I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Thank you.

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

Perhaps moved by Iori's words, Kiyoyori unconsciously headed towards the apartment where Yukino used to live after leaving school.

In first grade, they would often switch bodies without realizing it. In second grade, she always managed to find a reason to stay overnight here. Thinking about it, she really missed her old life.

Kiyotomi stood downstairs at the apartment building for quite a while, but showed no intention of going up.

The owner of the house is not here; going up there will only remind you of him.

She looked up at the floor-to-ceiling window on the high floor. She still remembered the beautiful view she saw through that window at night, and those moments with Yukino...

Yukino?

Kiyoshi rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't hallucinating from missing his lover too much.

She saw the curtains fluttering by the French windows, and that familiar figure.

Without further hesitation, Kiyotaka rushed into the apartment, used the key card Yukino had given her to enter the lobby, and after frantically pressing the elevator buttons only to be met with the misfortune of the elevator stopping on almost every floor, she resolutely rushed into the emergency stairwell.

This is a high-rise apartment building, and Yukino's floor is not low either. Kiyoyori, carrying a schoolbag and a leather box, climbs up two steps at a time. She seems not to feel the soreness in her leg muscles or the shortness of breath caused by the frantic compression of her lungs.

She wanted to see her.

(Some parts have been omitted)

This was the only thought in Kiyoyori's mind, and that was all he could think of.

(Some parts have been omitted)

Last time, I pushed open the wooden door to the stairwell, panting, and watched as the door number marked "Yukinoshita" got closer and closer.

With trembling hands, she knocked on the door.

"squeak"

The door opened.

Through the door was Yukino, wearing a loose white shirt, her hair still exuding a damp, warm aura.

"clear--!"

(Some parts have been omitted)

Yukino, her ears turning red, buried her face in Kiyori's neck, clutching his school uniform tightly, basking in the long-awaited embrace.

"Yukino."

"Yukino."

"Yukino..."

Kiyoshi kept calling out his lover's name.

"Ah."

"I'm here."

"I am back."

Yukino patiently responded.

"Yukino, (edited)."

I am sorry.

"Don't leave me..."

Yukino looked up and saw Kiyori, whose face was already covered in tears.

"Will not."

How could I bear to let you leave again?

“I…” She was still too ashamed to say such a direct thing, (edited), “This way you won’t be able to escape.”

So this time, please hold my hand tightly.

P.S.: This shouldn't be a problem, right... It's just a kiss... I also want to hug soft, cuddly Yukino-senpai! Wearing a loose white shirt or something! So cute!

Please read the announcement carefully if you have any questions!

Because the original plot will be slightly altered later, I've fixed some bugs that might appear in this chapter.

Please be sure to read this!

Because of some recent issues with the website, I need to temporarily delete all chapters with potentially dangerous elements from the side stories. I will put all the missing chapters in the group chat, so if you want to read the side stories but haven't joined the group yet, please join (137390266). I will re-upload the side stories after this situation has calmed down, so please understand. You wouldn't want this book to be deleted, would you...? I really don't want to go through that again... I want to finish this book properly!

I'm exhausted... I can't delete it... I might need to delete all the potentially dangerous text, so there might be some inconsistencies in the flow of the text. Please understand! I'll revise it one by one after things calm down. All documents are backed up, so please don't worry! Thank you for your understanding!

This is an announcement regarding a temporary hiatus.

As my friends in the group probably know, I was actually hospitalized at the beginning of this week. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, and I will need to be observed in the ICU after the surgery. If all goes well, I can return to my ward the day after the surgery. Since this is a relatively major surgery, the recovery period is relatively long. From my own perspective, I am going to suffer a lot. So there may not be any updates during this period. Today's update will be the last one this month, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

As for when updates will resume, I can't say for sure, but it may take a long buffer period to return to daily updates. Also, I am indeed very busy with work. Even with surgery imminent, I hope to return to work as soon as possible after the operation. So I'm sorry, but for someone like me who doesn't make a living by writing, the real world is more important.

Don't worry about my health. Although it's a major surgery with some risks, it's a well-established technique and a routine procedure in the hospital. I will come back safely.

Like everyone else, I also hope that this book can reach the end safely. I don't expect it to be seen by more people, but I hope that those who like this book can walk with me to the end.

Thank you all for your support, and please forgive my impulsiveness.

See you next month!

