My love index is at its maximum.

Time is both endless and fleeting, leaving a lingering, sweet yet languid aftertaste.

A long time passed.

As the blush on Hoshino Hana's face slowly faded, her hands and feet, and each finger, gradually regained sensation.

"I'll go fill the bathtub with water."

"Ah."

"Then let go first."

"Carry me there."

"So clingy~" Tsukasa Tazaki smiled happily, bent down, picked her up, and carried her into the bathroom.

"I only cling to you." Hoshino Hanami skillfully wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her face against his chest. "Only you can make me both love and hate you. You'd better cherish this, otherwise, the day I get tired of you, I'll definitely kick you out without hesitation."

Tsukasa Tazaki was about to make a promise.

She covered his lips with her right hand, blinking her eyes as if to say, "I know."

After taking a bath together, Tsukasa Tazaki helped her dry her hair, and the two agreed on a time to go home and visit her grandmother.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Hoshino Hanami stretched and yawned, resting her head on his chest: "Are you going to Sakura's place later?"

Holding her warm body, Tsukasa Tazaki felt completely comfortable and answered her in a slightly weary voice after the satisfaction: "Yeah, and Yui Kichikawa is here too. Maybe tonight I'll get skinned alive by those two."

"Serves you right!" Hoshino Hanami bumped his head against his chest. "I'll talk to Sakura later and tell her to go all out, preferably cripple you."

"As long as I don't kill him instantly, it's no big deal for me."

Tsukasa Tazaki smiled, picked her up, and walked to the bedside.

She was wearing a bathrobe at the moment. After being lifted up by the waist, her long, smooth legs were exposed. Her skin, which had been soaked in hot water, had a slightly pinkish hue, making her even more alluring than usual.

The original sheets were already stained with oil, so it wasn't safe to sleep on them directly. Tazaki Tsukasa had no choice but to put Hoshino Hanami on the bedside table to sit on.

She tore off the soiled sheets and blankets, turned around and went to the wardrobe to take out the spares to change into.

During this busy period of his life, Hoshino Hanami's gaze never left him, and she would occasionally call out "Tazaki-nii" in a coquettish manner, with a sweet smile always on her lips.

After changing the sheets and blankets, Tsukasa Tazaki carried her back to bed.

"What do you plan to say to those two tonight?" Hoshino Hanami's delicate face softened from a sweet smile into a slightly dangerous sneer.

"Say what you think." Tsukasa Tazaki tucked her in and gently patted her cheek. "Go to sleep, and when you're refreshed, take me for a stroll along Hanamiko Path."

"Okay, Tazaki-nii-san."

Hoshino Hanami raised one leg, poked Tazaki Tsukasa's nose with her toe, and laughed mischievously: "Unless you want to lick it, get lost."

"I'll definitely do it next time."

Tazaki Tsukasa pressed the soles of her freshly washed feet against her face for a while before leaving in her yukata.

He pushed open the door, glanced furtively to the left and right, and after confirming that no one was around, rushed to the next room and pushed the door open.

Bathed in the sunlight streaming down from above, Kana Shimamoto sat quietly at her desk as usual, with manuscript paper and a fountain pen spread out in front of her, though the pen caps remained on. Her hands were clasped together on the desk, her eyes gazing out the window, a steaming cup of coffee beside her arm.

The cool autumn breeze ruffled her bangs, giving the scene a slightly melancholic feel.

Tsukasa Tazaki came up behind Kana Shimamoto and put his arm around her shoulders from behind: "What are you looking at?"

My freshly washed hair was still slightly warm, and it also carried the scent of gardenia shampoo.

"Look at the night view of Kyoto." Shimamoto Kana stroked his cheek with one hand without turning around.

Tazaki Tsukasa looked out the window.

The ancient cobblestone path is lined with quiet teahouses and restaurants, and is planted with many cherry trees and weeping willows, though their blooming season has long passed.

The conversations of tourists and diners, carried from the darkness of night, have become indistinct.

"It's beautiful, but it's too much of a mood killer to look at alone," said Tsukasa Tazaki, taking a sip of his coffee.

It has a moderate acidity and a very pleasant taste.

Shimamoto Kana turned around with amusement, gently pushing up her glasses: "But I'm all alone. Do you expect me to just go out on the street and find someone to watch this with me?"

“Madam seems a little tired.” Tsukasa Tazaki put the cup back on the table.

“You’ll just change the subject.” Shimamoto Kana shook her head helplessly, picking up the coffee he had just drunk from. “Although it’s been a long time since I’ve been in such a good mood to travel, it’s inevitable to be tired after walking all day. By the way, do you look older than you are at times like this?”

