CHAPTER 473: 221. THE VISITING WIND INSTRUMENT CLUB MINISTER_3

"Watch your wording, Lady Kiyono," Dubian Che cautioned from the side.

Of course, he wasn’t asking Kiyono Lin not to tell the truth, to utter mere pleasantries—that’s not something he would do.

"It’s you who should watch your wording, Mr. Dubian," Kiyono Lin glared back, unsatisfied.

"The Wind Instrument Club isn’t worthless, is it? There are members who work hard, members with decent abilities," said Dubian Che.

"Oh?" Kiyono Lin brushed aside her long hair, her competitive spirit flaring up, "Then may I ask, Mr. Dubian, with only a few hardworking members, and a pitiful number of decently talented ones, can you make it into the national competition, no, even into the Kantou competition?"

"If it were me, with an exceptional oboe solo piece to accompany..."

"Are you going to join the Wind Instrument Club?" Kiyono Lin revealed her signature gentle smile.

"No, not going," Dubian Che felt a chill down his back.

Kiyono Lin’s gentle smile transformed into the smile of a victor:

"Wind Music competitions are team events, so naturally, they should be assessed holistically. I said it was worthless—do you have any objections to that, Mr. Dubian?"

"Whatever you say, goes."

Listening to their daily argument, Ayane Kumi left the Human Observation Department.

On the fourth day, she came again;

The fifth day, the sixth day... all the way until the end of the January midterms, Ayane Kumi visited almost every day.

On February 1st, after school in the Human Observation Department: "Then, I shall take my leave," Ayane Kumi stood up.

"Wait," Dubian Che called out.

Ayane Kumi looked over in confusion.

"Mr. Kiyono," Dubian Che put down his teacup, "after all, the Wind Instrument Club is our subordinate division. It’s beneath the dignity of our Human Observation Department not to help when they’re in trouble."

"Subordinate division?" Wind Instrument Club Minister Ayane Kumi, puzzled.

Kiyono Lin was used to Dubian Che’s nonsense; her expression did not change.

"What are you trying to say?" she asked.

"Ayane has visited so many times, there must be a compelling reason. Even if you don’t go there, offering some advice is always possible, right?" Dubian Che persuaded.

Kiyono Lin sighed, closed her hardcover book, and said to Ayane Kumi:

"If it’s just about offering advice, I can think of a way to help."

"That would be enough; I am already very satisfied! Thank you so much, Mr. Kiyono!" Ayane Kumi’s voice trembled with excitement, and tears almost spilled out.

"The one who should be thanking someone should be thanking me, right?" Dubian Che pointed to himself, "It was I who changed the aloof Mr. Kiyono’s mind."

"Indeed!" Ayane Kumi nodded vigorously, "I should have asked for Mr. Dubian’s help from the very start."

"Ayane, do you think that I would have agreed if it weren’t for your insistence on visiting the Human Observation Department every day, and only with Mr. Dubian persuading me?"

"Wouldn’t you?" asked Dubian Che.

"..." Kiyono Lin opened her mouth but did not emit her clear and melodious voice.

The Human Observation Department fell into a restless silence.

Both of them watched her.

"Mmm-hmm." Kiyono Lin clenched her fist, pressed it to her lower lip, and cleared her throat.

After doing all that, she avoided Dubian Che’s piercing gaze and turned to speak to Ayane Kumi:

"I can’t make relevant suggestions if I don’t understand the situation. Ayane, please share your troubles."

"Ah, it’s like this." Ayane Kumi was charmed by Kiyono Lin’s cuteness, "Recently during exams..."

Listening to Ayane Kumi’s narrative, Dubian Che’s mind kept replaying the previous scene.

Being truthful could also be considered an attractive quality.

’Honesty, nice one!’ he mentally cheered himself.

I might as well mention the inconsequential issue with the Wind Instrument Club—compared to Kiyono Lin’s cuteness.

Some second-year members, preoccupied with their exams, often asked for leave, resulting in an inability to perform ensembles, and when they did perform, their level had significantly diminished.

This upset the first-year members who practiced diligently every day, especially since everyone had set their sights on a national gold.

The first years approached the minister—Ayane Kumi—as they hoped she could have a word with the second years.

The second years wanted to practice earnestly too, but considering they were nearing their third year, they couldn’t neglect their studies either.

They promised that once the next term started, they would participate in practice every day.

Ayane Kumi relayed this answer to the first years.

Then the first years responded, highlighting how the previous third years reviewed their studies together after practice with great success—why not continue that method?

Ayane Kumi went back to the second years.

Initially, the second years were non-committal, simply asserting they would definitely practice every day in their senior year.

Such an answer, of course, dissatisfied the first years, and they sent Ayane Kumi back to inquire again.

The second years, now frustrated, argued that the Wind Music competition was still far off, and even the new first years hadn’t arrived—was there a need to push so hard? After all, it wasn’t as if they were not practicing.

The first years insisted on high-intensity practice every day, convinced that without the astute guidance of Kiyono Lin, and without Dubian Che’s unmatched solos, the current Wind Instrument Club didn’t stand a chance at winning a national gold.

Both sides had valid arguments.

Ayane Kumi truly felt helpless and had no choice but to seek out Kiyono Lin every day.

At the same time, she also considered the daily bickering between Kiyono Lin and Dubian Che as a way to relieve her stress—this she later confided to Dubian Che.

"Do you have any solutions?" After explaining the situation, Ayane Kumi asked.

"I am quite curious," Kiyono Lin stroked her chin, "why are the second years unwilling to adopt last year’s approach?"

Ayane Kumi hesitated.

"Ayane, this is a crucial issue," Kiyono Lin pressed, her commanding presence undeniable.

"Alright," Ayane Kumi sighed and with a bitter smile, confessed, "The relationships among the second-year girls aren’t very good. If one studies a bit more, another will... in short, everybody is secretly studying fiercely, aiming to outcompete each other."

"..." Kiyono Lin looked shocked and then sighed deeply, "That’s really petty."

"Sure, people with such mindsets do exist," Dubian Che found it quite understandable.

"Then..." Ayane Kumi looked expectantly at the two of them.

"Ayane," said Dubian Che.

"Yes! I’m all ears!"

"Quit the club."

"...Eh?" Ayane Kumi froze.

Kiyono Lin gave Dubian Che a look of disdain: "That’s just a last resort."

"Resolution? Wait a minute, I..." Ayane Kumi extended her hands towards them.

"Ayane," Kiyono Lin looked her way, "my suggestion is to change the Wind Instrument Club’s goal from winning national gold to merely qualifying for the national competition."

"..."

"I see." Dubian Che applauded, "That way you can achieve a balance."

"That’s not true at all!" Even with her usually great temper, Ayane Kumi lost her composure due to their teasing.