We set off at around nine o'clock in the morning, from Kyoto to Tokyo, then to Aomori, and then back to Tsumae. It was already past four o'clock in the afternoon.
Leaving the station and walking to a certain intersection, the four of them separated here.
"Be careful on the road." After riding in the car for a day, several people were visibly lethargic, especially Naruse who didn't sleep well last night.
"No problem." Hikari Takigawa pulled her sister and smiled at him and Haixing, "We'll go back first."
Hikaru Takigawa came here on a motorcycle a few mornings ago, and the car was parked at the school. Naturally, he had to ride back at this time, while Naruse and Haisei still had to wait for the bus.
After watching the sisters leave, the two of them went to the bus stop together without saying a word to each other, and it was still the same when they arrived at the bus stop.
It was past school time, and many students from Tsugao could be seen on the road. Watching Naruse yawn again, Haixing couldn't help but ask: "Aren't you waiting for Naoko?"
"Huh?...I'll come over later. Let's put the things back first." Naruse said.
It’s really a toss-up...
Haixing didn't speak, and soon remembered something.
Today is Friday.
As far as she knew, in the past few weeks, he and Naoko seemed to eat out every Friday, and she and Hikaru Takigawa even met them once.
Is it the same today...
Haixing's mood was a little complicated, and he suddenly realized more.
Is it because of Shangzi?
That's why he was eager to draw a clear line with her and kept emphasizing that "everything in the past is over."
The more Haixing thought about it, the more she became convinced.
It’s Shangzi.
She was not surprised at all by his choice.
When the distance widened again and her sight was no longer limited to each other, she suddenly realized: Shangzi had long since replaced her as the person who had been by his side the longest.
Even before they went to Kyoto together, she had already acquiesced that he and Shangzi would never be separated.
She couldn't help but look at him again.
If he told her directly that it was because of Naoko, rather than because of ending all past relationships, would it be easier for her to accept it?
"..."
She doesn't know.
A past where sweetness and pain are intertwined together, a future that only exists in fantasy during the short period of time together...
She no longer understands what she wants.
"...What's wrong?" Naruse looked over.
Haixing turned away, "Nothing."
A few minutes later, the bus stopped in front of them, and the two of them got on the bus and sat down, not far apart nor close to each other.
It's like everything is back to before.
The bus started and shook for a while. After swaying, Naruse and Haixing finally returned to Aoyagi.
"Going back."
"...Hmm." She still responded.
Naruse glanced at her, said nothing, turned around and walked back to his home.
Looking at his back, Haixing didn't stop for long and dragged his tired body forward.
My luggage before going out was only a few pieces of clothing, but when I came back there were many more, big and small, mostly gifts for friends.
Looking at Morimi Furu Honten getting closer and closer, some strength surged from her body.
She wants to get some comfort from others.
Kazuyo should have come back, right?
No, are you going to study at a private school today? She's not sure.
When he came outside the bookstore, Haixing squinted and took a look. Although he couldn't see the figure sitting at the counter clearly, he didn't look like a beautiful girl. He should be Kazuyo's father.
Aren't you here?
She was a little disappointed, but she held back her disappointment and prepared to go home first.
Just as he was about to leave, another familiar figure walked out of the bookshelf.
She couldn't hold back, "Yiye!"
"..."
Morimi was startled, and turned to look outside the store. When he saw it was a starfish, he was stunned again.
She put down the book she was holding and pushed up her glasses.
"Have you finally come back?"
"Well..."
Haixing couldn't help but smile, then quickly stopped, "I'm back."
Morimi also smiled and said, "Welcome back."
After saying hello, Haixing dragged his things into the bookstore, put them down on the spot, and started rummaging around on the spot.
Morijian had a premonition and was not in a hurry. He picked up the book he had just put down and continued to sort it out.
And when she finished her work, Haixing was still rummaging.
"I remember it was right here..."
"What?"
Haixing raised his head, "I bought the academic guardian at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and..."
Morijian suddenly squatted down and held her face.
"The eyes seem to be swollen."
"..."
"What's wrong?"
Haixing lowered his head, the side of his face still pressed against her palm, "I accidentally got something dirty..."
