I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Yukino patted Kiyoyori's arm comfortingly. Although Kiyoyori was a large part of the reason she was able to reconcile with her older sister Haruno, she still couldn't do anything about her sister's special "love" for people she was interested in.

No longer deliberately playing the role of an enemy, Haruno no longer often does things that displease Yukino, but she seems to have poured more of this "love" into Kiyoyori. Kiyoyori, constrained by Haruno's status, has no choice but to start an operation to avoid Haruno, based on the principle of "if you can't afford to offend her, you can at least avoid her." However, the operation is not going very smoothly.

Yukino left her seat and chatted with Haruno for a while longer, like sisters, until someone's stomach started to rumble. Then she returned to the table and officially began this exceptionally lavish dinner.

Because most of the food is prepared per person, meaning that apart from the rare lobster, most other dishes, except for sashimi and sushi served on large platters, are individual portions, it's obvious—

The Ise lobster was almost completely sold out; getting a bite depended entirely on speed. Everyone present was a musician, and their finger dexterity was no less than that of the average person.

"Nozomi, ah."

"Huh? I already ate."

"Wait—?! You guys are eating way too fast!"

"The dinner table is like a battlefield, Kumiko-chan."

"Qinglai, if you don't eat soon, the other portion over there will be all gone."

"Yukino, feed me."

Are you a child?

It is said that food that is fought over tastes the best, and the group certainly experienced that firsthand. Such a dinner would not appear at formal banquets attended by Kiyoshi, Yukino, and the others, nor at family dinners. The most unrestrained time was only when they were with their peers.

P.S.: Actually, as long as I don't mention the truth about the world lines, it's not really a spoiler. Anyway, I've already been very straightforward in telling you about the couple pairings. Since this is a side story, I'll let you eat your fill of romance all at once. However, the world lines have been vaguely mentioned in the dozen or so chapters that have been released so far, but I haven't seen anyone bring it up.

Chapter 156 Extra - We're 13

"Shall we go out for a walk?"

It wasn't too late yet, and the orange lights on the quaint streets outside created a particularly atmospheric scene, making the group, who had just filled their stomachs and been cooped up in the car all day, eager to get out.

"Does Mizore want to go out? It looks really pretty outside."

"Hmm, isn't Nozomi tired?" Mizore looked at Nozomi with concern, then at Kiyoyori, who had also been busy all day.

Meanwhile, Qinglai, who was already in a daze, felt even more sleepy after eating. She forced her eyes open and stared blankly at the wooden table. The sounds around her seemed to gradually fade away until someone gently patted her thigh, which brought her back to her senses.

He looked up, feigning composure, and raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

"Kiyoshi..." Nozomi swallowed back the question she was about to ask the other person, "I am indeed a little tired," she said, stretching her slightly stiff arms, "Kumiko and Reina should go together, this kind of place..."

Nozomi winked at Kumiko, who, who hadn't expected this, immediately understood and grabbed Reina's hand. "Let's go out!"

"Huh?" Looking at her unusually enthusiastic lover, Reina was a little taken aback. "But—"

Yukino, seemingly having received some signal from Nozomi, chimed in, "Kiyoshi and Nozomi have had a hard day too. Mizore and I will stay with them at the inn. You guys go have fun, this is a rare opportunity."

Kiyoshi squinted and waved to the two of them, then mouthed "Good luck!" to Reina.

Watching the two leave the room, Kiyoyori smiled and leaned on Yukino's lap.

"What are you up to with that mischievous laugh?"

A soft finger poked the corner of my mouth.

“It’s nothing, it’s just that Reina sometimes makes that girlish face,” Kiyoyori said, taking Yukino’s hand and gently holding it in his own. “I guess she only makes that face because of Kumiko.”

What kind of expression?

"A happy yet shy expression."

……………………………………………………………

Walking down the street in a loose yukata, the dark blue haori fluttered in the evening breeze. A cool breeze brushed against Kumiko's face, and she shivered slightly. Turning her head, she saw Reina standing straight with her back straight, her hair tied in a high ponytail, revealing her fair neck. Due to the height difference, from her angle, she could see Reina's collarbone (edited).

Kumiko couldn't stand it and looked away, then swallowed nervously.

"how?"

"Ah—!" Kumiko suddenly tensed up as if she had been caught peeping, her voice becoming sharp and trembling, "No, it's nothing."

This is clearly her (edited version), who else can we look at if not her?

Giving herself a pep talk, Kumiko took a deep breath and reached out to grasp the hand that had brushed against her countless times.

Startled by Kumiko's sudden action, Reina involuntarily pulled her hand away, but then slid her fingers between Kumiko's fingers and intertwined them tightly.

They had done this gesture countless times before, but what were their feelings when they held each other's hands back then? Even though their fingers were intertwined just like now, it felt like they had brushed past each other countless times in a crowded throng.

And now, she can finally openly and legitimately hold the hand she has longed for.

