I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

“I see,” Takigaki said, not angry. He simply nodded and walked to Ogasawara’s side. “In that case, I happen to have something to announce.”

"I mentioned before that I would be using the concert hall for everyone to practice next week, right? I will make time then to give those who want to be selected again another chance."

He glanced around at the students and, unsurprisingly, found Qinglai at the edge of the crowd, his face contorted with surprise.

"Those who have questions about the last selection and want to participate in another selection, please raise your hands."

Most people's eyes turned to Nakaseko without prior arrangement, but Kiyoyori stared at Takigatsu as if he were meeting him for the first time.

After a moment of silence, feeling extremely uneasy, Nakajiko took a deep breath and resolutely raised his hand.

Her voice was steady and resolute:

"Please conduct a solo selection."

P.S.: I don't quite understand one reader's understanding of the main plot. First of all, this is a hybrid fanfiction of Sound! Euphonium and Oregairu, with those two making up the largest portion. For Kiyoyori, the brass band is more important than Yukino in her life. Life isn't just about romance. If I only wrote about her interactions with Yukino, it would seem like I'm not prioritizing the main plot. The protagonist is Kiyoyori, so it's necessary to explore her social circle to enrich her character. This circle isn't just about Yukino; in fact, Yukino doesn't yet have a significant place in it. As I've previously mentioned in terms of content distribution in each volume, currently, the brass band storyline overwhelmingly outweighs the service club storyline. The exchange between the two, and Kiyoyori's changing feelings for Yukino, will happen later. First, I need to address the "extra" relationships between these two. I don't know if you understand what I'm saying. This is my explanation of whether I've prioritized the main plot. If this reader finds it difficult to follow, I'm sorry.

Today's driving lesson was so tiring... my legs are so sore, but I still have to keep practicing. It's mentally exhausting.

Chapter 74: Mutual Wishes

After practice, Kiyora didn't even have time to say goodbye to Mizore before hurriedly following Taki out of the classroom.

"Another selection? What are you thinking?"

Qinglai strode towards the teachers' office.

"This is a school."

Taki replied casually, taking a sip of water with a relaxed air. "Would Tachibana-san like some water?"

Besides Taki and Kiyoyori, there was no one else in the office. An old electric fan slowly ran above their heads, making a teeth-grinding "creaking" sound.

What is this re-selection process?

After taking a deep breath, Kiyoyori decided not to talk to the man in front of her any longer.

"This is the answer you're looking for."

"This is your solution?" Kiyoshi laughed. "Hold a re-selection in front of everyone, and then let the club members choose who will perform the solo? I don't think those people with nothing but fun and suspicion in their heads can make the right choice!"

"Please watch your words, Tachibana-san."

Taki crossed his fingers and looked at the girl, who was unusually agitated, through his glasses.

"They are your seniors."

"Did you even consider Reina's feelings? She's so—" Kiyoyori swallowed the words that were about to come out, "She's undoubtedly the best. Your way of handling this is not only a slap in the face to her, but also a slap in your own face. You did give Nakaseko-senpai a chance, and although I don't think she's the type to take shortcuts, that doesn't mean others wouldn't. What if they coerced or bribed Reina into going easy on her?"

"I believe in everyone, and I also believe that Kosaka-san will not agree."

"Yes, she won't, but it will make her very sad, especially when her competitor is someone like the Medieval Era."

Kiyoshi knew his childhood friend well, and she wasn't as aloof as she appeared.

"You've never thought about her at all, have you?"

Faced with Kiyoyori's questioning, Takigatsu simply replied casually:

“I thought we had the same goal.”

On his desk was a photograph of Chihiro's smile, a smile she had never shown to Kiyoshi, a smile that was both shy and happy.

"I just don't want her to get hurt."

"I just gave everyone what they wanted."

Qinglai scoffed, "Since when have you learned to compromise?"

"Welcome to the adult world."

Taki's smile made Kiyoyori unable to smile.

"I still hate you."

Ignoring Takigatsu, Kiyoyori turned and walked out of the office, but seemed to suddenly realize something the moment he touched the door.

"You never intended for anyone else to make the decision, right?"

The response to Qinglai was a silence that seemed to tacitly agree.

"Ha, despicable adults."

Qinglai slammed the door shut.

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

Since the "re-selection" was proposed, the team has returned to intense pre-competition training. To put it bluntly, Taki's Spartan-style training is simply unbearable.

Playing the wind instrument is physically demanding and requires lung capacity. Takigaki somehow came up with a solution: he got everyone an orange juice box, cut a few holes in it with a knife, and then covered their mouths and noses for breathing exercises.

