Reina and Taki

Disclaimer: Horrible amateur translation work. Unedited and not spellchecked!

Reina and Kumiko on the train ride to school together

Reina:  Did you know? Today’s there’s supposed to be an outside teacher coming
Kumiko: Really, what kind of teacher?
Reina: Percussion. Apparently he’s a friend of Taki sensei
Kumiko: Taki sensei has a lot of friends doesn't he?
Reina: There also arrangements for a woodwind instructor to come for the Kansai Tournament
Kumiko: There isn’t going to be a brass instructor coming?
>In response to that, Reina showed a sign that she was slightly offended
Reina: For a brass instructor, as long as Taki sensei is here, we’re fine. There’s no need to call for any other instructors
Kumiko: That’s right. Sorry sorry.
>Kumiko hurriedly spoke the words needed to calm Reina down. Speaking of which, Reina loves Taki sensei. Of course, in a romantic sense. This beautiful, attractive, and genius girl came to Kitauji just so she could learn under Taki sensei. Even though she could’ve gotten into any prestigious school with her grades.
Reina: Taki sensei played the trombone in music school. As long as it is related to brass instruments, Taki sensei is more than capable enough.
>Reina announces, with a somewhat bragging tone. In relation to Taki, she is always this blind-fully devoted, so Kumiko who has gotten used to this plays the usual yes man and replies okay okay.

Part of Reina’s morning routine is to go to Taki sensei’s office to get the key to the music room. Mizore always comes first though but Reina still goes to Taki sensei’s office anyway.

Reina: Excuse me
>Taki sensei approaches the door with a coffee mug in hand
Taki: Oh, you brought Oumae-san with you today
>Taki sensei says with a smile on his face. Reina's cheeks rise slightly. She gulps and then says in a more excited voice than usual
Reina: Um, is the key for the band room here?
Taki: If it's the key you need, Yoroizuka-san already came for it. I believe the room should be open right now
Reina: Is that so? Thank you
>Reina quickly bows her head. Speechless, Kumiko sees that Reina is blushing so hard that even her ears are red
Taki: That being said, I truly appreciate how you're always here so early in the morning practicing
Reina: I do it because I like it (written in a way that implies Reina is talking about Taki sensei)
Taki: Is that so? Well keep up that attitude then
Reina: I will!
>Reina's response is so loud that Kumiko plugs her ears with her fingers out of reflex. Then Kumiko wonders if Reina is being way too obvious about her feelings. Reina takes a deep breath and leaves the room, Kumiko follows behind her
Kumiko: Don't tell me that the reason why you always come so early is just to see Taki sensei?
Reina: It's not like that's the only reason I come early
Kumiko: Hmm
>Kumiko starts poking Reina's back. She can't see Reina's face right now but Reina is probably blushing
Kumiko: This side of you is pretty cute you know
Reina: Idiot, it's not like that

Hashimoto’s introduction to the club

Hashimoto: My name is Hashimoto Masahiro, nice to meet you all. Feel free to call me Hashimo-chan. It might not look like it, but me and Taki here are the same age. But I look much younger don't I? Nevertheless, you girls must be giggling with excitement to have such a hottie as your teacher
>the class suddenly turns very quiet. The third year clarinet answers with a red face
Clarinet: Taki sensei is really popular with girls outside of the club
Hashimoto: Oh? So you're saying he's not popular with you girls?
Clarinet: ah, I didn't mean that but, it’s just, during out first concert, Taki sensei’s impact was too much
>In response to her honest response, the band members around her starts laughing. Hashimoto sensei starts cackling with a pleasant smile on his face while repeatedly slapping Taki sensei’s back
Hashimoto: Man, it seems nothing has changed with that then. Sorry, but when Taki sensei was young, he was always very rude.
Taki sensei: I wasn’t like that. Please stop saying weird things in front of the club members.
>Looking at Taki sensei with a smile, Hashimoto suddenly screams out  “owow”. If you looked carefully at their feet, Taki sensei’s shoe was trampling on Hashimoto’s sneaker. This is the first time Taki sensei has been seen in such high spirits. He must be Taki sensei’s buddy thought Kumiko, as she looks again at Hashimoto.

