Not seeing the outside, but seeing the inside.
A cool little sling.
Is this summer?
The strawberry ice cream is delicious.
"Cheers, Senpai."
"Cheers, Yuu."
The two of them held strawberry ice cream and clinked glasses with each other across the screen.
Senior sister's life seems to be full of his shadow. He likes to drink soda, and the refrigerator of senior sister's house is full of soda. In summer, he likes to eat strawberry ice cream.
Every time I open the refrigerator, besides soda, it's filled with strawberry ice cream.
So much so that now Maki also eats strawberry ice cream.
There may not be any other flavors of ice cream.
"You found a guitar tutor?" The two were chatting about trivial matters.
"Yes, I still feel that my progress in practice is too slow."
"You is already very good." Ikema Maki said softly.
Of course, I'm referring to musical talent.
After finishing the video call with the senior, I chatted with Tateno, Furui and others in a small group of three.
Furui: We stopped outside Koshien, but we went to watch the games in Koshien, so we were considered to have entered Koshien.
Tateno: Still haven't made it to Koshien?
Koshien is just the name of a competition. If you want to really enter Koshien to play, you have to enter the top 16. It seems that Chibazuru's baseball team did not even make it to the top 16.
Gu Jing: This is difficult, there are too many strong teams in this session.
Yuzumi: Are the schools participating in Koshien similar every year?
Gujing: ...
Tateno: That's right.
Gu Jing: The main reason is that I didn't play.
Tateno: Can't the seniors who have practiced for three years still be better than you who have only practiced baseball for a few months?
Yuzumi: Too arrogant, Furui.
Gujing: ...
Furui: Anyway, I'm back home. I'm in Tokyo now.
Tateno: I'm in Kamakura.
Yuzumi: Eh? Kamakura?
Furui: Kamakura?
Tateno: Yes, with Fukamizu-san.
Yuzumi: Fukamizu-san?
Gujing: Mr. Shenshui?
Tateno: Yes.
Furui, Hazumi:...
Yuzumi: Kamakura is very hot in the summer.
Tateno: Hey! How did Yuzumi know?
Yuzumi: I just came back from being there during my vacation.
Furui: @羽居, are you in Tokyo now?
Yuzumi: No, I'm in Hokkaido.
Furui: ...Am I the only one in Tokyo...
Tateno: The baseball manager might be there too.
Furui: Shut up, Sota! /Black face
Yuzumi: Tokyo is great. Many people's lifelong dream is to settle down in Tokyo or to visit Tokyo once.
Furui: It's too hot and too boring. You are all not in Tokyo, and I am alone.
Tateno: I'll be back in a few days.
Gujing: Come out and play! Let's go fishing! Let's play ball!
Tateno: I'll bring Fukamizu-san with me.
Furui: I will tell Fukamizu about you peeking at the baseball club manager's miniskirt.
Hazumi:...
Tateno: I'll tell her that the three of us peeked up her miniskirt.
Hazumi:?
Tateno actually learned bad things from Furui!
It was a meaningless chat, but it was just a normal conversation between the few of them.
There is no need for any nutritional needs in chatting, maybe you just want to find a few people to talk to.
Yuzumi Yu has already realized this, because Kyoko, who has no friends, sends him screenshots of games with full marks every day.
He didn't say anything, just sent screenshots, just like a human...
The night passed quickly.
It was dawn, and Yuzumi You still got up early.
This is just an everyday, insignificant thing.
After running, I went back to take a shower, then found a field with a wide view with my guitar bag on my back.
Practicing the piano is repeated every day.
After the 30 days of this incident, he might have already developed the habit of practicing the piano every day.
How many days does it take to develop a habit?
There is the "21 days" theory from classic research.
The saying "It takes 21 days to form a habit" comes from the observation of American plastic surgeon Maxwell Maltz.
He found in the 1950s that patients undergoing plastic surgery needed about 21 days to adjust to their new appearance; and patients who had lost a limb needed about 21 days to get used to the loss of their limb.
Based on these observations, he proposed the idea of "forming a new habit in 21 days" in his book "Psycho-Cybernetics".
While playing the piano, Yuzumi Yu's thoughts couldn't help but wander.
Compared to 21 days to develop a habit, there is a more scientific study - 66 days.
A research team from University College London published a study in the European Journal of Social Psychology, which conducted a more systematic exploration of the cycle of habit formation.
In the study, 96 participants were asked to choose a simple behavior (such as drinking a glass of water after breakfast every day, taking a 10-minute walk after dinner every day, etc.) as a new habit goal.
And record the degree to which you automatically perform the behavior (that is, whether you can complete it without conscious reminder).
The results show:
The average time it takes to form a habit is 66 days.
There are huge individual differences, with the shortest being about 18 days and the longest taking 254 days.
Of course, none of this matters. Yuzumi Yu was just going over the knowledge he had seen in his mind.
A little distracted.
Perhaps it was because the fields were too quiet, the sound of the piano was traveling far away, or for some other reason, but Kusaka Haruto was attracted again.
Maybe the other person is used to getting up early every day, and then goes out shopping out of habit, and you meet by chance.
"Good morning, kid. Do you get up so early every day?" Kusaka Haruto sat down next to the boy and drank from the small iron bottle in his hand that was full of the aroma of wine.
The beard is thick but neatly trimmed, the face is fair and handsome, and the young man has a beard... In other words, it looks like a scholar with a beard.
The other party said it when he finished playing, so he was able to reply just in time.
Even if you ask him while he is playing, he will still respond politely.
He has always been a very humble and polite person.
"Good morning, teacher. I'm used to it." Yuzumi Yu replied.
"It's a good habit." Teacher Kusaka took a sip.
Next, Yuzumi Yu played a song that the teacher had played before, "Kikujiro's Summer".
"It's still a little bit lacking." Kusaka-sensei's evaluation.
It can be seen that the other party did not set overly high standards for him, but the evaluation still feels a bit lacking?
What's the difference?
"It's just... I almost felt it." This was the answer Kusaka Haruto gave after thinking for a while.
"...It's too blurry, Sensei."
"It feels strange." Kusaka Haruto pondered, drinking while trying to figure out how to put it. "It's like a scene, a person, a thing."
"The more the teacher talks, the more confused I become."
"Hmm..." After a while, Kusaka Haruto continued, "Everyone has different feelings when watching a scene. This is the feeling.
A person is different for everyone. Some people dislike him, some people like him. This is also a feeling."
"Teacher, you're running too far." Yuzumi Yu reminded.
"...Asshole, that's not going too far." Mr. Kusaka said with some 'frustrated' attitude.
"Teacher, please continue."
Kusaka Haruto looked at the blue sky and the emerald green fields. The two of them sat in the fields, the grass playing with the corners of his clothes. He took two sips of wine and said slowly, "This is like a sentence."
"A paragraph?"
"Yes, a paragraph." He paused. "For some, it can bring back memories, for others, it's confusing, for others, it still doesn't make sense, and for others, it's still happening."
Yuzumi Yuu was lost in thought.
What the teacher said is too mysterious.
Kusaka Haruto: "Feelings are inherently vague because they are feelings, not specific playing or fingering techniques. You can only understand them yourself."
Yuzumi Yu continued to ponder.
There is no doubt that Mr. Kusaka is a master and we can learn a lot from him.
But isn't the teacher emphasizing feelings too much?
A bit too idealistic?
"Teacher, are feelings really that important?"
"Feeling is the soul of a song."
"For example?"
"It can make your scalp tingle. Although the melody is simple, it can make people associate and immerse themselves in it. This is the feeling."
After a moment, Kusaka Haruto continued, "It's like a video, an animation clip, but with music. It's very touching and moving."
"I think I understand a little bit."
Actually, it doesn't feel difficult to understand.
Is it difficult to understand the feeling a song gives people?
But... understanding is one thing, but whether you can get started is the key.
Yu Yuzumi played "Kikujiro's Summer" again.
This time, Kusaka Haruto commented, "I feel something."
"Thanks."
