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

What are you doing here?

He didn't turn around, but waited for Kitagawa Sakakisa to get closer before pointing at the ducks in the goose nest and saying, "Why are those ducks always hogging other black swans' wives?"

Kitagawa Sakakisa looked in the direction he was pointing and found that it was indeed the case; the ducks were quacking from time to time.

"Because other people's wives are prettier, right? Don't believe me? Look over there, aren't there a few lone ducks?"

"where?"

Following her gaze, Uesugi Kai looked in the direction she indicated and, through some weeds growing by the water, spotted two or three lone giant ducks.

“That’s true.” Uesugi Kai nodded.

“This proves a point,” Kitagawa Sakakisa said, arms crossed. “Even a duck can fall for someone else’s wife, so Uesugi, you can give Hanabi-chan to me. I’ll take good care of her for you.”

“…” Uesugi Kai was speechless, what nonsense was this? “There’s no way I’m giving it to you.”

"I knew this would be the answer! So I'm not surprised at all!"

Kai Uesugi was even more speechless, turning his head to look at her somewhat arrogant face: "So what are you doing here?"

"What?" Kitagawa Sakakisa seemed even angrier upon hearing his words. "Hanabi wants you to have lunch at our art research room! She's prepared the food and is waiting for you!!"

"Really?" Uesugi Kai was pleasantly surprised.

To be honest, he's almost sick of eating those cold, hard meals in the cafeteria lately.

You can even eat the chicken's tail when you eat chicken meat, and that taste is unforgettable!

Can those mass-produced dishes compare to the cooking that Hanabi Sauce has been meticulously learning since childhood?

Whether it's the love in the food or the taste, they're on completely different levels!

"What's wrong? Are you so happy you forgot what to say?" Kitagawa Sakakisa seemed to be pouting, not really happy. "Honestly, we all told Hanabi to ignore you for a month, and it's only been a little over a week! She's already asking me to come and get you for dinner!!"

As Kitagawa Sakakisa spoke, she kept scratching her head.

"This is really annoying, but it's something Hanabi asked me to do, so I have to do it!"

Kai Uesugi looked at her: "Hey, I remember a few days ago, you seemed to be on my side, right? Didn't you want to help me?"

Kitagawa Sakakisa raised her face, the bow at her collar looking quite delicate: "Of course I helped you because Hanabi-chan hasn't been happy for the past few days... You made her angry, and the key is you don't even know how to apologize to her. Hanabi-chan has been sullen all day, and only gives simple replies to what I say. What could I do but come to you to make up with her?"

"I see."

"What do you mean by 'like this'?! You're being so perfunctory!"

Kai Uesugi asked her, "Do you think the fireworks smell has gone down these past few days?"

Kitagawa Sakakisa first mumbled a few words that were completely unintelligible, and then said to him:

"Of course... Hanabi-chan has been noticeably happier these past few days... and she's more willing to talk to everyone. To be honest, everyone prefers to see Hanabi-chan like this. After all, we're all students who came from Shin-Koku High School... We took graduation photos together, sang graduation songs to say goodbye to the school, and we've been together for several years!"

“And…” Kitagawa Sakakisa looked at him.

"And what?"

"And don't let Hanabi-chan's easygoing nature fool you... actually, according to our social hierarchy, you, a new Tokyoite, can't even compare to the old nobles from the Edo period."

Kai Uesugi had some prior knowledge: "So, Hanabi actually married down to me?"

"Hanabi-chan is considered a young lady, but her family doesn't have much contact with the main family. Your father-in-law helped you, so you married Hanabi-chan without any pressure."

Kitagawa Sakakisa said.

"As for marrying down, it depends on how you think about it. Logically speaking, your current status is not bad... after all, you have a certain relationship with the Sakakibara family in Chiyoda Ward."

Kai Uesugi was unaware of all these intricacies: "The Sakakibara family is also very powerful?"

“Otherwise, why do you think they have such a large house in Chiyoda Ward that dates back to the Edo period?” Kitagawa Sakakisa looked him up and down. “You seem to have stayed there for a while, but I’m afraid you haven’t actually been to all the rooms there, have you?”

"That's true. I used to look for a toilet over there, and I couldn't find one for ages."

"Oh right! And also, if it weren't for the fireworks, I would have given each of your classmates and relatives from your hometown a gold bar on your wedding day!"

Uesugi Kai looked at him with disbelief: "Are you kidding me?"

"Hmph, do you think the Kitagawa family is made of clay?" Kitagawa Sakakisa said with a hint of arrogance. "Want to see how much savings I have?"

"I'm not interested in this. It's not your money anyway."

However, Uesugi Kai was more curious about something else: "Is that Kitagawa-kai actually part of your family?"

“Yes, what’s wrong?” Kitagawa Sakakisa replied matter-of-factly.

Do they listen to you?

"We'll see. I can definitely command my underlings! If you're just looking to broaden your horizons, I can take you there to see it for yourself."

"Is this even worth watching?"

