Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard

At the start of the journey, the four of them brought along Vajra Pestles for the climb.

The Vajra Pestle is an octagonal wooden stick.

Every time they reached a mountain hut, they could get a stamp burned onto it as a memento of having been there.

The four of them waited outside the hut for the old man inside to burn the stamp onto their Vajra Pestles.

By the time they got there, Hanamaru Hanabi's hair was already damp from the mist.

Uesugi Sakura stood beside her, reaching out to play with her hair.

"Sakura-kun...?" Hanamaru Hanabi turned her head to look at him.

"Let me fix it for you, later we can borrow a hairdryer from the old man, and I'll dry it for you." Uesugi Sakura said as he gently ruffled her head.

The head-patting tactic worked very effectively on Hanabi.

"Hanabi can do it herself..." Hanamaru Hanabi was made bashful by his head-patting gesture, her gaze somewhat evasive.

"Hana-chan, don't you understand? You're not troubling me." Uesugi Sakura gently held up her little head from the side.

In a soft voice, Hanamaru Hanabi asked, "Helping Hanabi dry her hair...will Sakura-kun be happy?"

"It's just like when you prepare a bento for me, it's a form of love," Uesugi Sakura said, his palm moving to her face with a charming smile, "I love you."

"Sakura-kun..."

Hanamaru Hanabi's eyes flickered, then she suddenly covered his mouth with her hand.

Looking again, her small face had somehow turned a cute shade of red.

She said in a flustered voice, "Don't, don't speak so loudly...there are a lot of people here..."

Uesugi Sakura took hold of her wrist, moving her hand away from his mouth, "I love you."

"Sakura-kun..." Hanamaru Hanabi tucked her hand against her chest.

Indeed, there were some climbers around them looking their way, most of their gazes focused on her, with some elderly women smiling at her in an inexplicable way.

Hanamaru Hanabi felt too embarrassed to face everyone's gazes.

Seeing she was truly embarrassed, Uesugi Sakura smiled and said, "Let's go to the store over there to buy some snacks, there's still a long way up the mountain, hurry along."

The shy Hanamaru Hanabi blushed and hurriedly ran off.

Uesugi Sakura watched her fading figure and smiled gently once more.

Soon after, Kitagawa Sakisa and Kyujuu Rika came out of the hut.

"Here, your stick."

Uesugi Sakura took it from them quickly.

"Where's Hanabi-chan?"

"She went shopping."

Upon hearing that Hanamaru Hanabi was shopping, Kitagawa Sakisa immediately followed after her.

Uesugi Sakura saw that they had bought enough to fill two backpacks.

"What did you get?"

"Food!" said Kitagawa Sakisa.

Hanamaru Hanabi recalled, saying, "Self-heating hotpot, there's fatty beef, there's non-spicy, and there's super spicy."

"That works, eat it on the road." Uesugi Sakura nodded.

The non-spicy one must have been what Hanabi bought for herself.

The further they went, the harder the climb up the mountain became.

By the time they started from the sixth to the seventh station, Hanamaru Hanabi's endurance began to falter.

She stumbled and nearly fell to the ground.

She panted heavily.

Uesugi Sakura quickly supported her, letting her lean against him: "Are you okay?"

"No, no...I'm fine..."

Uesugi Sakura noticed she was somewhat dizzy, likely due to altitude sickness.

"Everyone who says they're fine usually isn't, Hanabi, you should rest for a bit first."

Ahead was a dense bush, low and crooked trees provided cover, and they walked through a path between these shrubs.

Kyujuu Rika, in her purple windbreaker, looked up at the sky filled with vapor:

"It seems like it might rain soon, let's find a place to take shelter up ahead and take a break."

After walking for half an hour, even Kitagawa Sakisa wasn't in good condition, she mustered a weak agreement.

But unfortunately, things did not go as planned.

After walking five more minutes, they still couldn't find a rest stop, and by then, a drizzle began. The four of them had no choice but to squat under the roadside bushes.

Their heads were just under the moist leaves.

Listening to the raindrops pattering on the leaves above, gazing at the misty fog in the distance.

For some reason, it brought about a fresh and soothing feeling.

Feeling a bit exhausted, Hanamaru Hanabi leaned against Uesugi Sakura to rest, closing her eyes.

