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

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.

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.】

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.】

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.】

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.】

###Chapter 279 The Temperature of the Night###

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

Delicious food always makes people happy.

This is especially true for the two little girls.

Hanamaru Hanabi specially made strawberry cupcakes and tamagoyaki for them. The portions were definitely enough for the two little girls, but it seemed that Chii and Ai still hadn't had enough.

I took out the buckwheat noodles I had bought earlier from the refrigerator, cooked a serving for four people, and then we finished our dinner.

"Thank you for your hospitality." Qian Aiyi realized that her stomach was bulging and felt a little embarrassed. She put her hands between her thighs, making a gesture that only little girls would make.

Aiyi twirled her little belly, leaned her head back in the chair, and looked like she was in heaven: "Fireworks-sister, it's so delicious~"

She meant to say that the cakes and noodles made by Hanabi-neechan were delicious.

But Kai Uesugi felt that what she just said was very true.

Ai Yi: "Does my brother eat the world's best cuisine every day?"

Although it was a bit of an exaggeration, Chiai rarely agreed with her younger sister, saying, "Yeah, Hanabi-neechan's cooking is really delicious..."

After all, Ai Yi always says some strange things.

At this age, Hanamaru Hanabi is really popular. She's a beautiful older sister with a gentle personality who can cook incredibly delicious food. Who wouldn't like her?

Qian Aiyi felt she couldn't just eat and drink for free, so she offered to help with the dishes.

She and Hanabi were full of energy, bustling about in the open kitchen.

Ai-yi lazed on the sofa, hugging the giant shark of the Fireworks, and dozed off with her eyes closed.

“nini~”

"Want some milk again?"

"I feel so happy living like this!"

"It's very good."

"I wish it could stay like this forever." Ai's voice was languid, as if she was about to fall asleep.

Kai Uesugi glanced out the window; the city sky was faintly reddish under the night sky, and he knew it was getting late.

Hanamaru Hanabi also spent a lot of time making the strawberry cake and tamagoyaki.

"You and your sister can stay here tonight."

Upon hearing his words, Ai opened her eyes, feeling slightly incredulous.

"Really?"

Uesugi Kai noticed her slight mood:

"Does Ai-chan not want to go home?"

"There are only my sister and me at home. My brother, Hanabi-neechan, and the cake that hasn't gotten cold are here~ If my brother agrees to let Ai stay, Ai and Hanabi-neechan can help warm his bed."

Is this her unique way of expressing gratitude?

"That's fine then."

"Does my brother sleep with Hanabi-neechan at night?"

"Ah."

"Didn't you make babies together?"

"No, children shouldn't think about these things."

"Hanabi-neechan is so pretty, even prettier than Ai-yi."

Little Aiyi seems to know a lot, probably from books.

Uesugi Kai remembered her sister saying that she loved reading. "What books is Ai reading lately?"

"Paradise Lost".

This book...

It's fair to say that many people treat it as pornography.

The film opens with a very passionate performance from the male and female leads.

What's your opinion on this?

"Can't I look?" Ai asked him in a very innocent tone.

"It's not that it's impossible... it's just that this book isn't really suitable for your age group."

How can a story about extramarital affairs leading to suicide or poisoning be suitable for children?

"Aiyi thinks it's great, because you can see stories of love between adults."

That doesn't count as dating.

"Don't Kuki and Rinko like each other?"

When Ai said that, Uesugi Kai understood that she had indeed read it, and might even have read it all.

"Mutual affection that is completely detached from reality will ultimately lead to a tragic ending. It can only be said that it is not a simple love."

"It feels so complicated." Aiyi hugged Shark and closed her eyes.

Kai Uesugi was still thinking, "You've already read Paradise Lost, and you still find these few sentences complicated?"

After Hanabi Hanabi and Chiai finished washing the dishes, Kai Uesugi told them that she had decided to let the sisters stay and rest, since it was getting late and there was still a room that hadn't been used much.

Qian Aiyi felt she had troubled the two of them and kept thanking them.

In the evening, Uesugi Kai, who had finished taking a bath first, made up the beds for the two little girls using spare blankets.

The two of them had slept together since they were little, sharing a single bed.

Aiyi, clinging to the fireworks, wanted to take a bath with her sister.