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

"Hanabi has always trusted Uesugi-kun. Riei-chan has become somewhat hostile towards boys who get close to girls because of some things that happened in the past. Sometimes she can become very sensitive, but this is Riei-chan's secret, and I can't tell Uesugi-kun about it."

"It seems that Riei-chan has a lot of misunderstandings about Uesugi-kun. Hanabi will help Uesugi-kun explain things slowly."

"It's ok."

Uesugi Kai didn't seem to mind Ayaka Rie's behavior much, since he was already used to it.

But what she just said coincided with his thoughts this morning, so he asked:

"Did I announce our relationship too early?"

Hanabi Hanabi glanced at Kai Uesugi with a curious look and whispered, "Is Kai Uesugi still bothered by... this matter?"

Fifteen-year-old Hanabi Hanamaru is already a proper high school girl, but her face still has a childlike outline.

“Yes, there are some,” he replied.

Is it because of my age?

"Ah."

Hanabi Hanamaru remained silent for a moment before the two walked off the familiar overpass. The lights were still shining brightly, illuminating the narrow street.

"Sometimes Hanabi really feels that Uesugi-kun is not mature enough for his age. From childhood to adulthood, Hanabi has never seen Uesugi-kun cry."

I've never cried...

Her adorable idea left Uesugi Kai somewhat amused and exasperated, and she said:

"Hanabi, in your eyes, is the sign of maturity never crying in front of you?"

"Eh?!"

Hanabi Hanabi looked at him curiously, her eyes shining with surprise, "Did Uesugi-kun secretly cry in a corner?"

"No."

"Eh..." The light of surprise in her eyes gradually faded, slowly turning into a feeling of disappointment. "I thought Uesugi-kun, like everyone else, had secretly cried in the bathroom..."

Kai Uesugi could sense Hanabi's emotions beside her. What was with that expectant look in her eyes just now? Was she hoping to find common ground with me from our childhood?

"But I still remember the way you cried and hid behind me, Hanabi." Uesugi Kai gave her a natural smile.

"I..."

Hanabi Hanamaru saw the smile on Kai Uesugi's face and immediately remembered.

When she was little, she was playing in the park when a Shiba Inu that wasn't on a leash chased her and barked. The dog's bared teeth scared her so much that she cried and ran behind her brother, Sugi Kai, while calling out "brother, brother!"

Although the Shiba Inu was eventually taken back by its owner, she didn't dare go to that park for a whole month because of the incident, as all she could think about was the Shiba Inu's bared teeth.

Now, looking at Uesugi Kai, who was still a bit taller than her, she felt too embarrassed to hide behind him anymore.

"..."

"Why does Uesugi-kun still remember this...?"

“Because it’s so cute,” Uesugi Kai laughed. “That day was the day our two families went out for a picnic together. I’m sure Aunt Mieko and the others remember it too. Hanabi, crying like a little kitten, hiding behind me and sobbing.”

Hanabi pursed her soft lips and buried her head again, not daring to say anything more to him.

###Chapter 39 On the Way Home, Hanamaru Yuuki###

The neon lights at night always lined both sides of the street. The two continued walking home, and their conversation had warmed up the atmosphere around them.

Hanabi Hanabu followed Kai Uesugi into a 711-Eleven convenience store.

Welcome!

The cashier, who was scrolling through his phone at the checkout counter, habitually said, looking up with a smile and giving the two a slight nod:

"It's Uesugi-kun and Hanamaru-san. Good evening, both of you."

"Hmm." Uesugi Kai casually replied, then went inside to select items, while Hanabi Hanabi waited for him at the checkout counter.

Good evening, Mr. Tang.

Hanamaru nodded to the shop assistant and politely greeted him.

Seeing that he was still on duty today, she was a little confused. "Isn't it Miss Tian Yuan who's on duty today?"

"Haha, there's nothing I can do," Tang Dongyun said with a bitter expression. "Senior Tian Yuan seems to have caught a cold recently, so I have to cover for her for a few more days."

Tang Dongyun is an international student studying in Japan. She wears black glasses, is rather thin, and has a good personality. She has been working at the 711-Eleven here for over a year.

Over time, Uesugi Kai and Hanamaru Hanabi, who were frequent visitors to the place, learned each other's names.

"Is Senior Tabuchi alright?" Hanabi Hanamaru asked with concern.

“She should be fine in a few days,” Tang Dongyun said. “Don’t worry about Hanamaru-san. After all, she’s a senior in the shop and she’s very strong.”

Uesugi Kai came out of the convenience store after picking out some items and overheard their conversation: "You'd better not let Tabuchi hear this, or she'll definitely give you a good scolding."

