After school.
Light Music Club.
Since the band didn't need to practice recently, Bai Qiu came to the Light Music Club.
The girls in the Light Music Club naturally welcomed him warmly.
However, it didn't seem like the Light Music Club had any intention of practicing either.
The comfortable environment, coupled with the hot black tea that Tsumugi-san served, and the seemingly high-end matcha cake.
Everyone unconsciously started to enjoy themselves.
"Ah! So comfortable!"
Ritsu Tainaka leaned back in her chair, her head resting on her hands, and lazily enjoyed the air conditioning.
The classrooms had been renovated due to the school merger, and air conditioning had been installed.
So, even next summer, the scene from the original story where everyone was unbearably hot and then changed into swimsuits in the classroom probably wouldn't happen.
"Working part-time is really tough."
"Mmhmm!"
Everyone, except Tsumugi, nodded in agreement.
"I really admire those who work part-time every day."
Bai Qiu sighed. Indeed, it was still best to write light novels at home!
"By the way, have we gotten our club funds yet, Ritsu?"
Mio Akiyama asked Ritsu Tainaka, looking puzzled. She'd heard that other clubs had already received their funding.
Logically, the Light Music Club should have gotten theirs too.
The delay in receiving funds was also one of the reasons the Light Music Club members decided to take on part-time jobs.
"Ah, well! Maybe our funds are just too much, so it's taking a little longer to process them."
Ritsu waved her hand dismissively, seemingly unconcerned, but also a little smug.
After all, she'd invited Bai Qiu to join the club, which meant they got even more funding.
"But I heard the Brass Band Club has already received their funds."
Mio Akiyama raised her index finger to her chin, explaining, "If we're talking about numbers, the Brass Band Club definitely has more members."
"Huh? Really?"
Ritsu Tainaka was slightly taken aback.
"So, we should still go and ask, Ritsu." Mio Akiyama reminded her, preventing Ritsu from slacking off again.
"Alright, alright, I got it."
Bai Qiu only learned about the lack of funds now.
"Wait a minute, you didn't forget something, did you?"
Suddenly, Bai Qiu thought of something and asked.
Everyone looked at Bai Qiu with puzzled expressions.
Ritsu: "Forget what?"
"Like the club establishment application, or the funding application?"
Bai Qiu wasn't sure if there was a funding application, after all, he'd never been involved in a club.
But he remembered in the original story, Ritsu had forgotten to submit the club application.
If the club wasn't even established, then there was no need to talk about funding!
"Ah! This... this..."
Ritsu Tainaka suddenly put down her relaxed hands and became inexplicably nervous.
"How could this be!"
Ritsu felt a little sweaty.
Bai Qiu and Mio Akiyama exchanged glances.
They seemed to understand something.
Yui Hirasawa and Tsumugi Kotobuki were still confused, their faces full of bewilderment.
Mio Akiyama suddenly stood up and walked towards an extra table in the classroom.
"Wait, Mio, what are you doing?!"
Ritsu Tainaka grabbed Mio Akiyama's leg with astonishing speed.
"I'm going to check the desk drawers."
"Stupid Ritsu, let go of me!"
Mio Akiyama struggled. Being suddenly embraced like this, with so many people around, made her feel somewhat ashamed.
"No, there's nothing to see!"
Ritsu, instead, held on even tighter.
She definitely couldn't let everyone see. Otherwise, where would her face be?
After everyone left, she would secretly hand it in, pretending nothing had happened!
Tsumugi Kotobuki's eyes sparkled; girls and girls were truly wonderful!
"Bai, Bai Qiu-san, please help me."
Mio Akiyama pointed at the table and asked Bai Qiu, who was closest, for help.
"No... no!!"
Ritsu Tainaka let go of Mio Akiyama and stepped forward, trying to stop Bai Qiu.
However, this time, it was Mio Akiyama who held her and prevented her from moving forward.
In the blink of an eye, Bai Qiu shouted,
"Give up resisting!"
"Ritsu-san."
Bai Qiu had already pulled out a few A4 sheets of paper from the desk drawer.
Among them, one was torn in half.
It's over, it's over!
He even demoted me from Ritsu-taicho to Ritsu-san.
Ritsu Tainaka lowered her hands, her face filled with despair, and gave up struggling.
Back at the tea table.
Several A4 sheets of paper lay on the table.
They were the Light Music Club establishment application and each member's application form.
And... Mio Akiyama's Literature Club application form, which had been torn in half.
This was Ritsu's doing, back then, to stop Mio from joining the Literature Club.
Everyone looked at the brand-new applications and then unanimously turned to Ritsu Tainaka.
"Ah ha ha ha! I didn't expect to have actually forgotten to hand them in... Ah ha ha ha..."
Ritsu Tainaka awkwardly scratched the back of her head and laughed.
"Really unreliable, you idiot Ritsu!"
Mio Akiyama said, annoyed, then reminded them,
"Remember to hand it in after school today!"
