I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

All sounds seemed to disappear from my ears, leaving only my own rapid breathing and the increasingly rapid heartbeat as I ran.

All I could see was the back of the person who had pushed through the crowd for me.

The place where it was held tightly was warm.

Even the cool evening breeze feels warm.

P.S.: Ugh, I really don't want to go to work!! Since changing departments, I've lost all interest in going to work... I don't think I hated going to work this much before, I guess I'll have to get used to it.

Chapter 18, Section 357: Indemnification of a Spencer

Her steps were hurried, and the rough ropes of her wooden clogs rubbed against her skin, causing a dull ache. Yukinoshita stumbled behind Kiyoyori, feeling a burning sensation piercing her lungs, but she didn't want to stop.

And so they left the crowd and went to a place where no one could find them.

This was probably the most outrageous thing she had done today: slipping away from the banquet, shaking off potential future business partners of her family, and running away right under her mother's nose.

Each of these challenges tested her mother's patience and limits, but at that moment, a rebellious joy welled up in Yukinoshita's heart.

It was as if she had broken free of all her shackles and grasped the key to the vast sky.

She instinctively grabbed the wrist of the person in front of her.

Kiyoyori only stopped walking after leaving the bustling city streets and heading to the relatively quiet guesthouse area.

This amount of exercise wasn't much for Qinglai, who regularly works out, especially since she plays a wind instrument. In just a few breaths, she adjusted her slightly disordered breathing back to normal.

But for Yukinoshita, it wasn't so simple. Her stamina wasn't good to begin with, and running such a long distance so intensely without warming up left her feeling a bit overwhelmed. Moreover, she was wearing a kimono and wooden clogs, and her toes and lungs were burning. Her head was also a little dizzy. Perhaps because she hadn't adjusted her breathing properly while running, Yukinoshita felt a faint cramping pain in her abdomen.

But the air here is very fresh, fresher than ever before.

There was nowhere nearby to sit and rest. Kiyoyori was also aware of the consequences of his abrupt escape with the other person for Yukinoshita, so he silently stood in front of Yukinoshita so that she could lean on him and rest.

Yukinoshita surprisingly did not resist, and Kiyori also behaved himself without making any offensive moves, wrapping his arms around Yukinoshita's body in a protective gesture.

Chaotic breathing filled the air, and Qinglai could feel warm breaths patting against his collarbone, one after another.

It's a little itchy.

Looking down, you can see the other person's slightly messy hair, the slightly open collar, and the dazzling white skin peeking out from the collar.

Kiyoshi politely turned his gaze to the tree with neon lights hanging on it by the roadside.

"Tachibana-san," Yukinoshita called out Kiyori's name breathlessly, her voice weak and more tender than usual, "Do you know what kind of trouble this behavior will cause me?"

Her heart was pounding and her breathing was still a little erratic, but Yukinoshita still put on a serious voice and spoke to Kiyoyori.

They were so close that Kiyotaka didn't even need to observe them carefully to see through Yuki's outward strength but inner weakness.

"I know."

This was the first time Qinglai had ever done something like fleeing in panic with her daughter in front of an elder. It seemed like an unconscious action, yet also like a well-thought-out decision.

It's hard to describe my feelings right now. I feel like I understand Romeo and Juliet a little better, but using the term "eloping" doesn't seem quite right.

After all, Kiyoyori is not Romeo, and Yukinoshita is certainly not Juliet.

They were just seniors and juniors at school.

"Really? The air here is very nice, but I never thought it would be like this."

The warm, soft body left, and Kiyoyori obediently lowered his arm, allowing Yukinoshita to retreat to a perfectly safe distance.

"Tachibana-san, do you understand?"

The cool breeze carried away the last trace of warmth the other person had left on their body.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"But senior, you haven't figured out how to face Lady Yukinoshita yet, have you?"

Otherwise, they wouldn't have stopped Qinglai at that time.

Yukino paused for a moment, then said, "This is different from turning around and running away."

She didn't know if her mother had seen her run away, since she didn't have time to look back at her mother at that time.

For people like them, indulgence can only be temporary and shameful. Yukinoshita doesn't have the means to do as she pleases as Kiyori.

She really hadn't figured out how to face her mother. Getting rid of Xiangyuan was indeed part of her plan, but she only intended to give that annoying fly the cold shoulder and never expected that Tachibana Kiyoyori would appear along the way.

It's certain that I'll disappoint my mother, but that's different from making her angry.

Yukinoshita rubbed her forehead, looking a bit of a headache.

The joy and freedom are only temporary and limited.

She knew this all too well.

"Running away won't solve the problem, but running away before you've thought things through is understandable."

"Although it's not a respectable method, it's at least an effective one."

This didn't seem to be the first time she'd heard such words. Yukinoshita looked at Kiyori with some curiosity, but from the other's somewhat uncomfortable expression, she sensed something else.