This scene is between Kumiko and Taki late at night at school. Kumiko and Mizore are practicing late into the night when Taki sensei comes to check up on them.
Taki: I see you two are still here practicing
Taki: Isn’t it about time for you two to go home?
>Kumiko hurriedly stands up from her seat but Taki sensei says its fine and gestures with his hand that it’s okay to keep practicing
Taki: I only came to see how you two were doing, I don’t mind if you still want to practice
>In Taki’s hand are some bottles of green tea from the school vending machine
Taki: These are some refreshments. Keep it a secret from the other students though
>Taki puts his index finger on his lip as he says this. Kumiko thinks about how strange it is that Taki sensei is acting a bit smug with that gesture, even stranger that it actually looks natural. He hands the bottles to Kumiko and Mizore
Taki: This one is for you Yoroizuka-san
Kumiko: Sensei, do you always stay this late?
>As Kumiko asked this, Taki looks a bit troubled for a moment but then laughs
Taki: Well, it’s that kind of job after all
>Kumiko’s heart feels a bit tight as she looks at Taki sensei’s usual smile and grips her bottle
Kumiko: But aren’t you always here early in the morning too? Isn’t the club a lot of hard work?
Taki: It certainly it is a lot of work, but it’s a fulfilling job. Pursuing the same dreams with all of you and spending everyday like this is truly enjoyable. And well...
>Taki pauses for a short moment, his eyes becoming slightly strained. The intonation from those last words were unpleasant. Kumiko looks up at Taki sensei, and Taki sensei changes his tone to a sarcastic one
Taki: I don’t have a wife or any kids after all. The only thing I have is this job.
>That’s a lie, Kumiko immediately thinks. What part of it is a lie, Kumiko doesn’t know, but Taki sensei is an adult and hiding things are what adults do. Kumiko keeps quiet though. Taki sensei then walks up to the music stand
Taki: Since you two are still here, shall we practice?

The next section of the story takes place during band camp. There are many important relationship scenes that happen during Band camp which include KumikoxAsuka, KumikoxReina, KumikoxMizore, YuukoxNatsuki and of course ReinaxTaki. ReinaxTaki of course being the focus of this pastebin. An adviser named Niiyama sensei arrives at Band Camp and being an extremely attractive female who is very close to Taki sensei, this drives Reina to her breaking point.

In the cafeteria during lunch time, some clarinet girls are heard nervously gossiping

Clarinet: I h-heard that someone who looks like Taki sensei’s girlfriend just arrived
>Crash. Kumiko immediately turns to the sound of the shocking noise. Standing there was a frozen Reina whose cup had fallen out of her hand with a look of shock on her face.

Afternoon Ensemble practice

Taki: For today and tomorrow, Niiyama Satomi sensei will be in charge of directing the woodwind section. She will also help direct the woodwind section after the training camp.
>Taki sensei began the afternoon practice with announcement. The young woman standing next to Taki sensei bows lightly and says “Nice to meet you all”. A very cute girl with a gentle impression. Is this person Taki sensei’s girlfriend? thought Kumiko with a slant of her head. Reina having heard the gossip of the seniors was fidgeting nervously. Somebody should just confirm if it’s true. Kumiko thought, but gossiping during practice was forbidden so everyone was quiet.
Taki: Tomorrow, Hashimoto sensei will also come to direct the percussion section.
>Cheers are heard from the percussion section. He must be very popular with them, thought Kumiko as a bystander.
Taki: The woodwind section will practice in the second hall, percussion and brass will be practicing here. Niiyama sensei might young but she is is extremely talented. Make sure to follow her orders.
>Niiyama smiled shyly in response to what Taki sensei said
Niiyama: Extremely talented? You're not getting anything from flattering me you know
Taki: of course not, but I am only saying what is true
Niiyama: oh my, well I'm happy to hear that then Taki sensei
>the club members watched with a cool gaze as the gorgeous couple in front of them scattered an air of freshness.
>Curious as to what Reina was thinking, Kumiko turned her head to the trumpet section. Reina was watching the couple with eyes that greatly resembled a dead fish.

Ensemble practice, everyone is rehearsing their parts over and over and it’s honestly quite tedious but necessary. But Reina’s solo on the otherhand...

Taki sensei: Kousaka-san, what’s wrong? Your solo feels different than usual
>Taki sensei says still looking at the music sheet. Lowering her trumpet horizontally, Reina shakes her expressionlessly.
Reina: I’m sorry, next time will be fine
Taki: That’s fine then but our time is limited so please make sure not relax too much during the individual practice.
Reina: I won’t
>The color of her face as she answered was sullen.  Next to her was Kaori, who asked how Reina was feeling with a worried face.
>Taki sensei turns the music sheet, and then takes a breath
Taki: Then, let’s start once more from the trumpet solo

Everyone is returning to their rooms to sleep, it’s a futon arrangement you normally see in overnight anime trips. The lights go out and Kumiko tries to sleep but the futon in front of her is rustling

