Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 281 - 224 I Will Definitely Do It

Chapter 281: Chapter 224 I Will Definitely Do It

August 30th, early morning.

Light rain pattered on the pitch-black house, the tightly shut blinds full of gentle sounds.

"Sakura-kun, this is the painting Hanabi just finished yesterday, could you take a look and give your opinion?"

"Ah... thank, thank you. Hanabi has been doing well lately... made a lot of new friends, though it’s... a bit difficult to communicate, but Hanabi will keep working hard!"

"The food? Today it’s chicken curry, but they all put yogurt in the curry, the taste is really strange, though Hanabi really enjoys afternoon tea and chocolate mousse, it’s delicious, just don’t know if it’ll make me gain weight."

"Sakura-kun, you seem... not very happy, is something bothering you?"

"No, nothing? Alright... Hanabi understands..."

"Ah? We’re not talking anymore...? Sakura-kun... are you going to sleep? Well... it’s already eleven o’clock, let’s talk later, goodbye..."

Uesugi Sakura disconnected from the video chat, got up to pull open the curtains in the room.

What was originally complete darkness now had a hint of light.

He sat back on the bedside, looking at the self-portrait she gave him on the desk.

In the painting, she had a very happy smile, her lively and tender pink face was otherworldly beautiful, the small hands on her chest timid yet softly vulnerable.

It’s a pity she’s a bit silly, Tokyo and London have an 8-hour time difference, it’s just dawn in Tokyo, how could you possibly go to sleep now.

He simply felt that the more they talked, the more he missed her.

He didn’t want Hanabi to see him unhappy, it would make her unable to focus on her studies.

Moreover, she seemed to be doing quite well over there...

Uesugi Sakura turned on his phone again, staring at the uneventful time displayed, only to find the long-lasting rain outside was tedious to the point of inducing drowsiness.

A hint of sleepiness returned.

August 31st.

Just after opening his eyes on the bed, Uesugi Sakura, still enveloped in drowsiness, slowly propped himself up and walked barefoot on the cold floor to open the blinds.

Looking up, the heavy clouds still hovered in the sky, the damp trees rustling, the autumn rain continued to wash over the city of Tokyo as usual.

Suddenly, he felt that this scene, this self outside the window looking at the sky, was somewhat familiar, like that guy in a past life who was loveless and without support.

In his past life, there was no Hanabi... no childhood friend to grow up with.

If Hanabi... was just a dream of his...

Uesugi Sakura tried hard to adapt to days without her, but the more he experienced it, the more he imagined it.

The more he realized that such a result left him feeling hollow, a chill running down his spine.

It would be the same as in his past life, ultimately unable to change the word "loneliness."

Uesugi Sakura looked at the endless drizzle falling from the horizon.

Suddenly, he wanted to go for a run—this thought lingered in his mind and couldn’t be shaken off.

He got changed into shorts and a t-shirt in front of the wardrobe, tied his sneakers, and after glancing at Hanabi’s smiling face on the desk one more time.

He opened the door.

"Hmm, Sakura, where are you going?"

"Running."

"But it’s raining outside."

"It’s okay, I’ll just run a lap and come back."

Uesugi Sakura didn’t know what kind of spell he was under, insisting on running in the rain.

But there was just this feeling in his heart, a feeling of wanting to work hard and persevere.

The overcast sky’s rain was filled with an indelible chill.

The damp air filled his nostrils, the cool silk covering his body suppressing the heat.

Along the way, his running shoes repeatedly splashed water droplets.

Rain wet his hair, slid down his face, soaked his clothes.

Through commercial districts, alleys, traffic lights, overpasses, subway stations...

At these places, Uesugi Sakura brushed past onlookers giving him curious glances, running through several streets with a steady, even breath.

The sound of rain washed over his ears, breathing rushed into his chest along with the dampness.

Cars sped through the streets, their wheels pulling up even bigger waves.

Uesugi Sakura ignored this fleeting noise, facing Tokyo’s flashing neon lights, dozens of swaying transparent umbrellas on the sidewalk, he continued to run.

The cool rain breeze swept past his neck, and suddenly in his mind appeared Mrs. Hanamaru’s question:

"What is love?"

Love...

Uesugi Sakura’s eyes were wet with rainwater that slid down from his forehead, blurring his vision, and along came... images of her and her voice lingered in his mind.

"Sakura-kun... what would you like to eat for dinner?"

"Sakura-kun... does this look good?"

"Sakura-kun, Hanabi will always be by your side."

"This is today’s bento for Sakura-kun."

"Sakura-kun... am I useless...?"

"Sakura-kun... do you miss Hanabi?"

"Huff—Huff—"

In the rain, finally unable to continue, Uesugi Sakura stopped.

He bent over, hands on his knees, breathing heavily.

Rainwater dripped from his hair, his brain and vision slightly blurred from lack of oxygen.

Yet he didn’t dislike this feeling, it seemed like his feverish body and thoughts felt a tad elated because of it.

Because being drenched in rain like this felt familiar.

—That self who didn’t want her to cry, and secretly snuck out of school to buy her spicy croquette.

He now recalled the little girl holding the croquette with small hands, trying hard to hold back tears while eating.

Uesugi Sakura understood that he always cared about her.

He wanted her by his side, wanted to protect her frailty...

Wanted her to call him Sakura-nii with her soft voice beside him...

Really... wanted to call her back...

But would that be the right thing to do...?

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.