I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

For every step the snow takes back, Kiyoyori takes a step forward.

"Since Tachibana-san has already guessed it, why bother pursuing it so relentlessly?"

"I just want to know if what I'm about to do will harm the people involved."

Yukino sighed helplessly, "Tachibana-san is surprisingly kind."

"I don't know if Kasaki-san knows why Tanaka-senpai rejected her request; I just want to know that."

"It sounds like you know very well why Asuka rejected Kasaki-senpai?"

“I don’t know,” Yukinoshita shook her head, “but at least, it’s not because of leaving the club.”

P.S.: It seems the author doesn't have anything to say today. I'm so hot that I don't even know what to write about the author's words.

Chapter 05, Section 166: It wasn't lust at first sight!

After returning home, Qinglai stared blankly at his phone.

She doesn't like crowded places. While festivals or fireworks displays might be places she can enjoy, swimming pools or water parks wouldn't be her choice for a vacation. Those entertainment options aren't very appealing. If it's just swimming for exercise, she can easily book a time with a swimming coach and go to a less crowded, upscale gym.

but……

Senior's swimsuit...

A blurry image slowly formed in her mind, and Kiyotori subconsciously recalled the stunning sight she had when she saw Yukinoshita in a yukata at the festival.

Suddenly realizing what he was thinking, Kiyoshi grabbed a bottle of soda and took a swig. The refreshing coolness made his nose sting and his taste buds and nasal cavity burst out of his head, blasting those shoddy construction images out of his mind.

No, no, I can't think about it anymore.

Kiyoshi pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers and pressed hard on the inner corners of his eyes.

But why not specifically invite Asuka to the swimming pool?

In previous years, Asuka would invite her to the pool, but she would refuse to go out. This situation, where the roles are reversed, seems very strange.

She switched her phone to the screen displaying Asuka's phone number, holding the phone with both hands, but her thumb hesitated over the other person's name.

The sudden vibration of the phone startled Kiyoshi, causing him to drop it on the ground. The prominent "Asuka" name on the screen identified the caller, and the semi-transparent photo that appeared next to the name was a side profile of Asuka playing the flute in the morning sunlight, which Kiyoshi had secretly snapped.

The gentle, deep sound of the pipe flowed slowly from the loudspeaker, like the sunlight that gently fell on her that morning, warm and dazzling, yet somehow revealing a sense of sadness.

This piece of music accompanied Kiyori and Asuka throughout their childhood and their entire lives, from the time they met until now.

Picking up the phone that was vibrating on the soft carpet, Asuka answered the call, and her cheerful voice came through the speakerphone.

"Little Qinglai, have you gotten home yet?"

I had only told them that I had an appointment with someone after we finished our conversation today, without mentioning that it was the Service Department. Now that I think about it, it wasn't like I revealed myself from the beginning.

"Just got home."

"Hmm, you're back quite early."

Kiyoshi narrowed his eyes. "It wasn't a big deal to begin with."

"I thought Xiao Qinglai had finally come to his senses and was planning to go out with his friends during his only two-day holiday."

Asuka deliberately paused before the word "friend".

Kiyoshi, feigning ignorance of the implied meaning, simply replied calmly, "If I have plans, then Asuka won't be able to invite me."

The fact that Asuka called at this time specifically mentioning her vacation and plans suggests that she probably wants to go out with Kiyoyori.

"It's okay, since Xiaoqing won't stay with me anyway, I can find someone else."

"For example, the medieval elder?"

"Hmm~".

The lack of denial piqued Kiyoyori's interest, who was already intrigued by the relationship between the two.

"A date? Won't I be in the way if I go with you?"

"Haruka is coming too! If Kiyorai wants, he can bring his girlfriend!"

"There's no such thing..."

"That's true, after all, it's Kiyora."

"What do you mean?!"

After some banter, the two successfully veered the topic from "going out to play tomorrow" to "why it's impossible for Kiyoshi to find a girlfriend."

So what are we going to do tomorrow?

"It's summer now!"

Asuka dismissed Kiyori's stubbornness with a tone that suggested he was beyond redemption.

"There's no need to emphasize how hot the weather is right now."

