I live my life in Tokyo

The alarm on the phone started ringing, and Sakakibara Kaede touched Asakura Toru's short hair. "By the way, are you guys coming to my room soon?"

"Well, because the computer is there."

After eating the cake, Toru Asakura returned to his boneless state again. He leaned back on the sofa and continued to scroll through his phone boredly.

Seeing this, Sakakibara Kaede couldn't help but smile. He walked back to the room, sent the make-up lesson topic to Fukumaru Koito via mobile phone, then returned to the bedroom, sat in front of the gaming chair, and connected to the guild's channel.

Shiroe was still in command. He was the main tank, and the Fortress Knight who joined the guild at the same time as Shiroe became the secondary tank. With a few veterans leading the way and many people talking dirty in the guild channel, the atmosphere was relaxed and the guild members were all laughing.

Sakakibara Kaede didn't say much and gave the opportunity to Shiroe and Asuna to perform. Before this, the group had tried to fight the advance boss many times and concluded that after optimizing the fighting method, as long as the output of the team was normal, they could pass the battle.

The clearing of the land lasted for more than two hours. Kaede Sakakibara stood up from the chair, stretched, and went to the living room to fill the cup with water.

"Yuanxiang, you've worked hard in practice."

Seeing Higuchi Madoka leaning on the sofa watching TV, Sakakibara Kaede gently rubbed her head as a compliment. He found that Higuchi Madoka particularly liked this type of physical contact, probably because she always said things that were not what she meant, she felt that most words were lies, and only physical actions could show a person's sincerity.

Higuchi Madoka leaned on Sakakibara Kaede's hand and squinted her eyes comfortably.

She noticed Asakura Toru's playful gaze, glanced at Sakakibara Kaede coldly, and snorted, "It's not hard. Compared to this, can I enter your bedroom, Kaede-san?"

"Ah, yes, yes."

"it is good."

Higuchi Madoka stood up, her eyes still fixed on her phone, as if she didn't want to see Sakakibara Kaede's face.

The young man knew that she was hiding her shyness in this way again. He stepped forward and held her face in his hands domineeringly, forcing Higuchi Madoka to only make a whimpering sound for a while. The originally symbolic struggle gradually subsided after she felt the warmth of Sakakibara Kaede.

Asakura Toru whistled.

Higuchi Yuanxiang wiped her lips, glared at Sakakibara Kaede angrily, and left with heavy steps on purpose.

Asakura Toru stood up to comfort his childhood sweetheart who had teased him.

When he came to the balcony, he found that the two people who had originally played opposite each other were now sitting on the sofa in the shade of the balcony to rest. Mai Sakurajima was still looking at the manuscript, but Chizuru Ichinose was very tired and she had no manuscript in her hands.

She doesn't have any personal storyline afterwards, or in other words, the existence of the character of Silica played by Chizuru Ichinose is to connect the previous and the next, letting the audience know how Kaede went from the beginning of the game to the end, including his mental journey and so on.

Sakakibara Feng brought two cups of warm water and placed them on the table. "Thank you for your hard work. By the way, did you eat the cake?"

"I ate it, it tastes really good, I will buy it again next time."

Mai Sakurajima's voice was a little weak, and she looked indescribably tired. "Thank you Chizuru-chan, I have played all the scenes I have played against each other so far, and I feel that I am quite close to the character in the script and the real Asuna-chan~"

Seeing this scene, Kaede Sakakibara couldn't help but feel distressed. He sat next to Mai Sakurajima and said, "Don't dwell on the script and role by yourself. You can discuss it with me and others."

"It's better to understand it yourself."

Mai Sakurajima was not polite at all. She held the young man's hand with her backhand.

The girl stood up, turned around, let out a "hey" sound, and occupied half of Sakakibara Kaede's body. She leaned her head on Sakakibara Kaede's shoulders and collarbone, blowing air on that sensitive spot mischievously, and rubbing her thighs against Sakakibara Kaede's legs continuously.

"Chizuru-chan~ Now that you're here, don't be so shy."

Although she is one year older than Sakurajima Mai, Chizuru Ichinose is not even worthy of carrying Sakurajima Mai's shoes in this regard. She took humming steps forward, leaned in the arms of Kaede Sakakibara with a blushing face, and gently sniffed the scent that belonged to her.

After enjoying the remaining warmth of the other person's body for a while, Sakurajima Mai stretched and stood up, "Let's go, Chizuru-chan, the most intuitive way is to play Sword Art Online directly instead of reading a script."

"Ah."

