"So, what are we doing, Senpai?"
Mizuto, who had changed into a gym uniform, asked Mizure who his "Senpai" was and also the only Oboe player in the club. On the way to the field, he happened to meet her, and he thought of warming up their relationship by asking her some questions.
"Hmm..." Mizore fell in silence for a while, then shook her head. "I don't know. I am sorry."
"...it's okay. You don't need to apologize." Mizuto shook his head and knew that this "Senpai" of his was kind of... pushover and weak, so there was no need for him to be afraid of being bullied by her. Instead, considering how cute she was, it should be her who should be afraid that he might bully her.
Yet, he had to say, the girls in the concert band were pretty high-level.
Even his "Senpai," Mizore, was a fair girl with straight, medium-length blue hair with bangs that were cut evenly and cherry-red eyes.
"Still, are we practicing for the Nationals?"
"No, we're practicing for the SunFest."
"SunFest?"
"SunFest or Sunrise Festival is a spring marching band festival in which school bands from the local prefecture gather to perform in a series of marching band performances for the general public. Although the festival is not strictly a competition, it is still very important for schools to perform well, as it can establish the public's impression of each school's musical caliber."
Suddenly, a Wikipedia-like explanation came to their ears, causing them to turn and see a beauty with glasses passionately explaining what the SunFest was.
"Irido-kun, as a concert band club, I am unimpressed that you don't know such a basic thing," Asuka Tanaka shook her head while making "tsk, tsk, tsk."
"Thank you for your explanation, Senpai." Mizuto knew Asuka Tanaka as this young woman was that upperclassman who was kind of naughty and played a prank when he visited the concert band club for the first time. She was also quite assertive and quite bold as she would link her arm against his shoulder, pressing her ample breasts against his body.
Still, he felt that this young woman should have been waiting for him, which made him wonder whether she had something to talk to him about.
"...."
Still hearing his answer, Asuka was speechless. "What a dull response." She glanced at Mizore and wondered whether Mizuto was affected by her. "Nevertheless, can you play an oboe? It is the most difficult instrument to play, and more importantly, it is expensive!"
"How much is it?"
"Mizore, what is the average price of an oboe?" Asuka looked at Mizore for an answer.
"Hmm..." Mizore fell in silence for a while, thinking for an answer, then said, "At least... 800,000 yen, but for the best, it should be around one million yen."
"So expensive!" Asuka was dumbfounded, but she also understood why people rarely played an oboe.
Not only was it expensive, it was also the hardest to play!
For someone who wanted to learn a wind instrument, choosing other instruments was more cost-effective, Asuka thought.
"It should be okay." Mizuto nodded. "Can you recommend me which store I should visit, Senpai?" Nevertheless, he felt slightly complex since the price of the oboe was similar to the price of Tsubaki Akashigata's virginity.
Compared to the musical instrument, Tsubaki's virginity was cheaper somehow as she offered him to pay her 100,000 yen before, which made him think that this world was rather fuck-up.
"Hmm..." Mizuto fell in silence for a while, but Mizuto never urged her. "...the best should be in Kawaramachi."
"Okay, I will visit there later."
"You are going to buy it right away?" Asuka was even more dumbfounded.
"I have said that I will bring the instrument tomorrow, so I will do it."
"...you are, really." Frankly, Asuka wanted to say that Mizuto shouldn't be a burden for Mizore, but watching how serious he was, she realized that her worry was meaningless. Instead, she became worried about him since she knew that this guy would buy the musical instrument right away.
'Even though you are a newbie...'
How could one have such confidence even though this guy had never played a musical instrument?
Whether Asuka or Mizore knew that this guy was a layman, someone who had never played an oboe, the hardest wind instrument to learn, yet why was this guy so confident?
Frankly, they felt a bit jealous of his confidence.
While this probably wasn't Mizore's character, especially with how passive she was when she thought that Mizuto might buy the wrong oboe, she couldn't help but say, "...do you need my help?"
Mizuto looked at Mizore in surprise and asked, "Is that okay?"
"...it's okay." Mizore nodded softly. "The oboe doesn't play on the SunFest."
"Really?" Mizut raised his brows, then asked, "Then, what are we going to practice?"
"Be the color guard or guard." Asuka once again interjected. "For your information, it is the section of the marching band that tosses, spins, and twirls objects in sync with the band's music. The most common objects used by color guards are flags and rifles, although guards can also use sabers (swords), pom-poms, ribbons, batons, and rubber balls. Members who play instruments in a concert band that cannot be used for marching, such as an oboe, like Mizore, will join the color guard in the marching band. The Kitauji colorguard uses pom-poms and flags in their parade at SunFes.
"By the way, I will be the drum major, the student leader of the marching band. I will set the tempo and keep time, either by using a specific conducting method designed for marching bands or by using a large baton and whistle in parades. Sometimes, it is a combination of the three."
Once again, Asuka explained to her Wiki-like explanation, and she was so excited to explain to Mizuto since unlike others, who ignored her, Mizuto listened to her carefully.
"Oh, since you are a guy, you can't play unless..."
"Unless?"
"You do a cross-dress." Asuka looked up and down at Mizuto and said, "You know? While your build is strong, you are pretty slender. If you dress up like a girl, I am sure that you will be beautiful."
Yes, Mizuto was tall for his age as he was 184 cm, and probably he could grow even taller, yet even so, Asuka could imagine that he could become a beautiful girl.
Mizore didn't say anything, but she also stared at Mizuto.
"No, I am sorry. Even if it's for the club, I won't throw my dignity as a man. I will be honest and just help with the logistics, carrying heavy things or something."
"Wise choice." Asuka nodded, but she couldn't hide her disappointment, as she couldn't see Mizuto in the female clothing.
Similarly, Mizore had the same expression.
Nevertheless, Asuka's doubt of him had disappeared since even if the training might be pointless and wasteful for Mizuto, he didn't complain and was ready to follow the training with everyone even if, in the end, he would just help the others to carry the things.
"If you understand, then I will leave you. Take care of him, Mizore. Ciao."
Asuka then quickly left since there were still many things she had to do, leaving Mizuto and Mizore alone.
"Then, please take care of me later, Senpai."
"Ah, yes."
Even so, Mizore was still as stiff as ever.