I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

But she doesn't regret bringing Asuka home.

The Tanaka family mother and daughter once seemed to have a close relationship, but those who were close to Asuka knew very well that there was an almost insurmountable gap between them.

Asuka was once obedient, following all of her mother's arrangements. Except for the Euphonium, she was a perfect daughter in Aso's eyes. But because of the Euphonium, Aso believed that it was a stain on her, a stain that Asuka could never erase from her life.

Of course, Asuka doesn't think so.

The relationship between mother and daughter seemed to deteriorate further after Asuka got what she wanted, and Aso got what she wanted—getting into the University of Tokyo and leaving Chiba. Freed from her mother's control, Asuka was like a bird finally set free, soaring in limited freedom. She began to rebel against Aso's demands, whether it was choosing to be with Kaori or choosing to stay in Tokyo after graduation to run a little-known law firm with her seniors.

This undoubtedly angered Aso and exacerbated the rift between mother and daughter.

But this isn't all bad news for Aso.

At least, Kaori gained Aso's approval.

Perhaps it was the blessing of her profession as a nurse that allowed Kaori to unexpectedly win over this woman whom Asuka had been unable to win over for over twenty years, and successfully gain recognition as a new member of the Tanaka family.

This is probably the only thing that has brought me joy in recent years.

Thanks to Kaori's mediation, the broken relationship between mother and daughter began to mend, until Asuka once again went against Aso's wishes and refused to return to the Chiba inheritance law firm, choosing instead to start her own difficult business.

This made both of them very unhappy.

This is also why Kaori insisted on taking Asuka home for the New Year.

Are you busy with work in Tokyo?

As the conversation with Kaori unfolded, the atmosphere in the living room became less tense than it had been at the beginning, and Aso relaxed.

"I'm very busy, but I'm very happy. Seeing patients happily discharged from the hospital makes me very happy too."

Kaori's smile was so genuine that Aso, who had been watching her, couldn't help but smile too. "Being a nurse is Kaori's calling."

This wasn't an exaggeration on her part; the girl named Nakagawa Kaori possessed a strangely reassuring scent that was very comforting. The nursing profession is far from easy; not only is the work demanding, but one also constantly faces criticism from patients and their families.

If you're going to work yourself to death, then work yourself to death.

Reality is just that cruel.

Kaori started talking about funny things that happened at work, and the two of them laughed, seemingly forgetting that there was another person in the room.

Asuka silently removed the fish bones from the fish in front of her, carefully without damaging the fish meat, then swapped the fish in front of her with Kaori's fish and continued to repeat the same actions.

Kaori likes to eat fish, but dislikes fish bones.

Surprisingly, she also has a childlike side.

Asuka didn't notice her mother's meaningful gaze; she simply kept her head down and focused on her own task.

Having remained kneeling for a while, she felt her legs go slightly numb. Without making a sound, she shifted her weight, letting one leg rest at a time.

When did I become so uncomfortable with tatami mats?

After tossing and turning for a while, the numbness in her feet still hadn't improved, so Asuka simply gave up and ignored it, letting the tingling, numbing sensation, like insects gnawing at her nerves, erode her senses.

She didn't really listen to Kaori and her mother's conversation; she was just thinking about her own things.

Before going home, Asuka couldn't help feeling a little uneasy. She knew that her choice must have angered her mother. Not only did she start her own law firm, but she also didn't go home for a whole year, as if she could pretend she didn't know anything by not facing the problem.

It seems she hasn't grown much over the years.

Asuka is grateful to Kaori for everything she has done for this broken family, but returning to this house always reminds her of the days when she was controlled by her.

She didn't want to go back to that kind of life.

Even if she can only soar in the designated sky, she will never want to return to the cage and be shackled again.

"Did the thermal underwear I sent you last time fit you?"

Thermal clothing?

Asuka frowned in confusion and subconsciously touched her chest.

“The size is just right, and it’s very warm,” Kaori replied with a smile. “We all like it very much.”

Asuka suddenly felt hot all over, so hot that she wished she could take off her thermal underwear immediately.

"That's good," Aso nodded in satisfaction. "Kiyoshi's mother brought this back from abroad. It was a rare opportunity, so I asked Touko to help."

As soon as the words were spoken, Asuka and Kaori were both startled.

Originally, at the Tanaka family home, they never mentioned Kiyoyori and her family.

It's like a forbidden seal, like the euphonium.

Before the two young men could recover, Aso continued calmly:

"By the way, Kiyoyori also came home a few days ago, with his girlfriend."

"Asuka, you should visit her when you have time."

"After all, it's been a long time since I've met with the Tachibana family."

P.S.: Kiyorae and Yukino only appear in the dialogue, don't worry, they'll appear later. But this time, the main characters are Asuka and Kaori. Also, being a nurse is really tough. Some nurses are very gentle, but I don't even dare to talk to the fierce ones because they're really intimidating...

Chapter 293 Extra - New Year's Day 5

The warm atmosphere continued until after dinner, when the two were "kicked out" of the house.

