I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

“Natsuki,” Asuka said, without showing any sign of being caught, she just shrugged relaxedly, “Looks like you’re still the same as always.”

Asuka nodded towards Yuko.

"Asuka-senpai too."

They smiled at each other without saying a word.

"Where's Huangqianjiang? I haven't seen her."

“Kumiko is busy,” Natsuki pointed towards the backstage area, “The members of this year’s brass band already admire them, and as soon as they appeared, they were almost surrounded by students, and—”

"It's not just us members from the wind band who came to this gathering."

Indeed, looking around, there were many unfamiliar faces, holding musical instruments, but not wearing school uniforms.

"Kumiko is very popular; all the younger generation want to take a picture with her."

Natsuki couldn't help but laugh when she thought of Kumiko's awkward expression in front of the camera, her toes practically digging out a three-bedroom apartment.

"They're really popular!"

Asuka shrugged.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear."

Xia Jichao, having finally escaped from the group of students, waved to Huang Qian, the former president of the club.

"Huff, huff," Kumiko ran up to the group, panting, "Asuka-senpai, Natsuki-senpai!"

"Wow, she's practically a superstar, Huangqian-chan~!"

Asuka affectionately poked Kumiko's slightly sweaty nose with her finger.

"No, no, I didn't..."

Kumiko looked away shyly.

Compared to her, the other two who continue on the path of music are the ones that the younger members of the brass band aspire to be even more.

"I didn't expect Asuka-senpai to be here."

"Huangqianjiang's bad habit of accidentally revealing the truth hasn't changed at all!"

"Ah..." Kumiko belatedly covered her mouth with her hand.

Familiar people, familiar actions, familiar conversations—it's as if everything is still the same as it was a few years ago, as if nothing has changed.

But Asuka knew that something had truly changed.

Kumiko switched to a euphonium, still a dazzling gold, still so eye-catching. The polished surface reflected Asuka's distorted figure.

Perhaps there is something else that has always been there.

never changed.

P.S.: I'm out of drafts, 5555. I'm hopelessly addicted to work, yeah right!

Chapter 297 Extra - New Year's Day 9

Noticing Asuka's gaze, Kumiko glanced at the euphonium in her hand and unconsciously tightened her arms. "This is a new one I bought recently..."

She had always used the euphonium from the club, and because she never thought she would work in that field in the future, she never considered buying her own euphonium. Until one day, when she saw Reina and Kiyoyori's instruments, an overwhelming sense of envy welled up inside her.

Euphoniums are not cheap. She saved up for a long time and even got "sponsorship" from Reina. In the end, with the support of her older sister Mamiko, she was able to buy her first euphonium.

"very beautiful."

The shimmering metallic color shines even brighter in the sunlight. Even that once inconspicuous junior, like the euphonium, has grown into a reliable presence.

"Huangqian sauce really sounds like a euphonium."

This wasn't the first time Kumiko had heard Asuka express such sentiments, but this time, it seemed there was something more to it than when they were still in high school.

"Asuka-senpai, you also look like a euphonium."

Asuka stared in surprise, her emotions rarely showing. She was speechless for a moment, unsure how to react.

She has been away from the euphonium for too long.

"Then I'll take my leave." Kumiko, holding her euphonium, bowed to Asuka and jogged away.

"Asuka?"

Kaori gently tugged at Asuka's sleeve, and in a daze, she thought she saw a fleeting glimmer of light in Asuka's eyes.

“No one has ever said that,” Asuka murmured, watching Kumiko’s departing figure, “that I sound like a euphonium…”

She lowered her head, revealing a bitter yet helpless smile.

"Even Qinglai has never done it..."

"Asuka..." Not knowing how to comfort her lover who was overwhelmed with sadness, Kaori gently rested her head on Asuka's shoulder. "It must have been too natural."

Asuka looked down at Kaori, puzzled.

"Asuka and Kiyoyori, they met because of the Euphonium, right?" Kaori recalled the childhood photo album of the two of them that she had looked through before. "I think, in Kiyoyori's heart, Asuka has long been the exclusive Euphonium that no one can replace."

