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

Kai Uesugi's upper slash was skillfully deflected by Isshin Sakakibara from about 10 centimeters from the base of the blade.

The lower half of the blade was pried open, causing the tip to wobble.

"A killing technique! It's about seizing the initiative and destroying the opponent's sword techniques that block their attacks."

Sakakibara Isshin took the first step, assuming a swift attack stance, and Uesugi Kai reacted quickly.

But this is seme, before Uesugi Kai could react to his attack.

See through their intentions, seize the opportunity to attack early, and strike with your knife.

"Killing intent! It's about meeting force with force, and we absolutely cannot afford to be at a disadvantage in the slightest!"

Uesugi Kai attempted to start with the technique taught by his father-in-law, Jigenryu, but he managed to imitate that full-force Kesa-zan perfectly.

The sound of wooden knives clashing echoed in the air.

The two who had finished their exchange withdrew from their stances.

"If you were a gift from heaven with absolute sword skills last time, then you are now an extremely powerful sword genius."

Uncle Sakakibara isn't stupid; he can see the difference between his current strength and his previous strength.

His defenses were alright; the older man never managed to break through them.

But offensively... they're far, far behind.

Can you tell me why?

"My condition is sometimes good and sometimes bad."

Imagine a world's richest man suddenly turning into a scruffy beggar begging for money at his doorstep, saying: "My condition is sometimes good and sometimes bad."

Can this be believed?

"Forget it, it's completely wrong to follow logic with someone like you who isn't even human." After he single-handedly took down more than a dozen people, Uncle Sakakibara had already given up thinking. "I'll just ask one more question."

"Okay, go ahead and say it." Uesugi Kai had already sat back down on the low stool to rest.

Which one represents your usual level of skill?

"Now."

"Then, can I understand that your previous state was Bankai?"

Bankai is something from Bleach. Uesugi Kai roughly knows that it means to unlock one's powers.

"That thing only exists in anime, how could it exist in reality?"

Uncle Sakakibara, gripping the wooden sword, stared wide-eyed. "Then how do you explain this attack? You used to be able to take down your opponent in one move."

“Actually, what I used to defeat them wasn’t swordsmanship,” Uesugi Kai said.

"what is that?"

“Personal talent,” Uesugi Kai said. “Isn’t there a place on the neck that regulates blood pressure? Just tap it there and the person will faint. Tapping the neck is a very simple thing, right?”

"How is that possible?"

"Uncle, you can search online."

Uncle Sakakibara immediately took out his old cell phone, which he had used for several years.

Kai Uesugi added, "Let me make it clear beforehand that's just the principle. I don't know if others can do it, but I certainly can."

It means there is a basis in reality; believe it or not, there's nothing you can do if you don't.

Kai Uesugi didn't want to argue with the older man about her abilities anymore. Her cousin understood perfectly well that knowing she was talented and very capable was enough.

Explain that it's a real issue, and there's no need to rack your brains over it.

"There really is!"

Then, as if he had discovered a new world, Uncle Sakakibara prepared to follow the script and tried to cut his own neck with a wooden sword.

But then I saw a large red label on my phone:

Striking the carotid sinus forcefully can easily cause damage to the atlas and medulla oblongata in the cervical spine, leading to brain contusion, cerebral hemorrhage, concussion, deep coma, brain herniation, paralysis, and even death. Do not attempt this lightly!

A single blow to the heart can still kill.

Uncle Sakakibara touched his neck; no wonder his neck was still aching when he woke up that day.

----------

In the afternoon after lunch, Uesugi Kai took the opportunity to make a video call to Hanabi.

The call connected after a period of silence on a completely black screen.

Her image was blurry, as if covered by a torn mosaic filter, and the sound was also choppy.

But you can vaguely make out from the background that she is by a river, surrounded by red maple trees.

She was still wearing the little round hat he had given her, and she called out his name to the phone camera.

But after only one shout, the network connection dropped.

