I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Yang stood quietly by the door and looked clearly at Lai.

Do you like it?

"A very interesting shop."

Kiyoyori sat down opposite Haruno, still feeling unsatisfied.

She seemed somewhat excited, and the smile on her lips was natural, just like Kiyori, whom Haruno hadn't seen in a long time.

Yang poured himself a glass of cool liquid, put it in his mouth, and the cool water that fell down his throat extinguished the flame that had been ignited by the girl's smile.

"You start drinking during the day?"

"There's water in here."

Yang poured a cup for Qinglai as well.

Indeed, there was no smell of alcohol. Qinglai took a sip and only tasted the sweetness of spring water.

"A perverse sense of humor."

"After all, Xiao Qinglai isn't old enough to drink alcohol yet."

"Even when I reach a certain age, I won't drink with you."

Even Kiyoshi knew about Yono's reputation for being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Drinking with someone like that could lead to being sold into a remote mountain village without even realizing it.

"I know."

She always knew that. But it is precisely because something is forever unattainable that it retains its ultimate allure.

No?

P.S.: Sorry, I've been too tired lately.

Chapter 97, Section 335: Kitauji

"Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone. Now, let's begin the second half of the high school awards ceremony."

The clear broadcast came from the loudspeaker, silencing the whispers in the hall. The huge performance hall was now quiet except for the echo of the broadcast.

The heart is brought to the forefront at this moment.

Thump, thump.

It was pounding on my chest rapidly and rhythmically.

Even his breathing became rapid.

But the announcement continued slowly, "Now, to begin, we present the Commander Awards to all the commanders who have taken the stage in today's competition."

"The Conductor Award?"

A hint of doubt suddenly crept into the tense atmosphere of waiting, as most of the members of the Soubu High School Brass Band did not know what kind of award it was.

"It's an award given to the various school guidance committees."

Kawashima explained, "Generally speaking, the results of the competition will be announced after this—"

Along with Kawashima's voice, the school at the forefront also chanted slogans in unison:

"Ready, Little Mountain, Little Mountain, we love you!"

"Huh?"

"What is that...?"

The crowd, startled by the unified slogan, began to sense that something was amiss.

"Oh no! I forgot about that!"

The third-year students were the first to react, but most of the members of Soubu High, the dark horse of this competition, were completely unaware of this established custom, just as their seniors had feared—

They didn't rehearse their "confession" lines at all.

Not to mention the orderly rehearsals.

As the loud and clear slogans of each school rang out, the members of the Zongwu High School's brass band became increasingly uneasy.

Taki is likely to become the first conductor in history to not receive a "heartfelt confession" from a student.

Next up is Taki.

"And of all times, those two are on stage!"

As the minister and vice minister, Ogasawara and Asuka were to accept the trophy on behalf of the school, so they went backstage to wait before the award ceremony began.

"Oh no, oh no!"

Taki was already standing beside the presenter, extending his hands to accept the gleaming golden trophy.

"Taki-no-sho".

It's too late, then I'll take over—

Seeing that his fellow club members all looked completely lost, Kiyoyori was about to stand up when Reina, who was even faster, stopped him.

"Teacher, I like you!"

Reina's clear confession echoed in the quiet hall, its beauty comparable to her trumpet solo, perfectly resolving the awkward situation that was about to unfold.

"Well done, Kousaka!"

"A perfect rescue."

Reina was still in a daze when she received praise from her senior.

"You said it..."

Huang Qian and Qing Lai, who were sitting next to her, were equally shocked.

Reina belatedly covered her face, her ears turning red.

Kiyoshi didn't know how to describe his complicated feelings at that moment, so he simply remained silent.

Huang Qian clenched his fist slightly. "It's okay, I don't think anyone took it seriously."

Her expression was a little forced, but Rena didn't notice.

The conductor's award ceremony continued, and the other members, who had avoided an awkward situation, returned to the tension and excitement of waiting for the competition results. The three who understood the implication of the "rescue confession" were left with mixed feelings.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting," the most tense moment has finally arrived, "Now we will announce the results of the second half of the high school exams."

"Number One, Yiyan Commercial High School, Silver Award."

The sparse applause and the slow, muffled announcements of awards continued at an extremely slow pace, as if time itself had been slowed down by half. Everything around me became noise, and my mind was filled only with the General Martial Arts Academy and the gold medal.

Katashiki High School won the gold medal, and loud cheers erupted from the audience.

However, people's joys and sorrows are not the same.

"Number three, Chiba Municipal Soubu High School..."

Feeling somewhat dazed, the sounds around me seemed unreal, and in the blur, Kiyotaka seemed to hear another name.

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

"Why do you all look so pale?! Give yourselves a real smile!"

When we were taking a group photo in front of the main entrance of the venue, unsurprisingly, we were scolded by the usually serious Mr. Matsumoto.

There was a reason why he couldn't smile; the certificate that Ogasawara held up to his chest clearly showed the words "Bronze Award."

The photo remains, filled with resentment and disappointment.

"I'm sorry, senior."

The trumpet club members gathered together, and Reina apologized to Kaori.

"There's absolutely no need for Kousaka-san to apologize," she said. Although she was disappointed with only winning the bronze medal, "it just shows that our strength is only this much."

There are regrets, but at least they once stood at the top.

“Kosaka,” Yoshikawa said seriously, “Next year, we must win the gold medal.”

"Yes."

"Kosaka-san."

Taki walked over and stood in front of Reina. "Thank you for your support earlier."

“Ah,” Reina paused for a second, “No…”

“To be honest, I’m not very confident, so I’m still very happy,” Takigaki cleverly changed the subject, which Reina clearly noticed. “I’ve been putting my expectations on you guys, so I think you might not like me.”

He knew Lina understood what he was saying.

"Everyone respects the teacher."

Reina seemed calmer than ever before, and accepted the result with equanimity.

"If that's really the case, I'll be very happy."

"Our teacher is excellent. Winning the gold medal is the goal of all of us. Next year, we hope that our teacher will lead us to the national championships as well."

The heavy weight on my heart seemed to have been lifted perfectly, without shattering or creating a huge splash; it was simply placed quietly in a corner where it wouldn't see the sunlight.

"To have your recognition makes my teaching worthwhile. Thank you, Kosaka-kun."

As soon as Takigatsu left, he saw Kiyoyori standing not far away, and the figure of a somewhat familiar man standing next to her.

"You must be from the Touko family. Your performance just now was excellent."

"Thank you for your praise," Kiyoyori bowed, "Mr. Shindo."

"His style of doing things is more similar to Carol's," Shindo remarked. "Has that little girl grown up to be this big?"

He seemed to be implying something.

"I remember you didn't like music when you were little, right? I often heard Touko mention it."

"Did Mother mention anything like that before?"