I am only one world away from Yukinoshita.

Chapter 79 The Only Answer (Section 139)

"It's about time, let's go in."

Taki saw several club members walking in this direction from afar.

Is this really a good idea?

Kiyoyori asked, looking at Takigatsu's retreating figure as he walked into the room.

The man's back paused slightly.

That's good.

He turned around and stared blankly at the open space not far away.

"That's good..."

Without waiting for Kiyoshiro, Takigatsu walked back into the venue first, pushed open the heavy soundproof door, and then closed it silently.

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

With only five minutes left before the re-selection began, Kiyoshi finally couldn't stand the heat outside and went into the hall. The members who had been busy were also taking their seats in the audience seats directly opposite the stage, with neat folding chairs and music stands in front of them. The two main characters had not yet appeared.

From afar, she could see the short Kawashima kneeling on a soft chair, one hand gripping the back of the chair, the other waving to her as if calling her over. Kiyoyori walked to Kawashima's side, where there was an empty seat. On her other side, Huang and Hazuki were sitting.

Kiyoyori simply thanked Kawashima and, without speaking to Huang, who was clearly thinking about something, sat down in a chair, waiting for Taki to speak and for the protagonist to appear.

After everyone had gathered, and Nakazeko and Reina appeared with their trumpets, Takigaki slowly began to speak:

"Now, let's begin the selection process for the trumpet solo part."

Taki first glanced at the two people standing on the stage, then turned his gaze to the group of members who were looking at him.

"After the two performers finish, the decision will be made based on the applause from everyone."

No one raised any objections.

"Is it alright, Nakajiko-kun?"

"Yes."

"Kousaka-kun?"

"Yes."

Qinglai quickly glanced around at the "judges" present.

Perhaps for most people, the question of who would perform the solo wasn't that important. On one side was a talented but not particularly likable freshman, and on the other side were a senior or classmate whose abilities were undeniable and who was usually gentle and kind. It was obvious which side the scales tipped in. Humans are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm, and such a choice often had a pleasing connotation. However, in this situation, it couldn't be ignored, and conformity became the best option. But just like when they decided on their goal, they had already fallen into the trap woven by Taki.

But perhaps such a trap can only succeed when the other party is someone like Kaori Medieval.

Perhaps Takigaku grasped this point.

"Then, let's first welcome Mr. Zhongshigu."

Taki's words remained calm and unwavering; no one could find a single flaw in his impeccable exterior.

"Yes."

Zhong Shigu's clear response echoed in the hall. As if to cover up the slight tremor in her voice, she raised her trumpet, brought the mouthpiece close to her unconsciously trembling lips, took a deep breath, and secretly suppressed her wildly beating heart. She slowly blew air into the trumpet, and the sound of the instrument suddenly rang out, melodious and loud, resonating in everyone's ears. The tone was extremely steady, and the technique was skillful. There was nothing too wrong with it.

But it lacked a certain wow factor.

After the solo performance ended, Yoshikawa quickly stood up and applauded. Then, scattered applause rang out from the audience. Ogasawara also generously offered her support, but Asuka, who was sitting next to her, remained silent.

“Alright,” Taki stopped the applause, “then next up is Kousaka.”

"Yes."

Reina's answer was not particularly impressive; she simply responded to Taki's words in a very flat manner.

She placed the trumpet to her lips, and as the first note of the solo began, everything around her seemed to stand still. It was as if she were on a vast grassland, hearing music from afar, carried by the wind, drifting past her ears without lingering. If the sound of Nakajima's flute was a clear and calm lake, then Reina's flute was a rushing stream, flowing through the mountains, splashing among the rocks, leaving without stopping. She tried to reach out and grab it, but it had already disappeared. When she looked back, she found herself completely immersed in it.

In an instant, I felt like a traveler lying on the grass, gazing at the starry sky. The stars hung sparsely in the night sky, with only the crescent moon appearing and disappearing in the gray clouds. I imagined myself breaking free from gravity, floating in the air, leaving the ground, leaving this planet, and roaming in the vast universe, freely touching planets light-years away.

It was a pursuit, a longing, but also a daydream.

As the pipe music fades, the dream will end.

A sudden silence fell over the hall. It wasn't that Lina was playing poorly and no one was applauding, but rather that they were unwilling to wake up from the dream woven by the music.

Huang Qian was the first to stand up and applaud. She clapped her hands together forcefully, separated them, and then brought them together again until her palms were numb. Then came Qing Lai's applause, which was not as enthusiastic as Huang Qian's, but it also fully demonstrated her stance.

No one applauded Reina anymore. Low whispers arose in the crowd, and many members showed expressions of surprise or confusion. In their hearts, more people would have preferred Kaori to play a solo, but in terms of technique, Kosaka's excellence was beyond doubt.

