I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

A sense of powerlessness surged from his heart, and Ogasawara hugged the sheet music tightly.

It seems that this way, she can hug Asuka.

As Asuka's friend, she was unable to offer any help when Asuka was in trouble. As the president of the brass band, she was also unable to soothe the members' feelings in such a time of panic.

It's no longer time to rely on others.

She turned to the last page of the sheet music, where Asuka had pasted the only photo.

The two girls in the photo are still very young, but you can already vaguely guess their identities from their faces. The girl with glasses is holding a silver euphonium that almost covers her, while the other girl with a Western face is holding an oboe.

She was smiling so brightly.

Below the photo is a line of neat handwriting written by Asuka.

"The Promise with Kiyoyori"

His vision suddenly became somewhat blurry, and Ogasawara hurriedly raised his hand to cover his eyes with his sleeve.

If Asuka can no longer be everyone's support this time, then she will be the one to do so. If Asuka is isolated and helpless right now, then she will be the one to support her.

This time, she will no longer stand behind others, nor will she wait for others to solve her problems.

Even if this is the first and possibly the last time she makes such a decision as president, even if she was once good for nothing but being gentle.

At least this time, she will support everyone.

Tears soaked her sleeves, but Ogasawara had never been so resolute.

P.S.: I finally got my computer back. The main story has been a bit laggy lately. The next chapter might be an extra chapter, or it might continue with the main story. Hmm, we'll see when the time comes. By the way, it's so cold today.

Chapter 64, Section 288: I Will Always Be By Your Side

The slow footsteps outside the door interrupted Ogasawara's thoughts. Holding the sheet music in her hands, her previously agitated heart was now calm as she silently watched the doorway, waiting for that familiar figure to appear.

"It really was here..."

Kaori stood gracefully by the door, one hand on her arm. Her gaze swept over Ogasawara, who was standing by the window, before settling on his hand.

"Because this place makes people feel at ease."

Ogasawara noticed Kaori's gaze and raised the sheet music in his hand.

"That's sheet music...?" Kaori walked in, leaning gently against the window frame next to Ogasawara, her gaze politely avoiding looking at the contents of the sheet music. "Everyone seems to be in a bad mood lately."

The national competition is just around the corner.

Everyone understands that Asuka holds extraordinary significance for this club, yet her leader has vanished at this moment, leaving behind only anxious and uneasy members.

No one can replace Asuka.

But this should not be an excuse for their despondency and stagnation.

"Haruka..."

“This,” Ogasawara interrupted Kaori before she could finish speaking, “is Asuka’s sheet music.”

The name "Asuka" seemed to be a curse on Kaori. She immediately forgot what she was going to say, picked up the light sheet music with both hands, but felt a heavy weight when she saw the dense notes written in red pen and the words "Advance to the National Tournament".

"Asuka..."

She murmured the name softly, a look of longing on her face, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "It feels like it all happened so long ago..."

It was such a short week, yet it felt like an eternity.

"It's probably because it's inconvenient to bring it home."

Both of them were fully aware of this.

Ogasawara glanced discreetly at Kaori, who was still gazing at the sheet music with the same look one would give a lover, and sighed inwardly.

She still couldn't bring herself to tell Kaori that cruel thing, whether to Asuka, the girl in front of her, or even to herself. It was a problem between Asuka and Kaori, one that shouldn't be spoken by her, but it was too cruel, like an unquenchable fire that continued to burn her heart.

“Actually, I felt relieved when I saw this sheet music,” Ogasawara said, her fingers interlaced and hanging down in front of her, gently rubbing her knuckles with her fingertips. She continued, meeting Kaori’s slightly confused expression, “So Asuka also has to take so many notes.”

“Ah…” Kaori instantly understood, then smiled gently, “Yeah, she always gives off the feeling that she can do anything.”

“‘It seems like she can do anything,’” Ogasawara pondered the words.

It turns out that Kaori had already understood.

“So,” Ogasawara took a deep breath, “it’s really good to know that she actually worked that hard.”

Therefore, Asuka is not perfect.

She just presents herself as a perfect person.

Just like those expensive goods with gorgeous packaging, just one glance can give people a feeling of "Wow, this looks amazing", but passersby are always deterred by their high prices. They may just casually sigh as they pass by, but no one cares that inside the luxurious packaging, it is just an ordinary item.

Asuka is just an ordinary girl.

