Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 302 - 236: Birthday Fireworks_2

Chapter 302: Chapter 236: Birthday Fireworks_2

"He doesn’t smoke or drink, and he works three part-time jobs, which was unbelievable to his friends at the time. But I knew he only spent the money to buy me those expensive medicines.

"Although it was tiring, those days of supporting each other were always happy and joyful.

"He knew perfectly well that I couldn’t have children, yet he was still willing to cover my medical expenses, and I didn’t even know how to respond to him."

At this point, Lady Margaret couldn’t help but sigh gently, as that strong and sunny face kept flashing in her mind.

"Forty-three years ago, he left."

The lady didn’t mention the reason why.

"...And now the house you’re in, ma’am...?"

"I bought it myself ten years ago, as a sort of explanation to him."

Lady Margaret didn’t dwell on the topic much further, "Go on, prepare. Each birthday comes only once a year, and birthdays in our youth are especially fleeting. You can help Miss Hanabi arrange her birthday party, I’m sure it will make her happy."

The lady went to the kitchen to prepare pizza.

Uesugi Sakura couldn’t imagine how he would feel if Hanabi’s smile suddenly disappeared from his life.

Surely, he would lose his way.

Just like in the previous life — apart from the increasingly haggard spirit, there would only be the unchanging, boring daily routine.

——————————————

The two girls with drawing tubes coming out of the art academy were walking on the way back.

"Seriously! Even having rejected him, does he still think he projects an artsy vibe?"

"It’s okay, Yuuki, didn’t I explain it?"

"I meant you, sis. They also know you’re betrothed."

Hanamaru Hanabi didn’t respond but changed the subject instead:

"Yuuki, are you guys planning my birthday party?"

Hanamaru Yuuki was startled for a moment, then laughed happily, "Ah? Haha... No, no, just planning to give you a few presents."

"I know," Hanamaru Hanabi said, her black glossy little round shoes tapping, "Sakura’s hands got blisters from practicing piano the other day. I know he’s someone who progresses gradually, rarely exerting so much effort."

"Sis, do you think brother-in-law is handsome?"

"Hmm, very handsome."

"Sometimes I really envy you guys, living such a happy life together."

Hanamaru Yuuki stepped lightly on the British-style street.

"Even though I find him a bit selfish, asking you to come and then suddenly wanting you to return... but on the other hand, isn’t it romantic to have a boyfriend who misses you, willing to drop everything and chase after you thousands of miles to wait for you to come back?"

"Yes." Hanamaru Hanabi’s mind flashed the image of him at the airport.

"So if Sis still knows friends like brother-in-law, you must introduce them to me. I don’t ask for much, just a little bit handsome and focused will do!"

"Yuuki, you... want to date?"

"Can’t I?"

"Of course not, just never heard you talk about this before."

Hanamaru Yuuki suddenly hugged Hanamaru Hanabi’s arm, smiling in front of her: "It was because I hardly saw you before. Now, seeing you and brother-in-law so sweet, I feel so happy.

"In the morning you’ll greet each other, you’ll make him lunch, and after school, he’ll make you a cup of coffee, and even the occasional exchanged glances are tacit smiles."

"Isn’t everything beautiful?"

——————————

Uesugi Sakura waited at the door as the sunset shone brilliantly.

If he had to describe what kind of girl Hanamaru Hanabi was, his answer would be gentle yet strong.

She would keep the best for others, show her smile, and bury the words she most wanted to say, fearing they might trouble others, deep inside her heart.

Gentleness is a common attribute, but Uesugi Sakura felt he could no longer be without her gentleness and warmth.

Not far from the door was the fountain, with the sunset making the gushing water shimmer.

A girl with a backpack and carrying a drawing tube walked towards him at an even pace.

The fiery sunset covered the sky, and the beauty of the girl’s flowing white dress made one’s heart skip a beat.

Her shadow gradually shortened as her soft, adorable pink face approached.

"Welcome back," Uesugi Sakura smiled, "Where’s Yuuki?"

"She said she went to buy gifts..." Hanamaru Hanabi lifted the drawing tube in front of her with both hands and tilted her face up, looking at him with her violet eyes, "Sakura, have you been waiting here all along?"

