My love index is at its maximum.

Her lips parted slightly, uttering a dreamlike sound.

【Can't……】

[Tazaki-san, please move your...cough cough]

We, especially I, shouldn't have done this; this situation was a mistake for both of us.

Please wait a little longer, just give me a little more time.

It may take some time, but if you trust me, I guarantee I'll get it to you sooner or later. Whether it's from the heart or from the person.

I know I should make some changes now, but... can I hold on?

What am I losing right now, and what am I yearning for? Perhaps I will gain nothing at all, and in doing so, I will lose even more while hurting someone...

[Tazaki-san, can you be the courage I need to rebel against reality?]

The alarm clock rang on time the next morning.

Before she even opened her eyes, Kana Shimamoto already knew that salvation would not come so easily.

Sunlight streamed into the room through the glass windows, and the light took a little longer than usual to reach her eyes and senses. The tall buildings across the street were dazzlingly bright. The room was quiet except for the rustling sounds of her slowly getting out of bed.

I boiled water and made a cup of coffee first, then went into the bathroom to wash my face, carefully applying toner and lotion in front of the mirror.

Her face, at twenty-eight, grew more delicate every day.

Kana Shimamoto thought to herself, "What amazing skincare products! And Tazaki-kun is such an amazing boy."

After washing my face, I sat down on the soft sofa and picked up the powder compact, but because I wasn't wearing my glasses and my vision was too blurry, I lost my grip and the compact fell to the ground.

With a "click".

Oh no… Shimamoto Kana bent down to pick up the box.

Upon opening it, she found the powder compact shattered into pieces. She stared intently at the irregular fragments for a few seconds before realizing—oh, it's broken.

Fine, let's just go with it.

With a slightly self-deprecating thought, Shimamoto Kana curled up on the sofa, picked up her cup with both hands, took a small sip of coffee, and gazed out the window with eyes that weren't on her silver glasses.

I always thought she liked to take off her glasses and look into the distance.

The whole world became hazy, like a kaleidoscope of mirrored images. It felt amazing; you couldn't see any dirt or grime, only the massive outlines of objects and the bright, intense light.

The sun rose quietly, illuminating the hazy outline of Tokyo Tower with dazzling light.

The scene before her reminded Kana Shimamoto of a Nestlé coffee advertisement, which seemed to feature the Tokyo Tower bathed in morning light.

A Tokyo morning begins with coffee—as Tokyo Tower basks in the morning sun, we sip blissful coffee.

Speaking of which, Tazaki seems to really dislike Nescafé... Shimamoto Kana gently stroked her toes with one hand, and the afternoon that happened when she became the bunny girl senior suddenly came to mind.

In reality, everything that was going to happen happened. Tazaki-san is a complete fan of stockings and beautiful legs, so much so that she actually wants to use her own stockinged feet...

A warm summer breeze blew in from the window, gently swaying the curtains.

She gently stroked her toes, a sweet yet helpless pain emanating from her lower back, and a warm feeling gradually seeped into her heart.

Kana Shimamoto believes that that afternoon was a gift left to her by Tsukasa Tazaki.

Only pure happiness, a perfect and flawless time that will never be encountered again. If God told her she could relive a certain day in her life, she would definitely choose to become the bunny girl senior again without hesitation.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Kana Shimamoto finished her makeup, put on her contact lenses, and left her apartment in Minato Ward. Before nine o'clock, she arrived at Shibuya Matsushita—a district that has been a gathering place for the nobility since the Meiji era, where countless political and business celebrities have settled.

Step into a courtyard filled with ancient charm, like a mansion from a Taiga drama.

A woman in a kimono jogged over and bowed, saying, "Madam, I'll take you to change your clothes."

Kana Shimamoto gently shook her head: "I know the way myself."

Step through the door, pass through the courtyard filled with evergreen pines and cypresses, and enter your room to change into a dignified, plain-colored kimono. Put your hair up in an elegant updo, then walk out of the winding corridor to a spacious rectangular Japanese-style room.

Inside, there is an altar, a large table, and white porcelain bottles with willow branches erected in the four corners. In the center are offerings such as silver coins, white silk, cucumbers, eggplants, and oxen.

Kana Shimamoto knelt down at the entrance to greet the guests. A middle-aged man opposite her asked, "How have you been lately?"

"Ah."

She nodded slightly, and neither of them spoke again.

A dozen or so monks walked in from outside the door, carrying props such as taiko drums, conch shells, incense, and talismans.

As the guests gradually arrived, a small memorial ceremony began.

The couple knelt side by side in front of the altar, each praying their own prayers.

Then the monks began to perform the ritual.

After listening to the monk chanting sutras for a while, Shimamoto Kana got up and left, slightly annoyed.

In the past, she might have endured the discomfort, putting on a formulaic smile throughout the ceremony before leaving, but now, even a minute's more connection with this place makes her feel nauseous.

The sky was clear and bright, resembling a vast blue sea.

Kana Shimamoto came to a plum tree in the backyard and sat there blankly, as if trying to escape the noise of the house.