"Don't worry unnecessarily," Tsukasa Tazaki said truthfully. "She's still as beautiful as ever."

Kana Shimamoto held the coffee cup by the handle, quietly took a sip, and then held it to Tsukasa Tazaki's lips for him to drink. "You never used to talk like this. How come you're getting more and more glib?"

Tazaki Tsukasa swallowed his coffee, looking into her deep, captivating eyes: "Because I'm in love."

"Are you in love?" Kana Shimamoto asked knowingly.

"Yes."

"So you're saying that her looks and figure are special and precious to you every day?"

"That's true."

Kana Shimamoto smiled faintly, placed the cup back on the tray, and wrapped her arms around Tsukasa Tazaki's neck: "Who is your love interest?"

"Of course, it's Mrs. Tazaki."

"I don't believe it."

How can I gain faith?

Please make it up to me and let me feel your heart.

Behind the lenses, those beautiful pupils narrowed, like a cat hiding in a dark corner.

Tsukasa Tazaki gently kissed her lips, then looked up and asked, "Where are your clothes?"

“Over there, over there…” Shimamoto Kana opened her eyes, pinched his cheeks with both hands and turned him to look at the door: “See that suitcase? Your change of clothes and toiletries are all there, as well as a few books and a game console.”

"Thank you, ma'am."

Tsukasa Tazaki, carrying his suitcase, tiptoed quietly and slipped through the crack in the door like a dreamy little fish.

The door closed silently.

"Damn it!" Shimamoto Kana cursed helplessly.

The door opened again.

Tsukasa Tazaki poked his head in, a friendly yet mischievous smile on his lips: "Please remember the promise in Gion, madam."

"Go away, go away," Shimamoto Kana waved her hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly.

Back on the second floor, in the boys' dormitory area, Tsukasa Tazaki found his room, but it was empty.

Looks like they've all gone out to have fun.

This place is near Gion, and there's a famous geisha district nearby. Tsukasa Tazaki had no doubt that the other two boys in his dorm had been dragged by Mizuiro Murakami to experience the charm of Kyoto geisha.

I changed into my own clothes, grabbed my phone and wallet, left the hotel, and went for a stroll outside.

Under the cover of night, the moonlight was exceptionally bright and cool.

Shops line both sides of the ancient bluestone path, and orange lanterns adorn the treetops in a continuous stream.

I found the nearest coffee shop on my phone and followed the navigation into a small alley.

Many residents on both sides were still watching TV, chatting and eating. A slightly greasy smell of food wafted from the windows, and the outdoor fan of the air conditioner was humming. As you passed by, a warm blast of air hit you.

The sound of showering water could be heard coming from someone's window, and figures could be faintly seen reflected in the glass.

Upon arriving at my destination, I casually ordered a coffee and a few snacks.

I grabbed a book from the bar, sat down by the window, and while drinking my coffee, I would occasionally glance up at the street outside.

What should I say to Kuriyama Sakura and Kikawa Yui later?

What will they say?

I have no clue what to do.

However, Tsukasa Tazaki's mind became increasingly clear.

Whatever they want to know, I won't hide anything from them.

Especially Yui Kawakawa.

He could tell her anything she wanted to know, including the fact that the old Tsukasa Tazaki was dead.

If given the right opportunity, Tsukasa Tazaki would even be willing to tell her about it in person, so that she could better understand her feelings and so that he could see more clearly how to proceed.

As for the Minister...

It can't be forced.

Her personality was more stubborn than anyone Tsukasa Tazaki had ever met; she truly ignored anything she disliked or didn't want to do.

Unless, something can coerce her.

For example, during the Literature Club incident, Tsukasa Tazaki threatened the club president by grabbing her chin.

But the two had no relationship back then, so he wouldn't be able to coerce Kuriyama Sakura now.

Aside from coercion, the only remaining option is to subtly change her perspective.

Like a school festival.

However, will spending a long time together gradually transform this feeling into love?

Just like the weather in winter, people can't accumulate today's temperature and put it all together to make a warm spring day tomorrow.

Even Tazaki Tsukasa himself felt that his feelings for her were sometimes intense and sometimes indifferent.

Generally speaking, I don't think we have to be together, but the thought that we will have much less time to spend together after graduating from high school makes me feel melancholy.

Human nature is truly complex.

Tsukasa Tazaki shook his head and drank the last sip of coffee in his cup.

I hurried back to the hotel as night fell.

We passed by the Gion geisha district on the way.

The road is lined with old, rustic buildings with lattice windows made of thin square timber and coarse cloth curtains hanging at the entrances, a style that perfectly matches the elegance of the geisha.