"Yes, I’ve been waiting here all along."

"If Hanabi didn’t come back, would you keep waiting?"

"Always."

"Hanabi—"

"Hanabi you—"

They both fell silent.

Uesugi Sakura: "You go first."

Hanamaru Hanabi’s black little round shoes stood on the same street with him:

"Sakura, you really don’t have to throw a birthday party for Hanabi."

Uesugi Sakura: "The birthday party is everyone’s care for you. Do you still remember how you celebrated your fourth birthday?"

"Uncle, aunt, dad, mom, and brother Sakura together..."

"That’s care. Even in a foreign land, they still care about you. People around you still host birthday parties for you. Surely, they’ve already called you, right?"

"Mm..."

"Sakura..." Hanamaru Hanabi saw the guitar case on his back.

Uesugi Sakura extended his hand to her, "Come upstairs; there’s still some time before your birthday party starts."

Hanamaru Hanabi took the hand he offered, softly replied, "Alright..."

The autumn sunset was beautiful, dyeing the clouds at the horizon in a blend of gold and red.

Uesugi Sakura sat on the balcony chair, holding the guitar he had bought a few days ago, "I’ve managed to learn it in ten days, please forgive me if it’s not played well, Hanabi."

Hanamaru Hanabi saw the calluses on his fingers, "It’s alright, but Sakura doesn’t have to be this..."

Uesugi Sakura strummed the strings lightly and said, "To Hanabi, don’t I have to use my best effort in response? I feel like I have nothing left to repay her with."

He lowered his head, his fingers pressed on the guitar strings.

"I’m not good at singing, but I still want to sing ’Hanabi’ for you, my first time playing and singing, for the girl who accompanied me for thirteen years, growing up together."

The gentle breeze blew, circulating the sunset’s light.

Uesugi Sakura strummed the guitar, his youthful and tender voice singing slowly arose:

"With a loud bang, it blossoms gloriously, silently scattering, the fireworks embrace the night sky, the love firework illuminates us instantly, blooming in the night, the scattered, faint sparks silently turn into sorrow, my chest is layered with burning heat..."

Without much singing experience, as soon as Uesugi Sakura began to sing the familiar lyrics, Hanamaru Hanabi smiled, joining him in chorus spontaneously.

At this moment, with only two of them on the balcony, the sunset dancing across his face, warm and slightly sorrowful, poetic music flowed around:

"Missing you is like a fever, even for a moment, I don’t want to leave you, wanting to see you, always wanting to see you, when I first held your hand, infinite love surged, afraid of losing it, we held hands tightly, looked up, watching the fireworks illuminating the night sky..."

This was a song she often sang to him.

....

After singing together, Uesugi Sakura set aside the guitar and shared a knowing smile with Hanamaru Hanabi seated beside him.

"Don’t you think this song resembles us?"

Hanamaru Hanabi nodded and asked back, "Do you know when Hanabi first heard this song?"

"When?"

"The fireworks festival two years ago, Hanabi returned home, scrolling through her phone incessantly, regretting not having the courage to confess while watching the fireworks together, and then, Hanabi found this song."

Uesugi Sakura suddenly recalled something, smiling lightly: "So since then, Hanabi, who never sang, started singing to me occasionally?"

Hanamaru Hanabi said softly, "But Sakura never understood what Hanabi’s singing meant... nor looked up the meaning behind this song..."

"It was my mistake, not facing our feelings properly."

"Sakura..."

"I’m here."

"I hope we can still watch together in the coming decades of fireworks festivals."

"We will, definitely."

"It’s a promise...."

Hanamaru Hanabi extended her soft pinky, looking into his eyes.

"I will keep it." Uesugi Sakura smiled, reaching his hand out.

Like the glorious promise of sunshine, it reflected on their entwined pinkies.

The love between them silently transmitted through their gaze.

"Come on, today is Hanabi’s 16th birthday. Everyone’s been preparing for a while, let’s not keep them waiting."

"Alright."

Reflecting in his bright eyes, the softly spoken response was warm like the autumn sunset.