Chapter 87 Competition
"Hey, Qinglai, do you think Mr. Fujii is quite handsome?"

"Yeah, he's quite artistic, wearing half-frame glasses, and he gives off a very gentle vibe when you talk to him."

"Come to think of it, there are quite a few girls in our class who like his class."

"Same."

"Is Fujii still teaching at our school's wind orchestra? In January, I often saw him running on the playground with the students in the wind orchestra."

"Yes."

"Then he must be able to play a musical instrument! That's great, and he's young, only 26 years old. He got a full-time job at Jubei at the age of 26, so his salary must be good."

"You want to chase him?"

"I'm single anyway, but—"

There was a pause for one second.

"Muzi, Muzi."

"what?"

Akai Muzi came back to her senses and looked at the two colleagues and best friends in front of her.

"What do you think of Fujii?" Usami Tamaki, the physics teacher from the next class, put down her chopsticks, supported her face with her hands, and was full of anticipation.

"Why are you talking about him suddenly?" Akai Muzi forced a smile and put the cherry tomato in the lunch box into her mouth.

"Muzi, you are still single, right?"

"Yes."

"Is Fujii single too?"

"Yes." Akai Muzi replied.

"That's perfect!" Usami shouted, "Muzi, your workstation is right next to him. You are usually closest to him. Muzi, don't you have any feelings for him?"

"To him? What can I think?"

"Muzi~" Usami narrowed her eyes, as if she had seen something, "You hesitated!"

"No." Akai Muzi laughed, "If you like him, you can probably pursue him without worry."

"Don't lie. A person's eyes and tone will betray you! I took psychology as an elective in college!" Usami waved her hands, "Besides, I'm not the kind of person who would secretly take over my best friend's boyfriend."

"Then how come you're a physics teacher? I really don't have any."

"Qinglai, Qinglai, please tell me."

Class B's homeroom teacher, Mizuno Kiyora, had a calm, see-through expression, "It's obvious that Muzi has a crush on Fujii."

"ha--?!"

Akai Muzi couldn't believe it, "How did you two come to this conclusion?"

"Muki, didn't you notice?" Usami asked.

"Discover something."

"When you were chatting with Mr. Fujii, you always had a smile on your face. Normally, you had no expression and looked lifeless."

".Is there?"

"If you don't believe me, ask Qinglai!"

Mizuno Qinglai took a small bite of rice and nodded, "I confirm."

Akai Muzi seemed uninterested, "That's probably just your illusion."

Usami didn't believe in evil and she would never agree that she had seen it wrong.

"If you don't want Fujii, then I'll go after you!"

"Just go ahead." Akai Muzi seemed not worried at all.

"You think it's impossible for me? Why do you act like you know him so well?"

"I never said that."

"Don't you think Fujii is quite handsome? He's also very gentle."

"Handsome? Just so-so, but much better than before."

Akai Muzi answered casually, but suddenly, her chopsticks stopped in mid-air.

She realized she had let the cat out of the bag.

When I looked up, my two colleagues' eyes were full of gossip.

"Muzi~Are you hiding some stories from us~"

Akai Muzi: “.”

"I don't understand. I don't understand at all!"

Usami Tamaki kept shaking her head.

"Muzi, are you a supporter of Plato?! I really don't understand you. You've been in a relationship for so long, but you've never even kissed?!"

"Do you have to kiss when you're in love? I didn't think it was a big deal at that time. We went to school together, went home together every day, and went to the park together on weekends to practice musical instruments. We lived a very comfortable life every day."

"Muzi, what were you thinking when you broke up?" Mizuno Qinglai was more curious about why Akai Muzi chose to break up.

"."

Akai Muzi was silent now.

Mizuno Qinglai heard something from her past stories and analyzed:
"According to what you said, you and Fujii got along very well. Every day after school, you would go to the bank of the canal to practice playing together. You were also very close. You knew each other's preferences and were inseparable. So why did you break up so easily?"

"It's simple, Qinglai! This relationship must be too important to Muzi, so she chose to simply break up. Otherwise, why didn't she dare to meet him when she broke up?"

"."

"You got it right?" Usami Tamaki lowered her voice.