"What were you thinking about?"
"I sit at home studying in the summer, and when I feel tired I eat a piece of strawberry ice cream. The sun is shining outside the window, shining into the house through the open curtains, but it is not hot because the air conditioner temperature is very comfortable." Yuzumi Yu replied.
"Very impressive."
"Thank you." Staying humble and never being arrogant has always been his strength.
"You have a strong ability to comprehend, so I don't plan to teach you too many techniques. Compared to those, I would rather teach you some abstract things." Kusaka Haruto said with a smile.
"Please don't be too abstract." The boy said seriously.
After laughing twice, Mr. Kusaka said mysteriously, "Have you heard that you can communicate with animals through music?"
"without."
"I know a master who can communicate with animals through music." Kusaka Haruto said with an 'I'm so awesome' look.
"Will the teacher know?"
"…Please don't say irrelevant things."
"Understood."
"Boy, please don't understand things so easily."
In the next few days, Yuzumi Yu practiced piano with his teacher in the room.
Minako and the others went out to play, but he was still practicing the piano.
We came here to escape the heat, after all, isn't it? Besides, time is running out.
The fireworks festival and some other festivals here will also waste his time in the future, so he needs to upgrade to proficiency as soon as possible to eliminate any worries.
That day, while I was practicing the piano, a phone call came in.
He rarely received calls on his cell phone, so he picked up the phone even though he didn't know the person.
"Good afternoon, Yuzumi-kun." A clear and bright voice came from the other end.
Amelia?
He took the phone away and glanced at the number before putting it back to his ear and said, "Good afternoon. Did you change your number?"
"That's normal."
"What do you want from me?"
"Strengthen the relationship. Don't forget about it after not contacting each other for a long time."
"Not really." He told me the truth. "So you came to me just to show off your new phone number?"
"Not really. I just want to tell you that I have dealt with Sato Sho." said the person on the other end.
Silence, "...I'm not interested." The Sato Sho the other party was referring to should be the archery genius Sato senior.
"There's something that might interest you."
"oh?"
"I found an interesting spell in the notes he carried with him."
Yuzumi Yu waited silently for what was to come.
The other party continued, "A spell that can make people fall in love with themselves."
Continue to be silent.
"I don't think any man would be able to resist this spell," the other party said in a teasing voice. "If you can cooperate with me, I will bring you this note."
Yuzumi Yu was silent for a while, "Why are you so persistent?"
"To be honest, at first I just thought your purity was very special. You must be an 'Extraordinary' as well. It's very likely, because who else could be like that besides an Extraordinary?"
Can all special, strange, and incomprehensible things be classified as extraordinary?
The other party continued, "But later I discovered that you are not a transcendent. However, the fact that someone who is not transcendent actually possesses such abilities is even more amazing. What I need to do now is to win over all the forces that are worth winning over."
Yuzumi Yuu said nothing.
"So, cooperate with me. I can bring you this note. This isn't a condition, it's just... a welcome gift for working with me."
"Actually, I don't need that kind of useless thing." Yuzumi Yu said lightly.
A spell that can make someone fall in love with you?
He doesn't need it.
I even hope that there won't be any crazy people, like that sasaeng fan… Marumori-san.
Fortunately, while she is crazy, she is not insane in some ways.
"Useless?" Amelia laughed on the other end. "What man can resist the idea that every woman he likes falls in love with him?"
Indeed, no one can refuse, but not through this means. It can only be said that forced fate is not perfect.
His virtue is A.
"There's really no need. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up first." He still had to practice the piano.
"Really?" The other party asked in a teasing voice.
"goodbye."
Just as I was about to hang up, I heard the other party's voice again.
"Wait a moment."
"Anything else?"
"Hazumi-kun is indeed a very pure person."
"What does this have to do with purity?" he asked calmly.
He is actually not that pure, he just does what he likes to do and insists on doing what he doesn't like to do.
Amelia didn't answer the boy's question, but instead continued, "I thought Yuzumi-kun would at least be surprised by this kind of spell, but I didn't expect him to be so indifferent."
"It has nothing to do with me." He only cares about his own business.
The girl chuckled, "But then again, there's no such magical thing in the world, like casting a spell to make someone fall deeply in love with you."
"What do you want to say?"
"I tried to study the spell, and I discovered something very strange."
"Yeah." Let the other person continue.
"There are some problems with the basic principles of this spell."
"What's the meaning?"
"What I mean is, it's probably not a spell that can make someone fall in love with you. There's no such magical thing in the world."
In the eyes of the vampire master, a spell can make the other person fall in love with him. Is this magical?
"What do you mean?" Yuzumi Yu repeated.
"Its ultimate effect, if I'm not mistaken, is to damage the nerves of the person who releases it, making them feel happy no matter what they do or what they face."
Is that so?
He didn't understand spells, just as he didn't understand the supernatural.
"I feel happy because my nerves are damaged, and I have a preconceived notion that 'the other person will fall in love with me', thus truly achieving the purpose of this spell and making myself feel that the other person really loves me." The young man pondered.
"The person who invented this spell is a genius." He said.
"...Please, is this the point?" Amelia on the other end of the phone could be heard to be speechless.
"So what's the point you want to make?"
Amelia said, "Don't you think this kind of spell is strange? It doesn't exist to serve the Onmyoji, but to persecute them."
The young man pondered, "A family initiative?"
"That's right." Amelia said in a low voice, "It seems that some irreconcilable conflicts have arisen between the Yin-Yang Master and the family."
Yuzumi Yuu remained silent, and the other end continued, "This is an opportunity."
Amelia was fantasizing: "Maybe I can get the support of the Mihong nobles."
"It has nothing to do with me." Yuzumi Yu said.
"I want you to understand that perhaps there isn't much of an obstacle to a successful seal, Yuzumi-kun."
Amelia still wanted him to get involved in this mess.
Just saying this is like saying - I want you to understand that maybe making 100 million is not a big obstacle, Yuzumi-kun.
No, not equal.
He should be the richest man in the world.
If she could successfully seal the two worlds, then Amelia would truly be the greatest person in the world throughout history.
"I'm going to practice the piano." Yuzumi Yu didn't plan to say anything more.
"Have fun practicing the piano."
"goodbye."
"bay."
Bay and goodbay both mean goodbye. Bay is more playful, while Goodbye is more official. The latter is a more formal term and is suitable for anyone in any occasion.
After reviewing the knowledge points, Yuzumi Yu hung up the phone and walked back to the room.
No matter when or where, no matter what he is doing, he always works hard, which is one of his secrets to continued success.
As he has a good memory, he does not need to review knowledge points. It is just a habitual and subconscious behavior over the years.
It has become his habit.
It is an excellent habit and also an advantage, and Yuzumi Yu is not planning to give it up deliberately.
I went back and sat cross-legged, took the zither, and saw Kusaka Haruto looking at his pocket watch.
Yuzumi Yu thought the other party was calculating the time he wasted on the phone, but when he looked over, he saw a photo in the pocket watch.
It is a photo of the upper body. The woman is gentle, kind, generous, quiet and elegant.
...Why does it look familiar?
Hmm... After flipping through his memory library for comparison, Yuzumi Yu was surprised to find that the person in the photo was somewhat similar to Kusaka-san.
Is it an illusion?
He looked at the man again, Kusaka Haruto.
If you remove the thick beard, the handsome face is actually somewhat similar to Kusaka-san.
"…"
They all have the surname Rixia.
Putting aside the unnecessary thoughts in his mind, he just played the guitar.
It's none of his business, he just needs to improve his guitar level as much as possible within the time limit.
This is important.
The young man started practicing the piano, and Kusaka Haruto put away his pocket watch and listened carefully.
In terms of teacher ethics, Mr. Kusaka is absolutely serious. Perhaps he really wants to teach him a lot. After all, geniuses are hard to come by.
Is it too arrogant to call yourself a genius?
Knowing yourself clearly is not arrogance.
This is also his advantage and is not worth mentioning.
Time is passing.
