I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

P.S.: I was just about to say that I'm moving soon and want to slack off next week, when I saw this recommendation pop up out of nowhere... It's really baffling.

Chapter 91, Section 329: The Day Before the Competition

"We've finally arrived..."

Huang Qian got off the bus listlessly. She frowned and covered her head uncomfortably. "I feel a little dizzy."

"Are you alright, Kumiko?"

Reina, who was following behind her, stepped forward with some concern to check on her.

"It should be fine, you'll be fine after a rest."

Huang Qian's smile looked somewhat weak.

“Indeed, I didn’t expect it to be a bus,” Kiyoshi, who was walking behind, was also a little unaccustomed to it, but compared to Mizore beside her who was as soft as a piece of paper, she was in a better state. “Can you walk, Mizore-senpai?”

Miyazaki shook her head silently, her face pale, and she leaned almost entirely on Kiyoshi.

Seeing Mizore's weak appearance, Kiyoyori couldn't help but glance at Usaki, who had squeezed through the crowd to help Mizore and Kiyoyori retrieve their instruments.

"Thank you, Kasaki-senpai."

Since he couldn't free himself, Kiyoyori could only thank Kasaki verbally.

"Is Ying alright?"

"Um……"

A faint, almost inaudible reply.

"But, isn't Kasaki-senpai going on the school trip with his class? The competition is tomorrow, so if he goes with his class today, he can have some fun in Kyoto and won't be so tired."

The overlap between the national competition and the school trip was expected, but we originally thought that the brass band would take the Shinkansen like the second-year students who were going on the school trip. However, because of the transportation of various instruments, the school chartered an overnight long-distance bus for the club. The brass band members boarded the bus the night before and only arrived now.

The journey from Tokyo to Kyoto was quite long, and the entire busload of people went from being full of energy to feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

It was still morning, and everyone in the car just wanted to lie down on the comfortable tatami mats and get a good night's sleep.

After nearly eight hours of driving, Qinglai felt as if every bone in his body was protesting.

"Well, even though I'm a member of Group B this time, I still want to stay with everyone," Kasaki said with a tired smile. "Besides, everyone else chose to take the bus together too."

Actually, the school originally did not recommend that non-Group A members go to the national competition venue with the participating contestants, especially first-year and third-year students. Firstly, the journey was long, and secondly, their studies were the priority. Second-year students already had school trips, so the decision was left to the students themselves. However, all the members who were unable to participate, regardless of their year, chose to go to Kyoto together.

"This school trip is a once-in-a-lifetime event."

Qinglai joked.

"There's only one national competition like this."

“No,” Kiyoyori retorted softly, “we will come again next year.”

Umbrella Tree paused for a moment, then said, "Yes!"

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

"Senpai?" After settling Mizore in and returning to his room to organize his belongings, Kiyoyori received a call from Yukinoshita. "Yes, we have arrived safely."

Kiyoshi tiptoed out of the door, not wanting to disturb Reina and the others who were resting.

The corridor was quiet. The dozen or so rooms in this area were occupied by members of the wind band, all of whom were exhausted from this "long trip".

"Are the seniors also on the Shinkansen?"

"Yes, we expect to arrive in Kyoto before noon today."

The voice on the other end of the phone was as cold and clear as ever, but it lacked the indifference it had when they first met.

The voice on the other end of the line paused before slowly saying, "...I heard the brass band was on the long-distance bus last night? Are they alright?"

"Is Senior concerned about me?" Kiyotaka chuckled softly, then answered before the other could mock him, "To be honest, we're all exhausted. We'll probably be resting at the hotel all day."

"Well, that's fine too."

Yukinoshita's answer was brief, but Kiyoyori felt a touch of warmth in his heart.

"I'm sorry, I can't be of much help with this request."

"Tachibana-san, your main purpose in coming to Kyoto this time isn't the commission, is it?" Yukinoshita walked to a quiet place, and her voice suddenly became clear. "You just need to focus on the National Tournament."