Of course, if any friends are willing to join the group, you should still be able to see me in the group regularly, haha, since all I can do when I'm lying in bed is play on my phone.

Why did my computer suddenly break down again?

Here's the thing: yesterday my computer suddenly wouldn't start for some reason, and when I took it to the shop today, I found out the motherboard was broken... So it needs to be repaired, but I need to order supplies and get it fixed, and I don't know when I'll be able to get it back. Also, I haven't backed up my latest chapters... so I probably won't be updating for the next few days... I'm very sorry, if I have annual leave, I'll catch up on the missed updates.

By the way, I think I should get a new computer.

Extra - New Year's Day 1

Winter nights come quickly, and night always arrives without you even realizing it. As the streetlights are lit one by one, the white breath from her breath dries onto her glasses. The woman walking on the empty street belatedly wraps her coat tighter. The scarf around her neck is a little itchy, but it's incredibly warm. It's a bright red that matches the color of her glasses. She tucks her nose and mouth into the soft scarf and seems to still be able to smell that person's fragrance.

Is it because of the names...? It feels like ever since we started living together, my belongings have inevitably picked up the other person's scent.

Living together is something from a long time ago.

The woman took a deep breath and couldn't help but recall the time she invited the other person to share an apartment after graduating from high school.

Why did I suddenly make that decision back then? I knew I wouldn't easily let another invade my territory.

After much thought, she came up with only one answer.

Hmm, it must be because the other person is so cute!

She suddenly laughed out loud, thinking to herself that she was being far too dishonest.

The sudden vibration of her phone in her pocket made her slow down. The biting cold wind mercilessly stole the last bit of warmth from her hands. With stiff fingers, the woman unlocked her phone and saw a message from her lover, asking when she would be home.

Family.

Every time the other person mentions this word, she feels a warmth in her heart.

She gave her a home, a place she had never felt before that was so warm.

Speaking of which, isn't she on duty today?

Perhaps because she's been too busy with work lately, she feels she's neglected her partner. Even though he always has a "it's okay" expression, she still feels really bad about it.

By the way, her boyfriend is a nurse, which is also a very busy job, but it unexpectedly suits his personality. She thinks that if she were to do this job, she probably wouldn't last more than a month.

It's more accurate to say that graduating from school is a miracle.

However, her boyfriend performed his job perfectly, and even though he had just graduated from school, he was already highly regarded by his employer.

No wonder he's her lover.

Thinking this, the woman unconsciously quickened her pace and walked towards the row of brightly lit apartment buildings.

"I am back."

Entering the warm room with a chill in her body, she was instantly surrounded by a white expanse, the thick fog completely obscuring her vision, but her keen sense of smell immediately detected the fragrance that permeated the entire apartment.

The person in the kitchen seemed not to hear her own voice. The woman casually kicked off her shoes, hung her chilly coat haphazardly on the coat rack by the door, and walked lightly toward the kitchen.

A slender figure in a khaki sweater vaguely appeared in front of me. The long sweater just covered her hips, revealing glimpses of hot pants. Her fair legs were exposed to the air, dazzlingly bright. Her short hair, reaching her ears, swayed slightly with her movements, revealing a section of her delicate neck, making one want to take a bite.

The other person's soft humming still echoed in her ears; although it was intermittent and had no rhythm, she immediately recognized it.

It was that trumpet solo.

Holding your breath, quietly wrap your hand around the other person's slender waist, and before they can react, press your entire body against them and pull them into your arms.

"Ah, it smells so good!"

The person in his arms was startled, but quickly recovered and said in a soft voice, "Asuka~!"

Asuka buried her head in Kaori's neck and sniffed hard.

"Are you talking about dinner or me?" (Note)

Perhaps it's true that you become like those you associate with, because Kaori, who has been dating Asuka for many years, has also learned to tease her under her lover's subtle influence. Speaking of this, Haruka even teased her about it a few days ago.

"Hmm~" Asuka deliberately drew out the last syllable, "You have both?"

"Really..."

She could never do anything with Asuka, and even Kiyori often said that Asuka was being spoiled rotten by her.

"Go away, I can't cook if you're like this."

He pretended to be angry and tried to kick Asuka out of the kitchen so that she wouldn't keep hanging around in front of him and distract him.

Upon hearing this, Asuka glanced at the dishes that had already been cooked. The portions were enormous, completely unlike the thrifty and hardworking housewife Kaori's style, unless...