Morimi looked at her again without asking, "Really?"
After searching for a long time, Haixing finally found the Academic Guardian that was brought to her.
"Here you go..."
"Thank you." Morimi smiled, took the guardian and looked at it, "Kitano Tenmangu Shrine... I heard that the plum blossoms there are very beautiful. When I am admitted to Kyoto University, I will go there often."
Haixing was startled for a moment.
What she said was not "going to be admitted to Beijing University", but directly planning what to do after being admitted to Beijing University.
It’s amazing...
Whether it's light or a leaf, everyone has a shining point that is hard to match.
Obviously before, everyone was just a kid who didn’t understand anything.
"——Starfish?"
"Ah..." She came back to her senses and looked up at her.
"Thank you." Morimi thanked her again, "I accepted it."
"This..." Haixing hesitated for a moment, but then told the truth, "The academic guardian is... he asked me to give it to Kazuyo."
"..."
Morimi raised an eyebrow.
It’s not hard to guess who “he” is.
"My gifts are these. I picked this one at Kiyomizu Temple..."
Haixing took out a few more things and said they were bought at places like Kiyomizu Temple, Shin Kyogoku and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.
One piece after another, Morimi even couldn't hold it down.
"Thank you..." She held it with both hands and looked at the mostly deflated travel bag, "Are they all gifts for me?"
"Well, there are a few more things I brought for dad..."
Her friends who can bring gifts now, except Kazuyo Monk, all the others went to Kyoto with her, and the gift for Naoko had been given to Naruse before.
Holding the gift in his arms and placing it temporarily on the counter of the bookstore, Morimi returned outside.
"Are they all back too?"
"Yeah."
"Where's Naruse."
"...He went home." Haixing lowered his head and sorted out the remaining things, "I think he will have to pick up Shangzi from school later."
"It's really hard...but today is Friday, and they seem to be eating out." Morimi said.
Starfish just nodded and said nothing.
Morimi looked at the redness and swelling under her eyes again.
Did something happen between the two of them during the past few days when they went to Kyoto?
Wait for him to come to the bookstore in the evening or tomorrow and test it out a little...
She bent down to help Haixing tidy up, chatted for a few more words, and then watched her return to the Maki Hotel diagonally opposite.
"Haixing and the others have been in Kyoto for three days, right?" Morimiki asked when he returned to the counter.
"Counting today, there are four days."
"It's really incredible...Is Harumi taking the lead again?"
"Just skipping school." Kazuye curled his lips, "This time it was Guang's idea... What happened?"
She found her father looking at her.
Morimiki smiled and said, "Forget about other places. This time we are going to Kyoto. Why doesn't Kazuha go with them? Haven't you been a little more relaxed recently?"
"There is a fundamental difference between sleeping an extra half hour in the morning and skipping school for four days."
"You may not necessarily have the opportunity to go to Kyoto during your third grade school trip."
"It doesn't matter." Yiye lowered his head and picked up the gift from Haixing, "When you go to college, you will stay there forever."
Mori Jianshu smiled again and said nothing more.
Kazuye looked at the gifts one by one, and the smile on his lips became more and more obvious.
The last time she received a gift from Starfish, she seemed to have picked up a beautiful stone by the river... although she said to herself that it was a gem.
The last thing I picked up was the Academic Guard.
"Can't you send it yourself..."
Kazuye held Yushou in the palm of his hand and stuffed it into his pocket.
......
Buzz——
As soon as the phone vibrated, Shangzi picked it up immediately.
Harumi: I'm at Hamono Cafe.
Harumi: Naoko, come out when you’re done.
Shangzi:Okay.
"News about Naruse?" Ogawa Rina looked at her.
Shangzi nodded and smiled again.
"That guy is finally back?"
"Yeah."
"I knew it." Ogawa Rina looked at the expression on her face, "He is the only one who can make Naoko come back to life."
Shangzi held the phone and smiled slightly.
Ogawa Rina shook her head, understanding that her thoughts were completely out of sight.
"Okay, the minutes of the meeting just now have been sorted out. Let Shangzi take a look at it. If there is no problem, you can go back."
"Okay, senior."
