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

"I haven't had time to do it yet."

"Busy illustrating again?" Uesugi Kai entered the entryway, closed the door, and changed into the slippers she had prepared.

Hanabi Hanabi helped him take off his coat, rolled it up in her hand, and said, "Hmm... I've been a bit busy lately..."

After starting university, because she was quite busy, Uesugi Kai was unable to see her every day.

Do you miss me?

"think......"

"Then let's kiss."

"No."

"Huh? Why not?"

Hanabi Hanabi lowered her head slightly, her voice soft, "Kai-kun... kisses always leave a red mark, and it's very, very hard to erase."

Uesugi Kai took small steps forward, tilted her head, and bit the soft lips of the girl leaning against the wall.

"Kai-kun..."

Hanabi Hanamaru felt her body go weak under his embrace and lip-biting.

With a weak push, her little hands pushed him away, her bright purple eyes darting away in embarrassment. "Let's... let's cook first."

"Row."

Uesugi Kai wasn't picky, and then started helping Hanabi chop vegetables. His knife skills were superb; he quickly and neatly chopped the radishes and potatoes.

As for the food... it's just so-so even now.

"What are we eating today?" Uesugi Kai stood behind Hanabi Hanabi, watching her busy herself while wearing an apron.

"Curry beef".

The beef seemed to have been braised in advance. Hanamaru took it out of the refrigerator, and after putting small pieces of potatoes and radishes into the pot, she poured in the beef and curry sauce and simmered it over low heat.

As she carefully stirred and cooked, a rich aroma gradually wafted from the pot.

A serious and meticulous girl is always charming. Standing behind her, Uesugi Kai couldn't help but look her up and down.

Compared to her usual elaborate attire, a girl in a loose t-shirt and apron looks quite different when she's seriously cooking.

Human desires will only grow stronger.

At first, Uesugi Kai just wanted to stand behind her and watch her cook, but later, he saw her white shoulders and her collarbone, which was half-hidden.

His hand unconsciously slipped inside the girl's shark t-shirt and wrapped around her soft, tender waist.

Hanabi Hanamaru was stunned for a moment, then felt the hand groping around her waist, and her face quickly turned red:

"Kai-kun...stop fooling around, Hanabi's busy making curry..."

Uesugi Kai pressed close to her back, his five fingers grasping her even softer, more delicate belly:

"It's alright, Hanabi can focus on cooking, and Kai-kun is busy with his own things."

His hand kept sliding across her stomach, and Hanabi, who was already ticklish and had a sensitive body, felt like she could barely hold the spoon.

"Kai-kun... no, no... it itches."

Does it itch?

"Kai, Kai-kun... don't tickle Hanabi's stomach..." Hanabi Hanamaru was a little unsteady on her feet, and the handle of the spoon she was using to stir the curry was starting to feel weak.

"But I feel really comfortable rubbing against Hanabi's belly." Gradually, because she liked the delicate touch so much, her hand slid upwards.

"棣,棣君!"

......

......

Inside the small apartment.

As Uesugi Kai ate his burnt curry beef, he glanced several times at Hanamaru Hanabi sitting at the table across from him.

----------------

----------------

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?]

【never mind.】

Hey, no way! The class reunion wouldn't be complete without you! You're a celebrity at our school! Do you know how many girls have asked me for your phone number?

[It wouldn't be much different without me.]

【How can you say that! Every classmate is important! If you don't come, Tsubokawa and I will drag you here!】

There's no need.

"Uesugi, this is necessary. We're worried about you." Goto's tone suddenly became serious.

What do I have to worry about?

[Anyway, it's settled then. 2-6-12 Ginza. Remember to come on time Friday noon, you absolutely have to!]

Kai Uesugi put the phone he had just hung up back into his pocket.

On the way home, the sound of the plastic bag swaying and the rain hitting the umbrella were clearly mingled together.

The words Goto had invited me to the class reunion kept echoing in my mind.

To say it's perfect is an understatement; it's been imperfect for a long time now.

Uesugi Kai continued walking, the sky overcast with rain, filled with an unyielding chill.

......

open the door.

"I am back."

Kai Uesugi spoke loudly because he secretly hoped that a soft, warm voice would reach his ears.

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.