Dear Reader,

I was inspired to write this by the third short story, "That Girl is a prodigy" from "The Secret Story of Kitauji High School's Concert Band". It really made me feel for Aoi and made Asuka an even more compelling character to write.

My work runs parallel to Kumiko's second year covered in the Second Movement light novels/the Oath's Finale Movie. The prologue also starts directly after the fourth short story in "True Stories from the Kitauji High School Concert Band", though with some very minor changes. If you would like to read the original works by Takeda Ayano, there is a fan translation of story and the Second Movement light novels by Team Oumae on wordpress.

I intend for this to be a full length work, though there may be an upcoming hiatus due to other commitments. It is a fairly serious attempt at writing, so any feedback on prose, tone, voice, pacing, et cetera, is welcomed.

I will be referencing various music pieces the characters play throughout the work. Listening to them is not necessary, but I think it would former a clearer picture since describing sound is fairly limited.

Currently, the update schedule is tentatively set for Thursday or Friday each week. Though it will be variable due to chapter length and the completion of my other work.

Regards,

Horace

13/3/2021

Prologue: Chance Encounters

Saito Aoi wondered what to make of Kyoto University's Concert Band. They had thrown together a semi-impromptu performance outside the matriculation ceremony hall. It was a strange sight; the incoming students in their almost identical black blazers and pencil skirts watching their seniors play brass instruments in their jeans and hoodies. The high notes of a trumpet resounded from the stage but failed to carry far. Every now and then, one of their trombonists would miss a note, though no one else seemed to notice as they clapped along.

"They are quite something… aren't they?" Ogasawara Haruka whispered into her ear.

It had been an unexpected coincidence seeing Haruka again. She did not go to Kyodai, being accepted instead at the nearby Doshisha University. It was a private institution that ranked consistently second to third in Kyoto prefecture, trailing Aoi's school. Despite their impressive performance and greater wealth, they were a smaller university. Without a concert band circle to join in her own school, Haruka was forced to explore other options.

Visiting Kyodai on their matriculation day was a bold decision. She stuck out of the crowd, dressed in her usual pastel hoodie and plaid skirt. It was hard to imagine the Haruka she had known for most of high school doing something like this by herself. Aoi hesitated to say she knew her intimately. They had spent three years together in the saxophone section, but she could not claim to have seen all her sides. Maybe Haruka's later experience as president moulded her into a more confident person. She felt a twinge of melancholy, realising that she would never know the answer to that firsthand.

Aoi felt her gut tense up slightly as she struggled to find a reply to Haruka's question. After watching Kitauji's spectacular performance at the national competition last year, the idea of picking up music again had been in the back of her mind. She planned to take her time, confirming the likely choice on her own, just to be sure. While Haruka's familiar presence was nostalgic, even comforting, still being friendly with each other, it placed pressure for an immediate response.

"They seem… fun?" Aoi said with a polite smile.

The other girl nodded along, seemingly unsure of what to say as well. While it was a filler answer, buying more time to think through her feelings, it's accuracy was undeniable. The band members' elated expressions and energetic movements as they played had a strange kind of allure. It was reminiscent of the Rikka High School marching band's performances but much less organised.

Where there was something left to be desired was in the quality of their music. The Kyodai band's rendition of the Radetzky March had spirit. But it was hard to overlook the occasional missed notes and the disjointedness of some of their sections. The brass instruments even sounded nasally or raspy at times, grating Aoi's ears. It seemed hypocritical to judge them, considering Aoi had quit the band as a relatively mediocre player.

"Reminds you a bit of when we first played as an ensemble last year, right?" Haruka laughed.

Aoi raised her eyebrows, confused by her statement. It was hard to interpret it as anything other than a jab at them. Or perhaps she had brought that up as one of the last common experiences they had together.

"I'm pretty sure they are much better than we were," Aoi replied, trying to be generous.

Haruka's cheeks flushed slightly as she brought her hand to her mouth. "I didn't mean to be rude. I did say it was only a bit similar."

Aoi suppressed a small giggle at Haruka's bashfulness. It was probably impossible to change that part of her personality. "I suppose they don't get that much time to practice either, with everyone having different schedules in university."

