I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Setting down her teacup, Yukinoshita turned and looked intently into Kiyori's eyes, as if asking why she had said that.

"'Asuka,' is that the third-year student I met at Kiyoyori's house during the study session?"

Yuihama clearly had a good impression of the always smiling and very "friendly" senior. "That senior seems very easy to talk to."

"'It seems'..."

Yukinoshita repeated the word softly. Having had brief contact with the other person before, she knew very well that Tanaka Asuka was not an easy person to get along with. Sometimes, that person's eyes could make people shiver with cold.

"Aren't Tachibana and Tanaka-senpai childhood friends? It's not unreasonable for them to have the advantage of proximity."

Kiyoshi frowned in disapproval. "Asuka's decision is not something I can control, and I can't interfere with her choice. Besides..." The more Kiyoshi interacted with Asuka at school and in clubs, the more she realized the distance between them. It was as if there was a layer of fog that couldn't be blown away, and she could only vaguely see the other's back. She was increasingly unable to understand what Asuka was thinking.

"Besides, she's been very busy lately, and I don't want to bother her with this kind of thing."

"'Such a thing'?" Yukinoshita was clearly dissatisfied with Kiyori's description.

"Isn't that right?" Kiyoyori clearly had no intention of changing his mind. "This was originally a wish that Kasaki-senpai imposed on Asuka. Isn't that a kind of trouble?"

Kiyoshi was unusually agitated. She subconsciously wanted to escape the deeper meaning behind those words, but she had no choice but to face it. She wanted to dig a hole and bury these thoughts, but for some reason, she could only let them grow wildly.

"Does Tachibana always presumptuously like to label things that are still unclear with her own definition?" Before Kiyori could retort, Yukinoshita suddenly smiled, "It seems that Tachibana isn't so detached from everything after all."

After only a moment of distraction, Kiyoyori immediately shut her mouth, but her clenched back teeth revealed her turbulent inner state.

Fortunately, the other party didn't continue the topic, asking, "What if I insist on taking it?"

"Yukinoshita-senpai is the president of this club."

Kiyoshi's tone was calm and cold.

It felt as if two high-powered automatic cooling machines were sitting opposite them. Hachiman rubbed his arms uncomfortably, while Yuihama found the parfait in her mouth almost impossible to swallow, as if it could freeze her stomach.

“Now that we’ve decided to take on the commission,” Hikigaya cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention to him, “shouldn’t we find out more about what’s behind it? For example, why Kasaki resigned from the club last year.”

He looked at Yukinoshita, whose movements were exactly the same as Kiyori's just now, and said, "Yukinoshita, you should know something, right?"

Why do you ask that?

"Kasaki's explanation is too vague," Hikigaya didn't think Yukinoshita would overlook Kasaki's overly ambiguous words, unless she already knew something. "It seems like a thorough explanation, but it doesn't get to the heart of the matter at all. It doesn't explain the conflict between the first and third year students last year at all."

"Although Hachiman has dead fish eyes, he unexpectedly has a shark-like sense of smell."

"I'll take that as a compliment..."

“I do know something about what happened last year, or rather, I know it very well.” Yukinoshita closed her eyes, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

"Because the senior was also involved, right?" Kiyoyori picked up the topic, "as a member of the Service Department."

“That’s right, Mr. Sharks,” Yukinoshita said, showing no embarrassment at having her secret exposed, but remaining as calm as ever. “The incident related to what Kasaki-san mentioned was the first request we received after the Service Club was formed, and as the person who was asked to handle it, I naturally followed up on it throughout the process.”

"So what kind of incident was that?"

"Simply put, it's a contradiction stemming from differing goals, unequal effort, and unreasonable outcomes."

Yuihama's expression of being completely out of sync perfectly conveyed her confusion, while Hikigaya, though unaware of the situation, could guess a little.

"To put it more simply, it means that the third-year students take advantage of their 'seniority' to occupy the election positions, but they don't practice properly, while the younger students who have ideals and ambitions and work hard are neglected."

"Huh? But if that's all there is to it, Kasaki-kun, can't you just wait for the third-year students from the previous year to retire?"

"This was Kasaki's own choice, and," Yukino sighed helplessly, knowing the situation from last year, "the advisor for the brass band last year wasn't Taki-sensei."

The importance of an advisor to the entire team can be easily concluded by simply comparing the state of the brass band before and after Taki joined.

"In other words, Kasaki chose to leave because he felt he couldn't see a future for the brass band and for himself."

Hachiman hit the nail on the head and drew a conclusion.

"But what's wrong with her wanting to return to the club now? The fact that she quit for this reason only shows how much she loves playing the wind instrument. Besides, she seems to be quite talented."

Despite seemingly not being very interested in the commission, Hikigaya had actually been listening very attentively to the conversation between Yukinoshita and Kasaki.

"The second-year students this year," Kiyoyori answered the question, not Yukinoshita, "are almost half the first-year students from last year. Their numbers are pitifully small, and this topic is almost strictly forbidden within the club. Although the oboe club doesn't have many members to begin with, you can quickly find out the problem by observing the popular sections."

"Could it be—"

Hachiman's mind works very quickly; he sorted out his thoughts almost instantly.

“That’s right,” Yukinoshita’s answer instantly confirmed the guess. “When Kasaki left the brass band last year, she encouraged many members who felt the same way, which led to a large number of members leaving the brass band.”

"That... Yukino's request..."

"A complete failure."

P.S.: I can't think of a chapter title. It's like something's blocking my way. Is it because the weather is getting warmer?

Chapter 165, Section 04: Hidden Secrets

A complete and utter failure?

