I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

“Hello, Yukinoshita,” Kasumigaoka interrupted Sakura without any courtesy, “Kasumigaoka Utaha, we’ve met once before.”

For some reason, even though Kasumigaoka was smiling, Yukinoshita saw "malicious intent" in his smile. It was a probing gaze, as if he was sizing her up.

"Yukino Yukinoshita, it's a pleasure to meet you, Kasumigaoka-senpai."

The two touched each other lightly with their fingertips, polite but distant, making the room feel instantly colder.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, Yukinoshita suddenly felt that the other person's name was somewhat familiar. Of course, she already knew the other person's name and fame, but when the other person said the name, there was always a strange sense of familiarity.

Kasumigaoka, Kasumigaoka Shiko.

Kasumi Shiko...?

Kasumi Shiko is one of my favorite light novel authors...

Yukinoshita suddenly felt a little dizzy.

Who are you……?

Suddenly losing their balance, it was Kasumigaoka who first steadied Yukina.

When facing Yukino Yukinoshita again, Kasumigaoka felt a strange sensation rise in his heart for some reason.

She came here specifically for Yukinoshita; she wanted to know what kind of person could make Shimizu-kun, who always kept everything detached, so unsettled.

But when he actually met Yukino, he was definitely jealous and dissatisfied, but seeing her somewhat unsteady figure, he couldn't muster any more hostility.

As her hand touched the other person's slender arm, Kasumigaoka saw several fleeting images.

How did that girl, who always had a calm expression, break down, clutching her clothes tightly, and sobbing uncontrollably in her arms?

And she kept repeating a name:

Yukinoshita Yukino.

So, your name is Yukino Yukinoshita.

Chapter 33 Head-to-Head

This little incident didn't go to anyone's mind. The members of the Zongwu High School Student Council would occasionally cast concerned glances at their president, but since they were still in a meeting, they didn't say much.

The profile of Yukinoshita, which she showed to them, remained unchanged as always, but only she knew what she was thinking at that moment.

The meeting was as dull and tedious as ever. After a brief introduction of Kasumigaoka at the beginning, the meeting turned into the same old topics, without any concrete content. Yukinoshita had already started daydreaming from the moment the other party uttered the first pointless sentence.

She knew Kasumigaoka Utaha, but not the name Kasumigaoka Utako. Why was that?

My head is throbbing slightly, and I attribute it all to recent overwork.

"Regarding the theme of this event, Toyonosaki has decided to use a play," Sakura said with a smile, looking at Kasumigaoka, who was sitting in the corner with his hand on his cheek, seemingly lost in thought. "The script will be provided by Kasumigaoka. Of course, our school's drama club is also excellent. However, it seems that the General Affairs High School won't feel very involved."

This statement naturally aroused dissatisfaction among the members of the Zongwu High School Student Council.

No sense of participation? Someone who hasn't made any tangible contributions to date is telling them this?

Amano's face was almost contorted with rage. If it weren't for the people around him holding his hands down and the fact that President Yukinoshita didn't say anything, he would have rushed up and started a fight with the other side.

"Therefore, what we mainly want to discuss today is whether your school has any methods that can cooperate with us."

Sakura still smiled with her eyes narrowed, but Yukinoshita could clearly read the ill intentions in her eyes.

Putting aside all the complicated behind-the-scenes work, if the goal is to demonstrate cooperation between the two sides, then they could simply send actors from the members of both sides. However, Toyosaki took the lead in seizing this opportunity, clearly indicating that they had long harbored ambitions against Soubu High School.

Moreover, a performance of just one play doesn't seem to meet the other party's previous requirement of surpassing last year's standards.

Yukino suppressed the harsh words that were about to rise from her lips. "What does President Sakura want to say?"

"President Yukinoshita is indeed on our side!" Sakura seemed very happy. "I heard that your school's brass band is very strong this year, and they even made it to the national competition."

The moment she heard him mention the brass band, Yukinoshita guessed what he was thinking and immediately frowned without hiding it.

Kasumigaoka also showed the same expression, but there was a hint of danger in her eyes when she looked at Sakura. She knew that the other party would not be satisfied with just plays, but she did not expect that he would actually set his sights on the Soubu High School Concert Band.

