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

"Haha, after all, my uncle is a policeman." Uesugi Kai smiled calmly. "By the way, did he give you any emergency phone numbers or anything? To use in case of danger."

“Yes,” Hanabi Hanabi said. “Dad said that if we are in danger, we can quickly press the power button on our phones five times to get through and he will come soon.”

"No need to tell me the address?"

"Need not."

Hanamaru Hiroki wouldn't install anything like GPS tracking on her.

It is estimated that, as a high-ranking police officer, he was able to quickly pinpoint the source of the message by its location.

This should be an internal police system function, yet the father-in-law used it to pamper his daughter.

That's really an effective use of resources.

"elder brother!"

Ai appeared behind them.

"Finished using the toilet?" Uesugi Kai still saw Chii and the two ladies not far away.

"Ah."

"Alright, let's continue."

The flower park was naturally full of flowers. The three of them followed the flow of people and walked under a large white wisteria tree with a huge canopy.

The branches are crooked and twisted, and the white vines hang down like a waterfall. When the wind blows gently, thousands of tendrils sway randomly.

Wind chimes hung on the tree, with prayers written above them.

The delicate fragrance of flowers and the sound of bells create a scene so beautiful it feels like a dream.

With her sharp eyes, Uesugi Kai could even see bees collecting nectar from flowers in the sunlight.

Bees only selectively collect nectar; they will only climb onto flowers with abundant nectar or secretions.

"Aiyi, do you see the bees?"

"I saw it."

"If you follow the bees, you'll find the hive, and then you'll have honey to eat."

"elder brother."

"Ok?"

"Is brother teasing Aiyi? He'll get stung by bees if he does that. If brother wants to tease little kids, he can tease sister instead. Sister is more innocent."

Seeing that he couldn't make her laugh, Uesugi Kai couldn't help but chuckle. "What a clever little devil. But even Chii knows that disturbing a beehive will get you stung, right?"

"My sister doesn't know; she hasn't read the picture book."

"What about cartoons?"

"I won't even look."

When Uesugi Kai saw Ai's smile, he knew she was deliberately trying to lure him into teasing her older sister.

She really is a good younger sister.

"Xiao Kai, how about you take a picture for us?" Mrs. Hanamaru, like many other travelers, was gazing up at the ancient yet vibrant white wisteria tree.

"no problem."

Once the five of them were standing together, Uesugi Kai took a picture of them with his camera.

The swaying ancient white vines are like souls dancing.

"棹?"

When Uesugi Kai came to her senses, she realized that everyone was standing around her.

Mrs. Hanamaru asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Why have you been spacing out for so long?"

"How long?" Uesugi Kai had no idea; it felt like an instant.

“Three minutes,” Mrs. Uesugi said.

It's a strange feeling.

Kai Uesugi muttered something to himself.

"Where's the fireworks?" He looked around, searching for the girl's familiar figure in the crowd.

"Who?"

"Fireworks."

--------

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 312 The Journey Ends Abruptly###

"Doctor, what is his condition now?"

"Parasyscular meningioma".