Remember the story between me and the professor that I talked to you about before?"

"Of course! I won't forget it! Mr. Fujii, your relationship with your mother is really enviable."

Fujii Itsuki smiled, "That's it. Jiuhua also knows about this. She told me that she wants to be the 'student' in my heart and realize her dream of standing on the podium of the national competition for me and for herself."

Matsumae Shinchun's heart trembled when he heard this, "How could it be?"

"Jiuhua is a very lonely child. She has always treated me as a friend in private. Even though I am a little confused about why she has such a firm idea, I can understand her more or less."

"Then Mr. Fujii, do you agree?"

Matsumae Shinchun was a little anxious, not only because of her relationship with Jiuhuayue, but also because of the identities of teacher and 'student'.

She didn't expect that Yue She would want to become the teacher's student after learning about this relationship.

"This is her idea, and I can understand her. There is no reason not to agree."

How could this be? Isn't this the relationship between my mother and Mr. Fujii?

This is obviously something only I know.

This is clearly my own secret. The relationship between my teacher and my mother.

She joined the wind band club so quickly because she wanted to keep up with Teacher Fujii.

She wanted Mr. Fujii to be her 'professor'.

And Yue was actually one step ahead of herself.

Matsumae Shinchun became even more anxious.

If Xiaoyue becomes closer to Mr. Fujii through this relationship, then what should I do?

Not only will I be unable to communicate with Xiaoyue, but I will also not be as close to Mr. Fujii.

After what happened that day, she realized that she really needed Teacher Fujii.

Whether Mr. Fujii is teaching me or chatting with me, it can make me feel calm.

No, it cannot be like this.

After a long period of thinking, Matsumae Shinchun's expression became gentle and calm, and then he looked at Fujii Itsuki seriously and solemnly:
"teacher!"

Because of the girl's gaze, Fujii Itsuki became more serious, "What's wrong?"

"I also want to work hard to become your 'student', Mr. Fujii! Not only for you, but also for my mother, to help you realize your regrets!"

Fujii Itsuki: “.?”

(End of this chapter)