"Thanks……"

"It's nothing, it's just that you invited us to watch your match, maybe—"

"It's alright, as long as we know our seniors support us," Kiyoyori said, forcing his eyes open as drowsiness washed over him. "I'll do my job well, and our seniors will do their jobs well in the tasks they've entrusted to us..."

Qinglai's voice grew softer and softer.

"Tachibana-san?"

"Sorry," Kiyoyori said, finding a place to sit down. The tension he'd felt from caring for Mizore suddenly eased, and hearing Yukinoshita's voice, which possessed a strange, magical quality, made him feel incredibly tired. "I'm a little tired..."

"...Go and get some rest."

Although she has no experience of taking long-distance buses, Yukinoshita has experienced many long-haul flights. Even sitting still in a chair, long journeys always have their own unique way of wearing down one's will.

She felt this deeply.

"Hmm..." Qinglai leaned back in his chair, his eyelids starting to droop. "When you get off the bus, remember..."

"Remember to let me know, I understand."

"Um……"

Before he could say goodbye, Qinglai closed his eyes, unable to hold on any longer.

"Tachibana-san? Tachibana-san? Kiyora!"

A familiar voice was calling her, but the restlessness caused by lack of sleep overwhelmed her, and Kiyoshi simply pretended not to hear it.

It seemed as if someone had carried him on their back, but Kiyoyori did not resist.

Perhaps it was because the other person's scent was too familiar, or perhaps it was because he was treated like a child, or perhaps it was out of trust in him, but Kiyoyori fell asleep on the other person's not-so-broad back.

"This long trip has really worn out these children."

"Matsumoto-sensei, you should go and rest too. I'll take her back to her room."

"Yes, Taki-sensei should also get some rest. After all, tomorrow is the main event."

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

When I opened my eyes again, although I was still a little drowsy, I felt much lighter. The accumulated fatigue and heaviness disappeared, and my spirit gradually returned.

"Ah, Kiyorai, you're awake?"

Beside him were Reina, dressed in casual clothes, and Huang Qian and others.

"Want to go out together?"

Sitting up with the blanket in his arms, Kiyora looked around curiously.

That's strange. Did she walk back to her room by herself earlier?

Are you going out?

"Yes, Ms. Michie has given us two hours of free time, but we should try to get back to the hotel before sunset."

I glanced at my watch subconsciously; it was indeed getting late.

"I went to bed without eating lunch, and now my stomach is empty."

Seeing Hazuki clutching her stomach, Kiyoyori suddenly felt a surge of hunger.

Then, as if remembering something, Kiyoyori opened his phone's call log, which showed two recent missed calls, both from Yukinoshita. The last call was two hours ago.

"Sorry, you guys go ahead, I'll figure something out myself."

Holding his phone, Qinglai hurriedly walked out the door.

P.S.: I thought I'd finish Volume 4 soon, but it's gotten longer again! Ugh, I wish I could type faster! Also, friends, I've decided to buy a Switch at the end of March. Any recommendations for fun games, online or offline?

Chapter 92, Section 330: The Terrible Qing Lai

"Chiang Lai~"

Kiyoyori felt a light tap on his back and turned around to see Asuka, Kaori, and Ogasawara, who were about to leave.

"Seniors."

After a hasty farewell to the person on the other end of the phone, Qinglai hung up.

"There's a super delicious ramen shop nearby," Asuka said, hooking her arm around Kiyora's shoulder and pulling her closer. "Kiyora, do you want to come eat with us?"

How did Asuka know which ramen shop was good?

"I found it during my school trip last year."

Asuka said matter-of-factly.

Yes, Asuka is already in third grade.

"Speaking of which, the school trip is always to Kyoto every year, it's so boring~"

"Asuka doesn't participate every year."

Ogasawara couldn't help but complain.

"Sigh, the national tournament is also in Kyoto this year. I could have put my hopes for Kyoto on next year."

"We're not here for tourism."

"Did Haruka recently sign up for a吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or critical commentary) training course?"

Kiyori smiled and tilted his head as he watched Asuka and Ogasawara bicker.