I live my life in Tokyo

"Then let's just do it as usual."

Mrs. Higuchi left with a smile, leaving behind Sakakibara Kaede and the cold-faced Higuchi Madoka.

Since I'm here, I'd like to take a look at Higuchi Madoka's learning progress this summer. Because I'm too busy filming the program, the frequency of guidance is much less than before. Now that I have the opportunity, I might as well make a semester summary of the summer vacation.

Sakakibara Kaede acted like a tutor, and Higuchi Madoka didn't say much. She took out the collection of wrong questions she had done recently and handed it to her.

With blue eyes fixed on the formula exercises, she meticulously made corrections with a red pen. Higuchi Madoka put the biscuit into her mouth, glanced at the boy, and continued to do the exercises with her face supported.

"Higuchi-san is progressing very fast." Sakakibara Kaede commented, "I think as long as he keeps up this pace, the unified college entrance examination will not be a problem for Higuchi-san."

"Ah."

Higuchi Madoka nodded slightly, as if Sakakibara Kaede's praise did not affect her at all, and she just continued to do the questions.

The boy said it once and didn't mention it again. When the two of them were together, they never had to say anything specifically, nor did they have to force themselves to say anything.

When the sky outside gradually changed from sky blue to a little orange-red, Higuchi Madoka handed the notebook to Sakakibara Kaede and said, "I'm done. I'm going to go out for a moment now."

"Ah... OK."

Sakakibara Kaede, who was originally reviewing economics subjects, put down the work at hand and took the notebook from Higuchi Madoka.

The girl stood up and left the room.

Toru Asakura went home in her agent's car. She got off the car at the intersection and entered the Higuchi family's home after being welcomed by Mrs. Higuchi.

After turning off the phone and reporting his safety to his parents, Toru Asakura took the water handed to him by Mrs. Higuchi and thanked her softly.

"Eh--"

There are two people in the kitchen.

Asakura Toru lay on the dining table and saw his childhood sweetheart through the glass and water.

Higuchi Madoka had an indifferent expression on her face. Under her mother's guidance, she gently put the vegetables into the pan and stir-fried them. Her movements became more and more skillful - at least there was no visible Band-Aid on her fingers.

The former felt Asakura Toru's strange gaze and glanced at her from the side. It was more like a look, but in fact it was more like a glare.

Asakura Toru laughed, got up and went upstairs.

“Excuse me…”

"Ah, Asakura-san."

The boy at the low table looked up and greeted Asakura Toru, "Can you show me what Asakura-san has learned this summer?"

Although it is a question, it cannot be refused.

"ah--"

Asakura Toru uttered an exclamatory interjection. Listening to Sakakibara Kaede's words, she felt a little PTSD.

It seems that the word-of-mouth about being afraid of cram school teachers is true... At least Asakura Toru now feels an inexplicable sense of weakness.

Although she studied this summer, she knew clearly whether her progress was the same as Higuchi Madoka's.

"Um... please take care of me."

Under the boy's emotionless gaze, Toru Asakura knelt in front of the low table and handed over his notebook.

Chapter 41: Childhood sweethearts and seniors on the single-plank bridge

Asakura Toru almost crawled out.

As soon as he looked up, he saw under the skirt of Higuchi Madoka. Such a lucky pervert thing would not happen to her as her childhood sweetheart, because Higuchi Madoka was wearing loose sweatpants at home.

"what happened?"

"Yeah... studying is so tiring."

Asakura Toru laughed, and Higuchi Madoka was not surprised listening to her riddle. Sakakibara-san was a man of his word when it came to work. It was normal for Asakura Toru to fall behind in his studies as he had been busy with work these days.

"time to eat."

"Oh...oh——" Toru Kura raised his hand and cheered.

Sakakibara Kaede was called out by Asakura Toru. He yawned, stretched his legs which were numb from sitting for so long, and walked into the living room along the stair railing.

There are still four people today.

Looking at the sumptuous meal on the table, Sakakibara Kaede couldn't help but sigh, eat as much as you can while you have the chance, because you won't be able to eat it next year.

As for Mrs. Higuchi pushing the sweet dishes he often eats in front of him, that was also a basic move.

Facing Mrs. Higuchi, Sakakibara Kaede reported their current learning progress with a serious work attitude, and boldly predicted that Higuchi Madoka should have no problem being admitted to the University of Tokyo.