Yuzumi Yu's guitar has undergone some qualitative changes in these days.
The most intuitive feeling is that people no longer focus on accurate reproduction and techniques, but pay more attention to emotions.
Mid-August, on the eve of the fireworks display.
evening.
Two people were practicing piano in the room.
Tonight, Mr. Kusaka was invited to stay for dinner, and he did not refuse, so he stayed to practice the piano after dinner.
"You're really hardworking, kid." Kusaka Haruto lay on the balcony, looking at the clear night sky.
"Time is precious." Yuzumi Yu was preparing to play the next song.
"Actually, there's still a lot of time, and you're still young. Don't focus too much on yourself." Kusaka Haruto said with a hint of meaning.
"I think the teacher is also very young."
"Am I still young?" Kusaka Haruto laughed, "I'm almost forty."
"Huh?" This time it was Yuzumi Yu's turn to be surprised. He looked at the other person in astonishment. The other person's handsome face, except for the beard, did not look like a man in his forties.
At first glance, she looks about 28cm tall.
"The teachers all look under 30 years old." The truth.
"Really?" Kusaka Haruto rested his head on his hands. "It's just that I've taken good care of myself."
maintainance...
"By the way, do you know about the fireworks festival tomorrow?" asked Mr. Kusaka.
Yuzumi Yu pressed the strings, "I know."
In summer, there are many fireworks displays in various places.
There will naturally be no shortage of things in Furano. For example, tomorrow, a fireworks festival will be held on the banks of the Sorachi River.
Although I have been there once, I am still looking forward to it this time, after all, I can see the endless purple lavender by the river.
Sitting in the fields and watching the fireworks rising into the night sky with everyone, or with Minako and others, it is worth looking forward to.
"It's worth a visit." Kusaka Haruto said, "If that's the case, how about playing 'Fireworks on Fireworks'?"
The teacher is helping him find the feeling.
Just listen to the teacher...the teacher has to go too?
And he was also asked to play "Fireworks"?
"I'll bring someone tomorrow and we'll go have some fun together." Kusaka Haruto said with a smile.
"No problem at all."
"She's a girl. Come to think of it, you two seem to be about the same age."
"Is she the teacher's daughter?" It was simple. Since the teacher was almost 40 and had a girl who was about his age, she must be his daughter or another student.
"Um."
"The teacher's daughter is also very accomplished in music, right?" During this period, Yuzumi Yu basically confirmed that Mr. Kusaka was either a master or a king in music.
But he hasn't reached that level yet, so he can't see the difference between the two. Maybe that's because the teacher has never shown his strength.
"Her?" Kusaka Haruto recalled, "I haven't heard her play the piano for a long time. In fact, we don't meet very often. I can only say for sure that her musical talent is far inferior to yours, kid."
Ignoring the second half of the sentence automatically, as following it might be considered pride and arrogance, Yuzumi Yuu asked, "Why don't we meet often? Is she attending school outside?"
"We're both in Tokyo," Kusaka Haruto said, "but we hardly ever see each other. She has her own life."
"Is that so..."
"Maybe that's why she holds a grudge against me and we don't contact each other very often." Kusaka Haruto recalled.
"Huh? How come?"
To be honest, Yuzumi Yu is not very interested in other people's gossip, but Mr. Kusaka is obviously quite interested at the moment.
"It's only recently that we hang out because her birthday is approaching. Otherwise, we haven't had any contact during winter and spring breaks."
Yuzumi Yuu remained silent, waiting for the teacher to continue.
Who knew the teacher would change the subject and say, "Tomorrow you can tell her that you've only been learning guitar for less than a month. Then play a song. I guarantee you'll amaze her."
"..." There is no need to brag or show off, and that is not his style.
The night passed in a flash.
The next afternoon, Yuzumi Yu and others got on the car and set off.
Drive along the road, passing through fields and lavender, and arrive at the banks of the Sorachi River.
It was getting dark.
Looking down from the hill, you can see the illuminated bridge and the brightly lit towns of Furano.
Hills are low hills with gentle slopes and continuous terrain. They are one of the basic landform types on the land surface.
Its absolute height is roughly below 500 meters, and its relative height generally does not exceed 200 meters. It is a terrain with a height difference between a plain and a plateau.
This is also the territory of lavender.
The low rolling hills and endless lavender are like a purple carpet, covering all the hills within sight.
We stopped the car by the river and gathered together.
Teacher Kusaka and the elders were walking in front and chatting. Minako was holding the boy's arm, and the boy and the other girl were silent.
Should have guessed it earlier.
Actually, I guessed it.
I just don't understand why Haruto Kusaka, the eldest daughter's father, would be the tutor.
Could this be what Kusaka-sensei was talking about as temperament?
What a temperamental person.
"Hello, Kusaka-san."
"Hello, Yuzumi-san."
A formal greeting.
The relationship between the two ended there.
Going out was a club activity, and the kiss before was just a mutual transaction.
"Eh?" Minako, surprised, hugged the boy's arms tighter. She looked back and forth between the two of them. "Hazumi-nii, do you know this sister?"
"It's a classmate." Yuzumi Yu spoke gently.
Kusaka Haruna glanced over and then calmly looked away.
"Are you from the same school?"
"certainly."
Minako smiled sweetly and greeted Kusaka Haruna, "Hello, Kusaka-sister, I'm Hashimoto Minako, brother Yuzumi's sister. You can just call me Minako!"
Kusaka Haruna smiled faintly, "Hello, Hashimoto sister."
Still so gentle, so quiet, without any sharpness, making people feel that the smile is like a warm breeze.
Kusaka-san is like this, she treats everyone with her own gentleness.
But if you look closely at the gentleness, you can see that she is distant from everyone. Although she is gentle, she is gentle to everyone. Isn't this a kind of alienation?
And she called her Hashimoto sister.
Walk up the hill and sit down.
Sitting among the lavender waiting for the fireworks display to begin.
There were many people sitting around, but they were all relatively far apart.
Unlike the fireworks display I attended in Tokyo, this fireworks display was held on the riverside in the fields. There were not so many vendors, and the only opportunity was to enjoy the fireworks.
There weren't that many people there, mainly because the fields were really wide. People could stand in this area, in this aisle of purple lavender, so it was naturally not as crowded as before in Tokyo.
Of course, there weren't as many people attending as in Tokyo.
After all, Tokyo is really densely populated.
Whether you take the tram to or back from a fireworks display, you will be stuck in traffic for more than half an hour.
I still remember that crowded station. If it weren't for the fact that he was 178cm tall enough for Mihong, Yuzumi Yu would not have been able to see Tateno and the other man.
But speaking of height, he really felt that he had grown taller recently. It seemed necessary to measure his height again when he returned.
The sky was just dim.
There is still the afterglow of the sunset on the horizon.
The sky was clear, covered with thick clouds, but it was already past seven in the evening.
Summer is like this, it gets light early and dark late.
Before the fireworks display began, Yuzumi Yu looked at the surrounding fields and saw that the hillside was already filled with people sitting and standing.
He put the guitar bag aside and took out his guitar.
Kusaka Haruna, who was standing next to her, saw this and smiled faintly, "Hazumi-san, do you want to play a song here?"
The three of them sat at a distance from their elders.
It is a communication between young people.
"Yes, a song called 'Fireworks'."
"Very appropriate." Kusaka Haruna nodded slightly.
"Of course, it's still not as appropriate as playing 'Sunny Day' during a thunderstorm."
Kusaka-san didn't say anything, and Minako's eyes wandered between the two of them, but she also didn't say anything.
There was no loud countdown, perhaps because the lavender fields were too open and not crowded with people.
Fireworks bloomed in the dark sky.
You can still see the last few rays of sunset in the sky.
The crowd on the hillside held up their cell phones and turned on their lights.
As the fireworks exploded, brilliant lights filled the sky, and patches of black clouds looked like torn sponges with wispy edges.
The firelight reflected on everyone's face.
Yuzumi Yu started playing the guitar.
