I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

That girl, Reina—

He values ​​romance over friendship!

Suddenly, the brass band of Soubu High School erupted in a gasp, and almost everyone looked in one direction, their eyes filled with undisguised surprise and joy.

"Asuka-senpai!"

Kiyoshi abruptly stopped, suddenly hesitant to turn around.

Her body felt like a decaying machine, every movement producing a piercing noise. She was so stiff that she could hardly move an inch, and even a simple turn of her head filled her with dread.

Kiyoyori only let out a slow sigh of relief when he heard Asuka's voice clearly behind him.

Seeing Asuka surrounded by the members once again, Kiyoyori stood still and did not step forward.

Even so, she hadn't seen Asuka for quite some time.

In yesterday's LINE message, even though Asuka clearly stated that she would be there, Kiyoshi still couldn't help but worry, worried that Aunt Aso might stop Asuka, and worried that Asuka might be badly injured again.

She was even more worried that this was just a lie Asuka told to comfort her.

Fortunately, although she was a little late, Asuka still made it, bringing her euphonium.

That's fine.

Although he wanted to talk to Asuka, Kiyoshi resisted the urge to go over to her when he saw her surrounded by people.

It wasn't until Ogasawara walked past carrying Asuka's team uniform and sheet music that everyone automatically made way for her.

"Hey, Haruka."

Asuka smiled as always and greeted her friend casually, but Ogasawara's expression was far less relaxed than Asuka's.

"Asuka, you did come after all."

Kiyoshi wasn't the only one who received Asuka's message; Ogasawara, as the department head, was also well aware of it. However, unlike Kiyoshi, Ogasawara wasn't worried.

"I already said I wouldn't cause any trouble for anyone."

Despite not having participated in club activities for many days, and not having even played the new piece she was going to perform with everyone, Asuka still confidently said this.

She had practiced the piece "Treasure Island" countless times in private.

Taking the sheet music and team uniform from Ogasawara, Asuka instinctively wanted to find the people she hadn't been able to see.

"Asuka."

But Ogasawara unexpectedly called out to him.

"I've decided to play a solo."

She looked at Asuka with a determined gaze, but the other woman seemed not to understand what she was trying to say for a moment.

"Asuka, you have to support me."

After a brief moment of confusion, Asuka gave a slightly complicated smile.

He did not utter a word.

P.S.: Just so you know, there probably won't be any updates this Wednesday because I have to go to the countryside right after work and I don't know if I'll be able to go home. My annual leave starts on Thursday and is only for five days, so I'll try to save up as many drafts as possible and update daily during this period.

Chapter 68, Section 305: Talking Music

so cold...

After changing her clothes, Qinglai hunched her shoulders and tried to find a place where she wouldn't be exposed to the wind, but no matter where she hid, the cold wind still managed to find her.

Perhaps she should find a sunny place.

Looking around, I saw that most of the area was covered by the shadows of tall buildings. If I wanted to get into the sunlight, I would have to stay away from the entire orchestra.

They probably reserved the sunny spots for the audience.

The so-called audience seating is actually very rudimentary. If the performance venue is a large, flat open space, the organizers will place the most ordinary plastic chairs. If there happen to be a series of steps directly in front of the concert hall, it will be even more convenient, and there will be no need for extra chairs; the steps can be used as the audience seating.

Fortunately, this casualness has become a characteristic of the concerts at the train station building. Passersby can stop and listen if they find it interesting, doing whatever they like.

"Little Qinglai~"

Kiyoyori stopped his instinctive urge to push her away when someone hugged him from behind. "Asuka? What are you doing here?"

This is a very remote corner, almost a dead end.

"Of course we're here to find Kiyoshiro! Just follow Kiyoshiro's scent and you'll find us!"

Kiyoshi forcefully pushed away Asuka's head that was close to her neck. She knew that this was Asuka's classic tactic of diverting attention, deliberately making jokes, deliberately being playful, and deliberately using such clumsy methods to make Kiyoshi happy.

As for Kiyoshi, he could only cooperate with her performance.

"Are you a pervert?!"

After playing around like children for a while, Qinglai inevitably started to feel warm. The original chill was completely dispelled, and the person sitting next to him was like a little sun, slowly radiating warmth.

Kiyoshi opened his mouth as if he wanted to speak, but after thinking it over, he still didn't ask.

When you're happy, don't bring up things that make you feel down.

Let her escape for a little while longer...

"I hope Asuka doesn't mess up today? It's only a matter of time before she gets replaced by Kizaru."

"If it's Kizami-chan, then we need to work even harder," Asuka said, hugging her knees with her hands and using her calves and thighs to hold her skirt between her legs as she sat on the ground next to Kiyori. "However, the third year students will be retiring soon, and as Kizami-chan, who has many years of experience practicing the euphonium, you have to hold up our bass division."

