Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 293 - 231: Saturday, Park

Chapter 293: Chapter 231: Saturday, Park

...

"Sakura, Hanabi actually wants to go back, but I’ve already promised the teacher..."

"Sakura... it’s been three years... I wonder if you’re doing well..."

"Sakura, Sakura, Sakura..."

"Sakura... Hanabi is still here... please don’t forget Hanabi, okay?"

Uesugi Sakura woke up startled from the dream, eyes wide open.

The deep black haze severed the memories, like threads tugging at the brain, with an indescribable oppressiveness.

The heart raced, and what he saw was the Western-style ceiling of the villa bedroom.

Strange, inexplicable scenes echoed in his mind, blurry and mesmerizing.

He sat up from the bed, glanced at the moonlight outside the window in the dark night, feeling a bit parched in the throat.

Uesugi Sakura clutched his pounding heart; he had a dream where the drizzling rain in the sky fell onto smooth marble.

That was the gate of Kamigoe High School.

Hanamaru Hanabi rushed in, her whole body drenched, rainwater dripping through her hair, soaking her white dress.

She, with red eyes, bowed her head low, crying in her usual timid voice not to abandon her, that she was always waiting and would forever uphold the promise between them and would always accompany Sakura.

Uesugi Sakura felt an immense pity for her sorrowful appearance, yet inexplicably, in the dream, he watched her crying figure and somehow still turned away.

Walking far, far away, even with the rain mixed in, he could still hear her repeatedly saying: "Hanabi... only have Sakura..."

A strange dream.

Putting these memories aside, Uesugi Sakura lifted the blanket, got up, and poured a glass of water at the table by the opposite TV.

He sat back down on the bed with the water glass in hand.

The water in the cup swayed, scattering light under the moonlight.

Even though he wished to forget, that sight of Hanabi all soaked and sorrowful couldn’t help but weigh on him.

He quickly reviewed his own life, finding nothing special, nothing extraordinary.

In those mundane times, her companionship encompassed most of his life.

If he hadn’t come to London but chose to stay in Tokyo and wait for three years.

Could the changes have led them to separate, making it difficult to rekindle that affection after reunification?

Perhaps affected by that chaotic protest, Uesugi Sakura now always feels there might be danger around Hanabi.

What if she encounters danger without him by her side?

Would he only be able to hear tragic news from the London police far away in Tokyo?

The cool water slowly flowed into his heart and mind; after placing the cup on the bedside table, Uesugi Sakura took out a book and retrieved the yellowed drawing inside.

This is the first drawing Hanabi gave him.

The drawing is of him, with a crooked background, but from the vine-covered walls, you can tell it’s his house.

Uesugi Sakura realizes now. This was the first time they met.

The image of the shy little girl standing next to her mom vividly remains in Uesugi Sakura’s memory.

If she’s no longer by his side, what goal should he strive towards?

Perhaps the one who truly needs the other is himself.

Putting the drawing back in the book, Uesugi Sakura lay back down on the bed, eyes open, pondering what love is.

....

The next morning, September 27, a Saturday morning.

Hanamaru Hanabi, wearing a dress with floral lace, gently pushed the still-sleeping Uesugi Sakura in bed with her small hands, softly calling out:

"Sakura, Sakura, Sakura..."

Uesugi Sakura, still in his dreams, gained consciousness, and suddenly, as a conditioned reflex, gripped the small arm she was using to push him.

The force made Hanamaru Hanabi wince slightly with pain, her expression turning uncomfortable as she tried to break free from his grip:

"Sakura, Sakura..."

Frowning, the bright morning sunlight made Uesugi Sakura quickly realize this wasn’t a dream, promptly releasing his hand.

After his eyes adjusted to the bright light, he noticed the red mark on Hanabi’s fair arm from his grip.

"I’m sorry."

"No, it’s okay," Hanamaru Hanabi covered the painful red mark on her left forearm with her right hand and then asked, "Did Sakura have a bad dream? Your face didn’t look good just now."

Uesugi Sakura didn’t want her to worry.

"It’s fine, I just drank too much experimenting with the new coffee I learned and had a bit of insomnia."

He gently touched the arm of Hanamaru Hanabi that he had hurt, looking up to ask:

"Does it hurt a lot?"

Picking up on his concern, Hanamaru Hanabi replied, "No, it’s okay."

The window was open, and the sunlight pouring through the greenery made the girl’s face pink and bashful.

Uesugi Sakura held her lovely little hand, bowed his head, and lightly kissed the back of it.

"Sakura..."

"Do you really... want to go back with me?"

"Mm..."

"But if you go back like this, Hanabi, what about your dreams? You were bullied so much when you were little, and I want to see your growth, to see you being liked by many people, to also see you have your own things."

Hanamaru Hanabi just sat at the bedside watching him, her soft and timid heart making her voice weak:

"Sakura... Hanabi hasn’t been here long, but I have met many people, Mrs. Margaret, Miss Anna, Mr. Blaise, teachers and classmates...

"They’re all very nice and will take care of Hanabi; Mrs. Margaret bakes bread every day, makes jam, teaches Hanabi to make English cuisine, and everyone’s life is warm and cozy.

"Even though it’s such a beautiful life, Hanabi always feels there’s a big, big part missing in her heart."

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