I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

"Well! Kiyori and Yukinoshita are getting quite close now, right?"

The conversation took another turn, leaving Kiyoshi, who already didn't understand Asuka's intentions, even more confused.

"I wouldn't say," she answered honestly, "we're just ordinary seniors and juniors."

"is it?"

Asuka nodded thoughtfully.

"Asuka, what exactly are you trying to say?"

“What I’m trying to say is,” Asuka stood up and tapped Kiyori’s nose with her fingertip, “you should be careful when you’re dealing with someone like Yukinoshita.”

"Because you can get hurt if you're not careful."

"what……?"

"I can attest to this from personal experience."

If you get too close to someone who is like the sun without any precautions, you might get burned by their heat.

"You can relate?"

Before Kiyori could finish speaking, Asuka pinched his nose.

"Keep it a secret!"

He stepped back with a beaming smile, "Hey, Kiyoshi, carry me back to the hotel."

"……what?"

Kiyoshi was completely bewildered by the other party's series of strange behaviors.

"Your sister treated you to meat buns, doesn't Xiao Qinglai feel any desire to repay her?!"

Deliberately feigning sadness, Asuka even managed to squeeze out a few sobs from her throat.

"Didn't you force it into my hand?!"

"Waaaaah, I don't know why my adorable little Kiyora suddenly turned out so weird."

Upon hearing that Asuka was going to bring up her embarrassing childhood memories again, Kiyoshi had no choice but to step forward helplessly and half-squat down, saying, "Hurry up and come up here!"

I'm shy, I'm shy.

Sensing the blush on Kiyori's ear tips, Asuka lay contentedly on top of him, wrapping her arms around Kiyori's neck and gently resting her chin on his slender shoulders.

This is the last time.

Let's forgive her for this one last act of willfulness.

Thinking this, Asuka unconsciously tightened her arms.

The evening breeze was a bit chilly, but Qinglai's hands were warm. Even through the fabric, one could feel the constant warmth. Neither of them spoke; the only sounds along the way were their rhythmic footsteps and steady heartbeats.

Are you tired?

Uncomfortably avoiding the breath near his ear, a teasing remark reached his lips, but he swallowed it back.

"No."

"Won't it be very heavy?"

"will not."

"Ching Lai..."

"Ah."

Just around the next corner, we'll be there.

The foot that was about to step forward suddenly paused.

I hope this road can go a little further...

I hope the day we part ways can be a little later.

Two unexpected people suddenly appeared in his line of sight. Kiyoshi's greeting was squeezed out halfway through his throat before it was abruptly cut off.

Simply because she clearly saw Yuki under her hand, clutching the hem of Hikigaya's clothes.

The two people in front were also startled by this. Upon seeing Kiyora and Asuka, Yukino immediately let go of their hands and subconsciously distanced herself from Hachiman. Hachiman, who was standing in the shadows not far away, remained standing still.

"Good evening, Tachibana-san," Yukinoshita paused, "Tanaka-senpai."

Kiyori and Asuka, who were also seen engaging in intimate acts, did not react excessively.

Asuka, feeling herself being hugged even tighter, simply waved to Yukinoshita without making a sound, "Good evening, Yukinoshita-san."

"Good evening, Yukinoshita-senpai, Hikigaya-senpai."

It was as if neither of them had seen anything; it was just a casual greeting.

"I'll take my leave now."

Holding Asuka steadily, Kiyoshi walked past the two seniors who were standing still without glancing to the side, and headed straight for the inn.

Looking at Kiyori's profile, Asuka sighed inwardly.

That's really not being frank, Qinglai.

P.S.: I'm moving soon, and I need to organize my things tonight. I just realized I have so much stuff... novels, figurines... I probably won't be updating very frequently lately. I should be able to finish moving around the 20th? Anyway, I'll try my best. It's the end of the month, and I have exams at work, so please bear with me. Sorry~

Chapter 94 Misunderstandings and Explanations (Section 332)

"I'm so nervous, so nervous, so nervous!"

Having just finished tidying up the bedding, Hazuki paced back and forth in the somewhat empty room.

"Yes..."

Having already slept almost from morning till evening after a long drive, coupled with the excitement of the upcoming national tournament, they would probably still be playing cards in the early hours of the morning if it weren't for Ms. Matsumoto checking on them and ordering them to sleep last night.

"Maintaining this state might actually help your performance on the field." Even though Hazuki won't be playing.

Of course, Kiyoshi wouldn't say the second half of his sentence.

"That's right! Just the right amount of tension can make you perform exceptionally well!"

Kawashima, on the other hand, seemed as relaxed as ever.

"Everyone, gather around! We need to get ready to go to the venue!"

Ogasawara's voice came from outside the room; she was knocking on doors one by one along the corridor.

Let's go.

Holding his phone, Kiyoshi hesitated before opening the chat interface with Yukinoshita. The keyboard opened and closed again. With a sigh, Kiyoshi finally put the phone back in his pocket.

Yesterday was a group activity, today is a free activity. It seems like those three people will end up together. For the second-year students who are returning to Chiba tomorrow at noon, tonight should be the best opportunity to complete the mission.

Unable to resist recalling the scene he had inadvertently witnessed the previous night, Kiyoshi's expression involuntarily darkened.

"Qinglai, what's wrong?"

Walking beside her, Reina gently patted Kiyoyori's shoulder, "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Considerately, Reina didn't ask why she returned to the hotel so late the night before. As always, she cared for Kiyoyori in her own way.

"It's nothing, I just feel like it's almost over."

Reina, who was about to retort, suddenly remembered the third-year student who was going to retire after the National Tournament, and swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. "Then let's not leave any regrets."

The two looked at each other and smiled:

"That's true."

Since we can't stop the farewell from coming, let's not leave any regrets. That way, we can say goodbye with a smile.

"Tachibana-san."

A familiar voice came from behind. Reina saw the person behind them before Kiyora could see them, and wisely gave them space, saying, "I'll wait for you up ahead."

After saying that, without waiting for Qinglai's reply, he strode after Huang Qian, who was walking ahead.

"Tachibana-san."

Once again, called by that irresistible voice, Kiyoyori had no choice but to turn around. "Good morning, Yukinoshita-senpai."

Unexpectedly, the students who participated in the school trip were still in the hotel. Kiyoyori thought he wouldn't run into them today.

Several of Yukino's classmates, who lived with her, stopped a short distance away, seemingly waiting for her.

"Sorry, I have plans to meet up with my club members today, so you don't need to wait for me."

She briefly greeted her roommates and then turned to Qinglai again.

Good morning, Tachibana-san.

After a moment of silence, Kiyoyori felt that the air around them was filled with the word "awkwardness." Even the members of the brass band tried to avoid the two of them. Kiyoyori inadvertently glanced at Asuka, who was making exaggerated gestures in their direction from not far away.

What is she doing...?

And, her, explanation?

Kiyoshi managed to piece together a few words from the other person's exaggerated lip movements.

What do you mean by "explain"?

Kiyoshi thought awkwardly.

What's there to explain...?

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. We're about to head to the venue."

Ignoring Asuka's lip-reading of "idiot," Kiyori turned to leave.

"Wait a moment."

A slight tug came from behind. As soon as Kiyoyori turned around, Yukinoshita recoiled as if she had been electrocuted, instinctively pulling back her hand that was holding onto Kiyoyori's clothes.

Their eyes met unexpectedly, and then they both looked away without prior arrangement.