Hand in hand, they walked down the somewhat empty street. The afternoon sun was warm and cozy, dispelling much of the winter chill. However, their fingertips were inevitably snatched away by the cold wind. Asuka took Kaori's hand and put it into her coat pocket. She buried her chin in her scarf, and her breath fogged up her glasses with a hazy white mist.

Such actions had become commonplace. Asuka still remembered Kaori's flushed face when they first made intimate gestures in public, and she couldn't help but smile.

"Asuka," Kaori obediently let Asuka lead her forward, glancing back at the receding Japanese-style bungalows and the familiar house not far away, "Shall we go take a look?"

“I just saw her a few days ago,” Asuka said, even without mentioning the other person’s name, she knew exactly who Kaori was referring to. “She seems to be very busy lately, preparing for some kind of performance or something…”

Kaori glanced at Asuka, whose face was mostly hidden by a scarf and glasses, without making a sound.

There seemed to be nothing unusual.

"Qinglai, she..."

Kaori hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

They used to be such good friends, but they drifted apart without realizing it. Kaori looked at Asuka again, knowing how much that junior meant to Asuka.

Kiyoyori left a place in Asuka's heart, a place that even she could not reach.

“Don’t worry so much,” Asuka said, pulling her hand away from the scarf and exhaling a soft puff of white air. “No matter what Mom’s attitude is, my relationship with Kiyori will not change, and she won’t care about such things.”

So don't worry.

Kiyoyori's life is very busy, as Asuka has always known. Whether it's practicing her playing instruments or working part-time outside of school, Kiyoyori is moving in a better and better direction, just as she imagined.

Worrying about that guy is unnecessary, especially since she has Yukinoshita by her side.

"Is it really okay not to go see them?"

Kaori still felt guilty because, due to Asuka's mother's attitude, they had somewhat avoided meeting Kiyori in recent years; to be precise, it was she who was avoiding it.

Asuka didn't take it seriously at all.

"We'll see each other in a few days anyway, no need to go to all this trouble." Asuka didn't seem to care.

“I was referring to the mothers of Kiyoyori that Auntie just mentioned,” Kaori squeezed Asuka’s fingertips hard with her fingers. They were soft yet strong, but these hands would never touch the silver instrument that she had sealed away again. “It is only right and proper that we should pay them a visit.”

"Hmm..." Asuka pondered for a moment, "As expected of Kaori, who's called a goddess, she's so thoughtful~"

Hearing Asuka's tone gradually become erratic, Kaori, who knew her habits well, knew that Asuka was deliberately changing the subject.

"Even if you praise me like that, it won't bother me!"

"Hmm," Asuka took a step forward, bringing her face close to Kaori's, their soft breaths mingling. "Kaori is indeed right, but—"

"It's rare that we all have time off, does Kaori really want a few more people to come along?"

Kaori blushed immediately. She awkwardly looked around to make sure no other passersby were watching before letting out a sigh of relief. "Don't suddenly get so close!"

She still couldn't get close to Asuka in public. Walking side by side with her fingers intertwined was her limit, but Asuka always seemed to like doing things that challenged her limits.

In the past, Asuka would always seize on Kaori's awkward and cute expression as a pretext to continue teasing her, but today Asuka unexpectedly did not continue to tease her. She simply straightened up silently and distanced herself from Kaori. Behind the glasses obscured by white mist, Kaori could not understand her gaze.

It seems to be reminiscing about something, yet it is also feeling pain for something.

It's like seeing Asuka from many years ago.

"Asuka..."

Ignoring the fact that they were outside, Kaori anxiously reached out to touch Asuka's face, but was caught by the other halfway.

Asuka's hand, with its unique warmth, gently enveloped her, yet there was an inexplicable sense of distance between them.

"sorry."

Asuka's sudden apology startled Kaori. Cold sweat soaked her back, and her chest felt as if it were being squeezed by a hand, making it hard to breathe.

Why apologize?

Unpleasant images began to unfold in her mind, and Kaori subconsciously rejected the possibility.

"Asuka..."

Kaori tried to interrupt Asuka, but was unexpectedly kissed gently on the back of her hand. The soft touch lingered on her skin for a long time, and Kaori was also taken aback.

"Because Kaori is so cute, I can't help but want to tease her," Asuka's smug smile reappeared on her face, paired with the cunning in her eyes—it was the familiar Asuka. "If this continues, I'll definitely still be unable to resist teasing Kaori, so let me apologize for everything I have to do later!"

Having buried those feelings of unease deep in her heart, Kaori now knows how to face Asuka in this state.

So it's my fault after all?!

Kaori chuckled softly, as if annoyed, and pretended to be angry as she shook off Asuka's hand. However, the skin that had been touched by the soft lips felt like it was on fire.

Even the cold winter winds couldn't drive away this fiery heat.

It's the familiar Asuka, that's wonderful.

"If you insist on saying it this way..."

Asuka frowned, looking as if she was deep in thought.

"Then I really do owe Asuka an 'I'm sorry'!"