I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

As the only member of the brass band who witnessed everything, Huang Qian's shock was unimaginable to anyone.

Asuka stopped comforting Nagase and looked quietly at Oumae, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble for anyone."

Her voice was so steady, like a deep, resonant melody flowing from a euphonium, supporting everyone with its calm and unwavering presence, making it impossible not to place one's trust in her.

Perhaps in this respect, Asuka-senpai and the Euphonium are really similar.

Huang Qian thought to himself for no reason.

"Alright, alright, go practice!" Asuka herded her juniors back to the classroom like ducks. "The concert and the national competition are just around the corner!"

No one who turned their backs and walked toward the classroom saw the sadness in Asuka's eyes.

“Xia Ji,”

"Would it be convenient for us to talk later?"

"Just the two of us."

time,

Not many left...

P.S.: I'm going to rush for the lucky bag today! Qiu Lin, love me again!!!

Chapter 61, Section 284: The Unassuming Saxophone

"Huh? We're going to change the alto ensemble part into a bass solo?"

Ogasawara stood by the door of the saxophone club classroom, his arms wrapped around the sheet music, staring blankly at Takigaki, who spoke in an extremely relaxed tone, revealing an unexpected idea.

Taki didn't name the person who would play the solo, but looking at the entire Soubu High School Wind Ensemble, she was the only one playing the bass saxophone.

In other words...

As if a breath were being lifted into his chest, Ogasawara carefully held his breath, but could feel his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

Can I really... do it...?

Unable to meet those calm eyes, Ogasawara lowered her head and stared blankly at the ground. What came into view was Takigaki's slippers.

“That’s right,” Taki’s steady voice came from above her head, “As a well-known song familiar to the public, I want to bring more surprises to the audience with ‘Treasure Island’.”

He looked at the girl in front of him gently, without using a forceful tone to demand that she accept the request. "I hope Ogasawara-san can consider it."

This was a conversation that only happened between Taki and himself. Ogasawara knew very well that if she accepted, she would become one of the most dazzling soloists on that stage. If she refused, Taki would also give up changing the original ensemble piece into a solo. This was the hope that Taki placed in her, and it was also out of recognition of her ability.

"Yes, thank you..."

But can she really do it?

Whether it's playing instruments, studying, or being in this club, she's never the most outstanding one. There are too many people around her who shine like stars, while she's just an ordinary person. She can't be as popular as Kaori, nor can she become everyone's pillar of support like Asuka. Her silent dedication may go unnoticed by others.

This is not jealousy.

She loved her two best friends, but compared to Kaori, who was closer to her, Asuka seemed to be a more distant existence. When she learned Asuka's secret, Ogasawara couldn't help but sigh in her heart. It wasn't just heartache for her best friend, but also a sense of relief.

It turns out that Asuka isn't perfect either.

It was a terrible idea, but she couldn't stop it.

Ogasawara wasn't a person without thoughts or a temper; it's just that she was often too gentle, creating the illusion that she was weak, just like—

"Haruka."

Unbeknownst to Ogasawara, Taki had already left the saxophone club. Ogasawara hadn't even noticed his departure, and standing before him now was his friend Kaori.

Kaori leaned against the door, craning her upper body into the classroom. She raised her hand and waved to Ogasawara. Her voice was very soft, as if she didn't want to disturb the others' training. Her movements were also slightly tiptoeing. Her short hair fell beside her cheeks, making her even more adorable.

Kaori is really cute.

Ogasawara inexplicably recalled Asuka's evaluation, and gently pressed his hand against his suddenly accelerating heartbeat through the sheet music.

"what happened?"

Following Kaori's movements, Ogasawara temporarily put aside the solo performance he had been asked to do and walked over to follow Kaori out of the classroom.

Kaori's cheeks were still flushed, and her breathing was slightly unsteady, indicating that she had rushed over. However, the trumpet section was only separated from the saxophone section by a trombone section, just a few steps away. Unlike her usual elegance, Kaori's brows were now furrowed with a barely perceptible sorrow.

Clearly, the only person who could elicit such an expression from her could be that one person.

Ogasawara often felt envious of how Asuka always received more attention from Kaori. She couldn't control Kaori's emotions all the time, but Asuka could, which often gave her the illusion that she was being excluded by the two of them.

Even so, the ones who were truly excluded were Kaori and her, and the one who did so was Asuka.

"Aunt Aso has submitted Asuka's resignation application to the principal's assistant."