Kitauji's former band president had one hand on her cheek, occasionally pushing back her right twin tail over her shoulder. "Is this what you were looking for? A chance to have fun with the occasional performance."

Aoi hesitantly twirled her braids. That was precisely what she had wanted for Kitauji's band after their second year. But graduation brought on a new perspective. Earlier in the week, the freshmen's fair showed her the school's wide range of circles. While it reminded her of the vast array of possibilities, it was also impossible to do all or even most of it. With the amount of time required to keep up with her studies, whatever recreational activity she chose had to be meaningful.

"I'm not saying that they're bad," Haruka had taken her contemplative silence as a signal that she said something wrong. " Their spring break just ended. They're probably pretty good if they can play this well without much recent practice."

"Well, I guess not everyone can do twentyish hours of rehearsals a week like in high school," Aoi said, trying to accommodate Haruka. "They're probably lucky if they can get eight or more."

After their second repetition of Radetzky March, the Kyodai concert band changed to a brass rendition of I Want You Back by the Jackson 5. It suited their image and style more than a classical concert march, though some of their flaws were still apparent. Aoi struggled not to curl up her shoulders as the shrill alto saxophone notes leapt almost haphazardly through the air.

"They seem to have a really wide repertoire, though. We could only really manage a few pieces at a time." Haruka's gaze seemed to grow more distant as she pondered how they operated. "I wonder how they manage their practice between competition pieces and music their members want to play for fun."

There was an unconscious tilt of her head as Aoi watched Haruka deep in thought. Their musical accuracy and overall sound of the band were the only things that she had focused on. Haruka had not changed much outwardly, but her time leading the band had left its mark.

Aoi let out a nostalgic chuckle, dragging Haruka's thoughts back to the moment. "It really is different from high school, isn't it?"

"Only the top university bands or those from music colleges normally have advisors. This band is probably like most other circles, entirely student-run with a bit of funding from the university."

Haruka had definitely been researching her options. While Kitauji was like most other high schools, their extracurricular clubs being student-led, they still very much relied on their teachers like Taki-sensei for music choice and direction. Now that they were ostensibly adults, they would have to manage on their own.

"I don't think Kyodai's band has an advisor," Aoi mumbled.

"Of course not! You can hear it in their music!" A familiar, boisterous voice said from behind.

A shiver reverberated through Aoi's body, causing goosebumps to break out all over her arms. Haruka was just as stunned, her eyes locked on the person behind Aoi. There was a flicker in her expression, her gaze transforming from an awed shock to an elated gleam.

"Asuka!" Haruka looked as if she had to resist the urge to hug her friend. Not that Asuka would have accepted her embrace, even if Haruka were unabashed enough to commit to it.

"Yo! Long time no see, Haruka, Aoi-chan." Tanaka Asuka chirped as she adjusted her red-rim glasses.

"Asuka …" It was supposed to be an uneventful matriculation. "You go to Kyodai too?"

She looked stunning despite wearing the same generic business clothes as the rest of the first years. "Of course." She said casually. Only Asuka could take going to Kyoto University for granted.

"I thought you were going to Tohoku?" Haruka's words only added to the confusion. Aside from Kaori, she should have been the first to know about Asuka's post-high school plans.

"I guess I did say that." Asuka laughed. "Changed my mind. I couldn't bear to be away from Kyoto," Her voice was laced with her usual extreme amounts of energy. How she talked about changing universities so casually was a mystery to Aoi.

"Why didn't you tell us on the ski trip? Are you still going to do economics? Have you told Kaori yet? Her school is nearby across the river."

Haruka's barrage of questions was stemmed by Asuka with a playful smile and a hand wave. Even her closest friends seemed to be completely unaware of her change in plans. It was an enigma if a sweeping decision from her was supposed to be expected. Aoi was even more distant from her despite also being classmates throughout high school. She had always carried this air of perfection and mystery, bordering on being artificial at times. The only glimpses of imperfection were with her family life, but that would be out of anyone's control.

A cheer erupted from the crowd, breaking the flow of their conversation. The Kyodai band launched into a brass rendition of Thriller by Michael Jackson. They really did love their western music. Or at least someone in the band did, having proposed these songs as part of the repertoire.

