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

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!]

###Chapter 259 Tokyo University May Festival (End)###

Hanabi Hanabi couldn't help but tighten her hands around the hem of her skirt.

A great intro to a song can not only put the lead singer in a good mood, but it can also put a lot of pressure on a nervous singer.

Especially for introverted girls like Hanabi Hanamaru.

The music leaps out from the guitar and piano; the clear sound of the keys striking the body of the instrument makes the tone of the prelude distinct, and the embellishment of the guitar strings makes the piece even clearer.

Immediately following, the drum kit added a dense rhythm, and Kai Uesugi also emphasized the syllables according to the score he remembered, producing an even more catchy and engaging rhythm.

Kitagawa Sakakisa's violin hadn't been touched yet, but the sound of the other three playing reached a certain burning, pulsating place in the hearts of everyone present, stirring up waves.

"Hey, Totsuka, Uesugi can play the guitar?"

"I don't know." Totsuka Katsura's attention was entirely focused on the stage. Not only were his classmates beside him unaware that Uesugi Kai could play the guitar, and play it so well.

It seems like he was playing the other two notes besides the piano and drums, right?

Can a guitar play two notes at the same time?

More and more people gathered around.

"You didn't know? Look, all the female students nearby have come over to watch!"

Totsuka Katsura's mind was on the performance on stage, so she answered haphazardly, "It's normal, just like Uesugi wears his engagement ring every day, and you haven't even noticed."

"I didn't usually work with him on the same research project, so we didn't have much contact!" the other party argued.

On stage, Kai Uesugi, Rika Kujo, and Riei Ayaka had already set the rhythm for the beginning of the song.

After a 17-second intro, it's time for Hanabi Hanabi's vocals.

Even from behind, Uesugi Kai could sense a nervousness. Her figure was beautiful, just like everyone's image of first love amidst a shower of cherry blossoms.

—The shy, budding, and nervous demeanor when facing romantic feelings.

Hanabi Hanamaru carefully tightened her lips, silently counting the time in her heart, her heartbeat pressed down by the expectant gazes of the audience below the stage.

She held her breath, gripped the bright silver standing microphone in front of her with both hands, and waited for the 17th second to arrive, following the rhythm of Uesugi Kai's harmonies behind her.

As more and more people gathered around to watch, the curiosity of others also grew.

Hanabi Hanamaru's gaze fell on the microphone. Her upright posture and the way her skirt swayed in the wind always carried something that instinctively aroused longing.

It doesn't matter if you don't sing well—that's what everyone thinks.

However, the moment she spoke after much deliberation, her gentle voice flowed out, captivating the boys in the audience.

"Deep inside your body, just below the throat, if that's where the heart is, you must be in there..."

The moment her voice leaped from her, the exquisite guitar, the crisp piano, and the dense drumbeats all became mere accompaniment, a mere backdrop.

Although Hanabi had not received any singing training and her voice was still immature, it was precisely that unique girlish innocence that made her seem so beautiful, so gentle, and so clear.

In particular, as she gradually raised her head, revealing her shimmering purple eyes in the sunlight, this adorable charm that could captivate the world instantly won everyone's hearts.

When Hanamaru Hanabi sang the last line, many boys' longing and romantic feelings were implying that the "you" in their hearts referred to themselves.

She was very brave. Uesugi Kai, who was accompanying her on the guitar behind her, heard her unique voice flowing into his ears and deeply touching his heart. He couldn't help but smile knowingly.

As the song, filled with people's longing for love, slowly came to an end, Kitagawa Sakakisa smiled. In her words, it was quite nice to be admired by others!

She set up her violin, placed the bow on the neck, and closed her eyes.

Dressed in a black dress with a distinctly British style, she exuded the aura of a true heiress on stage.

The moment Hanamaru Hanabi's gentle final note ended, she pulled on her bow, and the lyrics of the song, which were originally slightly sad, were suddenly raised to a high level, like the bright sun breaking through the clouds and illuminating the earth after the rain.

The light, bouncy rhythm made every ray of sunlight in the air seem to breathe; the ginkgo leaves rustled, and both the wind sweeping across the blue sky and the chirping of crows in their nests were bathed in vibrant colors, accompanying the intense high notes of the violin as they resonated in the ears and touched the heart...

"...Their skill level is very high."

Like everyone else in the audience, Totsuka Katsura was deeply moved by the violin melody.

The way she played the music has become a source of smiles for people, deeply moving and penetrating their hearts...

The music continued, the cheerful melody still playing.

The powerful violin interlude had barely faded when it suddenly stopped.

Immediately afterwards, Hanabi Hanamoto's soft voice sang again, tinged with sadness: "Although I've understood for a long time that with the passage of time I'll even forget your physical appearance, I still want to understand that moment deep within my body, in my throat, when words are conceived..."

The singing continued, and so did people's expectations.

