My love index is at its maximum.

As they were talking, Hoshino Hanami caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of her eye.

Kana Shimamoto, carrying her suitcase, walked directly past the students from each class and was the first to enter the departure passage.

“That woman…” Hoshino Hanami frowned, unable to help but mutter to herself: As a life counselor, why didn’t she go to Hawaii with the second-year students, but instead came to Kyoto with the first-year students? She clearly has something on her mind!

It's all Tsukasa Tazaki's fault!

That's an even more serious offense!

……

Achoo!

Tazaki Tsukasa suddenly sneezed, a chill creeping up his skin, and he instinctively pulled his autumn school uniform tighter around himself.

Even in late autumn, daytime temperatures in Kyoto are below 20°C, and it gets even colder at night.

"Does Kiki have a cold?" Shiori Ninomiya turned her head, her face full of concern.

“No,” Tsukasa Tazaki shook his head, “I just suddenly feel a little cold, I don’t know why.”

"It must be Hoshino-sensei talking about you behind your back!"

"..."

"Hehe~" Ninomiya Shiori pounced on him without warning, snuggling close to Tazaki Tsukasa. With her movement, a faint fragrance wafted over.

"We'll be going back to our own class soon, so let's hug a little longer while we can."

Tazaki gently put his arm around her waist and remained quiet for a while, during which he could hear her faint breathing against his chest.

The square in front of the station was bustling with people, mostly families or tour groups, among whom girls wearing long-sleeved kimonos were particularly eye-catching.

Upon arriving in Kyoto for the first time, Tsukasa Tazaki immediately noticed the biggest difference between Tokyo and Kyoto.

Walking the streets of Tokyo, you'll find that Tokyoites have excellent taste in clothing. Whether it's office workers in suits or students in casual attire, most are wearing uniforms.

The clothes are clean and tidy; and the fabric is of excellent quality with exquisite workmanship.

It can be said that Tokyo is the representative of Japan's "uniform culture".

From police officers to medical staff, from flight attendants to white-collar women, from students to blue-collar workers, Japan is undoubtedly a nation of uniform-wearing nations. If we consider the inherent nature of uniforms—which essentially carries a sense of "forced inspection"—we can clearly perceive the "docile" gene in the Japanese character.

However, shrines, temples, and old wooden houses can be seen everywhere on the streets of Kyoto.

A graceful woman in a kimono, carrying a small handbag, walks towards you and smiles slightly.

This streetscape, full of historical charm, is completely different from the concrete jungle of Tokyo.

Tsukasa Tazaki considers himself an artistic youth.

So when a beautiful woman in a kimono gave him a warm smile just now, in that moment of captivating charm, he was reminded of the desolation of Kyoto in Kawabata Yasunari's writing, the beauty of Kyoto in Tanizaki Jun'ichirō's eyes, and the breathtaking scene of the Heian period a thousand years ago, where everything flourished or withered like wild grass.

Great!

Tsukasa Tazaki was filled with anticipation for this trip to Kyoto.

I visited Kinkaku-ji Temple with the Minister and discussed Yukio Mishima's "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion" together, appreciating the "if you can't have it, destroy it" aesthetic of premature death conveyed by the text.

While strolling through Gion with Mrs. Tazaki, in the depths of their emotions, the Kyoto beauty quietly wiped away her tears with the hem of her silk dress in the poignant candlelight. One could vaguely see the slender, bamboo shoot-like fingertips holding the hem of her dress, and that touch of white made it impossible for one to sleep.

Take Yui Kawakawa with you for a stroll along the Kamo River. While you're at it, tell her a quote from popular author Junko Sakai in her novel "Metropolis and Kyoto": "A beautiful and capable woman who is still single after reaching marriageable age is a loser."

Ok.

My aunt said she's already prepared the props for cosplaying the Fallen Saintess, and she's determined to make her wear them this time!

And there's my older sister.

The geisha of Kyoto, the Hanamikoji Street in Kyoto, the Heian Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto, Arashiyama in Kyoto, the Kamo River at night in Kyoto, the autumn leaves in Kyoto, the Gion Festival and the parade of flower umbrellas in Kyoto, the Obon festival and the Daimonji fire in Kyoto, the charm and flavor of Kyoto, the ancient capital with a history of thousands of years...

I really wish I could walk down every road that Hanami-neechan has walked and appreciate every scene she has lingered in since I was a child.

As for that idiot Shikami.

Ok……

Go home with her to visit her grandmother!

As I pondered these things, a familiar figure came into view at the exit of the station.

"Shimamoto-sensei, I'm over here."

Shimamoto Kana turned her head and saw Tazaki Tsukasa raising one hand in greeting. A gentle smile immediately appeared on her lips.

Wearing the autumn school uniform of Beichuan, the suit jacket is very fashionable. He stands up straight. His originally thin body has become more and more perfect after long-term persistent exercise. He exudes confidence in every move.

Whenever he smiles, he is like the first ray of light piercing through thick rain clouds after a storm, dazzling and warm—this is Mrs. Tazaki's biased opinion.