I thought the teacher was being charitable and giving everyone a small reward, but it turned out the useful thing wasn't orange juice, but the box.

On the first day of breathing exercises while wearing orange juice boxes, most of the members of the department almost fainted. Even Kiyoyori and Reina, who had received professional training since childhood, were made dizzy.

The moment they were picked, everyone felt the freshness of the air. Every deep breath of freedom felt like a gift from God, and they almost wanted to write an article titled "The Air I Wasted Over the Years" to express their frustration.

We have to thank Taki for not going so far as to use milk cartons...

Similarly, the two main characters selected in the re-selection were even more hardworking than the others.

Reina seems to maintain a lukewarm relationship with the trumpet club members, and there has been no further confrontation, probably because Nakazeko is mediating between them.

Kiyoyori had seen Yoshikawa standing at the entrance outside the open-air corridor more than once.

"What do you think of this tone, Tachibana-san?"

"as always."

This is Reina; her beliefs have never wavered.

"To be able to produce such a tone in a first grade, really... that's so clever..."

As if he was about to cry, Yoshikawa forced an awkward smile.

“Rena, no,” Kiyoyori changed his words softly, “we are aiming for a career.”

"Then why come to Soubu High School?" Yoshikawa didn't understand. She admired the two girls' excellence, but why would someone as outstanding as them come to Soubu High School? Why come to a school that doesn't help their dreams at all, to compete with those girls who love music but aren't good enough for these opportunities?

"Last year, Kaori-senpai was the best trumpet player in the club, but because of her grade level, the solo was played by a third-year student who refused to practice at all. Last year, Kaori-senpai gave so much to this club! Without Kaori-senpai, there would be no brass band club as we know it today! Without Kaori-senpai—"

I wouldn't stand here either...

"I just wanted to help Kaori-senpai fulfill her wish..."

“I can understand your thoughts, Yoshikawa-senpai, but,” Yoshikawa found his unwavering gaze somewhat cold, “we just want to fulfill our wishes.”

"A national championship gold medal?" Yoshikawa chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Soubu High School doesn't have the ability for that. Why don't you try something else—"

“It won’t work if it’s not Sobu High,” Kiyoyori interrupted Yoshikawa. “If it’s not Sobu High, then it’s meaningless.”

Yoshikawa finally saw a ripple in Kiyoyori's lake-blue eyes, which were like a stagnant pool of water, as if he were looking at something that did not exist there.

"We have to go to the national competition, we have no choice but to enter the national competition."

"This is not just a slogan."

Yoshikawa looked at Kiyori and suddenly laughed. As she laughed, tears fell from her eyes. "Then why didn't you show up sooner?"

She quickly composed herself and wiped away her tears with her hand. "I apologize for what I said in the practice room earlier. And Mizore, that boy seems to like you a lot."

"Please take good care of Ying."

Yoshikawa bent down deeply.

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

“Speaking of which,” Kiyoyori put away the sheet music and simultaneously packed the oboe into his briefcase with Mizore, “why didn’t Mizore-senpai suggest another selection process?”

Kiyoyori simply thought of this question.

Mizore seemed not to understand Kiyori's words and tilted her head in a daze.

"Is Qinglai very good?"

Why is it a question...?

Qinglai gave a wry smile. What was going on with this situation, which felt like he had been given the "friend zone" card?

"Kiyoshi's playing is very good, I like it very much."

Faced with the sudden praise, Qinglai touched his neck shyly.

"Thank you for the compliment."

"However, are Senior Mizore and Senior Yoshikawa very familiar with each other?"

“My classmate,” Mizore paused, “is very much like my mother.”

"Huh?"

Kiyoshi subconsciously turned around to look for Yoshikawa in the classroom, but just then she saw Reina saying goodbye to her, and Kiyoshi staring blankly at Reina's back.

P.S.: The Service Club will inevitably come into contact with the Wind Ensemble Club, it's just not the right time yet. This volume is about to end, and there will be hints in the last few chapters.

Chapter 75 A Request from a Senior

"Excuse me, Senior Mizore, I'll be leaving now."

Mizore glanced at Kiyoshi, who was packing his things up quickly, and then rushed out of the classroom as if chasing after something.

Kiyoshi rushed back to the classroom but couldn't stop Reina. Kiyoshi stepped into the classroom and Reina left right after.

Kiyoshi sighed helplessly, still unable to have another chance to talk to the other party.

However, with the next selection imminent, a little more time won't make a difference.