At the same time, far away in Kyoto—Kitauji High School.
Having to perform at Sun Park later, Kanzaki Kumiko arrived earlier than usual. The brass band was extremely busy this morning—moving instruments, organizing equipment, and transporting large instruments by truck.
After almost an hour of preparations, Kumiko finally boarded the brass band bus. Sitting beside her was Tsukamoto Shuichi, a long-time friend of the Kanzaki siblings.
"Hey, Shuichi… do you think Ni-chan can make it?" Kumiko asked, half-excited, half-worried.
Shuichi leaned against the window, smiling.
"Ryou will come if he says he'll come. Even if he can't get a ticket, he'll run here. He's always been like that for you, hasn't he?"
Kumiko softly hummed in agreement.
Her phone vibrated—she grabbed it instantly.
A new message from Ni-chan.
"Kumiko, I'm already on the Shinkansen. Wait for me!"
"Hehe…"
Kumiko pressed the phone to her chest, eyes sparkling.
Ni-chan was coming.
"Kumiko, I heard your brother is coming to watch your performance?"
A short-haired girl leaned over from the back row.
"Yes! He's coming," Kumiko answered, face glowing.
"Wait—your brother is that Kanzaki Ryou? The pitcher from Seidou? The one who appeared in the newspaper as the 'Strongest Monster Rookie'?"
Hazuki Katō gasped exaggeratedly.
Baseball truly was Japan's religion. Even people who didn't care about baseball knew the baseball news.
"I've seen him too! Kumiko's brother is super handsome! Especially when he directs the audience—he looks just like Teacher Taki!"
Kawashima Sapphire chimed in, bouncing with excitement.
Their enthusiasm made Kumiko both proud and embarrassed.
From the front row, Tanaka Asuka turned around, pushing her glasses up.
"Oh? Adorable little Kumiko-chan is actually a full-blown brother-complex? How unexpected."
"Asuka-senpai, please stop talking!" Kumiko's face turned scarlet as she covered Asuka's mouth.
9:00 AM — Sun Park
The Kitauji brass band arrived early for tuning and preparations.
Wearing her blue-and-white sailor uniform, a cute cat-ear headband on her head, Kumiko held her Euphonium nervously while scanning the crowd.
Her phone wasn't with her—so she had no way to check if Kanzaki Ryou had arrived.
Crowds thickened as various bands lined up for the parade.
Meanwhile—
Kyoto Station → Sun Park
"Move, move! We're running out of time!"
Kanzaki Ryou dashed out of the station.
Behind him—
"Got it! I heard you! Damn it, can't you calm down!?"
Miyuki Kazuya sprinted after him, breathless.
They flagged down a taxi.
Inside, Miyuki muttered, "Kanzaki… taxis are expensive."
"So what? Time won't wait," Kanzaki shot back immediately.
Miyuki sank into the seat with a sigh.
This guy really is a sis-con at a terrifying level…
Poor Fujiwara-senpai. Absolutely no chance.
As a high-IQ catcher, Miyuki had already noticed Fujiwara Takako's budding affection toward Kanzaki Ryou.
But Kanzaki?
This idiot only had his sister on his mind.
"Next, the brass bands from various high schools will perform in the Sunrise Festival parade. Please gather at the arena and line up."
Bands assembled.
Music echoed throughout the entire park.
"Students of Tachibana High School brass band, please prepare."
"T-this is bad! It's almost our turn!"
Hazuki Katō trembled in panic.
Kumiko, however, stood quietly gripping her Euphonium.
Ni-chan… are you not here yet?
Suddenly—
A loud, unmistakable voice pierced the air:
"KUMIKOOOOO!!!!"
Kumiko's head snapped up.
Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
Standing among the crowd—waving like a lunatic—was Kanzaki Ryou.
"Kumiko! Ni-chan is here to see you!!"
He yelled loudly enough that half the park turned to stare.
Kumiko's eyes glistened.
He came… Ni-chan really came.
She took a deep breath.
I will play well. I have to make him proud.
"Next is the performance of the Kitauji High School brass band!"
"KITAUJI—FIGHT!!"
"FIGHT!!"
Under Ogasawara Haruka's command, the band marched forward with powerful steps and bright music.
Despite being a lesser-known school, their performance immediately drew attention.
"Hey, Kazuya! That's my sister, cute right!?"
Kanzaki grabbed Miyuki's collar like a madman, pointing at Kumiko.
"I see! I see! Calm down—you're choking me!"
Kanzaki ignored him, zooming his video camera in on Kumiko's face like a man possessed.
"Look at her! She's working so hard—so cute—"
"Ugh… gross…" Miyuki shivered.
If he had a brother like this, he would commit murder.
The foolish expression on Kanzaki's face didn't fade until the performance ended.
As the crowd dispersed, Kanzaki leaped down from the spectator seats.
"HEY—WAIT!! KANZAKI RYOU!! YOU'RE A PITCHER! WHAT IF YOU GET HURT!?"
Miyuki panicked and jumped after him.
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