You can also hear the chirping of cicadas in the fields.
It is very different from the big fire show in Tokyo. First of all, the scale is not that large, secondly, there are not so many people, and thirdly, it is really relaxing to sit in the fields and enjoy the fireworks.
Lavender is like a purple ocean, enveloping everyone. The gentle night breeze blows across the cheeks. There is no hot weather, just the right temperature.
The song is finished.
Yuzumi Yu pondered for a moment, then looked up at the night sky.
Bright flames exploded in the sky above the banks of the Sorachi River. Following the sound of explosions and the surrounding noise, he looked over.
Minako was taking pictures very seriously.
Kusaka Haruna bent her knees, hugged her legs, and raised her snow-white chin.
She was as usual, wearing a beige coat, a white long skirt, white socks and flat shoes.
He wasn't looking at feet on purpose, he didn't have that kind of fetish, he was just paying attention to what he was wearing.
Gathering his thoughts, he played "Light the Fireworks" again.
Another song ended, and a man's voice came from behind.
"It's getting better and better, kid."
The three of them turned around at the same time, and it was Kusaka Haruto.
Looking at the three of them, he added, "This kid has only been playing guitar for less than a month. No, to be more precise, he's only been playing music for less than a month."
Kusaka Haruna looked at Yuzumi Yu, "Is that so?"
"Not worth mentioning." The boy said expressionlessly.
Kusaka Haruna smiled faintly, "Just saying this is really amazing."
Achieving some success in guitar playing in just one month is worthy of such praise.
In the eyes of others, there is no system and the specific levels cannot be seen, but whether it is good or bad, and whether it is a beginner or an expert can still be heard.
Yuzumi Yu looked so skilled as if he had practiced it a hundred times, at least in terms of his playing technique, it was unquestionably smooth.
"Boy, you're awesome." Kusaka Haruto said with a smile.
"Brother Yuzumi, you're so awesome!" Minako hugged the boy's arm and leaned against him.
"…" What's going on? It's a bit embarrassing.
Such forced praise is really embarrassing.
Why is it forced praise? Because Yuzumi Yu's goal is to master it in one month...a small achievement, not worth mentioning.
The fireworks display is still going on.
It is still lively and the flames are still shining in the sky.
Along the banks of the Sorachi River, LED lights are connected and lit up one after another. Cars and bicycles are passing by on the bridge over the river from time to time.
There is no bustling city, no noise of Tokyo Fireworks Festival, no sound of passing trains, only the chirping of summer cicadas in the fields, only the tranquility of the fields, and
The sound of fireworks streaking across the night sky and exploding in the night sky.
Halfway through the fireworks display, Minako left and followed her two mothers to take photos in the sea of purple lavender flowers.
Kusaka Haruna opened the book she carried with her.
Do you read in such an environment?
Reading under a night sky filled with fireworks?
It's like playing a song "Sunny Day" in a rainstorm, and Rixia really knows how to enjoy it.
"Reading in a dark environment will hurt your eyes." Yuzumi Yu reminded, and took out the eye drops he carried with him and started to use them.
Kusaka Haruna was reading quietly and said calmly, "Hazumi-san needs eye drops because she's reading in the dark?"
Blinking, the boy said, "I remember I explained it to you at your house that day."
"So... Master Yuzumi, how's the feng shui of this place?"
"not bad."
"It feels like a useless perfunctory remark." Qian Xiao.
Looking from the side, Kusaka Haruna is elegant, quiet, generous and gentle.
A perfect jawline, beautiful nose, and fair skin, all glowing with a charming blush in the firelight rising into the sky.
This is the reflection of the fireworks, everyone knows it.
If I were to use one word to summarize Kusaka Haruna, no, one word is not enough, two words are just right, and that is - elegant and gentle.
Elegance is her temperament and appearance, and gentleness is her attitude, which she shows to everyone.
Just like before, even though I clearly hated him in my heart, I still treated him gently.
Well... I can only say that there are pros and cons. Being gentle to everyone can make her popular, especially since she is so beautiful. However, being gentle to everyone also happens to mean that she is very introverted inside.
Simply put, lack of friends.
Lack of a true friend.
Kyoko is a good choice.
"Perfunctory? I only saw Master Yuzumi's hard work, to the point that he needed eye drops." Holding the guitar, Yuzumi Yu said lightly.
"In fact, the master does not need to pay anything, because no one has ever asked the master to do so." The other party replied.
"The master asked for it himself." The young man plucked the strings.
Pleasant piano music was heard, but as the fireworks became more and more gorgeous, the music was blown away before it could travel far.
After finishing the song, Kusaka Haruna closed the book and said, "I have a question."
The boy stopped moving and said, "Please speak."
"Why do you know my father?"
Well... well, to be honest, I can only say that Tomoya Hanzumi is so powerful that he can even invite the head of a big family in Tokyo to be his music teacher.
"I need a music teacher." said the boy.
Kusaka Haruna looked at the riverbank in the distance, the water shimmering in the firelight. She nodded slightly and said, "My father is indeed a music teacher."
It seems she understands.
Yes, people who are bad enough are also smart enough.
Oh, I forgot. If I were to use words to describe Kusaka-san, maybe two words are still not enough. It should be three - bad, elegant, and gentle.
Yes, these three.
It's accurate.
As for whether the feet are white and tender and beautiful, it doesn't matter.
"It seems that my father is very optimistic about your musical talent." Kusaka Haruna said again.
"Not worth mentioning." Just a catchphrase.
"Perhaps you don't need anything else. Just focus on studying music, and your future will be good."
"The goal is still the University of Tokyo."
"Is this why you've been studying so hard?"
"No, it's because I studied hard that I got into Todai." Yuzumi Yu corrected, "It's not because I studied hard because of Todai."
Kusaka Haruna glanced over. Under the illumination of the fireworks and the brilliantly lit night sky, the boy slightly raised his head to look at the sky. His profile was handsome and his skin was very clean.
But it doesn't look feminine, but rather tough.
He is handsome and fair-skinned, and his eyes seem to sparkle when he smiles, just like the fireworks in the boy's clear pupils.
If someone else said this, she would just laugh it off, but the young man in front of her seemed to be really trying hard.
"Very confident, Yuzumi-san." Kusaka Haruna withdrew her gaze indifferently.
"nature."
"So this is why you're even studying cat transformation so hard?"
"Of course, I'm working hard all the time. I have this kind of confidence." Yuzumi Yu affirmed.
"Are you striving for confidence all the time?"
"It's scary."
"Why are we talking about scary things again?" Kusaka Haruna curled up her legs in front of her. Her white long skirt covered her legs, and only half of her white calves and a pair of flat white shoes could be seen.
"Isn't it scary to think of someone who works hard all the time?" Yuzumi Yu asked back.
That's exactly the kind of scary guy he was going to be.
At least we have to wait until he becomes prime minister, then we can do whatever we want, but we can't turn back before we win!
"Then please continue to be terrifying, Yuzumi-san." A gentle voice with a soft smile.
But Yuzumi Yu knew that she was like this to everyone, and if it was someone else today, she would be just as gentle.
"Kusaka-san, your gentleness is truly terrifying."
"Can gentleness also be described as 'terrible'?"
"Anything can be described as 'terrible'. For example, fireworks are terrible, they are terrifically gorgeous. For example, lavender is terrible, it is terrifically beautiful."
"Is that so?" Kusaka Haruna looked at him with amusement.
Of course, he was talking nonsense.
But in fact, there is still some explanation. For example, the word "cute" is the highest level of praise when used on girls by Mihong, but Yuzhu You feels that if it is used on boys,
That is undoubtedly slander!
slander!
He just doesn't like people saying he's cute, he's a macho!
Words have two uses.
"That's right." Yuzumi Yu began to pluck the strings again.
He brought his guitar here to get in the mood. If he only plays a few songs and spends the rest of the time chatting, then what's the point of bringing the guitar?
So, please keep up the good work!
Please continue to be awesome!
