I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

"Releasing stress can be achieved by interacting with cute animals."

So, where do 'cute little animals' come from?

“Actually, my cat can play that role.” Yukinoshita, without batting an eye, immediately claimed Kiyori’s cat as her own.

Hey, don't talk like Tuanzi is really your cat!

"But shouldn't this cat still be at Tachibana's house? No matter how far-fetched you are, it's impossible to bring a house cat to school," Kiyoshi scolded himself in front of people who didn't know the truth. "If I remember correctly, Tachibana has brass band practice after school, so how could this cat appear in the designated area within a limited time?"

Sparks flew between the two.

"Just ask Taki-sensei for leave and say you have a Service Club activity. Hiratsuka-sensei said that you have to participate in club activities after joining the Service Club, and Taki-sensei personally agreed to it."

"Tachibana-san, don't let playthings distract you from your studies. We originally agreed that the Service Club would coordinate with the Wind Ensemble Club's schedule, meaning that Tachibana-san should focus on practicing with the Wind Ensemble Club. After all, we're here to bring honor to the school, so how can we put the cart before the horse?"

The conversation, which sounded like a role reversal, left the other three people present completely bewildered.

"Um..." Hachiman raised his hand, "Actually, I have a cat at home too, if my cat could also..."

Before Yukinoshita could speak, Kiyoyori quickly interrupted, "In the end, we haven't been able to confirm whether Kawasaki-san really likes small animals. If she's afraid of cats, or has some kind of airway disease, or is allergic to cat fur, then this operation couldn't have been established from the start."

This time, Yukinoshita didn't object. "Then could you please ask Hikigaya-senpai to call Komachi and help confirm?"

Her words were uttered through gritted teeth.

Hachiman immediately understood and made a phone call to his sister Komachi, only to receive the following reply—

Saki Kawasaki is allergic to cat fur.

The animal therapy project failed completely before it was even implemented.

P.S.: My computer is even more broken now. Last night, while I was typing, the entire LCD screen suddenly fell off... I don't know how it's managed to hold on until now. Every day, my updates are teetering on the edge of the computer breaking down. It's so tough.

Chapter 28, Section 86: Learning to Let Go is Also a Skill

"Because of the success of this Sunrise Festival, the reputation of the Soubu High School Brass Band has become known to many people, but for us, this is just the beginning."

In the music classroom, Taki was standing in front of the podium with a stack of booklets beside him. He gestured with his eyes to Ogasawara, who was standing next to him.

"This is the piece we're performing."

Kiyotaro took the sheet music, took out one for himself, and passed the rest around. Opening the cover, he saw the titles of two pieces prominently displayed—

"The Wind of Provence" and "Dance of the Crescent Moon"

"The Wind of Provence" is the designated piece for the competition, selected from the symphony "Scheherazade," while "Dance of the Crescent Moon" is a free choice, featuring a particularly outstanding trumpet solo and an oboe solo. If all goes well...

Kiyoshi glanced back at Reina, who was standing in the trumpet section. Reina was staring at the sheet music in her hand. As if sensing Kiyoshi's gaze, Reina looked up and nodded firmly at her.

"We will hold an election in two weeks."

Taki's words were like a bomb. After a moment of silence, a murmur of whispers gradually rose among the crowd. This might not be strange to the first-year students, but for the second and third-year students, it could very well become a rule that threatens them.

"But we've always had upperclassmen participate in the competition... It's a tradition at Soubu High School..."

Ogasawara raised his hand and brought up what everyone wanted to say but dared not say.

“But now I am the advisor of the brass band,” Taki said slowly in his usual gentle tone, not angry. “Everyone still remembers the goal you set, right? That is to enter the national competition. In order to strive for this goal, we must maintain our best condition, which means selecting contestants with more matching strength to participate in the competition. I think this is beyond doubt.”

"Now that we've decided to make a breakthrough, let's start here."

"So you're saying the election depends entirely on ability, and has nothing to do with grade level?"

Reina asked the question very directly.

“Yes,” Taki gave a clear answer, “It has nothing to do with grade level, only ability matters.”

"Does that mean there's no way to guarantee that all senior students can participate in the competition? This is the third year's last chance!"

"So, can't the third-grade students just play better than the first and second graders?" Taki said deftly. "It's a very simple question. Or is it that the third-grade students here don't have the confidence to beat the younger students?"

As soon as Taki finished speaking, whispers of curses about him being a "clingy devil" rose from the crowd, but Taki's expression remained unchanged, maintaining a polite smile. "Does anyone have any questions?"

“Um,” Saito raised her hand, looking down at her toes, “I want to leave the club.”

Her hand was raised straight, and her expression was serious, but the hand holding the saxophone was still trembling slightly.

"why?"

Takigaki stopped smiling.

“I’m already a third-year student, and I need to plan my future. I’ve decided to focus more on studying for the exams,” Saito thought with a wry smile. He hadn’t expected Yukino to be right. “This year’s brass band is different from the past. Everyone is serious and wants to enter the national competition. If I stay in the club, I’ll only be dragging everyone down.”

Saito recalled that during the training for the Sunrise Festival, she was always the first to leave because of various extra classes. Just as Yukinoshita said a year ago, she didn't have the ability to balance club activities and exam preparation, so she could only painfully choose one of them, the more important one.

Ah, and more importantly...