"Then," Yukino asked instinctively, voicing the question that had been bothering her all day, "why are you standing next to your sister?"

Since their unexpected encounter that evening, the two of them have tacitly avoided mentioning the unpleasant incident that happened at noon. Rather than not knowing how to bring it up, it's more like they don't want to.

"because……"

Kiyoyori, recalling how Haruno was relentlessly pursuing him, gave a helpless, bitter smile. "There's nowhere left to run..."

It wasn't under the snow, but Kiyoyori.

She had long been cornered by Yang Nai, the hunter, with nowhere to escape.

Yukinoshita Haruno's mercy will only be reserved for Yukinoshita Yukino, while Tachibana Kiyori has long since become fish on the chopping block.

The next step will probably be to use it as bait and hang it on a fishing hook.

I don't want to continue this topic.

This was a shared sentiment between the two of them, because they knew that if they continued down this topic, they would soon face the choice of whether Yukino Yukinoshita would voluntarily participate in the student council president election.

Since no one is ready, let's run away first.

A sigh under the snow broke the silence between the two. "Tachibana-san, I must take my leave now. My family is waiting for me."

No matter what, time will continue to pass, and as Kiyoshi said, she can't run away forever.

Let's start by facing my mother's condemnation.

she thinks.

Turning her head subtly, Yukinoshita glanced at Kiyori, who was still standing in the same spot, and her lips trembled slightly:

Thank you.

Silently.

Yukino took a deep breath and walked back in the direction she had come from, but was unexpectedly grabbed by the hand from behind.

It is Qing Lai.

“I was the one who ran away with my senior. I owe Lady Yukinoshita an explanation, both morally and logically. Besides, it would be very impolite to leave without saying goodbye.”

If we lose Xiangyuan, then let's use Spencer as compensation.

Isn't that a great deal?

P.S.: I have to tell everyone that in May and June, please be prepared that I might break my update schedule at any time. Of course, I don't mean adding extra chapters. I'm really exhausted. Today, during the entire workday, I only had time to drink some water and go to the bathroom. That's right, I only went to the bathroom once during the day... I feel like I'm not urinating enough. In short, I'm very busy, and I'll probably be this busy for the foreseeable future. Plus, I have to prepare for exams.

The author is still managing, but it's hard to say what will happen next. I hope I can finish this book before August this year, at least the main text... Thank you all for your support.

Chapter 19, Section 358: Surrounded by Snow, at a Loss

"Good evening, Mrs. Yukinoshita. I apologize for disturbing you."

Having promised to "compensate Yukino with a Spencer," Kiyoyori very conscientiously followed Yukino back to the banquet hall to greet Mrs. Yukino, but unexpectedly, he was invited to the hotel where she was staying for tea.

To everyone's surprise, the inn where Yukinoshita's family stayed was the same one as Kiyoyori's group.

Kiyoyori knelt somewhat uncomfortably at the table, a cup of tea in front of her. Opposite her sat Lady Yukinoshita, dressed impeccably in an elaborate yet understatedly luxurious kimono, a stark contrast to Kiyoyori's simple yukata provided by the inn.

Sitting next to Kiyoyori was Yukinoshita, who remained silent.

This strange atmosphere made Qinglai even more uncomfortable, his back stiff as if a steel plate was inserted.

"So," Lady Yukinoshita gently blew on the tea leaves, "Kiyori came on vacation with your sister?"

This was not the first time Kiyori had met Lady Yukinoshita. In the past, when the two families had more exchanges, he often encountered this noblewoman. When he was a child, he probably didn't feel anything, but as he grew older, Kiyori felt more and more that this lady's aura was actually very terrifying. Her eyes were even more profound than Haruno's, and Kiyori didn't even dare to look directly at her.

Given what happened between her and Haruno.

However, it is very impolite to talk without looking at the other person, so Kiyoshi tried hard to keep his gaze from wandering.

"Yes, my sister thinks I need to relax a bit lately."

Kiyoyori, of course, wouldn't reveal everything that wasn't necessary. "I didn't expect to run into Yukinoshita-senpai here."

He glanced at Yukinoshita beside him; she was looking down, seemingly deep in thought, and didn't seem to notice Kiyori and Lady Yukinoshita's conversation.

"I heard Kiyoyori is participating in the brass band at Sobu High School? And he even made it to the national competition? That's amazing."

Lady Yukinoshita chatted gently about everyday things, but Kiyori dared not relax, saying, "It's only a bronze medal; I still need to work harder."

"So it seems Kiyoyori will be following in Touko's footsteps? What are your plans for the future?"

At the start of the conversation, Kiyoyori predicted that this topic would be brought up, saying, "I take Touko's mother as my goal, and of course, Carol's mother is also someone I pursue."

"So it seems your sister will be the one to inherit the Spencer family business in the future?"

it's out of the question……

Kiyoshi thought to herself that it was even more absurd for Eriri to manage the family business than for her to do so, and besides, she had absolutely no interest in it.