Chizuru Ichinose reached out and held Mai Sakurajima's inviting hand. She stood up shyly, looked at Kaede Sakakibara reluctantly, and left quickly.

The young man scratched the side of his face, and when he came to his room, he found that except for the seat in front of him, every gaming chair was occupied by someone.

Except for Yuuki Asuna, she was sitting on Sakakibara Kaede's bed, leaning against the young man's pillow behind her, her body covered with his quilt, leaving only two jade feet without socks exposed.

Chapter 35: Winter is all about going to the hot springs

Kaede Sakakibara created her own small account to accompany them in the exploration.

At the beginning, this small account was just for storing things that couldn't fit in the big account. In that version where the storage lockers were not big enough, one storage locker was not enough for Nigo, who made money by rubbing hands all day long. In this case, opening a small account became the best choice.

Kaede Sakakibara's secondary character is an original human male, whose occupation is a one-handed swordsman and he has not yet changed his job.

It's similar to the Sword Art Online TV series. When conquering the maze, you are divided into different teams. Each team consists of four to five people. Usually there are six or seven such teams, and they conquer the maze according to the experience summarized by their predecessors.

Kaede Sakakibara is the forward in this team. It is a normal process for the small one-handed swordsman to be transformed into a knight. There are no fictional two-sword skills and holy sword skills in the script in the Sword Art Online game. Continuing to maintain the profession of a one-handed swordsman is obviously not good for the character development.

Of course, there is now a trend in Sword Art Online for a group of players to switch to one-handed swordsman without changing their job, and it is obvious that they have been influenced by the TV series.

"Yuuka, stay behind me. Mai, you will use AOE attacks on the monsters I pull over. Chizuru, start singing after the attacks. Toru, remember to restore my health."

Sakakibara Kaede gave the command, and Yuuki Asuna, who had been occupying the young man's bed, also got out of bed. She quickly walked to the women's camp and explained the details of the next strategy in a low voice.

Now it really becomes that after you go to the next dungeon, your teammates are all bean sprouts dragged into the trap by you. Kaede Sakakibara controlled the movement of the man in the game, and suddenly remembered the joke that Koichiro Yuki said, and couldn't help but smile.

The sensation caused by this episode of Sword Art Online on gamers was even greater than what Sakakibara Kaede had imagined. When the latest episode of Sword Art Online was released on Saturday, everyone's attention was focused on the guild Blood Knights that played most of the roles in the TV series. In the strategy group, many names of strategy group guilds in the game were also mentioned - this was a feast for gamers.

“The end of a story is best written in an open-ended format.”

"why?"

“Because it leaves people with endless reverie, letting them know that the story of the hero and heroine has come to an end, and what awaits them next is a brand new position, a future worth looking forward to, and an ending that will satisfy the readers.”

In the library, Kaede Sakakibara was passing notes to Mai Sakurajima out of boredom. Computers and homework were placed on their desks. On a rare weekday when there was no filming schedule, they took some free time and booked a private room to study and chat.

Mai Sakurajima held her face and smiled. She continued to write: "Feng-san, do you still remember our first scene together?"

"Naturally remember."

"The story of Kitahara Hiroshi and Nishida Orange will not be played on the screen for the time being, but the audience knows that the two of them will definitely walk hand in hand in the future. After filming the TV series, the actors in the agency each stepped into their own future, although the only contact between them was greetings on chat software during holidays and nods and smiles when they were in the agency... Feng-san, don't you think this is in line with an open ending?"

"They were all walking forward, but my eyes were no longer on him."

The ending of a story is always sad. Even if the ending is perfect, readers and viewers will still feel sad about the end of the story, and feel reluctant and nostalgic. However, an open ending gives them more room for imagination, allowing readers to speculate on how the story will develop next. This feeling of uncertainty and unknown is also one of the charms of the story.

Perhaps, the people in the TV series will have new life experiences and emotional experiences, perhaps they will encounter new challenges and opportunities, or perhaps they will remain in their current state and continue to live ordinary and happy days. No matter how their stories develop, the audience can imagine and speculate for themselves and feel the infinite possibilities of the future.

Perhaps, Kitahara Hiroshi and Nishida Orange in the TV series will meet their friends again in the future, and those students who once sat together in the high school classroom will choose to go on different paths to continue their lives. But in any case, they have experienced good times together and shared the hardships and challenges of life. These experiences and emotions will always become the most precious memories and wealth in their hearts.

Kaede Sakakibara put down her pen. As expected of Mai Sakurajima, who studied liberal arts, she was good at this.

