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

"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.

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.

Chapter 263: For Uesugi, confidence was justified.

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

Hanabi Hanamaru held a crystal-like rabbit-shaped sweet in her hand and then ate it in one bite.

"Delicious!"

In front of her, a small wooden plate held many lifelike flowers, birds, fish, and insects, all of which were pastries made from glutinous rice, red beans, taro, and other ingredients.

Delicate, soft, and delicious, each bite is filled with a soft, chewy texture.

Sakakibara Nanako sat opposite her, with leaf-green matcha on the table.

Girls like delicate and cute snacks, but often they become hesitant to eat them when they see that the food looks cute.

However, Sakakibara Nanako thought Hanamaru Hanabi was eating very well, and the wagashi she had made that morning was about to be completely devoured by her.

Seeing that Hanamaru Hanabi was enjoying her meal, Ms. Sakakibara said to her:

"Hanabi, would you like to learn how to make this kind of pastry with me?"

"May I?"

"Yes, that's fine."

Hanabi Hanamaru immediately stood up and gave a polite little bow, saying, "Thank you, sister."

"Sit down, sit down. It's just learning to make a pastry," Sakakibara Nanako said with a smile. "The ratio of water to sweets is very important. You must pay attention to it, otherwise the dough will be too solid, and if you don't use enough, the dough won't hold its shape."

I've actually tried making wagashi (Japanese sweets) before, following the instructions in a book. I managed to get the shape right, but I couldn't create so many unique and varied designs.

He kept nodding as he listened to what Sakakibara Nanako was saying.

Even though she was a girl herself, Ms. Sakakibara found her exceptionally cute and couldn't help but laugh as she said:

"Eat quickly, and after you finish, I'll take you to learn it once."

Hanamaru Hanabi glanced at the lotus-shaped pastries on the table, supported by green leaves:

"Sister, can we pack it up first?"

"Pack it up? Who are you planning to give it to... Hmm... I understand." Halfway through her sentence, Sakakibara Nanako turned and smiled.

"I want to make one myself, and then give the one my sister made to Kai-kun together."

With her simple yet thoughtful girlfriend thoughts, Sakakibara Nanako felt that girls like Hanamaru Hanabi were becoming increasingly rare.

"Okay, I'll pack it up in a box for you first."

"Okay, thank you, sister."

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

Meanwhile, Uesugi Kai and Hama Etsuki arrived at the dojo.

Kendo dojo floors are never covered with cement; wooden planks are preferred to minimize friction between the feet and the ground.

Kendo often involves movements such as sliding steps and jumping slashes, which are not durable enough for ordinary solid wood floors. A double-layer keel structure is required to enhance its sturdiness.

It is common for dojos and clubs to have cracked floors that are not repaired.

The main issue is price; one square meter of keelwood costs more than 6,000 yen.

There were quite a few people inside practicing their swings in the air, sweating profusely and panting heavily.

There were also several people wearing hoods, sparring and confronting each other.

Uesugi Kai glanced around and conservatively estimated that there were more than 30 people, all around 25 or 26 years old, both men and women, with men making up the majority.

As soon as the two stepped into the dojo, all the students' eyes were drawn to them, and they stopped what they were doing.

"Hey! Yuehui! What did the teacher say?" a woman with a bright, cheerful voice called out.

"Teacher Shi Fan is still the same as always," Bin Yuehui said helplessly.

Uncle Sakakibara is the owner and instructor of Mushinkan. Although he is the famous figurehead of Mushinkan, he never gets involved in its affairs.

The students who came here to study couldn't learn from the teachers, but they had no complaints whatsoever.

If you ask why, it's probably because Mr. Shihan Dai taught quite well, and Ms. Sakakibara, who managed the dojo's daily affairs, was kind and approachable.

Bin Yuehui was still wearing his kendo uniform, and the bag around his waist had his name on it.

Kai Uesugi noticed that the person who had just spoken had "Mushin-kan" written on the top of their bag and "Tachibana" written on the bottom.

A kendo name bag is used to identify oneself; it usually has the name of the kendo school or dojo written on the top and the surname written on the bottom.

In the dojo, there are positions or titles. The large characters in the middle are the titles, and the small characters on the left are the surnames.

Of course, there are also people who write whatever they want.

However, such mavericks are unlikely to appear.

"Then what should we do? Shall we practice the vibration again today?"

“No,” Hama Yuki replied, then pointed to Uesugi Kai beside him, “Our instructor asked this senior to guide our training.”

"Yuehui, you call him—Senior Brother?" Tachibana Yuga looked Uesugi Kai up and down. He was too young.

The students in the hall started discussing it.

Uesugi Kai was also puzzled as to how he had become the senior brother; according to seniority, he should be the junior brother.

It doesn't matter, it's just giving them a lesson.

Young people who are not even 20 years old are giving me lectures?

To be honest, although Kendo also emphasizes etiquette and friendliness, I just don't believe that there is any experience to be passed on to me.

"Excuse me, senior brother... how many ranks did you advance in this year's rank review?" another person asked.

"I haven't passed the exam." Uesugi Kai understood that they didn't trust him, which was normal. It was like showing off one's skills in front of Guan Yu; anyone would laugh. He was just trying to teach a fish to swim.

The students' discussion became even more intense.