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

Compared to Tokyo, the train platforms here are much simpler. Despite being the most bustling station in Aomori, it's not as impressive as Futako-Tamagawa Station, one of the more remote stations in Tokyo that Shiraishi Sawa once visited.

But the advantage is that there will always be a spot available.

Clang, clang, and sway, the tram headed toward Pengtian Station.

"In spring, that mountain is covered with all kinds of flowers. I remember there were clivia, forsythia, peach blossoms... When the wind blows, all the flowers sway, which is very beautiful and smells very nice."

However, I'm a bit tired of going. I've been there far too many times since elementary school—through class events, family gatherings, and invitations from friends.

Through the window behind the chair, Shiraishi Zexiu introduced his hometown to the two people.

A range of mountain peaks, now covered in silver, still have a few striking other colors blooming proudly in the snow. At the top of the mountain, a huge windmill stands, slowly turning.

"It's a pity we can't see it," said Soga no Umeren.

"We'll see in the future; there's still plenty of time."

"Ah."

Below the mountains, there are terraced fields layer upon layer. When the terrain flattens out, there are neatly divided farmlands. Some are bare and you can still see traces of snow, while others are covered by transparent insulating film, reflecting the cool sunlight.

"We also have a piece of land and a small greenhouse. When we get home, I'll steal some fruit for you. It's absolutely pollution-free, all-natural, and delicious."

"Okay, I'm looking forward to it."

The two girls nodded at the same time, then looked at each other and laughed.

It was as harmonious as the scenery outside the tram.

--

"Next stop, Hōda, next stop, Hōda."

After disembarking on the more rudimentary platform, Shiraishi Sawa took a deep breath and then exhaled with satisfaction.

It smelled like home, so refreshing. He turned to the two girls and said:

"From now on, I, Shiraishi Sawa, will completely shed my reputation as a directionally challenged person. Within a radius of several kilometers, please call me the all-knowing Pengtian. I know the name of every blade of grass, every street, and every road."

The two girls actually started clapping.

Then Soga Kirei pointed to a small blade of grass at her feet and asked sincerely:

"White Stone, what's its name?"

“Mist Lotus.” Shiraishi Zexiu glanced at it and immediately said.

“Then the one next to him must be called Zexiu.”

No more, no less, there were exactly four blades of grass growing in this clump. Shiraishi Zexiu looked at them and nodded: "Indeed, this one is indeed called Zexiu."

Suga Wulian suddenly squatted down, pinched two small grasses, then released one and pulled the other up by the roots.

“This one is called Yuko.” She pointed to the remaining grass and said. Takanashi Yuko didn’t speak, but looked at Shiraishi Sawa with a faint smile.

As for the little grass that should have been called 'Chiyo', it is now swaying and falling pitifully and forlornly from her hands.

Shiraishi Sawah disagreed—unless that blade of grass grew back, so he decided to change the subject.

"Let's go home. My parents must be getting impatient waiting at the door."

"Shiraishi, where is your home?"

"Walk along this path for about two hundred meters, then turn left for a few dozen meters. The two houses behind those four are my home," Shiraishi Zexiu said, pointing to the small house not far away.

On the left side of the road, classic rural houses, three or four stories high, are sparsely distributed along the edge of the farmland, while on the right side, there is a cluster of buildings that looks more like a small town.

Looking to the far right, less than a kilometer away, is the coastline, and the sound of the waves seems to reach here if you listen carefully.

Because of its location by the sea, Hōda Village is warmer than Aomori City, which is at a lower latitude.

Carrying their suitcases, the three walked home.

--

Without his parents waiting anxiously, Shiraishi Sawah stroked his chin, staring at the empty doorway. The Chinese couplets on either side of the door were faded, as if they had fallen off before and were now stuck back on with white tape.

"It must be cold outside, so you're waiting for me at home."

This is such a huge difference from the treatment I received at Takanashi's house yesterday. I'm going to have to give them a piece of my mind later.

Shiraishi Sawa took out the key and opened the locked gate of the fence.

Great, it won't open.

"Excuse me, I might have come to the wrong place. This might not be my home." Shiraishi Zexiu was a little unsure of himself, so he took out his phone and started to check his location.

"Zexiu-jun? You're back?" A middle-aged woman came out of the house next door.

Shiraishi Zexiu put his phone away. His neighbor's appearance hadn't changed, and neither had his own.

"Teacher Sora, it's been a long time. Yes, I'm back," Shiraishi Sawa said with a bow, introducing the two girls as follows:

“Kakuya Mimura was my elementary school teacher and also my neighbor.”

The two greeted each other.

"You've become much more talkative since you came back from Tokyo. Before, you would only say 'Hello, teacher,' and you even brought two girls with you..."

After chatting for a while, Mimura Sora seemed to remember the purpose of her trip and then said goodbye to Shiraishi Sawa.

Before leaving, I specifically asked Shiraishi Sawahide if he had any free time lately.

"But the key won't open it, what should we do?" Takanashi Yuko asked, looking at Shiraishi Sawa, who was trying again.

"Sigh," Shiraishi Sawah sighed, "Mom! Mom! Shiraishi Mom! Your most missed son is back! Come and open the door!"