Indeed, as she said, an open ending is better because it allows the audience, readers and characters to become the creators of the story together, giving them an infinite future. Whether it is an ending or an open ending, the value of the story lies not in its ending, but in the meaning and emotion it conveys.

The originally spacious double room became a little crowded after the arrival of the other two. Higuchi Madoka silently put her schoolbag on the ground, squeezed next to Sakakibara Kaede, and took out the computer from her bag. Asakura Toru, who was one step behind, pouted and looked at Higuchi Madoka who was running away. Don't think she looked so calm, but Asakura Toru had already seen from the smile on the corner of Higuchi Madoka's mouth that Higuchi Madoka was knowingly committing a crime!

"By the way, we have to go home once this week."

After handing the exercises to Sakakibara Kaede, Higuchi Enka said, "Do you want to come? My house."

"Hey, Higuchi, you should be at my house."

Asakura Toru muttered, and Higuchi Madoka looked at Sakakibara Kaede with burning eyes. The latter noticed the smiling look of Sakurajima Mai, and under the table, he felt his legs being clamped suddenly by Sakurajima Mai's calves, which made him grimace for a while.

The difficulty of opening a harem is that it is difficult to treat everyone equally. Sakakibara Kaede quickly coughed twice and smiled, "I will go to Yuanxiang and Toru's homes, and I will also visit my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Higuchi Yuanxiang spat and said, "Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, you sound so nice." Her face slightly blushed as she looked at the computer.

She felt that her mother had wanted to be called mother-in-law by Sakakibara Kaede for a long time.

Asakura Toru achieved her goal, and she took out her study notebook and pretended to study.

The table was peaceful. Higuchi Madoka and Asakura Toru would ask Sakakibara Kaede about things they didn't understand, and Sakurajima Mai would chat with the young man about trivial things that happened in the school class. Under the table, all the girls took off their shoes and stepped on the young man's calves with their feet, squirming through socks or black stockings, making the young man miserable.

Finally, he finished the report, put on his bag and hurriedly left for the teaching building. Professor Kimura is much better now, but he is still in hospital and is expected to be discharged in about a month. Before, Professor Onishi was their teacher. He was impeccable in teaching and very tolerant in treating students. For example, he let Kaede Sakakibara participate in many projects and seminars, which was obviously paving the way for his future.

The warmth on Higuchi Madoka's shoulder disappeared, and she snorted with some displeasure. This expression appeared on her face. Asakura Toru blinked and reached out to poke Higuchi Madoka's cheek.

"What?" the girl asked unhappily.

"Higuchi, it's so obvious."

"Eh?"

Higuchi Madoka covered her face with her hands. Did the expression on her face just now really mean that she was reluctant to see the man who made her so angry leave?

Sakurajima Mai covered her mouth to hold back her laughter. In her opinion, Higuchi Madoka's expression even looked a little unsatisfied. . . As much as she disliked him before, she became more honest after washing up, with a hint of the thought of pouring out everything about herself to the young man.

Higuchi Madoka had a grumpy face, and Asakura Toru found it funny and kept touching her soft and sticky cheeks.

"What are everyone's plans for this winter?"

As the eldest sister among the five, Mai Sakurajima is also the initiator of the harem idea and a loyal executor. She is recognized as the number one figure among the five women. Even Higuchi Madoka reluctantly admits that the young man is now so aggressive, and Mai Sakurajima has made great contributions.

"Not yet, what's wrong?"

Asakura Toru tilted his head and asked in confusion.

Sakurajima Mai stretched lazily, her mouth slightly relaxed, revealing a relaxed smile, "I want to go to Sapporo and Hokkaido to soak in the warmth and have a good rest for a few days."

"The six of us should be able to book a private hot spring. Then we can stay in any room we want and take a bath whenever we want." Mai Sakurajima checked the travel guide on her phone. There are indeed many hotels in Sapporo and Hokkaido that operate in a similar way to homestays. The option of booking the whole place really made Mai Sakurajima very excited.

As a public figure, Mai Sakurajima is aware of the fact that people may recognize her on the street and ask for her autograph and take photos with her, but most of the time she just wants to not be disturbed, and the option of booking the entire theater obviously touched her heart.

Higuchi Madoka doesn't have any plans, but she is not sure if there will be any new work suddenly added at that time. After all, for idols, their smiles exist for the public. If there are concerts or hand-holding meetings at that time, there will be nothing that can be done.