Kiyoyori glanced at Yukinoshita, whose expression remained indifferent, with a puzzled look.

She believed the other person's words about the conflict between the first and third years, because it almost overlapped with the limited information she could get within the brass band, but she couldn't believe the so-called "utter failure".

Is there some hidden story?

Kiyoshi pressed his knuckles to his lips, his empty fist blocking the corner of her lips, choosing to continue listening silently to Xuexia's statement.

“If that’s the case, then it’s understandable that he was refused rejoining the club by the third-year seniors,” Hachiman said, swirling his coffee cup. “In that case, Tachibana’s suggestion might actually be more practical.”

While objectively speaking, the dispute between the first and third year students and its subsequent outcome were caused by two issues simultaneously, and right and wrong cannot be simply summarized, for last year's second year students, who are now this year's third year students, this junior who advocated for freshmen to leave is indeed an unforgivable figure.

"But, Kasaki-san was forced to leave, wasn't she..."

Yuihama held the glass, which was damp with water droplets. There was still a lot of parfait left inside, and the ice cream was gradually melting and sliding to the bottom.

"You clearly love playing, but you can't continue... It must be so painful..." She intertwined her fingers. "It's understandable. You really like it, but you can't have it, and the people around you are like that. Then slowly, you become unable to even say 'I like you,' feeling both regret and fear..."

Yuihama lowered her head and spoke softly. Only when she realized the gazes of the other three did she awkwardly continue to explain, "But I'm already changing! I'm not just blindly trying to please others. If I'm going to give up, I have to do my best first. Until the very last moment, who knows how it will end?"

"If it's Yuihama-kun, I believe you can do it."

In stark contrast to her attitude towards Kiyoyori and Hikigaya, Yukinoshita's treatment of Yuigahama can be described as gentle and warm.

"So, regarding the specific action plan..."

Upon hearing this, Qinglai sighed silently to himself.

"Tachibana-san, is there anything else you'd like to say?"

Kiyoyori was silent for a moment, then said, "No..."

Even if it did, it wouldn't make much difference...

Kiyoyori could imagine that this request would be a protracted tug-of-war. If Kasaki couldn't change his mind, then the Service Club would have no choice but to wait it out with Asuka. Moreover, after the two rest days of the Obon festival, the Brass Band would be heading to the training camp for intensive training. Unless the Service Club could find a reason to go with them, she was the only one who could simultaneously have a legitimate reason to act with the Brass Band and have contact with Asuka.

Let me go...

As if possessing a constitution that attracts trouble, Kiyoyori is surrounded by one trouble after another.

"Tachibana-san, if I remember correctly, the brass band will have a two-day holiday starting tomorrow, right?"

Here it comes!

Kiyoshi wanted to cover his ears and pretend he couldn't hear anything.

"Yes."

How did Yukinoshita-senpai find out...?

"What are your plans for the two-day holiday, Tachibana-san?"

That look in his eyes, which seemed to say, "Please cancel all other plans," made Kiyoshi unable to say, "I just want to rest or practice at home."

"No……"

Under Hikigaya's sympathetic gaze, Kiyoyori slowly uttered two words.

“Very good,” Yukinoshita nodded in satisfaction. “Then let’s make some arrangements.”

Kiyoshi closed his eyes resignedly.

“But if we start taking a break tomorrow, it means we won’t be able to see Asuka-senpai at school, right?” Yui scooped out a piece of mushy ice cream with a spoon. “Wouldn’t it seem strange to deliberately ask her out?”

"Then it's time for Tachibana to make her appearance."

Kiyoshiro could almost see a malicious smile on Yukinoshita's face.

It must be because of the heat that her eyes are blurry.

“Kasaki-san goes to school almost every day, but apart from the first few days, she has hardly seen Tanaka-senpai since. It’s reasonable to assume that Tanaka-senpai might not want to see her,” Yukinoshita said, taking out her phone and showing her email history with Kasaki. “Kasaki-san has no plans for tomorrow, but she has made plans to go to the swimming pool with a friend the day after tomorrow.”

Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow; the other person's next words were already on the tip of their tongue, but she really didn't want Yukinoshita to say them.

"Please ask Tachibana-san to invite Tanaka-senpai to the swimming pool as well."

"You want to see Asuka's reaction?" Kiyoyori suddenly smiled. "Asuka won't just give you the answer you want."

“No,” Yukinoshita replied, “I want to see Kasaki-kun’s reaction.”

...............................................................

When I left the coffee shop, it was already dusk.

Kiyoyori made up an excuse to have Hikigaya take Yuihama home, while he offered to take Yukinoshita home.

"Yukinoshita-senpai," Kiyoyori finally asked after the other two figures had disappeared, "the outcome of that request wasn't a 'failure' as you said, was it?"

She stopped in her tracks under the snow and turned around.

"why?"

"Your senior said you 'failed completely,' so why did Nakagaku-senpai and Ogasawara-senpai both thank you?" Kiyoyori had long suspected there was more to this story, a story that even most of the brass band members were unaware of. "If those girls had any connection with your senior, it could only be this, right? What are you all hiding? Is it the truth behind that request?"

Kiyoyori seemed to have some vague recollection of this matter, but she was certain that she had never heard anything from Asuka about what happened in the brass band last year. However, she knew that it wasn't that simple.

"Furthermore, the senior said he wanted to see Kasaki-senpai's reaction."

"So far, all our information has come from Kasaki-san, and Kasaki-san's account will inevitably contain her personal opinions. I just want to see her most authentic reaction."

Are you changing the subject?