I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

“This isn’t about ‘whose fault it is,’ nor is it about victim blaming. I just want to tell you to get rid of the idea of ​​relying on others as soon as possible,” Kiyoyori changed his posture, no longer facing Tsurumi directly. “You seem to be subconsciously running away, telling yourself to endure while yearning for something, but you’re unwilling to make any changes. There are no heroes in this world; only you can save yourself, and only you can change yourself.”

"It is cowardly to wait for others to change you and expect to be saved."

"Those who believe they can change the world on their own,"

"That's nothing but arrogant arrogance."

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

Rumi Tsurumi limped back to the camp.

At Kiyoshi's suggestion, she took off the other pair of stockings as well, simply because they were "too ugly."

That person didn't escort her back. Just as they said, once she left that room, they were complete strangers. It wasn't that she expected them to take her back to camp, but rather that she felt—

What a strange person.

Even though he didn't care at all, he still took her back.

I don't understand.

He talked a lot to himself and then chased her away.

But annoyingly, those words stayed in her heart.

Tsurumi, clutching the long socks in her hand, unexpectedly, yet not unexpectedly, ran into a group of people cooking at the campsite. They were the high school students she had met earlier that afternoon, who seemed to have been invited by their teacher to camp with them. She had a brief conversation with a few of them.

"Ah! Rumi!"

The pink-haired, enthusiastic woman spotted her from afar.

As the group approached, Tsurumi realized she couldn't hide the overly obvious bandages on her knees. She then realized that it was just a small scratch, so why was that person wrapping so many bandages around her knees?

Before she could even curse him, Tsurumi was met with a sharp question.

"What's going on? Could it be—"

It felt as if something was about to burst out of my throat.

Whether you want to return there as if nothing happened, vent your anger by making a big scene, or change the status quo and become stronger, it doesn't matter.

[Make others acknowledge your strength.]

"No, I just tripped and fell."

That's how she answered.

But he inadvertently revealed the truth to them.

P.S.: Actually, I quite disliked Hachiman's actions in the Tsurumi Rumi incident... but my limited brain can't seem to find any other quick way to change the situation, and from a long-term perspective, it's not beneficial either. Speaking of which, I've seen this kind of thing countless times: a group of girls ganging up on another girl, and then trying to get other girls in the class to take sides... Before university, in elementary, middle, and high school, almost every class had this. As someone who was once given a "good person card" by the teacher (meaning I got along well with all the classmates), I rarely got into trouble. Girls wouldn't bother me, and boys wouldn't dare either, because they'd be told not to be friends with so-and-so. But I always remained neutral, so they didn't dare to complain about me. I guess I have a strong aura, haha. So I think that when you encounter this kind of thing, you yourself are a very important factor, because you can't change others. I've seen quite a few people who were bullied one year and then joined in bullying others the next. I don't really understand this behavior.

Chapter 20, Section 181: Kumiko's personality is indeed terrible.

After the evening training session, everyone looked exhausted. Although the training was not easy on weekdays, the sense of urgency during this training camp was stronger than when we were at school. In particular, when we practiced in groups and then harmonized, we could clearly feel the difference, and this difference became a driving force.

Although a cool breeze may occasionally blow on summer nights, it is only a drop in the ocean for the members of the wind band who have exhausted themselves and are covered in sweat. However, the air in the suburbs is indeed fresh, carrying a sense of freedom and liberation that is hard to feel in the city.

Groups of students from all grades and voice parts headed toward the resort, forming a vast, bustling scene.

"Ah, so tired—" Hazuki stretched, "I want to take a bath!"

“Me too,” Huang Qian said, hunched over and looking exhausted. “Taki-sensei seems more energetic than usual today…”

"Ah! I feel the same way!"

Hazuki suddenly snapped to attention. "Could it be because of Shinzan-sensei or something?!"

"Eh—is that so?"

Huang Qian was clearly uninterested in such a topic, but Kawashima, who had an inherent interest in gossip, followed up on the topic.

"Speaking of which, although it was the first day I met Ms. Niiyama, I always felt that there was an unapproachable aura between her and Ms. Taki!"

This topic forced Reina, who had been focusing on the scenery along the way, to concentrate on the conversation between Kawashima and Hazuki. Perhaps because Kawashima and Hazuki were present, she couldn't be too obvious and could only look into the distance while listening to their conversation.

“Speaking of Teacher Xinshan…” Huang Qian suddenly recalled the scene he had unintentionally witnessed in the practice room at noon.