Both the sound and the visuals abruptly stopped.

Uesugi Kai leaned against a pillar under the eaves and waited for a long time before Hanabi sent him a message.

[Sorry, Kai-kun, the internet connection here isn't very good, but Hanabi is out sketching right now. There are lots of swans in the lake in front.]

The message was followed by an emoji asking for forgiveness.

Are you having fun over there, Hanabi?

After typing this sentence, Uesugi Kai frowned for a long time, then deleted it and changed it to:

It's okay, you go ahead with your work. If you have time, take a picture of the painting and send it to me tonight.

After clicking the send button, Uesugi Kai's hands involuntarily fell to his sides, and even the rain falling from the dome outside the eaves seemed to grow a few degrees colder.

"棹."

Kai Uesugi turned his head to the side. "Mom."

Noriko Uesugi smiled and said, "Texting Hanabi-chan again?"

"Ah."

How does it feel to be apart?

"It's...not something I'm used to."

"That's true. After all, you two never argued or were apart since you were little. When someone you've been with day and night passes away, you'll be stunned just looking at her things from the past."

Noriko Uesugi's voice seemed tinged with melancholy.

“When your grandmother passed away, I was just like that. I would even go up and talk to people whose backs resembled hers when I was walking down the street, and I was often mistaken for a lunatic.”

After saying that, she smiled again.

"Mom, do you have a good answer to the question that Auntie asked me before?"

"What is love?" Noriko Uesugi said. "Of course, you have to figure this out for yourself. Your dad didn't give up even though I rejected him sixteen times."

"Of course, some people will laugh at him, but others may praise him. Everyone has different opinions. At least I have seen your father's true feelings."

"You and Hanabi have been together for almost thirteen years. I don't need to elaborate on how familiar you are with each other. But Kai, there are always times when you can't understand each other."

"You need to think carefully about how to better handle your current relationship."

......

Once again, he was left alone, gazing at the rain.

Kai Uesugi understood that his mother was trying to comfort him and encourage him to think about things in a better way.

He went back to his room.

Push aside the screen.

If she were still here, she would be kneeling by the coffee table, drawing on her legs, and smiling gently at me as I entered, saying, "Kai-kun, have you finished your kendo practice?"

But now, there is nothing, nothing at all, just an empty space, with only the sound of cold rain outside the window.

The only things were the unmade bedding when I woke up in the morning and the plate of oranges that Grandma brought last night but I hadn't eaten.

Kai Uesugi lay back down on the bed and picked up the big shark that Hanabi particularly liked.

The white fish's belly still carried the scent of lilies from her body.

I simply...can't bear to see her leave...

Not to mention the more than three years that will follow.

I've grown accustomed to her scent, her voice, her gentleness, and the timid little girl who used to call me "Brother Zhao."

The twelve-year bond was suddenly stretched far away, all the way to England.

A void seemed to have appeared in my heart, with only the thin threads at the edge pulling painfully.

Kai Uesugi stretched out his arms, holding the great white shark high above his head, and murmured to it:

"Should I...go and call her back?"

###Chapter 222 The Rain Continues###

"Why has it been raining these past few days?" In front of the warehouse, Mr. Uesugi, with a cigarette between his teeth, picked up a basket of oranges and lifted it onto the truck.

"I'm really not sure. There's usually hardly any rain at this time of year." Uesugi Yoko rolled up her sleeves and pushed the last basket of oranges into the car, then jumped out and clapped her hands.

Are you leaving already?

After helping out, Uesugi Kai and Uesugi Shio stood to the side of the two.

"Freshness is the top priority for fruit, and this is also to ensure the quality and grade of oranges."

The old man, Uesugi, who was smoking a cigarette, spoke somewhat unclearly, but he took out a very old wallet from his purse, pulled out several large bills of ten thousand yen, and handed them to Uesugi Kai.

"grandfather......"

"After helping out all day, we should eat something."

"Eating won't cost 6 yen, right?"