As summer vacation drew closer, not only did the weather grow increasingly hot, but the atmosphere at the private mixed high school also became more tense.
It was a school with a high academic standard, sending many students to the Tokyo U each year. As the final exams approached, students could be seen studying nervously everywhere, and even the usual club activities had noticeably decreased.
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[Clubroom]
Sato was explaining the final few difficult math problems to everyone, going over the steps and techniques.
Aside from the members of the light music club, the listeners also included Yuigahama Yui from the Service Club, as well as Takanashi Rikka and Nishimiya Shouko.
"So for the final problems, the key is to extract what you need from the limited information given. If you can do that, the problem basically becomes clear…"
Sato taught for a full hour straight, leaving his throat dry.
"Please have some!"
Kotobuki Tsumugi brought over a cup of black tea. After thanking her, Sato looked at everyone and asked, "Did you all understand?"
"Very clear, thank you!" by Mio.
"Ah, kind of tough!" by Ritsu.
"Um… hahaha!" by Yuigahama Yui.
"To think that servant has mastered such complex magic script." by Takanashi Rikka.
"…" by Nishimiya Shouko.
"Got it!" by (K-on) Yui.
"Mm…"
Sato fell silent for a moment. Their learning abilities really were crystal clear.
But…
"Yui, you understood too?"
"Hehe! Of course!"
Yui proudly lifted her fair chin.
"Huh? No way, you understood?"
Ritsu immediately slammed the table and stood up, staring at Yui in shock.
"Ritsu, what do you mean by that? Are you saying I can't?"
Yui puffed up her cheeks and glared at her.
"But you're just Yui, how could you suddenly get so smart?"
"Hmph! I've been studying properly at home these days!"
"Oh?"
Sato suddenly raised an eyebrow, as if remembering something. He pointed to the guitar in the corner. "Yui, go play a bit."
"Huh? Why?"
"Just go."
"Fine!"
Reluctantly, Yui walked to the performance area and, under everyone's gaze, picked up her beloved guitar.
"Strum, strum…"
With a light pluck, the guitar's gentle sound echoed through the clubroom.
One second, two seconds, three seconds…
Sato watched as her fingers rested on the strings, moving slowly and stiffly, like she had Parkinson's.
After a while, Yui suddenly looked up at Sato with a pitiful expression.
"I… I forgot how to play the guitar."
The room fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter…
"Hahaha! Yui, how are you this amazing?!"
Ritsu pointed at her, laughing so hard she doubled over. This… this was the Yui she knew!
"Ritsu, you're so mean!"
"Sorry, sorry! But what kind of brain do you even have?!"
"Probably a single-threaded processor."
Sato rubbed his chin as he commented. When Yui focused on one thing, she seemed to ignore everything else… maybe that was a form of extreme concentration?
"What? Single-celled organism?!"
Ritsu blinked, then burst out laughing again, tears nearly falling. "Yui! Sato says you're a single-celled organism! Hahaha!!"
"Huh?! Sato, you're mean too!"
Yui looked like she was about to cry.
When did I ever say that?!
Sato was stunned.
Chop!
Mio couldn't stand it anymore. With a dark expression, she delivered a sharp chop to Ritsu's head.
"Sit down!"
The black-haired girl said sternly.
"Yes!"
The energetic girl was instantly subdued.
Seeing this, Sato finally showed a satisfied expression.
Come to think of it, Ritsu's personality felt somewhat similar to that kid Shin-chan. Both were just as hyper, and both only behaved after getting a chop to the head.
"That's it for today. Later, I'll go downstairs and call Shouko so we can head back together."
"Mm!"
Nishimiya Shouko responded simply, then left with Takanashi Rikka for the Far Eastern Magic Napping Society of Summer.
After that, Sato reminded Yui of something.
"The school festival will be soon after the next term starts. During summer vacation, make sure to practice properly at home. I'll have Ui supervise you."
"Speaking of summer… does anyone have plans?"
Suddenly, Ritsu asked.
"What are you planning?"
Sato saw through her immediately.
"Hehe, you caught me."
Ritsu scratched her head awkwardly, then said with shining eyes, "What do you think about having a training camp during summer vacation? We can practice together!"
"A training camp?!"
The light music club members were all stunned.
Oh, wait. Yuigahama Yui was mixed in there too.
"Wow… that sounds so nice!"
Yuigahama Yui looked envious, then suddenly turned to Yukinoshita Yukino. "Yukino, should we have a training camp too?!"
Yukinoshita Yukino glanced at her calmly. "Yui, are you alright? The light music club has practice to do. What would we even do?"
"Ugh…"
Yuigahama Yui looked distressed, then muttered as she walked away.
"I'm not listening anymore, I can't take it!"
"A training camp! That sounds great!"
Yui, who had been whining just moments ago, now had sparkling eyes full of anticipation.
Even Kotobuki Tsumugi and Mio were the same.
The two girls' eyes were filled with expectation and longing.
After all, who wouldn't want to leave some beautiful memories in their youth?
Swish!
Sato blinked, looking at the gazes directed at him in confusion.
"Why are you all suddenly looking at me?"