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

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A street scene in Tokyo at 1:39 p.m.

Cold rain sprinkled across the transparent umbrellas that were being used to walk between the high-rise buildings.

"Welcome to 7 Days Convenience Store."

"Hi, Seunghye, 300 yen."

"Sir, starting in September, you'll be charged for plastic bags. Here's your change: 190 yen. Please keep it safe."

Thank you for your patronage. We look forward to welcoming you again.

After leaving the convenience store, Uesugi Kai, whose chin was now covered in stubble, walked home alone, holding an umbrella.

The whispers of raindrops hitting the umbrella's surface filled my entire body with a chill.

Kai Uesugi didn't react much, letting the chill invade his body as he continued walking through the rain-soaked streets of Tokyo.

He answered the phone, carrying a clear plastic bag containing two cup noodles.

It is the mother.

【Akai, the letter from the University of Tokyo has arrived.】

【Um. 】

[It says on the sign that the entrance ceremony will be held on April 1st!]

That's really lucky.

[Yeah, yeah! I can't believe you actually got in, A-Zhao! This past year must have been tough, right? What do you want to eat tonight?]

Kai Uesugi glanced sideways at the two packs of Nissin Cup Noodles in his plastic bag.

The pattering raindrops continued to fill my ears.

I've already bought some instant noodles.

[Instant noodles? No way! That's unhealthy. When you get home, just wait for me to go grocery shopping; it'll be ready in a minute.]

【Um. 】

Kai Uesugi hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket.

Unexpectedly, it rang again.

It's Goto.

【Hello.】

[Haha, Uesugi, I passed! I passed!]

【Congratulations.】

Hey, you have no idea how tough it's been for me lately. Every night I wait for the envelope to arrive at home.

【Um. 】

Kai Uesugi, phone in hand, gazed at the passersby under their umbrellas as they brushed past him.

[Hey, Uesugi, are you alright? You don't sound very happy. Could it be that you...]

You've passed; don't worry.

[You passed? Haha, that's great! The University of Tokyo... I can't even dream of it. There's a class reunion on Friday, everyone's coming. Are you coming?]

###Chapter 241 "Uesugi, whom Hanabi dislikes"###

On the way to the Central Cafeteria of Southeast University.

"It's time to buy a computer."

"What did you say, senior?" Kiyosuke Takeshi, who was standing to the right, didn't hear clearly.

"It's nothing, I just find it easier to take notes with a laptop."

Near the iconic clock tower of the University of Tokyo, on the side of the central lawn, there is a small underground entrance to a cafeteria.

The University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus has approximately 15000 students, faculty, and staff. To accommodate such a large number of people during peak periods, the central dining hall was built to be very large.

The building has a semi-circular two-story structure. There is a cafe on the second floor that sells cakes, desserts, and lunch. Many people study here.

The first floor is where you pick up and eat your meals. Because it's open to the public and the prices are much cheaper than other restaurants, the central canteen is always more than half full.

After taking a plate from the serving area, Uesugi Kai ordered a bowl of Akamon ramen.

444 yen.

"Do you like spicy food, senior?"

Kai Uesugi took the ramen from the waiter in a black bowl and placed it on an orange tray.

"I'm used to it, and I feel a little uncomfortable if I don't eat it."

Can you get used to eating spicy food?

Kai Uesugi and Shun Kiyosaki were in the same class, which was divided according to their second foreign language. They both chose Chinese.

Everyone says that students from the University of Tokyo are high achievers, and they are labeled as such in the eyes of outsiders.

When the girls heard that he was a student at Tokyo University, they would even ask curiously, "Do classmates only talk about serious topics like points and history?"

After finishing his noodles, Kai Uesugi was reviewing his notes. Life at the University of Tokyo wasn't very serious, but he still wanted to try a little harder.

Kai Uesugi is prepared to reject the suggestion that Hanabi's grandfather wants him to become a policeman.

The reason is simple: their ambitions lie elsewhere.

"Are you going to the archery club today, senpai? I don't have any classes this afternoon."

"It's too far. I'll go on Saturday when I have time."

The rain pattered softly, and the green ginkgo trees swayed on both sides of the path.

In the afternoon, after borrowing materials from the library, Uesugi Kai met Professor Okuno from their literature department.

Pretend you didn't see it.

Uesugi Kai covered his face with his umbrella and quickly slipped away when he stopped.

Professor Okuno, with his full white beard, coughed twice, deliberately lowering his voice, "Uesugi-kun, as a first-year student, don't you even greet the teachers you meet in Hongo?"

"Yes, Professor Okuno, good afternoon." Uesugi Kai was afraid that he would ask her to pour coffee again.

"Professor Morikawa this afternoon—"

"Professor Morikawa is a professor in the medical school."

“Haha, what does it matter?” Professor Okuno laughed. “As a student of the University of Tokyo, the hope for the future is to broaden your knowledge. Literature cannot be separated from reality. If you become a novelist in the future, a broad knowledge base will save you a lot of trouble.”

"Hmm." Under the umbrella, Uesugi Kai thought for a moment and agreed with the professor. "I'll go when I have the chance."

Professor Okuno knew that Okuno was making excuses when he heard the phrase "there is an opportunity".

"You won't have a chance to make me a cup of coffee this afternoon?"

Uesugi Kai would have to rely on this professor to avoid failing his courses, and he would often ask him for advice.

"Nothing."

"What a pity, what a pity." Professor Okuno, with his gray hair, shook his head and left first.

......

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and Uesugi Kai spent every day in class. Among the first-year students, there were quite a few ambitious ones who wanted to take several courses at the same time.

But this happened in April, with a sense of self-confidence that "I am a genius and must work hard for the country."

By May, he had contracted 'May sickness'.

Hey, class? You don't have to go.

Working? I'm not going to work anymore. There are no requirements anyway. Isn't it nice to just stay home and be lazy?

After auditing a law class, Uesugi Kai felt like she was about to catch May sickness herself.

In the afternoon, he decided to visit Tokyo University of the Arts.

After taking the subway from Nezu to Kita-Senju, about half an hour later, Uesugi Kai arrived near Tokyo University of the Arts in Adachi Ward.

Knowing that Hana might be rushing to finish her artwork at this time, he didn't go to the campus but instead went to her apartment building and called her.

The call was connected.

Hanamaru Hanabi: "棣君."

Kai Uesugi looked towards the second single room on the left on the fourth floor of the dormitory: "Are you free?"

Hanamaru Hanabi: "Yes."

"Would you like something to eat?"

"Kai-kun...should we go over there with the fireworks?"

"Go look down from the window."

window?

Hanabi Hanamaru in the apartment was only wearing a loose shark-print T-shirt and was still looking up information on the computer in front of her. When she heard his words, she put on her slippers, held the phone in her hand, and walked to the window.

She saw Kai Uesugi downstairs, looking up and smiling.

Then quickly said into the phone:

"Kai, Kai-kun, wait a minute! Hanabi will be down soon."

"No need, I'll come up."

.......

Kai Uesugi rang the doorbell outside the apartment rented by Hanabi Hanamaru.

After a series of gentle footsteps, Xiao Huahuo, now wearing only a pair of lantern pants, opened the door.

Seeing her looking a bit listless, Uesugi Kai asked, "Have you had lunch yet?"