Thinking of Kiyoyori, whom she had just met yesterday, and how tired he looked, Kasumigaoka felt a surge of anger.

Sakura, oblivious to the sudden shift in their moods, remained lost in her own imagination. "I hope that this time we can perform a musical, a fusion of live orchestral music and drama, symbolizing a perfect collaboration between our two schools! This will be a completely new experience, a revolution!"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, completely ignoring the growing dissatisfaction from Zongwu High School. "I know that musicals present certain challenges for non-professionals, but I believe that as long as we work together, we can overcome them! Of course, please also trust the abilities of our school's drama club members; we are confident that we can achieve the most perfect collaboration this time!"

This is just a plan that sounds wonderful, but a little thought reveals that its implementation would be utterly impossible.

Putting aside the fact that the Toyosaki Drama Club and Soubu High School Concert Band were completely unaware of this, Yukinoshita disliked this style of pushing the most important things onto others.

Furthermore, it's graduation season now, and both the brass band and the drama club must have many experienced members who have retired. When handing over the work to Shiro, Yukinoshita had a preliminary understanding of the school's club activities. Perhaps out of personal interest, she took a look at the brass band. All the third-year students had retired, and the brass band was like a wing that had been forcibly clipped. Even with excellent players like Kiyoyori and others, they couldn't fill the void left by the lost section.

After a brief conversation with Yoshikawa, the current head of the brass band club, Yukinoshita learned that the brass band club's focus was now on the graduation celebration of the seniors, which was obviously the most important thing for all members of the brass band club.

but……

Yukino lowered her gaze. "This is not something I can decide on my own. We need to get the brass band's approval. Besides, as President Sakura said, this kind of performance is too professional. We only have a little over half a month left. Do we need to reconsider the feasibility of this plan?"

If the other party is sensible enough, they should know that she is politely declining.

However, they clearly lacked the emotional intelligence to understand the meaning of those words. "Yukinoshita-san is the student council president of Soubu High School, right? Getting the brass band involved in such a small matter must be a piece of cake, right? Besides, increasing their own exposure will further expand the reputation of the Soubu High School brass band, won't it? I can't think of any reason to refuse."

It was Aizen who spoke, the one whose voice made Yukinoshita want to vomit. "Or... Yukinoshita-san, could it really be as the rumors say..."

"Explain yourself!"

Amano slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his eyes glaring at Xiangyuan, who had his arms crossed, as if they could spit fire. He was so angry that his neck turned red, and he looked like he was about to pounce on Xiangyuan and start fighting.

"There's no smoke without fire."

Xiangyuan added leisurely.

This made Amano even angrier. "You—!"

"Amano-kun."

Xiangyuan Garden.

Yukinoshita and Sakura called out to each other simultaneously.

"Please forgive Aizono's rudeness, President Yukinoshita. He was just too eager for this event to be a success," Sakura said, seemingly apologizing, but without any real remorse. "I wonder what President Yukinoshita thinks? I also think that your school's brass band would not refuse such a good opportunity to perform, would they?"

Yukinoshita's expression was so somber it seemed to drip water. If she had a slight thought of raising the band's profile just now, she now only wanted to shove all the documents at her onto that vapid, dreamy face.

"They really don't know their own limitations,"

A slightly unfamiliar voice echoed clearly in the eerily silent conference room.

"They don't even know their own limitations."

Chapter 34 Seeing is believing

The silence was broken, and everyone's gaze turned to the speaker. She was sitting leisurely in her seat, her eyes never leaving the paperback in front of her. She simply turned another page as if she had never spoken before.

"Kasumigaoka-kun?" Sakura hesitated for a moment before softly calling out Kasumigaoka's name. "Soubu High School is our partner this time. Even if it's you, such a statement is too harsh. Please apologize to everyone at Soubu High School."

Sakura put on an apologetic expression and looked at Yukinoshita on the other side, "Please allow me to apologize on behalf of the students of our school to everyone at your esteemed school. I don't think Kasumigaoka-san meant it; her sharp tongue is notorious throughout the school—"

Before Sakura could finish speaking, Kasumigaoka sneered again, dismissively slapping him in the face. "President Sakura," she glanced at him with a mocking look, "it seems your comprehension is even worse than I thought."