Sakurajima Mai naturally knew about it. She sent this message to the group chat of the strategy team. Chizuru Ichinose replied quickly. She is now continuing to take the actor improvement class in the agency. Yuuki Asuna has not replied yet. She hasn't finished school yet at this time.

"Where's Feng-san?"

Higuchi Madoka asked calmly, as if she was asking about something that had nothing to do with her.

Sakurajima Mai raised the corner of her mouth, "How about Yuanxiang-chan go and invite her?"

The girl curled her lips and agreed reluctantly.

After returning home, Kaede Sakakibara did not see Mai Sakurajima. After reading the text message, she found out that she was invited by her agent to the office to discuss a new endorsement advertisement. Toru Asakura and Madoka Higuchi were not at home this week, leaving only Asuna Yuuki and Chizuru Ichinose in the apartment building.

"Good afternoon, Chizuru-san. How is grandma?"

Chizuru Ichinose usually comes to the room of Kaede Sakakibara and the other two to cook and eat before going to bed. Sometimes they do homework together, but most of the time she stays with her grandmother.

She found the right opportunity today. Since Mai Sakurajima was not around, it was perfect for him and Asuna Yuuki to cook together.

"Grandma is very energetic. She went out for a walk twice this morning and soon found a group for morning exercise."

Chizuru Ichinose smiled and talked about homely things. She scooped up a spoonful of hot soup with her spoon, took a light sip, squinted her eyes, and extended the spoon in front of Kaede Sakakibara.

Sakakibara Kaede stuck his head out, blew into the soup spoon, and took a sip.

"It tastes good. Do these ribs need to be stewed for a long time?"

"It didn't take long. I started stewing it after I got home in the afternoon."

Chizuru Ichinose waved her hand and continued to talk about her daily life. "Life in the tower is so convenient. Grandma even went to the rooftop terrace to bask in the sun for a while in the afternoon."

The young man was helping the girl. She was leaning on his shoulder with her hair hanging down on her shoulders. Although they were cooking, the atmosphere was sweet and ambiguous.

Chizuru Ichinose remembered Mai Sakurajima's proposal and found that Kaede Sakakibara seemed to be completely unaware of it. However, she was not the one responsible for telling the young man the news. She just wanted to know how Yuanxiang-chan shyly made the invitation.

She also learned the trait of being a fun-loving person from her brother Tou.

After Yuuki Asuna returned home, Sakakibara Kaede was kicked out of the kitchen as expected. He opened the refrigerator and poured himself a drink.

Yuuki Asuna is looking forward to traveling in winter. Every winter when it is close to the New Year in January and February, the Yuuki family will hold sacrifices and funeral ceremonies in their hometown. At that time, she likes to stay at her grandfather's house - lying on the table and thinking about nothing, listening to her grandfather's chattering, looking at the photo of her grandfather and grandmother on the low table, the TV with some noise, and the gas stove whirring out air.

In winter, she wanted to sit alone quietly indoors, watching the snow falling outside the window, drinking hot tea and daydreaming.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on the corners of her mouth. Although she didn't know whether to go to the hot springs on Christmas Eve this year or on the Spring Festival next year, she needed to pack her luggage in advance. It was already late November and Christmas was only a few weeks away.

Today, Higuchi Madoka and Asakura Toru had dinner together. After Mrs. Asakura and Mrs. Higuchi finished cooking, they left home and went shopping with the other two wives. Hina and Koito had just finished dinner and were on their way to Higuchi's house.

Higuchi Yuanxiang looked at the full bowl of red bean rice tonight and was speechless.

Asakura Toru took a sip and felt the sweetness in his mouth, "It's delicious. I want to eat more."

"Then I'll ask mom to do more next time."

"Ah."

Higuchi Yuanxiang savored the familiar taste. She felt that her mother should have noticed something, so the main course for tonight was red bean rice.

The reason she ate red bean rice last time was because she and Sakakibara Kaede became lovers. Could it be that she ate red bean rice this time because...

The next time you eat red bean rice may not be when you have a baby.

Chapter 36: Maple Comes to Snow Country

After not entering the Higuchi residence for a few weeks, Sakakibara Kaede was warmly welcomed by Mrs. Higuchi. While she said to Sakakibara Kaede that he didn't need to bring so many souvenirs next time, she invited him into the living room as a mother and handed a piece of baked cookie to Sakakibara Kaede.

Higuchi Madoka always found that her mother was usually very normal and intellectual, but once there were guests at home, especially Sakakibara Kaede, her behavior made Higuchi Madoka feel a little guilty.

Is this a bit too enthusiastic?