My love index is at its maximum.

"Yes, I only brought my schoolbag."

"Honestly, why are you so clumsy? You came all the way up north without even preparing winter clothes." Shiori Ninomiya would scold him in a condescending tone, "Do you think Hokkaido is Tokyo? The temperature here is below zero, and it's going to snow soon."

"Let's buy it when it gets cold," Tsukasa Tazaki said with a nonchalant smile.

The two walked out of the platform passage and bought train tickets to Asahikawa for 1 a.m. at the ticket office. While they still had time, Shiori Ninomiya took him to stroll around the streets of Hakodate.

As soon as he stepped out of the train station, a chill swept over him, and Tsukasa Tazaki instinctively hugged his arms tightly.

The night wind blowing in his face felt like a fly swatter, slapping against his face with a sharp, unexpected pain.

"Hahaha!" Shiori Ninomiya laughed and blinked repeatedly, looking at his face, which was whitened by the cold wind: "Serves you right for trying to look cool, serves you right for acting cool. Do you know you were wrong now?"

"I felt cold, but you were happy."

"Of course, a scumbag like Kiki deserves to experience nature's punishment!"

"Let's go buy clothes quickly." Tsukasa Tazaki was in an extremely good mood and pulled the two of them by the arms, walking towards the street.

Hakodate's urban area is uneven, with many ups and downs. There are few tall buildings, and almost all apartment buildings have their lights on. A few neon lights along the streets flicker in the cold wind.

Passing by a large thermometer, Tsukasa Tazaki saw the current real-time temperature on the electronic screen: -3°C.

The sub-zero temperature reminded him of a geographical fact—Hokkaido's latitude is similar to that of the HLJ.

They randomly walked into a clothing store on the street, and Tsukasa Tazaki bought a red and black fleece-lined hooded windbreaker. Shiori Ninomiya picked out a pair of brown snow boots and two thick cotton pants for him.

I changed into a thick winter coat and walked out of the fitting room.

His handsome features, charming smile, and youthful charm left the shop assistants in the small northern town stunned, like sparrows on a power line, dumbfounded by the cold wind.

Ignoring the others, Tsukasa Tazaki approached Shiori Ninomiya, opened his arms to show her, and asked, "How is it? Does it fit?"

The affectionate and tender gaze made the shop assistants' hearts flutter, and their eyes revealed undisguised envy as they looked at the girl.

Shiori Ninomiya wanted to run straight into his arms, but she managed to restrain herself.

"It's so beautiful." A smile involuntarily appeared on her face. "Kiki is exactly my type. I can look at her over and over again."

"The same goes for Shiori-chan."

"Let's go get something to eat, and then we'll go home together!"

Tazaki paid the bill, picked up his luggage, and then, rather childishly, bumped the little cutie's shoulder with his own: "Want to take my arm?"

"No, no!"

Shiori Ninomiya shook her head in refusal, her tone soft and undulating, the last syllable drawn out as if she were being coquettish.

"What a pity~" Tsukasa Tazaki said with a smile in his voice.

Stepping out onto the street, the wind was still blowing, but it no longer carried a chill.

There weren't many pedestrians or cars on the street, the lighting was just right, and the traffic lights were perfectly timed—everything felt perfect. Accustomed to Tokyo's most bustling and vibrant city center, strolling side-by-side through the somewhat shabby streets had a unique charm.

At nine o'clock in the evening, his stomach growling with hunger, Tsukasa Tazaki pulled her into a high-end seafood restaurant. After he ordered, Shiori Ninomiya would hide her face behind the menu and quietly ask, "Kiki, tell me honestly, what are you planning to do with me in Hokkaido?"

"Check on your mother." With that, Tsukasa Tazaki took off his coat. The restaurant was heated, and it would be too hot to eat while still dressed.

When her mother was mentioned, Shiori Ninomiya's eyes dimmed.

The pessimism that Tazaki had been suppressing ever since he boarded the train suddenly erupted again. A suffocating sense of sadness and helplessness pressed down on him, leaving him with no room for pity, and his stomach was churning with pain.

“There’s nothing to see…” she rubbed her nose and smiled with difficulty, “just an ordinary country woman, and she’ll soon lose both her legs.”

