I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

"Wasn't it supposed to be 'Welcome back'?"

Kiyoyoshi Asuka blinked.

"I was just afraid of stealing Yukinoshita-chan's lines~" Asuka shrugged nonchalantly, her casual smile fading away. "Welcome back, Kiyori."

"Yes, I'm back."

This was a private exchange between Kiyori and Asuka; Yukino and Kaori didn't interrupt.

"Oh, right, I bought some snacks. I was originally planning to share them with Yukino, but since Asuka and you guys are here, it's perfect timing, we can all eat them together while they're still hot—"

Before Qinglai could finish speaking, he saw a very conspicuous and familiar package on the table, exactly the same as the cardboard box he was carrying.

"eat……"

I bought the same thing twice...

A box of taiyaki contains eight pieces. If it's just for two people, Kiyorai and Yukino can eat it for two days. It would be just the right amount for four people. But now that there are two boxes, it seems like an amount that they can't finish.

What flavor did Asuka buy?

"Winter Snowman Special Edition"

"That's true..."

Kiyora almost always gets the news about new or limited-edition items from Asuka, and Asuka usually takes her to try them, so it's not surprising that Asuka buys the winter special edition.

“It’s a perfect collision,” Kiyoyori smiled helplessly. She put the box on the table next to the one Asuka bought. The box had a striking snowman pattern on it. “Take this box back with you. Consider it a gift for Aunt Aso.”

When Aso was mentioned, Kiyoyori's face didn't show any other expression. Just as Asuka said, she didn't care at all.

"Hmm..." Asuka's attitude became noticeably evasive when Aso was mentioned.

Kiyoshi glanced at Kaori sitting on the other side, who could only shrug helplessly.

Although he didn't know the specifics, Kiyoshi could guess the gist of it. There were lingering issues between Asuka and Aunt Aso. Although they had eased up a lot in recent years, Aso's controlling nature still made Asuka feel very frustrated. It was like a belated rebellious phase. Asuka seemed to be addicted to the sense of revenge of going against her mother's wishes. But this was only how Aso saw it. Kiyoshi knew that every decision Asuka made was carefully considered. What she wanted was not revenge against her mother.

How's work lately?

Kiyoshi sat down next to Yukino, casually patted the little dumpling who was snuggling in her lover's arms, and then naturally took Yukino's hand.

"It's within expectations," Asuka said, sounding more energetic than before when talking about work. "Although it was tough at the beginning, at least it's paid off."

"Where's Kiyoyori? Didn't he receive an invitation from a band?"

Kaori was startled when Asuka brought up the topic of playing the euphonium. She usually avoided anything related to playing the euphonium, and even when she practiced the trumpet recently, she would secretly go to Haruka's place during her free time.

However, Asuka and Kiyori don't seem to be averse to this topic.

"Hmm..." Kiyorai rested his chin on one hand and gently stroked Yukino's fingers with the other. "The orchestra isn't in a rush. The school's brass band gets plenty of performance opportunities, so compared to this..."

Kiyoyori exchanged a glance with Yukino beside him, and felt her hand being gently squeezed.

“Actually, we’ve been considering whether to pursue further studies abroad,” Kiyoyori’s words came as an unexpected bombshell, even Asuka looked surprised. “However, it’s still under consideration and nothing has been decided yet.”

"That was a bit sudden."

Kaori suppressed her surprise and glanced at Asuka, who remained silent, with a hint of unease.

"Isn't this great?"

Asuka suddenly spoke up, “‘If you’re going to stand, stand at the very top.’ Isn’t that something Kiyori said before? Since we have the opportunity to further our studies, we should seize it.”

Her voice was flat, as if she were talking about something completely unrelated to herself, even though the person leaving was her childhood sweetheart.

"Asuka..."

“It’s not like we’ll never see each other again after I go abroad,” Asuka joked with a grin. “Doesn’t Kiyora want to go back to work in the band that Aunt Touko is in? Besides, if Kiyora becomes famous abroad, I can make a living by reselling Kiyora’s old items!”

"Shut up, you pervert!"

The somewhat heavy atmosphere was immediately lifted by Asuka's joke and became lighthearted.

"Speaking of which, if Kiyoyori goes to work for the Forest Orchestra in the future, what about Ms. Touko?"

"My mother seems to be considering leaving the orchestra or returning to the music academy to continue her teaching career."

"Huh? Not staying on the front line anymore?" Kaori covered her mouth with her hand.

Tachibana Touko's reputation in the oboe world is well-known. Even people who don't study the oboe have heard of her name, such as Kaori, who said, "It's a bit of a pity."

“Hmm,” Kiyoyori gave a helpless smile, “They seem to be interested in traveling around the world.”

"They" refers to Kiyoyori's two mothers.

"Yukino has taken over most of the company's work, and both of them have some free time, so they want to go on a trip."

"It's so liberating..."

"Where's Kaori-senpai? Asuka said she seems to be very busy with work. Is it really okay for you to take time out of your schedule to participate in the brass band's activities?"

"It's alright, it's alright," Kaori gave Kiyoyori a reassuring look. "It's been so many years, it's really a rare treat to see everyone again, and we can also hear performances by several professionals. There won't be many opportunities like this in the future."

