I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Even if it's just once.

“When I first started learning the euphonium, my older sister was already in high school. One day, I went to see her and told her I wanted to play with her, but she told me she had given up playing.” Huang Qian sniffed hard. “I asked her why, and she said—”

If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll shut your mouth!

If you keep nagging, I'll sew Huangqianjiang's mouth shut!

At that moment, the older sister's face overlapped with Asuka's.

"So, I really envy Kiyoyori. He was able to play a duet with Asuka-senpai, maintain such a close relationship with her, be born into such a family, and continue to do what he loves. Really..."

so envious.

"Kumiko, didn't you tell your older sister about these things?"

Huang Qian shook his head dejectedly, "We haven't spoken much since my sister went to university."

Mamiko was five years older than her; at that time, Mamiko was still in Kita-Chung.

When did music become merely a pastime for leisure time?

When did playing wind instruments become another focus of my life again?

It will probably be the day I meet my "older sister" again.

"If you knew you would regret it, why did you make that choice in the first place? I don't understand..."

Kiyoyori's pupils trembled slightly, and the image of Kyozen in front of her seemed to become blurry. She seemed to see Mamiko through Kyozen, and then Asuka through Mamiko.

Why make a choice you know you'll regret?

"Huang Qian, it's getting late, I'll take my leave now," Qinglai stood up, picking up his belongings. "Thank you..."

"Huh?"

"Get some rest, and I hope this note will be helpful to you."

"Ah, um...bye-bye..."

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

"Hey, Reina?"

Kiyoshi held the phone between his cheek and shoulder, unbuttoning his shirt as he prepared to change into his loungewear.

How is Kumiko doing?

Why didn't you call and ask first?

"They're fighting right now."

"I was talking to Huang Qian."

"Kumiko definitely won't tell the truth, so it's better to find out from Rai."

Qinglai was speechless for a moment, then took the phone off the bed, put it on speakerphone, and continued changing his clothes. "My physical condition is a little better than I thought."

"and then?"

"His mental state seems to be worse than I thought."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone.

"Rina?"

“Let’s meet now,” Reina suddenly said.

"Huh? Now?"

"Well, it's not that it can't be done now."

"If you want to see Kiyoyori, do it now."

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

As agreed with Reina, Kiyoyori arrived at the agreed location as soon as possible. When he got to the bridge, there was already a figure standing there.

"Rina."

The wind was a bit strong by the bridge, scattering Qinglai's words and mixing them with the sounds of passing vehicles.

Reina's silhouette under the night lights looked somewhat lonely, yet remained unchanged.

"Ching Lai."

She turned around and softly called her childhood friend's name.

"What's wrong? Why do we have to meet so late?"

Reina was carrying a small trumpet in her hand, clearly indicating that she had just finished her tutoring class and was heading home.

"I was still worried about Kiyoshi, so I wanted to see you."

As always, Kiyoshi was straightforward. Feeling slightly lost, Kiyoshi stood next to Reina and rested his hands on the bridge railing.

"I thought Reina was more attached to Huang—"

Suddenly, someone embraced her tightly, their soft body pressing against hers, and a familiar, sweet fragrance enveloped Qinglai.

Vehicles passed by on the road, their headlights flashing rapidly, causing the overlapping shadows of the two people to flicker continuously.

“If you want her to stay, just tell her that,” Reina said, standing on tiptoe and trying to get Kiyoyori’s head to rest on her shoulder. “It’s okay, I’ll always be by Kiyoyori’s side.”

"I support you."

"If you just stand there and do nothing, you'll regret it someday."

"Whether you're seen as naive or scolded."

"The feelings you want to convey, if you don't say them out loud."

"It will always be wishful thinking."

P.S.: Lina is truly my best friend of the year. Five days off, and I was dragged out to visit people every day, then back to work. What a lonely holiday!! I just wanted to laze around at home, sleep in, write, read, watch movies, play games—that's what a holiday should be like!!!

Oops! I accidentally set the posting date to March, sorry.

Chapter 72, Section 309: Fragments of the Past (Part 1)

"Asuka, a new family has moved in next door. Take these with you and go say hello later."

I took the black gift box from my mother. Inside was sushi from an inconspicuous Japanese restaurant at the end of the street. There was another sushi in the same box on the table.

That was her dinner for today.

"Mom is very busy today and won't be able to come home to cook dinner for you tonight," Aso bent down and patted Asuka's head. "Study hard at home and don't open the door for strangers. The house key is in the basket in the entryway. Remember to take it with you when you visit your neighbors and be polite."

"Do you understand?"

Asuka nodded. She saw Aso to the door, watched her mother leave, then ran to the window and watched her back recede into the distance before returning to her room. There, she carefully dragged a heavy black box out of the cupboard.

I glanced at the clock; it was almost time for our appointment.

Today was the time I had arranged with the owner of the music store. She used to be a musician in an orchestra, and after leaving the orchestra, she opened a music store and teaches some children in her spare time.

Asuka hurriedly ran out the door, carrying her euphonium.

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

Asuka pushed open the door of the unassuming music store, and was about to greet the manager when she overheard a conversation inside.

"I never expected that you, Makoto, would come back to Japan and even open a music store here."

The woman's voice was very gentle, with a hint of regret mixed in her sigh.

"It's Yuanzi-senpai who's really something. I never expected her to give up her job in the orchestra and go to teach at the music university."

“That was many years ago,” Touko said with a smile, patting Makoto on the shoulder. “I’ve returned to the band, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, there should be a performance in Chiba next week.”

"Is that so!" Makoto scratched her hair. "Looks like my information is outdated. I haven't paid much attention to these things since I left the band."

Yuanzi was silent for a while. "Is your hand feeling any better?"

"I'm perfectly fine with my daily life now! Please don't worry, I'll definitely go to your performance."

That's really great.

"Excuse me, senior, I have an appointment with a child to teach her to play the instrument today."

"Oh dear, it seems that even the youngest junior from back then is going to take on students."

Makoto smiled sheepishly. "I wouldn't call myself a student, but I think that child is quite talented. Speaking of children, isn't Touko-senpai's daughter old enough to learn music?"

“That little one,” Yuanzi said, her head aching at the mention of her daughter, “I don’t know where she ran off to today, she can’t concentrate on her music studies. I won’t bother you anymore, but come over to my house for a get-together sometime.”

"Of course, thank you, senior."

After a brief farewell, Asuka saw a well-dressed woman walk out. The woman had obviously seen her too. For some reason, the woman had a teacher's aura about her, and Asuka involuntarily straightened up, her posture slightly stiff.

Unexpectedly, the other person patted his hair and offered a word of encouragement.

That was a feeling very different from that of her mother, Aso.

It's as if my efforts have been recognized.

"Mikoto-sensei!"

"Oh, Asuka, you've arrived!"

Who was that person just now?

"That's my senior from the band, she's like a goddess, isn't she beautiful?"

Asuka nodded, but she wasn't too concerned about that. "Let's start today's practice."

"Yes, yes, don't be in such a hurry."

Time always flies when you're learning at the music school. Asuka really likes Makoto; she always has interesting stories to tell and can always offer advice when you hit a roadblock in your practice. But she never plays the euphonium, not even once.

"Hey, Makoto-sensei, teach me how to play that piece!"

"Not yet. That song is still too difficult for Asuka right now. Once bad habits are formed at the beginning, they are very difficult to correct later. So please be patient."