I am a teacher at a girls' school in Tokyo

Page 247

Countless students practiced hard for a whole year - or perhaps longer - just for this competition.

For example, those third graders have spent their entire high school career playing wind instruments, and this is their last competition.

"Today's game, I'm counting on you all."

The leader of the Moritani Wind Ensemble, Chimura Aika, stood in front of the lined-up students and bowed deeply.

"This is our last match as third graders."

After standing up, he glanced at the other students with a very earnest look.

"Everyone should also know our previous achievements in Moriya."

“Even though in the past two years, since I joined the Moriya Wind Ensemble, I have entered the national competition and stood on that field.”

"But...we failed to win the national gold medal the first two times."

"I think, since we are able to stand on the national competition field, there should be no one who does not want to win the gold medal, right?"

"It's already this late, no one should think that just a bronze or silver medal would be enough, right?"

"In that case, please, everyone, do your best!"

"Our goal is—"

The Minister waved her hand.

“Gold Prize!”

Some students also waved their hands.

"Yes, the gold medal!"

Chimura Aika withdrew her hand and a smile appeared on her face.

"To be honest, everyone, I am a third-year student who has been in Moriya for three years and participated in three competitions."

"In the first two competitions, although the goal was also to win the national gold medal, but... in fact, many people, including me, probably didn't dare to have too high expectations for it, right?"

"After all, as long as we stand on that field, to be honest, we can feel that there is a gap between us and those universities that can win gold medals."

"I think some of the third-year students here should feel the same way as I do."

"Aijia is right." A third-year student in front answered.

"Ah."

Zhicun Aijia nodded and then smiled, "But I'm not saying this to undermine your confidence."

"What I want to say is that even though I was unwilling to accept the failures in the first two times, I could only give up in the face of the gap."

"But, this year alone, I felt a completely different atmosphere from last year and the year before."

"What kind of breath?"

He waved his hand again, asking and answering his own questions.

“I think we have a chance to win the gold medal this year!”

"Yes, this time, I really felt this way. Are there any third-year students who share the same idea as me?"

"Yes!" Several third graders responded, more people responded than the previous question.

"Look, it's true."

Chimura Aika looked at several of her classmates who raised their hands and her smile became a little brighter.

“Because we have made great progress this year.”

"First-year students may not be able to clearly understand it, and second-year students may not feel it very clearly, but we, who have been practicing for three years, can really feel the progress we have made over the past three years."

"Compared to the year before last and last year, we have made great progress this year. So much so that the national gold medal that I thought was difficult to obtain before now doesn't seem so far away."

"Third graders, am I right?"

“That’s right!” More third graders answered, and their voices became louder.

"So, fellow students, I'm counting on you all to give it your all in today's competition and win the gold medal!"

“Win the gold medal!”

Dozens of young and energetic female high school students shouted together earnestly. The clear sound attracted the attention of passers-by.

"This time, I don't want to let down Mr. Ogasa's hard work in teaching. Are there other schools with such a lovely music consultant?"

"Eh——?" Ogasa Suzukiko, who was standing aside and watching the minister boost morale, exclaimed in surprise when she heard her name.

The students below laughed, and the serious atmosphere eased a little.

"no!"

Several active girls shouted, "Mr. Ogasa is very cute and her usual guidance is also very good."

"That's right!"

The minister looked at Ogasa Suzukiko, who seemed a little shy in the face of the praise, and nodded with a smile.

"Of course it's not just Mr. Ogasa, there's also Mr. Hirakawa."

"…Is there still a role for me?" Tetsufumi Hirakawa was also stunned.

"Of course, Mr. Pingchuan has been practicing with us this year and has done so many things for us silently. Of course, we can't miss it."

The minister spoke to him, and when he was done, he turned back to the students.

"Although Mr. Hirakawa had no presence last year, which may have led to people not being familiar with him."

"This year, when I explained to the freshmen that there would be a new advisor, some sophomores and juniors were surprised and asked, 'Huh? Really?'"

Zhicun Aijia imitated the accents of these students, looking a little funny.

The laughter grew louder.

"Yes, it's me,"

"Me too!"

“I didn’t notice it at all last year.”

"..."

Amidst the laughter, Tetsufumi Hirakawa looked up at the sky somewhat awkwardly - the weather was pretty good today, with just the right amount of sunshine and clouds.

Chimura Aika was also laughing, and continued with a smile.

"Of course, this was only last year. I think next year, no one will be saying, 'Hey, who is Mr. Hirakawa?' Is that right?"

"Well, definitely not." Several students answered while laughing.

"This year, although Mr. Hirakawa did not guide us in music, he did a lot for us in other areas. He accompanied us in practice, road shows, and group training. He arranged all kinds of things for us."

“Our progress this year is of course inseparable from the help of Mr. Pingchuan.”

"So, let Mr. Hirakawa and Mr. Ogasa say something."

"..."

Tetsufumi Hirakawa withdrew his gaze from the sky and smiled somewhat embarrassedly under the gaze of his students.

Ogasa Suzukiko, the petite and lovely music consultant, was very happy but seemed a little shy because of the compliments from her students.

"Well... okay."

As a result, the female teacher next to him didn't seem to want to speak, so it was up to Tetsufumi Hirakawa to speak.

"cough."

He glanced at the minister who had retreated to the side, then looked at the students and cleared his throat. At this point in time when the competition was about to begin, facing the dozens of students in front of him, as an instructor he had to say something.

He took the opportunity to choose his words while looking at the students, and then he spoke.

"First of all, I would like to thank the village director for recognizing my work last year. It was really thoughtful of him to bring me up to liven up the atmosphere."

A helpless self-deprecating remark made the students below laugh.

"Yeah, but there's nothing I can do about it. I can't refute it. It's the truth after all."

"Now that I think about it, I feel a little regretful that I didn't come to this arena with all of you last year."

"Fortunately, I did not miss it this year. I am very happy to be able to come to the national competition with you as a mentor."

"As for this competition, to be honest, I agree with what Zhicun said. I think we definitely have a chance to win the national gold medal."

"Teacher Ogasa, what do you think?" Hirakawa Tetsufumi looked at Ogasa Suzukiko.

"Eh? Me? This... is!" Ogasa Suzukiko was flustered when asked suddenly, and then spoke loudly.

"You see, right, Professor Ogasa also agrees with this statement." Having received professional recognition, Tetsufumi Hirakawa faced his students again with an encouraging smile.

"So, fellow students, do your best in the upcoming national competition!"

"We are not hopeless in the face of the gold medal. Everyone who has worked so hard for so long is qualified to take home the gold medal. What do you think?"

"Yes!"

The atmosphere was lively, and the voices of the response, encouraged by the minister and him, reached a peak.

"That's right, everyone, you have a chance to win the gold medal." Ogasa Suzuki also said.

"Come on everyone!"

"come on!"

Loud cheers rang out in Nagoya in October as we headed toward the national competition.

The game is about to begin.

When Tetsufumi Hirakawa got in the car, he put everything else aside at this moment.

Now, focus your attention on the national competition.

Chapter 235 National Competition, Ended!

The national competition has begun.

At the Nagoya International Conference Center, thirty universities and thousands of participating students from all over the country gathered.