Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard-Chapter 811 - 482: Running and the Fresh Breeze (Part 2)
Or rather, it’s about satisfaction.
Uesugi Sakura wasn’t in a hurry to go out. Instead, he went to the balcony, resting his hands on the railing, and looked at the bustling Tokyo City ahead.
Perhaps she’s too embarrassed about what happened this morning, and that’s why she’s deliberately avoiding me all day?
Or is she afraid that she can’t resist the temptation of being called ’Your Highness, Princess’ near her ear?
But regardless of the reason, he wouldn’t see Hanabi today.
No need to go to Art College, it’s too late.
The café... took a day off today.
No inspiration for writing novels, still waiting for a response from the editor on the submitted draft.
Uesugi Sakura gazed at the blue sky for a long time, extending his hand as if to touch the sky, then closing his palm towards the sun.
He looked at his empty palm.
Why can’t I pluck the sun from the sky?
With this question in mind, he felt that he shouldn’t waste time and went back to his bedroom to change into sportswear. He washed his face, put on running shoes, and went out.
Starting from Shirokane Takanawa Station, he ran towards Shibaura Park, and then headed to the shoreline of Tokyo Bay.
On the way, the park was filled with statues, blowing trumpets, and in various poses. An old man was feeding a large group of pigeons with rice, but, unfortunately, seagulls hovered nearby, spreading their wings to scare away other birds, enjoying the feast alone with pride.
Uesugi Sakura, wearing earphones, enjoyed the music while feeling the refreshing air brushing against his face with the sea breeze.
Step by step, the solid sensation from the ground was absorbed by the soles of his feet, transmitted along the muscles to his thighs.
Beneath his feet was a wooden boardwalk, to the left the city streets, and to the right accompanied by seabirds flying over Tokyo Bay.
Uesugi Sakura ran along the shoreline, with the November sun seemingly welcoming him, illuminating his path with brilliant light.
Every breath brought joy to his body and mind, a flame igniting in his heart, his running track shining brightly. The breeze filled his sleeves, tousled his hair, light and graceful, yet strong and vigorous.
Occasionally passing two young women who covered their mouths, their eyes followed his figure until he was far out of sight.
Even after walking a few steps, they’d turn their heads wanting to see if the boy who ran had disappeared into the distance.
"Seagull, seagull—"
The loud and clear cry of a seagull echoed over Tokyo Bay. While running, Uesugi Sakura turned his head and saw the large bird with white wings.
Upon closer inspection, he noticed it was slightly faster than he was.
"Wanna race?"
Uesugi Sakura glanced at the white-winged bird, an indescribable emotion of joy or happiness emerged in his heart, "Alright! Let’s have a race!"
Uesugi Sakura quickened his pace, running alongside the seagull, drawing in air as if something indescribable was driving him to run faster, and even faster.
Soon, his strides became longer, his legs more agile, until even the seagull couldn’t keep up with his shadow despite flapping its wings vigorously.
To bystanders, he was like a gust of wind swiftly passing by.
When the flame in his heart gradually dimmed, Uesugi Sakura slowly came to a stop. Unknowingly, he had already reached near St. Luke’s International University in Chiyoda District.
He had run from the Port District to Chiyoda, unaware of how long he’d been running, now walking slowly along the seashore, gazing at the distant sea view.
The sea breeze brushed against his face, still refreshing.
Though running like this was exhilarating, the excitement was followed by endless emptiness.
Uesugi Sakura stopped, raised his head, and looked at the boundless sea whose waves surged.
Standing alone in a place seldom visited, gazing solo at the far-off coastline.
He felt something was missing, that this kind of running always lacked some fun.
He remembered.
Yeah, it must’ve been the absence of a familiar figure.
Her stamina wasn’t great, always trailing behind.
Her speed wasn’t fast either, always running slowly, step by step.
Only her perseverance was her strongest trait, always chanting "never give up, never give up."
Uesugi Sakura’s hair was blown back by the sea breeze, and he smiled, recalling the times he’d run with Hanabi in the mornings, leaving together, running shoulder to shoulder, appreciating the city’s landscape along the way.
Tired from running, they’d sit by a vending machine, buy two bottles of mineral water, sit together, chat about the fun things in life, wanting to see her pout adorably, and even deliberately say things to make her angry.
For some reason, thinking of these ordinary moments always brought a smile of happiness to Uesugi Sakura’s face.
People, after all, seek happiness in the mundane but are never content with mediocrity, right?
But Uesugi Sakura felt he already had ten times the satisfaction with such a life as he had today.
He wouldn’t strive to stand on a higher pedestal nor work tirelessly for daily necessities.
He had a home, a home of his own.
And all this, was a blessing from a girl named Hanamaru Hanabi.
Thinking of this, Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but shake his head at himself.
Only after a short run I already started thinking about Hanabi?
Have I reached the point of missing her just after she leaves for a while?
Uesugi Sakura felt like he had fallen for a poison named Hanamaru Hanabi, and there was no cure, and he willingly succumbed to it.
Love...is this simple.
He glanced at the coastline, turned around, and ran back home.
"Oh!!"
His roaring shout to encourage himself inadvertently startled some passersby, making them think he was a marathon runner just emerging from Hakone Station.
...
On his way back, Uesugi Sakura stopped at a convenience store to buy a large strawberry chocolate cake.
In the afternoon, probably the time for school clubs to end, Aei and Chiaei returned home.
Uesugi Sakura felt slightly embarrassed facing Aei, but this little girl remained as affectionate as always.
"Nini bought cake?"
"Yeah, hurry up and eat."
"Where’s Hanabi sister?" Chiaei asked.
"Well..." Uesugi Sakura explained with a smile, "Hanabi sister has some errands and won’t be back tonight."
Aei knelt on the bench, her cheeks full of cream, "Nini, did you make Hanabi sister angry so she ran away?"
"Haha," Uesugi Sakura forced a smile, "How could that be."
Without Hanabi, tonight the two little ones would have to endure with Uesugi Sakura.
They didn’t know much about cooking, and after much effort, the two tomato and egg dishes weren’t even formed.
In the end, the three opted for convenience store bento boxes to solve dinner.
"Alright, go to bed early after eating. Have you finished your homework?" Uesugi Sakura knew Chiaei was sensible, so he only asked Aei.
"It’s done!" Aei replied.
"Then go take a bath and get to bed."
"Nini, join Aei and sister in the bath~"
Chiaei blushed, "Aei..."
"Why?" Uesugi Sakura chuckled.
Aei sat down, her feet swinging back and forth, "Don’t worry, Nini, Aei’s still in elementary school, and sister’s in first grade, we can still shower together as family!"
Uesugi Sakura doubted if this little girl was deliberately joking, "Alright, alright, go wash yourself and sleep on your own, okay?"
After settling the two sisters, Uesugi Sakura showered and returned to his bedroom to sleep.
At night, the big bed felt cold and empty.
Uesugi Sakura cuddled up with Hanamaru Hanabi’s favorite shark plushie while sleeping.
He turned to look at the moon in the sky, feeling the day’s fatigue fade away.
Wondering if Hanabi was looking at the moon at this moment, it’d be nice if she was.
Uesugi Sakura glanced at the hazy moonlight, pulled up the blanket, hugged the shark plushie tight, and softly said:
"Goodnight, Hanabi, see you tomorrow."