"Awful, aren't they?" Asuka's bright expression completely contradicted her words. It was the slow shaking of her head that made it all coherent, reinforcing her disdain.

"Asuka!" Haruka protested, placing her index finger on her lips.

"It'll be fine. They can't hear us. Besides, look at how engrossed everyone is."

Aoi winced again as one of their trumpeters made a slightly botched attempt at a high note.

"Going to nationals really drove your standards too high," Haruka said with a slight pout.

"Are either of you going to join them?" Asuka asked.

Aoi shuffled in place, unsure of how to answer after Asuka's scathing remarks.

"We're thinking about it," Haruka replied on Aoi's behalf. "Doshisha doesn't have a band circle, so I had to look for an inkare one."

"You really want to continue, huh? Going out of your way to look for an intercollegiate band. Want to be president again?" She responded with a sly, teasing smile.

Haruka jumped, squeaking out a reply. "No—no! I just want to play the sax."

"Well, I guess we don't really have a choice," Asuka said, subtly confirming her intent to join despite her criticism. "The Kyodai orchestra is the one with most of the funding and serious musicians. I suppose everyone else had to go somewhere."

"Eh? Not even you managed to join?"

"They only needed one euph, and that slot was already filled by a senior." She replied with a shrug. "And that was them being generous. They said they really wanted another tuba instead. Oh, and they don't have any saxes in their ensemble."

"So we really don't have a choice then," Haruka mumbled.

"You can always check out other universities. I heard Ritsumeikan has a pretty decent concert band."

"Don't you want to play together again?"

"If you want to," Asuka said, shrugging again. "I don't want to be responsible for any rash acts of love."

How Haruka could just sigh at such grandiose words was another puzzle to Aoi. Perhaps she was too amicable for her own good. Or too used to Asuka's antics.

"Haruka, does that mean you've decided on joining?" Aoi said, seeing a lull in their back and forth.

"Probably, if they'll let me. Do you think they have auditions?"

"I doubt it," Asuka said, still unimpressed by their performance. "If you can play an instrument, it'll probably be enough."

"Really?" Aoi said. She found it hard to tell if Asuka's continued energetic tone was meant to be a sarcastic contrast to her words or if it was to motivate Haruka. "The march they played earlier was pretty good."

Asuka shook her head, her expression becoming serious. "Maybe compared to a rushed performance for a high school. They're probably decent musicians, but their mistakes make it obvious they don't practice much. Especially since Radetzky March is an easy piece."

"Isn't it supposed to be more difficult than the Marine's Hymn we played?" Aoi responded.

The bespectacled girl remained confident in her opinion. "Taki-sensei tricked us on that. The Radetzky March is just a straightforward melody. And they aren't playing it that fast. Sure, it sounds impressive, but if you've got enough loud brass instruments, you can make any march sound impressive. The arrangement of the Marine's Hymn we played had a call and answer section with different instruments. Its way harder to do that smoothly."

It seemed that very little had changed since Aoi had quit the band. Asuka was still the most well-read on music theory. Though her bias was evident. The more complex the piece was, the better it was to her. Not that Aoi was in any position to comment since she knew far less. She could still see why just playing a straightforward melody only scratched the surface of what a band could do.

"Doesn't that make all marches easy?" Haruka said, still unconvinced.

"Kind of… The feelings you're trying to convey are simple. Makes it hard to overlook their mistakes. It's not like they need to give it any flair, so there are really no excuses." Asuka's arms were now folded, her expression finally matching her almost dismissive attitude. "The hardest part of most marches is probably playing a good countermelody. That, and a good baseline."

It was no surprise she would add that last part as a euphonium player. "So, what's a difficult march then?" Aoi asked.

Asuka rubbed her chin, pondering the question. "Not counting just having a really fast tempo? It's not popular in Japan, but I think Colonel Bogey is a good example. Unlike the Radetzky March, it has a consistent countermelody that has to harmonise."

Aoi had never heard of that piece before. Military marches were uncommon at performances in Japan. Besides some famous compositions, most by Sousa, or performances by military bands, most concert bands only played symphonic marches.

