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

"Welcome back... Hmm? Fireworks? It's so late, weren't you supposed to be resting?"

Hanabi Hanabu, dressed in a light-colored trench coat, stood in front of the door, which surprised Kai Uesugi.

"Uesugi-kun, Mom asked me to come and see you. She said Dad hit you too hard."

She lifted the small box in her hand and looked up at him.

"Come in quickly. Is it alright for you to come to my house alone so late?"

Kai Uesugi took out a pair of fluffy slippers from the shoe cabinet next to her. These were Hanabi's special slippers, and she always kept them on hand.

"Yes, Mom said it's okay if we don't go home for the fireworks tonight."

Hanabi Hanamaru pushed off her little leather shoes with her toes, revealing her delicate ankles beneath her white stockings.

"..."

Not knowing where to begin her comment, Uesugi Kai could only say to her, "We still have to go back. How can a girl spend the night in a house where there's only one boy?"

Hanabi Hanabi looked up at him and smiled, "That's what Dad said too."

The smile was so innocent; the person didn't understand its meaning.

She's such an innocent 15-year-old girl; she'd probably help the conman count the money even if he sold her out.

Looking at her slender figure, Uesugi Kai felt that strange feeling well up in his heart again.

Thinking about it carefully, aren't I the one who's lying?

Well, I've already agreed, so let nature take its course.

After all, I'm only a 16-year-old boy, there's no need to think so much.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a campus romance that you've never experienced before?

"Come in and sit down, I just need to water the potted plants."

"Ah."

Hanabi Hanamaru followed Kai Uesugi to the small platform outside the living room, sat down, placed the small wooden box aside, and quietly watched Kai Uesugi water the plants.

The vibrant Silver Emperor and Silver Queen were exceptionally lively under the moonlight, their silver-gray fan blades covered with dark green spots.

The leaves are large and glossy.

"Why doesn't Uesugi-kun water them every day?"

"Because this is not good for their health, there are techniques to cultivating these flowers."

Glistening water droplets continuously sprayed from the spray bottle, falling onto the large leaves and slowly sliding down, moistening the dry soil.

"Plants also have their own growth process. The experience of watering flowers can be summarized in a very simple sentence: Don't water unless it's dry, and when you do water, water it thoroughly."

Hanabi Hanamaru listened curiously, swaying her slender legs.

Do you think all the flowers I've grown are very healthy?

"Ah."

"When plants are dry, their root system is in a state of extreme tension. At this time, they desperately crave water and will strive to find water downwards, grow vigorously, and extend outwards."

Kai Uesugi patiently held the watering can and poured the water evenly.

"When it's dry, let it dry completely; when it's watering, water it thoroughly as well, allowing the plant's roots to roam freely in both directions. In such harsh conditions, its root system will grow exceptionally strong."

"But wouldn't that be too cruel to the plants?" Hanabi tilted her head and asked cutely.

Kai Uesugi smiled and said, "That's the benefit of cruelty. If they were always kept submerged in water, their roots would quickly shrink, and their outer leaves would never grow so big."

"When the desire for needs is lost, one becomes decadent."

"If you stop watering them for even a short period of time, their leaves will quickly become diseased, withered, stunted, and lifeless."

"Even if you water it again later, it will be difficult for it to return to the way it was before."

After watering a row of potted plants in the yard, Uesugi Kai put down the watering can, clapped his hands, and sat down next to Hanamaru Hanabi.

Tonight, the night sky is cloudless, and the intense blue color makes the moon above stand out.

"I feel like what Uesugi-kun said sounds like a real person."

"Yes, plants are also a kind of life, it's just that they are not as complicated."

Kai Uesugi turned to look at Hanabi Hanabi, and he found that she was looking at him too.

A pair of bright, violet eyes sparkled, filled with curiosity and a touch of heartache.

"Uesugi-kun... does the injury on your face... hurt? Hanabi, let me put some medicine on it for you."

As she said this, she opened the small wooden box beside her, took out some ointment, and squeezed it onto her closed fingers.

Hanamaru looked up at Kai Uesugi's bluish cheek, naturally extended her right hand, and carefully applied the smear.

