I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

"No matter how I draw it, it's terrible; no matter how I draw it, I can't achieve the result I want."

"No matter what I do..."

There's already someone else in his eyes.

Eriri's tears soaked Kiyori's clothes.

Kiyoshi was a little stunned. She subconsciously patted Eriri's trembling shoulders, but didn't know how to comfort her.

Should she give up? Should she give up pursuing the unattainable painting, or give up pursuing the figure that has already gone further and further away?

Eriri has developed a habit of chasing after a boy named Aki Tomoya, so how can Kiyoshi stop her?

not to mention.

To be fair, Kiyoshi herself couldn't give up, so how could she possibly persuade Eriri to let go?

She could only pat Eriri's shoulder and back with hesitant words, offering Eriri her shoulder so that she could release her suppressed emotions without restraint.

It's been a long time since I've seen Eriri cry like this, but every time I remember her crying, it seems to be related to Aki.

Kiyoshi pulled Eriri into her arms, quietly soothing her emotions. She hugged Eriri, but it felt as if she was also hugging herself.

"I'm sorry, Kiyoyori..."

Once Eriri had finally calmed down, she shyly tried to escape Kiyori's embrace, but she only struggled symbolically and still leaned on Kiyori's shoulder.

"Qinglai, tell me, what should I do?"

how should I do it?

Kiyoshi also wanted to ask himself this question.

She seems to be just like Eriri, passively waiting, waiting for the person in her heart to turn back, waiting for their image to appear in their eyes.

But can simply waiting and denying things really bring us to that day?

"Then let's paint a picture that will amaze everyone."

"Make that person only have eyes for you."

Is that all?

Chapter 52 If I could be by their side

It was already late when they left the villa. Just as Kiyotaka was worrying about how to get home, he saw a familiar car parked not far away.

The car was lit with warm-colored lights, and through the window, she could see that Carol was holding a document in her hand.

Kiyoshi stood there in the cold wind for quite a while.

Ever since Kiyoyori and Carol had a disagreement about meeting the Yukinoshita family, there has been more awkwardness between them than before. Fortunately, Toko is there to mediate between them at home. However, Carol is obviously the only one in the car right now, and Kiyoyori doesn't know what to do.

Carroll had clearly been waiting here for a long time. There were documents spread out on the passenger seat, and she had a nearly burned-out cigarette between her lips. The ashtray in the car seat was obviously full of cigarette butts.

Carroll doesn't usually smoke in the car because Touko doesn't like it.

Carroll didn't realize that Kiyora had already gotten out until he opened the passenger door.

"Feel sorry."

She hurriedly opened the car window, casually gathered the documents, and put them into the storage cabinet in front of her seat.

The cold air carried away the smell of smoke from the car, as well as the remaining warmth.

Qinglai wrapped her coat tighter, sat silently in the car, and didn't speak further until she closed the door, ventilated the car, and started it again.

The only sound inside the car was the orchestral music coming from the car stereo.

How is Eriri?

It was Carroll who was the first to break the silence.

"I've caught a cold, and I'm not feeling well."

"Okay, then come and keep her company more these next few days."

"...Let's forget about it."

Upon hearing this, Carol looked at Kiyora with a puzzled expression, and Kiyora then continued to explain, "She doesn't need me."

He turned off his phone screen and stopped looking at the chat window, so he didn't see a reply from the other person in the call.

Carol was always at a loss with her daughter, who was reluctant to talk. Kiyoshi, who was cold and silent, was too similar to his wife, which always left Carol at a loss.

So she simply drove in silence, being a competent driver.

When is dinner with the Yukinoshita family scheduled?

Carol was somewhat surprised that Kiyoyori would bring up this matter on his own initiative, "...the second day of the new year."

Qinglai lowered his eyes, looking obedient, and said, "Okay."

While waiting at the red light, Carol opened her mouth, but said nothing.

“I can meet with the Yukinoshita family, I can meet with Haruno, and I can also… discuss that matter.”

Kiyoshi kept staring out the window, so he didn't notice his mother's complicated gaze.

"But I have one condition."

"The second young lady of the Yukinoshita family cannot attend this banquet."

"...Okay, I agree."

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

Kiyoshi did not go to the villa again after that. Instead, he kept an eye on Eriri through LINE to make sure she took her medicine and rested on time. With the heavy atmosphere gone, Eriri teased her sister for being like a mother hen, and Kiyoshi just smiled at that.