Shangzi took a deep breath, gathered his mind, opened the meeting minutes and scanned them.
When she saw a certain point, she asked:
"Senior Ogawa, do you still think we don't need to set up a special department to accept different types of commissions?"
This point was already mentioned at the club meeting just now. Ogawa Rina nodded and explained her point of view again:
"I think the restoration department is not so busy yet that we need to classify it specially... Although after this month's Tsugao monthly report came out, more people know about us."
She paused and continued.
"And although everyone in the club is doing their own thing now, they are actually all centered around Shang Zi. There are not many people in the first place, so they are divided into different departments. There is always a kind of... um... division
Faction, and then it becomes unfamiliar?
It’s still a little too early for the current restoration department, at least until new first-year members are recruited next year...
But Naoko is the minister, it’s up to you to decide whether to do this or not.”
Shangzi thought for a while and nodded to her.
"I understand, I was a little rash."
Ogawa Rina smiled and said, "No problem, I can understand Naoko's determination to develop the restoration department. In short, take your time."
She also smiled, "Okay."
There is no problem with other content and it will be passed quickly.
Ogawa Rina packed up her things and waited for Naoko again. Today is Friday and she has been so busy that they are the only two people left in the club.
"Long time waiting."
"Let's go."
The two of them went downstairs and when they passed by the stairs on the second floor, a member of the handicraft club happened to come from the corridor and said hello to them.
"Going back?"
"Yeah."
"Bye."
"Well, see you next week."
Except for the Takahashi group, most of the members of the handicraft club have no ill feelings towards Naoko who "established a separate branch" and the people in the restoration department, and they can still say hello normally when they meet.
When she came downstairs, Ogawa Rina looked around, and when she saw no one else, she said, "By the way, has Ritsuko come to see Naoko in the past two days?"
"Senior Sugiyama?"
Shangzi was startled, then shook his head, "No. What's wrong?"
"She probably wanted to talk to Naoko about the interview with the Ministry of Information." Ogawa Rina said, "Yesterday at noon, she came to me and asked me when Naoko would have time to chat.
I see that Shangzi is not in good condition these days, so I refuse for you. Is that okay?"
Shangzi shook his head and said it didn't matter.
"I guess Ritsuko came to thank you or something because Naoko didn't say anything bad about the Handicraft Club during the interview."
"I think so too..." Shangzi smiled at her, "So I don't think it's necessary."
Ogawa Rina didn't say any more and turned the topic to Naruse.
"It's time to date."
"Senior..."
"But although you two are not dating, you are already dating... Is there any inconvenience?" Ogawa Rina looked at her with concern.
"No."
Naoko pursed her lower lip, "It's good as it is now... I and Haruhai both feel the same way."
"Weirds. Both of you are."
"Senior..."
"Forget it, I don't care about you. Where are the others?"
"Over there at the cafe."
The two of them walked and chatted all the way, and they had already arrived outside Yu Haino Cafe.
"That guy...is Naruse, right?"
Through the window, both of them saw Naruse lying on the coffee table.
"Harumi." Naoko immediately walked towards the door of the coffee shop. When he was about to enter, he remembered Rina Ogawa, "Senior..."
Ogawa Rina shook her head helplessly and waved her hand, "Go. Bye."
"Well, goodbye, senior sister."
Entering the coffee shop, Shangzi ignored the clerk who was looking over and walked straight to a coffee table by the window.
Naruse lay there, with only a cup of coffee on the table.
Shangzi walked over and was about to sit down opposite him when he suddenly saw the bag on the seat next to him.
It looks familiar...
She took a second look, and just as she sat down, Naruse was startled and raised his head.
"..."
The two looked at each other, and Naoko smiled, "Welcome back, Harumi."
Naruse put his hands on his face and wiped it twice.
"Shangzi...why didn't you send me a message?"
"I saw Chunhai as soon as I came here." After not seeing him for a few days, Shangzi looked at every part of his body with his eyes, "You haven't had any rest, okay."
"Sitting in a car is also very tiring... and it takes a whole day. The so-called 'pain of running around' is probably like this."
Naruse stretched out, picked up the cold coffee and took a sip.