"Hello, Tazaki-san."

In the still-warm autumn sunshine, Shimamoto Kana walked up to him and stood directly in front of him without saying a word.

For this trip, she put a lot of thought into ordering a dress: a black long-sleeved cotton top with small floral patterns, a black long skirt, and brown autumn high heels with heels that went above her ankles.

This outfit is neither glamorous nor plain; it subtly showcases a woman's beauty and devotion.

She really wanted to express that feeling to Tsukasa Tazaki.

On this point, Kana Shimamoto was very confident about this outfit. The pattern on the top exuded vitality, and the buckles that fit snugly at the waist conveyed a youthful and beautiful demeanor.

Accessories such as the thin-strapped watch and small leather bag on her wrist added an air of elegance, making her appear dignified.

Tazaki Tsukasa read "Praise me" in her eyes and smiled, saying, "The sky seems to have become more beautiful."

"Let's say something vulgar." Shimamoto Kana rolled her eyes at him.

"Beautiful people look good in anything they wear. Shimamoto-sensei is truly blessed."

"They said I'm prettier than Hoshino-sensei."

"I'm prettier than Hoshino-sensei."

"Ouch!" Shimamoto Kana tapped his forehead with her finger, scolding him angrily, "Tazaki Tsukasa, you tricked me!"

"Haha~"

Faced with this potentially fatal situation, Tsukasa Tazaki chose to feign ignorance and try to get away with it.

He naturally understood his wife's thoughts.

She wants to compare herself to Hoshino Hanami, isn't that how all women are?

In terms of age, she is three years older than Hoshino Hanami, so she doesn't want to lose because of her age. However, if we only consider the beauty of her face, Hoshino Hanami undoubtedly has a slight advantage.

Hoshino Hanami is a striking and pretty woman, while her wife is round.

However, it's not too regrettable. At least Tsukasa Tazaki believes that a dignified oval face is more appealing to men most of the time, and he is no exception.

Kana Shimamoto rolled her eyes at Tsukasa Tazaki, clearly annoyed.

He let him off the hook for now, then turned to Shiori Ninomiya, "Welcome back to school, Ninomiya-kun."

"Hello, Shimamoto-sensei," Ninomiya Shiori replied with a sweet smile.

"Have the family matters been resolved?"

"It's resolved for now."

"So," Kana Shimamoto asked in a strange tone, "you'll be living with the teacher from now on?"

"No way!" Shiori Ninomiya shook her head. "Living in the same house as someone like Kiki would make me feel like my personal safety is constantly under serious threat."

"...?" Tsukasa Tazaki remained silent, his face dark.

Kana Shimamoto smiled gently.

She was very pleased that no one was disturbing her and Tsukasa Tazaki's time together. At the same time, she admired Shiori Ninomiya's resilient character, which was infinitely better than her own back then.

Kitagawa students emerged one after another from the exit, and the first people Tazaki Tsukasa saw were from Class A.

Kuriyama Sakura and Kikawa Yui lagged behind the students in Class A, their aura and atmosphere completely out of place with the rest of the group.

"Hello," Tsukasa Tazaki greeted.

The two most beautiful girls left the class line and came to his side, standing on either side of him.

Tazaki Tsukasa felt a sudden unease and nervously shifted his gaze from side to side.

Kuriyama Sakura rested her chin on her hand, smiling faintly.

Kikawa Yui crossed her arms, her clear blue eyes brimming with anger.

The instigator, Shiori Ninomiya, hid behind Kana Shimamoto, peeking out her little head and winking gloatingly at Tsukasa Tazaki.

Kana Shimamoto gently patted her head: "Well done."

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Despite being in a bustling station square, Tsukasa Tazaki felt as if he had fallen into an abyss of desolation, feeling even colder than during his days in Hokkaido…

"The two of you seem to be in a very good mood..."

The two beautiful girls nodded simultaneously and said meaningfully, "It will be even better in a moment."

“I hope to share in your joy,” Tsukasa Tazaki waved his hand, stiffly changing the subject: “Speaking of which, the air in Kyoto is so nice, so fresh and free of any dust. It has a refreshing fragrance that’s really invigorating, probably from the scent of plants.”

"Tasaki-kun, it's autumn now." Yui Kikawa smiled coldly, staring straight at him. "It's a season when most plants wither and die. If we compare it to a person's life, it's like an old person about to die. Have you ever seen a dying person give off a fragrance?"

“A dying person only emits a foul stench,” Kuriyama Sakura said with a slight smile, arms crossed.

These two women are terrifying.

What is this implying?

This is definitely hinting at something!

Tazaki Tsukasa felt a jolt in his heart and turned his gaze to find the figure of the F classmate.

The spacious station square was filled with Kitagawa students, all taking photos together. Ninomiya Shiori waved and ran towards Class D, who was just about to take a class photo.

Following behind Class D, the students of Class F finally arrived late and stepped into the square.

"Teacher~" Tsukasa Tazaki called out and ran towards Hanami Hoshino.

The ominous feeling in my heart grew stronger.