The sunlight flickering on the treetops had not yet faded, and the clouds formed two parallel lines, as if they had been brushed out. Gazing at the silent sky, the image of Tsukasa Tazaki's muscular chest resurfaced in her mind, and her body became extremely hot. She quietly slipped her hand into her kimono.

Who knows?

The name of the flower that was concealed

The phone suddenly rang, startling Kana Shimamoto; her heart pounded in her chest. She quickly looked around to make sure no one was there before picking up her phone.

Without any warning, a sudden wave of nasal soreness washed over me, and tears welled up in my eyes.

O radiant boy, come and take me away...

After wiping the water off her fingers, Kana Shimamoto swiped the answer icon and put the phone to her ear.

"Hello, Shimamoto-sensei."

"Greetings, Tazaki...".

"Why is Mr. Shimamoto breathing so heavily? Did you just finish exercising?"

"Yes, yes..." Shimamoto Kana's cheeks, still flushed, were burning hot.

"By the way, I have a question for the teacher."

"Are you experiencing the troubles of youth again?"

"Why have so many worries? Haha..."

The boy on the other end of the line chuckled a few times before asking, "What kind of flowers does Shimamoto-sensei like?"

Kana Shimamoto casually shifted her gaze, searching for a suitable answer within her field of vision. Behind her was a plum tree, and two meters away was a cherry tree. She answered first, "I like cherry blossoms more."

"why?"

"Cherry blossoms are brightly colored and symbolize passion, purity, and nobility. Isn't it natural to like cherry blossoms?"

"I think white roses are better."

A sweet smile spread across Shimamoto's lips as she looked up at the plum tree: "Then let's go with plum blossoms."

"why?"

"Compared to the flamboyant cherry blossoms, the elegant and quiet temperament of plum blossoms suits the teacher better, doesn't it?"

"That makes some sense."

"Cherry blossoms are beautiful, but they are too extravagant and imposing. The teacher is a very gentle person, just like the plum blossom, elegant and gentle, and lovable."

"The problem is, aren't plum blossoms too simple and plain..."

"No, plum blossoms have an elegant and pure temperament."

"I think white roses are better."

“Tasaki-san, you should improve your aesthetic appreciation.” Shimamoto Kana, clutching her lower abdomen, recalled the warm afterglow of the previous encounter, her heart softening as well. She spoke in an extremely gentle voice, “Plum blossoms are not only beautiful in their flowers, but also in the shape of their branches. As painters say, ‘Paint flowers as flowers, paint plum blossoms as branches.’ Compared to other flowers, plum blossoms win with the beauty of their dignified branches.”

"Which painter said that? I'll go and kill him."

"I'll beat you to death first, you believe me?" Shimamoto Kana curled her lips into a slightly smug smile, her tone carrying a cute little arrogance. "Has Tazaki-san ever heard the saying 'A plum blossom is like a dead person lying on their back'?"

"What came from here?"

"A waka poem that on the surface depicts plum blossoms and the dead actually expresses the pure and solemn charm of plum blossoms. After saying all that, don't you also think that plum blossoms perfectly match the teacher's temperament?"

"I think a white rose is better!"

"Tell me the truth..." Shimamoto Kana's tone was so certain, as if she could see right through him, "You've mentioned the white rose so many times, what evil intentions are you hiding?"

"There aren't that many ulterior motives..."

As soon as he finished speaking, light footsteps came from behind him, along with the boy's slightly helpless but very pleasant voice.

"I bought white roses today. If you hadn't said you liked white roses, I would have had a hard time getting out of this situation."

Under a breathtakingly blue sky, a dreamlike, handsome young man, with a captivating and affectionate smile, and tender, loving eyes, slowly walked towards her, holding a large bouquet of pure white roses.

Kana Shimamoto held her breath as an arrow pierced her heart.

Chapter 225 On a typhoon night, Kana Shimamoto felt very sweet.

Standing under the plum tree, Kana Shimamoto is graceful, elegant, and refreshingly charming. Dressed in a simple kimono, she looks as elegant as if she were in a painting.

Tsukasa Tazaki walked straight to her and put his hand on her shoulder.

A surge of excitement welled up inside me. This gentle and graceful beauty from Kyoto, with her waterfall-like black hair and snow-white skin, would now belong entirely to me.

"I've been waiting for you." Shimamoto Kana said as if she had been waiting for a long time, gently resting her face against his chest.

Tsukasa Tazaki stared at her, speechless. "So beautiful..."

She wore a light green, plain-colored kimono with a white embroidered sash around her waist. Upon closer inspection, small plum blossoms were embroidered on the chest of the kimono, gradually deepening in color downwards, and blooming into large chrysanthemums near the hem of the skirt.

When she wears a suit, she is a charming career woman, talented and radiant; when she wears a kimono, she exudes the grace, poise, and charm of a young lady.

Kana Shimamoto tilted her head back and asked, "How does it compare to your tiger?"

Her hair was piled high, with a pearl hairpin dangling from it. When she tilted her head back, the pearl would sway gently.

This is a life-or-death question!