The silence gradually lengthened with the crisp sound of footsteps. A cool breeze carried the scent of distant fireworks and the aroma of snacks, suggesting a lively small gathering in the distance.

But Kumiko had no intention of going there, as did Reina.

Walking to a tree with stone steps, warm spotlights shone obliquely from the ground onto the lush leaves; it was an evergreen tree.

Under the light, the tree's texture is clearly visible, and the leaves rustle in the wind, sounding like a sigh.

They probably couldn't stand the couple who had been silent all along.

"Rina."

"Kumiko."

The two spoke at the same time.

"You first."

"Rena, you go first."

It's like that old-fashioned romance novel, as if it were pre-arranged.

After a moment of silence, Kumiko, who was always tolerant, spoke first, "I'll go first."

She unconsciously raised her voice, as if to encourage herself.

"I'm sorry! I couldn't keep my promise to Reina!" She stood up and shouted at Reina, ignoring the other's stunned expression, and continued in one breath, "Although it's because of my lack of ability, I still tried my best for this goal! Although this result feels like I'm making excuses, I want to tell Reina that I also tried my best for our ideal in my own way!"

Whenever this painful topic is brought up, Kumiko can't help but feel a lump in her throat. It's all because of her inadequacy that Reina...

but--

“I’ve thought about giving up music and choosing another major, and also wanting to get closer to Reina…” These thoughts swirled around Kumiko’s eyes like persistent mosquitoes during that time, making a noisy noise in her ears. She had nowhere to escape. On one hand, the desire to be with her lover for a long time sprouted like bamboo shoots after the rain, while on the other hand, the voice of wanting to stick to her ideals kept shouting.

It was as if she was lamenting the injustice done to Kumiko.

"Kumiko..."

Looking at the person in front of her with a flushed face, Reina suddenly understood what Kiyoyori had told her earlier.

“But Kiyora…” Kumiko sniffed sharply, “[Giving up your hard-won ideals for Reina—are you really the special person Reina loves?] I’m so scared,” her voice trembled, “scared that I’m not that special, not worthy of Reina’s attention. I… I’m not as good as Taki-sensei. I’m scared that Reina only sees my ordinariness as something special, and I’m scared that if I lose that ‘specialness,’ Reina will never—”

She couldn't finish her sentence; the words she was about to say were (edited).

"Idiot, idiot," Reina pressed her hands against Kumiko's face, squeezing her cheeks hard. "Kumiko, you big idiot!"

I'm such an idiot!

With red eyes, Reina kept repeating the words that left Kumiko bewildered.

I gave up the opportunity to study abroad for her, why can't she try again for me!

She was so angry that she lost her temper, and this is what she complained to Qinglai that day.

She still remembered Qinglai's hesitant words and her helpless sigh.

[Reina, sometimes such expectations are very heavy, so heavy that it's suffocating.]

At the time, she couldn't understand this statement. She had higher expectations for Kumiko and hoped that the other person could reach a higher level. What was wrong with that?

But now she understands what Kiyoyori meant by "expectation".

That was her expectation that Kumiko would repay her for everything she had done in return, and it was this expectation that eventually became the last straw that broke the camel's back in their relationship.

"sorry."

"sorry."

Seeing Reina crying, Kumiko couldn't help but shed tears as well. "Why is Reina apologizing?"

Because of my stupidity and slowness,

but.

“(Deleted), Kumiko.”

No matter how far apart we are, we will always come together again.

P.S.: Today's theme is Kurisu. Although they're just doing promotional work in the anime, in my story, they have to be real!! I'm so tired today, I just want to lie in bed and sleep until dawn.

Please see the announcement if you have any questions.

Chapter 157 Extra - We're 14

After a short nap following dinner, Kiyotaka reluctantly sat up from her warm bed. The surroundings were quiet, and she could faintly hear the sound of the hot spring water flowing outside the sliding door, making rhythmic "ding-dong" sounds. The bed beside her was no longer warm, indicating that the other person had left while she was asleep. There was an open book on the small coffee table in front of the TV, but no one was on the cushion.

"Yukino?"

Kiyoyori threw back the covers, put on her haori, and peered around the small room, searching for her lover.

They searched the entire room but couldn't find Yukino, and there wasn't a single person in the hot spring outside. Instead, they heard laughter and chatter coming from the room on the far left. Before Kiyoyori could even discern the sounds, the door was opened.

"Have you had enough sleep?"

"Ah, no..." Kiyora paused, stopped his foot from turning towards Nozomi and Mizore, and went back into the room. "It's lively at your place, senpai. Reina and Kumiko are back?"

A fleeting hint of unease crossed Yukino's face. "Yes, they're all back."

She walked to the wardrobe and took off her dark haori.

"What were you doing just now?"

"Just chatting." Yukino paused unnaturally for a moment, but since her back was to Kiyoyori, she didn't reveal her actions, seemingly not wanting to continue the topic. "Kiyoyori, are you going to the hot springs? Mizore and Nozomi just went and said they were very comfortable."