I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

"How could my sister not know her? Does she need me to introduce her?"

Yukinoshita, of course, wouldn't fall for it. Now that she knew Kiyoyori's middle name was Spencer, and as someone from the upper class who had more connections with various families, how could Haruno, the heir of the Yukinoshita family, who was out in the open, not know Kiyoyori? She had never liked the "nobles'" ulterior motives and couldn't figure out what her sister was really up to.

Even if we take a step back, given Yang Nai's personality, or the fact that her older sister was monitoring her life and relationships on her mother's orders, how could she not be aware of everything happening around her?

All of this made Yukino feel annoyed and powerless.

"If you're talking about Tachibana Spencer Kiyoyori, then of course I know her. I'm referring to Yukino, what is she to you? A friend?"

Haruno glanced at Kiyori, who remained unmoved, seemingly oblivious to her presence as he ate. Only Kiyori knew he was utterly bored, not because he held any expectation of Yukinoshita's answer, but because…

"It's just a normal senior-junior relationship, or rather, the relationship between the president of a club and its members."

Yukino's answer was exactly what everyone expected.

"That's a real shame. If Yukino could become friends with Tachibana-kun, I'm sure Mom would be very happy."

Kiyoshi glared at Haruno, hoping she would tone down her words.

“But it’s okay, it’s never too late to become friends,” Haruno said, taking Kiyoyori’s hand without caring that there were still rice grains stuck to Kiyoyori’s hand. “I’ll trouble you to take good care of our Yukino, Kiyoyori. She’s usually a bit quiet and doesn’t like to talk much. She seems aloof, but she’s actually a very cute person, you know? Yukino really likes—”

"elder sister!"

Yukinoshita interrupted Haruno, unable to bear it any longer, "Are you here to eat or to play a trick on us?"

"Of course we're here to eat!"

Yang readily let go of Qinglai's hand, winked playfully, and turned to order food.

Kiyoshi, whose hand had been put down, clenched his fist in confusion, his palm seemingly still warm from Hinano's touch.

"Tachibana-san, it's about time now. If you've finished your meal, why don't we head out?"

If she stayed with Haruno any longer, she didn't know what other trouble Haruno would cause. Yukinoshita had no intention of involving Kiyori in the sisters' private feud and just wanted to escape from Haruno's sight as soon as possible.

"Of course, let's go first."

Kiyoshi snapped out of his daze, pulled out a chair to leave, but his clothes were gently tugged at.

It is Yang Nai.

Kiyoshi looked at Yukino, who had hurriedly said goodbye and was heading towards the door, with a complicated expression, and at Haruno, who showed no intention of letting go.

"Then goodbye, Kiyoyori."

Releasing her hand, Kiyoyori saw an expression on Haruno's face she had never seen before: a hint of expectation, a hint of disappointment, a hint of relief, and most of all, the same as what she had just said—

"She's in your hands now."

Kiyoyori took a step back helplessly, as if trying to escape from that bewitching gaze. She wished she still couldn't understand Yukinoshita Haruno's heart, but this was the only time that Yukinoshita Haruno had taken off all her armor and laid her true self naked in front of Kiyoyori.

"Farewell..."

Yang Nai.

As if receiving some kind of message, Kiyotaka softly called out the name of the person in front of him in his heart, and then left without looking back, walking towards the direction of the snow.

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

"You know your sister."

Yukinoshita stated with certainty that she was not referring to the superficial social interactions at upper-class banquets, but rather to private relationships.

"We're just acquaintances..."

To be fair, Kiyoyori never thought she understood Yukino Yukinoshita. On the contrary, she was completely seen through by Yukino. Kiyoyori always thought she had found a soulmate, but she didn't know that Yukino was like a time bomb. She thought she understood Yukino very well, but she didn't realize that she only understood the side that Yukino wanted her to understand.

Therefore, for Kiyori, she was merely acquainted with Haruno.

"She seems to care about you a lot."

Yukino glanced at Kiyori, seemingly trying to figure out if there was anything about her that Hinano should notice.

"But in my opinion, she cares more about you."

Anyone with eyes could see the awkward relationship between the two Yukino sisters, but Haruno's actions today allowed Kiyori to see the heart hidden beneath her heavy mask—a heart that cared for her younger sister without reservation.

Perhaps for Yukino Yukinoshita, Yukinoshita is the most important person than anyone else.

P.S.: Haruno is such a good older sister; she loves Yukino more than she loves herself. A little spoiler: I have three main turning points (all three have already occurred, but the reasons haven't been explained). The presence or absence of these three turning points, or the lack of one (or two) of them, will lead to different endings. However, this story only follows one ending: the route where all three turning points exist. As for what different endings mean, I think you can probably guess, right? Hmm.

Chapter 50 Shopping in a Mall is Like a Battlefield

Kiyoyori arrived at the agreed-upon location before the appointed time with Yukinoshita.

The mall was surprisingly crowded. Judging from the posters at the entrance, there seemed to be some kind of "Mr. Pan" event. Some were parents with young children, but many were couples of high school age, kissing and cuddling in the waiting line, oblivious to everyone else.

Kiyoshi, adhering to the principle of not looking at what is improper, turned his gaze away.

Seriously, didn't the senior faint if he chose a place like this?

The shady spot where she was standing was gradually taken over by the sunlight. Kiyotaka planned to move to the shade of a tree not far away, but unexpectedly, she felt dizzy as soon as she stepped into the sunlight. The sudden darkness in front of her made her stumble.

"Qinglai? Oh! Dangerous!"

