I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Page 280

"Okay, I accept!"

"You!"

The two of them started fooling around on the roadside like children, seemingly forgetting that they were in a public place and completely unaware of the curious glances from passersby. Their smiles were so innocent and warm.

It's like the warm sun in winter.

So warm,

This is her own sun.

He cupped Kaori's face, which was slightly flushed from playing, in his hands. The tip of her nose was also faintly red, and her slightly trembling nostrils were so captivating.

As the distance drew closer, her eyes slowly closed.

The next moment, Kaori found herself in a warm embrace.

Surrounded by such warmth, I was so moved I almost cried.

"Kaori".

Asuka's voice was lower than usual, with an irresistible magnetism, but it also seemed to tremble slightly. Kaori subconsciously hugged Asuka's body back.

"I'm here."

A soft whisper.

I like you.

The sudden confession was like sunlight piercing through the clouds, illuminating a patch of darkness.

I love you.

P.S.: I guess I'm a writer of the past now. Nobody reads the side stories. This makes me want to finish the side stories quickly so I can go back to the main story!

I'm almost going crazy from working these past two days, why is there so much work to do...?

Chapter 294 Extra - New Year's Day 6

"Let's go to the Kiyori family's place next, as Kaori suggested."

Just as the two were strolling towards the school, Asuka suddenly said something casually.

"Huh? Now?"

Kaori looked at her empty hands. Since Asuka hadn't planned to visit anyone in the first place, neither of them had brought any gifts.

This doesn't seem like a good idea.

"It's nothing," Asuka said, glancing around at the nearby stores. Since she hadn't been back for a long time, the store signs looked unfamiliar. "I can just buy a little something."

That's too casual...

Kaori, who was being dragged by Asuka towards a taiyaki shop, uttered a twang.

The shop, decorated with simple line drawings of sea bream, looked somewhat old against the backdrop of its surroundings, but the enticing aroma wafting from inside made it irresistible to walk in that direction.

The taiyaki shop was very small, with only a small window for paying and picking up taiyaki. Through the transparent glass cover, you could clearly see the machines running inside and the busy people working, as well as the almost tangible aroma.

So sweet...

It was as if the sweetness in the air had increased several notches; just smelling this scent made Kaori unable to help but smile.

"How about it? Don't you want to eat it?"

Asuka shook Kaori's hand triumphantly, "This shop has been here for a long time and has a great reputation in the neighborhood. Kiyora and I used to frequent this place. The most interesting thing is that they change the flavors of taiyaki according to the season, and they are limited editions. Once the season is over, you can't eat them anymore."

As she spoke, she stepped forward and asked, "Hello, what flavors of taiyaki do you have now?"

It turns out to be a shop that holds shared memories for the two of them.

I don't know why I feel a little sour.

This place isn't far from Sobu High School, but Kaori never knew that Asuka would make a special trip here after school to buy taiyaki.

Kaori pretended to be nonchalant as she looked at the words on the signboard, but she didn't read a single one.

The voice that answered Asuka was that of a young woman, and it was very energetic. "We are currently launching a winter special - Snowman Taiyaki! Although the filling is still the classic red bean paste, we have added ice cream and wrapped the filling in a mochi skin, so the texture is soft and chewy!"

Although it sounded very appetizing, Kaori keenly noticed something that shouldn't be eaten in winter: "Ice cream?"

"We should eat hot food in the summer, so is it okay to eat cold food in the winter?"

Asuka's version of twisted logic is surprisingly refutable despite its lack of merit.

"Please rest assured, although it's called ice cream, it can also be eaten hot. It will melt into cream, and the taste will be just as good!"

"So you can buy hot food?"

"Yes, you can choose between hot or cold! However, if you let the hot ice cream cool down and then freeze it, the outer layer will soften. So if you want ice cream, we recommend buying the cold kind!"

