MM Racing Page 69
Page 69
“My family wants me to study economics at the University of Tokyo, but I prefer instrumental music. To put it bluntly, they hope I can inherit the family business and not study instrumental music.”
Upon hearing her words, Kitahara Hakuba raised an eyebrow.
What's going on? Why are the girls around me either inheriting their family businesses or on their way to inheriting them?
“You said before that you wanted to discuss this with your family. It’s precisely because I need to have something to talk to them about that I’ve been working outside,” Nagase Tsukiyo continued.
"Capital? You want to..."
"Yes, I want to go to Tokyo University of Music, but my family will definitely object, so I have to save up enough money to go to school myself. If I continue to live under my family's protection, I will never be able to achieve what I want, so I have to earn money to support myself."
After speaking, Nagase Tsukiyo showed an exhausted expression, mixed with a hint of relief, as if she could finally put these words into words and have someone else listen to them.
Kitahara Hakuba finally understood what was going on.
Nagase Tsukiyo's withdrawal from the brass band was not due to discord with them, but rather because she was making plans for the future. In fact, her struggle with her family left her with no desire to care about the brass band anymore.
The fact that her team members weren't working hard and that her mentors had a poor starting point was just an excuse.
"Teacher Kitahara, I really didn't mean to discriminate against you. If I hurt you, please accept my apology."
After Nagase Tsukiyo finished speaking, she stopped and bowed deeply to Kitahara Hakuba.
"It's okay, I don't care."
Kitahara Hakuba quickly said,
"Besides, you've apologized so many times, so it would be my problem if I didn't forgive you."
"But now, I still have a very troubling problem."
"What?" Kitahara Hakuba asked.
She straightened her back, gently stroking the shoulder strap of her backpack with her fingertips. After a long pause, she raised her slightly flushed face and said:
"I know this matter is meaningless to you, Kitahara-sensei, but could you be my guarantor in the future?"
[Potential Club Member Mission: To Bear the Burden of Nagase Tsukiyo's Life with Money]
[Reward: 300 million yen, "Sage Mode Self-Control"]
"???"
Chapter 79. Too childish, Miss.
—Me? And a rich girl like her?
—Miss, you don't want your family to find out about your secret of saving money to apply to Tokyo University of Music, do you?
Kitahara Hakuba looked at the mission that popped up by the system with some confusion. Although the reward was very generous, what did it mean to take on the burden of her life?
This expression is too abstract.
It can be said that he took responsibility for Nagase Tsukiyo's life, shouldering all the affairs, difficulties and responsibilities in her life.
On a deeper level, it even provides emotional and physical support.
The two face the future together, their fates intertwined.
No? Is this normal?
Kitahara Hakuba subconsciously inquired about the specifics, and the system quickly provided a detailed explanation of the task—
[Help her get into a university that matches her aspirations, and support her until she becomes financially independent.]
What about the reward? It's not going to be given out only after she's financially independent, is it?
[Given the lengthy task, the host can receive the reward in advance. If the task cannot be completed, an additional 50% of the money will be recovered.]
Kitahara Hakuba wore a thoughtful expression, while the barking of dogs echoed from the residents' courtyards.
"Do you know how much tuition fees are at Tokyo University of Music?" he asked.
A very real problem was thrown directly at Nagase Tsukiyo's face. She never imagined that one day she would have to worry about money.
Nagase Tsukiyo immediately lowered her eyes and nervously tore off a small piece of skin from the outermost layer of her index finger.
He still didn't answer the question about the guarantor, which seems to indicate that he subconsciously rejected it.
"More than two million."
"And what about other expenses? Can you estimate how much that will be? Based solely on your current piano instruction, how much can you expect to earn before the exam in January next year?" Kitahara Hakuba asked.
“This…” Nagase Tsukiyo hesitated, but finally shut her mouth and lowered her head.
"Books, accommodation, and living expenses are not a small amount. Moreover, Tokyo University of Music requires written and oral exams, as well as performance repertoire and self-selected pieces. Now you have to earn money and prepare all of this. Aren't you really going to be distracted?"
His words were like invisible airbags pressing down on Nagase Tsukiyo's slightly heaving chest, making her almost unable to breathe, and she lowered her head in shame.
The girl's profile was distorted by the helplessness of reality; she was almost frowning as she spoke in a low voice:
"Teacher Kitahara, how insignificant I feel..."
She came on the wind with a restless voice, and Kitahara Hakuba could fully feel the urgency wrapped around her.
Negotiating with family unarmed would only lead to suppression, so Nagase Tsukiyo works part-time to earn money in order to be able to deal with situations where negotiations break down.