"I know, I know, leave it to me!"
Ritsu Tainaka patted her chest in assurance. Watching her, Bai Qiu and Mio Akiyama became even more worried.
Bai Qiu picked up the establishment application and looked at it, then his lips twitched. As expected...
"Wait, we're still missing a department advisor."
Bai Qiu pointed to a blank space that hadn't been filled in.
"Eh??"
"Do we really need a teacher?"
Ritsu Tainaka asked, confused. Shouldn't clubs be a place for students to have fun?
Everyone froze, their gazes turning to Ritsu.
"I was wrong! Waaah X﹏X!"
Ritsu Tainaka wailed.
Then, after a discussion, mainly guided by Bai Qiu,
they finally decided to ask Sawako Yamanaka, the grade's music teacher, to be the Light Music Club's advisor. She was beautiful, had a sweet voice, and was very kind.
Originally, Ritsu Tainaka wanted to ask Shizuka Hiratsuka to be their advisor.
The reason was that with Shizuka Hiratsuka around, the Light Music Club wouldn't be bullied by other clubs.
Fortunately, Bai Qiu argued reasonably, and no one would bully the Light Music Club.
So, that idea was vetoed.
Seeing that everyone had almost finished eating their food,
Mio Akiyama thought for a moment, then reminded them somewhat shyly,
"Everyone, the practice..."
"Oh, Mio, practice can wait."
Ritsu Tainaka reverted to her usual lazy demeanor.
"It's rare for Bai Qiu to visit. We should all have some tea and chat, right?"
Ritsu winked at Bai Qiu.
Mio Akiyama also looked at Bai Qiu with a helpless expression.
"How about we practice for a bit?"
Bai Qiu hesitated for a moment. He was actually looking forward to the girls' performance.
Besides, Yui had just gotten a guitar and probably wanted to play.
Wait, it seemed Yui didn't know how to play the guitar yet at this point!
But the words were out.
"Thank you! Bai Qiu-kun."
Mio Akiyama looked delighted.
She suddenly felt that Ritsu's decision to recruit Bai Qiu to the Light Music Club might have been her most reliable one yet!
Ritsu Tainaka's expression changed, she had actually been betrayed!
Everyone stood up and took out their instruments.
"Wait!"
Ritsu suddenly noticed something, and a meaningful smile appeared on her face.
"What's wrong now, idiot Ritsu?!"
"I was just saying, Mio, you called Bai Qiu 'Bai Qiu-san' just now, right?"
Mio Akiyama tilted her head, a little puzzled.
Then, a bad feeling welled up inside her. Could it be…
"And Aki-kun, you've been calling Akiyama-san 'Akiyama-san' as well?"
"Seriously, you two!"
"Always 'san, san,' back and forth."
"So polite, like an old married couple, respecting each other."
"We're all good friends in the same club, isn't it better to just call each other by name?"
Ritsu Tainaka shouted, a playful expression on her face.
"What do you guys think? Yui, Tsumugi."
"Mmhmm!"
"I agree!"
Yui and Tsumugi also thought it made perfect sense.
Old married couple?!
Those three words almost made Mio Akiyama faint.
"Ritsu... Ritsu Ritsu Ritsu Ritsu! What... what are you talking about..."
Mio Akiyama glanced at Bai Qiu, and their eyes met. Her face instantly flushed red, her eyes turned into spirals, and she stammered.
"If Mio is embarrassed, then Bai Qiu, you go first."
"Just call me Mio, like we do."
Ritsu turned her body and nudged Bai Qiu.
"Uh..."
Bai Qiu coughed and looked at Mio Akiyama.
Mio Akiyama seemed to be in a daze.
Although I thought Ritsu's assist was a good one, I hope she doesn't actually faint!
If she faints, that would be troublesome.
Beside them, everyone was already looking over expectantly.
"Hurry up!"
"Yeah, yeah!" x2
"Mio."
Bai Qiu spoke softly.
Mio Akiyama's head was practically steaming, and her cheeks were red all the way to her ears.
"Oh!"
Ritsu Tainaka looked at Mio Akiyama with a playful expression.
"Your turn, Mio-chan~"
The pressure was on Mio Akiyama.
"You can call me Xiao Qiu, just like Yui!"
Yui Hirasawa said happily.
"You won't be able to practice if you don't say it out loud."
Ritsu, the team leader, continued.
"Practice..."
"Practice..."
"I-I-I... I get it!"
"It's just a name, isn't it!"
Unable to bear Ritsu's teasing any longer, Mio Akiyama shouted.
Then,
Looking at Bai Qiu, Mio Akiyama lost her courage to speak loudly again.
"Bai... Bai Qiu... kun..."
Mio Akiyama didn't even know what she'd mumbled in her daze.
Ritsu Tainaka had originally wanted her to drop the surname.
But under Mio Akiyama's mortified glare, Ritsu Tainaka actually chickened out a little. Forget it, she thought. Let's leave it for today!
