I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

"To say I didn't would be a lie," Kasaki said, putting his drink aside, crossing his arms and clenching his arms. "Originally, I had no plans to go to the Metropolitan Tournament to watch the competition, but Yukinoshita found me."

"Yukinoshita...senpai...?"

This answer is surprising.

Kasaki gave a helpless smile that said, "I really can't do anything about her." "I don't know if Yukinoshita has told you about what happened last year. The truth is more complicated than you know. In short, Yukinoshita, who accepted the request last year, came to me and tried to dissuade me from leaving the club, but I didn't listen to her and chose to leave anyway."

"The senior is not the kind of person who would mock you just to vent his own frustrations from past failures."

"Yes, I also think that's not what she meant."

Umaki can still clearly remember what Yuki said.

"Yukinoshita said she wanted to witness a new beginning."

"A new beginning?"

“Well, actually, I don’t quite understand either,” Kasaki said, releasing his hands and leaning back slightly to support his body. “But after listening to your performance, I think I understand a little better. This year is a brand new beginning for the Soubu High School Brass Band, a beginning where we can wave goodbye to the past conflicts, so I…”

"I'm starting to hesitate."

Her voice trembled slightly. "I realized that this is the kind of brass band I've always longed for, but I'll never have the chance to be a part of it again. I, who was so determined to leave, am not qualified to come back here."

"But—Yukinoshita-san, she..."

Instead of lingering here achieving nothing, it's better to cast aside your worries and stride forward.

That's what Yukinoshita said to her in front of the station that day, and then, without hesitation, she left her at the station in Tokyo on her way to Chiba.

"That really has that person's style."

Kiyoshi smiled knowingly. No matter who it is, being inspired by such a person with such words will inevitably give rise to the impulse of "Why not give it another try?"

Moreover, this was especially true for Nozomi Kasaki, who was already resentful.

“Hmm, very much in Yukinoshita's style, so—” Kasaki stood up and walked to the view outside the pavilion, “I’m very grateful to her, grateful that she gave me this courage and allowed me to see a glimmer of hope. But…”

Asuka's attitude, however, extinguished this last spark of courage.

“I really am a bad child,” she said, smiling, but Kiyotaka saw an indescribable sadness in her eyes. “Little by little, I’ve become more and more greedy. I want to be a member of Team A. I want to win the gold medal!”

"But this time, all I want is Asuka-senpai's forgiveness and recognition!"

"If there's anything wrong with it, I can definitely change it..."

Unable to hold back her tears any longer, she reached out to cover her disheveled appearance, but the tears only blurred her vision, making it impossible for her to see the road ahead or the person standing in front of her.

Why, why? Why!

Why can't even such a small wish be fulfilled?

Why do you make a promise but lack the ability to keep it?

Why is it that after finally mustering up the courage again, you can't persevere to the end?

why?

She has tried her best, but she still can't reach the ideal version of herself?

why?

She could only stand in the shadows, gazing at those dazzling figures as they grew further and further away from her.

why?

Even though she reached out with all her might, she couldn't touch a corner of her clothes.

this world,

It is so unfair.

Emotions, like an unstoppable torrent, poured forth recklessly through the only opening, shattering the crack and widening the barely patched gap. Then, it destroyed the entire defense, carrying that bittersweet feeling to every corner of the body.

A pair of fair feet were steadily approaching her, but Kasaki Nozomi was unable to pull herself out of that sorrow.

Those feet stopped in front of her, so white, as if untouched by the dust of time.

The foot belonged to the first-year student who had been talking to her the whole time; her voice was clear yet gentle.

"Kasaki-kun, even if you have to give up, please try your best to the very end this time."

P.S.: Do you remember what Umbrella-kun said to Kumiko in the side story? Actually, it was Yukino who said it to Umbrella-kun. Also, just in case some people didn't read carefully, please pay attention to the last sentence.

I'm going to be lazy today and don't want to write anything.

Chapter 11, Section 172. Then, she disappeared.

Long, slender fingers deftly typed a line of text on the phone, and after confirming there were no errors, sent the message.

The phone screen showed a message indicating that the message had been successfully delivered. After waiting for a while without receiving a reply, Yukinoshita locked her phone and clothes in the electronic locker.

"Xiaoxue, did Xiaoqing stay late?"

A head peeked out from behind the cabinet, Yui Hama gripping it with both hands, her gaze darting back and forth over Yukinoshita's body.

"Their arrival time should be even later; they should still be on their way."

Without showing any shyness, Yukinoshita generously allowed the other person to look her over.