Just the first few tunes of the prelude sound so familiar that one can't help but wonder where they've been heard before.
[So-called destiny]
[The number shown on the dice]
[Or perhaps it was a whim of God]
[Courage hopes to bind these magics]
[It is useless so adults avoid reading it]
Yuzumi Yu was concentrating on practicing the piano, while Kusaka Haruna was reading a book beside him. The fire in the night sky illuminated the sky and the faces of the two boys and girls.
The boy played and sang "What Else Can Love Do", a song from "RADWIMPS" and also an interlude in the movie "Weathering with You".
RADWIMPS, this is a very powerful band.
Just like the song "The Correct Answer" that I sang with Li Ye before, it is their song.
As well as the theme songs and ending songs of "Your Name" and "Suzuya's Journey".
These are all very famous anime works.
This band is also famous.
Fireworks, hills, stretches of purple lavender, by the river, a gentle breeze blows across the face, lifting the hair.
Playing guitar in this environment is truly a wonderful experience. What kind of feeling is it? A relaxed feeling, no longer focusing on the process, just playing whatever comes to mind.
Playing the piano in such an environment is really free and easy.
Perhaps music is truly a form of expression, an expression that touches the soul directly using only rhythm, regardless of language.
With one last wave of splendor, the fireworks display came to an end.
Yuzumi Yu put the guitar back into the bag and put it on his back. Instead of going back with everyone, he walked alone in the field.
The fireworks display ended and the crowd gradually dispersed.
Squatting by the Sorachi River, the river reflected the clear sky. The dark clouds were like cotton in an old quilt, with the edges torn into wisps of residual cloud.
The breeze in the fields makes people feel comfortable.
Dispel sorrow and worries.
In fact, there is no sorrow or worry. His life has always been like this. In the past, he simply worked hard to get into a better school.
And now, it is for the distant yet close University of Tokyo, and the even more distant and unknown Prime Minister.
Hard work has become a habit.
Habitually work hard, habitually go for what you want without leaving any regrets.
Why is he thinking so much today?
It was obviously a very ordinary day, but...the teacher said that music requires feeling, and he was looking for feeling.
I don't know how long it took, but when it got dark, all the people who came to participate in the fireworks display had dispersed.
He turned around at this end of the bridge and could still vaguely see a quiet figure sitting among the lavender on the hills in the distance.
Hasn't she gone back yet?
No, there is no need to add a question mark, she just didn't go back.
Yuzumi Yu walked back and found Kusaka Haruna still reading.
However, the young man did not conceal his footsteps. The other party noticed it, but without looking up, he smiled and said, "I like to read in a quiet place."
After a moment, "For example, the club activity classroom of the 'World Conquest Preparation Department'?"
Is that quiet?
It was very quiet.
As long as Kyoko played "Touch the Animals" without making any noise, and as long as Marumori didn't turn on that unnecessary TV, it would be quiet enough.
"The afternoon club activity classroom is indeed a good place if there weren't the cheers from the baseball field," Kusaka Haruna said in a gentle voice.
"This is unavoidable." You can't just go over and tell the baseball team, which has trained hard for a semester but still hasn't made it to the top 16, to be quiet, right?
The game has been lost, and if we lose the momentum as well, then we really have nothing left.
At least in terms of momentum and effort, the baseball club, which trains from morning to night, is serious enough.
"Aren't you going back yet?" The young man standing behind the girl had his guitar bag slung over one shoulder and his hands in his pockets.
"A little later." Kusaka Haruna was reading a book.
"Be careful when you go home at night." This is just a classmate's or a director's concern for the other members.
A beautiful girl walking on the street at night is like a beautiful girl squeezing onto a tram during rush hour, which is worthy of concern.
Of course, the prerequisite is that they are his members.
Of course, the former is not as serious as the latter.
In Mihong, dangers in the evening may not be common, but perverts are very common.
Inevitable.
No, it can be avoided.
"Thank you." Kusaka smiled gently.
The boy turned and left, following the evening breeze towards his accommodation.
After returning home, Yuzumi Yu continued practicing.
Finally, before going to bed, I took a look at the system.
[Ability (General): Guitar (Beginner)]
Although he is still at the beginner level, his understanding of music has reached a higher level. I believe it won't be long before he can reach proficiency.
You will definitely be promoted to Mastery before the event ends.
At night, the boy opened the window and let the cool night breeze in.
The wind was quite strong, and the green grass as far as the eye could see was pressed down, like a broken tree.
The peak season for typhoons is generally from July to October, with September being the month with the highest typhoon incidence.
Although it is not September when typhoons are most frequent, Mihong was still affected by the typhoon in mid-August.
I just checked the weather forecast and there is a strong typhoon coming soon.
By then, with Furano's terrain and the endless wilderness, the typhoon will definitely be very fierce.
After watching for a while, Yuzumi Yu closed the window and lay back on the bed.
The wind is quite strong and it's a bit cold at night, so it's better to close the window. What if something is blown in and hits him?
At that time, the cat owner's nine lives will be reduced by one, and no one wants to see such a thing.
One night passed.
Yuzumi Yu is still practicing the piano.
Kusaka Haruto still comes to guide.
He asked Tomoya Hanzumi in the morning, and his father said that this teacher's price is indeed higher than most teachers, but in Furano, this is the only teacher he can find to provide home tutoring.
It was mainly recommended by friends, so I can rest assured.
It refers to the confidence in terms of musical ability.
But Yuzumi Yu wanted to say that it was not expensive at all. There was nothing more powerful than having the eldest lady's father, the head of a big family, teach him.
In fact, Yuzumi doesn't really understand Kusaka-sensei's motives.
So he asked during the break.
"With your skills, you shouldn't be short of money, right? Why do you want to be a tutor?"
"Interest," Kusaka Haruto replied. "I like every piece of white paper because no one knows the underlying color, and even less so whether it will actually appear red or a more vibrant color once red is painted on it."
"Is there a more beautiful color than red?"
"It's just a metaphor, there's no need to pursue reality." Kusaka Haruto smiled and took a sip from the small iron bottle.
That little iron kettle, whenever Yuzumi Yu sees Mr. Kusaka, he will definitely look at the little iron kettle, they are an inseparable part.
It's just strange that after drinking from the small iron bottle for an entire afternoon, there's still wine in it!
It seems that Mr. Kusaka has a small appetite and can't drink much at a time. It is really casual and comfortable to savor it slowly.
As Kusaka Haruna said, Kusaka Haruto is indeed a music teacher.
"I have taught many students." Mr. Kusaka said leisurely, "Some are clumsy, some are smart, but no one can learn as fast as you.
I prefer to call this kind of strong learning ability, talent."
So this is talent?
Is having a strong ability to learn something a talent?
But the same thing goes, since he has activated the memory feature, how bad can his talent be?
He works hard all the time, so how clumsy can he be?
"Thank you." Expressing gratitude for compliments from others is also a sign of humility.
"Come on, kid." Kusaka Haruto sat cross-legged and stretched lazily. The last sentence seemed to be forced out. "You will become a rising star in the music industry, not only in Mihong,
But in the world."
"..." He was silent for a moment. Although he didn't want to disappoint the teacher, he still said, "Teacher, I don't really want to continue on the path of music."
Considering that Mr. Kusaka's expectations of him will become increasingly higher later on, it is important to explain it in advance.
Kusaka Haruto taught him a lot, including techniques and playing methods, which are just the basics. He also taught him a lot of personal experience and knowledge about guitar, which are indisputable valuable assets.
"Eh?" Kusaka Haruto paused in his stretching motion and tightened his comfortable posture in surprise. "Why?"
"Guitar is just a hobby."
"..."silence.
To be honest, he wants to be prime minister.
Kusaka Haruto took a long time before taking another sip of wine. "I also want to take you to music festivals and competitions."
"The kind you see on stage?"
"That's right."
"Can a nobody like me even participate?"
"With me here, it's not a problem."
"The teacher is amazing."
