I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Qinglai asked Yang Nai Dao in return.

“Whether or not to become the student council president is of course up to Yukino’s own decision,” Kiyoshi said. Even though Haruno said this, Kiyoshi knew that she would definitely interfere. “However, given that child’s personality, she probably wouldn’t want to run for election.”

"What makes you think that Yukinoshita-senpai is unwilling to run for student council president just because you're not one?"

Yukino's seemingly all-encompassing attitude disgusted Kiyoyori. It was as if, in Yukino's eyes, they were not human beings named Tachibana Kiyoyori or Yukino Yukino, but merely shells with human bodies that would act according to her wishes.

What's even more infuriating is that the person being manipulated knows they're being led by the nose, and even if they want to break free, they can't find a way to escape. In the end, they are "obediently" guided towards the future that Yukinoshita Haruno desires.

"I know Yukino better than you do."

A fleeting emotion, unreadable to Kiyori, flashed across Yang Nai's expression.

"How long can you control her like this? She's not your puppet."

“Of course not,” Haruno’s smile concealed too many hidden emotions. “There was a time when I felt that Yukino was a stranger to me, so of course I’m very happy to meet such a familiar Yukino again.”

Her words were somewhat nonsensical. Kiyoshi wouldn't comment much on the matter between the two sisters, but he always felt a sense of empathy for Yukinoshita, who shared a similar miserable situation.

However, she is indeed different from Yukinoshita.

At least Yukino's feelings for Haruno were unknown only to Yukino herself, while Kiyoyori was fully aware of Haruno's "dislike" for him.

"However, I recently discovered that Hachiman is quite interesting."

Yang Nai smiled like a cat that had stolen some fish; her sly smile reminded Kiyoyori of the fear of being dominated by her.

"He's interesting in a different way than Kiyotaka. I wonder what choice he'll make for this request. Haha, just thinking about it makes me laugh!"

What choice will that person make?

Kiyomitsu could arrive at the answer simply by sitting here and thinking for a while.

It's nothing more than hurting yourself again to please others.

It's ridiculous.

"It's normal to have your attention stolen by someone like that, isn't it?"

"What do you think, Xiao Qinglai?"

P.S.: By the way, could the new computer have an automatic save function? ... The experience of using the new computer these past few days has been very comfortable! Although many people online are complaining about the Zephyrus G14, I personally think it's still very good, except that I'm used to the touchscreen on my old computer and always subconsciously want to poke the screen with my hand.

Anyone play Among Us?

Chapter 05 Invitation (Section 343)

Kiyoyori received another message from Yono two days later.

That day, the two parted on bad terms as usual. To be precise, it was Kiyoyori who was unilaterally dissatisfied with the meaning revealed in Yono's words and actions.

As Kiyoyori left the dessert shop, she unexpectedly bumped into Hachiman. Without exchanging any further words, she simply greeted him politely and left. She had no interest in what kind of conversation took place between Hachiman and Haruno afterward.

Even so, some people still insisted on letting her know.

"Are you free this weekend? I have something really interesting I want to show Kiyora~"

Qinglai stared at the familiar wavy line for a long time until the phone screen automatically turned off, at which point she put her phone away.

While LINE's read receipt function is a convenient tool that allows both parties in a communication to know in a timely manner what the other party's reaction is after receiving their message, it also brings a lot of trouble. However, for Kiyora, Haruno is probably the only person she can read without replying and still feel at ease.

Anyway, the other party seems to have gotten used to it.

Sure enough, the phone in the desk drawer started vibrating incessantly a few minutes later. Kiyotaka, however, seemed oblivious and continued reading in his seat. One vibration would end, and another would immediately follow, but Kiyotaka remained unmoved until his persistent spirit touched the classmate next to him who was chatting.

"Um, Tachibana-san," a girl with brightly colored hair spoke to Kiyoyori, "is your phone ringing?"

The girl gave a pleasant smile, the corners of her mouth curving into a perfect arc, her voice sweet but not cloying, "Your phone has been ringing for so long, it must be something very important they want to talk to you about, right?"

Unable to pretend he couldn't hear any longer, Kiyoyori closed his paperback and returned the same smile, "Thanks for reminding me, Isshiki-kun."

Qinglai walked out of the classroom with his phone in hand. The smile that had been on his lips immediately turned into a straight line as he answered the call with a cold expression.

What do you want?

His tone could be described as extremely cold.

"Shimizu-kun...?"

But the voice on the other end of the phone was unexpected.

Before Kiyora could unleash his full barrage of sarcasm, it was all swallowed back. "Shi...Shiha, senpai."

"What's wrong?"

Unlike his usual teasing tone, the voice coming from the other end of the phone was gentle and concerned, leaving Qinglai speechless for a moment.