However, to Eriri's surprise, the person who knocked on the door the next day was another unexpected figure.

The doorbell rang at the villa. Eriri initially thought it was Kiyora who hadn't brought his keys, but when she opened the door, she saw someone she hadn't expected.

"Rinya? What are you doing here?"

"Ah..." An Yi scratched the back of his head with the other hand while carrying the gifts in one hand. Remembering someone else's words, he chuckled awkwardly and replied, "I just wanted to come see you. Everyone would be worried if you came here without saying a word. Besides, I also wanted to check on your progress..."

When he said the last sentence, Aki seemed a little guilty.

"Hmph, Kiyora must have told you anyway!"

Eriri pretended to be annoyed and turned her head away, but she couldn't hide her joy at seeing Aki.

Perhaps only a blockhead like Aki wouldn't be able to perceive the feelings of the girl in front of him.

“Come in,” Eriri opened the door and walked inside. “My situation is as you can see, but if you’re here to ask about the progress, you’re probably going to be disappointed.”

Eriri was indeed much better than she had been the day before, but if you listened carefully, you could still hear her nasal tone and somewhat heavy steps.

Aside from his ability to perceive a girl's feelings, Aki is surprisingly a sensitive person. Of course, after Kiyori's reminder, he wouldn't ignore the fact that Eriri is still sick. After all, besides urging her to finish her manuscript, his main purpose in coming to visit Eriri is to see her in person.

Regardless, Eriri remains a very important person in Aki's heart.

"It's best if you're alright, but you still need to take your medicine on time and get plenty of rest. As for the artwork... we still have time!"

Even though she knew this might be the excuse Kiyori gave her, Eriri still felt a warm current flowing through her heart.

"Please make yourself at home; the room is a bit messy."

After placing the gifts on the coffee table, An Yi looked around the room. It was indeed a bit messy, mainly because of the drawing paper scattered all over the floor.

He picked up a painting at random. The painting on it was at Kashiwagi Eri's usual level, but for some reason, he felt that something was not quite right.

"I feel like something's not quite right." Eriri stood a short distance away, watching Aki pick up his painting that he had tossed on the ground. "Tomoya feels the same way, right?"

“Hmm…” Aki carefully considered his words, taking into account Eriri’s feelings as a patient, but he couldn’t bring himself to deceive himself. “Indeed, as a painting by Kashiwagi Eri-sensei, it still lacks something.”

Eriri wasn't upset by Aki's denial; instead, she gave him a look of agreement, as if they shared the same opinion.

She seemed happy that she still had a good rapport with Aki.

"But I believe in Eriri!"

Aki held the painting, but looked at Eriri with unwavering determination.

"Because Eriri is the best artist in my heart!"

………………

Aki's words seemed to have a certain magic, giving Eriri different inspirations.

The daily encouragement and praise became Eriri's motivation to paint these days. She realized that as long as he was by her side, she could continue painting.

He collapsed on the ground, almost unconscious.

When Kiyoshi received the message from Aki, she was just about to leave the practice room to wash up and go to bed. It was already very late, and even though it was the holidays, she still habitually maintained a good routine.

Somewhat surprisingly, practice started a little late today because I had been discussing Kasumigaoka's new work with her. Kiyotori was the first reader, and then Kasumigaoka kept pestering Kiyotori to listen to her practice, so she kept her communication with Kasumigaoka on her computer.

"Shimizu-kun's playing is still so beautiful, and my inspiration keeps flowing."

"It would be best if I could help you, Shiyu-senpai."

"Then, we'll see you at the exhibition tomorrow."

Just as the two were about to say goodnight, An Yi's phone rang.

His anxious, panting voice was thus revealed to the two of them:

Eriri is at Chiba Hospital right now!

Chapter 53 If I Could Do It Again

Eriri is currently at Chiba Hospital.

When Kiyose heard Aki's words, her mind went blank, and her body moved instinctively. When she came to her senses again, she was already standing outside the hospital.

Kasumigaoka arrived around the same time as her, having overheard the news by chance.

"Don't worry so much, Sawamura-kun won't get into trouble so easily."

As a senior, Kasumigaoka comforted Kiyose, even though she herself was unsure, she still had to act as if she could be Kiyose's support.

"I know."