"Normally." Kusaka Haruto was serious, even his rather exaggerated beard looked serious. "Have you really thought it through? You really don't want to go into music?"
As early as when he was teaching, he could vaguely guess what Kusaka Haruto meant, but... for now, his goal is the University of Tokyo.
"Yes, I've thought about it." Yuzumi Yu was also very serious.
"What a shame." After receiving the answer, Kusaka Haruto said regretfully, "Your talent shouldn't stop here."
"I am more talented in academics than in music."
It's the truth, because with the dual highlights of "thinking" and "memory", I am truly unstoppable in learning.
"Haha, there's more than one way out except studying." Kusaka Haruto said with a smile.
"Going to the University of Tokyo for further studies is my goal."
"Todai? Then you have to work twice as hard. It takes talent to get into Todai." Kusaka Haruto didn't discourage him, but just said that he needed to work harder.
Always working hard.
Two more days passed.
The Nakafurano Town Summer Festival has also arrived.
Opening hours are from 4pm to 8pm.
A group of people went there wearing kimonos, which were of course rented. Who would bring a heavy kimono when going out to escape the summer heat?
Still in such a summer.
Of course, Furano is not hot, the temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius, with the brightness of summer and the comfort of autumn.
There are various food stalls in the circular lawn square of Nakafurano Park, offering rich and diverse food, such as grilled lamb and grilled eel.
The fragrance can be smelled from far away.
In front of the stall, a group of people were waiting.
Roasted Lamb: Lamb is marinated and then topped with vegetables like bean sprouts, onions, pumpkin slices, and cabbage, then grilled over charcoal. During the grilling process, the seasonings are fully absorbed into the lamb.
This is what Yuzumi Yu is currently seeing.
After entering, he nodded again.
The lamb has a golden and crispy skin, and is tender and juicy on the inside, and tastes very delicious.
Grilled eel: After being processed, it is marinated in a special sauce and then slowly grilled over charcoal fire.
The grilled eel has a slightly charred skin and tender meat. The sweet and salty sauce fully penetrates the eel meat, exuding an enticing aroma. It is also one of the most popular delicacies at the Cooling Festival.
In addition to baking, there are other delicacies.
Such as caramel salt ramen, omurice curry, lavender ice cream, etc.
The ice cream here is in cones, which are freshly made and eaten, and taste even more delicious.
Maybe Minako couldn't stand eating spicy, cold and hot food at the same time, so in the end, Yuzumi Yu was the only one wandering around the activity park.
What about the elders?
They naturally have their own way of playing.
Yuzumi Yu's kimono is black and white, with black on the body and white on the lower body, and the cuffs are wide enough to reach the forearms. This is also the most common style of kimono for rent.
There are many more styles of women's kimonos, such as furisode.
Furisode - the first dress for unmarried women, which is divided into "large furisode", "medium furisode" and "small furisode" according to the length of the sleeves, among which "medium furisode" is the most common.
The sleeves are long, some even reaching the ankles, and the cuffs are wide, which can show the elegance and romance of women.
Yes, it's the sleeves, not the trouser legs, but the sleeves that reach the ankles.
When you open your arms, the cuffs hang down between your arms, and when you fold your arms and cross your hands, the cuffs naturally hang down on both sides, looking as beautiful as butterfly wings.
At the last fireworks festival in Tokyo, my senior wore a "middle furisode".
In addition to furisode, there are also tomesode, visiting kimono, komon kimono, etc.
Tomosode - a formal dress worn by married women when attending formal occasions, such as relatives' weddings, formal ceremonies, etc.
It is divided into "Black Tomosode" and "Color Tomosode". "Black Tomosode" uses black as the base color and is dyed with five patterns. The patterns are printed on both ends of the hem of the front of the kimono.
"Irotomosode" has three or one pattern printed on other colored fabrics, and a pattern on the hem.
Visiting kimono (visiting dress) - the whole is dyed with a pattern, and it is a picture when it is unfolded from the hem, left front sleeve, left shoulder to the collar. It has become a popular simple formal dress in recent years.
It is suitable for opening ceremonies, friends' banquets, evening parties, tea parties and other occasions, with no age or marital status restrictions.
It is a more formal dress, but not too serious.
Komon kimono is generally used as fashionable daily wear. It is dyed with small patterns all over and is suitable for practice wear, dating, shopping and other occasions. Young women can also use it for semi-formal evening parties.
In general, there are quite a lot of types, and each type has occasions and conditions for wearing.
For example, furisode for unmarried people and tomesode for married people.
Men's kimonos are much simpler.
Such as the color without ground and the haori hakama.
Haori Hakama - formal attire for men, consisting of a patterned haori (similar to a coat) and hakama (a loose-fitting skirt and pants).
A haori is a small jacket-like garment worn over a kimono.
Hakama comes in a variety of styles, is relatively loose, has wide legs, and usually has many pleats, giving people a calm and solemn feeling.
For example, the large hakama, shirakuni, and horse hakama that highlight the martial spirit, the lower part of the Kyudo uniform is the horse hakama.
As the sky gradually darkened, a line of LED lights lit up on the roadside. In front of a snack stand, Yuzumi Yu ran into Kusaka Haruna who was alone.
"What a coincidence, Kusaka-san."
Kusaka Haruna turned around and smiled faintly, "What a coincidence, but this place is only this big." She reached out and took the takoyaki handed to her by the vendor.
Kusaka-san was also wearing a kimono, a small furisode. The light blue color and pattern made her look elegant and gentle.
Yuzumi Yu looked around for a while, "Where's Mr. Kusaka?"
"He didn't come."
The two of them still had something to talk about. They were in the same school, the same club, and had traveled together. At least their relationship was not that unfamiliar.
But still not very familiar.
The original intention of establishing that club was just to bring Kyoko and Kusaka together.
The effect is significant.
Before, the two would quarrel whenever they met, and even just hearing each other's names would lead to a fight. But maybe because they ran into each other every day in the club, they gradually got used to it and the atmosphere was no longer so tense.
But still couldn't say a few words.
But this is enough for now, and the goal of the first stage has been achieved.
Relationships cannot be rushed. Being too hasty will only backfire. Just take your time. There is still plenty of time. At least we will have to stay in that club for three years before everyone graduates.
Three years is neither long nor short.
"I thought you didn't like to participate in such unnecessary activities." Yuzumi Yu said lightly.
The boy in kimono has a tall and slender figure, a fair and handsome face, a tough and handsome look, and the youth and vigor of a teenager.
At night, in a crowded park, it stands out very much.
Including the Kusaka girl, her light blue kimono is also very beautiful. Is it the person who is beautiful or the kimono?
You can tell by looking at the passersby's eyes that linger on her fair and elegant face from time to time.
"You seem to be a little prejudiced against me, Yuzumi-san." Kusaka Haruna picked up a takoyaki and asked, "Want to eat?"
"Thank you." He said politely, "It's just that Kusaka-san often comes to the bookstore to read books, and he doesn't seem like someone who likes lively scenes."
"Really? Actually, I don't hate this kind of scene."
The two walked along the road.
Haruna Kusaka was eating takoyaki, which are actually octopus balls.
Today's night sky is gorgeous, cloudless, and the stars are more abundant than ever.
How did the two of them go from shopping separately to shopping together?
It's not that Yuzumi Yu was greedy for the takoyaki in the other person's hand, because he had already clearly refused.
But we are all bored, so if we meet someone we know, we might as well go shopping together.
There is no conflict, nor is it abrupt. Although we are not friends, we can be considered half friends?
After all, lip friendship still has some value, although not much.
Because Kusaka Haruna is indifferent and Yuzumi You is apathetic, they don't really care much about this kind of thing.
But Kusaka seemed to be concerned about other things, as could be seen from their conversation in the coffee shop at that time.
She would hate it if Yuzumi Yu had kissed someone else before kissing her.
Yuzumi Yuu kissed her, she had never kissed anyone else before, and she didn't hate it.
According to the other person's words - it's not annoying, it's just uncomfortable.
