Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard
Chapter 43: Conversations under the Moonlight, Early Morning Chat

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Conversations under the Moonlight, Early Morning Chat

"Hmm..."

Hanamaru Hanabi leaned a little closer, her gentle breath even clearer, with a sweet scent like lily flowers,

"Dad is rarely like that at home. He never talks about his work with me and mom, and he doesn’t let me visit his workplace. It’s the first time I learned how great Dad is at Sword Dao.

"Usually, he just casually mentions it."

Come to think of it, over the years, Uesugi Sakura had indeed never seen Hanamaru Hiroki at work, only knowing he was an officer at the Shinjuku District Police Department.

Hanamaru Hanabi’s fair little hand gently glided over her cheek, soothing a purple bruise, as Uesugi Sakura looked into her eyes, which were very close, and asked,

"Is Uncle Hiroki’s work very dangerous? I remember he often warned us not to go near Kabuki-cho."

"Yes, Dad always says there are many bad people there and tells Hanabi not to go there."

Hanamaru Hanabi’s tone was very calm as she slowly withdrew her outstretched right hand and asked with concern,

"Uesugi-kun, does it still hurt a lot?"

The cool and refreshing sensation of the ointment on his cheek indeed made it hurt less.

"Thank you, it doesn’t hurt that much anymore."

"That’s good." Hanamaru Hanabi’s face showed a sweet smile.

That cute face was especially captivating in the night.

They say that adolescence releases a unique pheromone. Uesugi Sakura, a Great Mage through two lifetimes, could deeply feel the influence of this pheromone within him.

Why hadn’t he noticed her before?

Under the clear moonlight, Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but reach out and gently caress her soft cheek.

"Ue... Uesugi-kun?!"

She was startled by the sudden gesture, shrinking slightly away, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Uesugi Sakura, her hands nervously clenching together, somewhat fearful but not overly resistant.

The touch of his fingertips was utterly translucent, causing Hanamaru Hanabi’s cheeks to flush a shy red and start to heat up.

Uesugi Sakura, with a gentle touch on her cheek, sensing her presence, gave a soft smile under her surprised and slightly fearful gaze:

"Hanabi, the moonlight tonight is truly delightful."

...

...

April 4th, Friday, Weather: Light rain

Tokyo in April was already mixed with a chill, and the sunless cloudy sky seemed to cast a cool haze over the whole city.

Uesugi Sakura, having just finished freshening up, pulled open the slightly ajar blinds in his room.

"Looks like it’s going to rain."

Gazing into the distance, the towering steel skyscrapers seemed to grow desolate under the overcast clouds.

He glanced at his watch.

7:02:03

It was still early.

April 4th,

Beyond the horizon, across the sea, this was an important day.

Qingming Festival.

Both a solemn day for tomb-sweeping and ancestor worship, and a joyous day for spring outings.

Qingming Festival is an important carrier for passing on beliefs, and Qingming sacrifices are a significant way to express gratitude to ancestors and strengthen family ties.

Sacrificing, spring outings, all completed on this day.

Expressing gratitude to ancestors, closely caring for family.

Therefore, the almost opposite words ’solemn’ and ’joyous’ can simultaneously define this holiday.

However, in Japan, Qingming Festival is celebrated in August.

Since it was still early, his mom didn’t rush him for breakfast, so Uesugi Sakura dressed himself in his school uniform and headed downstairs.

He arrived at the hallway in front of the living room.

Hearing the steady and even footsteps on the stairs, Uesugi Nobuko, who was making breakfast in the kitchen, casually greeted towards the hallway,

"Good morning."

"Mm, good morning."

Uesugi Sakura replied, glanced at the steaming earthen pot on the stove, and continued towards the adjoining living room.

Skillfully, he sat across from Uesugi Kenichi, preparing to drink the milk that had been pre-warmed on the table.

But as soon as he touched the cup, he found it too hot to handle and quickly abandoned the idea.

"What happened to your face?"

Uesugi Kenichi asked, pointing to the white cotton band on Uesugi Sakura’s face.

"Got hit."

Upon hearing this, Uesugi Kenichi suddenly smiled and said happily, "Haha, did someone at school see you’re more handsome and got really upset, so they dragged you to the restroom for a beating?"

"..."

"Aren’t you angry at all about your own son getting hit, dad?"

"Not at all," Uesugi Kenichi said earnestly, "I’ve always wondered what it’s like to be hit as a son, to understand the feeling of being a father."

Uesugi Sakura, knowing his father’s experiences, glanced at him, "Just because grandpa used to hit you, you want to take it out on your own son?"

From a young age, he was mature in all aspects, far surpassing his peers, which meant Uesugi Kenichi never found the chance to punish him.

"One hundred percent!"

Uesugi Kenichi removed his right hand from the mouse on the table, crossed his arms,

"Your grandpa liked to beat my siblings and me when we were young, so I’ve been waiting for the chance to experience being that kind of jerk of a dad."

"Purely perverse, that’s how those violent men you hear about on the news are born." Uesugi Sakura took a sip of his slightly cooled milk.

"Not quite a violent man, your father just wants to experience what it’s like to lecture a son."

Uesugi Sakura glanced again, observing his father’s expression.

Leaning against the chair, his tone was light, with a hint of a smile, his words carried an air of casualness.

All these details combined, it was very clear he was joking.

So he ignored him, continuing to drink his hot milk.

A moment later,

"Ahem," Uesugi Kenichi sat up straight, becoming serious, "Back to business, what’s really the matter with your injury?"

"Got hit."

"Who hit you?"

"Hanamaru Hiroki."

"Hanamaru Hiroki?"

Uesugi Kenichi immediately laughed, "Hahaha, how does it feel to be hit by your future father-in-law?"

"..." Uesugi Sakura didn’t say a word.

"Hahaha, If it were me, I’d definitely have to beat you, too. A 15-year-old daughter, not fully grown, and already being taken by the pig next door."

"Hey, hey," Uesugi Sakura became solemn, "Is that how you talk about your son? Shouldn’t you be happy if your son brings home a girlfriend as a father?"

"Happy, of course," Uesugi Kenichi couldn’t suppress his laughter, even the glasses on his nose couldn’t hide his squinting eyes, "But just thinking about Hiroki’s long face makes me laugh."

"..."

A father would naturally be happy if his son brought home a girlfriend.

But if it’s his daughter suddenly bringing home a boyfriend, a father would feel very troubled.

Clearly, Uesugi Kenichi belongs to the former group, extremely happy.