stonecrandall Page 555
Page 555
Moreover, based on his understanding of Hui Li, he knew she probably wouldn't take the initiative to invite him.
Hmm:
3
Nagase Tsukiyo's long eyelashes fluttered slowly, her lips slightly twisted, and her tone was rather melancholy.
"Haru-niao has already teamed up with someone else. As for Eri, she hasn't come to find me yet; she's probably already—"
"Huili is waiting for you to invite her, don't overthink it."
Kitahara Hakuba interrupted her without any room for argument, saying, "If you want to participate in the event, you'd better hurry up. Some instruments are in high demand, and the bass section might be sold out today."
Nagase Tsukiyo's eyes widened slightly. She didn't understand why Kitahara-sensei's words sounded so natural, yet they seemed to be the truth.
The only thing that Mr. Kitahara knew was that "Eri was waiting for her," which, in other words, meant that he and Eri had talked privately again.
Why chat in private? Why always chat in private? Why? And what are they talking about?
"Nagase-san?"
Seeing that she didn't speak, Kitahara Hakuba said in a gentle tone,
"Is there some unspeakable reason? Or is it that you can't let go of your pride?"
"I
1
Faced with his blunt words, Nagase Tsukiyo was speechless, his voice seemingly cut off by an invisible gate, hanging in mid-air.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend Nagase-san."
Kitahara Hakuba took the initiative to explain.
"I just feel that there might be something you've been keeping to yourself, something you didn't say to them on the ferry at the national conference. Forgive my bluntness, but is it something you can't quite grasp?"
Tsukiyo's throat trembled slightly, as if some force was futilely pushing outward from within, a burning sensation of language system utterly shattering, spreading up her neck.
She did have something to say, which was that she hoped her good friend would maintain respect and distance from Kitahara-sensei, and not forget her own identity.
In reality, even Nagase Tsukiyo herself couldn't do it, so what right did she have to ask her sisters to do it?
Completely conflicting emotions were tug-of-war within her, and Nagase Tsukiyo herself didn't know what to do next.
Nagase Tsukiyo subconsciously turned her slightly flushed face away, like a pampered wife hidden away in a golden house, not letting others see the expression on her face. "Hmm." Kitahara Hakuba smiled slightly.
"Ah, time flies! Well then, I wish Kitahara-sensei all the best for the future~"
They left after exchanging a few words.
Kitahara Hakuba refocused his gaze on Nagase Tsukiyo, whose long legs, covered in thermal stockings, were taut and straight beneath her skirt.
I can't see her white socks anymore. Does she not wear them in winter?
Unfortunately, he had Eri.
"If you trust me, I'll help you form a team, okay?"
"Misunderstanding? This..."
3
Nagase Tsukiyo held her neckerchief in one hand, her soft little mouth opening and closing repeatedly.
"Is this really a good idea? Could there be others behind our backs...?"
"It's okay, everyone is a lovely student in my eyes."
Kitahara Hakuba revealed his usual gentle smile, a smile that could make every girl in the school swoon and feel their hearts flutter.
“Sometimes Nagase-kun overthinks things. Anyway, is there anything you want to play? I personally think you could try different styles.”
Nagase Tsukiyo was momentarily speechless. Her soft lips, like flower buds glistening with morning dew, silently spoke of the pure and vibrant beauty of a young girl.
"Then I'll listen to whatever Kitahara-sensei says."
The girl could feel her ears heating up rapidly when she said those words.
Kitahara Hakuba nodded and said:
"No need. Actually, I also have a little personal reason. What do you think we should blow for Christmas?"
Nagase Tsukiyo's upper lip was outlined with two delicate, almost symmetrical curves, and the corners of her lips were slightly upturned as she spoke:
"What does Kitahara-sensei think?"
"So, am I really the one who has to answer this question?"
"That one, uh-huh?"
Nagase Tsukiyo gripped her arm hesitantly. She just wanted to know what Kitahara-sensei liked to hear before compiling her own answers. (The latest chapter has been published.)
"It's okay, don't worry about it."
Kitahara Hakuba laughed.
"Don't you think it would be better to play a jazz ensemble at Christmas? The saxophone is perfect for that occasion."
