I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Qinglai subconsciously looked away and tightened his clothes.

The sheer grandeur there was indeed a fatal difference.

Kasumigaoka dried her hair with a towel, her bathrobe becoming loose and baggy with her movements.

"Shiwa-senpai," Kiyoyori said awkwardly in a slightly distorted voice, "this double room... does that mean we'll be sharing a room tonight?"

Kasumigaoka paused, her eyes darting away, but Kiyori, with his back to her, didn't see her subtle movement. "Oh, is there something you're unhappy about, Shimizu-kun?"

"Hmm!" It has to be said, as a fan of Kasumi Shiko's books, sharing a room with her idol is incredibly lucky, but for some reason, Kiyoyori feels that her chastity is somewhat in danger tonight. "No..."

To be precise, I dare not...

Kasumigaoka revealed a dangerous smile. "Huh? Why aren't you looking at me, Shimizu-kun?"

She spoke as she moved closer.

Kiyoyori took a deep breath, unwilling to turn his head towards Kasumigaoka, "Senpai, you should dry your hair first, you'll easily catch a cold."

And please put that damn bathrobe on properly!

"Shimizu-kun, please blow on it for me." Kasumigaoka put down his slightly sore arms and shook his damp long hair.

Just as Kiyoshi was about to retort, a fierce glare from the other party made him swallow his words back. He then walked into the bathroom and took out the hair dryer.

The loud hum of the hairdryer echoed in the room. Kiyoyori knelt behind Kasumigaoka, gently running his hands through her hair, his fingertips massaging her scalp with just the right amount of pressure. Kasumigaoka showed an expression of enjoyment, but Kiyoyori behind her was suffering. The scenery was right in front of him, and he could appreciate the magnificent view with just a glance, but Kiyoyori maintained his gentlemanly demeanor and refused to look.

It should be said that if things continued like this, she would not be able to hold back any longer.

Fortunately, his hair was dry, and Kiyotaka managed to escape from the situation.

“Speaking of which,” Kiyoyori put the hairdryer back in its place, returned to the sofa, and subconsciously kept his distance from Kasumigaoka, “is there something you wanted to see me about, Utaha-senpai?”

Kasumigaoka squinted at Kiyori's actions, then patted the spot next to her with an unfriendly expression, gesturing for Kiyori to sit down next to her.

Under the other party's tyranny, Kiyoyori reluctantly sat down on the edge of the bed, and then, unsurprisingly, a soft body leaned against him, while Kiyoyori stiffened like a scarecrow placed in a field.

"Actually, there's something I want to show Shimizu-kun..."

Kiyotomi blinked in confusion, but Kasumigaoka took out a stack of manuscript paper from a backpack not far away.

"This is the original manuscript of the final volume of 'Love Metronome'." Kasumigaoka placed the thick manuscript paper into Kiyoyori's hands.

If it were you, you would understand what I'm trying to convey.

Kiyoshi felt as if the paper in his hands weighed a ton, and he was overwhelmed with joy, his hands trembling with excitement. "May I...can I look at it first...?"

“Hmm,” Kasumigaoka nodded, then turned away from Kiyora’s expression. “After reading this, I want to know your choice.”

Kiyotomi stopped flipping through the cover. "A choice?"

“Yes, your choice, the ending you wished for.” Kasumigaoka looked at Kiyoyori seriously.

It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured down from the sky, instantly extinguishing Kiyoyori's enthusiasm. In Kasumigaoka's gaze, she saw some other emotions.

Kiyotomi subtly moved back, creating some distance between herself and Kasumigaoka, and then handed the original manuscript back to the other party intact.

"I'm sorry, Shiha-senpai, I can't look."

"why?"

Kasumigaoka leaned forward eagerly, and Kiyori flinched away again. This time, she clearly saw the hurt and frustration in Kasumigaoka's eyes.

"I am not Kasumi Shiko, I am just a fan of Kasumi Shiko's works, and I have no right to decide the ending of 'Love Metronome'. What I want to see is the ending that belongs to Kasumi Shiko, not the ending that belongs to me to satisfy my own desires."

Qing Lai chose to answer by downplaying the seriousness of the matter.

She knew that this wasn't the answer the other person wanted, but she couldn't give any other answer.

I'm sorry, Shiwa-senpai.

“You…” Kasumigaoka originally wanted to continue to explain subtly, but as a writer who was good at observing and capturing the subtle details, she immediately discovered Kiyori’s implication.

Kasumigaoka clenched his fists, silently watching Kiyori who was equally silent, then suddenly pounced on Kiyori, pinning him to the ground.

"That's really going too far, Kiyori-kun."

Chapter 54 Um, can you get off me now?

"Kiyori-kun is really cunning. He wears the mask of a good child and can quickly get along with anyone. Or rather, he pretends to be gentle to lower people's guard and give them the illusion that he has become a friend. But once he discovers people's true thoughts, he immediately turns away without mercy, pulls himself out of the mask, and hides in his shell to coldly observe others. On the surface, he is gentle and refined, but in reality, he is cold and selfish. I wonder how many people you have fooled with your warm exterior and cold interior?"

Kasumigaoka used one hand to hold Kiyori's wrists high above her head, while gently stroking her face with the other.

"But it's precisely this kind of Kiyori that attracts me. Kiyori, who unintentionally reveals his most authentic side, is so captivating that I can't take my eyes off him."

Kiyoshi turned his head away, refusing to look at Kasumigaoka, who was lying above him. She was wearing a white hotel bathrobe, the bright white almost spilling out of the neckline, hanging precariously above Kiyoshi's body.

"Hey, can Kiyori-kun really stay calm and composed all the time?"

