area51novel Page 379
Page 379
Sayaka Akamatsu, standing to the side, looked at her with a helpless yet doting smile.
The vice chairman, holding the award certificate, looked at the words written in black ink and said into the microphone:
"Shin-Asahi Private High School, as the local branch, you participated in the 72nd All-Japan Wind Music Competition and achieved excellent results. Hereby, we commend your diligence. October 20, Reiwa 6."
A moment after the vice chairman finished speaking, Sakura Yukawa tearfully accepted the certificate with both hands, while Sayaka Akamatsu held the heavy gold medal trophy. The two bowed deeply.
The first number got off to a flying start, winning the gold award directly. This means that there are fewer judges who give an "A" grade, and one less gold award is awarded.
Unlike the celebration at Shenxu High School, other top schools felt immense pressure.
Chapter 283, Section 282: The National Assembly! Group Photo! (4K)
Shin-euk High School erupted in cheers and celebrations, which had no impact on the chairman's announcement.
As Kumiko Oumae watched the students of Shin-Asahi embracing and crying, her throat bobbing, she sincerely wished the school, which was striving to win the gold medal, all the best.
But at the same time, jealousy and envy swelled in my heart.
"Number 2, Tohoku representative, Fukushima Prefecture, Fukushima Prefectural Iwaki High School, Silver Award."
The students of the Iwaki High School brass band, dressed in black uniforms, sat on the left side of the second floor of the venue in complete silence, with the faint sound of girls trying to hold back their sobs audible.
This book is being released online for the first time.
The two representatives from Iwaki on the stage walked forward with tense bodies to accept the certificates and trophies, their faces revealing no emotion whatsoever.
"Number 3, West Kanto, Saitama Prefecture, Saitama Prefectural Ina Gakuen Comprehensive High School, Bronze Award."
The students from Ina, sitting in the front seats on the first floor, did not show any particular sadness, as if they had known this would be the outcome.
The chairman kept reading the award results. Now it's the seventh school, but so far, only Shenxu Private School has won the gold award.
As a result, the faces of the club members waiting for the results grew increasingly ashen, and many students from Kitauji were trembling uncontrollably.
I dare not look at the stage.
"Nine, Kyushu representative, Fukuoka Prefecture, Seiryo Girls' High School, goid, gold medal."
Eight schools away, cheers erupted from the students of Seiryo Girls' School. The girls, dressed in white Western-style jackets and gray plaid skirts without a single stain, hugged each other excitedly.
Representatives from other schools applauded, and the two representatives from Qingliang School on stage instantly showed relieved smiles.
"Number 10, Kansai representative, Osaka Prefecture, Osaka Toin High School, goid, gold medal."
Two gold medals in a row! The winning schools were cheering and celebrating, but the atmosphere in a few corners suddenly became somber.
Kumiko Oumae clenched her hands tightly, while the Kitauji brass band students beside her looked at their chairperson with a prayerful expression.
"Number 11, West Kanto Representative, Saitama Prefecture, Kasukabe Kyoei High School, Bronze Award."
Disappointed sighs came from the students next door, and Kumiko Oumae stared at them in surprise.
Kitahara Hakuba was right; this school really is a bronze medalist.
At the national competition, the difference between gold and silver medals may be only in the details, but bronze medals are different. The judges will feel that they have made an intolerable mistake, or even that the choice of freestyle piece was wrong.
In short, winning a bronze medal isn't something you can achieve just by correcting one or two details.
Kumiko Oumae couldn't help but gasp. Just how strong was he? She hadn't even noticed any minor errors in his bronze medal performance.
This person is actually at the same level as the judges?
No, that's not right. If that's the case, then what he said before leaving, "Kitauji will win the gold medal," doesn't that mean...
"Number 12, Kansai Representative, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Prefectural Kitauji High School, Gold Medal."
Before they could react, the chairman's words had already slipped out, and the screams closest to them echoed throughout the concert hall, prompting joyful shouts from the members.
"Kumiko-senpai!"
Several girls shouted loudly and immediately threw themselves into Kumiko's arms.
Kumiko Oumae hugged the students around her, still feeling incredulous that he could answer all of them correctly.
The emcee's calm voice came through the microphone once again:
"Number 13, Hokuriku representative, Toyama Prefecture, Toyama Prefectural Toyama Commercial High School, Silver Award."
The first half of the awards ceremony has ended. Students from Shenxu B group left the venue, while students from A group stayed behind to take a group photo of the participating teams.
"It just doesn't feel right! Ugh! When I open my eyes again, I'm back to when the awards ceremony started."