"Why not! Those are my things!"

Kai Uesugi suddenly remembered something else, "You and Rika Kujo, have known each other since childhood?"

"Yes, we've known each other since we were very, very young," Kitagawa Sakakisa replied matter-of-factly. "My family has also made a name for itself in the medical field, so the Kitagawa Association, which only knew how to fight and kill, is a thing of the past!"

The head of the ninety households is a member of the agricultural cooperative.

The Kitagawa family used to be involved in yakuza activities, and now they also run a hospital.

The daughters of the two families have known each other since they were children.

This is... truly terrifying to think about...

Indeed, the lifeline of a society is ultimately controlled by a select few.

Chapter 519 Perhaps... Hanabi is much stronger than me?

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

I followed Kitagawa Sakakisa all the way back to Hanabi and the others' art classroom.

Every time Kai Uesugi sees this room at school, he can't help but sigh, "It's so good to be rich; you can live wherever you want."

"Did the school really provide this house for you few?"

“Otherwise what! Uesugi, you’ve been here for so long, and you only just remembered to ask this now,” Kitagawa Sakakisa said. “Also, this isn’t a place the school provides for us; I asked my family to find it for me.”

"Are you really a young lady?" Uesugi Kai had known her identity for a long time, but she had never flaunted it. She really did look like an ordinary girl.

Kitagawa Sakakisa crossed her arms: "Why are you asking so many questions today! If you don't believe me, I'll show you the amount of money in my bank account right now."

"I'm not interested."

"Hmph, even if you want to see it, I won't let you! And let me tell you something secretly, according to seniority and the rules of the Hanamaru family, you should actually change your surname to Hanamaru now."

"Marrying into the family?"

"That's right. You're a graduate of Tokyo University. After you graduate, you'll most likely enter Kasumigaseki. With this civil servant status, wouldn't you be able to marry into the Hanamaru family and rely on connections?"

"Well..."

Kai Uesugi isn't the kind of person who's silly enough to say, "I don't need connections, I'm going to rely on myself."

In reality, after a few years of experience in society, people will find that in the end, connections and money are still the most important things.

If he wanted to enter Kasumigaseki, which is a government department, he would have to rely on the Hanamaru family's connections; he couldn't possibly do so, nor could he remain unaffected by them.

Because you married Hanabi-chan, in some people's eyes, you are now completely a member of the Hanamaru family.

Upon entering the "Art Research Room," Uesugi Kai saw two familiar white PS5s and two LCD screens in front of the sofa.

Actually, since I wasn't here recently and no one was playing games with Kitagawa Sakakisa, she must have been quite bored.

Seeing Hanabi-chan and Rika Kujo busy in the kitchen, Uesugi Kai didn't disturb them. He greeted them, indicated that he was there, and then went to the sofa.

"Here, take it."

Kai Uesugi looked up and accepted the coffee drink that Sakakisa Kitagawa handed her.

He glanced at the label on the canned drink: Oiran Coffee. She really only picks the expensive ones, not the good ones.

While Oiran is not bad among canned coffees, it is really hard to justify its price of 3999 yen per can.

Is it fair to say that rich people can be capricious?

Kai Uesugi pulled the tab and took a small sip of his coffee.

Okay.

"By the way, Uesugi, weren't you writing a light novel? What's the situation now?"

Kai Uesugi stared at the coffee drink for a while, thought for a moment, and then frowned and said, "It should be released in the next few days, right? I even participated in this year's newcomer award."

"Oh?" Kitagawa Sakakisa became interested and sat down on the sofa next to him. "What light novel are you competing with?"

"Why should I tell you if you don't even read books?"

Kitagawa Sakakisa felt he was deliberately mocking her and got angry: "Uesugi Kai, don't underestimate me! Even if I can't get into light novels, I can watch anime. As long as your novel is adapted into an anime, won't I still be considered your fan?"

Uesugi Kai didn't resist talking to her about these things. After thinking for a moment, she said:

“I remember three books: ‘My Sister is the World’s Strongest Dominator’, ‘Love Game Tastes Like Mint’, and ‘The Girl Who Calls Me Ancestor Is Actually My Ancestor?!’”

"What kind of weird and wonderful names are they?"

"Light novels, that's all."

"So what's the title of your novel? I'll buy a copy on the day it's released."

"Fireworks Love".

"Pfft!" Kitagawa Sakakisa couldn't help but laugh, covering her mouth with one hand.

"What are you laughing at?" Uesugi Kai asked, looking at her while holding a can of coffee.

"Of course I'm laughing at your book title. Are you sure you didn't write this novel using yourself and Hanabi as models?"

"This does have some basis, after all, the female lead is based on Hanabi."

"Written about fireworks? Then I'll have to buy it and take a look!"

Kai Uesugi said with his eyes half-closed, "Didn't you just say you'd support me? How come now it's because of Hanabi that you'll support me?"

"Ever since you told me that the female lead is Hanabi-chan, my target has naturally changed."