Reina: ....Kumiko, are you asleep?
>Says Reina as her head peeks out slightly from the futon’s blanket. With eyes that are used to the dark, Kumiko can clearly see Reina’s face
Kumiko: What’s wrong?
>Kumiko whispers back, trying not to wake up the other girls. Reina is painfully silent for a moment but then takes a deep breath. She wrinkles her bedsheets.
Reina: Taki sensei... is he really dating Niiyama sensei?
Kumiko: Shouldn’t you know this Reina? Aren’t your dad and sensei friends?
Reina: I don’t know anything about Taki sensei’s personal life. He just comes over to my house every once in a while.
>As she says that, she incessantly blinks her eyes that are about to spill. Is that how it is replies Kumiko agreeably. Kumiko pulls her futon up to her shoulders, wondering if it’s cold because of the AC. There was a chilling feeling in the air.
Reina: I guess a woman closer to his age is the better fit. I must look completely like a child compared to her.
>Kumiko became worried listening to Reina beating herself up. Just where has the confident Reina gone to? Kumiko extends her hand to Reina’s hand that is sticking out of her futon and lightly holds it. Reina’s hand is soft and kind of small. Kumiko heart beats at the hand of a perfect girl. Feeling the warmth of Kumiko’s hand, Reina cast her eyes down.
Kumiko: You’re not getting anywhere just thinking about this. Isn’t the only thing you can do is to ask him directly?
Reina: Well, yeah there’s that
Kumiko: It’ll be fine, it’ll definitely be okay
>Repeating those uncertain words, Kumiko tightens her grip. Reina slowly blinks her eyes, and then her lips finally curve up. Inside a world painted black, if by chance her long breath could be clearly heard.
Reina: Thanks, Kumiko
Kumiko closed her eyes as she heard those words. Their interlocked fingers were intensely hot.

Everyone is shooting fireworks on the last day of band camp. Midori is swinging around sparklers like she’s a magical girl and Hazuki is trying to stop her. Reina and Kumiko are sitting on a bench, Reina is holding a sparkler. Reina is very cute in this scene because of how nervous she is.

Reina: It’s been a while since I did something like this
>Reina by Kumiko’s side had an expression that resembled a smile. Her soft cheeks covered by the rising shadows. Even though it was dark outside, the lights from the fireworks lit up the area. While looking at the sparkler in Reina’s hand, Kumiko narrowed her eyes. It was driving away the darkness or something like that, thought Kumiko.
Reina: Ahh, it went out
>Reina grumbles, looking at the burnt out tip. Reina slowly turns her gaze to the bucket. Over there is Taki, standing by himself as he watches over everyone. Even though Taki sensei usually wears the same outfits, only during this time was he wearing a black t-shirt and gave off a rough appearance.
Kumiko: Go and throw out that sparkler?
>Reina started shaking in response to the line that has been said countless times already. Reina arches her back with a miserable “ooo” sound coming out from her
Reina: My heart isn’t ready yet.
Kumiko: But at this rate, the time for fireworks is going to end soon isn’t it? Hurry up and ask him already.
Reina: B-but, if he says “yes that’s right” or something, I won’t be able come back from that
>Where is the usual composed Reina thought Kumiko. Reina starts slapping both of her own cheeks repeatedly, making an exaggerating sound. Kumiko sends a vague smile towards Reina and slaps her on the back.
Kumiko: Reina you were the one who said it. That you would confirm with Taki sensei himself if he and Niiyama sensei were dating.
Reina: well, I did say that...
Kumiko: If you don’t ask now, you’re going to regret it
Reina: I get it
>Reina says, as she buries her face into her lap. Kumiko doesn’t say anything as she looks at their surrounding. A white smoke coils up into the night sky. Kumiko tries to stop herself from yawning, and quietly asks the curled up girl next to her.
Kumiko: Niiyama sensei is talking with Michie sensei right now. It seems like they’re getting excited about something.
Reina: What are you trying to say by telling me that?
Kumiko: Isn’t the only time you have to ask now? If you wait any longer, Niiyama sensei is going to walk over to Taki sensei. Won’t that mean that you won’t be able to recover anymore?
Reina: ..........
Kumiko: Hey, go throw out your sparkler already
>Whether or not those words gave Reina a push, Reina started to stand up. Reina stretched her legs out from her short pants. Reina gripped the burnt out sparkler in her hand and turns to Kumiko
Reina:... I’ll be right back
Kumiko: Good luck
>Kumiko waves to Reina. Watching as the figure of her friend disappears, Kumiko didn’t move from her seat. Kumiko can see Reina trying to ask Taki sensei something. She was depressed just now but it seems like she’s a little happier now.
Hashimoto: That girl, she’s in love with Taki-kun huh?
Kumiko: ahhhh!
>Hearing a voice suddenly coming from her back, Kumiko jumps. Turning around, she sees Hashimoto with his horrible sense of humor smiling jestfully. While still being bewildered, Kumiko respond with her own smile. Whether or not Hashimoto understood the situation or not, he took a seat next to Kumiko.
Hashimoto: Taki-kun, that bastard. He turned even a highschool girl into his lover.
>Hashimoto says, as he happily laughs. Kumiko was a little flustered
Kumiko: H-how did you know that?
Hashimoto: hrm? How did I know what?
Kumiko: That Reina is in love with Taki sensei?
>Hashimoto bursts into laughter in response to Kumiko’s question. Kumiko took offense to his cackling
Hashimoto: Well I’m an adult too, so I would know that much
Kumiko: Is that how it is?
Hashimoto: That’s right
>Is that really how it is grumbles Kumiko in her head. Hashimoto takes the hem of his shirt and starts fanning himself. Just by looking at him Kumiko starts to get kind of hot.
Hashimoto: Just so you know, Niiyama-kun and Taki-kun aren’t dating. Niiyama-kun, she has a husband.
Kumiko: eee, Niiyama sensei is married?
>Kumiko unconsciously starts staring at Hashimoto’s face. Hashimoto makes a strange smile and says that’s right, in a light tone.
Kumiko: T-then, what is everyone’s relationship? Hashimoto sensei and Taki sensei, you two look like you’ve always been close.
Hashimoto: Hrm? We were in the same year in the same college. Incidentally, Niiyama-kun is our underclassmen. It was a music college we were in.
>Hashimoto closes his eyes, reminiscing fondly of the past. Hashimoto takes a glance towards Taki sensei and then loudly exhales.
Hashimoto: You know, ever since Taki-kun’s wife died, he was always depressed. Seeing him laugh like that makes me feel really relieved.
Kumiko: huh
>Hold on a second. Did he just casually say something absolutely unthinkable? Kumiko looks at Hashimoto with wide frozen eyes and Hashimoto replies “ah..” in voice full of stupidity
Hashimoto: Crap. I said something I shouldn’t have.
Kumiko: Taki sensei had a wife?
>Kumiko recalls the words Taki sensei said to her. I have neither wife nor or any kids after all. The only thing I have is this job. Taki sensei definitely said that. In response to Kumiko’s question, Hashimoto slightly straightens his neck. Without thinking, Kumiko turns her head towards where Reina is. What is she talking about? She’s still happily talking to Taki sensei. Hashimoto’s tongue makes a self depreciating shape. His eyes, were filled with sadness.

