I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Page 163

Hikigaya sensed something was wrong.

As expected, Yukinoshita on the other end of the earphone started urging him on, but no matter how Hachiman made gestures, Sagami seemed to ignore them.

"Oops……"

"Ha..." Qinglai sighed beside him, "So, if you don't have the ability, don't cause trouble for others..."

Place your hand near your lips and make a trumpet shape.

"Come on!"

Then, to Hikigaya's astonishment, Kiyoyori walked backstage without a word, as if it wasn't her who had just shouted that.

Sagami on stage finally showed some reaction. That shout of "Go for it!" was like a ray of light shining into the dark world, urging her body to move again after being eroded by darkness and cold.

At least, not everyone is laughing at her.

Sagami picked up the note and stood awkwardly in the center of the stage. The lights shone on her slightly hunched body, making her look exceptionally lonely.

She read the words on the note haltingly, her voice still trembling involuntarily, but she didn't stop. She didn't dare to make eye contact with the students below the stage, nor did she dare to look at the committee members standing backstage watching her every move.

After reading this, she left the stage.

At the very least, she should read through the manuscript she had written.

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

Kiyoshiro leisurely slipped into the backstage area, just in time to hear Yukinoshita issuing the command for the compression process.

Not wanting to disturb the other person's work, Kiyoyori only exchanged a glance with the other person from afar before returning to the brass band to prepare for his next performance.

"Tachibana-san."

Unexpectedly, the other party called out to him.

"Yukinoshita-senpai."

Kiyoshiro approached Yukinoshita carrying a leather box. Committee members were coming and going around him, moving stools and music stands and discussing how to arrange the entire band in the shortest amount of time.

Yukinoshita gently covered the microphone of her earphone with her hand, gesturing for Kiyoyori to come closer.

"Thanks to Tachibana-san just now."

She didn't ask Lai why he did that, because the question seemed somewhat superfluous at the moment.

"It was just a small favor."

Kiyoyori dislikes Sagami, but that has nothing to do with her wanting to help Yukinoshita complete this cultural festival.

P.S.: Sorry for the long wait. I wrote a chapter today, and I think it's alright. Although I can't say I'll be able to resume daily updates, I still want to thank all my lovely readers who have been waiting for me. This period has actually been quite difficult, mainly due to mental torment. I was also in the hospital receiving IV drips for a while, so I didn't have the opportunity or the mood to write. I can't guarantee whether there will be an update tomorrow. Of course, if I do write, then there will be. Thank you all for waiting for me.

Chapter 36, Section 259: Academy Paradise

School Paradise.

This song comes from a Japanese idol group in the 1970s. Like "RYDEEN", it is a song that is relatively unfamiliar to people of Kiyoshi's age, but is very familiar to the older generation.

"Academy Paradise" tells the story of several boys' rivalry over a girl in their class and the protagonist's secret crush on her. It is a campus romance story full of youthful energy.

[This guy is one, that guy is one too]

Everyone's eyeing this seat.

In this class

The girl next to the prettiest girl

As the familiar and rhythmic prelude begins, everyone's body involuntarily moves to the rhythm of the music.

【Hey Hey Hey】

Are you ready?

The trombone's unique sound is like that of a boy at that age, his heart pounding with romantic feelings, doing many funny and adorable silly things to win the attention of the girl he likes.

The trumpet is loud and distinctive, just like the emotions of that age—passionate yet innocent.

Ah, it's a clarinet. Although its tone isn't as loud as a brass instrument, it's quite playful, with a melodious tune like a little boy secretly placing breakfast on a girl's table.

Ah, they're all competitors.

[Ah, everyone's risking their lives!]

O goddess of fate!

Smile at me

Even just once would be enough.

The orderly ensemble played out the restless and overflowing affection.

O goddess of fate, please look upon me!

Everything has come to this moment.

If that doesn't work either...

I gave up.

The slightly bitter feeling vanished in an instant; this was the boy's last stand.

【Hey Hey Hey】

During the interlude, Asuka turned to the audience, and everyone clapped along with the rhythm, leading her to another climax in the auditorium.

Who doesn't have a little story of unrequited love? This adapted song is a love song of youth for everyone here.

The song's arrangement was done by Taki himself, which largely preserved the original song's cheerfulness. The instrumental version, without lyrics, lost some of the bitterness and sorrow of unrequited love, and instead added a touch of the unique innocence and vitality of this age.

Kiyoyori sat on the outermost side of the line, which was also the seat closest to the audience.

She sat under the light, gazing at the person who was also under the light.

Her silhouette, with its flowing black hair, was dazzling under the lights.

Ah, that profile view!

I want to watch.

The oboe isn't particularly prominent in this arrangement, but Kiyotaka already knows the score by heart. She doesn't even need to turn the pages; the score in front of her is just a decoration. She can play any section at will.

This kind of teaching is simply heaven!

Turning his gaze to the audience, Kiyora immediately noticed the audience's excitement, as well as the person standing in the corner.

Ah, that profile view!

Ah, I really want to watch.

Everything has come to this moment.

I eagerly await the results.

Is she...?

Will they look this way too?

Is she...?

Will our eyes meet?

[Ahhh, I'm so excited to see the results!]

O goddess of fate!

Please smile at me.

Even if—

Their eyes met when the other person glanced up unintentionally.

Kiyoshi's body swayed to the rhythm of the music, but her eyes remained fixed on Xuexia, who stood with her arms crossed at the edge of the stage.

Yukinoshita stood straight in place, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the person on the stage who seemed to be shining, even though the committee members were still reporting the upcoming schedule in her earphones.

Her body swayed slightly.

Her posture was as graceful as a pine tree.

Her nimble, lively fingers.

She gently swayed her hand in front of her chest.

【Ah ah】

O goddess of fate!

Please smile at me.

Even if—

I certainly won't be satisfied with just this once.

Everyone's watching this moment.

If that doesn't work...

I guess I can't give up either.