Chapter 112

I never felt like I was weak to pressure in my past life, but in this alternative world, I seem to be remarkably weak to it. Could it be that I’ve been influenced by Patience’s sacrificial spirit? No, Patience can actually be quite stubborn at times. Perhaps the people in this world are just overly pushy? Musing over this, I head toward the Music Club with Princess Margaret.

“Since you left, the cooking class lunch today was simply dreadful.”

I was told that today’s dish was boiled potatoes. Since I have absolutely no desire to hear what exactly went wrong to make them taste so awful, I simply offer a standard polite nod.

“That sounds like it was quite rough.”

“Yes, it was terribly rough. On top of that, calligraphy completely exhausted me, and the magic practicals were an absolute disaster.”

Perhaps her stomach is empty, which is why she is being so complaints-prone. It seems best not to mention that I have officially joined the Alchemy Club right now.

I hoped that she would return to a better mood once we arrived at the Music Club. I had completely forgotten that Director Albert and Caesar are classmates. Yes, both of them belong to the fifth-year Class A.

“Patience, why on earth did you join the Alchemy Club? It is nothing but a nest of eccentrics.”

Ah, this is the absolute worst-case development.

“Patience, is that truly the case?”

Princess Margaret’s mood, which wasn’t great to begin with, takes a sudden plunge.

“Yes. I had intended to tell you about it later.”

That Director Caesar, he went and opened his mouth, didn’t he? And to Director Albert of all people! Thanks to him, I am now breaking out in a cold sweat. Hmph. I thought he was much more mature than that—how loathsome!

“If you have that much leisure, you ought to be composing new songs instead!”

That is entirely Director Albert’s own selfish logic.

“I have already composed several pieces. I believe that is more than enough.”

When I accidentally fired back, Princess Margaret joined the fray as well, and I was bombarded with non-stop criticism. Feeling like a turtle, I simply endure it. If I try to offer any rebuttal, they will likely return it twofold—no, tenfold.

“Director Albert, more importantly, how did the directors’ meeting turn out?”

Oh, Lord Rupert, what a wonderful person! He truly is the conscience of the Music Club.

“Ah, there was that as well. The Magic Club and the Riding Club both declared that they would never take orders from the Knight Club ever again. Director Hammond looked as though he had swallowed a bitter bug, but he ultimately accepted it since all the other directors supported the declaration. Well, that matters little anyway.”

I think it matters quite a bit, but the Knight Club’s troubles must be resolved by the Knight Club itself. As long as Prince Keith doesn’t get dragged into it, I harbor no interest in the Knight Club.

“The Aoba Festival also came up as an agenda item. That foolish student council president, Rufus, suggested that because the Glee Club has grown, the Music Club’s performance time should be reduced.”

“My word, how dreadful! Isn’t the Glee Club merely a club formed from an internal fracture within the Chorus Club? They ought to simply cut the Chorus Club’s time in half instead.”

Princess Margaret is absolutely furious, and the rest of the club members are enraged as well. I am used to this since it happens every time, but I wonder if Samuel isn’t terribly startled by it?

“But the Glee Club is still much better than the Chorus Club. There is a student in my class who joined the Glee Club, but they are currently forced to share a clubhouse with the Chorus Club, and they can only utilize it during the hours when the Chorus Club isn’t using it. It is quite pitiful.”

Samuel has also become thoroughly dyed in the colors of the Music Club. Big sister is getting a bit worried about you.

“That’s right, Patience. You mentioned a wonderful idea before—that we should provide new songs to the Glee Club.”

Ah, so he hadn’t forgotten about that.

“I happen to be acquainted with the director of the Glee Club. Marks Lambert will be delighted if you say you will provide them with a new song. He was full of praise for the Music Club’s new pieces, after all.”

I wish he wouldn’t proceed with the discussion entirely on his own.

“No, I merely stated that as a general observation.”

If I provide new songs to the Glee Club while they are bickering with the Chorus Club, I will end up sticking my nose right into a conflict.

“I see, that means the Glee Club will be able to perform a new piece as well. If that is the case, our performance time won’t be reduced. Furthermore, I wish to reduce the Drama Club’s time as well. Patience, compose an opera for the Glee Club. Since that will overlap with drama, we can simply snatch some time from them instead.”

Wait, an opera? I have never watched an opera in my past life. Wouldn’t a musical suffice? Ah, I truly am weak to pressure!

“That is entirely impossible. I have only ever composed pieces for Hanon, after all. The Glee Club requires songs, correct?”

Director Albert falls silent and ponders for a brief moment.

“Leave the lyrics to me. I shall append lyrics to your melodies, Patience. Furthermore, I shall assign the arrangement for the lute to my cousin, Samuel. Daniel is also highly skilled with the lute, so I shall assign him as a sub-arranger. Yes, I shall assign Klaus and Valdish to you as well. With this, it should be perfectly fine.”

Ugh, this is a shota paradise! Could Director Albert have somehow seen through my personal tastes?

“That sounds rather entertaining. Since I have finished my own new composition, I shall assist as well.”

With Princess Margaret offering to assist, there is absolutely no way a new club member like me can refuse.

“Princess Margaret, if I can be of any help, I shall assist as well.”

Samuel, you are supposed to be helping me. Do you understand? Ah, his face is bright red. He must look up to Princess Margaret. She is quite beautiful, after all.

“I, too, shall offer what little assistance I can provide.”

Seeing Daniel offer his help, Valdish and Klaus immediately declare that they will assist as well. Since you are the leader, I wish you would maintain your composure, but Daniel is also blushing after receiving words of thanks from Princess Margaret. Princess Margaret is remarkably powerful when it comes to shotas.

“Steel your resolve, Patience. Everyone is offering to cooperate with the Glee Club. Are you truly unmoved by the Glee Club, which stood up because they could no longer endure the tyranny of the Chorus Club? Can you truly claim to love music with an attitude like that?”

I am fond of music, but I have never once claimed to love it. I suppose saying that would be entirely pointless, though.

“Understood. I have no idea whether I can achieve it, but I shall give it a try. I must ask Director Albert to handle the lyrics, though, as that is completely beyond my capabilities.”

If this allows them to forgive me for joining the Alchemy Club, I shall manage somehow. I have no choice but to string together the melodies of the musicals I remember from my past life. A love song might be a good choice as well.

“Then let us begin composing immediately. I shall handle the discussions with Marks myself.”

From there, everyone presented their respective new pieces before we disbanded. I am utterly exhausted.

“Now, Patience. You accepted because you came up with some sort of idea, correct? Come, try playing it.”

“No, only a few phrases have floated into my mind so far,” I tried to escape, but she refused to allow it.

Right up until dinner time, I play while recalling the main theme from the movie Romeo and Juliet and the romantic songs from West Side Story.

“As I thought, you are marvelous, Patience.”

While I am delighted to be praised, I will need many more melodies. Well, I am glad I could entirely dump the lyrics onto Director Albert.

Perhaps I truly am a woman who is weak to pressure. To think I am rejoicing merely because I escaped writing the lyrics—how foolish. From now on, I must become a woman who can firmly say NO.