Generally speaking, most larger high schools in Japan offer a wide variety of clubs. With ample funding allocated to extracurriculars, many clubs are able to participate in competitions—and the concert band is one such example.
That afternoon, after classes ended, Ichin and Utaha made their way to the music departnt to find the teacher in charge of the concert band.
Seeing Ichin walk in, the music teacher smiled and said, "Ah, Ichin-kun, I heard from Hiratsuka-sensei. You want to have the concert band try playing a piece of music? Sothing you composed yourself?"
"That's right. Though it's still just a rough draft, it'll need quite a few revisions before it's ready for the band to perform."
Without wasting ti, Ichin took out the sheet music from his backpack and handed it to the teacher. "This is a piece I plan to use in a ga. I'm thinking of making two versions—one instruntal and one with vocals. I'll be needing your help for both, sensei."
The music teacher didn't say anything at first and began reading through the score.
"Huh… I originally thought this would be sothing simple or amateurish, but this is surprisingly good." Looking up at Ichin with mild astonishnt, the teacher asked, "You really learned all this on your own?"
Ichin nodded with a smile. "I had so ideas in mind, so I studied the basics to turn those ideas into sothing tangible. But as for how it'll sound when perford… I can't guarantee anything. I don't play any instrunts myself."
"No need to be modest—you've done a great job."
As he spoke, the teacher picked up a guitar nearby. Glancing at the sheet music, he began to play.
As the teacher in charge of the concert band, of course he could play instrunts—more than one, in fact.
Listening to the lody being played, Ichin couldn't hide the smile forming at the corners of his lips.
anwhile, Utaha, who hadn't said a word the entire ti, was undoubtedly the most surprised. She didn't know much about composing, nor was she particularly good at singing—but she had listened to a lot of music over the years.
And what the teacher was playing now was undeniably impressive. It felt like it would fit perfectly in a ga.
After a simple run-through, the teacher picked up a pen from the desk and asked, "Mind if I make a few adjustnts? I think there are a few spots that could be fine-tuned a bit."
"Sure—where exactly?"
And just like that, the two of them launched into a detailed discussion about the piece.
Utaha watched them without much reaction. Quietly, she took a seat nearby, pulled out a book on screenwriting, and began reading.
Half an hour later, Ichin and the music teacher reached a consensus on their collaboration. The teacher agreed to help with the arrangent and later coordinate with mbers of the concert band to record both the instruntal and vocal versions. As for vocals, Ichin would have to find the singer himself.
When it ca to the concert band, the teacher spoke proudly. "We may not have won gold at the national level, but in the Kanto region, we've been among the top three for years. So you don't need to worry about the quality!"
As for compensation, they agreed to talk about it later once the arrangents were done. Since they were all part of the sa school, there was no need to rush.
Once everything had been settled, Ichin added the teacher on LINE, thanked him, and then left with Utaha.
Outside the school gates, Utaha clung to Ichin's arm, her gaze fixed on his face.
Ichin turned to et her eyes and smiled. "What's up? You've been staring at nonstop."
Utaha didn't respond at first. She reached up and gently patted Ichin's head before finally speaking softly.
"I was just wondering what exactly you've got hidden in that brain of yours. These past few days, I thought you were just casually studying so music theory—but I never expected you'd already written a full piece. And it's actually good. Are you a genius or sothing?"
"What else could it be?"
Ichin shalessly admitted, then took her hand off his head, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of it.
"No need to open up my head—I'm afraid even if you did, you wouldn't be able to use it to make roasted brain. But if you really want to try it, when we go back to my hotown for the New Year, I'll take you to get so. Wait—actually, if it's brain dishes you want, you probably won't find the most authentic stuff in Shanghai. Better idea—next sumr, we'll take everyone to Sichuan. That's where the real deal is."
"Brain…?"
Utaha had learned quite a bit about Chinese culture recently—especially the food. Ichin had even made her watch so of those bizarre food videos, and "brain" was one of the more infamous dishes that stuck with her.
The mont she heard the word, a clear look of discomfort appeared on her face.
"I think I'll pass on that one… I don't think I can handle it."
"Seriously?"
Ichin laughed at her rare expression, clearly enjoying it. "That stuff's amazing, you know. Super delicious. Don't co crying to later when you see us eating it and feel left out."
Even though she'd seen the videos, and even though the people eating it seed to genuinely enjoy it, Utaha couldn't quite shake her doubt—especially with how greedy Ichin looked right now.
"Is it really that good…?"
Maybe she'd send a video to Auntie tonight and ask her about it.
After all, everyone had already agreed during their chats that they'd have Ichin take them on a trip to Sichuan next sumr—mainly to see the pandas. And once they were there, they'd definitely be trying all the regional specialties, including things like brain and spicy rabbit heads.
Yep… Utaha figured she'd need so ti to ntally prepare for that.
---
Two days later, Friday.
Ichin went to the music room to et the teacher, and finally received the two arranged versions of the song.
After reviewing them from beginning to end, he couldn't help but say excitedly, "Sensei, can we go to the concert band room now?"
"Sure, let's go."
The teacher smiled. "There aren't any competitions coming up right now, so I've just been having them practice on their own to keep in shape. Your piece will be sothing fresh for them."
And with that, the two of them headed off to the band's clubroom.
Today, Utaha didn't co along—she had an appointnt with the publishing house that afternoon to et with staff from Kyoto Animation to discuss details about the ani adaptation.
The ani script for _The trono in Love_ was well underway. After detailed discussions with Utaha, the scriptwriters at Kyoto Animation had finalized the direction of the project. Several episodes had already been written, and production for the first episode was already in progress. Utaha was gradually getting busier by the day.
When Ichin and the teacher arrived at the concert band room, all the students were present and practicing under the lead of the club president.
This was Ichin's first ti watching the band rehearse, and their performance was honestly better than he expected. While they might not be at a fully professional level, the difference wasn't too far off. These were clearly talented students—so of them might even pursue this as a career in the future.
So of the practicing students began to notice Ichin walking in with their teacher. Recognizing him as a well-known figure in the school, many of them were visibly curious about what brought him to the band room.
Five minutes later, the current practice session ended. The music teacher clapped his hands and stepped up to the conductor's podium.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down for a mont. I've got sothing to announce."
...
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