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

"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 305 Impersonating a Boyfriend###

"You agree?"

“I agree…” Hanabi Hanamaru said.

"Why? Why should I give away my things to others? Even if it's only temporary, I will definitely take them back!" Kitagawa Sakakisa said indignantly beside her.

"Kai-kun isn't Hanabi's thing..." Hanabi poked at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks. "Kai-kun is Kai-kun..."

“Then he’s yours too,” Kitagawa Sakakisa felt this was inappropriate and added, “He’s your fiancé! What kind of thing is it to let someone else be your boyfriend?”

"Kai-kun also has classmates and friends, and Hanabi feels she shouldn't interfere in these matters..."

"Where did you learn this from?" Kitagawa Sakakisa took the two portions of grilled crab leg meat handed over by the chef in white and placed one portion in front of Hanabi.

"The Five Love Languages"

What is this?

Sitting next to Kitagawa Sakakisa, Totsuka Katsura whispered, "Gary Chapman's book on relationships teaches how to handle relationships with friends, neighbors, spouses, children, colleagues, and even all kinds of relationships, and how to keep love from decay and dampness."

He then added:

"It is said that the customers with the highest purchase volume are women who have been married for more than five years and are experiencing emotional crises."

"Oh, I see," Kitagawa Sakakisa said, immediately turning to look at Hanabi Hanabi. "Hanabi-chan actually reads this kind of book?"

Hanabi Hanabi blushed and nodded in agreement.

"That Uesugi guy isn't good to you?" Kitagawa Sakakisa lowered her voice again.

"No......"

"Why is Hanabi-chan reading this kind of book...?"

"Even without fireworks, you can still learn a lot..."

Kitagawa Sakakisa thought for a moment, "Is this considered advance preparation?"

"I guess so..." Hanabi Hanamaru wasn't sure either, but she saw the book about relationships and wanted to take it home to read.

Kitagawa Sakaki looked her face up and down. "Actually, Hanabi-chan is still reluctant to let Uesugi-kun pretend to be someone else's boyfriend, right?"

Hanabi Hanamaru nodded again, "However, Hanabi also feels that we shouldn't be too concerned... Kai-kun was just fulfilling his promise..."

“I feel like you always think of Uesugi first,” Kitagawa Sakakisa said, picking up a piece of fragrant crab leg meat from the wooden bowl. “Hanabi-chan, you’re too good to him. You cook, do laundry, sell vegetables, and do everything yourself. You still have a job and studies to do! You work so hard, don’t spoil him.”

"Kai-kun...this can't be happening..."

Hana Maru Hanabi looked at the wall to the side. The aroma, the charcoal fire, the luxurious food, and the antique decoration style of Matsukawa Restaurant made this place very stylish. You could even hear the crisp sound of the charcoal fire slowly roasting the crab shells.

What did you study?

"I'm in the third category of humanities at the University of Tokyo. I haven't chosen a major yet in my first year. My goal is to become the Prime Minister, and the Governor of Tokyo is also a possibility." Uesugi Kai is a humble person, but Nana Umezu said that her father likes this kind of attitude, so he tries to pretend a little.

Judging from the unmoved expression on Umezu's father's face, he had not seen through his lie.

Becoming prime minister or governor is certainly not his goal; his goal is simply to live a comfortable and happy life.

"Oh, so are you in the same class as Nana?"

"Yes."

“That’s wonderful.” Umezu’s mother looked at Uesugi Kai with a smile.

What's so good about that? They're just classmates, always running into each other. They might even break up more easily. Uesugi Kai guesses that this mother has taken a liking to him, because no matter what she says, it's always the same.

Kai Uesugi: "Actually, it wasn't me who actively pursued him."

Before Umezu's father could speak, Umezu's mother interjected, "That's good! A girl is more likely to hold onto love that she pursues."

See? It was just as I expected.

Kai Uesugi could read those words on this mother's face.

Please have mercy on me, Auntie. I'm your daughter's boyfriend now.

At this moment, a waitress in a kimono came in from outside and brought the third dish—pufferfish milt, a refreshing dish served in a yuzu bowl with sea urchin and pufferfish milt.

The term "shirako" refers to the testes of fish, which have a smooth texture and are rich in protein.

The food is so delicious that you feel it's worth the price just for one bite.

Umezu's father savored the lingering umami flavor in his mouth, wondering how Uesugi could so casually reserve a table at Japan's number one Japanese restaurant.

It goes without saying that entertaining guests in this place is a great honor.

But this kind of face-saving isn't something everyone can afford to give.

He felt that the man his daughter called her boyfriend was not so simple, so he decided to try and get some information out of him.

"Does Uesugi-kun know what I do for a living?"

"I've heard Nana mention it; I think she was a senior manager in the company."

"To be more specific, I am the executive director who customizes systems for large hotels. My job is to develop project execution plans and ensure the rational allocation of resources in the technology department." Mei Jin's father said with a serious face, "For a hotel to stand firm in modern society, it must have services that are extremely convenient for customers, digital operations, digital marketing, and digital collaboration."

"The humanities you're studying aren't what I'm optimistic about. How much money can you make from that? Becoming a teacher? Becoming a professor? Writing a book, even if it sells well, it won't amount to a fraction of the funding I've invested in my project."

"As for you becoming prime minister, or even governor, it's absolutely impossible to reach that level without funds and powerful factions backing you!"

As he spoke, Umezu's father observed Uesugi Kai's expression. Upon hearing those words, his face remained unchanged.

This shows what?