Akai Muzi suddenly felt a little regretful. She shouldn't have told them about this just because of their shameless gossip.

This will also have an impact on Fujii.

Usami Tamaki saw her worry and said calmly, "Don't worry, Qinglai and I won't tell anyone about it."

"It's all in the past. How long has it been now? Do you think I still have feelings for Fujii?"

“That’s hard to say~”

"Let's not talk about my thoughts for now. Even so, do you think Fujii will choose someone who abandoned him again?"

"As a man, just chase her. Get yourself drunk, throw yourself into his arms, and ask him to take you to the hotel. Then you see what he will do."

Akai Muzi closed her eyes and replied, "He will take me home."

Usami's eyes widened, "Is this true? Fujii is so upright?"

"He won't take advantage of others' misfortune." Akai replied.

"Can this be called taking advantage of someone's misfortune? This is clearly proactively paying for it."

“From his perspective, that is.”

Be quiet for a while.

"Muzi, I really think you should think about this. Fujii is single now. You have been in a relationship before and you are familiar with him. Who knows him better than you? You know his needs better than anyone else."

"."

"The Suspension Bridge Effect, you know the Suspension Bridge Effect, right? There is always work pressure in society, and we teachers are even more so. When he wants to drink, you go with him and accompany him well. Do you think he won't be grateful to you?"

"."

Usami Tamaki said it very clearly, "Men always hope that someone will give them a caring hug one day, so just be that gentle person."

Akai looked at her bestie, "Then why haven't you found a boyfriend yet, Xiaohuan?"

"Come on! Who among Japanese men likes female teachers nowadays? They all think we are too smart, boring and hard to fool~"

The quiet Mizuno Qinglai added: "I am more concerned about why Muzi chose to abandon Fujii, who got along well with her, and go to the United States."

"Dreams," she replied.

“Dreams of the clarinet?”

"Yes."

"Dreams don't come out of nowhere, they come from inner desires and beliefs about the future. Muzi, what's your source?"

"."

What is the source of dreams?
Akai Muzi frowned.

She can't remember clearly.

Her family was not very well off. Her parents divorced early and she has always lived with her mother.

Mothers in single-parent families work very hard. Akai Muzi still remembers that her biggest wish when she was a child was to make her mother work less and feel more at ease.

Her mother could tell what she was thinking of her.

My mother was also very happy that I could think of her like this.
But my mother often said, "Muzi, you should think more about yourself. Mom is old. In fact, my biggest wish is not for you to restrain yourself and stay by my side all the time, but to see you become happy and have your own happiness."

As for what exactly is your own happiness?
She never thought about it
I have no idea.

It wasn't until she entered high school that she met a guy who came out of an orphanage but was extremely outstanding.

This guy was abandoned by his parents when he was young and grew up in an environment even more difficult than his own.

But he never complained about his life experience or his parents who abandoned him. All he had was the motivation to move forward that he couldn't understand.
This guy is very good at studying and always comes out on top.

This guy is extremely talented and always excels.

This guy is also unique and is always the first to stand up when faced with something unfair.

It should be said that Fujii was an extremely conspicuous and eye-catching person when he was a student.

Of course, in Japanese society, such people are usually not sociable.

This guy has almost no friends because he doesn't care much about the ways of the world.

As a result, I had the opportunity to contact him.

He and he are both members of the brass band club of Futaba High School.

Daily club activities helped the two get to know each other better.

Therefore, I have a bigger question:

"Why, Tree, can you do this?"

After two years of being together, she asked him the day before she confessed her love.

Akai Muzi still remembers how Fujii Itsuki answered at that time.

He lay on the lawn by the embankment, facing the sunset and feeling the breeze.

Just like the refreshing summer breeze, his answer was so clear and straightforward - "Just for myself, for my dreams."

It was because of Fujii's words "for my own dream" that I had the idea to fight for my dream.

I, at the beginning, admired Fujii who could work tirelessly for his dream.

"Akai? Akai?" Usami Tamaki woke Akai Muzi up from her distraction again, "Have you figured it out?"

Have you figured it out?

Akai Muzi didn't laugh, nor did she answer immediately.

She continued to eat her lunch from her bento box.