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

"What good would it do to tell you?"

"That way I won't have to ask Kuriyama-san! You know how sharp-tongued the department head is. When I get back to Tokyo, I'll inevitably get another round of sarcastic remarks from her. Besides... it just feels weird for the mistress to go and tell the main wife something."

After scolding his concubine, Tsukasa Tazaki suddenly smiled, dissolving the previously tense and oppressive atmosphere, and even the air seemed to be refreshed.

Across the dining table, Shiori Ninomiya felt his teasing gaze, and her face flushed slightly: "I haven't told Sakura about my family situation either..."

"Understanding this approach, the energetic and optimistic Shiori-chan is not someone who likes to complain."

Tsukasa Tazaki maintained his smile, extending his right hand to the center of the table: "You extend your hand too!"

Shiori Ninomiya extended her left hand, which he grasped as if completely enveloping her.

It feels warm in the palm of your hand and has a reassuring texture.

"There's nothing to worry about, don't look so gloomy." Tsukasa Tazaki said, holding her hand. "You're very charming, and your personality is likable. You'll have a better life sooner or later. This isn't flattery, I genuinely believe it. I can sense that natural charm about you that touches people's hearts. Haven't you ever felt that way yourself?"

Shiori Ninomiya pursed her lips tightly and looked into his eyes, as if to say she was unsure.

“What we lack is time and the right environment.” Tsukasa Tazaki smiled slightly and said in a gentle yet decisive tone, like a priest, “In short, just be with me for now. I think it’s a good fit. What do you think?”

“I…” Shiori Ninomiya hesitated, swallowed a few times, and her facial muscles tensed. Being stared at so directly by him, she felt as if her existence was rapidly shrinking and shrinking, about to disappear like an ice cube in the sun.

“I already know the difficulties you are facing,” Tsukasa Tazaki said. “Your mother’s diabetes has reached a late stage, causing very serious complications. For example, she is now facing sepsis, which has led to infection and ulceration in her lower limbs. This condition is currently untreatable with the current level of medical technology, and the only way to stop the spread of infection is through amputation. This has forced you to stay at home to take care of her.”

“Good to know. Also,” Shiori Ninomiya raised her other hand, pointing her finger across the table at his nose, “I’m warning you, my mind is a mess right now. Don’t say anything that will move me but is impossible to achieve, or I’ll cry right now. I’ll cry right here, and once I start crying, I won’t care what other people are thinking. I’ll make sure you lose face.”

“I know,” Tsukasa Tazaki nodded, still holding her left hand. “But I said I would find you no matter where you go. I don’t know if I can succeed, but at least I will try.”

Shiori Ninomiya asked, "How are you going to find me and bring me back?"

"Once your mother's health improves, I'll take you back to Tokyo. Don't worry too much about your future; you can work at a coffee shop. The pay won't be anything special, but the work itself isn't too strenuous, and you can read in your spare time. In your free time, you can learn Italian with me or practice your English speaking skills. There's a piano in the shop; you could learn to play with Sakura, and if you do well, I'll give you a raise. Also, I happen to have a spare room in my apartment; you can move in there when we get back to Tokyo. What do you think of all of this?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shiori Ninomiya immediately replied, "I do."

But the voice wasn't the one she wanted to answer; it was as if another version of herself had answered for her.

The other self is extremely irrational; no matter what Kiki says, she will agree without hesitation, leaving no time for the present self to think before making a decision.

Across the dining table, Shiori Ninomiya could see her reflection in his dark pupils, as if she were another version of herself that had been absorbed into his body.

I admire that straightforward figure, but at the same time I feel a deep sense of fear.

The waiter brought out the dishes: the main course was charcoal-grilled fresh white fish, accompanied by a small amount of green sauce with chopped mushrooms, and an extremely elegant lettuce salad. There was also an expensive goldeneye snapper, presented in a large white porcelain bowl, garnished with ginger shreds; its presentation was pleasing to the eye, flawless, and a true work of art.

The two stopped talking and began to enjoy the fresh seafood from Hokkaido.

The shop was filled with the sounds of cocktail mixers stirring, glasses clinking, and ice cubes being scooped out by machine, while gentle music flowed from the speakers.

