I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

"Ok?"

Kiyoshi glanced at Nozomi, whose shoulders were trembling and who was suppressing laughter, with a puzzled look.

"Oh no," Nozomi wiped the moisture from the corner of her eyes with her finger, "I just feel like Kiyori has changed."

His hand on the steering wheel paused slightly. "This means Yukino's modification plan was very successful."

"You mean you were very successfully educated (taught)?"

The two of them are already at a point where they can joke around like this.

Kiyoyori couldn't help but laugh out loud, "In this respect, Kasaki-senpai is also evenly matched, or is it actually Nozomi-senpai who has Mizore-senpai under her control?"

"That must be because Mizore managed to handle me very well."

After a suppressed laugh, Nozomi took a deep breath. "That's good. Everyone has changed this way."

Qinglai gradually reduced his speed, drove into the rest stop, opened the windows, and let the fresh air in.

"Isn't that good too?"

Kiyoshi stretched and unbuckled his seatbelt. "I'll leave it to you now, senior. I'm going to lie down for a bit."

The moment your mind relaxes, it's like a spring that's no longer taut, and drowsiness and fatigue quickly wash over you.

"Okay, leave it to me."

Kiyoshi rubbed his eyes and strode toward the double bed at the back of the carriage. He lifted the curtain and saw Yukino sleeping on the inside of the bed. She had her back to Kiyoshi, her legs curled up, and her shoulders rose and fell slowly with her breathing.

Gently taking off her shoes and coat, Qinglai crawled under the covers and slowly approached the still-sleeping (deleted), familiar with the routine (deleted), gently pulling her into her arms (deleted).

(Edited).

It's just soft and squishy, ​​like a tickle.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?"

Qinglai lowered his voice and gently (edited) his eyelids.

Yukino opened her eyes groggily, mumbled something, and then buried her head like a kitten, revealing only her fluffy hair.

Kiyoshi's heart stirred at the other person's subconscious act of dependence. While Yukino was still half asleep, Kiyoshi quickly stole a kiss from her lips and then closed his eyes contentedly.

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

When Kiyoyori opened his eyes again, Yukino was already awake, leaning against the headboard with a paperback in her hand.

"woke up?"

(There were many cuts; the author is exhausted...)

Then, unsurprisingly, Yukino, whose expression changed drastically, grabbed his cheek with her fingers and pulled him in one direction.

"If Tachibana-san is still asleep, I don't mind helping you out."

The familiar tone of voice sent a chill down Kiyoyori's spine.

"It hurts..."

Covering her face with two clear finger marks, Kiyoyori was the first to leave the warm bed and the not-so-gentle Yukino.

She blinked, a little unaccustomed to the light, and then saw Mizore, Reina, and Kumiko preparing to adjust the sound in the booth.

Speaking of which, everyone brought their musical instruments...

"Kiyoshi, you're awake."

“Okay,” Kiyoyori nodded, “I’ll go check on Nozomi up ahead.”

"Has Yukino woken up too?"

They realized that the other person was worried about disturbing their rest.

"He's already awake."

As Kiyoshi walked toward the passenger seat, a trio of oboe, trumpet, and euphonium began to play behind him. It was "The Place Where Love Meets," a piece played when Reina graduated from Kita Junior High School, and Reina especially loved it.

The melodious sound of the pipes echoed in the carriage, making people recall the memories of practicing and playing together in high school. They laughed and cried together, all for the national competition.

Looking back now, I realize how fortunate I've been in life.

It's a pleasure to meet you all.

P.S.: I'm going back to school tomorrow, which means I'll officially graduate! I talked to my mom about my plans for the next ten years today, and it seems I'll be busy for a long time to come.

Please see the announcement if you have any questions.

Chapter 148 Extra - We're 05

After a rest, the passengers regained their energy. The trio of wind musicians in the carriage took over the music for the entire train, from the beginning with "Marine Corps" to Soli's "Liz and the Blue Bird" with trumpet and euphonium, and "The Dance of the Crescent Moon," which carried so much of their first year. It was as if they had returned to their days at Sobu High School, where they practiced until dusk every day. From being forced to train at the beginning to later finding their own spare time to train, that place held so many memories for them.

Nozomi chuckled and sniffed her slightly stuffy nose. "There's just no way to deal with them."

"However, it seems I haven't officially congratulated you yet. Winning the gold medal in the national competition is truly amazing."

Having left the highway, and with few vehicles heading to the campsite, Ximei was finally able to relax a little.

"A lot of things have happened."

