I, the mastermind behind the scenes at Soubu High, refuse to be caught in a bloodbath.

Himekoji's earlier comment about handpicking Kazusa as the champion was just a joke. If Kazusa were actually promoted, she would definitely break off the relationship with Himekoji, as Himekoji has always hated such things.

Besides, Himekoji is enough to be the only person who knows Kazusami.

"Someone like you would pick up a guitar?"

Yukinoshita, who was in charge of coordinating and guiding the work, showed a suspicious expression and stared directly at the guitar that Himekoji was holding.

"What does it matter to you whether this guy plays guitar or not?"

Before Himekoji could reply, Kazusa, who had been chatting with Yukina, turned around and coldly asked a question, leaving Yukinoshita bewildered.

"Okay, okay, I will, I will. Why are you two arguing?" Himekoji pulled Kazusa to her side and pointed to Yukinoshita, saying, "Kazusa, this is Yukinoshita Yukino, my deskmate, and also the head of my Service Club."

"Ah...oh." Kazusa looked her over carefully for a moment, then casually said, "Touma Kazusa, nice to meet you."

"Yukino Yukinoshita...Nice to meet you."

Yukinoshita was also observing Kazusa. In her opinion, Kazusa was definitely someone who could be on the shortlist for that beauty pageant, but she didn't make it. So she attributed the problem to Himekoji and thought that he must be behind it.

"Okay, next program group, Light Music Fan Club, please get ready."

Hikigaya, who was in charge of on-site mediation and reporting, stood on one side of the heavy curtain and waved the program in his hand at them.

"learn."

Iizuka waved and replied with a smile.

Himekoji's group's plan was as follows: for the first song, White Album, Himekoji would be on guitar, Kazusa on saxophone and keyboard, and Setsuna would sing; for the second song, Himekoji would be on guitar solo and keyboard (of course, she wouldn't be playing the keyboard during the solo, so it wouldn't conflict with each other), Kazusa on bass, Iizuka on guitar during the normal harmony parts, Setsuna singing, and pre-recorded audio for the drums; for the third song, Himekoji on drums, Kazusa on keyboard and singing, Iizuka on guitar, Setsuna singing, and pre-recorded audio for the rest.

Since Iizuka was the second singer to come on stage, he seemed to be flirting with Yukinoshita when Himekoji and the other two came on stage. However, Yukinoshita was clearly not someone to be trifled with. Kazusa had practiced some self-defense techniques, but Yukinoshita had systematically practiced Aikido. During Himekoji and the others' performance, a muffled groan was clearly heard from him.

It's likely that Yukinoshita has beaten him so badly that he can't get back up.

"Well, as long as you don't get stage fright, it should be fine, right?" Mizusawa Io walked over to Iizuka from behind the curtain, her eyelids twitching. She hooked her arm around Iizuka's neck, almost making him fall over. Io bit Iizuka's ear and said fiercely, "By the way, were you flirting with Yukinoshita again just now?"

"Hahaha, before I knew it..."

"You're a ghost if I'm not careful!" Iori elbowed Iizuka, then turned around and sulked with her arms crossed.

"Alright, alright, please spare Wu Ye."

Kitahara Haruki, who was also there to play the mixed backing tracks, smiled and chimed in for Iizuka.

Yukino herself had some unpleasant experiences here, so she left behind the scenes and went to the forefront.

"I didn't expect that guy could play the guitar..."

Hikigaya also stood next to Yukinoshita, watching Himekoji and the others rehearse. All three of them seemed very natural, and their instrument playing was extremely smooth. As the lead singer, Yukino was able to accurately grasp the drumbeats and pitches, and her singing voice was sweet and beautiful, which made the male members of the on-site work team below almost mesmerized.

"When did you get here? Aren't you supposed to be reporting your arrival?"

"They were the grand finale... there were no more performances after them."

“Oh, I see.” Yukinoshita looked at Kazusa, who was playing the guitar naturally, and her fingers made a few gestures in the air. She nodded and said, “But it’s not strange that Himekoji can play the guitar. Just like I can play the piano, it’s a very normal thing to me.”

"..."

Hachiman silently ignored those words.

"Hello everyone, we are the Light Music Enthusiasts Club~~"

Even though there were only some members of the on-site working group below, Setsuna still had to do what she was supposed to do, such as introducing the people. While she was introducing them, Iizuka also came up at the right time. He also had a guitar hanging around his neck. Kazusa went to change into a bass, while Himekoji stood in front of the keyboard that Kazusa had just been playing, holding a guitar.

"Oh, it seems you're not only good at guitar, but also at playing the piano."

Yukinoshita couldn't help but think even more highly of Himekoji.

"That girl over there named Touma Kazusa has switched to bass now, right? She was playing the keyboard just now, oh, and the saxophone too."

Chapter 204 Finally, the Cultural Festival is about to begin.

"Hachiman, how did you remember that girl's full name so quickly? If people say you're interested in her, that girl will be really pitiful."

Yukinoshita glanced at Hikigaya, who was standing to the side watching Himekoji and the others play, and smirked sarcastically.

"...Hey, don't talk about me like I'm some kind of infectious disease."

"Shh, quiet, it's about to begin."

Yukino glared at him, then immediately fell silent. Hikigaya slumped his shoulders, sighed softly, waved his hand, and left her side.

"The next song is the third one. Because I haven't had much time to practice, I'm not very confident... The song title is 'Yukitoki'!"

After the title of the third song was announced, the accompaniment started, and Setsuna began to sing. Himekoji also put down his costume and went behind the drum set that had been sitting on the stage but no one was playing.