"Haha, of course I know, so I'll just say it now,"

As Tang Dongyun spoke, she swiped a Nissin cup noodle and two bottles of Calpis across the counter.

"That's 425 yen in total. Do you need a bag?"

"No need." Uesugi Kai took out a 1000 yen note from his bag and handed it over.

Thank you for your patronage.

After receiving 575 yen in change, Tang Dongyun thanked them, and the two said goodbye before continuing their journey home.

"Give."

Kai Uesugi handed Hanabi Hanamaru a bottle of Calpis that he had just bought.

"Thank you."

Hanabi Hanamaru didn't rush to drink like Kai Uesugi did; instead, she looked at the cup noodles he put into his bag.

"Uesugi-kun, Mom asked me to invite you over for dinner today..."

Are we going to Hanamaru's house for dinner?

Uesugi Kai roughly understood what it meant.

"Are we going to discuss things between the two of us?" Uesugi Kai opened the Calpis in his hand, took a sip, and found the smooth lactic acid flavor quite pleasant.

After all, this is considered a national beverage.

"Yes... Dad also said that you absolutely must come."

Hanamaru Yuki...

Is this a sign that they're going to start scrutinizing me? Uesugi Kai couldn't help but wonder, but he wasn't afraid.

Hanamaru Yuuki's identity as a police officer suddenly reminded him of something, and he asked Hanabi, "By the way, Hanabi, does Uncle Yuuki know kendo?"

Hanabi Hanamaru nodded slightly and said:

"Yes, Dad is a police inspector. I remember he said that he was a seventh-dan in kendo, which is very impressive. But Hanabi doesn't know anything about that. Dad never talks to me about his work."

"Seventh Dan? That's really impressive." Uesugi Kai recalled what Tsubokawa had said: the highest rank for the national kendo champion was seventh Dan.

But has Hanamaru Hiroki already been promoted to police inspector?

The Superintendent is the head or deputy head of a police station, equivalent to the head of the criminal investigation department in the UK. He is the second-highest rank in a district police station, after the chief.

This is considered to be a core position in the police force, considering that police inspectors only make up 2.5% of the total police force nationwide.

Although Uesugi Kai didn't know what kind of status this position held in Tokyo, it was clearly not low.

Hanabi Hanabi looked up at Kai Uesugi. They were already quite close to home. "Is Uesugi-kun coming over for dinner tonight? If you don't want to, that's fine too. Hanabi will explain for you."

“I will go. Today I want to practice kendo with Uncle Yushu.”

"Huh?! But doesn't Uesugi-kun practice archery?"

Kai Uesugi smiled as he looked at her surprised face: "Who said archery and kendo can't be practiced together?"

"But, but," Hanabi Hanabi said anxiously, somewhat worried, "Won't Uesugi-kun be too tired? Kyudo, Kendo, and Haneda-sensei's study sessions, these are all very time-consuming things."

"It might have been impossible before, but it's okay now. Don't worry about me, Hanabi."

Hanabi Hanamaru wanted to say something more, but seeing Kai Uesugi's confident expression, she chose to believe him in her heart.

If it's Uesugi-kun, then there's definitely no problem.

She nodded obediently.

"Yes, Hanabi understands."

Under the dark night sky, the two walked by moonlight and soon arrived at the door of a house with a sign that read "Hana Maru".

Kai Uesugi stood behind Hanabi Hanabi, looking at the small courtyard next door, waiting for her to open the door.

With a click,

The door opened, and a rich aroma of food wafted out.

"I'm back," Hanabi said, trying to make her weak voice as loud as possible.

Soon, Hanamaru Mieko's voice came from inside, accompanied by hurried footsteps, "Welcome home, Hanabi-chan."

Hanamaru Mieko quickly peeked out from the inner room and asked Hanamaru Hanabi with a smile at the door:

Did you bring Kozai today?

"Um,"

Hanabi Hanabi nodded, carefully holding onto the door frame as she looked at Kai Uesugi behind her and said, "Uesugi-kun, please come in."

After taking off and changing her shoes at the entrance, Uesugi Kai once again entered Hanabi's home.

"Xiao Zhao, please go sit in the living room and wait a moment. I still have some dishes to cook in the kitchen."

"Ah."

"Mom, do you need my help?" Hanabi glanced at the cutting board behind her, which was half-finished with chopping vegetables.

"No need," Hanamaru Mieko said with a smile, though her hands were still wet, otherwise she would have patted her head. "Go upstairs and change out of your school uniform first."

Following her mother's words, Hanabi Hanabi went upstairs.