"Has something happened?"

Kasumigaoka hadn't contacted Kiyoyori for a long time, partly because Kiyoyori had been busy with the National Tournament, and partly because she was afraid that Kiyoyori would encourage her to study in Kansai.

Kasumigaoka was also confused about her own thoughts on this matter. Although she had already decided to go to Waseda University and hoped that Kiyoyori would ask her to stay at Waseda University, she was also wondering if she had any expectation that he would give her a different answer.

Such conflicting feelings prevented Kasumigaoka from contacting Kiyoyori.

Upon hearing the other person's voice, the concern and worry in my heart quickly surpassed everything else.

"Ah, no..."

Kiyoshi frowned, looking troubled.

She couldn't very well say that she thought the call was from Yang Nai, could she?

“I went to the national competition,” Kasumigaoka suddenly said on the other end of the phone. “As expected of Shimizu-kun, your performance was very moving.”

There were no excessive praises; despite being a bestselling novelist, he used only the simplest words.

The results of the tournament were not mentioned because Kasumigaoka knew that someone as proud as Kiyori would not accept such a result, so she considerately avoided an unpleasant topic.

A warm current seemed to flow through Kiyoyori's heart.

"Thank you, Shiwa-senpai."

Hearing Kiyori's tone soften considerably compared to when he started, and with a hint of a smile in his voice, Kasumigaoka, holding up his phone, couldn't help but smile as well. "Kiyori's playing is so beautiful, I really want to hear it again."

"The national competition isn't the last time..."

Faced with such straightforward praise, Qinglai scratched his cheek with his finger in embarrassment.

“Of course it’s not the last time,” Kiyoyori heard a soft chuckle from the person on the other end of the phone. “Can’t the clever Shimizu-kun understand what I mean? Or is it…”

Are you pretending not to understand?

The teasing tone made Kiyoyori feel like she was back to her usual self, and she realized that Kasumigaoka was probably hinting that she wanted to meet with her.

“Recently…” Qinglai licked her lips, hesitating whether she should ask the question.

"Actually, I called today to ask if Shimizu-kun is free this weekend," Kasumigaoka said, getting straight to the point without any attempt to hide it. "I didn't mention it before because I was worried that Shimizu-kun was busy with the brass band practice."

"In fact, the work on Blessing Software has already progressed to a certain stage."

Upon hearing this name, which sounded familiar yet was actually quite unfamiliar, Kiyoshi's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Kiyoyori initially joined Aki's project out of interest, but in reality, aside from modeling for Eriri, posing with Kato, and occasionally helping Eriri with her drafts, he did nothing else.

He was a true ghost member.

"Ah... um..."

“Aki-kun said that the songs you gave him earlier were very helpful,” Kasumigaoka’s voice came slowly. “He took some clips and used them as background music for the game. He was worried that they would be a bit out of place, but the effect was better than expected.”

"It's so great to be able to help."

For Kiyoshi, those were just discarded drafts, or more accurately, unbearable historical events buried with the past.

"Well, so to thank Shimizu-kun and to let everyone relax, Aki-kun has arranged a weekend outing."

"Travel?"

“That’s right,” Kasumigaoka sounded very happy, even the end of her voice was high-pitched, “You could say it’s a comfort tourism trip, where you can relax and also get some local interest, and there are hot springs to soak in.”

"Huh? At a time like this?"

If she remembered correctly, everyone except her was a first-year student, and the others were second-year students, especially Kasumigaoka, who was a third-year student about to face entrance exams.

Is it...

My heart suddenly started beating faster.

Is there a problem?

Kasumigaoka, however, seemed not to understand Kiyoyori's meaning.

“Well, I mean,” Kiyoyori took a deep breath, “is everyone preparing for their college entrance exams okay?”

"Since you've participated in this program, you must have taken your college entrance exam preparations seriously, right?"

No, two of them clearly didn't consider it!

But Kiyori wasn't concerned about that at the moment, "Senior Utaha is about to—"

"It doesn't matter,"

Kiyoshi felt that the sounds around him were somewhat distant.

"I've already secured a place at Early College through the guaranteed admission program."

P.S.: I have to work again tomorrow. Last time I tried the seafood flavor of Nissin Cup Noodles, so tomorrow I'll try the tonkotsu soup flavor. The Nintendo Switch took a whole day to ship from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. I really don't know when I'll be able to get the device.

Chapter 344, Section 06: Is Kiyoyori dating Hikigaya-senpai?

Kasumigaoka's answer exploded like fireworks in Kiyoyori's heart.

Is...is that so?

Qinglai touched his nose awkwardly, a hint of joy in his voice.