Saito felt a lump in her throat, but she held back her tears. This was her own choice, and regret was not allowed.

"Instead of bringing up this issue and causing trouble for everyone after the selection process is over and everyone has entered formal practice, it would be better to withdraw from the beginning and give others a chance."

Saito is confident and capable of entering Group A of the competition, but she cannot guarantee that she can really accompany everyone to the national competition. In that case, it would be better to give this position to other members who want to participate in the competition more.

“Saito-kun,” Takigaki looked at Saito earnestly, having witnessed too many similar cases, “was this a decision you made after careful consideration?”

Saito's hand trembled. She knew she wouldn't have a second answer. "Yes, teacher."

After a moment of silence, Takigaki sighed. "I understand, Saito-kun. Your application has been approved. Please hand in your resignation form tomorrow."

Saito stood up and bowed to Taki, "Thank you, teacher."

She pushed back her chair and walked out of the classroom. "Everyone, I'm so sorry I can't stay with you until the end. Good luck in the election!"

Saito's voice trembled slightly. Without turning back, she resolutely stepped out of the classroom. Several second-year students in the saxophone club immediately broke down in tears, hugging each other. "Don't go, Aoi-senpai..."

Perhaps to the first-year students, Saito was not much different from the other seniors, but for the second-year students who experienced last year's events, the reason they are still in the brass band is mainly because of Saito's persuasion and retention. For them, Saito was the sunshine in that dark period of their lives, and it is this very senior, Aoi, who has now left them.

Also chasing after them were Ogasawara, who belonged to the saxophone section, and Kōmae, who belonged to the bass section.

"Why did you have to let Aoi-senpai leave!" one of the second-year students in the saxophone club shouted at Taki no Hikaru with a sob in his voice.

"It wasn't me who made Saito leave; it was Saito's own choice."

Taki could understand the shock and discomposure of his direct junior, and he did not blame the student for his disrespect.

“However,” another member of the saxophone club spoke up, “if Taki-sensei could try to dissuade him… everyone has witnessed Aoi-senpai’s strength. If Aoi-senpai could participate in the tournament, that would definitely—”

“Of course I know that Saito’s tenor saxophone playing is irreplaceable, but,” Taki Noboru said, his fingers interlaced and his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, drooping slightly, “Saito has made her choice and determined the direction of her future life. I am just an advisor to the school club and have no right to interfere in any student’s life planning. I also admire Saito’s actions. Her decision has minimized our losses. Classmates, learning to give up is a very difficult thing that requires a lot of courage.”

Taki's deep, gentle voice flowed like water through everyone's hearts, "Similarly, I urge all of you third-year students to find your goals as soon as possible, whether it's your future path or the upcoming competition. Once a decision is made, there is no turning back."

Kiyoshi suddenly turned around to look in Asuka's direction. Asuka was looking down, fiddling with the euphonium keys in her hand, seemingly uninterested in anything.

But Kiyoshi's heart sank suddenly, and she clenched her fists.

Asuka...

P.S.: My computer needs to be taken for repair, so I don't have time to check for typos. Someone keeps nagging me.

Chapter 29, Section 87: A maid café that only allows girls to enter?

When it was time for group practice, thanks to Kiyoshi's addition, the oboe club, which had been practicing in the corner of the corridor, successfully moved to a brand new classroom.

Today is the day the two of them have set for reed production. For Mizore and Kiyori, preparing well is a very important part. They are not worried about being eliminated. First, the oboe is a small sport with almost no competitors. Second, both of them are above average.

Qinglai was preoccupied as he whittled the reed.

“Kiyoshi,” Mizore suddenly spoke up, “the left side is too thin.”

When Qinglai came to his senses, he suddenly realized that his unconscious action had ruined a reed.

"Worried about Asuka-senpai?"

Mizore had actually seen Kiyori looking at Asuka.

"It's okay, Asuka-senpai will definitely be fine, she's amazing."

Not only in terms of playing instruments, but also in terms of academics, he ranks first in the entire school and among the top 100 in the city. It can be said that if he maintains such results, getting into Tokyo University will not be a problem.

"Yes, she's amazing..." Kiyoshi, of course, couldn't explain Asuka's family situation to Mizore. Although she agreed verbally, she was still very worried.

"Good luck with your selection process."

His pomegranate-colored eyes looked at Qinglai, but there was no particular emotional fluctuation in them.

There are two oboe players, but only one of them can play a solo piece.

"I will do my best, Mizore-senpai."

Ying tilted her head and said, "Mmm."

"Buzz-"

The phone on the table vibrated. Kiyoyori picked it up and saw it was a message from Yukinoshita:

"Operation failed. According to Kawasaki Taishi, Kawasaki-kun works at a shop called 'What's Angle'. We're going to go to that suspicious shop to inquire. Is Tachibana-kun free to join us?"

Kiyoshi glanced at the time.

I'll make the reeds in a couple of days when I have some free time; I still have some left.

"Please wait a moment."

Qinglai responded quickly.

"Excuse me, Senior Mizore, the Service Department needs me to make an appearance, so I'll be leaving early today."

Kiyoshi packed his belongings and bowed to Mizore.

Ying freed one hand and used the other to hold the whistle, waving it slightly.

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

"I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting."

Kiyoshi, carrying two bags, strode out of the school and saw the Service Club trio plus Totsuka waiting at the gate.