I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

P.S.: Later on, when the plot progresses, there will be side stories about Kiyoyori and Asuka's childhood. As long as the side stories are placed in the main story volume rather than the side story volume, they will definitely be related to the main story. Please remember to watch (subscribe) to them~.

I'm going back to work tomorrow, hoping everything goes smoothly. Regarding the surgery I mentioned before, I'll post an announcement once the surgery date is confirmed, and I hope everyone understands. Speaking of which, does this mean I can start wishing for two rare cherry tomatoes in ten consecutive pulls for the fourth anniversary starting today?

Chapter 32, Section 193: An Answer

During a break in the afternoon training camp, Qinglai unexpectedly bumped into Huang Qian, who was cleaning his bugle, at the sink.

"Kumiko."

"Ah, Kiyora!"

Huang Qian seemed startled, and her violent movement caused the horn to roll into the pool.

"Are you okay?"

Picking up the mouthpiece and handing it back to Huang Qian, Qing Lai washed his hands while glancing at Huang Qian, who seemed to be lost in thought.

"Ah, thank you..."

Huang Qian awkwardly took her mouthpiece and rinsed it in the water. She seemed to be hesitating about something, glancing at the mouthpiece and then at Qing Lai.

"how?"

Having already noticed the other person's curious yet timid gaze, Kiyoyori sighed and asked first.

"Qinglai, you can play the brass pipe?" Turning off the tap immediately silenced the sound of water washing the sink; apart from the footsteps passing by, the area suddenly became unusually quiet. "Yes..."

Huang Qian didn't know how to describe it. She had overheard Qing Lai's conversation with the little girl she didn't know and had only vaguely guessed something. A seed of curiosity sprouted in her heart, but she could never bring herself to ask.

Kiyoshi immediately understood, "You mean this?"

She placed her right index and middle fingers separately on her lips, then gently exhaled, vibrating her lips.

"Yes, yes!" Huang Qian excitedly raised the mouthpiece in his hand.

Kiyoyori smiled. "This is what Asuka-senpai taught me."

I still can't get used to using honorifics to address my childhood playmates.

"Asuka-senpai?" Huang Qian blinked in confusion, she had originally thought it was Reina.

“Yes,” Kiyoshi nodded, a nostalgic look on his face. “That’s how we gradually became familiar with each other. She learned wind instruments before me.”

"Huh?!"

Huang Qian covered her mouth in surprise. In her opinion, Kiyoyori, who came from a family of musicians, must have started cultivating her musical talent from a very young age, just like Reina.

"She's three years older than me, that's not strange, is it?"

Before that day, she and Asuka were just ordinary neighbors and didn't interact much. But on that day, Asuka's father sent her the euphonium that she had cherished ever since, and that was the beginning of their acquaintance.

“I originally…” Kiyoyori laughed out loud as he said this, “I was originally someone who hated music.”

Seeing the astonished look on Huang Qian's face, which suggested he could practically swallow an egg, Kiyoyori continued to add.

"Especially the oboe."

"Why……?"

“My mother was a professional oboe player, and when I was little, she was often away from home because of various performances or orchestra training,” Kiyotaka said, taking out a handkerchief and gently wiping her hands. “So I hate the oboe and I hate music, and I feel that they took away my mother.”

"But things didn't change until Asuka appeared with the euphonium."

Asuka's family situation is the complete opposite of Kiyori's, yet also very similar. Asuka has never met her father, while Kiyori has never seen his mother. Kiyori blames music and the oboe for taking away Touko, while the euphonium and music are Asuka's only way to feel her father's presence.

Perhaps influenced by Asuka, Kiyoyori gradually developed a love for music and switched from the euphonium to the oboe.

"So Kiyoyori really does play the tutti?"

The two walked side by side from the sink back to the training room.

"I know a little bit, but I haven't practiced in a long time."

"I just can't seem to imagine it."

"what?"

"Qinglai can play the double bass horn or something." Huang Qian played with the mouthpiece in his hand, gently rubbing it with his fingers. "It doesn't resemble him at all."

"Kumiko is the one, she's exactly like the euphonium."

"Whoa, all I feel is malice, what's going on?"

"Nozomi."

As they walked down the corridor, Kiyotaka noticed something and stopped. Her companion, Kyouzen, also stopped, seemingly puzzled.

Kiyoshi glanced around and saw Nakagawa leaning against the window talking on the phone. Following Kiyoshi's gaze, Huang also saw his senior.

"It's Senior Xia Ji..."

It sounded like he knew something.