The familiar sound gradually faded away, followed by the sound of a tram running. Unlike the heat of being exposed to the scorching sun, a cool breeze swept over Kiyotsugu. Seemingly unaccustomed to this temperature change, Kiyotsugu unconsciously shivered.

"Under the snow?"

Kiyoyori suddenly opened his eyes. Not far across the passage was Hikigaya sitting opposite him, with his usual dead fish eyes, though not obvious, they were filled with unexpected concern.

My heart was pounding wildly with tension, as if it could break free of the confines of my chest and pound on the ground, causing a sharp pain in my chest.

"Are you alright, Yukino-neechan?"

Komachi didn't sit next to Hikigaya, but instead sat down next to Kiyoyori, leaning forward worriedly to look at Kiyoyori who was leaning against the train handrail.

The current situation can be easily guessed from the way the brother and sister address each other and the incongruous location.

She and her senior, Yukinoshita, unexpectedly swapped bodies once again.

It seemed like a long time had passed since their last exchange, so long that the two of them had almost forgotten about that incident. Perhaps unwilling to be forgotten, God gave them another unforgettable body exchange.

Thinking of the voice that had just rang in her ears before the exchange, Kiyoyori Yuki broke out in a cold sweat.

"It's nothing, I'm just a little dizzy."

Kiyoyori gave Komachi a polite smile, his lips slightly pursed and the corners of his mouth turned up, so much so that it would go unnoticed unless one looked closely.

“It’s hot now, and I’m always feeling a bit listless,” Komachi replied considerately. “My brother has been looking rather lazy at home lately, so Yukino-neechan should also take precautions against the heat.”

"Isn't Hachiman always looking listless?"

Kiyoshi glanced teasingly at Hikigaya, who was leaning against the armrest on the other side.

"None of your business..."

"Yeah, brother, you'll never find a girlfriend if you keep acting like this!"

As if possessed by a mother hen, Komachi was extremely worried about her dear brother's marriage. It was because he always talked about not wanting to work and being a volunteer stay-at-home husband that she was so worried.

"There will always be someone who appreciates my aspirations."

"I already told you, it's because of this..." Komachi rubbed her forehead in exasperation, "What does Yukino-neechan think of a guy like my brother?"

Qinglai raised an eyebrow.

Given Yukinoshita's usual personality, if she were alone with Hachiman or a member of the Service Club, she would definitely have made sarcastic remarks. But the person in front of her now is Hachiman's younger sister, Komachi.

"Yes, I hope Hachiman can search for it carefully with a lantern."

"Hey, you two, you should tone it down a bit in front of the person involved," Hachiman stood up and walked to the moving door of the tram. "We've arrived at the station."

Although ostensibly it was about choosing a birthday present for Yuihama who was about to have her birthday, Kiyori actually wanted to use this opportunity to ease the current tense relationships among the members of the Service Club. Therefore, Kiyori suggested that he ask Hikigaya to go with him to choose a gift, and then celebrate Yuihama's birthday at the Service Club on that day.

Although it's unclear what happened between Yuihama and Hikigaya, Hikigaya surprisingly didn't refuse Yukinoshita's invitation.

Kiyoshi glanced at Hikigaya, who was standing in front of the door with a slightly hunched back. Hikigaya stared blankly at the passing scenery outside the window, seemingly lost in thought.

Komachi's eyes darted back and forth between the two, and she gave Kiyori a meaningful smile behind his back.

Has Tachibana arrived yet?

Hikigaya turned around and asked Kiyoyori, who was walking side by side with Komachi.

It's a bit strange to be asked about myself by others.

"She has arrived."

I wonder how Yukinoshita-senpai is doing now.

Kiyoshi glanced at Yukinoshita's phone, hesitating whether to call his own, when unexpectedly his phone rang. The screen displayed his own phone number and Yukinoshita's serious contact notes.

"Hello? Tachibana-san."

Kiyoshiro would never call the person on the other end of the phone "Yukinoshita-senpai" in front of two acquaintances, even if the person on the other end was indeed Yukinoshita Yukino.

"Yukinoshita-senpai."

On the other end of the phone was a voice that Qinglai knew all too well, but there seemed to be an almost inaudible plea for help in the other person's tone.

The fact that Yukinoshita uses this form of address means that she has people around her who know Kiyoshiro, so for the same reason as Kiyoshiro, she cannot easily call out Kiyoshiro's name.

Where are you?

Yukinoshita's voice sounded slightly urgent, as if she really hoped that Kiyoyori and the others could arrive as soon as possible.

"The show is about to start."

Yukinoshita felt like she couldn't breathe after being pulled into the queue by a couple who seemed to be on a date and knew Kiyoyori.

"We've already gotten off the train and are heading towards the venue. Is Tachibana-san still at the place we agreed on?"

Of course, there was no pre-arranged location; Kiyoyori was referring to the location she was in before the two bodies were switched.

"No..." Yukinoshita's voice was very tired, "I'm in line right now."

As the opening time approached, the previously still queue began to move slowly, and the crowd that had been waiting began to stir. The entire square echoed with the sounds of people talking, its intensity comparable to the old brass band's "Marine Corps." Surrounded by couples, Yukinoshita didn't even know where to look.

The sun overhead grew increasingly scorching, making the snow feel dizzy and lightheaded. Fortunately, the woman in the couple who knew Qinglai had brought a parasol, and the man tactfully gave her another spot under the umbrella.

Strangely, the boy seemed very interested in his "girlfriend" sharing an umbrella with someone else, a strange smile on his lips as he observed the two under the umbrella with X-ray vision.