Tokyo: Who would still fall in love after being spoiled?

Chapter 73 The Great Lord Amano and the Faith of His Majesty Inoue

"We understand the specific situation and requirements. Help Ms. Amano recompose the music for 'Spring Rising from the Bottom of Tomorrow' and then at least perform the new music at the Kanto Tournament. This is the condition for replacing Kita Sakuragao."

The long-tailed minister made a summary, then changed the subject, carefully choosing his words, and said,

"However, even if there are no issues on your end, and both the counselor and the school allow you to do this... we still need to consult with the counselor before we can respond."

"As long as it doesn't take too long," he said, smiling and speaking gently. "Will there be results tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow..." The short-haired girl seemed a little embarrassed.

"The day after tomorrow, then." He suppressed his smile and left no room for negotiation.

"Definitely the day after tomorrow!" Long Ponytail said hurriedly and agreed.

It was clearly summer vacation, but the girl with long ponytail and short hair was still wearing the Zaoshi High School uniform neatly. It was a different style from the Kitakura sailor uniform. There was no double-line origami five-pointed star or beautiful navy collar. It was a standard suit-style school uniform.

After exchanging contact information with them, he was leaving Zaoshi High School and passing by the shade of the lush beech trees on campus when he suddenly thought of the standard suit school uniform.

Suddenly, I felt curious about what Amano would look like in a suit and school uniform.

"What was the school uniform like at Amano-san's previous school?"

"Why are you asking this suddenly?" Amano's tone was unfriendly, as if he was still angry with him, and he didn't seem to want to answer.

"Then, let's change the question." He immediately gave in. "Amano-san, do you prefer a sailor suit or a suit? I mean, the school uniform style."

"Inoue-san..." Amano rubbed his brows. "Since you have the time to ponder such questions, why not think carefully about how you should communicate with Counselor Nishimoto regarding the Kanto Tournament qualification?"

"I believe that the great Lord Amano will easily handle these trivial matters." In essence, he was only responsible for providing a solution, and it was a method that Amano would most likely not approve of.

Using external forces to transform contradictions and push the situation forward in confrontation will not change anything in essence.

It did not interfere with the Kitazakura High Wind Orchestra's decision on which side the balance between competition and ensemble would tilt, nor did it change their views on Amano and his participation in the composition.

"Settle it?" Even though he had been so servile and even called out "Great Lord XX," he still couldn't win the slightest warmth from the robot Amano. "From my point of view, it would be easier to settle you."

"So, does the great Amano-sama have a better way?" He was certain that Amano didn't have one—he had an inexplicable sense of certainty in his heart, certain that Amano would always adhere to a certain code of conduct. And because of this, he couldn't help but want to get closer to Amano, closer and closer...

Just like a moth flying into a flame, or Kuafu chasing the sun, the consequence of getting close is bound to be a pessimistic ending.

Under that code of conduct, Amano would inevitably become constrained, and some problems that could be solved in a hundred ways might leave her helpless.

She possessed a strong desire to change something, be it an object, a person, some abstract and intangible concept like the elephant's foot in an art design exam, or even the entire world...

As for what he wants to change it into, he has only observed the tip of the iceberg.

Perhaps, until he and Amano drifted further and further apart, becoming strangers. Even until they both turned into a handful of ashes, a grave. That would only be the tip of the iceberg.

"Looks like I need to remind you to realize this... Inoue-kun," Amano sighed helplessly. "You didn't help me solve the problem of the Kitazakura High School Wind Ensemble's reluctance to perform the re-arranged piece at the Kanto Tournament. Regardless of whether it's a good idea or not, you only undermined the problem itself. You can't even call it a 'solution'."

"Really..." He remained silent, thinking back to his first meeting with Natori. He was waiting in the hallway outside the third-grade classroom when two girls from the wind band passed by. What did the girl who had quit the band to pursue further studies play?

"Suppose I convince Advisor Nishimoto, and the head of the Hayami High School wind band also convinces their conductor advisor, and we reach an agreement with a spot in the Kanto Tournament as a condition... then? Can you guarantee that Kitakura High School will win? Or can you guarantee that the members of the Kitakura High School wind band will be willing to play the re-arranged version of the piece if they win?"

"I can ensure that Kitayusakura High will win." He promised lightly, then looked directly into Amano's eyes as he questioned him. "As for the second half, it's up to you, Amano-san."

“…” Amano didn’t say anything, his eyes scrutinizing him slightly, as if he wanted to see something from him.

"Isn't this exactly what you wanted to do?" He shrugged and smiled. "That was even one of the reasons you agreed to the reorganization with Consultant Nishimoto—isn't that right?"

Before he finished speaking and Amano's expression began to change, everything was just his speculation.

Just as Amano had been tracking and observing his words and actions to confirm something, he also wanted to confirm something from Amano.

His speculation was naturally one of them.

"So this is the reason why I am like this?" Amano suddenly smiled, nodded as if he suddenly understood, and told him.

"Then, what are you doing this for?" She looked at him and asked softly.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, the amplitude was very small, but just right.

Just like a faint breeze blowing through the treetops, not even the branches and leaves dance for it, but none of them that are blown by the wind can enjoy the fresh air brought by the breeze, and there is no need to thank anything for it.

This smile was very much Amano's style - perhaps this was one of the reasons why he was attracted to it.

"There's something special and unique about Amano-san. It's something I've never possessed or seen before." He thought for a moment, then spilled the beans, letting it all out. "It makes me want to be close to you."

"A sudden confession? Do you like me?" Amano tilted his head slightly, with that faint smile still there.

"Rather than liking it, it's better to think of it as a kind of belief." He then continued with confidence, "Just like Megatron believes that the entire planet of Cybertron is a mobile fortress or a super star battleship."

"Faith... come close to me, then what?" Even Amano seemed to have limited patience. "Help and protect me?"

"I'm much more selfish than you think, Amano-san." He shook his head.

The wind has died down, but the setting sun is still dazzling. Cars are buzzing past the street in front of Zaoshi High School. Not far away, the owner of a crepe shop is squeezing a generous amount of strawberry ice cream into a crepe for a high school girl in summer sportswear.

"It seems to me that the things that attract me to you will eventually wear away and disappear."

He withdrew his gaze from the crepe shop, and his voice fell on the hot and almost sticky summer air after the wind stopped. It was as insignificant as all the sounds that had disappeared in the world and quickly disappeared.

"All I have to do is keep getting closer to you, closer to that thing in you. Before it's completely worn out, I'll suck some kind of power out of it, and use it to fill the part I'm missing.

"That's all."

(End of this chapter)