The thin swimsuit outlined her slender figure. Although she didn't have the curves of Yuihama or the muscular physique of Kiyoyori, Yukinoshita seemed a bit too thin. However, her flawless white skin and doll-like face exuded an aura of "only to be admired from afar and not to be touched."

Yukinoshita already exuded an aura of aloofness in her everyday life, and it was thought that she would look more like a high school student in her swimsuit. However, her aura became even stronger, and even Yuihama was hesitant to approach her.

"Xiaoxue, you're so pretty..."

Yuihama approached Yukinoshita with a slightly shy air, placing her hands behind her back and slowly moving towards where Yukinoshita was.

Yuihama's swimsuit was very much in her style, with bright colors and light, flowing lace, exuding the youthful energy of a girl her age. Her figure was undoubtedly eye-catching, but with Yukino standing next to her, the surrounding gazes seemed to have become much more subdued.

“Yuhihama’s swimsuit is also very suitable.”

Overjoyed at the compliment, Yui Hama happily walked over, grabbed Yukinoshita's arms, and pulled her toward the pool.

"Since Xiao Qinglai hasn't arrived yet, let's take this time to play!"

This was the first time she had come to a place like this with Yukinoshita, and Yuihama was still a little worried that the other person might not be used to it. As she led Yukinoshita towards the pool, she secretly observed the other person's expression.

The noisy crowd around her made Yukino Yukinoshita feel very uncomfortable. The humid air, the surging crowd, and the scorching sun all contributed to the rapid depletion of the battery that was named Yukino Yukinoshita.

The energetic children ran around the pool, and the shady spots under the trees where people could escape the sun were mostly occupied. Yukinoshita suddenly thought of Hachiman, who was taking leave to rest at home.

Hachiman really caught a cold at the right time.

But Yuihama beside her seemed very interested, like an energetic child, as if she had endless curiosity about everything here.

"Xiaoxue! Want some ice cream?"

"No need."

"Let's go play in the pool!"

"No need..."

Looking at the pool that was almost full of people, Yukino really had no desire to get in the water.

"Xiaoxue..." Yuihama's excitement seemed to be extinguished like a spark doused with ice water. "Are you unhappy?"

Yuihama counted on her fingers dejectedly, her watery eyes and wet hair making her look like a puppy that had just fallen into the water, letting out a low whimper of grievance.

"what……"

Yukinoshita seemed completely defenseless against such a gaze. She could even see Tachibana Kiyori making that expression on Yuihama's face. Her original determination to just complete the mission began to waver, and she even began to question whether she should enjoy a different kind of vacation with Yuihama instead.

"What would you like to play, Yuigahama-san?"

Hearing that the other party had relented, Yuihama's eyes lit up. "Is Yuki afraid of heights?"

Unaware of what was going on, Yukino shook her head. She wasn't afraid of heights, but she had a certain fear of some of the rides in the amusement park. She attributed these fears to the aftereffects of being teased by her older sister, Haruno, when she was a child.

Let's go play on that slide!

Following Yuihama's finger, Yukinoshita saw a water slide not far away. The intricate slides twisted and turned in the air, like tangled sewer pipes. That part of the pool was relatively more spacious.

Water park, water slides.

Snow beneath his eyes darkened.

"it is good."

She answered Yuihama in a low voice.

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

[Yukino, come quick! Let's slide down together!]

The teenage girl, sitting on a swimming ring, excitedly waved to the little girl hiding by the platform, her bright eyes sparkling like stars.

The little girl who was called out to hid timidly behind the staff member, shaking her head nervously.

The sound of water crashing into the pool, the unrestrained screams of tourists, all pounded wildly in the girl's ears.

Memories of being teased by her older sister many times flooded back, and the girl shook her head, resolutely refusing her sister's invitation.

It's okay, I'll protect you!

[My sister said the same thing last time!]

The girl clung to a pillar on the platform, refusing to approach her older sister who was grinning mischievously.

The girl stopped grinning, squatted down to meet her petite sister's gaze, hugged her knees, and said seriously:

I will protect Yukino.

Amidst the girl's cheerful and warm smile, the girl came to her senses to find herself sitting between the girl's legs, her body embraced by soft arms. As the swimming ring slid rapidly downwards and the water splashed, the girl let out an unprecedented scream. Although the girl behind her laughed wildly, she never let go of her protective arms.

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

"Xiaoxue?"

Before she knew it, she and Yui had walked up to the prepared platform. The water slide, a slightly thrilling attraction, was more popular than she had imagined. Many tourists were queuing up on the platform, and the figures disappearing at the entrance and the screams echoing in the pool seemed to be slowly overlapping with her memories.

"Let's go line up."