"I don't think Rikka would agree with you on marches being easy," Haruka said lightly. "When did you become such an open critic?"

"I was always like this." She said playfully.

Kyodai's band finished their music set and moved to an information session with potential members. Aoi turned towards the stage, pondering how she should approach them. Before she could settle on anything, a blond-haired girl began to wave at her enthusiastically. Her hesitant response led to the girl pausing her conversation and hastily making her way over.

"Is she a delinquent?" Asuka pondered.

"A-su-ka!" Haruka chided. "You shouldn't just judge someone like that."

"I know… but short blond hair and three piercings in each ear?" Asuka continued as the girl made her way through the crowd. "Aoi-chan, do you know her?"

"Kind of…" Aoi would have agreed with Asuka's assessment if she had not run into her by chance earlier. "She's also studying literature. But I only met her half an hour ago."

"Aoi-chan!" The girl yelled. Her dyed hair was still a little gaudy, but it took on a beautiful gold gleam in the spring sunlight.

"Kyouko-chan," Aoi responded shyly as the girl finally broke through the last of the crowd.

"Come meet my senpai! She's the trumpeter that played just now. They're looking for tons of new experienced members." Itou Kyouko's energy was almost overwhelming, turning Aoi's cheeks red.

"I guess that means you're definitely going to join?" Aoi asked, trying to calm her down by lowering her own voice.

"Of course!" She continued, not following her cue. "Are these your friends? Are they from the Kitauji band too?"

Haruka nodded politely while Asuka gave her an exaggerated thumbs-up.

"Fantastic! You guys must be excellent, getting to nationals last year instead of Shudai-Affiliated High." Kyouko swiftly pivoted on the balls of her feet and led them towards the outdoor stage.

Haruka drew closer to the other two as they filtered through the thinning crowd. "Don't mention that I used to be the president."

"Of course," Aoi replied with a warm smile, hoping to assuage some of her anxiety.

"Why? You think they will feel too threatened to let you in?" Asuka added playfully, making Haruka puff up her cheeks in protest. "Why did she mention Shudai-Affiliated? Is she from there?" She continued as they neared the stage.

Aoi silently nodded. She was unsure how hung up Kyouko was about their failure at the Kansai competition last year. Though she tried to be amicable around Aoi, meeting the president of their band could make it too difficult. Asuka seemed to get the message, miming zipping her lips shut with her fingers.

"Chiyomi-Senpai," Kyouko said, waving down a girl with medium length chestnut hair. "I've got three more people who want to join. They're really strong musicians."

It was a little overzealous to say they were intent on joining or that they were adept at their instruments. Except for Asuka, who practised ruthlessly, honing her natural talent for the euphonium, she and Haruka were probably above average at best. The senior trumpet player paused her conversation with other prospective members and moved over to them. Her casual blue dress swayed in the breeze as she kept her trumpet clutched tightly in her left hand.

"A second-year student?" She said, looking at Haruka in her pastel blue hoodie. "I'm Anzai Chiyomi, but you can just use my first name."

"I'm actually a first-year student," Haruka said bashfully.

"Oh…?" There was a visible confusion on her face as she tried to process why Haruka was not in formal wear.

"Anzai-san," Aoi interrupted, bailing Haruka out of an awkward interaction. "Does the band already have a lot of new members?"

"Close to a dozen," Chiyomi said, looking up in thought. "There are three of them over there." She pointed back towards the new students she had been talking with. Picking up on the hesitance in Aoi's tone, she gave a more energetic follow-up. "That boy and the girl with glasses have been playing the tuba since junior high; the taller girl is a trombonist from Rikka."

Her words were an attempt to entice them into joining by promising they would be playing with other experienced musicians. Though it was only partially successful, with the other members' awkwardness putting a damper on things.

The girl with glasses was somehow even shorter than Aoi. She looked on with an almost blank expression as the other two attempted conversation. The girl from Rikka was tall, beating even Asuka by a few centimetres. Her medium-length raven hair swayed in the breeze while she maintained a deadly serious expression. Aoi could not get a good look at the boy, but his stiff posture made it clear he was not having the best time.

"Aoi, are you paying attention?" Asuka asked, tapping on her shoulder.

