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

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.】

【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.

Chapter 301 No male classmate would give her such a strange gift!

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

"Isn't Hana-chan sleepy?" While Ai and Chii were picking out clothes in the store, Uesugi Kai asked Hanabi, who was standing next to him.

"No...it's alright..."

She said she was fine, but Uesugi Kai could see the weariness on her face.

"Aiyi said you didn't go to sleep until 2 a.m. last night, so you deliberately avoided me and slept with Aiyi and the others?"

"It wasn't that I was deliberately avoiding Kai-kun...it's just..." Hanabi Hanamaru said, then lowered her face.

"You just don't want me to worry, right?" Uesugi Kai knew what she was going to say. "It's okay if I worry, actually I'm more worried."

"Hanabi-kun?"

"you are?"

Kai Uesugi looked at the young man who had suddenly appeared in the clothing store with a puzzled expression. He was wearing a dark purple jacket, had slightly curly hair, and a smile he couldn't hide on his face.

He was accompanied by a female companion, who appeared to be his girlfriend.

"Ah, hello, my name is Sagara Sekine, and I'm Hanabi Hanamaru's classmate."

"Yes, hello." Uesugi Kai saw his outstretched hand and politely extended it in return.

Although this is not good, he usually doesn't have a good impression of the male classmates who are in Hanabi's class.

If he had to put it into words, it would be that he knew there were many people at Tokyo University of the Arts who were passionate about fireworks.

Despite knowing that she was engaged.

He overheard this from Kitagawa Sakakisa by chance; she had also complained that many boys in their class would go to kabuki theaters at night, which she considered improper.

Male students who study art generally have good looks and are confident. Some of them use their good looks and artistic talent to create an image of an intellectual and handsome man, which is very popular among girls.

Picking up girls is fine, but let them do their own thing. These kinds of people shouldn't bother pursuing Hanabi; Uesugi Kai will chase them away one by one.

Is it too violent? Should we call the police?

Excuse me, that's my father-in-law.

The man in front of me, Sagara Sekine, seemed very polite. He even introduced the young woman next to him, saying she was his younger sister, although she looked a few years older than him.

"Hanabi-kun, are you here to buy clothes today?"

"I didn't buy it..."

Sekine Sagara smiled at Uesugi Kai and said, "So you bought it for this gentleman? I'll talk to the staff later and offer it to you for free."

They can get something for free by saying just one sentence; maybe this clothing store is owned by them.

When Uesugi Kai entered the store, she noticed that it was quite large, and the clothing styles were elegant, including prints, fashion, evening wear, suits, and formal wear.

“Hanabi-kun, there’s no need to be confused,” Sekine Sagara said with a smile. “I designed this clothing store. Strictly speaking, it’s a store under a family business. With your eye for design, you should be able to easily see what concept was used, right?”

"Traditional wooden buildings?"

“Yes, that’s right, but the important thing is that the orderly layout emphasizes the transparency of the interior, so that customers can know at a glance what style they want,” Sekine Sagara glanced at Hanabi Hanamaru, “Hanabi-kun, I think we have a lot in common.”

Hanabi Hanamaru didn't answer him, but simply avoided his gaze and tugged at Kai Uesugi's sleeve from behind.

You scoundrel, you're up to no good.

Uesugi Kai slightly stepped in front of Hanabi Hanabi: "Sekine-san, what brings you out today?"

"Looking for fleeting moments of inspiration in life—that sounds nice, but actually I just like to go out shopping when I have nothing to do, haha."

Sekine Sagara smiled faintly while shaking his head in self-deprecation.

"Sister Hanabi! Do you think this dress looks good?"

Aiyi suddenly ran out of the store carrying a dress, and when she saw the two unfamiliar people, she asked, "Who are you?"

"My name is Sagara Sekine, little friend. I am your classmate, Hanabi-neechan. This is my little sister."

"Oh~ I'm Aiyi."