Near the end of the school day, an announcement was made on the intercom for the students in the competition to go to the Music Department’s music room after school. As I neared my destination, I encountered the three music bodyguards from the previous day.
“Well, miss general student,” bellowed the leader, “You were lucky that Azuma showed up yesterday, but we’re ready for your debut. Think he’ll still ‘like’ you after he hears how horrible you really are?”
“Likes me? But we just met yesterday,” I blushed.
“Are you serious?” the bodyguard shrieked, “You mean you don’t know anything about him?”
I shook my head. The bodyguards’ shocked reaction was overwhelming. Their eyes grew wide and if their hair could stand straight up, it would have.
“He’s from a wealthy family of flower arrangers,” declared the main girl.
“He’s top of the class,” stated the girl to the right.
“He’s so polite and well reformed!” exclaimed the other girl.
Their list of all his wonderful qualities seemed to be endless. My imagination soared about how wonderful he was and pictured him asking me out. My thoughts were interrupted with the head girl pointing in my face.
“You don’t even know Azuma! How dare you be in the same competition as him!” she concluded.
“What’s going on here?” came Mr. Kanazawa’s voice from behind the bodyguards.
“Hey Refi!” Kazuki shouted from beside him.
The girls turned and we saw Mr. Kanazawa walking down the hall; Azuma was also with them. The girls plastered smiles on their faces at the sight of him.
“Nothing,” the Bodyguards chuckled, “Nothing at all.”
With that, they took their leave. Kazuki and Mr. Kanazawa gave the girls puzzled looks as they ran for the stairs. Kazuki then rushed to the door that we were all headed for and opened it to let me go in first, who knew gentlemen still existed?
Inside, there were three other students already waiting. Strangely enough I recognized all of them from my encounters from the previous day. The girl that the Bodyguards were picking on, the drowsy boy that I tripped on, and that edgy blue-haired boy.
Mr. Kanazawa casually leaned against the desk in the front of the room and addressed us in a very disinterested tone, “Well, the principle said I should at least meet everyone, so we’ll go around and introduce ourselves.”
“Um, I’m Shoko Fuyuumi, first year in class B and, uh, I play clarinet,” the girl started.
Everyone then looked to the curly haired boy beside her. He yawned while rubbing his eye. He sounded just as drowsy as yesterday; I wondered if that boy ever slept at night or if sleeping was all he know how to do.
“My name is Keiichi Shimizu. I am a first year in class A. I play the cello,” he stated.
“The name’s Kazuki Hihara! I’m year 3, class B and I play trumpet!” Kazuki exclaimed.
Azuma let out a soft chuckle, “I am Azuma Yunoki, also year 3 in class B and I play the flute.”
“Hm. I’m Len Tsukimori in second year class A and I play violin,” asserted the blue haired boy.
So he played violin. That explains everything; I didn’t know many violinists that didn’t have ego problems and looks like he was no exception to my observation.
Then it was my turn to introduce myself.
“Hi, I’m Refi Chan. I’m a second year in class 2 and I’ll be playing the harp,” I announced.
With everyone presented, Mr. Kanazawa continued his unenthused explanation, “Well, the competition will be divided up into four Selections. You will be ranked in each one, earning points which we’ll use to determine the finalist. Each Selection will have a theme. You can choose any piece you want, but it has to be based on the theme. So your interpretation is important as well. You’ll need to strengthen your musical comprehension before each Selection. Then most importantly, you need to enjoy yourself.”