"Hmm~" Asuka squinted her eyes, and finally chose the hot item by vigorously kneading it with her other hand in her pocket.

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

Asuka skillfully rang the doorbell of Kiyoyori's house. Compared to Kaori, who seemed a little nervous, Asuka looked no different than usual.

Unhurried footsteps sounded from the other end of the door, and Kaori involuntarily straightened her back.

The door opened, and the face that appeared through the crack was unexpectedly familiar. Before the three could react, the girl, who was being held in the arms of the person inside, spoke first, seemingly greeting Asuka and Kaori.

"Please come in, seniors."

Before Kaori could react, she was ushered through the door, her body radiating coldness.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you two. Kiyoyori just went out to buy something."

The person who opened the door was Yukino, who had returned to Chiba with Kiyoyori. However, for some reason, Yukino did not return to the Yukinoshita family home, but instead appeared at the Tachibana family home. She was wearing a loungewear outfit, with the hem of her long skirt trailing on the ground. Her sweater casually revealed her delicate collarbone, and she wore a pair of non-prescription glasses on her nose, which seemed to be the same style as Kiyoyori's.

"Why is Yukinoshita-chan at Kiyoyori's house? I thought you would go back to your own home."

Asuka and Yukino are in the same school and unexpectedly both serve in the student council. Although they belong to different departments, they become more familiar with each other than before because of this relationship.

"Yes, because Kiyoyori is home alone, and I'm a little worried about her."

Kiyoshi forgets to eat when he gets into training; it's a really bad habit.

"Are none of the aunties here?"

The empty house was indeed devoid of any human presence.

"It seems they went abroad."

"Still as free as ever~"

Asuka sighed as she followed Yukino into the living room, with Kaori following behind them. This was her second visit to the Tachibana residence.

“Oh, right, this is a gift,” Asuka said, casually placing the taiyaki she was holding on the kitchen counter. Then, she expertly took a can of yogurt from the refrigerator, her movements as natural as if she were back in her own home. “Kiyori will like it.”

Yukino, with an expression that suggested she was used to this, said, "Thank you, senpai."

"What would you like to drink, Senior Medieval Ancient? How about black tea?"

Compared to Asuka, Kaori is much more reserved.

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you, Yukinoshita-san."

The black tea seemed to have been freshly brewed, still steaming, warming Kaori's face, which was stiff from the cold wind.

“Kiyoshi should be back soon,” the three of them said, sitting at the dining table. After Yukino’s words, there was a brief silence. “Are you two also back this year for the Soubu High School brass band’s activities?”

If it were the Yukino of the past, she might have let the awkward atmosphere linger, but over the years, she has learned to change.

Sure enough, the topic of the brass band immediately eased the atmosphere, if you don't count Asuka silently drinking her yogurt.

"Yes, Haruka mentioned to us a while ago that we should all get together, and the members of the brass band haven't seen each other for a long time, so we do miss everyone."

As Kaori said this, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

"From what Lai said, it seems there's still a chance for a duet?"

Yukino glanced at Asuka, who seemed lost in thought, and appeared completely uninterested in the topic.

"Well, I heard there's some kind of event, like a concert at a train station," Kaori said, holding her teacup and covering her mouth with the rim. "But most of the original members haven't played instruments in a long time, so it would be difficult for them to play together again. So it'll probably be this year's brass band members who participate."

His tone betrayed an unconcealable bitterness and disappointment.

"But I feel very satisfied just to be able to meet everyone."

Even when they are sad, they don't forget to comfort those around them.

It's no wonder that Kiyoyori had a good impression of this senior.

The white fog on her glasses obscured her eyes.

……

"I am back."

P.S.: All I want to do every day is stay in bed and be a couch potato. I wish I could have a week of annual leave this year!!

Chapter 295 Extra - New Year's Day 7

Welcome home.

Yukino spoke towards the door as usual, and then saw a familiar figure walk into the living room.

"Yukino, I saw something at the door..."