CHAPTER 487: CHAPTER 337: DAILY SWEETNESS (2)

"Vice Master, doesn’t everyone say you know the Swallow Return?"

"What Swallow Return, the legendary move? Come on, it’s not even certain that Sasaki Koichiro existed, let alone the fancy Swallow Return. Now there’s only modern Kendo, nothing fancy about it."

"Ah...? Isn’t the One-Mind One-Sword Style an ancient style?"

"Yeah, that’s right. Haven’t you noticed that your moves are different from those in other Martial Arts Halls?"

"Seems like it..."

"What do you mean seems like, it is so! Stop dreaming about mastering ultimate moves. 200 Kanji within an hour!"

...

Uesugi Sakura silently glanced at the young disciple ordered by the stingy master to practice Kanji, deciding to go outside to the roadside vending machine for a can of coffee.

"Vice Master Uesugi!"

Uesugi Sakura looked toward the source of the voice; it was a few disciples drenched in sweat from practicing Kendo.

"What’s up?"

"Vice Master Uesugi, are you going to buy a drink too?"

"Yeah."

"Wanna go together?"

"Sure." Uesugi Sakura responded succinctly.

Putting on shoes and leaving the dojo, they walked along the veranda toward the courtyard.

Once outside, the sunlight became overpowering, completely different from the freshness after yesterday’s rain.

"Vice Master Uesugi."

"Yeah, if you have something to say, just say it."

"Yesterday afternoon... the girl who brought snacks for the Vice Master..."

"What’s up?"

"Is she Teacher Hanamaru?"

This was Hanabi the artist’s ID.

Uesugi Sakura glanced at the questioning young disciple and then at his companion, "Are you all her fans?"

"Yes! I really love Teacher Hanamaru’s works, unfortunately... due to some personal matters, I couldn’t make it to the last convention."

"We bought the artbook online. Is there any way Vice Master Uesugi could ask Teacher Hanamaru for a personal autograph for us?"

"That should be no problem. But... is she really popular online?" Uesugi Sakura hadn’t checked Twitter recently.

The young disciples exchanged glances for a second.

"Vice Master, you’re already everyone’s rival in love online."

"Rival in love?" Uesugi Sakura chuckled, stepping onto the stone path leaving the courtyard.

Since he became a rival in love, it meant that when Hanabi signed, the ring had shown.

He was aware that someone had been secretly photographing her at the convention.

Not that it mattered, as it was Hanabi’s first public appearance as an artist.

But there was still something he wanted to ask her personally.

...

Noon, back home.

The summer break was idle yet not quite idle, as Hanamaru Hanabi still had work to do.

"Where are Aei and the others?"

"They went out to play."

Seeing Hanamaru Hanabi sitting in front of the computer, Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but step forward, hugging her from behind and nibbling on her sensitive ear, "Hana-chan smells so nice."

Hanamaru Hanabi gently pushed him away with her hands, blushing as she spoke, "Kai-kun, don’t you ever get tired of this?"

"How could I get tired, I haven’t even tasted you yet."

As he spoke, Uesugi Sakura nibbled her ear again, causing her to dodge and giggle shyly.

"Kai-kun... have you already lost excitement for Hanabi?"

Uesugi Sakura rubbed his face against her soft cheeks like a cat, this intimate gesture providing a great sense of security.

"When the excitement fades, that’s when it becomes most precious, most worth protecting. Let’s go out, this afternoon is our date, we promised to watch a movie together."

Going on a date with someone you love is something every girl dreams and hopes for.

Hanamaru Hanabi was no exception; upon hearing this, she immediately shed her reserved demeanor, blushing and softly agreeing:

"Alright..."

On their way out, Uesugi Sakura held her hand as they walked side by side.

Her skirt fluttered gently, full of youthful colors.

"Kai-kun."

"What’s up, calling so sweetly."

Holding his warmth in her palm, Hanamaru Hanabi looked at him, "Walking together like this... Hanabi remembers when Kai-kun first confessed to Hanabi."

"Were you happy?"

"Of course I was happy... that night, Hanabi couldn’t sleep at all..."

"Do you think... the butterflies of first love will keep fluttering?"

"Hanabi... Hanabi doesn’t know what Kai-kun thinks... but for herself... she believes so..."

Uesugi Sakura turned his head to her with a smile, "You look very beautiful today."

"Really..?"

"Do you know how many people are envious of me because of that?"

Hanamaru Hanabi shook her little head.

"Well, Hanabi knows there are quite a few, last time you cosplayed at the convention, it got a ton of likes on a photographer’s account."

The two walked onto a platform, standing on the railing-less surface, waiting for the next train.

Hanamaru Hanabi asked, "Was it the photographer who helped Hanabi with photos back then?"

"I’m not sure either, but it was probably one of those people, and quite a few of your fans recognized you."

"What... did they say?" Hanamaru Hanabi was a bit curious.

"What could they say? I’ll pick a few that I remember for you."

Uesugi Sakura cleared his throat, then seriously recited, "Teacher Hanamaru! It’s Teacher Hanamaru!! Awesome! Awesome!"

"Stop!"

"Hmm...? Why aren’t you listening anymore?"

"No, sorry..."

The train arrived with the breeze.

The two walked in together.

Hanamaru Hanabi’s small steps were steady and quiet, she was that kind of quiet and cute girl.

Of course, she was quite gentle inside.

Uesugi Sakura felt that just a little teasing would make her cry.

She used to cry a lot when she was a child, but not so much now.

Just maintaining a cute appearance, sometimes gazing absently at the sky.

Her hands rested on her lap as she sat by the window of the train, her clear summer eyes reflecting the swiftly passing utility poles and the tall buildings of Tokyo in a blink as they passed by.