Just as Huang Qian withdrew his gaze and prepared to continue walking forward, he saw the probing look that Qing Lai was giving him.

"W-what's wrong?"

Should I say it's no wonder they're childhood friends? This person's eyes are sometimes frighteningly similar to Reina's.

Huang Qian involuntarily took a step back.

Do you know who Nakagawa-senpai is talking to on the phone?

"Huh?" Seeing Kiyoyori approaching, Huang unconsciously tilted his head back. "It's all over the club, and Nozomi-senpai has even come to the bass section several times before..."

"Go find Asuka?"

"Huh? Hmm, hmm..." Huang Qian nodded, "But apart from the first time, Asuka-senpai has never seen Nozomi-senpai again, and she doesn't allow us to talk about related things either. Anyway, it seems to be related to what happened in the brass band club last year."

"Kiyori doesn't know? Isn't Yorozuka-senpai from Nanchong like Nozomi-senpai? They should be in the same club, right?"

Although he said that, Huang Qian felt that Kiyoyori should know.

"I've never heard her mention it."

Huang Qian recalled Mizore's cold face and gave an awkward smile, "That's true..."

Senior Yorozuka doesn't seem very easy to get along with.

Meanwhile, Nakagawa's conversation continued.

"Nozomi...is this really okay?"

"Hmm, it seems I haven't asked yet, but I don't want to make things difficult for her... Hmm, I know."

Huang Qian glanced at Qing Lai secretly, then immediately turned back like a thief. Qing Lai, however, seemed oblivious, staring blankly at Nakagawa until the latter noticed and turned around.

Huang Qian instinctively wanted to leave, but nodded shyly under Nakagawa's cheerful smile. Kiyoshi, on the other hand, greeted Nakagawa generously, showing no guilt whatsoever for peeping or eavesdropping.

“Yes, yes, I will pass it on to her,” Nakagawa continued on the phone with Kasaki on the other end. “I know, if this is your decision, Nozomi, then it’s fine as long as you can accept it.”

“It’s nothing, it’s just that you’re my friend, Hime,” Nakagawa said with a gentle yet helpless expression. “It’s alright, it’s not troublesome at all.”

"I'm happy to be able to help Nozomi."

A look of surprise flashed across Kiyoyori's eyes. He then clenched his fist into the hand hidden in his pocket, his nails digging into his palm. The slight pain made Kiyoyori frown.

That was just a sentence.

All I got was one answer.

Kiyoyori sighed, waved to Nakagawa, and then pulled the still-unresponsive Huangqian away from the corridor.

P.S.: I was hit with terrible news on my first day of work... I have an extra year of probation for no reason... Time and salary, all I want to do right now is post that GIF of a groundhog screaming.

I'm so sorry!!! I posted the wrong chapter!!!

Chapter 33, Section 194: The Cruel Answer

"Asuka, would it be convenient for me to borrow a little bit of your time later?"

He didn't deliberately avoid others, nor did he show any hesitation. Just like always, he seemed to be talking about something very ordinary. But Asuka knew that Kiyoyori had already made a decision.

Even if this decision will drag her into another trouble.

Watching Kiyoshi's retreating figure as he returned to his seat, Asuka suddenly felt a little dazed. If it weren't for the Service Club, Kiyoshi would never have willingly gotten himself involved in such troublesome matters. But now the Service Club had become a driving force. If Kiyoshi hadn't brought it up, even if Asuka had already noticed some clues, she certainly wouldn't have mentioned it to him, just like Kiyoshi hesitated whether or not to ask.

No, perhaps she was waiting for Kiyoyori to ask first.

It was as if she was actively walking towards the crowd.

……………………………………………………………

Summer days are always longer than nights, but even at this time, night is gradually falling outside the window.

"At this point today, we should be fine once we get here."

Asuka led Kiyoshi to a row of neatly arranged tables and chairs outside the cafeteria. Because the resort was having a bonfire and barbecue event today, and the mealtime was later than usual, most of the hungry people had already run to the open space outside. Even though they had training to do that night, it didn't stop them from having a good time.

As the sky outside gradually darkened, it seemed that the Service Club's test of courage event was about to begin.

"Okay, this is fine."

Kiyoshi sat down at the table first, while Asuka went to the cafeteria to get two glasses of water.

"Give."

Asuka placed the paper cup in front of Kiyoyori and sat down opposite him, resting her chin on her hand in a lazy manner.

"Thank you."

Kiyoshi picked up the water glass and took a small sip as a courtesy.

"So, what do you want to ask me, Kiyora?"

Asuka asked the question knowingly, and looked at Kiyori with a smile, not revealing a single flaw.