Chapter 1

Winter is supposed to be over but the cold is still unbearable, it's the first day of school and I'm wearing my new winter uniform that is too cute for a serious and stoic person like me. Today, I'll be attending a high school that is popular for its band, I don't really care about other people but since this school's band never fails to win the Regional Competition, then I'm guessing the members are serious enough about the competition. That's right, that is exactly what I need, passionate band mates that will be with me at the Nationals. After all, you cannot perform in an ensemble alone. As much as I hate it, I need other people to accomplish my goal, to become special.

While thinking about the new band I'll be joining this year, I reached my new classroom. Class 1-A, an advanced class consisting of intelligent students, it's not a surprise that I'm here since I got the highest score in the entrance exam. Just because I'm pursuing the music industry doesn't mean I'll let my grades drop, I need to study hard too, it's a part of being special.

When the bell rang, the teacher started taking attendance. But it's not just that, she told us to introduce ourselves too. What a pain.

My new classmates introduced themselves, some tried to be funny and cute, and there are even some who took about 10 minutes to do it. It was so boring I could die.

"What the hell? Just say your name and that's that."

"Kousaka Reina" After hearing my name, I stood up.

"Yes. I am Kousaka Reina"

After that simple introduction, I sat on my chair. I didn't even say the usual "Nice to meet you" to the class, well it wasn't really nice meeting them and I don't lie.

As expected, the class starts murmuring. They're probably saying bad things about me but I don't care, I just want this to end.

"Ding dong"

Finally. I walked out of the classroom. I can finally go to the music room.

I want to play my trumpet already. This time, I'm going to play with strong willed people.

"Did you really think we could make the nationals?"

A sudden feeling of irritation. I can feel it, the anger building inside me once again.

Why is it that when I try to be optimistic I suddenly remember things like this?

I can hear my band mates cheering. They are really happy, it's the district competition and we won gold. But that's just it, we got gold, we didn't make the Regionals.

"We got gold!" "I'm so happy!"

What the hell? Are they crazy? Is getting gold our goal in here? No, it's not! This isn't what we promised to accomplish.

Damn it, it's so irritating it made me cry, it's so irritating I could die.

"Kousaka-san?" You're happy enough to cry, huh. Congratulations, we got gold."

As if she intended to put salt in my wounds, the girl beside me congratulated me.

I'm not the type to complain but..

"I'm upset. I'm so upset I could die. Why are people happy when we didn't even make it? Weren't we shooting for the Nationals?"

"Eh? Did you really think we could make the Nationals?"

Wha-

Horrible. Horrible, horrible, horrible!

If she planned to upset me even more, then she succeeded.

"Aren't you upset? I'm upset, I'm totally upset!"

Ah, I was a mess that time. I'm usually calm and collected but I think I've thought of hitting her back then.

I can't help but blame people like her who are not serious about making it to the nationals. I did my best, but it was just me, other people are just playing for fun, they weren't even thinking of advancing to the next level.

Playing for fun? Making memories? Do that somewhere else.

A competition is for people who are committed to what they do.

When I arrived at the music room, I saw the upperclassmen guiding the freshmen. They are mostly just evaluating the newcomer's skills though, since this is a popular band, most of the new entrants are already experienced.

"Attention! For you freshmen who want to join us, kindly go to the section leader of your desired instrument section and fill out the application form."

Trumpet, trumpet, Ah there it is!

"Kousaka-san?"

That voice. No, it can't be. It can't be, right?

"It really is you, Kousaka-san. Well, you are really good, it's expected that you're here"

"Oumae-san"

"Ah, I'm so glad to see a familiar face here. I thought I'm the only person from our middle school that came to this school"

Huh? What is this girl saying? She didn't know I'm here?

"I gave a speech earlier at the opening ceremony."

"Eh? You were the first year representative?! I didn't know! I was late today, it sucks! My alarm clock was broken. "

As expected from this girl. Laid back as ever.

And why the hell is she here?

I didn't want to have a long talk with her so I didn't ask.

"Is that so?"

"A-ah, yeah"

She might have felt my disinterest in our conversation. I walked towards the trumpet section without saying anything. She's the last person I wanted and expected to meet here. Just why is she here?

While filling out the application form, I can't help but glance at the bass section. The girl I never wanted to see is there, holding the euphonium while chatting with the other new first years.

You're supposed to practice you know.

But I see now, so she already made friends with the others, it must be the reason why she's here. To play friends while doing her hobby. People like her really disgust me.

"Okay everyone! That's it for today, practice starts tomorrow! Please be careful on your way home!"

So we're not gonna practice today. What a pity. I packed my things and started walking.

"Kousaka-san!"

Eh? Am I hearing things?

"Kousaka-san!"

Looks like I'm not. Walk, don't look back.

"W-wait! Kousaka-san!"

Walk, walk. You didn't hear a thing, Reina.

"Kousaka-san! Are you doing this on purpose?"

She's right behind me. So the pretending-i-didn't-hear-her thing didn't work huh.

"What do you want?"

"You're going home right? Let's go together"

"Why?"

"Eh? Just because."

That's not really a reason but whatever.