Although this was just news heard from someone else and its authenticity could not be fully confirmed, Kaori was so worried that she was restless upon hearing the news, fearing that her nightmare would come true.

Ogasawara was also startled, his breath suddenly tightening. "Straight past Taki-sensei?"

If Akika is the spiritual pillar of the brass band, then Taki is everyone's strong support. Although this teacher looks a bit sloppy and unreliable, he is actually a responsible and caring teacher. Although he values ​​playing the brass band, he cares even more about the members of the brass band. He respects the students' autonomy and defends it.

It is precisely because of Taki-no-sho that the Sobu High School Brass Band has achieved its current success in just six months.

but--

“Hmm…” Kaori nodded heavily. Although the matters of the brass band should be handled by Taki, who is an advisor, he is ultimately just a music teacher. If the management intervenes in this matter, the subsequent development will be beyond Taki’s control.

I wonder what Aunt Aso is thinking.

Kaori sighed dejectedly. The composed, gentle, and witty elite woman she remembered could also have such a hysterical side.

The solo performance was immediately put aside. Ogasawara's heart was filled with worry for Asuka and concern for the club. Putting aside the impact on the Soubu High School Brass Band's strength if Asuka, a key member, left, her departure as everyone's pillar would inevitably deal a significant blow to everyone's morale.

in particular……

A strange feeling welled up inside me.

they……

Am I relying on Asuka too much...?

Calming herself down, Ogasawara patted Kaori's shoulder reassuringly. "If this is true, Taki-sensei certainly won't sit idly by. Anyway, let's go find Asuka first."

She didn't know if Asuka already knew about this, nor did she know if it had happened with Asuka's tacit approval. Perhaps it had nothing to do with whether Asuka allowed it or not.

Asuka was nowhere to be seen in the bass section. Her beloved silver euphonium sat alone on the table bathed in the glow of the setting sun. The orange afterglow tinged the euphonium, elongating its shadow and making it appear unusually lonely.

No one played it; it simply sat quietly in the corner, casting a shadow.

I learned from my juniors that Asuka had just left the classroom, but I don't know where she went.

The younger generation had clearly not yet received the news, whether true or false, and their faces still bore the reassuring smiles that Asuka had given them earlier.

If only this moment could last a little longer.

at least,

At least until the national competition ends.

P.S.: Here it comes! The Minister's moment of glory! The next three chapters will be from Haruka's perspective. Also, Happy New Year! It was Qiu Xin who ambushed me in the lucky bag; I failed to replenish my treasure, hahaha, it's sunk again, hahaha.

Chapter 62 Please Be Quiet (Section 285)

Ogasawara and Kaori found Asuka in the open-air corridor.

Her silhouette had never looked so lonely.

Asuka, with her back to the two, had her black hair obediently draped over her tall back. Her profile, peeking out from her hair, was so exquisite, yet there was not a trace of a smile on her face. Asuka stared indifferently into the distance, her expression detached.

She, who was usually very perceptive, seemed to be engrossed in her own world and did not notice the arrival of the two men.

Ogasawara wanted to call Asuka's name, but suddenly felt something stuck in her throat, preventing her from speaking. It felt as if a million ants were gnawing at her heart; it was an indescribable pain.

Yes, she felt heartbroken for Asuka.

But these are feelings that cannot be expressed.

Asuka is always the most dazzling one among them, no matter where she goes. Even if she herself may not care, as her best friend, Ogasawara wants to take care of her feelings as much as possible.

I don't want Asuka to think I'm pitying her.

This is not sympathy, much less pity.

She was simply sad for her friend.

why?

For her mother who couldn't understand her? For the pain of being too bound by too many constraints and unable to pursue the euphonium she loved?

still--

Those shoulders on which so much hope was placed?

Or perhaps—

burden.

Even with these thoughts in mind, Ogasawara felt burdened with an overwhelming sense of guilt.

But are we just going to watch Asuka leave like this?

She could be a pillar of support for everyone, but no one could help her when she was in trouble because she was too perfect.

At least that's how it appears to others.

This shouldn't be the case.

Ogasawara clenched her fists. She wanted to walk towards Asuka, but her legs seemed to be stuck in place, unable to move.

But how can an ordinary person like me help Asuka?

His throat was dry and he couldn't utter a single word until he heard Kaori's slightly flustered voice beside him. Only then did Ogasawara come to his senses, as did Asuka.

The moment she turned her face, Asuka's expression, which had been frozen, softened instantly, as if everything just now was merely an illusion created by Ogasawara and Kaori. She winked playfully at the two of them, "What's wrong? You look so dazed."