Kiyori's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. Kasumigaoka's breath drew closer, lingering near her ear, and his body pressed against hers. His long, smooth legs, exposed outside his bathrobe, gently brushed against Kiyori's legs, his toes tracing the edge of her thighs, causing her to shudder slightly.

"Don't do this, Shiyu-senpai..."

"Kiyori-kun, don't you like it?" Kasumigaoka leaned close to Kiyori's burning red earlobe. "But I like it very much..."

A delicate fragrance wafted into Kiyoyori's ears. She shrank back, stubbornly turning her face toward the French windows, refusing to look at Kasumigaoka.

"Kiyori-kun, I like him—"

"Utaha-senpai!" Kiyoyori rudely interrupted Kasumigaoka, "If I like someone, I will definitely take the initiative instead of waiting for them to confess to me."

"Why?" Kasumigaoka's lips brushed lightly against Kiyori's earlobe.

“I prefer to take the initiative rather than wait passively,” Kiyoshi’s stiff body was almost numb. “Being confessed to is like losing the initiative. No matter what I do, the relationship between the two of us will change, and someone will get hurt.”

"How gentle you are, Kiyori-kun."

"No, it's selfish. Because I don't want to make any changes, because I just want to stay the same, maintain a false balance, as if no one will get hurt, when in fact only I won't get hurt."

Because I crave the warmth you give me, but I can't reciprocate with equal affection, I don't want to change. Someone like me doesn't deserve your love.

"Oh."

Kasumigaoka chuckled softly. She straightened up, and because of her previous movements, the wide neckline had slipped down to her shoulders, revealing a large expanse of fair skin. She released the hands that were holding Kiyori, casually tugged at her collar to cover the exposed skin, placed her hands on Kiyori's lower abdomen, and leaned forward slightly.

"So, there's only one thing I need to do."

Kiyori turned around and looked directly into Kasumigaoka's eyes.

"Hehe, Kiyori-kun is really... he doesn't even dare to look down, what a gentleman," Kasumigaoka teased, pinching Kiyori's chin with his hand. "As long as Kiyori-kun falls in love with me, that's enough, right? Then you can confess to me."

"what?"

Kiyoshi was so surprised that she sat up abruptly, almost bumping into Kasumigaoka's face. Kasumigaoka fell backward because of her movement. In order to protect her, Kiyoshi grabbed Kasumigaoka's waist and helped her sit steadily on the bed. Just as Kiyoshi withdrew her hand, Kasumigaoka took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Kiyoshi's neck.

"I will make Kiyori-kun fall in love with me. Kiyori-kun, just wait to surrender obediently."

Kiyoshi, who had shrank back, turned his head away again:

"I will not interfere with Shiwa-senpai's actions, but I will not respond in any way, even so..."

Even so, it won't change what I'm going to do.

"Um..." Kiyori leaned back, unable to bear it any longer, trying to escape Kasumigaoka's hold, "Can you get off me now...?"

Kasumigaoka grinned mischievously, wrapping her arms tightly around Kiyori's neck. Without taking any chances, she shifted her legs slightly, their skin touching lightly, the silky sensation shooting into Kiyori's brain like an electric shock.

What if I say no?

A devilish whisper rang in Kiyoyori's ear. Kiyoyori tried to push the other person away, but he couldn't do anything. He could only lean helplessly against the headboard with nowhere to escape.

"Senior Shiyu..."

"Om-"

The phone on the bedside table suddenly started vibrating, and a long, drawn-out trumpet solo came from the speaker. It was the special ringtone that Kiyoshi had set for Reina, and the frequency of the ringtone was provided by Reina Kousaka herself.

"Um, my phone rang."

As if grasping at the last straw, Kiyoyori escaped from under Kasumigaoka and then breathed a sigh of relief.

"Rina?"

"Hmm, why did it take you so long to answer the phone?"

Reina's voice sounded unreal over the phone.

"Ah, um, I had something to do just now." Kiyoyori didn't dare to look at Kasumigaoka behind him, and fled to the window with his phone in hand.

"I just went to your house, and your aunt said you went to Kyoto? That's so sudden!"

"It was quite sudden indeed..."

Even Kiyoyori himself didn't understand what had happened on this trip to Kyoto.

“Let’s not talk about that,” Reina’s voice suddenly became excited. “Kiyoshi, have you decided on a school yet?”

Kiyoyori blinked, puzzled. "It was Reina who was chosen. Hadn't it already been decided that she would be recommended to Tachibana University?"

"I refused."

"what?"

Kiyoyori seemed not to understand what Reina said, "She refused?!"

Kiyoyori's suddenly raised tone drew the attention of Kasumigaoka.

"Yes, I've decided. I'm going to Kitauji."

"Huh? Kitauji?" Kiyoyori was a little speechless. Although it was wonderful to continue playing with Reina, she didn't want Reina to give up a better option. "Why so suddenly...?"

"Kiyori has already been decided, right? Kitauji, they won't change their minds, will they?"

Reina did not answer Kiyoshi's question, but stubbornly pressed for an answer.

"Ah, um, I made plans with someone else..." Kiyoyori smiled helplessly, while Kasumigaoka behind him raised an eyebrow.

“Listen to me, Kiyora,” Reina paused, seemingly trying to compose herself and not get too excited, “Taki-sensei has confirmed that she will be teaching in Kitauji next year!”

Reina's words revealed her undisguised joy and excitement.

"He will serve as the new advisor for the brass band! Starting next year, the Kitauji brass band will be reborn!"

“'Taki-sensei'...? You mean, Taki... Noboru?” Kiyoyori couldn’t hide her surprise, and a hint of pain flashed in her eyes.

"Yeah, I forced my way out of it by asking my mom!" Judging from the sounds on the other end of the phone, Reina seemed to be rolling around on the bed happily. "Wow! It's Taki-sensei!"