At certain moments, a song would always pop into Shiori Ninomiya's mind.

Whenever I look up at the twinkling stars in the night sky on a clear night, I can't help but hum this old song, which is called "Like People in Love".

These days

Suddenly realized

I don't know when it started

Often alone, sometimes gazing at the stars in a daze.

Sometimes I strum my guitar and get lost in thought.

Just like people in love

People in love are often like this; their consciousness flutters freely like a butterfly, making them forget themselves.

When I came to my senses, I realized that a long time had passed.

Just like the song says: "Thinking of her, I feel lost and confused."

Sure enough, people in love tend to become silly... Ninomiya Shiori ate the cream pudding that was served after the meal, lamenting in her heart that she was about to become an idiot.

After finishing their meal, the two walked back to the station.

Shiori Ninomiya sweetly put her arm around Tsukasa Tazaki's shoulder as they strolled through the night-shrouded streets.

They were much closer than before, and the sound of passing vehicles was quite pleasant, with faint starlight twinkling in the sky.

When it was time to depart, we walked through a small underground passage and through the ticket gate. From the platform, we could see the lights of the distant town; only a few houses still had their lights on, and the whole town was in complete silence.

Before setting off, Tsukasa Tazaki called Kana Shimamoto to report the situation. After a moment of silence on the other end of the line, his wife's complaining voice came through.

"Tsukasa Tazaki, you've done so many bad things!"

"I'll apologize to you when we get back," Tsukasa Tazaki said, tucking his phone between his shoulder and cheek and putting his suitcase away with his hands free. "If we hadn't interfered in the first place, it would have been fine, but since we have, we can't just abandon you halfway through, right?"

"That's your life, you can do whatever you want and nobody can stop you."

Her tone was full of complaints; just listening to it, you could imagine her muttering curses under the covers.

"Did you just take a bath, Madam?" Tsukasa Tazaki asked with a smile.

"Yes, I just finished showering, and I'm still naked."

"I miss your warm and soft body, could you please wear stockings and take a few photos and send them to me?"

“You’re never serious all day long,” Shimamoto Kana yawned and scolded, warning him sleepily, “Don’t drag this out too long. I’m still looking forward to strolling with you through the autumn streets of Kyoto, where the maple leaves are in full bloom. If you break your promise, your gentlest Mrs. Tazaki won’t talk to you for the next month.”

Just as I hung up the phone, the train was about to depart.

Tazaki Tsukasa picked up a blanket and covered herself and Ninomiya Shiori with it, then pressed the little cutie's head against her shoulder.

“Go to sleep,” he said.

"Kiki is such a heartless scumbag," Ninomiya Shiori complained.

“Yes, yes, yes…” Tsukasa Tazaki put his arm around her shoulder and looked out at the dark fields outside the window. “After a good night’s sleep, we’ll be at my little cutie’s house. I’m really looking forward to it.”

"I won't let you in!"

Shiori Ninomiya turned her little head, adjusted it to a comfortable position, and fell into a deep sleep.

The train sped forward in the darkness, passing through fields, forests, and canyons; the girl's cheek remained pressed against Tsukasa Tazaki's shoulder, her warm breath making his neck damp and cozy.

The next day, at the crack of dawn, the train arrived at the simple platform of Asahikawa Station.

This is the northernmost city in Japan, and the weather is much colder than in Hakodate, and certainly not in comparison to Tokyo.

The city center is also very small, a typical local town. There are small shops, a chaotic main street, a bus terminal with about 10 bus lines, and tourist maps. Looking up to either side, you can see the majestic snow-capped mountains towering into the clouds under a hazy sky.

Tsukasa Tazaki took a deep breath.

The air was much colder than he had expected, and he shivered instantly, feeling as if his internal organs had been filled with ice water.

"Don't get cold." Tsukasa Tazaki took out a scarf from his suitcase and wrapped it around Shiori Ninomiya's neck. He then put a coarse cotton shirt on her, turning the little cutie into a chubby girl.

Shiori Ninomiya raised her arm, which was thicker than a radish, and said with a displeased look, "Are we heading towards the Ice Age?"

“Not bad,” Tsukasa Tazaki said with a smile. “I’ll hunt mammoths, and you can stay home and raise the children.”