Uesugi Sakura held her hand, gently massaging it.

The girl's hand was small and soft, with delicate lines and distinct joints.

The rain continued to quietly descend on the mountain.

A warm atmosphere slowly fermented under the leafy umbrella they sheltered under.

"Feeling better?" Uesugi Sakura's hand intertwined with the girl's small hand.

Hanamaru Hanabi rested on his shoulder, her body leaning into him.

"Mm...much better...thank you, Sakura-kun..."

After a moment of silence, Hanamaru Hanabi called his name again: "Sakura-kun..."

"What's the matter?" Uesugi Sakura could feel her grip tightening slightly on his hand.

"Hanabi really likes Sakura-kun...so Sakura-kun won't leave...right...?"

"Mm, I won't. But why ask so suddenly?"

"Hanabi had a dream yesterday, dreaming that Sakura-kun had grown old, and Sakura-kun told Hanabi that we couldn't be together...."

Uesugi Sakura looked at the puddles forming on the path ahead: "Everyone grows old...when I do, you shouldn't be sad."

Hanamaru Hanabi whispered an acknowledgment: "But Hanabi wants to be with Sakura-kun always..."

Uesugi Sakura turned to smile at the girl squatting beside him: "Can I take that as Hanabi acting spoiled with me?"

"Sakura-kun...you can think of it that way..." Hanamaru Hanabi lowered her head, staring at the weeds beneath her feet.

Uesugi Sakura continued, "But I think this doesn't quite count as acting spoiled, Hanabi hasn't learned yet."

"To really act spoiled, you'd call me 'hubby' in a sweet voice, then jump into my arms naked."

Hanamaru Hanabi was stunned for a second, then her face turned red.

"You rascal..."

"A rascal wouldn't care for you like this."

Uesugi Sakura gazed at her dewy face and rosy lips: "How about a kiss?"

"No..."

"Don't be quick to refuse, I think the mood is perfect now, look," Uesugi Sakura looked at the raindrops above, "In the drizzle, we crouch under the bushes and kiss, then hug passionately, letting the love in our hearts magnify infinitely, so that when our lips touch, all that's in our minds is the other's name, the other's appearance."

"What do you think, doesn't it move you? Have a kiss."

"Hanabi?"

"Little Hanabi?"

"Hanabi-chan?"

"Hana-chan?"

"Wife?"

"Or...Princess...?"

When he said the last title, Uesugi Sakura leaned in to blow warm air into her ear, using a voice full of temptation to call forth the emotions deep within the girl's heart.

Hanamaru Hanabi immediately turned her face away so he couldn't see.

"Come on, Hanabi-chan, I really love you."

Hanamaru Hanabi stammered in response:

"No, we can't...Sakisa and the others are still here..."

So, she was shy.

Uesugi Sakura smiled, looking at her flushed earlobes: "They're next door, the leaves are blocking, they can't see us, Hanabi-chan, just let me give you a kiss, it'll feel nice."

Hanamaru Hanabi wasn't very resistant to begin with, and when he called her "Princess," her heart was warmed with a flutter...

Should...

Hanamaru Hanabi turned back, glancing at him tentatively.

Just as she hesitated, Uesugi Sakura leaned in and caught her lips.

The girl was instantly conquered, from surprise, to acceptance, and finally surrender...she closed her eyes, letting her defenses down completely.

...

"You're amazing, Princess, do you want more?"

Hanamaru Hanabi's cheeks were warm red, gazing at his handsome face, "Mmm..."

If a kiss lasts over a minute, the brain produces feelings of happiness, allowing one to experience joy, with the speed of nibbling gradually increasing, until the brain tastes a sweet flavor, stopping only when satisfied.

Hanamaru Hanabi's lips were tender and soft, her body exuding a sweet fragrance, biting into her was like indulging in a little cake, full of sweet happiness.

After parting for a second time, Hanamaru Hanabi lowered her chin slightly, her tinted eyes looking at him, motionless.

Uesugi Sakura discerned the meaning in her amethyst eyes.

"More...? My dear princess, forgive my bluntness, but your 'husband' isn't that capable."

"...It's all, all Sakura-kun's fault..."

After a moment's silence, he smiled, "Alright, it's my fault, I'll listen to you."

So Uesugi Sakura had no choice but to embrace her delicate little head again, following her lead...