All three music rooms were located on the fifth floor of the academic building, quite high up. Climbing just two more flights of stairs would take you to the rooftop.
Back when Kotomi Izumi liked eating lunch on the rooftop, she would occasionally pass by the fifth floor and hear the sound of a violin. Only now did she realize that those violin notes came from Momoka Mito.
"Coming to the third music room to play violin right after lunch... Momoka-senpai's obsession with the violin really is something else."
As she approached the third music room, the sound of the violin became clearer. Kotomi couldn't help but comment.
She peeked quietly through the door. Momoka Mito's expression showed that she was completely absorbed in her own world, playing Canon almost as if in a trance.
Seeing that, Kotomi chose not to go in. She stood quietly behind the door, appreciating the melody of Canon.
Canon wasn't the name of a specific piece, but a type of musical composition—a method of composing music.
The details had been explained thoroughly in music class, but Kotomi hadn't exactly paid attention back then.
The melody gradually softened, like the scent of flowers dissipating in the air, eventually vanishing. Inside the third music room, Momoka Mito finished her performance, slowly lowering her violin and taking a sip of water from a nearby cup. Seeing the sweat on her forehead, one couldn't help but wonder how long she'd been standing and playing.
Kotomi checked her pocket—thankfully, she had tissues with her. She gently pushed open the door and entered. The moment she stepped inside, Momoka's gaze turned to her.
As expected of someone who practiced violin—so sensitive to sound. Kotomi had pushed the door quietly, yet she still noticed.
"Good afternoon, Momoka-senpai," Kotomi greeted with a light smile.
Momoka was a bit surprised to see Kotomi. Most students took naps during lunch break, even those in the music department. Rarely would anyone visit the music rooms at this time, especially the third one, which was smaller than the other two.
Momoka took advantage of that quiet to fully immerse herself in playing the violin.
It wasn't about practice—she simply loved the violin. Anytime she had free time, she wanted to hear its beautiful sound. Momoka often said, "I'm in love—my lover is the violin."
Everyone thought she was joking, but she meant it sincerely.
"Izumi-chan? You're quite the rare guest for the third music room. The music teacher was just complaining in the office the other day about that white-haired cutie from Class 1-F who always falls asleep in class. She said you looked so peaceful, she didn't even have the heart to wake you. I think she meant you, right?"
Momoka smiled as she spoke and pulled out a nearby chair for Kotomi.
"If she actually used the words 'white-haired cutie,' then yeah, she definitely meant me," Kotomi replied shamelessly.
But she did have the right to be that self-confident.
"I think 'cutie' doesn't quite cut it. More like 'gorgeous beauty,'" Momoka joked. Even though she wasn't the type to care about appearances—hers or others'—even she had been drawn in the first time she saw Kotomi's curvy figure.
"Oh, stop it~ Momoka-senpai, you're teasing me again."
Kotomi chuckled as she sat down.
"Want some water? I brought an extra bottle," Momoka offered, pointing to an unopened bottle on the table.
"No need, I drank a Pepsi after lunch. I'm not thirsty at all."
"You should really cut back on soda," Momoka Mito advised. Though only a second-year high schooler, her lifestyle was notably healthy and well-balanced—almost out of place compared to the average teenager.
Members of the violin club had mentioned it before: their club president had never once joined them on a trip to a burger joint.
After chatting for a while, Momoka figured Kotomi hadn't come to the third music room just to talk. She smoothly changed the topic:
"Izumi-chan, I doubt you came here just to listen to me play violin, right?"
Kotomi preferred to get straight to the point. She nodded.
"Momoka-senpai, I wanted to borrow the key to the second music room—and its temporary usage rights."
Upon hearing Kotomi's request, Momoka didn't immediately agree or refuse. She quietly thought for a moment before asking:
"What do you want to use the second music room for? Just so you know, even though it's a quiet and out-of-the-way spot, it's not a place for secret rendezvous with your little girlfriends."
"Huh? That's a shame, I was thinking—wait! Momoka-senpai, you misunderstood! I just want to practice for the cultural festival! And what do you mean, little girlfriends?! Since when do I have multiple little girlfriends?!"
Kotomi nearly let something slip before quickly correcting herself.
One girlfriend was bad enough—but "girlfriends," plural?!
Though... now that she thought about it... ehehe~
"Oh? But I've been hearing rumors from the first-years that Kotomi from Class 1-F is a heartless playgirl, toying with young girls' affections. Entangled with three girls, one of whom is Class 1-A's very own class rep, Arisu Sakayanagi. The three were expected to tear each other apart in a fiery love triangle, but thanks to Kotomi's masterful skills, the three became close as sisters. At night, they even—"
Momoka paused there, chuckling. "That's where the rumor ends. Maybe the update hasn't come out yet."
"Ugh, that's awful! What happens next? I kind of want to hear—wait, no! Momoka-senpai! A heartless, girl-playing flirt?! That is a complete slander against me! I, Kotomi Izumi, absolutely despise those kinds of people! Who the heck is spreading these ridiculous rumors?!"
Kotomi grumbled in frustration. She already knew about the two-timing (then three-timing) rumors, but she hadn't expected the story to have spiraled this far out of control while she wasn't paying attention.
Wait a second—!
Kotomi suddenly realized something.
If Momoka Mito knew about the rumor that she was dating three girls...