Hashimoto: That wife

Hashimoto: Died five years ago

>The sound of everyone’s joyful and innocent laughter could be heard in the distance. Kumiko gulps and looks at Hashimoto. Taki-kun was extremely sad. Hashimoto’s soft voice disappeared somewhere into the lukewarm night sky. Silence surrounded the two, enveloping them in a thin membrane from the world. An invisible wall cut them off from the everyday life around them. Kumiko squeezed the hem of her shirt. Hashimoto looked downtrodden.
Hashimoto: You know, before coming here, Taki-kun never had any experience as an adviser but he helped other people in many ways such as an assistant adviser. But, when his wife died, it seems like he tore himself away from everything since then. He distanced himself from music. I worried if he was okay or not. Niiyama and I we, just couldn’t fill the void that his wife left. All we could do was watch from a distance. That’s why when I heard Taki-kun was going to become the adviser for Kitauji after being asked whatever I don’t know, I was extremely relieved. When he was asked to help conduct the band, I honestly was about to cry.
>Not knowing what to say, Kumiko kept her mouth shout. Perhaps Hashimoto wasn’t wanting her answer to show that she was listening. He’s an adult after all. He was nearly twice Kumiko’s age. Coming face to face with that obvious reality, Kumiko felt a little lonely. It was like Kumiko was being stabbed by how powerless she was.
Kumiko:.... I
Hashimoto: hrm?
Kumiko: I’m, happy that Taki sensei is our adviser
>Hearing that, Hashimoto smiles
Hashimoto: Me too
>The words he said were without a doubt true to his heart.

That night, Kumiko had trouble sleeping. Asuka’s story, Hashimoto’s story. Lots of information was swirling around in Kumiko’s head.

Reina: Taki sensei and Niiyama sensei aren’t dating. He said he doesn’t have a girlfriend.
>Kumiko thinks back to how happily Reina was smiling after she said that. Reina’s dad and Taki’s dad seemed to be very close. That being said, I wonder if Reina already knows about Taki’s dead wife. But, Kumiko says as she curls up in her futon. When Reina said she was in love with Taki sensei, she was too innocent. She probably doesn’t know. Thinking about it, Kumiko’s heart suddenly grows tight for some reason, and she shuts her eyes. Mizore’s situation is like that too. Asuka said that Nozomi is a source of trauma to Mizore. But Nozomi doesn’t know that.