"Those who know the outcome are so arrogant. I don't want to experience it twice in one day; my heart would break."
"Huh? Jia Hui, your eye makeup is all messed up from crying. So your eye level is that low?"
"It's better than someone who secretly hides away and wipes away their tears!"
"I didn't secretly hide away to wipe away my tears, I just laughed until I cried because of your stupidity."
Sayaka Akamatsu and Yoshie Suzuki started their pointless bickering again, and the club members laughed as they watched the two of them exchanging barbs.
Kitahara Hakuba stood on the red carpet in the aisle, smiling at them.
When I'm with these girls, I always feel my own existence gradually becoming insignificant, as if I'm merging into the beauty that's gradually appearing.
"Students of Shenxu High School! Get ready to go in for a group photo!" A staff member walked over.
Sakurako Yukawa took the initiative and shouted loudly, "Everyone, please walk in an orderly manner and don't crowd! You're still wearing your competition uniforms, so please be mindful of your appearance!"
Kitahara Hakuma followed behind them. Eri was standing beside him at some point, and in front of a group of students and staff members, her little finger secretly rubbed against his palm.
"You played the soli with Nagase-san very well." Kitahara Hakuba pretended not to notice. "Let's go in."
"Okay." She nodded obediently.
The group photo was taken in a room. Since it was afternoon, the curtains were drawn, and the room was very bright and airy.
The members of the Shenxu Wind Ensemble entered laughing and joking, only to be met with countless cameras and reporters from various newspapers. The black equipment looked just like man-eating monsters.
This display of force terrified the innocent Hokkaido girls, who dared not utter a single word.
Seeing their sudden awkwardness upon entering, the reporters and staff couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Huh? How did our musical instruments end up here?"
Hiding behind Saito Harutori, Isomoto Yuka stared wide-eyed as the brass band instruments, which should have been loaded onto the truck, were instead found inside the room. (This is from a novel by Xianyu Kanshu.)
Not just hers, all the instruments of the participating teams are here.
"It really is! I personally handed it over!"
"Isn't that my trombone!"
"Huh? Why do you all have the complete set, but my timpani only has drumsticks? Where's my timpani?"
"That thing is too big; it will take up a lot of space if we put it in."
Saito Haruka crouched down, unfastened the silver clasp, and inside the instrument case lay a silver euphonium with some paint chips on its surface.
“Actually, I was wrong too,” Kitahara Hakuba said with a soft laugh.
At this moment, a staff member called out:
"Alright, everyone from Shenxu High School, please take your instruments and head to the photo booth for a group photo. Please be careful."
That's what they said, but the girls seemed unusually reserved in front of the camera, whispering among themselves, "Why don't you stand in front?"
"You're taller than me, so you should stand in front."
"How should I stand? I don't understand!"
3
"What do you mean by how to stand? Stand exactly the way you stood at the last general assembly!"
The girls declined in various ways, fearing they might lose their girlish reserve in front of the camera.
Chapter 283, Section 282: The National Assembly! Group Photo! (4K) >>
Sayaka Akamatsu raised her hands and shouted:
"Teacher Kitahara, stand in the middle. Members of the large instrument clubs, such as those playing the tuba and double bass, should stand in front. Members of the smaller instrument clubs should stand in the back. Hurry up, there are many schools waiting behind us!"
As soon as she spoke, the members quickly began adjusting themselves on the photo stand.
Kitahara Hakuba stood behind the sign for the "72nd All-Japan Wind Music Festival," with a euphonium and double bass on his left and a bassoon and tuba on his right.
The second row contains mono, oboe, and trumpet.
The third row consists of trombones, piccolo, and flutes.
The fourth row contains saxophones, French horns, and percussion instruments.
Everything was in position. A staff member pushed a portable camera closer and said:
"Everyone waved to the camera!"
The Hokkaido girls smiled with pursed lips, raising their hands and waving gently, just like kindergarten children.
"That Shenxu High School is the most iodine-ridden school we've ever seen," the staff member remarked with a laugh.
Joyful laughter immediately filled the room, and the members of the Shenxu Wind Instrument Club couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh.
Kitahara Hakuba smiled brightly, thinking that these girls might not be anything special if there weren't so many cameras around.
The staff member continued:
"You are the first school to perform at the national tournament in Utsunomiya, and also the first school to win a gold medal here. Everyone, smile at the camera and make the 'one' sign. Everyone, please smile!"
"Yes!"
"Strange, the answer was so loud."
"Hahaha"
"Mr. Kitahara, please raise the baton with your right hand and make the 'one' gesture with your left hand. Thank you!"
Kitahara Hakuba nodded.
One, two, three, one!