Seeing him frowning, Shangzi said: "Let's have another drink."
"No." Naruse put down the coffee and stood up, "Let's go."
"Yeah."
He picked up the two travel bags placed next to him. It looked like they still contained things.
"Chunhai, that..."
"——Shangzi, are you hungry?"
Shang Zi was startled for a moment, then nodded, "I'm a little hungry."
"Then let's go eat something first." He yawned again, "I'm a little hungry too."
"Okay..."
After leaving the coffee shop, the two of them walked towards the Central Station.
When passing by Chaoyue Antique Shop, Naruse stopped and said, "I'm going to say hello to Mr. Chaoyue."
"Yeah."
He handed the travel bag in his hand to her so that Chao Yueming would not think it was something to be handled in the store.
"Long time no see, Mr. Chaoyue."
"Song...Long time no see."
"I've been to Kyoto these days."
"A school trip? I know. There are a lot of good things there."
"I'm only in the first grade...but that's about it."
While the two were chatting, Shangzi picked up one of the travel bags in his hand and looked at it.
This seems to be something from her home...
Because she didn't use it much, she didn't recognize it at first.
What's inside?
Shangzi pinched it.
Clothes?
"Shangzi, let's go."
Naruse has already said hello and is ready to leave.
"Yeah."
The two walked around the Central Station, and Naruse pulled Naoko into an Italian restaurant.
"Let's eat whatever we want first. We'll talk about it later when we're hungry in the evening."
"Okay."
Naoko was not very hungry, so they each ordered a piece of pasta and a cheese and vegetable salad.
After not seeing each other for a few days, she had a lot to say, but not much she could say directly.
"Have you taken any photos of the places Chunhai has been to these past few days? I want to see them."
"Photos? I took a lot of them."
"But they only sent me a few pictures." Shangzi showed a little dissatisfaction.
"Sorry." Naruse looked at her, "I don't want to leave Naoko behind and send you those photos to stimulate you, so that you can only watch."
"...I don't think so."
He handed over the phone, but what he opened was not a photo album, but a memo.
The photos and text are paired together, like a travelogue.
"This is..."
"Kyoto travel diary. I compiled it myself. It contains all the places I have been to. The photos are from this trip."
"It's so detailed..." Shangzi flipped through the travel notes, "Looking at the photos and text, it feels like I traveled there myself."
"There are still quite a few differences."
The pasta was delivered to both of them. Naruse was really hungry and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Well...there are some feelings...you have to go there yourself...well...you can understand them."
"I can't go there." Shangzi pouted, holding his mobile phone, not in the mood to eat for the time being.
"We'll go there tonight."
"Hmm...ah?"
When he raised his head, Naruse was beating his chest.
Shangzi quickly handed him the water glass.
After taking a sip of water, Naruse, who was choking, breathed a sigh of relief.
"I said... we will go to Kyoto later."
Shangzi looked at him blankly.
"Kyoto..."
"Well, I'll go there tonight and come back on Sunday night."
Naruse lowered his head and continued to eat noodles, "Taking the Shinkansen is too time-consuming. Let's take a plane. After eating, we set off to Aomori Airport. Naoko's clothes have also been packed."
Shangzi looked at the travel bag placed aside.
When he opened it, he found his own set of clothes and several pieces of underwear inside.
"...I just took a few items." Naruse looked away when she looked at him, his face slightly red.
"It's okay." Shangzi finally came to his senses and smiled, "This is what I usually wear."
"Sorry, I have left Shangzi behind these days."
"Well..."
"I came back a day late."
"Well..."
"I haven't posted any photos because I wanted to take Shangzi to see them in person."
"Yeah."
Naruse looked at her, "Do you want to go to Kyoto with me to spend the weekend?"
Shangzi stretched out his hand and wiped the spaghetti sauce from the corner of his mouth, a smile blooming on his face.
"Go."
"Then eat quickly."
"I haven't finished reading Chunhai's travel notes yet."
"There is plenty of time on the road."
"There are so many places, do we have to go to every place?"
"It's a beautiful idea. It only takes two days. I compiled the travel notes and asked Shangzi to pick a few places he most wanted to visit."