But how long does it take to get to know someone? How much effort does it take to get to know someone?

No one would pay such a high price for something they don't need just because "I want to see what's inside the packaging."

People are always searching for something. Most people would instinctively avoid such an unprofitable deal, so what are they searching for in the "perfect" Asuka, and what are they demanding?

So why did Asuka go to such lengths?

Is she there too, searching for something?

so,

Asuka is really just an ordinary person.

Just like them.

They are different from those who are born special.

“Yes,” Kaori nodded in agreement, holding the sheet music in one hand and gently stroking the plastic-covered sheet music with the other. She quietly felt the touch of her fingertips, as if she could still feel Asuka’s feelings when she wrote those words. “I feel like I’m really sorry to her.”

"Kaori..."

"We're clearly friends," a slight soreness welled up in her eyes, but it wasn't quite there yet, "yet she didn't realize..."

If only I had understood this sooner...

"But even with Asuka like this, I..."

Kaori spoke softly, in a tone that sounded almost like a whisper, uttering words she might never have had the courage to say to that person in her entire life.

Even as Asuka is like this,

I really am still...

I like her...

But for that person, this affection might just be a shackle. There are already enough shackles on her, and she doesn't want to be the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

Therefore, she couldn't say it aloud, so she could express her feelings in a way that Asuka couldn't hear.

Who is hidden in Asuka's heart? Perhaps, it is a barrier she can never overcome.

“Kaori,” Ogasawara turned to the side, gently wrapped his arms around Kaori’s waist, and hugged his best friend, quietly comforting her, “I will always stand by Kaori’s side.”

Kaori didn't cry; she simply rested her forehead against Ogasawara's neck, drawing warmth from his bare skin.

"Go, Haruka."

Without needing to say more, she already understood what her best friend wanted to do.

Kaori always knew how excellent Haruka was as a minister and performer.

Therefore, Haruka.

Whether it's club matters or solo performances, do it according to your own wishes.

"I will always stand by Haruka's side."

“It’s my turn now,” Ogasawara said, tightening his arms around Kaori, making it hard for her to breathe.

No longer standing behind others waiting for them to save her, no longer hiding in the back waiting for others to make decisions, her gaze no longer involuntarily falls on Asuka, and she no longer just stares blankly at Kaori's foolish act of sacrificing herself for everyone.

It's not just about thinking about relying on other people's strength and then hypnotically comforting yourself that you've also contributed your share; that's just a self-deceiving fantasy. Whether it's Asuka, Kaori, or Yukinoshita, she doesn't want to be a princess who's saved by a hero anymore.

Even if she can't be anyone's hero, she can be her own hero.

Therefore,

This time, she will stand in front of everyone.

"Would you like Kaori?"

"Give me a good look at my back."

P.S.: The next chapter should be the belated New Year's Day bonus chapter; I don't know how many chapters it will be. Asuka, who only exists in conversations, did you get today's sweetness? Actually, in the previous volumes, I deliberately created an atmosphere where everyone relied on Asuka. For example, in the first volume, why did Kiyoyori invite Asuka, who had nothing to do with the incident, to oversee things? Because she realized that the club president and others would vote according to Asuka's decisions. But the club president has also grown; a highlight moment!

Chapter 65 of Section 302: Ordinary and Special

"I'm so sorry I'm late."

When Kiyoshi knocked on the door of the practice room, all the members except Asuka were already there, including Taki, who was standing on the podium.

Takigatsu calmly looked at Kiyoyori, who was standing at the door waiting for instructions. He remained silent for a long time. Under the scrutinizing gaze of the other man, Kiyoyori involuntarily tightened his grip on the oboe.

It wasn't until the members found the long silence strange that Takigaki finally spoke, "Please come in."

Please don't be late next time.

He wasn't angry, but his gentle and unchanging tone made everyone uneasy for some reason.

Perhaps there was already some unease in my heart.

Kiyoshi walked straight to Mizore and sat down next to her, seemingly oblivious to the probing gazes from the others. It wasn't that he didn't notice the other members' frustration at only seeing him; Kiyoshi simply forced himself to ignore it.

No matter how much I told myself not to let this affect my performance, an ominous sound still arose in my heart: a chaotic rhythm, disordered tones, and piercing noises, as if countless fine needles were piercing the softest part of my heart, while Asuka's sobs echoed in my ears.