"Do what you want"

I walked silently while she's behind me. I don't really get people like her, you're being upfront about not wanting to have anything to do with anyone and yet they're still reaching out to you.

"Ah, you two!"

I looked behind me to see the source of the voice. Oumae-san did the same.

"Asuka-senpai" Oumae-san uttered.

I remember this girl. She's the bass section leader. I think.

"Good thing I caught up with you guys. I made a silly mistake, letting the first years to go home early when there are still so much things left to do"

"Things?"

"That's right! Fun things!"

"Waaa really?!" Oumae-san said excitedly.

"Really! Now let's go! Come with me"

I had no choice but to follow the two euphonium players, I didn't even had to chance to say a word and yet here I am, walking back to the music room.

'Ta-dah! Let's move these heavy instruments back to the storage room!"

Ah. Seriously? So this is what I get for associating with the laid back Oumae-san. I mean, it's not like I'm not up for it, I am a freshman and I'm supposed to help with works like this but there's just three of us here and we are all girls. I don't really think we can carry these instruments.

"What? You call this "fun things" senpai?"

"That's right! We are going to spend our time with these instruments. Isn't that fun, Oumae-chan?"

"Fun? Aren't you just saying that to make us do all these work for y-"

Oumae-san immediately stopped herself from talking. It was too late though.

"Haha that's so rude, Oumae-chan! But don't cha worry! Just because I'm a senpai doesn't mean I'll let you do the job alone! We'll do this together!"

"R-right"

I started moving the instruments. Listening to their banter wouldn't make this work finish faster.

"See? Even your little friend is enjoying this! Now now, let's get to work!"

Ahhhhhhhhh that was so tiring! Other freshmen have already gone home and yet the two of us are just on our way to the station, sweating and really tired, it was really unfair.

"Ah! That was so tiring! Asuka-senpai was so unfair, right?"

I looked at the girl beside me. She really likes to blurt things out. I don't think it's a bad thing though.

"Yeah, but it's our responsibility too"

"Waaa"

"What?"

"You spoke to me."

"Yeah. So, what?"

"Ehehehe. Nothing, I just thought that you hate me or something"

"Well, I can't say you're wrong about that"

"Ehh? You're hurting me here Kousaka-san"

"I…."

"Hmm?"

I don't really like talking to this girl. She's the very reason I came to this school, with the hope of meeting people that are complete opposite of her. But it seems like fate is never on my side. Did she come here because this school is popular? Because the uniform is cute? Or is she's chasing someone, her crush maybe?

I just can't think of any good reason why she came to this school. And she even joined the band. For what purpose? This is none of my business but..

"Ah-"

"Kousaka-san?"

Curiosity kills but still, I want to know.

"Why are you here?"

I may have asked that to myself a hundred times already.

"Huh?"

"Why are you here? Why did you come to this school? Why did you join the band?"

Tell me, I want to know. Your reason may just disconcert me but I still want to know. Hoping to make the Nationals is out of the question, right?

"Why, you say. Because I want to make it to the Nationals"

"….."

If this is a dream, mom, dad, please wake me up. This nightmare could kill me.

"Huh?!"

"Huh?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"Eh? I'm not, though. K-kousaka-san? Are you alright?"

EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?! Is this girl serious?! No, no she's probably just joking. There's just no way!

"I-I am asking you seriously, Oumae-san"

"I know. Do you think I'm making fun of you?"

"Yes! What you just said didn't make sense at all. Making it to the nationals? Are you serious?! At the middle school district competition, you asked me if I seriously thought we could make the nationals. And you're saying that now?"

That may be the longest line I have ever said to someone.

"Oh, that. You still remember it, Kousaka-san?"

What the hell. I took it too seriously you know. That was a big deal for me. Terrible. This girl's personality is really terrible.

"Oumae-san"

I am running out of patient.

"Maybe you consider playing at the band as just a hobby but there are people who are serious about it, you know. You may not know it, but some of your band mates are planning to pursue the music industry. Their future is on the line"

"Kousaka-san, I don't know what you think of me but just like you, I want to make it to the Nationals too. I have always wanted that to happen. Have you ever seen me slack off on our practices? Never, right? Because you were too focus on yourself. "

Yeah, I actually never paid attention to my band mates. I was naïve to think that if I did my best, then everything will be alright.

"Back then, I am aware that we have band members that are just doing band for fun. That's why I never expected to make it to nationals, or even just the regionals. I misunderstood you, though. I really thought you were happy about getting dud gold. Ehehe"

It's not sinking in. I just can't accept those words. I hated her a lot, to the point of thinking of hitting her. But I misunderstood everything? She desires the same thing as mine?

Oumae-san walked towards me. I don't really know what she intends to do but I can't move, I found myself enthralled by the sight of her face getting closer and closer to mine until we were inches apart. Her lips then formed a delightful smile.

"Let's make it to nationals, Kousaka-san"

"R-right"

In that very moment, she caught my interest. I always thought that people are boring that's why I never try to understand them but..

"Ah! It's really cold. I will take a bath right away when I got home. Let's go Kousaka-san!"

This girl is interesting, after all.