CHAPTER 330: CHAPTER 253: PERHAPS PEOPLE FROM EASTERN UNIVERSITY ARE A BIT TOO BIZARRE (2)

"Will the senior be back later?"

"Probably."

"When someone says they suddenly have something to do, what do they go to do?"

"Want to guess?" Umezu Nana said.

"Eating is more important, anyway, Uesugi will be back soon."

...

On the other side, Uesugi Sakura met Professor Okuno outside the clock tower-style Yasuda Lecture Hall.

He was holding a briefcase, hurrying as if he was about to go out.

"Professor."

"Are you wondering why I called you out here?"

Uesugi Sakura understood that the professor had something to say to him.

"You probably know that most Tokyo University graduates go into politics, while others secure positions in big companies in advance. Within Tokyo University’s social network, groups and circles support each other, and your senior fellows will help you rise quickly when they see you’re from Tokyo University."

Getting into a top university is virtually like having a ticket to high society.

This ticket will play a crucial role in one’s future life.

——It’s all kinds of connections.

"Are you aware of the factions at Tokyo University?"

"I’m aware of some," Uesugi Sakura said.

"I quite like you, kid. You make good coffee. If someone offers you an olive branch, it’s best not to accept."

Professor Okuno said these things quite casually.

After some idle talk, Uesugi Sakura saw the professor off at the campus gate; he was going to fly to France for a month-long academic conference.

Uesugi Sakura stood at the main gate of Tokyo University, gazing into the distance.

The cherry blossoms at the end of May had mostly fallen, and the roadside greenery was waiting for the arrival of summer.

He pondered over what the professor had just said.

He knew about the factions among the professors at Tokyo University. The Law and Medical Departments were not as carefree as those in the Literature Department.

And the professor would be on a business trip for a month; was he worried about being poached just before leaving?

...

As Uesugi Sakura was heading back to the Central Cafeteria, he seemed to hear someone calling his name.

Turning around, he saw two ladies and Hanamaru Hanabi approaching with two little kids.

"Little Sakura."

"..."

Uesugi Sakura saw Hanamaru Hanami, who was reaching out to him for his glasses, in Mrs. Hanamaru’s arms, and she noticed him.

"Auntie, what brings you here?"

Mrs. Hanamaru: "We were wondering what to make for lunch, but you weren’t around. Hanabi said your school cafeteria is open. We didn’t have anything to do, so we brought Hanami and Shin over for lunch and a walk."

Mrs. Uesugi glanced at the campus gate behind him, where the two rows of lush ginkgo trees were particularly noticeable: "We hope we’re not disturbing you."

His sister was still asleep in their mother’s arms.

"..."

"No, Tokyo University is usually open; you can go to the cafe, cafeteria, library, Sanshiro Pond. In the afternoon, there are often elementary and middle school students visiting."

Seeing people walking their dogs is a common sight.

After speaking, Uesugi Sakura noticed Hanamaru Hanabi wearing shoes, in a blue dress, "Hanabi... is your foot better?"

"Not yet, but I can walk now..."

Uesugi Sakura remembered that yesterday she was still limping a little; supporting her helped a bit, making it less noticeable.

Today, she should be able to walk on her own, but it’s probably still a bit wobbly.

Her sprained foot wasn’t severe, but it would take a while to heal...

Hanamaru Hanami kept wriggling, babbling, wanting to go to Uesugi Sakura, so Mrs. Hanamaru handed this outward-looking little one to him.

Uesugi Sakura found that this one-year-old sister-in-law really liked him—sitting in his arms, she nestled closely with her warm body against his chest.

He was one of the people who saw her on the day she was born.

Hanamaru Hanabi was worried about their mother’s condition outside the delivery room that day.

And she asked if she would be like that when she gave birth in the future.

Babies are adorable, quite dazed, at least this sister-in-law is petite and delicate.

But thinking about childbirth causing Hanabi so much pain... Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but feel a bit saddened.

"Little Sakura, could you lead the way?"

Uesugi Sakura gathered his thoughts, holding the curious Hanamaru Hanami in his arms, and replied, "Sure."

From the main gate of Tokyo University, heading straight along the ginkgo-lined avenue, you’d reach Yasuda Lecture Hall, and the entrance to the Central Cafeteria is right in front of the hall, very close.

The bell tower looks quite grand when you see it up close.

Since tomorrow is Saturday, the slopes inside Tokyo University’s campus have already set up scaffolding to serve as makeshift stores where each class can hold their stalls.

Most of them have prepared their signs in advance; this afternoon is likely the grocery shopping phase for the stalls.

"Shall we have lunch first?" Uesugi Sakura asked.

The ginkgo leaves above rustled, and Hanamaru Hanami in his arms focused her attention on a huge raven in the tree, seemingly very interested in the dark creature.

"Of course." Mrs. Hanamaru was worried that the raven might fly down, as there was a warning sign about raven attacks at the gate earlier.

Entering the Central Cafeteria through the underground entrance.

Inside, there are quite a few blond, blue-eyed foreigners dining; the restaurant guides recommend dishes to them in English.

Tokyo University’s Central Cafeteria has a unique feature of using the "Three-Group Scoring Method" to label the nutritional content of each dish.

It’s divided into three groups: "Red," "Green," and "Yellow."

"Red"—meat, high protein, typically 2 points.

"Green"—vegetables and fruits, 1 point.

"Yellow"—grains, sugars, carbohydrates, 1 point.

The display shows the recommended daily intake.

For men, it’s 25 points (2000 kcal), and for women, it’s 20 points (1600 kcal).

The various dishes are marked accordingly, such as tofu hamburg steak with sauce—red 1 point, green 0.3 points, yellow 1.7 points.

The recommendation for each meal:

For males: Red 2, Green 1, Yellow 5

For females: Red 2, Green 1, Yellow 4

The two ladies were quite curious about this scoring method and asked Uesugi what it meant.

After explaining for a while, he suggested they simply order whatever they wanted.

For women, this system can help with weight loss by preventing overeating.

Hanamaru Hanabi liked this classification, thinking it could help her understand what she should eat every day.

Uesugi Sakura didn’t mind; he would eat without specifically calculating nutritional balance.

However, her attention was drawn to the Red Gate Ramen covered in chili oil on the menu.

This is a popular dish in the university cafeteria, also known as a "net celebrity" ramen, famous on travel guides and online.

"Sakura-kun... can I have this?"

"It tastes pretty good. Go ahead if you want it."

The two ladies went to order dishes with plates first, while Uesugi Sakura and Hanamaru Hanabi stood aside, holding the two little ones waiting for them to finish ordering to take over.

Uesugi Shin was asleep in Hanabi’s arms, and Hanamaru Hanami, in Uesugi Sakura’s arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, looking around. She seemed curious about why some people had blonde hair, wanting to tug it.

Meanwhile, some of his classmates noticed the two standing by the menu board.

"Seisa, Seisa, look, isn’t that Uesugi?"

Seisa Takeshun was curious about the child in his arms and wasn’t sure.

"...It’s the senior."

"Has Uesugi-kun... gotten married...?" Umezu Nana was even more astonished seeing the big and small kids.