Living in Tokyo, all I want to do is laze around.

Her soft appearance and gentle voice make her all the more endearing.

Uesugi Kai looked into her bright, warm, violet eyes and asked:

Why are you here?

Hanabi Hanamaru shrank back, burying her rosy cheeks in her scarf, her hands clasped together between her thighs, and whispered weakly:

"Today is cherry blossom season, Hanabi... Hanabi wanted to come and see the cherry blossoms with Uesugi-kun... but Aunt Noriko said you left home at eight o'clock this morning."

"So...that's why I came here."

###Chapter Two: Traveling Together###

"I see..."

Kai Uesugi subconsciously raised his wrist and glanced at the digital watch face.

9:39:39

Then he shifted his position slightly from the middle, making sure there was more space next to him, and looked up at the girl in front of him, saying:

"Please sit down, Hanabi."

"Ah."

Hanabi Hanamaru nodded gently and carefully sat down beside him.

Her evasive eyes stole a glance at the book he had placed on his lap, and also saw the cherry blossoms lying quietly on the sheepskin cover.

After glancing at that spot, she quickly looked away and looked at her small hands curled up on her legs, like a vigilant little deer.

"Uesugi-kun... is reading again, as expected."

The sweet, girlish scent blends with the delicate fragrance of cherry blossoms, creating a truly delightful experience.

Hearing the girl's weak voice, Uesugi Kai looked through the azure sky towards the northeast not far away.

"Yes, after all, I said I wanted to get into the University of Tokyo."

"Uesugi-kun...why do you have this dream?"

Cherry blossom petals drifted gently down onto the bench, then floated away into the distance again with a gust of wind.

Hanabi Hanamaru saw it, and her thoughts drifted back to all the memories they had shared.

"Hmm...? Didn't I say that?"

"No..."

Seeing the girl beside him shake her head, Uesugi Kai's thoughts followed her back to the past, distant memories bearing the marks of time like black and white photographs.

"Yes, why?" he began to recall.

Is it a simple dream, a past regret, or the expectations of parents?

Here, everyone aspires to be admitted to this world-renowned university, but most people give up on this idea early on due to the gap between reality and expectations.

In her previous life, Uesugi Kai disliked socializing, and her only friends were a few classmates from school.

But as time went by, they went their separate ways after graduation, and apart from the profile pictures on their phones that they never messaged, there was no further contact.

When he was lonely, only by immersing himself in the scenes in books could he feel a little warmth in his heart.

After arriving in this world, he never tried to change anything. Apart from being more mature than other children his age, he was just an ordinary person who was a bit more handsome.

After much thought and silence, Uesugi Kai still couldn't come up with an answer.

Perhaps, it really was just a goal I suddenly set for myself.

To give yourself a direction, so that you don't become so depressed and lazy.

Try to be a salted fish with dreams.

......

Just then, a young couple walked over side by side, looking a little embarrassed.

“Um… Sumimasean…” the shy man asked.

Upon seeing the young man who suddenly appeared before her, holding a phone and speaking broken Japanese, Uesugi Kai shook his head and said:

Do you need any help?

His perfectly standard Mandarin surprised the young couple who had come to visit and admire the flowers.

They looked at Uesugi Kai with suspicion and asked, "A fellow countryman?"

Chinese people...

These two words...

Uesugi Kai paused for two seconds, then looked at them again, nodding and then shaking his head.

That was true before, but my current status... is definitely not anymore...

This made the young couple even more puzzled; they looked at each other, their faces filled with doubt.

To stop them from dwelling on the topic, Uesugi Kai continued, "..."

"Let's talk about what kind of help you need."

"Excuse me, I just wanted to ask where the restroom is." The young man seemed a bit reserved.

“Go straight, turn right at the second fork, walk around the lake, and you’ll see it soon.”

"what."

The young man looked in the direction Uesugi Kai indicated, then quickly turned back and said gratefully, "Thank you."

"You are welcome."

The young couple left just like that.

These kinds of little incidents happen from time to time, and Uesugi Kai, who comes here often, is used to them.

That couple must have been here for the first time and hadn't made much preparation.

Based on Sugisaki's past experience, most foreign tourists who come here usually prepare a few questions to ask for directions. Although it may sound a bit difficult, the other party is still able to finish the sentence.

It's peak tourist season now, so the Imperial Garden is usually not very crowded. Whenever he has free time on weekends, he brings a book and comes here at the right time, sitting quietly under the lush green trees.

Although it costs a painful 500 yen each time, it's still well worth it compared to the experience you get.

The cherry blossom season, with its fragrant blossoms, is incredibly beautiful and one of the few times of the year when it's a rare and precious time.

After tucking the double cherry blossom into the book cover, Uesugi Kai stood up, and the girl's gaze followed him.

"Let's take a walk together," Uesugi Kai said, extending his hand with a smile.

Hanabi Hanabi looked up at the clean and handsome face above her, her face slightly flushed, and gently reached out her hand, carefully placing it on his head.

Their hands touched.

It was a very familiar sensation.

Every time she shook hands with Hanabi Hanamaru, she felt an unusual sense of security.

But for some reason, Anxin's heart always pounded wildly at this time, and her face would become even more rosy.

She couldn't help but bury her head even deeper.

Kai Uesugi held her small hand; it was soft, warm, delicate, and smooth, stirring the throbbing heartstrings just below his throat.

Although it was very comfortable, he was already used to the feeling.

Ever since I met Hanabi, she has had this kind of personality: somewhat shy, afraid to talk much, and almost never taking the initiative to talk to people.

Even earlier, when friends greeted her, she would stammer and remain silent for a long time.

He was her only playmate from childhood to adulthood.

She had always liked to follow behind him since she was little, which made her the target of ridicule from many of her classmates.

"Let's go."

"Um..."

After a brief conversation, the two walked side by side and began to stroll under the cherry blossom trees, slowly wandering through this flower-filled March.

Walk through the path paved with bluestone and dotted with lush green shrubs, and pass by the verdant young grass.

Facing us was a pool of emerald green lake water.

The branches of the lush trees swayed in the wind, gently touching the shimmering lake water and creating ripples.

Walking down the road, you'll find the famous Old Imperial Pavilion in the Imperial Garden.

Standing on top and looking down at the lake, there was an old and simple trellis with half of its length submerged in the water.

Yet it unexpectedly enjoys a large following.

This is the place where Takao and Yukari reunite after several months apart in "The Garden of Words".

Many couples, after reminiscing about their love story, visit this sacred site to commemorate their time there.

Time always passes without leaving a trace.

Kai Uesugi glanced at the digital clock face as he walked out of Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

11:51:24

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye, and the two of them had only managed to walk through the entire Imperial Garden.

"It's my treat, what would you like to eat?" Uesugi Kai said.

Although their homes are not far from here, no one is home right now, and it would take them more than an hour to cook for themselves when they get back.

Not only is the food unpalatable, but it's also too much trouble. Fortunately, there are many restaurants in the Royal Garden area, so it's better to just choose one directly.

Hanabi Hanabi looked up at Kai Uesugi and said, "Then let's have ramen."

"alright."

Kai Uesugi looked at Hanabi's innocent face, his tone helpless.

This was always the case whenever Uesugi Kai treated him to a meal. He knew she was trying to save him money, but he couldn't refuse, so he could only go along with it.