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

Uesugi Kai hugged her tightly, and Hanamaru Hanabi laughed and struggled in his arms.

"It itches, haha, it itches~"

“Kai-kun, no…” Hanabi Hanabi pushed him away. “It’s Hanabi’s gift time now.”

"Alright, what have you prepared?" Uesugi Kai had already noticed the small box she had placed in her shoulder bag, but he didn't know what was inside.

"Clang clang~"

Hanabi Hanamaru took out a very large book.

To be precise, it's a photo album.

"Here, Kai-kun, take a look."

Kai Uesugi took the photo album wrapped in cardboard from her hand and opened it to the first page.

Inside was a watercolor painting she had created, depicting Uesugi Kai and Hanamaru Hanabi standing on an overpass, their silhouettes illuminated by the city lights, while the izakayas along the street below glowed warmly.

"What is this?" Uesugi Kai remembered this place; they used to walk across this overpass often when they were in high school.

The streets there at night are a must-pass route for office workers, and there are many izakayas (Japanese pubs).

Hanabi Hanabi said with a smile, "It was here that Hanabi became Kai-kun's girlfriend."

Kai Uesugi continued reading.

The next picture shows Hanabi Hanabu, blushing, alone in bed.

This must be what Hanabi looked like hiding under the covers at night after she was confessed to.

The next picture is from a weekend when Uesugi Kai went to wake her up. She sat on the bed looking lazy and like she was still half asleep.

Then came the first time we held hands as a couple, the first time I wore an engagement ring, the first kiss, the first time we slept together...

Sports festival, Ehime Prefecture, she's going to England, feeling lost on the plane, Uesugi Kai goes to find her and happens to meet her waiting at the airport, in London, she celebrates her birthday with Mr. Bryce, Miss Anna, and Hanamaru Yuuki...

Each scene is condensed into an exquisitely painted watercolor.

As Uesugi Kai turned the painting, the laughter and movements of the figures in it made him feel as if he had returned to the past.

The last watercolor painting captures a recent moment when he was riding a bicycle with her on the back, dodging the police while shouting his excitement about fireworks.

At the end of the album are Hanabi's handwritten notes and her cutest emojis.

[Dedicated to Kai-kun, whom Hanabi loves most, August 14th, 2004]

"Great..."

"What did Kai-kun say?"

"I said, 'Wow, that's amazing! Absolutely amazing!'"

--------

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.

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.