"In order to prevent this memory from fading away..."

To avoid making this song seem obvious, please don't forget...

Just remember it for a little while, although I've been thinking this for a very, very long time.

"Your fingertips probably house a deity..."

The song has a neat and upbeat tone, but the lyrics have a sorrowful and melancholic atmosphere. Sung slowly in Hanamaru Hanabi's soft and youthful voice, it's like telling a story.

Starting from the first half, the story gradually unfolds, elevating the viewer's mood to a radiant, sunny state after being captivated by a stunning violin performance.

My mood was like the morning after a downpour, when I opened the window facing the bright sunshine, looked at the translucent green leaves still with water droplets, and took a deep breath of the fresh air after the rain.

The audience felt a refreshing coolness, a pleasant sensation in May as summer approached.

"That's great!"

Hearing her classmate's exclamation, Totsuka Katsura turned her head and realized that he was recording a video on his phone.

People are naturally curious. When a place attracts a large crowd, even more people will flock there to watch.

Nana Umezu and Jun Kiyosaki were among those who managed to squeeze through the crowd. They had just changed shifts and were taking over the morning students' tour of the school. The largest stage was located in front of the Yasuda Auditorium.

She recognized the person on the stage: "Uesugi-kun?"

"Kiyosuke, when did Uesugi-kun sign up for the performance program?"

"Senior... I think he mentioned he was going to practice... but I don't know what he's going to practice." Kiyosa Takeshi realized he didn't recognize the other three girls behind him, but they were all very pretty.

"He's probably just practicing guitar..." Nana Umezu stood at the front of the crowd, watching Kai Uesugi hug his guitar. Bathed in sunlight, he was handsome and talented. This must be the kind of boyfriend she dreamed of...

Kiyosaki Takeshi asked, "What's the name of this song?"

"I don't know... I've never heard of it, but it sounds really nice." Nana Umezu noticed that most of the girls were looking at him. Perhaps they were too focused on his face, and many of them deliberately ignored the ring on his hand.

A five-minute song may not seem long, and it may sound easy, but the effort a performer puts into it can be measured in years.

What the stage showcases is the accumulation of skills and experience.

For example, Rika Kyuu's piano skills were developed from a young age, and although Sakaki Kitagawa was playful and somewhat lazy, she was often dragged along to learn together.

Rie Ayaka started learning drums in junior high school. Although she hasn't practiced for a long time, she still has a solid foundation.

After finishing the song, Hanabi Hanamaru was still in a tense state and hadn't reacted yet. After politely apologizing to the audience who were applauding, she hurriedly walked off the stage.

As the staff came on stage, Uesugi Kai and the others bowed to the audience and withdrew.

"Hanabi-chan!" In the small tent behind the stage, Kitagawa Sakakisa immediately ran over and hugged Hanabi Hanamaru, rubbing her neck vigorously.

"Don't be like that, everyone's here," Hanabi Hanamaru said softly, her worry mixed with a hint of happiness.

"Hanabi sauce is great, isn't it?"

"I still didn't sing well... I didn't pronounce many words clearly... I sang too softly..."

"It's okay, the overall atmosphere looks great. Didn't you guys see all those guys looking at you?"

"I know..." Hanabi Hanamaru didn't really want too many people looking at her.

The black dress brushing against the white gown, in Uesugi Kai's view, was simply Kitagawa Sakakisa being overly enthusiastic.

It seems that she doesn't have any friends other than the people in front of her.

It seems that since Kitagawa Sakakisa transferred to Kamikoshi, she has never attended a proper school and has always been taught by private tutors.

As for why she could attend the strictly vetted Kanzaki-Eshido Private School without attending junior high school, all I can say is that her family has extraordinary connections.

Hanabi is quite gratified that she has made so many good friends; at least they all care about her and show concern for her as a friend.

They spend less than 15 minutes on stage performing a song, 10 of which are spent in the preparation stage.

The response was quite enthusiastic, mainly because there were plenty of beautiful girls. Uesugi had been featured in many newspapers as the national archery champion and was somewhat famous.

His name was displayed on the recruitment poster for the Tokyo University Archery Club, along with the "chuunibyou" (delusional) label given to him by the media.

It's currently sitting over at Sanshiro Pond.

As Uesugi Kai, carrying her guitar, walked out of the backstage area with Hanamaru Hanabi, they noticed that classmates from their school kept glancing at them.

He guessed they were probably asking each other which department Hanabi and the others belonged to.

It's a pity that Dongda University doesn't have them; they all belong to the neighboring Dongyi University.

The surrounding area is a bustling campus passageway, with all sorts of small shops lining both sides.

Some senior students are also openly selling their notes and offering life advice to outsiders.

Believe it or not, business is really good.

The two ladies walked over, carrying the little ones, their faces beaming with smiles.

Chapter 260 Leisure Time, Someone Arrives.

The next day, it was near the end of May.