Kiyoshi glanced back at Kumiko, who was intently playing the flute.

Do you need to switch shifts?

“No need,” Hime glanced at the navigation. “It’s only about a half-hour drive. Let’s just drive straight to the end.”

Kiyoshi nodded, left the passenger seat, and walked to Yukino's side.

"Have you had enough sleep?"

Shouldn't I be asking you that question?

Yukino sorted and arranged the ingredients she had previously stuffed into the refrigerator. Although there were many kinds, meat overwhelmingly outnumbered vegetables. Among them was a particularly eye-catching steak, or rather, a steak that was so eye-catching that it was almost impossible to look away. Kiyori picked up the steak and weighed it in his hand; it was very heavy.

Who put such expensive ingredients here...?

Kiyorai and Yukino are both frequent cooks, and of course, they occasionally indulge in a romantic getaway to a high-end Western restaurant, but this is truly the first time they've ever seen such a large, premium steak...

"This one looks like it should be A3 or larger..."

“There’s also beef tongue here.” Yukino took out a piece of meat that looked much smaller from the corner.

"By the way, who prepared the ingredients..." Kiyoyori also found barbecue skewers and a complete set of barbecue utensils in the cabinet next to him.

In fact, each of them was assigned their own task. For example, Yukino was responsible for planning the entire travel itinerary, Reina was responsible for finding suitable hotels, and Kiyoyori was responsible for arranging transportation. Kiyoyori and Nozomi took turns driving along the way. Although Kumiko was initially assigned to take turns driving, she was rejected after Reina complained that "if Kumiko drives, we might not even reach the hot spring inn by the end of the holiday." Mizore was assigned to prepare the food for the first night of camping.

"If I remember correctly, it should be Ying. A couple of days ago, she asked me for the car keys, saying she needed to move something."

Yukino glanced at the crammed refrigerator with a troubled expression. She didn't know how they had managed to fit everything in there before. Once she took it out and rearranged it, she found that there wasn't enough space.

"I remember there should have been a small freezer in the back, which was used to store fish."

As Kiyoyori walked back, he asked Mizore, who had stopped playing, "Senpai, did you bring the beef and barbecue stuff in the refrigerator?"

Ying blinked and thought for a while before speaking, "Well, I told my dad I was going camping, and he sent me these things."

The ingredients are good, but the better the ingredients, the more it tests the chef's skills. Among the six people, only Yukino and Kiyori are relatively skilled. Kiyori usually cooks more Japanese and Chinese dishes, and his knowledge of Western food is limited to making desserts.

"Yukino, can you cook steak?"

"I've never tried such high-end ingredients before, but I've learned how to use them from my sister."

Considering the time needed to arrive at the campsite and the time needed to prepare the ingredients, Yukino plans to start preparing now so that she can start barbecuing as soon as she arrives at the campsite.

"Qinglai, you pick out some vegetables, I'll take care of this."

After washing the knife, Yukino began to prepare the steak, which looked incredibly expensive.

The two have been living together for almost a year and are familiar with each other's habits and little gestures. Although whoever is free usually cooks, Kiyoyori enjoys cooking with Yukino, as if they have returned to the time when they first met and Kiyoyori invited her to his home.

Perhaps using the word "initial" is not appropriate.

Kiyoshi looked at the person beside him with tender eyes.

"Ok?"

Yukino quickly glanced at Kiyoyori, who was clearly slacking off and not working properly, but the overwhelming tenderness in his eyes made her ears turn red.

"What are you looking at?"

"Look at you."

Kiyori's quick and decisive answer caused Yukino's blush to spread even faster.

Wasting water is not a good habit.

The cold water from the tap fell onto Qinglai's wrist and slid down his fingertips.

Unlike at home, water in a motorhome is stored in a tank beforehand, so it's used up little by little.

"Yes Yes."

Turning her gaze away, Qinglai began to carefully wash the vegetables.

"What were you thinking about just now?"

After a moment, once the heat on her face had subsided, Yukino asked in her usual tone.

"I was just thinking about things from the past."

Yukino paused in her actions. "How long ago?"

“It was a long time ago,” Kiyoyori said in a low voice, as if he were talking to himself, “I’m sorry Yukino, I kept you waiting.”

The person who was suddenly apologized to remained silent for a long time.

"At least, I waited for you."

"I won't keep you waiting anymore." Kiyoyori freed one hand and took Yukino's hand, which was still wet with water droplets.

"Ah."

Yukino responded softly and took that warm hand in her own.