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

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."

Uesugi Kai spoke loudly, because he secretly hoped that a soft, comforting voice would reach his ears. It was 1:39 PM on a street in Tokyo.

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?

###written request for leave###

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

I went to the hospital... nothing for today... I'll update earlier tomorrow...

Although not many people are reading it anymore, there are still people who want to keep reading... so I'll keep writing.

I really want to catch up on the storyline that cuts between my return from England and my time at university.

Try to finish the side story before the 10th. That's all.

###Chapter 307 Love and Philosophy###

"Love."

Hearing Ai's silly voice, Uesugi Kai smiled and patted her head.

"Does Brother touch Hanabi Sister like this too?" Ai asked, swinging her little feet on the chair. She was going to school today and was wearing her Shiraoka Elementary School uniform.

“It’s true that people pat each other’s heads like that.” Uesugi Kai helped her get a bottle of milk from the table.

"It seems that adults really enjoy being patted on the head like this." Ai-yi held the milk in both hands and then sipped it slowly.

“It’s a way of praising cuteness.” Uesugi Kai stared at the beautifully fried egg in his bowl, lost in thought about his feelings for Hanabi.

The two sisters ate their breakfast quickly; Uesugi Kai and Hanamaru Hanabi only ate about half of it before leaving home with their small backpacks and hats on.

"Would you like Hanabi-neechan and I to take you there?"

"Hehe, brother and sister Huahuo can make love while my sister and I are not here," Aiyi said with a smile at the door, her little girl voice full of playfulness.

Of course, "爱爱" means being in love, and can be understood as being affectionate.

"Brother, Sister Hanabi, Ai-yi and I will be leaving now." Qian Ai-yi was more sensible than her younger sister.

"Well, be careful on the road."

"Be careful on the road."

After watching the two figures, one large and one small, disappear around the corner, Uesugi Kai went to look at Hanabi Hanamaru beside him.

"..."

"..."

"sorry."

“Kai-kun…” Hanabi Hanamaru met his gaze.

"Although I have apologized to Hanabi many times, and you do so many things for me every day, such as breakfast, dinner, clothes, and housework, I... don't seem to have learned how to love you much yet."

After a brief silence, Hanabi Hanabi raised her eyes and said, "Don't you, Kai-kun, also help Hanabi with these things?"

Kai Uesugi took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled, which helped calm her down a bit: "Hanabi always thinks so much about me, but sometimes I overlook the details, and I always feel sorry for you."

"It's alright... Kai-kun... It's alright... Hanabi won't mind..."

Hanabi wouldn't care; he knew very well that what he cared about was that he had let her down.

Saying things like "You don't care, but I do" now would be too sentimental. Uesugi Kai could only think about how he could understand her.

He asked with a smile:

"We're getting married in a few months. Is Hanabi really willing to spend her life with someone like me?"

"Yes...of course I'm willing..." Hanabi Hanamaru clasped her two small hands together and gently turned the engagement ring on her ring finger.

The dazzling diamond still shines as brightly as it did years ago, when he was able to wear it as a promise of a lifetime, which is the happiest moment of his life so far.

When Uesugi Kai heard her unhesitating reply, he could genuinely feel her deep love.

Before my eyes, her lovely and vivid image will always shimmer with a hazy light.

Tears, smiles, and expressions—Hanabi Hanamoto's exquisite features were etched into my heart. Her movements, demeanor, voice, and fragrance... every detail resonated deeply within my soul.

"Kai-kun...?" Hanabi Hanamaru noticed that he had been staring at her, and his eyes were gradually reddening.

The words lingered in his mouth for a long time before he smiled and said:

"It's nothing... I just thought of Hanabi's pure beauty in her wedding dress. She would walk lightly from the lilies and stop in front of me... On that day, her lovely face would surely bloom with a happy smile as bright as fireworks."

As she said these words, Hanabi quietly stepped forward and hugged him, pressing her face against his chest.

Uesugi Kai paused for a second, then slowly embraced the petite body in his arms.

The longer he held her, the sweetness that welled up in his heart made him unable to resist looking down at her and smiling.

"Kai-kun... how long have you known Hanabi?" Hanamaru Hanabi closed her eyes.

We met when we were three, got engaged at fifteen, got married at eighteen, and have now been together for fifteen years.

"Is it very long...?"

"It's very short."

Actually... I'm not married yet.

"almost."

Is it very long...?

"It's very short."

The familiar feeling and warmth in her chest made her feel as if she had returned to the past, back to the little girl who hid in his arms and called him "Brother Zai".

Gradually, Hanabi stopped talking and simply held him, her face resting peacefully and warmly against his chest.

"Kai-kun...Hanabi will always love you...and you must always believe that..."

.....

After breakfast, it was time for everyone to leave home and go to university.