"Jazz ensemble? I thought it was piano."
Nagase Tsukiyo's eyes sparkled as she smiled, her hands clasped together beside her face.
"By the way, speaking of which, I really like 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,' I wonder if anyone will play it."
But amidst Kitahara Hakuba's smile, she raised her hand, smoothing a strand of hair, and said...
"Sorry, I've gone a bit off-topic, but playing jazz on the oboe is a very difficult thing."
Because the oboe is not a traditional jazz instrument, its distinctive tone and stable pitch conflict somewhat with the "swinging" and improvisation that jazz music seeks.
Furthermore, the oboe is a C major instrument, but jazz scores are mostly in B-flat or E-flat major, so in most cases, it needs to be rearranged.
However, Kitahara Hyakuma smiled dismissively and said:
"If the oboe is by Hui Li, there shouldn't be any problem."
From a team perspective, this is good news, but for some reason, Nagase Tsukiyo doesn't feel comfortable and can't be happy at all.
"Who are you looking for, Mr. Kitahara?"
"kindness
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Kitahara Hakuba rested his chin on his hand, pondered for a moment, and then said...
"Usually, what you're doing is a melody line, but jazz needs to be paired with a rhythm section. If it were an orchestra, there would be many more options, but right now we can only choose the piano to handle all the harmonies and rhythms."
"Yes."
Nagase Tsukiyo also lowered her brows in distress, but what troubled her was the choice of person.
Although she didn't particularly like jazz, she could accept it since Kitahara-sensei liked it.
She tilted her head slightly, thinking about the best pianists in the orchestra, but she couldn't think of anyone better than her.
What
Isn't there one right in front of us?
Nagase Tsukiyo's face flushed slightly, and she asked, her tongue moistening her lips:
"Teacher Kitahara, I've thought of someone."
"Hmm? I also thought of someone."
Kitahara Hakuba raised his hand, scratched his cheek, and chuckled.
"Although this is not fair to everyone, we are not going for the concert, so we don't feel any pressure."
"kindness!"
Nagase Tsukiyo nodded happily, her little emotions hard to hide; she wasn't a girl who was good at pretending.
However, the person Kitahara Hakuba then named left her momentarily blank, unsure how to respond.
"Teacher Shinomiya".
Nagase Tsukiyo's fingers repeatedly tugged at the hem of her pleated skirt. When she heard that surname, her breathing involuntarily became rapid.
Something sharp shot up from the heart and quickly spread to every part of the body.
In her mind, she recalled something similar that Saito Harutori had said to her before: "We should unite, not hurt each other. We only have one enemy."
"Don't worry, although her piano playing isn't as good as mine, it's still passable."
Kitahara Hakuba thought she was worried about Shinomiya Haruka's piano skills, but anyone who has studied music theory can basically play the piano.
Nagase Tsukiyo's body was tense, and she could only nod with a smile:
"But wouldn't that be too much trouble?"
Kitahara Hakuba looked directly at the girl's face and asked softly, "Don't worry, she's easy to get along with."
Nagase Tsukiyo's gaze drifted to the side, looking somewhat dejected, her entire face conveying, "That's not what I think."
"White Horse!" At this moment, the ferry director, wearing a heavy black overcoat, stood at the office door and called out, "Come here."
"coming."
Kitahara Hakuma passed by, saying...
"I have time today and will arrange it for you right away, but if you still prefer to come yourself, please don't feel embarrassed."
You must say it out loud. `1′4~k￠a·n¨s~h!u!.,n+e!t·”
"kindness."
Nagase Tsukiyo nodded, standing still as he watched him walk into the office, but the thought of collaborating with Kitahara-sensei's girlfriend made her head spin.
Upon arriving at the office, Director Ferry pulled Kitahara Hakuma to the window and offered him a glass of warm water, saying:
"Hakuba, why haven't you gone to see Lady Nagase yet?"
“Well,” Kitahara Hakuba raised an eyebrow, took an awkward sip of water and said, “I’ve been quite busy lately, the brass band is going to participate in the Red Brick Christmas Dream Festival.”
“When I went to see her today, she scolded me. She thought I was deliberately not telling you.”