Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard-Chapter 868 - 511: [Continuation 2]

"Believe it or not."

"This is what you said, Uesugi Sakura! If I run 500 meters every day and still no girl comes to ask for my contact details, I’ll definitely come to you."

Uesugi Sakura shook his head with his hand on his forehead: "Consider it unsaid."

While they were chatting idly, Kyujuu Rika had already lined up the second team on the opposite side.

Uesugi Sakura turned around, and just happened to glance across at the opposing side, pausing for a moment.

Perhaps Kyujuu Rika did it on purpose; he was the first person of the first team, corresponding with the first person of the second team—Hanamaru Hanabi.

At this moment, the two stood face to face in the breeze, looking at each other.

Murata originally intended to chat with Uesugi Sakura, but noticing the tense atmosphere between the meeting pair, he promptly shut his mouth and took a small step back.

Hanamaru Hanabi was as always, with a round adorable face, cherry-colored lips, clear purple eyes that seemed to reflect a fresh glaze, and... her bob cut hair slightly swaying in the wind.

Uesugi Sakura smiled, greeting her: "Good afternoon."

Hanamaru Hanabi didn’t respond, instead raising a finger to her lips to signal for silence, then pointed ahead to Kyujuu Rika, indicating to listen to her first.

Hanabi finally responded to him.

If there were an affection point panel, Uesugi Sakura might just see a +5 pop up above her head now.

Today she was wearing an improved version of a year-end festival yukata, a pale red long robe, black skirt, long printed sleeves, glass mosaic pattern on the chest, overlapping right front.

She wore a half skirt and a pair of tall canvas shoes, with a black belt at her waist, perfect for holding fans and mizutama.

At the same time, the belt also perfectly complemented her flawless figure.

When she moved, her skirt and sleeves swayed simultaneously, full of energy, yet possessing the clean and crisp charm of a young girl.

Kyujuu Rika called out while walking: "Alright! Is everyone ready? Listen for the music cue from the Music Department students!"

Only then did Uesugi Sakura realize that on the plaza in front of the club building, besides those participating in the year-end performance, there were also Music Department students present.

String section, woodwinds, brass, percussion... they were all here.

They were top students from Tokyo Art University’s music faculty.

Uesugi Sakura glanced at the students preparing their instruments, looking for seats, then turned back to Murata standing a short distance away, asking, "Is this rehearsal always this grand?"

"Well, it’s the first rehearsal, but don’t worry, even if your dance is poor, the patrolling Department Director Kyujuu will just make a note next to your name." Murata stroked his chin thoughtfully, then replied with a smile.

Kyujuu Rika shouted into the microphone at her mouth: "Everyone! Get ready! It’s starting!"

"No more chatting."

"Okay." Murata responded, stepping back a bit.

Hearing that it’s about to start, the 70-plus attendees promptly stood upright, drawing out a pair of mizutama affixed to their waistbands.

Seeing everyone ready, Kyujuu Rika casually waved to the Music Department members, signaling to commence.

She moved to the front, stood on a small wooden stool for a higher view, and scanned the crowd, saying:

"Then! 2022 Year-End Festival - Night Dance - Tokyo Hanabi, Tokyo Art University, first rehearsal, is starting now!"

With the last syllable sharply dropping, Kyujuu Rika’s raised right hand also fell instantly.

As if echoing her gesture, everyone in the rows simultaneously tightened their grip on the mizutama, leaning forward, right hand in front, left hand behind, curving toward the chest.

"Please enjoy! The transfer of eras! The romance of the era that follows the intertwining of tradition and modernity!"

Everyone, both teams, simultaneously pivoted crouching, holding the mizutama behind them.

The corner of Uesugi Sakura’s eyes caught sight of Hanamaru Hanabi’s nervous gulp in the adjacent team.

...

The air was silent for a moment, only the sound of the wind filled the ears.

...

But like a flash of lightning ripping through the silent night, a crisp, loud strike of the bell resounded, and the heavy, bright sound of brass began to play.

Thereafter, the urgent yet melodic aluminum marimba led everyone’s steps, prompting them to slowly rise, right hand to forehead, left hand behind.

Snare drums, tuba, aluminum marimba music began alternating.

The people slowly rose following the music, spreading their arms, bringing them together, reaching out to the opposite team.

They resembled scattered petals, one hand staying still, the other shaking the mizutama, gradually extending to the other side.

Concentrating at a peak point, lively tuba and snare drum sounds surged brightly.

Both teams’ mizutama simultaneously rang, fans opened smoothly, jumping, fluidly dancing, crossing each other.

Uesugi Sakura extended his fan, perfectly meeting Hanamaru Hanabi’s extended fan, the two exchanged looks straight ahead, arms spread while subtly nodding and bowing to each other.

Music Department students played vigorously, fervent and energetic music intertwined.

Joyful, loud, magnificent, standing amongst it all, bustling with crowds and radiant lights, akin to a lively market scene during the New Year.

Both teams simultaneously leaped, promptly opening fans in unison.

Kyujuu Rika joined in clapping, amidst the exhilarating and bustling music, energetically recited the era’s narration:

"sa! sa!! Everyone! Everyone!! Gather ’round! Look here! Taisho era! World peace! People’s hearts swayed by the foreign winds!"

The tuba and snare drums’ sounds gradually subsided, followed by rhythmically rich woodwinds, lively, agile, jumping, long...

Simultaneously, both teams’ dance steps also grew merry, leaping, invigorating the crisp-sounding mizutama in their hands, faces adorned with harmonious smiles.

The girls grabbed their fans, passing by each other with smiles, halting back-to-back, flinging open fans, turning surprised faces forward, filled with smiling expressions.

Kyujuu Rika continued clapping, joining in, exuding a clear and powerful voice like a female conductor: "yo~ ha! ha!"

The teams split again, followed by two simultaneous mizutama rings, both teams’ girls waved their long sleeves, kicking out graceful curves, spinning, returning to their spots.

Uesugi Sakura didn’t know how, amidst the resounding music and simultaneous playing, his body involuntarily moved along.

Kyujuu Rika: "yo~~ ha! ha! ha!"

Everyone’s mizutama followed with three simultaneous rings.

The tune suddenly took a sharp downturn, from joyous gradually moving to subdued, becoming reminiscent of the refined and soft Japanese traditional 邦乐 of the Showa period.

A gentle, plaintive female voice began to sing:

"Life is short... girl... fall in love... deep in my heart... singing a song... one night comes... and goes~~"

Following suit, the two teams’ dance moves changed, Uesugi Sakura and their team crouched aside, shifting the spotlight to the girls in the center, gently waving fancy fans, red robes and black skirts, bowed faces and lowered brows.

Then, in the lullaby-like Japanese traditional 邦乐, Uesugi Sakura waved his opened fan, stepping slowly and lightly, holding hands with Hanamaru Hanabi, interweaving their postures and dance steps.

In the affectionate shamisen music, they exchanged glances.

Uesugi Sakura and Hanamaru Hanabi hooked each other’s hands, pausing for a second.

As if they hoped to see each other in that moment, their pupils respectively mirrored each other’s appearance.

...

...