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

"Let's go to sleep first."

"Mmm," Hanabi Hanabi responded softly.

He pulled the thin sheet over his shoulder, letting the girl gently lie in his arms. Seeing her beautiful face, his heart stirred for a fleeting second.

"One more kiss?"

“Okay…” Hanabi Hanabi answered softly.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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 320 A Love That's Hard to Find###

The wind chimes at the shrine rang.

It seemed to respond to the call of the gods, bringing with it a gentle breeze that swept up the fallen leaves.

popping.

Two claps rang out, and the girl stood in front of the worship hall, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and silently recited her wish.

[Gods, please! I beg you! I must meet a super handsome boyfriend this year.]

The wind is silent, or perhaps the clear sound of wind chimes is the response of the gods.

"Lingzi, what did you promise?"

The girl looked up at her best friend who was waiting by her side: "Of course I can't let you know."

Chikako said with a smile, "I can guess without even thinking. It must be that Tabata-kun from the next class has a girlfriend, and you're jealous and want to find a better-looking guy."

"That's not it!" The girl blushed, her thoughts exposed, and she began to stammer.

"Ha, lying in front of the gods, the wish you just made will not come true."

The girl quickly covered her mouth.

Chika teased her, "I knew it, didn't I?"

"Then, what did you wish for, Chikako?"

"I didn't give permission."

"You're lying, don't you like Tabata-kun too?"

"No, really."

"You're lying, you're lying, you're lying, you're absolutely lying! You're definitely envious of Riho right now!"

"Yes, a little bit, but it's just that I'm a little bothered because she's dating a handsome guy."

Uesugi Neko yawned while lying on the offering box; this was the ninth girl to ask the gods for a boyfriend.

He shifted his right forefoot onto his left, relaxed, and continued listening to their conversation.

Suzuko: "Do you think boys also want girlfriends?"

Chikako: "Ah, isn't that obvious?"

Suzuko: "Then why isn't I Tabata-kun's girlfriend... He hinted at so many things when he was single... Is he a blockhead?"

Chiko: "A large part of the reason is that he looks down on it."

Suzuko: "If I don't like someone... how can I make someone like me?"

Chikako: "Of course it's because they're good-looking! You like handsome guys, but guys like beautiful girls too!"

Uesugi Neko, who was sleeping with his eyes half-closed, twitched his ears and heard the high school girl in the sailor uniform in front of him repeatedly muttering the word "pretty".

"Is there a way to succeed even if it doesn't look good?" Suzuko asked tentatively.

"I guess so...you can develop feelings over time, right? But if you're rejected from the very first glance, there's no hope at all. It's like you haven't even started, so what's the point of talking about the future?...Everyone says that Tabata-kun is handsome and kind, and gentle with girls, but he still found a beautiful girl like Riho as his girlfriend, Suzuko. We have no chance."

"Really not?" A glimmer of light still shone in Suzuko's eyes.

"No, anyway, I've figured it out. Love is nothing special." Chika shrugged, feeling that she had come to terms with it.

"why?"

"I can't find it."

As she spoke, she bent down and grabbed Uesugi Neko's lazy head. "Sometimes being alone isn't so bad, is it? If you're really too lonely, just get a cat."

......

The wind chimes rang.

Uesugi Cat remained perched on the offering box, while the two high school girls' figures receded from the stone path leading to the shrine. They walked further and further away along the tree-lined downhill path.

He looked up at the hanging bells that were jingling in the wind.

He thought to himself that perhaps the gods heard the girl's plea through the sound of the bell.

I want a handsome boyfriend...

No one wants to be alone, and perhaps that's why people place their hopes for love in prayers. At least... the omnipotent gods can still give a young girl a Schrödinger's hope.