u/raykyleevans

It's an interesting interpretation/would be a fun twist, but it also doesn't follow the later dialogue. Kumiko talks about her hesitation to go to music school, and that it momentarily reflected in her playing. And how she's glad she didn't waver in making the right choice. She also talks as if Reina recognized her inferior playing, basically in agreement to the previous dialogue of Reina saying of course she recognizes Kumiko's sound.

It would be a weird dialogue progression if Reina is talking about mixing the two people up, thinking Kumiko was the first one and improved, and then Kumiko says she didn't play with as much conviction, knew that Reina would recognize her doubts, and is glad she picked Mayu if in reality Reina thought she was doing the opposite.

Also I don't know how accurate this is, but this is how this person translated the line:
https://www.reddit.com/r/HibikeEuphonium/comments/1dn3xhv/comment/la07d5w/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I disagree, personally I never liked that beginning day goal declaration in the series. It always gave me a peer pressure-leadership manipulation esque tactic vibe. It’s like when an authority figure gives out some idea or plan in a room, and asks anyone who disagrees or opposes to raise their hand. It puts a lot of pressure on anyone who wants to go against the grain. In that moment, when everyone else is agreeing, it takes a crazy amount of courage to be that first person to disagree. No freshman is going to come into school on their first day and rebel against their seniors.

If instead of Kumiko giving a speech, they laid out their options and had everyone voted anonymously, the outcome would be vastly different.

I’m not against the idea of competing for gold in nationals, because that’s kind of the whole point of joining band. But while you can force them to do it, you don’t have to twist it to make them think it was their idea.

Anywho, in a professional band, I agree, this kind of behavior/attitude would not fly. Audition results are audition results. But these are kids, and they sometimes need some hand holding, figuratively.

Are they going to release the background soundtracks? I really liked listening to the piano piece that was titled Jazz for Two in the series.