My daily life in love is too contrary to my character.

Soga Kirei sometimes asks herself this question.

I don't know, I don't know when I started liking Shiraishi-kun. I don't even know why I started liking him.

All we know is that her favorite time was when she was 'Tokyo is so boring'. Normally she was unwilling to communicate with others, but when she transformed into 'Tokyo is so boring', she was a completely different person. She had endless things to say and fun daily life to share.

She liked this feeling very much, because Suga Wulian was not a real ice block; it was just that her beautiful, expressionless exterior concealed her deep-seated desire to express herself and confide in others.

"It'll be really interesting when Shiraishi finds out that the talkative and boring guy is actually Kirei!"

Thinking of this, even the icy Su Wulian's face showed a gentle smile that even the most beautiful Yae Sakura in the world could not match.

The girl once heard an interesting saying,

In one's life, one will always meet many people. They will pass by you in a hurry and then rush to the next intersection.

Some people will linger for a moment and become your friends. Then, for the sake of their dreams or aspirations, they have to part ways with you, leaving behind only a memory and a 'goodbye' that may or may not be a farewell or a promise.

And all you can do is watch.

If those who brush past us are like the wind, then those who paused for a moment are like leaves, some withered and some new; some leave and some arrive.

But there are always exceptions. When someone stops in front of you, they seem no different from anyone else, but you will gradually notice the difference.

You start to miss them, wanting to share your joy with them and seeking their comfort when you're sad. Seeing them happy makes your heart brighten, while their sadness seems to cast a shadow over your own.

You are well aware that the way these emotions manifest in him is different from how they manifest in others.

So you're not satisfied with him being just a leaf; you want him to become a branch, or even a trunk—you don't want him to end up like those fallen leaves, merely a passerby in your life.

All that remains is a memory and a vague promise of goodbye.

Soga Kirei felt the same way. Whenever she thought of that boy who was standing under the dazzling fireworks at the Tanabata Festival, yet was even more dazzling than the fireworks themselves, and who was covering his ears, she felt a deep reluctance to miss out on him. She knew that this wasn't just an impulse to be friends.

When most people in the world realize this, they will try to extend an invitation that would allow the two worlds to intersect.

People have given this invitation a romantic name: confession.

Soga Kirei would then secretly ask herself if she was ready to extend an invitation.

But a girl is still a girl, and even the seemingly icy student council president will show the shyness and hesitation of a little girl when faced with this question.

She always wondered, what if he didn't like me? What if I was rejected? — A girl in unrequited love always seems a bit anxious and insecure.

She didn't know how to like someone or how to make someone like her, and given her personality, she couldn't bring herself to ask.

Therefore, young girls often appear somewhat clumsy and humble.

She would be happy because of his brief companionship, jealous because of his intimacy with other girls, shy because he wiped away the paint stains for her, and frustrated because she couldn't say anything meaningful.

Even a simple photo of shadows cuddling together can make her happy for a long time, simply because the subject is Shiraishi Sawa Hide.

"Do you want to give up? After all, there are many outstanding girls around Shiraishi-kun."

Occasionally, when she lies alone in bed and quietly daydreams, she asks herself this question again, and the answer is always firm and decisive.

So-called love at first sight is nothing more than lust at first sight. The girl was very fortunate because her feelings for the boy came from love that grew over time.

………………

"Now I'm a real friend with Shiraishi-kun."

But I don't want to be satisfied with just that.

"One day, Soga Kirei will be standing next to Shiraishi-kun! Like other couples, we'll stroll hand in hand and kiss amidst envious glances!"

"Hmm, just being my girlfriend isn't enough, is it? Look at me, Su, I'm so greedy!"

"Hehe, I don't want to be friends with Shiraishi-kun at all! I want to be Shiraishi-kun's wife!"

Chapter 176 The Servants and the Bridegroom of the Ullambana Festival (4600)

"Shiraishi-kun, did you wash these fruits?"

Yuuko Toriyama, peeking out from the kitchen, asked Shiraishi Sawa Hide about the half-closed door to his room.

"You haven't washed it yet. Let us wash it before we take it over."

"I understand, I'll wash now."

Shiraishi Sawa emerged from the room with messy, sticking-out hair. He wasn't dressed in any formal attire, just a simple short-sleeved shirt and shorts. Even so, one glance was enough to feel his youthful energy.

He was just a boy who had just woken up.

However, Shiraishi Sawa still decided to wash his hair as a sign of respect for the gathering.

Today is August 15th, during the Ullambana Festival holiday.

The nature of the Obon festival is roughly similar to the Ghost Festival. Although the Obon festival in Japan is not a statutory holiday, most companies usually give their employees a short holiday during this period.

The apartment building is hosting an Obon evening party, and the neighbors invited Hideki Shiraishizawa and Yuko Takanashi to attend during the day.

Knowing that the two people living in the apartment were both minors, the neighbors usually helped them whenever they could.

Especially after Takanashi moved in, her helpfulness, politeness, and kindness quickly won over the hearts of the uncles, aunts, grandpas, and grandmas in the neighborhood once again, resulting in a very good relationship with the neighbors. Otherwise, the two of them wouldn't have dared to entrust Mimi to their neighbors so casually last time.

So naturally, the two of them did not refuse and chose to attend the party.

I asked about the precautions during the day and was told that everything was fine and not formal, just be happy, and you didn't even have to wear a yukata or kimono if you didn't want to.