Aoi shook her head and bowed slightly in apology, returning her attention to Chiyomi.

"Don't worry," Their senior said with a cheery smile. "I was just telling Tanaka-san that we have openings for most instruments. What do you play?"

"Tenor Sax," Aoi replied.

"Ooo," She replied excitedly, "A tenor and baritone sax, and a euphonium as well. The band is going to be really well rounded out this year."

Despite Chiyomi's welcoming words, there was a flicker in Asuka's expression that only those familiar with her would have caught. "Is the band's composition normally imbalanced?"

"Some years. It's hard to find players for less popular instruments who want to continue at university."

"What about teaching new students who are interested in joining?" Asuka continued.

"We don't really get that many," Chiyomi said, clasping the nape of her neck in mild embarrassment. "There's always a big crowd, but most of them are interested in the performance instead of joining."

"So how do you teach beginners?" It felt like Asuka was leading the conversation somewhere with her question on the band's operations.

"They mostly learn on their own or ask one of the seniors for help. They've got almost four years to do it after all."

Aoi was starting to get where Asuka was going with this. Though she was not one for pushing people along with insane expectations, the Kyodai band's laissez-faire attitude was almost too far in the other direction. She knew that university culture was very independent, unlike the structure of high school, but it was a wonder that anything got done. Perhaps in casual circles that were entirely recreational, it was a simple matter. She could hardly imagine how that would work for a band. Though it somehow did since they were able to perform coherently in public today.

"How does that affect competitions?" Asuka's words caused Aoi and Haruka to hold their breaths.

"We don't really go for competitions." Chiyomi gave them a sheepish smile. "If we think we're up for it we'll try. But we never get past the Kyoto preliminaries."

Much to their amazement, Asuka continued nodding along with a cordial expression as if their senior's words had no effect. Though Aoi knew her mainly from a distance throughout high school, it was clear that she was putting on one of her masks. Haruka's slightly concerned look was all the confirmation she needed.

"I see," Asuka replied. "As long as we get the chance to play our instruments, right?"

Chiyomi nodded along enthusiastically, happy to have a new recruit. It was difficult to discern why Asuka was still willing to join such an uncompetitive band. Though Aoi realised that she was just assuming Taki-sensei's influence would have made everyone in Kitauji highly competitive. Even after she quit, it did affect her from a distance as she watched them compete. It was why she was contemplating joining a band again at all. Could Asuka still be the same after all that? Just content with a place to play her euphonium and ignore the drama around her like in their earlier years?

"Aoi-chan," Asuka said, interrupting her train of thought. "You're joining too, right? Since this band is just for fun. You'll make lots of good memories."

Something about the way Asuka spoke to her seemed amiss, though Aoi chalked it up to a combination of the façade she was putting on and her usual exaggerated personality. Maybe it was an attempt to subtly vent her displeasure at the lacklustre band to her former schoolmates. Aoi gave Chiyomi a polite smile and nod to confirm her intent to join. Her decision was not permanent anyway. She could always quit before the month's trial period ended or even after. Although, she was not sure what else she would do for a hobby besides play the saxophone.

"Umm," Haruka said as the attention turned to her. "can students from outside Kyodai join? As an intercollegiate member?"

"Ah…" Chiyomi finally realised why Haruka was in her casual clothes. "I'm sorry. The student union can only fund us if all our members are from our university. If not, we would have to charge high fees on members to make up for it."

Haruka immediately became despondent. While she had not been committed to the idea of joining Kyodai's band before this, Asuka's appearance had surely got her invested in the idea. She and Haruka were friends because of their proximity in band, and not particularly close ones at that. After Kaori, and perhaps Kumiko, Haruka was the person who was closest to Asuka.

"I understand," Haruka said, straining herself to maintain and even tone. "It's not a problem." She turned to Aoi and Asuka, forcing a smile. "You guys go on without me. It was a longshot after all."

Aoi felt another twinge of familiar melancholy, watching Chiyomi bow politely to Haruka. Although the circumstances were different, they felt strangely similar. Like she was watching a different version of herself quit the band, or in this case, being denied entry. Aoi had no idea what to do or if she could even do anything at all.