Mrs. Higuchi beamed with joy when she heard these words. All parents hope that their children can succeed, and this is a common problem that cannot be erased. Of course, Mrs. Higuchi did not have so many requirements for Higuchi Madoka, nor did she have much desire to control her.

Even when Higuchi Madoka wanted to become an idol, Mrs. Higuchi strongly supported her.

"Hmm... Among the five people who went on a trip with Sakakibara-kun, who did Sakakibara-kun have the most common topics with?"

Mrs. Higuchi looked at her daughter deliberately, and asked with a smile without changing her expression.

Higuchi Yuanka bit her chopsticks and didn't want to look at her mother.

"I had a lot of fun chatting with everyone." Sakakibara Kaede took a sip of water, feeling the sweet taste in her mouth and recalled, "The one we have the most in common with should be Ichinose-san. After all, we are both actors from the same agency and we see each other every day at work. But the one we have the most in common with is Shirogane-san. As the only two boys in the apartment, we definitely talked more, mostly about trivial matters in school and life."

He didn't know how Shirogane Miyuki performed in Shuchiin Academy. In daily life, he did talk with Shirogane Miyuki the most.

Shirogane Miyuki was rather reserved at first, and his chats with the girls were limited to polite responses. Sakakibara Kaede, with the idea of ​​guiding his juniors, chatted with him about the mountains for a while, and after a while, they became engaged in the conversation.

"Hey, it's Shirogane-kun."

Mrs. Higuchi seemed to be relieved. She smiled brightly and glanced at Higuchi Madoka frequently.

Asakura Toru looked at her aunt in confusion, she felt something was strange.

Sakakibara Kaede also felt something was strange, but he couldn't tell what was strange. He coughed lightly. Mrs. Higuchi gestured to him several times to eat more if he wanted, which made him feel a little embarrassed. She was really too polite.

After dinner, the boy had to leave. Asakura Toru said hello to him and walked up the stairs. She still needed to complete the devilish plan that Sakakibara Kaede had customized for her. It was still Higuchi Madoka who sent him to the door.

"It's too much trouble for you to have dinner at your house every time."

The night in Tokyo is full of flowers, and you can get a glimpse of the whole picture in this small community in Bunkyo Ward. Every household has lights on, and through the thick wall, you can almost hear the laughter of families.

One leaf can tell the coming of autumn.

The night in Kamakura seems even more peaceful. Walking along the beach at night, listening to the sound of the tide, you can feel the peace of mind.

It seemed like I had been to the beach, and something had changed, yet nothing had changed.

"No trouble." Higuchi Madoka said in her usual cold tone. She glanced at Sakakibara Kaede's profile and said, "What kind of audition are you looking for in the winter season?"

"I've discussed this with Iida-san, and we don't want three."

"?"

"No youth dramas, no idol dramas, no campus dramas." Sakakibara Kaede held up three fingers. He had auditioned and acted as an extra in countless of these three genres before. Although he was guaranteed to get the leading role if he auditioned now, he had seen too many genres like this and the routines were all the same.

It's just like the popular harem in another world in novels. The routines are all similar and you get bored after watching them too much.

At this time, we can only look for and explore new routines, such as the male protagonist and his whole class traveling through time, the hero is a real-life character, the male protagonist acquires a mediocre skill but can hide behind the scenes and kill people - however, such themes have become more common recently, and readers will probably get bored soon.

"Where's Higuchi-san?"

"It depends on fate." Higuchi Madoka looked at the moon and said calmly, "As long as it's work, I can accept any audition."

"It's just that now I can't forget my identity as an idol, and I often put myself in the idol's shoes when thinking about work."

There was a hint of self-mockery in her words, like a canary locked in a cage, unable to sing freely.

"Being an idol has its advantages, too. You childhood sweethearts get along together as an idol group, work together, and travel together. I think this is a very romantic thing." Sakakibara smiled sideways, "Everyone says that all good things must come to an end, but I think the four of you will always be together."

Higuchi Madoka closed her eyes, which is one of her signature moves. It is difficult for others to tell what she is thinking at this moment.

Kaede Sakakibara is no exception.

"Of course, you are still an actor now, so I don't think Ms. Sato will make things difficult for you or force you to do a job you don't want to do."

"Ah."