She has done everything she could, but it's still a drop in the ocean.
“Nagase-kun, I think there’s nothing wrong with you moving in the direction you want to go, and that’s perfectly fine,” he said.
"Hmm." Nagase Tsukiyo steadied her erratic breathing, "But I might really not be able to do it anymore."
“If you’re willing, I can discuss it with you,” Kitahara Hakuba said.
"discuss?"
She looked up in surprise, her bangs clearly visible on her forehead.
Kitahara Hakuba remained silent for a moment before finally speaking:
"If you're willing, I'll pay for your university admission and give you a monthly allowance until you're financially independent."
As soon as he finished speaking, Nagase Tsukiyo was so frightened that he fell silent.
Yes, it was shock, not a shred of emotion.
She was no longer a kindergarten child and knew that everything in the world had a price. If Kitahara-sensei did this, it must be because she wanted to get something out of her.
What else could he possibly ask for? If the only thing that would benefit him, that would make him feel good, is probably...
Thinking of this, Nagase Tsukiyo's long eyelashes trembled, she gripped her skirt tightly with one hand and clutched her tie with the other, striking a pose that was sure to provoke a lot of people.
Seeing Nagase's embarrassed expression, Kitahara Hakuba naturally knew what she was thinking about: the scene of being brutally trampled.
Although she had long legs, a slender waist, and a perfectly proportioned, voluptuous figure, he still considered himself a good person.
“This money is not given to you for free. Once you are financially independent, you must repay it in installments every month.”
"Pay back the money?"
Nagase Tsukiyo's tense face finally relaxed, revealing crescent-shaped scars on her soft arms through her pink nail polish.
If Kitahara Hakuba said she didn't need to repay the money, she would become even more wary.
"Well, it depends on the situation. I believe you have the ability to repay the money in the future. Of course, after the national conference, I will also do my best to help you prepare for the exam."
He hesitated for a moment, then gave a hearty smile and said,
"If everyone can successfully enter the national conference."
The streetlights outlined Nagase Tsukiyo's shapely, long legs, and the shadow of her jet-black skirt grew larger and larger on the girl's smooth skin.
"Teacher Kitahara... do you want me to go back to the brass band and continue playing the trumpet?" Nagase Tsukiyo gasped, her fingertips nervously gripping the hem of her skirt.
Now that they're talking about the brass band, aren't they just trying to get me to go back?
For some reason, Nagase Tsukiyo now desperately hopes that Kitahara Hakuba will say, "That's how it is."
If that's really the case, if everything Kitahara-sensei said is true, she'd be willing to go back to the brass band.
After all, his strength is undeniable, and it's not impossible for him to make a breakthrough.
Kitahara Hakuba glanced instinctively at the girl's profile and said calmly:
"you misunderstood."
"Uh...?" Her breathing stopped abruptly, and her pupils contracted.
“I didn’t lie that night in Sapporo. Your decision to stay or leave won’t have much impact on the brass band, and I won’t change my mind even now. Don’t think this is a way for me to coax you back to the brass band. If that’s the case, I’m being too naive.”
That's too naive.
Nagase Tsukiyo looked miserable, as if she couldn't bear it, and her Adam's apple trembled slightly from the collar of her uniform.
“I just think it’s a shame that you’re in your current situation. You should spend your time on something more worthwhile,” Kitahara Hakuba continued.
Stop talking... Nagase Tsukiyo thought, if she said any more, her heart would shatter into pieces.
Seeing her head hanging low in a sullen mood, Kitahara Hakuba asked curiously:
"Nagase-kun, do you really look down on the students in the club?"
The girl's eyes flickered slightly.
“I… I don’t discriminate against anyone in the brass band. I started from a better point than everyone else. Money can limit a person’s ability and performance, but I can’t accept excessive laziness. However, everyone has too much prejudice against my family and subconsciously thinks that I am superior and look down on others.”
It's hard to judge Kitahara Hakuba; everyone has different opinions.
"By the way, Kanzaki-san wants to quit the club, do you know why?"
"Huili?"
Nagase Tsukiyo said with a surprised expression,
"I don't know about that. Although we've been friends since childhood, she's a very typical altruist..."
She paused for a moment, then continued:
"If this is her own idea, I hope you can sign it, teacher."
"She told me to stay."
“I see…” Nagase Tsukiyo frowned.
After walking for a while, we finally arrived at a white two-story villa. The flowers and plants in the courtyard were neatly trimmed, and the black monster in the garage lay motionless.
"Thank you, Kitahara-sensei. I'm home now." Nagase Tsukiyo bowed respectfully to him.