Upon hearing this, Sakura's expression changed, and she quickly glanced awkwardly at Yukinoshita, who remained expressionless. "What do you mean by this?"

He naturally assumed that Kasumigaoka would be on his side, or perhaps it was because he was used to being proud and didn't think such words were appropriate to describe her. But Kasumigaoka's words made him very uncomfortable, as if something had been stepped on by her. Yukinoshita's expression made him feel even more embarrassed.

He stared at Kasumigaoka with a warning look, as if he were giving a warning to the other party.

But who is Kasumigaoka? He wouldn't bow down so easily.

She didn't even look up, let alone see Sakura's eyes, and just continued to turn the page of her book indifferently, her light voice echoing in the quiet classroom.

Kasumigaoka felt Yukinoshita's gaze and sighed softly, "Although the sun will soon set, it seems that President Sakura's dream is a little too early."

Although the words were meant for Sakura, Kasumigaoka met Yukinoshita's gaze instead.

"The Soubu High School brass band is a dark horse right now. Whether it was their first appearance in the regional competition or the recent national competition, the Soubu High School brass band has really opened everyone's eyes. As for exposure, those who care have already been paying attention, and of course, they don't need this event to attract some casual attention." Two gazes met across the long table, and neither Kasumigaoka nor Yukinoshita showed any intention of backing down. "Besides, a musical? Ha."

Kasumigaoka closed the book, revealing an undisguised mocking smile. "President Sakura's intention to replicate last year's achievements is obvious, and I don't think anyone would object to that. But does President Sakura really remember how last year's success was achieved?"

Sakura's face was ashen, but he maintained his posture. He gritted his teeth, like a beast eyeing its prey, wishing he could pounce on it the next second and tear Kasumigaoka's neck apart with his claws.

But Kasumigaoka was no pushover, willing to let the other side retaliate. "Undeniably, cooperating with a capable club is a good idea, but—"

"Enough! The president didn't invite you here to spout this nonsense!"

Aizen interrupted Kasumigaoka very promptly, and Kasumigaoka did not continue speaking, but just by looking at the expressions on the faces of the Soubu High School student council members, she knew that she had achieved her goal.

Saying only half of something leaves more room for imagination.

Soubu High School, as expected of the school with the highest deviation score in Chiba Prefecture, has students who are outstanding enough to hold positions in the student council, and immediately understood the implication of Kasumigaoka.

Suddenly, the way people looked at the Toyonosaki student council changed.

Kasumigaoka put away the paperback. "Since you don't welcome me, I won't bother you any longer. Please continue wasting your time; I don't want to keep you company any longer."

Kasumigaoka got up and walked towards the door without looking back, and Sakura also stood up at that moment.

"As for the script, I will send it directly to the drama club. Please remember that the drama club exists, President Sakura."

Sakura's words were stuck in her throat, her face flushed red as she glared at Kasumigaoka's departing figure.

As Kasumigaoka reached the door, he seemed to sense something and turned around, but instead of looking at Sakura, he glanced at Yukinoshita and gave her an ambiguous smile.

Perhaps to others it was just an ordinary greeting, but Yukinoshita knew it was a provocation.

Although she didn't know the meaning behind the other person's actions, she subconsciously felt that she couldn't lose.

After Kasumigaoka left, the conference room returned to calm, or perhaps the calm masked a turbulent undercurrent, like the lurking currents beneath the surface of a tranquil ocean, waiting for their chance to engulf people.

“Let’s end today’s meeting here for now,” said Yukinoshita, who had been silent until now. Continuing the stalemate would not yield any results, just as Kasumigaoka had said, it was just a waste of time. “As for the matter concerning our school’s brass band, please allow me to refuse on their behalf for now. Of course, I will also inform the brass band of this matter. The specific decision is not up to me.”

After saying that, Yukinoshita took the lead and left the meeting room, and the other members hurriedly packed their things and followed her out.

It wasn't until they left the floor where the meeting room was located and stood in the elevator that the other members seemed to come to their senses.

"That senior was really amazing..."

"Kasumigaoka-senpai, right?"

"If I remember correctly, Toyosaki should be in first place. Is it really a good idea to offend the student council like this?"

"Anyway, that senior is graduating soon, right? What does it matter?"