“Well then,” Takigaki didn’t give everyone more time to share their thoughts and quickly moved on to the next step, “those who think Nakashiko is better, please give a round of applause.”

Yoshikawa took the lead again, and her firm applause inspired many members, while some wavering individuals also joined in the clapping.

Touched by the straightforward support of her junior, Nakashiko could only manage a bitter smile. She bent down deeply, hiding the bitterness in the shadows.

"it is good."

The applause faded away.

"Then, those who think Kosaka-san is better, please applaud."

Without hesitation, Huang Qian stood up again under everyone's gaze and clapped for the person he admired. Qing Lai did not stand up, but he did not stop clapping either, though he seemed a little absent-minded.

Asuka didn't clap either side.

Actually, there are quite a few people like that, but only Asuka makes Kiyoyori's heart tighten.

“Then,” Takigatsu turned his gaze to Nakaseko, “Nakaseko-kun.”

"Yes."

"Could you play a solo?"

Taki's words instantly drew everyone's attention. Even Reina, who had maintained her composure, couldn't help but show her surprise, her eyes slightly lowered. Only Kiyori, as if anticipating something, closed her eyes.

Takigatsu used a question, and he was asking about Seko.

No, it was under duress that Shiko acknowledged her shortcomings.

However, this also provided the greatest protection for the medieval period.

Zhong Shigu naturally understood that the teacher's goal was the national competition, so the solo performance should naturally be given to the better performer. No matter how many people applauded, there was only one answer in his heart, and only one. Asking her this question was simply to give her a way out, so that she wouldn't lose too badly.

She smiled; whatever the outcome, she had already gotten the answer.

At least, she didn't applaud her.

“No,” Nakajiko’s voice, as gentle as ever, pierced Yoshikawa’s heart like a blade, “I will not play it.”

She turned to look at the junior standing not far beside her, selfishly placing her own wishes on that upright back.

"I think the solo should be performed by Kosaka-san."

As if receiving something from a gentle senior, Reina gripped the trumpet tightly.

A sudden burst of crying erupted from the audience.

“Well then,” Takigaki’s tone became serious and earnest.

"Kosaka-san."

"Yes."

"You will play a solo."

He leaned slightly forward.

"Is it alright if it's not Medieval Kou who will perform the solo, but you instead?"

Reina raised her eyes and looked directly at the man she had admired since childhood.

"Yes!"

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

Then, the next song will begin.

P.S.: Writing about how to describe music is always the most challenging part for me. It always ends up being rather bland. I wish I had hands that could directly translate the images in my mind into words. After a day of rest, it's time for another grueling driving practice tomorrow. Also, everyone, the countdown to the sweet treat has begun.

Chapter 80, Section 140: Mr. Pan's Lovely Aspects

"Don't you have training today?"

Kiyoshi paused, holding the mug, watching the figure approaching. The other person was wearing a simple T-shirt and hot pants, a refreshing look that was rarely seen outside.

"If you don't want your eyes anymore, you can donate them to someone else in need, Tachibana-san."

Perhaps stunned by her completely different attire from her usual school uniform, Kiyora failed to dodge the venom she was indiscriminately spraying. Realizing she was in the wrong, she withdrew her overly presumptuous gaze and gave an embarrassed smile.

"The official competition is tomorrow. Mr. Taki gave us a day off, saying we should relax before the competition."

"I think Tachibana has a misunderstanding about the word 'relaxation'."

The other person pointed to the notebooks and exam papers covering the table, with black and red handwriting intertwined on the paper, and a trash can next to the coffee table containing a lot of scraps left over from making whistles.

"Yeah, after all, staying at home makes you unconsciously want to practice..."

Kiyoyori remembered Hiratsuka Shizuka's suggestion earlier. He had only intended to free himself from the practice room today and go out to find something to eat and relax, but he never expected to find himself carrying a cake and unknowingly ending up downstairs at his senior's house...

Yukino looked at the uninvited guest with a slight headache. She had no intention of taking her in at all, but for some reason, she suddenly softened when she saw those pitiful eyes.

"Tachibana's way of relaxing is truly unique."

Yukino poured the freshly brewed black tea into her cup and gently blew on it to warm it.

This is how they spent their weekends together recently: one week practicing the oboe, and the other week studying their second-year schoolwork. If it was oboe practice, they would meet at Kiyoyori's practice room; if it was studying, they would meet at Yukinoshita's apartment.

It just so happens that they live alone, and both of their mothers are very busy with work and are almost never home during the day, which also helps them avoid running into acquaintances outside of school.

It was only because the competition was approaching that Takigatsu had taken up almost all of Kiyoyori's free time, so the two of them temporarily suspended their studies.

"Did Tachibana come all this way just to warn me not to mess things up tomorrow?"