"Little Qinglai really doesn't understand his sister's good intentions!"

Having grown accustomed to the other party's nonsensical tone, Kiyoshi had no choice but to patiently continue asking questions.

"The swimming pool, of course!"

A swimming pool?!

Hearing this word instantly dispelled Qinglai's previous annoyance.

This is truly a case of finding something you've been searching for without even looking for it, only to have it come to you effortlessly.

"A swimming pool?" To solidify his image as a summer-only otaku, Kiyoyori feigned modesty and asked, "Is there any special purpose behind this?"

Asuka clicked her tongue, "Speaking of swimming pools, we have to talk about swimsuits. Water parks in the height of summer are the perfect opportunity for young and vibrant women to show off their nice bodies!"

"Don't tell me that the person talking sounds like a lustful old man!"

"But isn't Kiyori powerless against beautiful older sisters?"

"Uh!" The undeniable truth left Qinglai speechless.

"Xiao Qinglai is getting on in years. It's time to change your old-fashioned lifestyle and pursue some youthful excitement."

Not knowing where to begin complaining, Kiyoshi could only respond with silence.

She would never admit that she was even slightly tempted by the suggestion.

"It's just simple appreciation."

That's true. Kiyoyori is indeed a sucker for pretty faces, but she wouldn't do anything rude or let her eyes wander. If Asuka hadn't known about Kiyoyori's obsession with older, beautiful women since she was little, she wouldn't have noticed this.

"Tch, if you don't want to go, then forget it," Asuka replied with feigned disgust. "What a shame, Kiyori won't be able to appreciate the great figures of the older sisters."

Sisters...?

Asuka didn't deny mentioning the senior, Nakajiko, just now.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind: "Uh, to the swimming pool, when?"

Although I didn't mean to refuse, I should at least pretend to be reluctant.

How about tomorrow?

"Huh?"

If the timing doesn't match, it'll be a waste of time to go. Qinglai's mind raced.

"Isn't tomorrow too rushed?"

"The holiday is only two days long."

"Ah, no," Kiyoyori stammered, trying to come up with a suitable reason, "Oh, right! Swimsuit! My old swimsuit is a bit too small, I'd better buy a new one if I'm going."

"But didn't Kiyora just go to the swimming pool recently?"

"That's a swimsuit for exercising. It's not really appropriate to wear a sporty one when going out, is it?"

Qinglai was a meticulous person and had certain requirements for his clothing, so this statement is not very doubtful.

"How about we go the day after tomorrow? I'll buy a swimsuit tomorrow, and..." Kiyoshi vaguely remembered that Reina seemed to have mentioned that she would be going to the pool with Huang and the others the day after tomorrow.

"and?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Although the two had reconciled since the last incident, the inseparable bond between Reina and Oki made Kiyoyori a little jealous.

She was the one who encouraged the other person to expand their social circle...

Kiyoshi rubbed his hair with a wry smile.

"It's settled then, we'll come pick out a swimsuit for you tomorrow."

Before Kiyoshi could react, Asuka hung up the phone.

Wait, what about us...?

P.S.: After much thought, I decided to move the fireworks festival that originally took place during this period in Sound! Euphonium to a later time. Well, it seems that the other event is more important in comparison.

I'm so tired today, I have absolutely no desire to write. I can even just sit on my bed staring blankly at the wall...

Sorry, sorry, I was too tired yesterday and didn't check carefully before clicking on the drafts. I thought it had already been sent. This is yesterday's draft; there's one more chapter today, at the usual time.

Chapter 06, Section 167: You Can Even Know How Bright You Are

So why did things turn out this way?

In the slightly crowded train, since all the seats were already taken, Kiyoyori stood in front of Asuka while holding onto the handrail. She had originally been sitting next to Asuka, but when the train arrived at Nakazeko's stop, she stood up and gave up her seat. Although Nakazeko was embarrassed, she still sat down next to Asuka at Kiyoyori's insistence.

So, on his thin lips, which were hidden by a fist, Kiyoyori revealed a sly smile that said, "I've bumped into something."

However, Qinglai never expected that things would develop like a runaway horse, galloping wildly in an uncontrollable direction.