"What? Little Green is so curious!"

"Eh?!" Faced with Kawashima's overly intense gaze, Huang Qian involuntarily took a step back, but inadvertently bumped into Reina's fierce gaze, which seemed to be demanding an honest confession.

"It has nothing to do with Taki-sensei..." Huang Qian waved his hand anxiously, "I just saw Shinzan-sensei and Kiyorai's mother talking at noon today..."

"Aunt He Yuanzi?"

"Um..."

Upon hearing that the topic seemed to have nothing to do with Takigatsu, the girls put away their gossipy nature.

Huang Qian didn't finish her sentence. She looked around for Kiyoyori and found him walking with Asuka. Although she hadn't heard Niizan and Touko's conversation clearly, she vaguely sensed that there might be some other story between Kiyoyori, Taki, and Niizan.

Will this hurt Reina?

Huang Qian recalled what Qinglai had said not long ago and secretly glanced at Reina walking beside him.

"how?"

"Ah, no..."

Was discovered.

Huang Qian immediately turned his head and looked straight ahead.

"Hey, Kumiko," Reina's sudden voice startled Oumae, who was already preoccupied, "you're not thinking about anything lewd, are you?"

"Huh?!"

Huang Qian was always shocked by Reina's casual remarks.

"You know what?" Reina turned her head, seemingly unconcerned about the other person's exaggerated reaction.

"The resort here has public bathhouses."

Reina's quiet tone made Huang Qian gasp.

Although, but—

Reina's...

"So you were thinking about it, weren't you?"

"No!" The confidence from a moment ago vanished in an instant. "Until just now..."

She added in a low voice.

Now we have...

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

Where is the child from earlier?

Walking with Kiyori and Asuka was Kaori, who was clearly still very concerned about the little guy she had met that evening.

“After treating the wound, I sent her back,” Kiyotaka replied lightly. “It’s not a serious wound; just make sure it doesn’t get wet.”

“Is that so…that’s good,” Kaori breathed a sigh of relief. “But, that child—”

"Kaori," Asuka wrapped her arms around Kaori's neck, interrupting her, "How to handle that matter is that child's own business, don't take it too seriously."

"but--"

A hint of worry and a complex expression that Kiyori couldn't decipher flashed across Kaori's face.

"Don't worry," Asuka smiled knowingly, "Given Kiyori's temperament, he definitely won't just let that child go back so easily~ He must have done something underhanded."

"Is that right?"

Kiyoshi, exposed by his childhood friend, looked helpless, then recalled the exaggeratedly bandaged knees she had covered. "Well, I guess so."

Kaori relaxed after hearing this answer.

“It won’t turn out like that again. Kaori just worries too much,” Asuka said, swaying Kaori’s body from side to side. “If this keeps up, the goddess of the brass band will turn into an old lady!”

"Asuka~!"

Kiyoshi silently quickened his pace, trying to distance himself from the two people who were unconsciously radiating pink bubbles.

I always felt like I was superfluous, just like my senior, Ogasawara.

but--

[Will it turn into that again?]

Yes, what does that mean?

"Um, Tachibana-san?"

They were stopped by someone unexpected.

"Nakagawa-senpai?"

Looking at Nakagawa, who still had a towel around his neck, Kiyoyori frowned in confusion. "Is there something you need?"

"Could we speak in private for a moment?"

All eyes slowly turned toward them, but Nakagawa remained unmoved. From the unwavering look in Nakagawa's eyes, Kiyoyori seemed to have guessed something.

"Ok."

Following Nakagawa away from the main group of the brass band, we walked towards a quiet grove of trees until the sounds of the brass band members chatting faded into the distance before we stopped.

"This should be fine."

"What Nakagawa-senpai is about to say," Kiyoyori asked first, "could it be related to Kasaki-senpai's matter?"

“As expected,” Nakagawa said with a knowing look, leaning back against the tree trunk in relaxation. “Tachibana-san is also a member of the Service Club, right?”

The other person seemed to know something about the Service Department, which made Kiyoyori frown slightly. The night concealed her emotions, as did the other person's expression.

“Nozomi did mention to me about making a request to the Service Club,” Nakagawa then suddenly stood up straight and waved his hand, as if he had just remembered something. “Nozomi didn’t tell me about Tachibana. I just happened to see you and Nozomi talking about something at the pool that day. And then, she cried…”

"Yeah……"