Chapter 5: April 8, 2024 - The Boy Next Door!?

Knock, knock.

There was a knock on my door.

"Mito, I'm home. Can I come in?"

"Sure. Welcome back."

While I was preparing for tomorrow at my desk, my older sister, Mizuha, came into my room. She must have changed after coming home from club activities.

She walked past my desk, sat down on my bed with a sigh, and hugged Mega-Pen-kun (a penguin plushie wearing glasses).

"Good job at the entrance ceremony. Hey, how was our performance?"

My sister, who is one year older and in the second year, was part of the performance just now. She was playing 2nd Clarinet next to the club president.

"It was really fun. The volume was amazing. I thought, 'So this is the Hade-Kita Sound.'

I love both 'Takarajima' and 'African Symphony,' too.

The other first-years listening looked like they were having fun, too."

My sister grinned, "Heheh."

"...But, I wonder if I can keep up in that group. I can't play the flute that loudly. Not me.

Even in the woodwind unison, the flutes were playing like they were crashing against each other. Especially the senior boy."

"Hmm," my sister made a thinking gesture.

"It'll be fine. You're better than him, you know? Better than that guy.

Have more confidence, Mito! You went to the Tokai Tournament with Shosei, didn't you? You're ready for the main lineup right now. I guarantee it.

As for volume, if you play in that group, you'll naturally get louder. I'm expecting great things from you."

"I wonder... I'm happy you say that, though..."

Somehow, I felt like she wasn't seeing the "current me," and I felt a bit embarrassed.

"...So, how is he? Mr. Charles-sur."

"Geez. Don't call him that. It's Ishigami-kun."

"Sorry, sorry. How was Ishigami-kun?"

"Yeah. He said he would join the Band Club. He told the president he wants to aim for the Nationals."

"We heard from Asumi in the evening, too. We were like, 'Eeeehhhh!?'" She laughed.

"Ando is going to hold a meeting for the second-years tomorrow.

Oh, Ando is the conductor teacher. He seemed to be talking to Ishigami-kun for a bit after the Welcome Concert. When he told us about the meeting, he looked kinda happy."

"Heh, is that so. Looks like something's going to happen right away."

"Yeah, well. ...But you know, it's not going to be Class B like before... it'll be Class A, right? I heard Yahagi-Kita went to the Prefectural Tournament in Class B the year before last, but if we're aiming for the Nationals... it has to be Class A, right?

If it's Class A, there are national regulars like Ryukai High in the city, and Meikyo (Meiden) and Anjo-Gaoka Girls' High in the prefecture. Just getting past the Prefecturals is hard enough... and there's a National Champion in Shizuoka, too. Breaking through the Tokai Tournament now is just... you know."

My sister smiled bitterly. It wasn't a thoughtless laugh, but rather eyes that seemed to be assessing something.

"But he said it. Ishigami-kun. He said we can go to the Nationals. He was convinced, and said he had prepared everything for that..."

"Yeah. I don't know the logic behind it, but having someone who knows the world listen to our performance and say that with such certainty... it makes you happy, doesn't it?

...Mito, you've always been saying it. You want to go to the National Competition, you want to play at Fumon Hall. ...Maybe it'll come true?"

"...Yeah. When I went to hear that performance, I swore I wanted to come here, to play on that stage. Fumon Hall is gone now... but listening to that music changed my life."

Seeing my face lost in thought, my sister chuckled.

"I wonder what will happen. Well, I'm looking forward to seeing what tomorrow's meeting is about.

...By the way, you're in the same class as Ishigami-kun, right? Did you talk much?"

My sister leaned forward, resting her chin on Mega-Pen-kun, and asked.

"Yeah... and actually, our seats are next to each other."

"Eeeeeehhhh! That's the biggest surprise of the day!

Heeeh~~! Is that so. So, how is he? What kind of boy is he?"

"Yeah... he's really easy to talk to. And kind."

"Hmmm. Does he say stuff like 'I won the competition, bow down to me!' or speak in French??"

"Geez...! He doesn't do that. Actually, he listens carefully to everyone who wants to join the band and smiles."

"Hmm~. Heeeh~. Hooo~.

............'ThAt sOuNdS fUn!'"

She spoke while raising Mega-Pen-kun's right hand.

"Geez... stop teasing me!"

Laughing, I talked with my sister about today for a while.

 * * * 

"I'm home~."

"Welcome back."

I heard Dad's voice from downstairs. He was home.

Thinking I should help Mom with dinner soon, I went down the stairs.

"Oh, Mito. I'm home. Hey, looks like someone moved into the house across from us. The lights are on."

"Oh really? The new one. It's a one-story house, right?"

Mom answered.

"Well, it's a new residential area, so houses are being built one after another. It's convenient, too. Both Mizuha and Mito's high school is close, so it was good we came here."

Laughing "Hahaha," Dad put down his bag and headed to the living room.

Just as Mom took Dad's jacket and Dad was about to loosen his tie...

The doorbell rang.

"Oh, at this hour? Did we order something from Amezon?"

Mom went to the intercom, checked the screen, and saw two figures.

"Yes."

"I apologize for disturbing you during such a busy time. My name is Ishigami. We moved into the house across the street, so we came to say hello."

"Oh, how polite of you. Please wait a moment."

Since it was a greeting from our new neighbors, not only Mom but also Dad headed to the entrance.

...Ishigami?

When Dad opened the door, there stood...

Yo-kun in a dress shirt, and an elderly man in a suit standing behind him.

"I apologize for the late hour. My name is Ishigami. We moved into the house across the street. I apologize for any noise or trouble during the move.

Here is a small gift to say hello, please accept it if you'd like. We look forward to being your neighbors."

Yo-kun and the man bowed together.

"Ah, is that so. Thank you for coming over. We are the Kawais. Nice to meet you. If you have any trouble, please feel free to ask us."

Just as Dad replied, Yo-kun's eyes met mine.

Yo-kun froze for a second, perhaps surprised, but without showing it on his face, he smiled slightly and bowed again.

My sister also came down from the back stairs.

Just at the edge where she couldn't be seen from the entrance, she realized the situation... and froze.

Dad and Mom exchanged a few words, and after polite greetings, Yo-kun and the others left.

Dad slowly closed the front door, changed his shoes to slippers, and entered the living room. Once everyone was inside...

He closed the living room door.

"Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wait a minute!! What is going on!?"

"Do-do-do-do-do-don't ask meeeee!?"

"Th-th-th-th-that was Yo Ishigami! The famous one!"

"He-he-he-he-he-he said he came to Yahagi-Kita, didn't he!?"

"" Mi-mi-mi-mi-mi-mi-mi-Mitooooo!? ""

In the flustered Kawai family living room, the best unison of the day rang out.