Higuchi Madoka chuckled softly, but under the moonlight, her smile seemed unclear, like a fleeting moment.

What? That sounds really nice.

This is also how you talk to other people in reality shows.

He is really a nice guy who is so gentle that nothing can be added to his words.

Whether it was the previously mentioned Baiyin Yuxing or other members, they were all more or less influenced by the young man in front of them.

Having watched all the episodes of Dream Apartment so far, Higuchi Madoka understands what role the young man in front of her plays in the reality show.

"I'm leaving now, see you later."

"...See you later."

Standing on the steps, watching the young man walk away quickly in the moonlight, the remaining warmth of midsummer gradually dissipates, and September is about to arrive.

For high school students, this is their last chance to study in school, and it is also the moment when the charge horn sounds before the college entrance examination.

Higuchi Madoka let out a long breath.

She didn't really have to apply to the University of Tokyo, and she had considered many universities in Bunkyo Ward.

However, she and Toru Asakura had an agreement that they would not separate in the future.

Toru Asakura is not the only one who is interested in economics.

However, in the future, when you address Sakakibara-san, you have to add "senior" at the end.

Higuchi Madoka didn't understand what this change in title meant, and she didn't want to think about it. Before everything was settled, she just wanted to go with the flow in school and study and work as usual.

She didn’t like change, but in this last year, she had to change. . . . The road ahead was like the single-plank bridge in the last scene of the will-o’-the-wisp in midsummer.

Higuchi Madoka glanced sideways and saw Asakura Toru standing next to her, looking straight ahead. She followed her childhood sweetheart's gaze and looked forward. At the other end of the single-plank bridge was the back of a young man.

As if he noticed the gaze, he turned around and smiled.

It's such an unfamiliar and elusive feeling.

Higuchi Madoka took a last look at the moon. Next summer vacation, when they no longer have to take the college entrance examination, it will be time to fulfill their dream of going to the beach together.

As she stepped into the house, she immediately thought that next year would be the college entrance examination for Koito, who was ranked second in age.

The year after next is the early vegetables.

If we really want a summer vacation that everyone is free, we’ll have to wait until two years later.

At this time next year, where will I be, where will Asakura Toru be, and where will that young man be?

The future is unknown and scary. Higuchi Madoka wants to maintain this unchanging life, but as time goes by, they will eventually embark on a long journey.

The last week in Dream Apartment was peaceful and tranquil. Everyone knew that everyone would go back to their own homes in a few days, so they cherished these final moments.

In the evening, everyone did not go back to the room to do homework, but watched TV and chatted in the living room downstairs. But not everyone was watching TV. Kasumigaoka Utaha was typing on the keyboard at the table in the living room, and she seemed to have new inspiration and ideas.

The other four were playing the Monopoly board game. The boy leaned over to take a look and saw that Baiyin Yuxing's eyes were as sharp as a knife. He owned countless properties and had become a landlord.

As expected of Shirogane Miyuki, his computing power is so terrifying that even Furuma Fumino was defeated and is only fit to work for him.

"I'm always a little reluctant."

"Who isn't?"

Sitting in his old seat at the table in the living room, Sakakibara Kaede filled his glass with water and said, "I feel like our future life trajectories will be connected."

Kasumigaoka Shiha raised her eyebrows slightly, "I'd like to hear the details."

"Apart from Ichinose-san, Kasumigaoka-san will continue to be active as an author, so it is very likely that one day a novel written by you will be filmed."

"Mr. Aoyama might be here for work reasons. Maybe one day the anime voiced by Mr. Aoyama will be adapted into a live-action version, and then we can meet again."

"Mr. Furuhashi and Mr. Shirogane are both science students, so they have a lot of common topics. Even if they go to different universities, they will have similar knowledge points." Sakakibara Kaede spread his hands. He felt that he would have more topics to talk about with Shirogane Miyuki in the future. If the other party studied economics in the future, it would not be impossible for them to start a business together.

Ah, of course, this is just a random thought. Who knows what the future will be like?

"Is Sakakibara-senpai all I want a happy ending?" Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head and chuckled.

Sakakibara Kaede pursed her lips, "Reality is bitter and cruel, but at least in the world I dream of, everyone can have a happy ending that belongs to him."

“Although it is impossible for me to change everyone and make them smile and be happy, I hope so.”