Takanashi Yuko changed back into her kimono, while Shiraishi Sawa Hidenori decided against it, opting instead for short sleeves and shorts, feeling that wearing the linen kimono made him look too flamboyant.

We need to keep a low profile.

"Let's go, Shiraishi-kun." Seeing that Shiraishi Sawa had finished blow-drying his hair, Takanashi Yuuko picked up a bag of washed fruit from the coffee table and said.

"Okay, Takanashi, wait for me downstairs at the door while I put on some socks."

--

When Shiraishi Sawa came downstairs, Takanashi Yuko was already chatting with a neighbor.

"Good evening, Auntie Shangshan."

"Good evening, Shiraishi. Ah, you look even more handsome today. My child is already in college. I wish he looked like you now." Ueyama Mizue said with a smile after noticing Shiraishi Sawa.

Shiraishi Sawa first scratched his head and laughed heartily, then said:

"Aunt Shangshan, are you also going to the Obon festival at the apartment complex? Shall we go together?"

"Of course, let's go. You two kids don't even know why you bought fruit. Don't you know how expensive fruit is? It's such a waste of money."

.......

The location of the gathering was rather casual; it was just a small open space in the apartment area, surrounded by artificial turf, where several picnic mats had already been placed.

To prevent summer mosquitoes from spoiling everyone's fun, mosquito traps were placed all around, and they were now constantly clicking and popping, providing background music for the party.

Everyone was familiar with Shiraishi Sawa and Takanashi Yuko, and upon seeing the two and Ueyama Mizue, they invited them to sit down.

Shiraishi Sawa first placed the fruit on the temporary table set up here. This table, which also served as a display table, was now filled with a dazzling array of things, but unlike the various high-end ingredients seen before, most of them were everyday items.

Sushi, somen noodles, mochi, cookies, sake, rice wine, beer...

In Japan, gatherings with adult men always involve various kinds of alcohol.

There was also a dragon similar to a Chinese lion dance on the ground next to them, along with a mini sedan chair.

Takanashi Yuuko and Shiraishi Sawa Hide were surrounded by uncles and aunts, because these two children absolutely fulfilled all their fantasies about a son-in-law and daughter-in-law.

The very person who embodies the ideal child is right here.

Shiraishi Sawa and Takanashi Yuko are not bad at speaking; on the contrary, they handle things with ease.

"Everyone, please stop introducing your children. Our children aren't really suitable for these two kids. If you ask me, Shiraishi and Takanashi would be the perfect match."

A neighbor, Auntie Tahara Shino, jokingly remarked.

However, this statement did resonate with many people, who echoed it.

"Takayuki, what do you think of Shiraishi?" an aunt asked.

“That’s great. Shiraishi is the best boy I’ve ever met,” Takanashi Yuko said truthfully.

"Takanashi, don't say that. You haven't met my child yet. He might be even better than Shiraishi," an uncle outside the chat group interrupted.

However, they were quickly chased away by the aunties with smiles.

“Men should be drinking now, what are you doing here interrupting?”

"I understand, Aunt Da Jiu. I'll go have a drink with the uncles now." Shiraishi Zexiu stood up, but was immediately pulled back down to sit.

"Auntie won't stop you from drinking, but first Auntie has to match you up with Takanashi. Shiraishi, do you like Takanashi?"

"I like you, I love you so much I can't help it, it hurts so much." Unable to leave, Shiraishi Zexiu clutched his chest, his features contorted, and said with deep emotion.

Takanashi Yuuko heard this but didn't react much. She just covered her mouth and laughed, continuing to look at Shiraishi Sawa Hide.

“Everyone heard that, right?” Kaoru Okubo looked at the smiling people around her. “Shiraishi is already so deeply in love at such a young age. When I was his age, I was still just studying. Shiraishi-kun is really amazing.”

"Yeah yeah."

"Auntie, I feel like you're scolding me."

"So when are you planning to get together? That way, we can give up any hope of finding a son-in-law or daughter-in-law."

"It's today! We're together now, and we'll get married tonight, with all of you uncles and aunts as witnesses!" Shiraishi Zexiu said with such seriousness that he amused everyone.

"So, Shiraishi, what kind of wedding do you and Takanashi want? A Shinto-style, a church-style, a Buddhist-style, or a public-style wedding?"

These four are traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies.

“No, you shouldn’t ask Shiraishi that question. Takanashi, what kind of wedding ceremony do you want?” Before Shiraishi Sawa could answer, Okubo Kaoru asked Takanashi Yuko instead.

“Hmm…” Takanashi Yuuko seemed to be thinking very seriously, “I’ll choose the Buddha-face posture.”

"Eh~ why is that? Takanashi, you're not particularly Buddhist, are you?" Kaoru Okubo asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Because the other ones are a bit troublesome. The Shinto ceremony requires drinking 339 cups of wine in a shared cup, which is too tiring."

Or perhaps the reason is that recently, when I have occasional nightmares, once I reach the most painful moment, a Buddha always appears with a young boy to save me.

"I understand. Now, ask Baishi what he thinks of the Buddha-themed ceremony."

“No, none of these are appropriate,” Shiraishi Sawashu shook his head and refused, then said, “If you ask me, tonight’s wedding ceremony should be the one held in front of the neighbors!”

Everyone burst into laughter again, including Yuko Takanashi. Her ability to always appear serious while saying the most irreverent things to make everyone happy is one of the reasons why people like Shiraishi.