When Usami Tamaki was really curious, she answered:
"Fujii."

"Huh?! What did you say, Fujii?"

Akai Muzi looked down at the lunch box she made for herself, "The root of my dream, or rather the cornerstone that forces me to act for myself, comes from Fujii."

This answer made Usami Tamaki and Mizuno Kiyora look at each other in bewilderment.

The two were so shocked by these words that they were completely speechless.

*
The school dismissal time on Friday at Jubei will be earlier than usual.

Naturally, this is also a time for the wind band students to practice. Today they will officially start the ensemble to lay a solid foundation for the Nakajima Festival in May.

Jiuhuayue came to the music classroom carrying a trumpet box.

The sun is shining brightly, and the sea in the distance is splashing with dazzling golden flowers.

She stood at the door of the classroom and turned to look at the coast of Otaru City not far away.

The girl's hair was blown by the wind.

She wanted to return to Otaru because of the quietness here.

This place indeed holds the best moments of my past.
Jiuhuayue was still thinking about what happened at noon.

Why did I feel empty inside when I heard that the uncle was moving away? Wasn’t I angry with him?
Could it be that in her heart, she actually hoped that he would not leave her side?
She raised her right hand and looked.

Why did I secretly hold him that day?

Jiuhuayue doesn't like indecision.

At this moment, after she understood her inner struggle, she realized that she was still reluctant to give up the uncle's idea.

Yes
Even though I was disappointed with what he said, I still hoped for some additional explanation so that I could find a reason to forgive him.

What I expected more was that I had misunderstood him.

Jiuhuayue couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

She suddenly felt like she had become the kind of girlfriend who, when faced with the mistakes made by the person she liked, would still choose to try to improve their relationship.

Is the uncle someone you like?
No, it doesn’t count. It definitely doesn’t count.

He is just my friend, and I just don't want to lose this good friend easily.

I secretly shook his hand that day, just out of friendship.

That's it.

"Chitose-chan! You're here!"

A voice came from behind.

Jiuhuayue turned her head in the direction of the voice and saw that in the corridor, Chitose Yangkui, who had just arrived on this floor, was hugged by Riro Sasahara.

Chitose Yang Kui smiled and joked with her about some things that only girls would say, and also discussed some things about the formal ensemble that would be held today.

"Chitose, I'm so nervous. I feel like I'm going to perform poorly and get scolded by Mr. Fujii. Do you feel that way, Chitose?"

"I'm fine, and isn't Mr. Fujii very gentle?"

"No, no! Everyone privately says that Mr. Fujii is a 'smiling devil' who always says those horrible things with a smile!"

"Teacher Fujii is doing this for our own good."

"Only you, Chitose, can withstand Fujii-sensei's training~ Chitose-chan has become more and more powerful since your last mistake."

The two walked towards Jiuhuayue while discussing.

"Last time, it was because I was in a bad mood those days. As for these few days——"

Yang Kui Chitose smiled, glanced at Jiuhuayue who was standing in the corridor enjoying the sea breeze, and said to Sasahara Lilo:

"My mood should be described as super~~happy!"

Sasahara Riro didn't notice the look from her friend at all, her eyes sparkled, "Could this be the secret to why Chitose-chan doesn't get nervous! Just stay happy!"

"Yes." Yang Kui Qiansui withdrew his gaze and didn't even look at Jiuhuayue.

"Chitose, then I! Then should I——"

"For a Loli, a teddy bear should be enough, right?"

Sasahara Riro was stunned on the spot, and then she clenched her fist fiercely, and in a childish voice, she hit Yang Kui Chitose on the back, and said the catchphrase that only the Yakuza would say with a red face:

"Tie, Tieba! Don't look down on me!"

"Haha~"

Jiuhuayue watched the two of them playing and walking into the music classroom.

She was not interested in their fight.

But the look in Yang Kui Chitose's eyes just now.

That's a provocation, right?

He didn't even look at me, with an attitude of a complete winner.

Without Qiansui saying anything, Jiuhuayue could imagine what Qiansui would say to her from a high position -

[You are just a loser, and you want to be Brother Shu’s student. Do you understand the weight of what you said?]
[What you said is a complete joke!]
[Little Jiuhuayue, there is nothing to be afraid of! ]
[it's so funny!]
calm down
Jiuhuayue forced herself to remain calm.