"That's why I wouldn't say something like 'like a euphonium,' but rather that Asuka has long since become Kiyori's euphonium."

"She is someone no one can replace."

If Asuka can't be my euphonium, then I'll be Asuka's oboe!

The image of the girl, angry yet tearful, flashed through Asuka's mind.

She did say something like that...

The memory of that day is so distant, yet it remains etched in Asuka's heart.

really……

Asuka stared blankly at Kiyoyori's back as she stood near the stage with Reina, Kumiko, and others. Kiyoyori was carrying a leather box containing her oboe in one hand, and with the other hand she took out a reed and put it to her lips.

Her oboe has gone very far.

As if by telepathy, Kiyoyori turned around and his gaze met Asuka's unexpectedly.

With a slight upturn of her lips, Kiyotaka casually raised her hand towards Asuka. The confidence in her smile stemmed from her self-assurance in playing the instrument.

"Seriously, there's just no way to deal with her."

Whether back then or now.

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

The brass band's performance was a great success, befitting this year's gold medal team. Whether it was the ensemble or the solo performance, there was not much to criticize. Similarly, the performance of the temporary band composed of Kiyoshi and others was also a pleasant surprise. As they have received more professional guidance and aim to become professional players, they became the focus of everyone's attention the moment the music started.

What surprised Asuka even more was Kiyoyori's arrangement.

She hadn't heard that melody in so long. Ever since giving the sheet music to Kumiko after graduation, Asuka had deliberately kept it all hidden in the corner of her memory.

Now that it has been unexpectedly brought up again, Asuka suddenly felt a sour feeling slowly seep into her heart.

That was a segment performed by Kumiko as a soloist.

As the gentle tone of the euphonium flowed out, Asuka seemed to return to the riverbank bathed in the setting sun, the first time she played this music in front of her juniors, and it also seemed to return to that soft lawn, the intermittent melody, and the name she heard for the first time.

Tachibana Kiyori.

Without a doubt, Asuka knew immediately that the adapted piece was written by Kiyori.

This was once the driving force that motivated Asuka to keep moving forward, and it was also the opportunity that changed Kiyoshi's attitude towards music. It was a precious memory of their meeting and getting to know each other. When she thought she no longer needed it, she gave the sheet music to Kumiko, who was reluctant to part but still tried her best to smile and send her off to graduation. It was the bond between her and them.

And now, she was once again inspired by this familiar melody.

Sound! Euphonium

But its subject is never just the euphonium.

……

After the open-air concert, Kumiko and Yuko invited everyone to a meal, the location of which was kindly provided by Kiyoshi.

The group walked towards the restaurant in a grand procession.

Kaori, once the most popular Madonna in the club, was naturally surrounded by a group of juniors. Haruka, who is now a well-known figure, and Kumiko, who is regarded as a "legend" by the juniors of the brass band, also received the same treatment.

Asuka, who hadn't appeared for a long time, walked alone at the very back.

"Asuka."

Asuka suddenly felt her hand being grabbed from behind, and she stopped in her tracks.

"Kiyo...?"

The person behind her was so familiar that she could recognize them without turning around. However, seeing the strangely familiar black box on the other person's back, Asuka instinctively wanted to run away.

"Stay with me for a bit."

Kiyoshi grabbed Asuka's hand without saying a word and started walking in the opposite direction from the main group.

"Wait……"

Before she could resist, Asuka was dragged away from the crowd by Kiyori.

Kiyoshi led Asuka to a deserted riverbank, where the only sounds were the rustling of leaves in the wind and ripples on the water's surface. It seemed as if all the noise was fading away at that moment.

Asuka stood a meter away from Kiyoyori and stopped moving forward.

"Let's play together."

Asuka pursed her lips and did not answer.

Kiyotomi put down the leather box he had been carrying on his back. The zipper was gently unzipped, revealing a piece of black leather that he hadn't seen in a very, very long time.

A silver euphonium.

The silver tube shimmered gently in the setting sun, silently inviting its owner.

"Let's play together."

"Let's play our favorite tune."