Of course, none of this matters. The two of them are just acquaintances and some interesting things happened between them.
But Yuzumi Yu still felt that he owed him a favor. After all, the cat owner's strength was unquestionable, and the more than 2,000 evolution degrees he gave him at that time were also unquestionable.
"Hazumi-kun, I've always had a question: why do you insist on bringing Kyoko and me together?"
What she meant was, why do they have to get back together?
It's just that "compound" is replaced by "put together".
"I think having friends is a good thing," said Yuzumi Yu.
"You think so?"
"Don't you think so?"
"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…it has no living value…"
Yuzumi Yu continued, "On the contrary, it is one of those things that gives life value, from the work 'The Four Loves' by British author Clive Staples Lewis."
"Have you seen it?"
"Of course." Clive Staples Lewis is one of the most influential writers in the 20th century. In addition to "The Four Loves", he has also read his other works "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, "Mere Christianity" and so on.
Once he has seen it, he will never forget it.
"But this sentence does not emphasize that friendship has no value." Yuzumi Yu continued, "but it reminds us that what really makes life meaningful is often not those things that we 'must have', but those things that we 'choose to embrace'.
The value of friendship lies in the fact that it is created actively..."
Kusaka Haruna lowered her eyebrows and smiled, "Yes, it is talking about the preciousness of friendship."
Yuzumi Yu looked over.
The other party continued, "Such precious friendship is like a piece of jade. Once a crack appears, it is a foolish dream to expect it to heal completely.
It is so rare that it is hard to obtain."
After a moment, the young man said, "Perhaps it's not that there are cracks in the jade, but that it's just covered with dust and it's hard to see. Sweep away the dust, and it will emit its crystal luster again."
She would know what he was talking about.
"Too idealistic, Yuzumi-san." Kusaka Haruna smiled gently.
"Idealism is not wrong; having idealism without taking action is wrong."
"Idealism itself is an unrealistic fantasy."
"In philosophy, it is a spiritual explanation of the origin of the world; in life, it is an 'ideal-oriented' attitude towards life." Yuzumi Yu said lightly, "It can be a torch that promotes change,
It may also be frustrated by being detached from reality, but it is always an indispensable dimension of the human spiritual world."
After a pause, he said, "After all, all real progress initially stems from dissatisfaction with the 'unideal' and imagination of the 'ideal'."
The boy's voice continued, "So, Kusaka-san, since you're willing to join this small-time club, you must have some hope in your heart."
"Some things are not pleasant if they are said out loud." Kusaka Haruna smiled faintly.
"So you admitted it..."
"I'm referring to the 'small fry club'. Although everyone knows that the 'World Conquest Preparation Department' is a small fry club, it's better not to say it if possible." A gentle smile.
"..." The boy was silent for a while, "Why am I talking nonsense with you here?"
"Maybe he's greedy for the takoyaki in my hand."
Kusaka Haruna actually has a playful side?
Yes, humans are not robots, humans are not monotonous, humans are not simple individuals, but complex polyhedrons.
Through changes in environment and mood, people will also have non-monotonous reactions.
I have clearly refused." Yuzumi Yu glanced at the fragrant takoyaki in the other person's hand. If he was greedy, he would buy it himself.
"Maybe I'm embarrassed."
"For example, would you be embarrassed to kiss someone you don't know well a dozen times?"
"Hazumi-san suddenly brought up this matter, are you hoping that I won't forget it?" Kusaka Haruna smiled gently.
But that smile...why does it feel a bit sinister?
No, it's not bad words, it's that sentence - Kyoko doesn't know that we kissed yet, right?
Does the other party have something on you?
It's not really a handle, after all, he and Kyoko are just classmates.
"No, I just mean that I felt embarrassed to make that request." Yuzumi Yu had a blank expression on his face, and the cuffs of his kimono waved naturally and were blown up by the cool night breeze.
"Is that so?" He smiled faintly, "I'm quite embarrassed about that request."
In the end, the takoyaki was solved by Kusaka Haruna alone.
It was around six in the afternoon.
Obon Dance - This is one of the important parts of the Naliang Festival. During the period from 18:30 to 19:30, people will wear traditional kimonos and adults and children will form a big circle together.
Dance the Obon Festival together.
This is Mihong's bonsai dance, a group dance.
The Bon Odori actually originated from Buddhism and is related to the Buddhist dance created by Master Kuya in the Heian period. Later, it was combined with the Obon Festival and became an activity to welcome spirits and worship the dead.
As the times changed, "Fengliu" was gradually integrated into folk dance, and the "Nanfo Dance" ritual was influenced and evolved into the folk art form of "Nanfo Dance", and eventually became the prototype of Bon Odori.
Yuzumi Yu and Kusaka Haruna have already reached the edge of the square.
Why go shopping together?
Maybe he just didn't want to go shopping alone, or maybe it was the default after meeting.
Just like when Yuzumi Yu walks in one direction, Kusaka Haruna will follow him, and when the routes diverge, Kusaka-san will say - Yuzumi-san, go over there and take a look.
See, she really needs a friend.
Kyoko is a good choice.
For example, when Kusaka Haruna was buying something, Yuzumi Yu would stop and wait by the side.
There was no preamble before this - for example: Let's go for a walk together, it was just a casual walk between half-friends.
It's actually nice to have someone to talk to.
Although we are not very familiar with each other, Kusaka-san's gentle voice and polite habits make people more patient when they are with him.
A large wooden tower had been erected in the center of the park square, the leader was preparing it, and participants gathered around it.
The tower is very simple, just a temporary structure made of simple wood. It is estimated that only two or three people can stand on it. If more people can stand on it, it may collapse.
The two of them were standing at the edge of the square, watching the lively scene in the middle.
The big tower in the middle has several red lines extending from the top in all directions, with lanterns hanging at intervals on the lines.
The bright red and yellow light is like a bunch of small, blazing suns, emitting warm glow.
Reflected on everyone's face, whether children, young people, middle-aged or old.
"It's so lively." Looking at the busy preparations on the field, Yuzumi Yu couldn't help but sigh.
He was eating lavender flavored ice cream. As for his favorite strawberry ice cream, he put it aside for the time being. After all, strawberry ice cream can be eaten at any time, but this unique and delicious lavender flavor,
Perhaps only the most authentic one is in Furano.
Is this also considered as "when in Rome, do as the Romans do"?
Around 18:30, get ready to start.
The drummers, lead singers and dancers on the tower wear yukata. The women insert round fans into their straps, while the men wear headscarves and seal boxes on their waists.
With the sound of drums beating.
The dancers formed a circle, clapping their hands and performing simple dance steps with brisk and slow movements.
It's really very simple. Yuzumi Yuu remembered it after reading it once.
There are not only big towers, but also some small temporary platforms.
Yuzumi Yu could see a fat boy wearing a fox mask and a yukata, playing the drums very energetically.
In terms of musical instruments, accompaniment is provided by flutes, drums, shamisen, etc.
As the dance progressed, more and more people joined in. Everyone gathered around the big tower in the middle, clapping and dancing to the rhythm.
You can also see several aunties dancing with fans.
Of course, there were a lot of people watching around, most of them were tourists, and Yuzumi Yu and Yuzumi Yu in their kimonos looked a little out of place.
"How about going over and jumping?" the boy asked.
"I'm fine."
The two joined in from the side and clapped rhythmically with the crowd.
The essence of the Ullambana Festival is a ceremony of "welcoming souls", "offering souls" and "sending souls". The Bon Dance was originally performed to welcome the return of the souls of ancestors, to express respect and longing for the deceased through collective dance, and to pray for the dead to rest in peace and avoid haunting the dead.
The simple repetitive movements (such as turning in circles and clapping) and the unified rhythm in the dance imply the Buddhist concepts of "reincarnation" and "unity", and also symbolize the spiritual resonance between the living and the dead in the ceremony.
Of course, to this day, although it originated from sacrificial ceremonies, Bon Odori has gradually evolved into a "summer carnival" that is both serious and entertaining.