She knew that Qiansui was looking down on her.

To the point that he didn't even look at me even once.

She began to wonder if Chitose knew that she was angry with the uncle?

That's why Chitose took advantage of the situation and went to talk to the uncle about moving.

Maybe he said it to himself on purpose.

Bravo, Chitose.

Who do you think you are? Do you think you are a nobody?

Do you think so little of yourself?
Jiuhuayue was in a bad mood for a while.

Resentment and anger were brewing in my heart.

There are two types of people she hates the most.

The first type is those who look down on themselves.

The second type is those who use their eloquence behind others’ backs to cover up the achievements they should have made.

Although Qiansui does not meet the second criterion, she perfectly meets the first criterion.

She looks down on herself.

"."

Jiuhuayue turned to face the sunset, closed her eyes, and tried to calm her mind.

It is certain that I am angry with the uncle.

But she really wanted to be the uncle's student.

I have made a promise.

Before confirming the uncle's actual thoughts, she will choose to continue on this path.

And we can’t completely lose to Qiansui just because of something like this.

Otherwise, what am I?
It's just a ridiculous toy!

Jiuhuayue carried her trumpet box and turned around and walked into the music classroom.

*
Fujii Itsuki stood on the podium in the music classroom, facing the following members.

He looked around and glanced at his watch, thinking how early everyone was today.

It seems that after the last incident, everyone has attached great importance to the training of the wind band.
All the previous efforts were not in vain.

"Teacher Fujii, Teacher Fujii, Teacher Fujii!"

When Fujii Itsuki looked up, it was Chitose Yangkui.

She ran up to him and saluted him with her hands together.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fujii!"

He knew that his sister was being naughty, but he could only pretend that he didn't know her and nodded with a normal smile:

"Well, good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fujii."

This sound.
Fujii Itsuki looked over and was very surprised.

It turned out to be Jiuhuayue who was following behind Qiansui.

She bowed her head and saluted to him with a very correct posture.

But why did this girl come to talk to me on her own initiative?
Hasn’t he ignored me these days?
What surprised him even more was that after Jiuhuayue bowed to him, Yang Kui Qiansui's smile became noticeably stiff.

Although it was only a moment of stiffness.

"Jiuka-san is really polite!"

Jiu Huayue raised her chin proudly and closed her eyes. "This is basic etiquette."

"But I didn't see Jiuhua come to say hello the past two days. It's really strange. I wonder if Jiuhua's monthly salary ended early?"

"Compared to Yang Kui's unique way of greeting, I think it's better to be quiet. Hasn't Yang Kui noticed that every time you greet, a large number of people will come to see the teacher? This will cause trouble to the teacher instead."

Yang Kui Chitose was itching to say something, but since this was a music classroom, she couldn't say much. She hummed softly and went to her seat.

Fujii Itsuki was thinking about the irreconcilable relationship between the two and wanted to take the opportunity to say something to Jiuhua. But after Jiuhua took the initiative to salute, she said nothing and went to her seat.

The girl was still so indifferent.

Come to think of it, Jiuhua has been practicing in the club for the past two days, right?
So is she angry with herself, or not?
Women are trouble.

Forget it, the fact that she is willing to say hello to me means that there is still room for their relationship to turn around, right?
He was a little uncomfortable in the morning without Xiao Jiuhua, who called him uncle with a stern face and asked him to quickly tidy up the closet.

Fujii Itsuki was too lazy to dwell on this anymore, as he had already figured it out.

I really didn't think it through that day. I was only thinking about what was good for Jiuhua instead of treating her as an independent personality.

It is necessary to apologize to Jiuhua.

When all the members of the wind band were present, he clapped his hands, signaling everyone to prepare to begin the last formal ensemble before May.

After the trilateral talks are over, we will start screening people.

Members of the wind band who can officially participate in the Nakajima Festival.

Fujii Itsuki turned his gaze to the faces of fellow trumpet players Jiuhua Yue and Yang Kui Chitose.
(End of this chapter)