"Hey, hey, hey... Are these two really not here to joke around?" Mizusawa Iori watched Himekoji and Kazusa switching instruments back and forth backstage, but the smoothness of it was unbelievable. She shook her head and said, "Hey Haruki, how did you manage to invite those two monsters over here?"

"It's a bit rude to call someone a monster... but judging from the results, it seems there's nothing wrong with saying that."

Kitahara looked at the four people shining on the stage, his eyes filled with envy.

Yi Xu patted his shoulder and comforted him, "Sigh, normal people like us can't compete with monsters. Wu Ye also practiced guitar for a long time before he could keep up with their pace. Haruki, don't underestimate yourself. How long have you been practicing guitar?"

"But I'm still very unwilling. After all, I was the one who found the lead singer and brought in the two of them. In the end, I can only play the remixes and backing tracks here."

Kitahara shook his head helplessly, sat down again in the red folding chair, and stared blankly at the accompaniment screen.

Kasumigaoka wasn't there; she decided to watch their performance during the actual show, not the rehearsal, so she volunteered to check on the progress of each class's setup.

After their group finished rehearsing, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Ji Xiaolu went backstage first, but came back out when she heard, "The Executive Committee Chairman is giving a speech." She casually said a few words into the microphone. Normally, it would be time to leave now.

However, Kazusa, Takeya, and Setsuna can leave now, but Himekoji cannot. As the executive chairman and student council president, he still has a lot of work to do.

"Is there nothing more for me to do now?"

After handing over all the musical instruments to the staff in charge of managing the items, Kazusa walked over to Himekoji.

"Ah, there's really nothing else. If you want to go back, you can go back now."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

There will be a second rehearsal tomorrow afternoon. Those who didn't perform well today will still have a chance tomorrow. After all, the program has already been sent to the whole school, and it's too late to reject it now. We have to let them get used to this situation.

"Well then, Haruki, Iori, and I'll be leaving now."

Iizuka grabbed his guitar and waved to Himekoji with his arm around Kitahara's shoulder. Iori followed behind him and waved back at Himekoji with a smile.

"Okay, see you all tomorrow."

Just as Himekoji was wondering why Setsuna hadn't left yet, he heard someone calling him from behind. He recognized the voice as Setsuna's.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going back?"

"Because we're still in the training camp... it's not easy for me to go back if you don't go back, Himekoji-kun."

After all, Setsuna isn't like Kazusa, someone you can just leave whenever you want.

"Ah, I almost forgot, why don't you go back with Kazusa? She's gone home now." Himekoji said after giving instructions on a task, then turned back to him, "I have something to do right now, so I can't go back with you."

"Then... is there anything I can do to help?"

She raised her head with a flicker in her eyes, pouted slightly, stood on tiptoe, and asked pitifully.

Whispers then rose and fell all around, leaving Himekoji speechless, but he was already used to it.

Himekoji actually wanted to assign Setsuna to Yukinoshita, but Yukinoshita would definitely kick her out for "you're just causing trouble." Sigh, what to do? Maybe he should just give her to Hachiman, he'll definitely have a way—but Setsuna would probably hate him for that.

"Here, take this notebook. Then come with me."

Himeko handed her the notebook and pen, and the two walked out of the venue together. Yukinoshita was still there directing the cleanup, but after glancing at them, she ignored them.

"I'll go check on the preparations of each class now, and then jot down anything you think is worth noting."

Himekoji instructed Yukina, who was walking beside him.

"Mmm!" She happily closed her eyes and nodded in response, then tilted her head and asked, "Himekoji-kun...can I call you Haruto-kun?"

"up to you."

"Then... then it'll be Haruto-kun. By the way, Haruto-kun is so cold."

Setsuna hugged the notebook to her chest and hummed softly.

"After all, we're at work right now."

"As expected, Haruto-kun is very popular with girls."

"Well, it was alright. Also, no girls came up to talk to me just now. I'd like to know how you came to that conclusion."

"Here we go again, but I actually find it quite endearing to be humble in a place like this, hehe~"

Setsuna smiled secretly and tapped Himekoji's cheek with her fingertip. After staying at his house for two or three weeks, the two had become quite familiar with each other.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two, and all the laughter gradually faded into the night.

The day of the cultural festival finally arrived.

All around was pitch-black darkness, and the air was filled with the noisy chatter of students. Each sentence, taken individually, does have meaning, but when the number accumulates to thousands, even meaningful sentences become meaningless.

The dark curtains completely sealed off the scene, leaving no gaps. The dim light from cell phones and emergency exit lights could barely illuminate the palm of one's hand.

In complete darkness, nothing could be seen.

Therefore, in this moment, everyone seems to be one.

Under the sunlight, our differences from others are clearly illuminated, and whether we want to or not, we understand that we are different individuals. However, in this place, everyone's outlines are blurred, making it difficult to grasp the distinction between ourselves and others.

No wonder they always make sure the venue is pitch black before the event starts.

Chapter 205 Hahaha, [Yukino Yukinoshita] Digs Her Own Grave

In this way, everyone will immediately understand: when the spotlight cuts through the darkness, the person it illuminates is completely different from the thousands of others.

Therefore, only very special people can stand in the spotlight.

The students' voices gradually faded away.

It's 9:57 now, it's almost time to start.

Hachiman's voice came through the pre-assigned headset: "This is Hachiman. Three minutes left, three minutes left."

"This is Himekoji. Please inform everyone that the event will proceed as scheduled. If you encounter any problems, please report them immediately."

"This is under the snow. The on-site personnel have been deployed, and the lighting and sound are all in good working order."