For example, Hokkaido is mainly based on agriculture and animal husbandry, and is the main agricultural and animal husbandry base of Mihong.
The Obon Festival in summer coincides with the slack season for farmers. People can take off their work clothes, put on light yukata, and release stress through music and dance.
This is also a way to express love for life.
The love for life is everywhere, from big things like festivals to small things like rewarding yourself with a delicious meal, or even as small as a can of 150 yen Coke.
There are many joys in life, it all depends on your mindset and how you experience it.
For example, for Yuzumi Yu, learning is actually very interesting. Every time he takes a step towards his ideal, no matter how big or small, it is progress.
At the edge, boys and girls in kimonos twirled their bodies and clapped their hands to the rhythm. People were taking pictures around them, and bright lights shone on the faces of the dancers.
The figures danced in unison to the beat of the drum.
This dance is not difficult. It is a serious yet entertaining dance during festivals, so it should naturally follow the crowd and the threshold should not be too high.
The Obon dance is both a commemoration of the deceased and a comfort to the living.
It is both a continuation of religious rituals and a promotion of regional culture.
It is not only a carrier of collective memory, but also a glue of emotions among the public.
It originated very early and has evolved to this day. Despite the advanced technology, this tradition still continues.
Tradition and reality are blending.
The lights blend with the footsteps of the crowd.
The drums and the steps of the boys and girls blend together.
This dance may look a bit strange, but when you try it and follow the rhythm, you'll find it's actually quite interesting.
After dancing, the two continued to stroll around.
The Naliang Festival is an important part of Mihong's traditional culture, such as traditional dances and costumes. Through this activity, these cultural elements can be continued and developed.
So there are still many interesting things.
"You jumped there before?" The two of them walked in the park, following the flow of people.
"Not really."
"Looks very skilled."
He just watched it once, or rather, his keen insight and abnormal dynamic vision allowed him to keep up with others' dance steps no matter what.
"The steps are simple." There are a lot of repetitive steps.
Rest in a pavilion.
A pavilion on the hill, surrounded by green grass.
There are very few people here, and there are indeed not many people who can walk this far.
Looking at the open fields in front of him, Yuzumi Yu said, "By the way, why are you here? Are you here to escape the summer heat as well?"
It is understandable that Marumori came to Hokkaido to escape the summer heat. After all, the strong ultraviolet rays would make her allergic, so she is a "pseudo-vampire".
Cold white skin, can't stand the sun, born aristocrat...hiss, why do I have the illusion that he looks like her no matter how I look at him?
Is it an illusion?
But if you think about it carefully, there are still big differences between her and Amelia, the real vampire.
For example, Amelia is not afraid of sunlight. In her words, sunlight will limit her performance, that's all.
I can only restrict her, but I can't hurt her.
It's a hot day in Yonago City, with the temperature over 30 degrees Celsius. According to movies or TV dramas, vampires would probably have been reduced to ashes under such a sun, right?
Amelia was simply restricted.
As expected, TV dramas are all lies. The director must have never seen a vampire.
"To escape the summer heat? Yeah, I guess. Mainly, there's a music competition here in August, and my father is coming over." Kusaka Haruna took out the book she carried with her.
novel.
Or literature.
She goes to the bookstore every night to read and buy books, no matter it is windy or rainy. This is her hobby.
——The opinion of the young man Yuzumi.
"Do you want to participate too?" Yuzumi Yu turned around.
In the pavilion under the moon and in the quiet wilderness, you can hear the chirping of cicadas.
"You don't need to participate."
The boy was slightly stunned. Why did Teacher Kusaka bring you here?
"The nearest bookstore here is all the way to the town," he said.
"Yeah, so I brought a lot of books."
"The temperature is very comfortable." Yuzumi Yu said again.
Kusaka Haruna lowered her eyebrows and smiled faintly, "I'm not here to escape the heat, nor to attend a music festival. There's not even a decent bookstore nearby. So why am I here? That's what you want to ask, isn't it, Yuzumi-san?"
"It seems like there are a few stars twinkling in the night sky." As Kusaka Haruna said, but it was too presumptuous to say it directly, so he no longer planned to ask.
"It's a series of stars twinkling." The girl under the sun added gently.
"I see."
"See?"
"Just saw it."
"My birthday is in a few days. My father wanted to celebrate it for me, so he brought me here." Kusaka Haruna said slowly, her voice soothing and peaceful, with a kind of soothing magic.
"Is that so..."
Teacher Kusaka told him about this, but he didn't take it seriously at that time.
Now... Mr. Kusaka's birthday is coming up. As the manager, what gift should I give him?
But...a few days ago, he heard Teacher Kusaka say that his daughter hated him.
Judging from Kusaka-san's tone, he didn't seem to have any other emotions.
"..." I almost forgot that Kusaka Haruna treats everyone equally gently.
But, can my father be counted among them all?
Forget it, this is none of his business, but it's also not none of his business. To put it another way - it's someone else's business, so he shouldn't say much.
"This place is much more comfortable than Tokyo. It's definitely a good idea to come here." The young man Yuzumi stood in front of the pavilion, looking at the wilderness in front of him, "For example, now,
If you're in Tokyo, you can't walk around in a heavy kimono in August, even at night."
It would be hot to death.
I just checked the weather forecast yesterday and the highest temperature in Tokyo has already exceeded 35 degrees, which is no different from a furnace.
It's only about 20 degrees here, it's like summer and autumn.
"It's very comfortable." Kusaka Haruna opened the book.
Fortunately, there is light on this side of the pavilion, which can illuminate the pages of the books.
Until the end of the Summer Festival, Yuzumi Yu never saw Minako again, but there was no need to worry about her safety because she was with her mother.
It was not until I got home and returned to my room that I saw Minako with a sad face.
"What's wrong?" Yuzumi Yu took off the haori on his upper body.
"The day has come," Minako said pitifully.
day?
What day?
He was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood and said with a helpless smile, "Don't you know your own business?"
"It's early." Minako, with her pouting mouth, is still very cute.
"have a good rest."
After driving the other person back into the house, Yuzumi Yu prepared his clothes and took a shower.
After taking a shower, I sat on the bed in my pajamas and video chatted with my senior.
Whenever I have free time, I will video chat with Maki.
What does it mean to be free?
——When there is nothing else to do.
So he is free most of the time.
"Youguitar's level seems to have gotten even better." said the senior student on the other end of the video.
"Really? I feel some improvement too." Yuzumi Yu opened the system panel as usual.
[Ability (General): Guitar (Minor Skill)]
Is it still just a small success?
It seems that going from minor success to mastery is really a hurdle.
By the way, what level of proficiency is defined by the system?
Maybe it is already very high in the world.
After all, his progress was so great that even the master (or king) Kusaka Sensei was amazed.
Never mind, it's not worth mentioning.
Just work hard.
It's not about talent.
No, it's still closed. Hard work is also a kind of talent, he once told Maki.
Time is passing.
I still meet Mr. Kusaka every morning and he still practices the piano, but sometimes he takes Minako out to take pictures in the fields full of purple lavender.
Ever since he learned about Minako's wig that cost a whopping 340,000 yen, he has found it difficult to look directly at that beautiful long hair.
But he didn't say anything. It was Minako's money, and as long as she was happy, that was enough. Even though he was her brother, he couldn't control her, and there was no need to interfere in things like hobbies.
The price actually varies from person to person.
Some people think that a 340,000 yen wig is very expensive and anyone who buys it is an idiot, but some people like it, so it is worth it.
Just like some people think that spending money to buy games is a waste, but as long as you like it, it is worth it.
Everyone has a different price for an item.
Time flies, and it is Haruna Kusaka's birthday. Teacher Kusaka invited him, in the name of teacher and as a student.
Yuzumi Yuu also didn't expect that the first person to attend the birthday party besides Minako, Tateno, Furui and others was not Maki, nor his good friend Kyoko, nor his little fan Marumori.
But it was Kusaka-san, who had always been "half-familiar".