Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 287 - 227 Searching for the True Dream_2

Chapter 287: Chapter 227 Searching for the True Dream_2

"Don’t come to me for this kind of thing, go find Uncle Hanabi."

"..."

"Father-in-law, you... agree?"

"I have no opinion about agreeing or not, this is your own matter."

Hanamaru Hiroki suddenly adopted a serious tone, "But remember your identity, Sakura, you are now her fiancé, not just a boyfriend—adjust your attitude, you are meant to support her for the rest of her life, I hope you are prepared to shoulder this responsibility in the future."

"No one is obliged to revolve around you, so don’t make hasty decisions."

"Beep—beep—beep"

Hanamaru Hiroki hung up the phone, tucked the phone back into his pocket, and gazed out onto the rain-soaked Ome Street through the glass window.

"Hanabi depends on you too much, kiddo."

——————————————

Uesugi Sakura sat quietly in the room, putting down the now darkened phone.

Amid the mess in the room, he turned around and picked up a slightly yellowed piece of white paper from the bed.

Staring blankly at the crayon portrait on it.

...

The summer cicadas chirring noisily, the scorching sun high in the sky.

After sitting together for a long while, the little girl finally mustered the courage:

"Brother Sakura... here, this is for you..."

"Why are you giving me paper?"

Under the park’s tree shade, Uesugi Sakura put down the book he was holding.

"No... not just paper, this is a drawing, a drawing by Hanabi..."

The little girl spoke timidly, occasionally stealing glances at him, as if worried about something.

"A drawing?"

Uesugi Sakura took the white paper from the little girl’s hands, noticing she handed it to him upside down, "Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Hanabi draw in a long time."

The little girl said nothing, just lowered her head, clutching her little white dress with her chubby hands.

The summer breeze in the park was quite refreshing, rustling the green leaves above.

Uesugi Sakura turned over the paper, revealing the crayon drawing on it.

...

...

"Did you draw this?"

"Is it... is it not good?" The little girl tried her best to lift her head to look at him.

Uesugi Sakura offered a soft smile, "Is that supposed to be Dad? Well—hmm, it’s quite cute..."

The little girl didn’t dare to look at him again, focusing on her shoes, and in a very weak voice, she quietly said:

"This, this is Brother Sakura..."

"..."

"..."

The little girl sensed something in his silence, and her mood grew a bit gloomy.

"... I really like it, it would’ve been nice if you’d worked on it for a few more days." Uesugi Sakura folded the drawing up, smiled, and said, "Speaking of which, hasn’t Hanabi been at another school for about three months?"

"Uh-huh..."

"Have you gotten used to it?"

"A little better..." The little girl continued to look at the drawing in his hand, "Brother Sakura should give the drawing back to Hanabi..."

"It’s okay, I’ll keep it."

"Doesn’t Brother Sakura dislike it?"

"It’s alright, little Hanabi just needs to keep trying."

"Trying... is that all it takes?"

Uesugi Sakura picked up the book he set down earlier and focused on the text without looking at her, "A hard-working little Hanabi will look a bit cuter."

Hearing his voice, the little girl gripped her dress even tighter:

"Then... Hanabi will do her best..."

Uesugi Sakura turned the pages, "Alright, don’t give up."

...

Now,

Uesugi Sakura picked up the yellowed crayon drawing, realizing it was the picture she’d dared to hand over only after altering and refining it over three months.

To a child, three months is a long time.

Uesugi Sakura could even imagine now the shy little girl staying at home alone, taking out her crayons and diligently reworking and refining with her clumsy little hands.

After sketching countless sheets, she finally dared to cautiously place it in his hands.

Returning home back then, he’d carefully looked at the drawing that fell out from the book’s crevice, suddenly realizing it was from that three-month-old promise.

The promise for the little girl to paint what she deemed the most beautiful picture, and hand it to him.

And what she painted was him...

At this moment,

Uesugi Sakura listened intently to the rain knocking against the window outside, looking up at the self-portrait she’d recently given him.

In the picture, she smiled beautifully and brilliantly, with colors and scenery perfectly complementing each other.

The lively crowd of a summer festival was vividly brought to life with just a few strokes.

What her dreams are, Uesugi Sakura couldn’t determine.

But regardless, he didn’t want to lose the feeling of her being by his side within these three years.

Gazing out the window, that’s the dreary clouds over Tokyo.

Perhaps, this rain should no longer linger before him.

————————————

September 5th, Friday, Weather: Showers.

At home packing luggage, Uesugi Sakura sat on the bedside, listening to Goto Iwao’s voice on the other end of the phone.

"Hey, hey, Uesugi, why didn’t you come to school today? Are you sick? That loser from the class next door wants to challenge you again during PE."

"I won’t be coming to school these days." Uesugi Sakura placed the folded clothes into the suitcase.

"Huh? Why? Are you going to study abroad too?" Goto Iwao asked.

"I said these days, don’t worry, it won’t be long." Uesugi Sakura said, holding the phone with his shoulder.

"Oh, well, take it easy then, Tsubokawa and I will miss you."

Seeming not to understand, he immediately added, "Where are you going again?"

Uesugi Sakura: "England."

Goto Iwao: "England? You’re not going to study abroad with Hanamaru, are you!?"

"I’m going to bring her back."

Ding dong...

After hanging up the phone, the doorbell downstairs rang, prompting Uesugi Sakura to stand and walk towards the stairs.

Upon opening the front door, he saw Uncle Hanamaru Yugetsu with sunglasses on.

He carried an umbrella, dressed in a casually fashionable manner, and with a smile, handed over a badge with a golden emblem.

"Little Sakura, how are you going to thank your uncle?"

Uesugi Sakura opened the badge to glance at his photo inside, organized it, and said:

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