Kaori's mischievous smile gave Kiyoyori a fleeting illusion of seeing Asuka.

"Please be kind with your words then, seniors."

If we were to name the most famous members of the Soubu High School Brass Band, it would be the legendary Kumiko Oumae, the club president, and Kiyoyori and Reina, who were in the same class as her, served as vice president and team leader, and successfully went on to study music at a specialized college after graduation.

It's less about being famous and more about having a formidable reputation...

In short, Kiyoyori and others were prominently listed among the people invited by Takigatsu to mentor the younger generation, and they were also representatives of this brass performance.

This represents the other members of the wind band who have drifted away over the years.

"Then we'll wait and see."

That's great, we still have them.

The efforts of the past are still being sustained by some.

P.S.: My scalp started hurting yesterday, I don't know why. It hurts when I eat, and it hurts when I sleep. It feels like my hair is tied up very tightly and my scalp is being pulled up. You know what I mean? It's super uncomfortable, sigh.

Chapter 296 Extra - New Year's Day 8

"Over here! Over here!"

As soon as Asuka stepped out of the station, she heard someone seemingly waving at her. Looking into the distance, she saw the silhouette of a familiar figure.

It's Haruka.

Kaori, who was beside her, also raised her hand to signal to Haruka, and then led the uninterested Asuka quickly toward Haruka's position.

Upon closer inspection, Asuka discovered that Haruka was accompanied by another person. This person seemed somewhat embarrassed and greeted the two of them. Asuka then recognized her as Saito.

"Aoi, it's been a long time."

"Long time no see, Kaori, Asuka."

Saito's voice hasn't changed much, but his appearance has changed a lot.

“Yuko and Natsuki are already at the venue,” Haruka said, linking arms with Kaori, her face beaming with undisguised joy. “Most of the members managed to come back this time!”

The members of the brass band had thought about getting together before, but they could never find the right time, and there was also a senior member who was always absent and never appeared, which was always a bit of a regret.

It was rare to see Haruka in such high spirits, so everyone chatted and laughed along.

"By the way, shouldn't Haruka organize things inside? Is it alright for her to just come out and greet us like this? She is, after all, the department head."

“Ah, this can be handled by Kyoumae-san,” Haruka thought of the busy figure backstage. Even though she was also a euphonium player scheduled to perform on stage, she still had to take time out to arrange for the other members of the brass band to be present. “Kyoumae-san is much more famous than us.”

It's hard to imagine that the younger one would be so popular, even though he sounds so much like a euphonium.

But her fame was not unexpected. After all, she led the entire brass band to win the first national competition gold medal since the decline of the Soubu High School brass band, and she became a legendary figure in the brass band.

However, in Asuka's memory, Kumiko Oumae is still the same Kumiko Oumae.

The younger generation to whom she entrusted the last torch in her heart.

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

Walking into the park covered in lush greenery, the neatly trimmed lawns shone even greener under the sunlight. Children ran and played, and students in familiar uniforms roamed around. Asuka felt a rare surge of vitality within her, and an impulse stirred within her to pick up the euphonium she had long since sheathed.

Her fingers rubbed together restlessly, as if ants were nibbling at her fingertips. Asuka had no choice but to pull her fingers back into her fist and lightly pinch her palm with her nails, trying to resist the unknown desire.

The hand that Kaori was holding was suddenly gripped tightly, followed by her questioning gaze, "Asuka?"

Asuka paused, then said, "Let's go in."

There were no signs along the road, but by following the flow of the crowd, you could find the meeting place of the brass band. The scene was all too familiar: parents carrying cameras and custom-made support outfits. Asuka was certain that she saw the clothes with the words "Sobu High School Brass Band FIGHT!" written on them.

"Haruka, it seems like your job has been stolen by clothes!"

Asuka nudged Haruka's waist with her elbow with ill intent.

Haruka Ogasawara, the "slogan-shouting tool," rolled her eyes at Asuka in annoyance.

"Asuka, it's been so long since you showed up. When we get to the venue, nobody will recognize you."

"That's no longer our era."

Amidst laughter and conversation, the group arrived at the meeting point. Asuka, with her sharp eyes, spotted several familiar figures, such as the trendy couple bickering under the shade of a tree.

Seemingly sensing the gaze directed at her, Yuko turned her head away. The next second, the displeasure on her face vanished, and the corners of her mouth turned up so high they could hold an oil bottle.

"Kaori-senpai, you're an angel!"

Yuko was also carrying a guitar on her back, the bright red color complementing the skull on her clothes.

"Yuko," Kaori opened her arms to catch her junior who almost lunged at her, her face beaming with joy. Because there was a guitar between them, Kaori simply gave Yuko a light hug. "Long time no see. Are you going to perform on stage today?"

This concert not only features wind instruments but also incorporates more modern music elements, so many bands were invited to participate.

This is simply a paradise for music lovers.

"Yes! Please watch my performance closely, Kaori-senpai!"

"Yes, I'm really looking forward to it."

Kaori smiled and patted Yuko on the shoulder.

"Asuka-senpai," Natsuki called out to Asuka, who was trying to sneak away, "It's been a long time."