"Let me go home!"

The two girls were suppressing their emotions, but after two seconds, they finally couldn't hold back any longer. They turned their faces slightly, their slender shoulders trembling, and a sweet laugh rang out.

Chapter 274 Two? No, three.

(I have two more days' worth of drafts left. I'm still in the hospital, and if there's no other way, I might have to stop updating. Please forgive me.)

"Mom! Mom! Open the door! Mom!..."

The homeless child screamed in heart-wrenching agony, his voice so mournful that it brought tears to the eyes of all who heard it.

"Stop yelling. You may not be ashamed, but I am."

The tightly closed door was finally opened, and Shiraishi Kanae walked out with a frown. She couldn't hear a sound, but her moving lips certainly weren't saying anything nice about herself.

However, Shiraishi Kanae's expression quickly turned exceptionally kind and gentle, and she walked over briskly.

This is the kind of treatment I deserve—Shiraishi Sawa thought to himself.

"Wu Lian, you are indeed more beautiful in person than in photos. Why didn't you tell your aunt when you came over? Why did you carry this bag yourself and throw it to Ze Xiu? Ze Xiu is really inconsiderate, he doesn't know to take it himself."

"Hello, Auntie, it's me," Suwo Wulian said with a smile, though the smile was small, it was almost the limit of her ability.

"..."

Maybe, I mean maybe, I've actually gone to the wrong house. This is actually Soga's house, right? Shiraishi Sawa, who had been ignored, began to ponder the possibility of this situation.

And where did her mother get the photo of the association president?

"And who is this...?" At the gate of the walkway, Shiraishi Kanae looked at another young woman who also seemed like a suitable daughter-in-law and asked her kindly.

"Hello, Auntie, my name is Takanashi Yuko, and I'm Zexiu's... friend." Takanashi Yuko bowed deeply and said.

"Oh, okay, Yuko, come in quickly." Shiraishi Kanae hurriedly unlocked the gate.

"Mom, why can't I open this door lock with my key?" Shiraishi Zexiu interjected.

"Oh, it's been changed a while ago, I forgot to tell you." Shiraishi Kanae said casually as the two girls entered the room, completely unconcerned.

"Thank goodness I kept the key so carefully." Shiraishi Zexiu muttered to himself, tossed the key into the trash can by the yard gate with a three-pointer, and followed with his suitcase.

--

“Zexiu told me that only one girl was coming, so Auntie only prepared one room in advance. I’ll see if I can prepare the other room tonight. If not, you two might have to stay together.”

Kanae Shiraishi was very interested in the two girls, and took their hands as she spoke, completely ignoring Hideaki Shiraishi, who was searching for his slippers on his own—he hadn't been back for almost a year, and the slippers had been put away.

The living room is very large—in Tokyo, such a large space would indicate wealth and status, but it's not luxurious; it exudes a rustic yet comfortable atmosphere typical of rural areas.

In the center is a warm kotatsu, in front is a large television, on both sides are indoor potted plants, and on the old but exceptionally large and soft sofa, even Shiraishi Sawa Hide could lie on it with his head and feet not dangling in the air.

There's also the familiar, fresh apple scent, but not because of the apples on the table, but from the apple-scented diffuser.

It hasn't changed much since I left this home.

“It’s okay, I can…” Soga Kirei glanced at Takanashi Yuuko, “We can all share a room with Ze Xiu.”

Shiraishi Kanae was stunned for a moment, not yet understanding the meaning, while Shiraishi Sawah behind her stumbled.

"That won't do. One room isn't enough for all three of you. Here's what we'll do: Zexiu, go and pack your things in the guest room on the third floor. Mom will clean it later."

"Mom, I just got home, just started my vacation, and was just about to enjoy life. Can you please not bother me?"

"Wu Lian and You Zi will sleep in the room I cleaned up and your original room. Ze Xiu, you can sleep in the guest room. Whether you clean it up or not is up to you," said Shiraishi Kanae.

"Okay, I'll go get ready right away. Where's Dad?"

“It’s not a holiday today, so of course your dad is at work.”

"Has my luggage arrived yet?"

"It's here. It arrived this morning. It was too heavy, so I put it in the warehouse next door. Stop nagging and go get it ready."

"Hi hi—"

"Auntie, I'll go help Zexiu tidy up." Seeing that Shiraishi Zexiu was about to go upstairs, Takanashi Yuko stood up and said.

“I’ll go too,” Suwo Wulian said succinctly.

“There’s no reason for you guests to do all the work. Let Zexiu do it. You can just sit here and rest,” said Shiraishi Kanae.

“Mom.” At the familiar stairwell, no matter how lightly you step on it, it will make a creaking sound, whether loud or soft. Shiraishi Zexiu once worried that it might collapse. More than ten years have passed since then, and it still accompanies the Shiraishi family with its creaking sound. At this moment, he stood on it and turned his head to say.

"What's wrong."

“You’ll make them both uncomfortable facing you alone. It’s better to have them come up and help me.”

"How can you talk to your mother like that? Fine, you're right. You guys go upstairs first, Auntie will peel some fruit for you and prepare dinner."