The girl's hands were fair and soft, and even though there was pain in that area, Uesugi Kai could still feel it clearly.

Her delicate, earnest face exudes a familiar girlish charm.

It warmed my heart.

"I'm sorry, Uesugi-kun... Daddy hit too hard just now..." Hanabi Hanamaru gently soothed the pain on her cheek with her right hand, her weak voice full of apology.

"No, it's nothing, you don't need to worry about Hanabi."

Speaking of Hanamaru Hiroki, his appearance today has indeed given Uesugi Kai a new perspective.

"I never expected Uncle Yushu to have such a strict side. I always thought he was a 'very cheerful' person."

Actually, what Uesugi Kai wanted to say was "optimistic middle-aged man" and "henpecked husband".

However, it's best not to say these words in front of Hanabi, since Hanamaru Hiroki has always been a good father figure to her.

Chapter 43 Moonlight and Morning Conversation

"Um..."

Hanabi Hanabi brought her face closer, her warm breath becoming even clearer, carrying a sweet fragrance of lilies.

“My dad is rarely like that at home. He never talks to my mom or me about work, and he doesn’t let me go to his workplace. This is the first time I’ve realized that my dad is so good at kendo.”

"Normally, he would just mention it casually."

Come to think of it, all these years later, Uesugi Kai has never actually seen Hanamaru Yuuki at work; he only knows that Hanamaru is a police officer working at the Shinjuku Police Station.

Hanabi Hanabira's fair hand gently traced her cheek, soothing the purplish wound. Uesugi Kai looked into her eyes, which were very close to his, and asked:

"Is Uncle Yuki's job dangerous? I remember he often warned us not to go to the Kabukicho area."

"Yes, Dad always says there are a lot of bad people over there, and he tells Hanabi not to go and see."

Hanabi Hanamaru spoke in a calm tone, slowly lowering her outstretched right hand, and asked with concern:

"Uesugi-kun, does it still hurt a lot?"

The cool, refreshing sensation from the ointment on my cheek definitely lessened the pain.

"Thank you, it doesn't hurt as much anymore."

"That's good." A sweet smile appeared on Hanabi's face.

That lovely face was especially captivating in the night.

It is said that a unique pheromone is released after entering puberty. Uesugi Kai, who has become a great magician in two lifetimes, can feel the effects of this pheromone in his body even more deeply.

Why didn't I notice her before?

Under the clear moonlight, Uesugi Kai couldn't help but reach out and press his hand against her soft cheek.

"Uesugi-kun?!"

Startled by the sudden movement, she shrank back to the side, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Kai Uesugi. Her hands clenched into a tight ball, showing some fear but not excessive resistance.

The touch of her fingertips was so delicate that it instantly flushed Hanabi's cheeks with a shy blush, and they began to feel hot and flushed.

Kai Uesugi gently touched her cheek, feeling her presence, and smiled softly at her surprised yet slightly frightened gaze.

"Fireworks, the moonlight tonight is so lovely."

......

......

April 4th, Friday, Weather: Light rain

April in Tokyo is already chilly, and this overcast day, devoid of sunshine, seems to have cast a layer of cool gloom over the entire city.

Having just finished washing up and returned to her room, Uesugi Kai opened the blinds, which weren't fully closed.

"Looks like it's going to rain."

Looking into the distance, even the towering steel buildings seemed melancholy under the heavy clouds.

He glanced at the watch face in his hand.

7:02:03

It's still early.

April 4th,

At the horizon, on the other side of the sea, it is an important day.

Qingming Festival.

This is both a solemn festival for sweeping tombs and paying respects to ancestors, and a joyful festival for people to go on spring outings and have fun.

The Qingming Festival is an important vehicle for passing on beliefs, and Qingming ancestor worship is an important way to express gratitude to ancestors and strengthen family bonds.

Sacrifices and spring outings are all performed on this day.

Express gratitude to ancestors and show close care for family members.

Therefore, the words "solemn" and "joyful," which are almost opposites, can both constitute this festival.

However, Japan's Tomb Sweeping Day is in August.

Since it was still early, his mother didn't rush to call him for dinner, so Uesugi Kai put on his school uniform and went downstairs on his own.