Next time, though...
Recovering slightly, Mio Akiyama quickly took out her bass, using it to shield her face and hide her embarrassment.
"Wow, Elizabeth!"
Yui Hirasawa suddenly exclaimed, looking at her bass.
"Eh? No, it's not Elizabeth!"
At this moment, Bai Qiu also took out his keyboard.
Speaking of which, this was the first time the girls had seen Bai Qiu's instrument.
Ritsu: "So, Qiu-kun is a keyboardist too!"
Tsumugi Kotobuki also looked at Bai Qiu with curiosity.
Yui Hirasawa, on the other hand, was stroking her chin, thinking seriously.
A blue body, white keys.
Blue and white.
Suddenly, Yui Hirasawa's eyes lit up,
"Blue and White Bowl!"
???
"What are you talking about?" Everyone looked at Yui Hirasawa with confusion.
Mio Akiyama shuddered, her body recoiling slightly.
Bai Qiu couldn't help but think, isn't this scene a bit early?
"Blue and White Bowl, you know."
"Let's call Xiao Qiu's guitar Blue and White Bowl!"
"What do you think?"
Yui Hirasawa explained excitedly, thrilled with the beautiful name she'd chosen for herself.
"Ahahahaha...!!"
Ritsu Tainaka was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"I don't agree!"
Bai Qiu, who knew what a Blue and White Bowl was, immediately protested.
Forget about picking a cool, unique name.
There was no way she could be called... Blue and White Bowl!
Mio Akiyama, on the other hand, felt a chill running down her legs. She clutched her bass tightly, as if it could give her some sense of security.
She tried hard to act composed, as if she knew nothing.
Ritsu Tainaka, who knew her best, quickly noticed something was off.
Ritsu pondered for a moment, her eyes darting around. Soon, a smirk played on her lips.
She was up to something again.
Then, Ritsu suddenly darted to Mio Akiyama and whispered in her ear,
"Mio, you wouldn't happen to be wearing... today..."
"Mmm... mmmph..."
Mio Akiyama quickly covered Ritsu Tainaka's mouth.
Her complexion, which hadn't yet regained its paleness, flushed red again.
Ritsu Tainaka struggled fiercely,
"Let... ugh... let me finish... Mio..."
However, Mio Akiyama couldn't possibly allow that, and instead, covered Ritsu's mouth even tighter.
Ritsu Tainaka fought back hard, breaking free and running off, about to shout something.
Couldn't take it anymore!
Mio Akiyama, clutching her bass, tried to stop her. The two of them began to chase each other around the classroom.
Bai Qiu, on the other hand, was arguing with Yui Hirasawa about the names of musical instruments.
"Yui, you can't just go around naming other people's instruments."
"But you're not just anyone!"
Bai Qiu was taken aback and scratched his nose in embarrassment, but he quickly snapped out of it. Even so, it still shouldn't be called the Blue and White Bowl!
"...That's still not okay."
"You don't like the Blue and White Bowl?"
"I don't! It sounds awful!"
"But Ritsu's laughing so much!"
Yui Hirasawa pointed at Ritsu Tainaka, who was being chased but still giggling.
"That's because…"
Bai Qiu, who knew the reason, couldn't finish his sentence.
Otherwise, Mio Akiyama would be mortified.
Looking at the noisy group.
The innocent Tsumugi Kotobuki was a bit confused.
She, being innocent, didn't know the specific meaning of the Blue and White Bowl, so she looked at everyone curiously.
"What's a Blue and White Bowl?"
The classroom was too noisy, and no one heard her.
Tsumugi Kotobuki puffed out her cheeks, saying cutely,
"Hey, hey, tell me already!"
"Yui..."
Tsumugi asked Yui first, who had said the name.
"The Blue and White Bowl is just the Blue and White Bowl!"
Yui Hirasawa answered with a blank expression.
"Bai Qiu..."
Tsumugi looked at Bai Qiu, who was sitting opposite Yui, her face full of anticipation.
Bai Qiu looked a bit awkward. "Well... I can't really say..."
"Ritsu..."
Ritsu Tainaka ran, panting.
"That... I..."
"I...wait...later...tell you!"
Mio Akiyama quickened her pace, chasing after her.
In her haste, the bass accidentally hit Ritsu Tainaka on the head.
As a result, Ritsu Tainaka fainted, and Mio Akiyama finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mio…"
Tsumugi Kotobuki then turned to Mio.
"Ah!"
Mio Akiyama cried out in alarm.
Then, she covered her ears and squatted on the ground, shaking her head frantically.
"I don't know… I don't know… I don't know… I don't know anything…"
Everyone asked again, but still got nothing.
Miss Tsumugi looked at Bai Qiu and Yui Hirasawa again, went forward, took their arms, and acted spoiled,
"I'm so curious, tell me!"
To avoid sullying the young lady's pure heart, Bai Qiu chose to remain silent, even if she was adorable.
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