"Retirement..."

"Well, however," Asuka's tone remained bright, like a striking white in a palette, yet inevitably tinged with other colors, "if Kiyora and the others perform well in this year's national tournament, there might be many talented members joining the Soubu High School Brass Band next year! Didn't a lot of people come to visit the last cultural festival—"

"Wait a minute!" Kiyoyori suddenly grabbed Asuka's arm, his expression anxious. "What did you mean by 'you guys' just now...?"

Asuka was taken aback, but quickly suppressed her emotions, which she shouldn't have shown. "Of course—"

"Sōbu High! Assemble!"

Ogasawara stood not far away, cupping her hands like trumpets, calling out to all the members of the brass band with a volume she would never normally produce.

not good!

As cunning as Asuka is, how could she let go of such a perfect opportunity to change the subject?

“The minister is calling us,” Asuka said, pulling Kiyoyori’s hand and leading him into the crowd. “Let’s put these trivial things aside for now. The most important thing is to enjoy the concert at the station building.”

"It's not something that's 'no big deal'!"

Perhaps not expecting Kiyoshi to make such a loud noise in public, not only Asuka, but also the other members walking next to her were stunned for a moment.

The usually gentle and refined Tachibana Kiyori has this side to her.

"Is this something Asuka can do whatever she wants?!" Kiyoshi instinctively grabbed Asuka's wrist, as if trying to tie her tightly to his side, suppressing her struggling movements.

"It hurts, Qinglai..."

"That's extremely important to me!"

The emotions that could no longer be suppressed seemed to have found an outlet, surging out like a tidal wave, almost drowning Asuka.

"Have you really forgotten—?"

"I haven't forgotten." Asuka's hand was pinched painfully, but she seemed not to feel it. Kiyori's eyes, filled with the pleading of a wounded little animal, made her heart clench painfully.

Please don't look at me like that; it makes me feel incredibly guilty.

Please don't make that face again; it makes it even harder for me to leave.

“I’ve never forgotten my promise to Kiyori,” she gently pinched Kiyori’s cheek. “‘I want to play with Kiyori,’ which is why I’m here today.”

She would treat every precious ensemble performance as if it were her last, perhaps that way she wouldn't have any regrets.

"Don't worry, just do it the same way as always."

"Soubu High! Fight!"

Asuka glanced at Ogasawara, who was shouting slogans loudly not far away.

"Haruka is so energetic today."

"Let's cheer each other on, Kiyoshi."

………………………………………………………………………

"Treasure Island" is a very lively piece with a fast tempo, which places high demands on the orchestra, requiring not only technical skill but also strong teamwork.

Today's performance by the General Wu team was undoubtedly exceptional.

Previously, the absence of Vice President Asuka and the rumors of her leaving the club had cast a shadow over everyone's hearts. However, this dark cloud seemed to gradually dissipate with her return and the growth of the club members. The original joy of "Treasure Island," which could not be played before, now erupted like a long-suppressed volcano, casting aside all worries and unpleasantness. A vibrant sense of youth burst forth from the performance, infecting all the listeners present.

The interspersed bass saxophone solo was simply the finishing touch.

No one expected that the gentle and kind senior could play such cool music. It was as if we had seen Ogasawara all over again. She not only had gentleness, but also skill and passion in playing the horn that were no less than those of other soloists. She also had an absolute confidence in her abilities when she played.

It gives a completely new look to a girl named Haruka Ogasawara.

The crisp whistle, paired with youthful attire, made everyone feel as if they had stepped from a concert venue onto a vast playground, freely sweating and enjoying their youth under the spotlight.

The soaring and penetrating sound of the music resonated throughout the entire concert hall, and everyone couldn't help but move to the rhythm, smiles unconsciously creeping onto their lips.

"Wow, so handsome..."

Yuihama, sitting in the audience, sighed from the bottom of her heart. She stared blankly at the band members who stood up and moved to the rhythm of the music, her feet tapping involuntarily.

"Indeed, very handsome."

She softly echoed the sentiment beneath the snow.

There was no tension or pressure from the competition, no absolute focus or rigor from practice.

At this moment, they are simply enjoying the music, enjoying their own music.

Music is a more honest language than words.

Is this the real you?

P.S.: I just got a call from my mom, telling me to pack a change of clothes before I go to the countryside tomorrow, because she's worried I won't be home early after dinner. She called it "just in case." Think about it! I'm probably going to be stuck in the countryside tomorrow... I'll try to update tomorrow, but I currently have no drafts saved, and if I do, it'll be quite late. Sorry!