Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 232 - 196: Blazing Vacation, Heading to the Seaside in Ehime Prefecture

Chapter 232: Chapter 196: Blazing Vacation, Heading to the Seaside in Ehime Prefecture

About four days have passed.

August 1st, 10:38 PM.

Tokyo Ota District Haneda Airport.

Japan Airlines Flight JAL0443 bound for Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, began to change position as the flight attendants provided announcements.

Hanamaru Hanabi’s beautiful purple eyes gazed at the flashing lights outside the round window, the chatter of passengers resonating in her ears.

"Open your mouth."

Hearing the voice next to her, Hanamaru Hanabi subconsciously parted her soft, pink lips, receiving a spicy cracker from him.

For little Hanabi, spicy=bliss.

After finishing it, savoring the crumbs and spice lingering in her mouth, Hanamaru Hanabi turned back to see the spicy cracker in his hand.

"Want more?"

"Mm..."

"Little Hanabi, act cute and I’ll give you some more," Uesugi Sakura teased, waving the cracker in his hand.

Hanamaru Hanabi obediently placed her hands on her white dress, her small head following the movement of the cracker, and whispered in a soft voice:

"Hanabi... doesn’t know how to act cute..."

"You can learn now."

"I- I can’t learn it..." Hanamaru Hanabi peeked at him secretly for a moment.

Uesugi Sakura simply squeezed her unwilling cheeks, "Say, I like Sakura-kun the most, please give Hanabi a cracker."

Hanamaru Hanabi lowered her head, her little hands clenching her dress tightly.

Uesugi Sakura placed the cracker into his mouth, smirking, "I’ll just finish it myself then."

"No, you can’t!"

Particularly fond of spicy flavors, little Hanabi battled internal struggles, the shyness in her heart like deer running wild.

"If you want, little Hanabi better say it fast, there’s only one cracker left."

The young girl steadied herself, face blushing, biting her lips as she hesitantly murmured:

"I... I like Sakura-kun the most... please, please give Hanabi a cracker..."

Hanamaru Hanabi lifted her delicate, blushing face cautiously, asking tentatively:

"Is that okay now..."

"Mm-hmm," Uesugi Sakura gave a charming smile, nodding, then cruelly refusing: "Not at all."

No time to relish the joy, the deer in Hanamaru Hanabi’s heart, ready to leap happily, suddenly collided head-on, dying instantly.

"Why..."

Uesugi Sakura detected her disappointment but continued to tease:

"You need to say it again. You added two extra words, not meeting Sakura-kun’s requirements."

Hanamaru Hanabi’s twinkling purple eyes appeared particularly fragile: "Bullying me..."

Flight JAL0443 began to taxi, with the flight attendants reminding passengers to check their seat backs and stow their tray tables.

Mrs. Hanamaru and Mrs. Uesugi sat in front of the couple, eavesdropping on the lovers’ conversation, occasionally exchanging glances, teasing smiles on their faces.

Uesugi Sakura brought the spicy cracker to Hanamaru Hanabi’s mouth as a temptation: "Will little Hanabi have it?"

The aroma of chili entranced the young girl without her realizing it, prompting her to take a bite.

But Uesugi was much faster, quickly pulling back his hand.

"Say it again."

Missing the cracker, Hanamaru Hanabi’s heart felt empty, her adorable face showing the disappointment of not tasting the spicy treat.

Always bullying...

She puffed her cheeks in frustration, muttering softly:

"Mean..."

Then she continued to clutch her dress, choosing not to interact further with him.

Engines roared as the plane took off.

During the steep ascent, everyone adhered to Newton’s apple-dropping law, leaning back, experiencing involuntary lift, accompanied by a clear sense of weightlessness.

Until the tiered climb completed, reaching a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet, the plane stabilized, and little Hanabi remained silent.

"Are you upset?" Uesugi Sakura whispered into her blushing ear.

Hanamaru Hanabi did not respond, merely shifted her position slightly.

"Don’t worry," Uesugi Sakura took out the remaining spicy crackers from his clothes bag, "See, little Hanabi, there’s still plenty left."

So many left!

Hanamaru Hanabi, filled with delight, felt her annoyance vanish in an instant.

Then she glanced at a certain someone’s face.

"Hanabi... Can Hanabi have some?"

"Sure," Uesugi Sakura smiled, offering his hand, "Eat as much as you want."

Hanamaru Hanabi glanced at him several times, lowering her guard, and sweetly declared:

"Thank you, Sakura-kun..."

Then she reached out her little hand, but just as she was about to touch the cracker, Uesugi Sakura promptly withdrew.

He chuckled again, saying:

"Want to eat? ’Sakura-kun is the coolest!’ Say that, and you’ll get one."

Puffing up in frustration, Hanamaru Hanabi stared at him for a long time:

"You... you meanie!"

If she had that life-sized shark plush, little Hanabi would definitely press it against his smiling face.

A cornered rabbit will bite!

Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture.

The area where Matsuyama City is located is called Shikoku in Japan, sitting in the southern half of the country.

Surrounded by sea on all sides, it has historically been a relatively isolated place.

Its level of prosperity naturally can’t compare with an international city like Tokyo, where most buildings here are low-rise, with anything more than ten stories considered tall.

But Matsuyama City is still the largest city in Shikoku, forming the Matsuyama metropolitan area, outside Japan’s three major metropolitan areas.

Famous here... in Japan, it’s the oranges and Tenshu Castle.

Globally, what leaves the strongest impression is likely the Dogo Onsen, said to have a three-thousand-year history.

The bathhouse in Spirited Away took inspiration from this place.

Upon the plane’s arrival, just in time for dawn, passengers glimpsed ferries drifting on the Seto Inland Sea through the windows.

Of course, Uesugi Senior’s orange grove isn’t in the city, so upon landing, the group of five could only check into their pre-booked hotel.

Driving from Matsuyama Airport to downtown, cyclists filled the streets at night.

But the lights weren’t very bright—be it for energy-saving or environmental reasons, it was unclear.

Mrs. Hanamaru gazed afar: "Why doesn’t Matsuyama Castle light up anymore? I remember seeing its lights clearly from here before."

Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan’s remaining twelve Tenshu Castles, offering a panoramic view over Matsuyama City from its summit.

Munching on a lollipop, Uesugi Shio commented: "Matsuyama Castle’s lights only last until 11 PM. As for the reason... all I can think of is to save electricity."

Upon arriving downtown, passing by Fukusho Temple, the largest shopping mall in Shikoku, Iyotetsu Takashimaya, is located here.

Here, it greets a busy commercial zone glowing with lights.

Continuing forward, they reached the hotel.

After handling the registration at the front desk, Mrs. Hanamaru cheerfully handed a room card to Uesugi:

"Here, little Sakura, you and Hanabi in one room."

"..."

Taking the room key, Uesugi Sakura felt as though his mother-in-law was enthusiastically pushing her precious little cabbage into his arms.

For what?

The little cabbage?

He glanced at the sullen Hanamaru Hanabi beside him, who didn’t seem inclined to interact.

This indicated she was genuinely upset, but little Hanabi was easy to appease.

A few comforting words and her heart would soften.

The key was to first lure her—invite her into his room, enveloping her in gentle words.

Mrs. Uesugi suggested: "How about grabbing some dinner first?"

Japan Airlines’ supper might be filling, and they even provided metal forks, but the taste was quite average.

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