Then did that mean Utaha Kasumigaoka, Kisara Tendo, and Mai Sakurajima had heard it too?!
The thought that her three-timing rumors might have reached the ears of the three upperclasswomen made Kotomi a bit nervous. But she quickly composed herself.
After all, if Utaha Kasumigaoka, Kisara Tendo, and Mai Sakurajima really had heard the rumors, there was no use panicking now. Maybe she should go buy a pineapple or something?
Momoka Mito couldn't help but laugh at Kotomi's brief emotional shift:
"Alright, let's set that aside for now. Izumi-chan, are you really asking to borrow the second music room? Is it so you can practice before the cultural festival... Are you planning to perform on stage?"
"Yes," Kotomi nodded. Since Momoka hadn't immediately refused, it meant there was a possibility. Even if the odds were low, Kotomi felt she had a decent chance of persuading her.
"Sorry to pry, but since you want to borrow the second music room, I assume your cultural festival act involves music. What kind of performance are you doing? A piano solo?"
The biggest feature of the second music room was its piano. Unfortunately, very few students at Sobu High could play it. Even in the music department, students who were proficient pianists could be counted on one hand. That piano might go unused for an entire semester.
Still, the music teacher made sure to tune it regularly—a tradition said to be established by Sobu High's first music teacher.
"Not a piano solo. It's actually a three-person band. We'll be performing a vocal piece with a vocalist, guitarist, and keyboardist."
"Originally, we planned to have a piano on stage, but I recently found out that the stage changeover time between acts is really short. It wouldn't be realistic to haul a full-size piano onto the stage."
"So we'll use the piano for practice, then switch to a keyboard for the actual performance."
Kotomi explained honestly. She had nothing to hide about the band. Plus, if she wanted to borrow the key and use the space temporarily, it was only fair to explain why.
The second music room was ideal: quiet, spacious, and equipped with a full piano.
Being upfront about her purpose increased the chances of Momoka agreeing. It also helped put her at ease about lending the room.
"Wow! Izumi-chan, you're forming a three-person band for the cultural festival? That's amazing!"
"And someone in your band can play a music keyboard? I've only ever seen keyboardists on TV" during band performances."
"Sorry for being nosy, but what role do you play in the band? Your voice is so nice, I thought for sure you were the lead singer."
Why does everyone automatically assume I'm the lead singer when they hear I'm forming a band? Kotomi forced a wry smile. Was her image really that fixed?
"Nope, we haven't picked a vocalist yet. I'm the guitarist."
"Guitar?! That's so cool. I never would've guessed. If you'd shown off a bit in music class, maybe the music teacher would stop complaining that you're the one who sleeps the soundest."
"Hehehe, let her keep complaining."
Kotomi laughed awkwardly. She really did sleep a lot in music class. It wasn't intentional—she just couldn't follow the lectures. She never meant to fall asleep... it just kind of happened.
Apparently, the music teacher noticed every time. Kotomi was just grateful she never got woken up.
Come to think of it, the music teacher for Class 1-F was also a young woman who had only recently graduated from university. She got along well with the students, and many of them enjoyed chatting with her after class.
In fact, the students were most energetic during music class—right when it ended.
"If you keep sleeping through music class, the teacher might cry, you know? Well, anyway, back to the second music room... I understand your general plan. I wish your performance at the cultural festival the best of luck! I'll be cheering for you!"
Momoka Mito smiled and then patted her pocket. "Ah, looks like I forgot the key. Are you in a hurry to get it? If not, can you wait until after the sports festival ends this afternoon? I'll ask the music teacher for it."
"But... do you think she'll actually agree to lend me the key if you ask her?"
Kotomi was uncertain. She was known as the student who always slept through music class. And now she wanted to borrow the key to the second music room—the one with the expensive grand piano. Would the teacher really agree to that?
"Don't worry, I'm on very good terms with the music teacher. If I put in a good word for you, she might just agree to let me lend it to you."
"It's rare for Sobu High to have a student-led three-person band performing at the cultural festival stage. I'm already looking forward to your performance. So consider the second music room key and temporary usage rights a little help from me~"
Momoka agreed cheerfully.
"Thank you so much, Momoka-senpai!" Kotomi quickly expressed her gratitude.
"No need to thank me. It's settled then—come find me here after the sports festival ends. I'll give you the key, and then I can head straight to the first music room for club activities," Momoka said with a smile.
"Huh? You still have violin club today? The art club I'm in got the day off."
"I was planning to take the day off too, and our advisor even said we should take a break for the two days of the sports festival. But once the members thought about the upcoming cultural festival performance, they got too anxious to rest and insisted on continuing practice."
"So dedicated..."
Incidentally, the violin club's advisor was also the music teacher for Class 1-F. Even though she was a newly hired teacher, she was already handling multiple roles.
Her name was Ami Koishi. She wasn't particularly stunning in appearance, just simple and neat-looking.
However, whenever she played music or sang, she radiated a special brilliance.
"Thanks again, Momoka-senpai. I won't disturb your violin playing any longer. See you."
"Alright, take care. Come visit again whenever you like."
After closing the door to the third music room, Kotomi turned and walked away. Just as she reached the stairwell, she heard a new violin piece coming from behind her—another song she didn't recognize.
Kotomi hadn't listened to many violin pieces, so she wasn't like those omniscient protagonists in novels who could instantly name any melody after hearing just a few bars.
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