The train departed from Morioka at 9:26 AM on "Hawk 12" and arrived in Tokyo at 11:44 AM.
On the first day of August, in the bustling train station, Dubian Che lifted his wrist and glanced at the mechanically aesthetic face of his watch.
Lowering his arm, he slipped both hands into his pockets and focused his gaze intently on the ticket gate.
The glances from tourists passing by, originally searching for friends and relatives or taking in the sights of a foreign country, seemed to gravitate toward him as if pulled by a force.
His fair, handsome face and long legs made him stand out like a spotlight in the crowded station.
Some people began looking for cameras, subconsciously assuming a film crew was shooting a scene.
Bold girls thought about approaching him but retreated after a few steps, daunted by his regal look.
Despite all this, Dubian Che only occasionally had to deal with bold girls, lost female tourists, or tourists wanting group photos.
Although he was a Tokyo heartthrob, becoming a symbol of the city was too cheap; at least he could endorse Iwate Prefecture's buckwheat noodles—Dubian Che thought randomly while posing with a group of elderly tourists. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel•fire.net
The train arrived on time at 11:44 AM, and the station announcement confirmed the arrival of "Hawk 12".
Shortly after, Dubian Che spotted someone dressed as a conductor leading Little Lian by hand through the crowd.
"Little Lian!" he called out with a raised hand.
The crowd turned to look.
But Little Lian, dragging her little suitcase and wearing a brand-new dress, kept looking around her and wouldn't look up.
From her perspective, all she probably saw were legs of tourists.
It wasn't until the person dressed as a conductor bent down and said something to her that Little Lian looked up in surprise.
She hummed and huffed as she pulled her little suitcase towards Dubian Che.
"Che!" She clenched her free hand into a little fist, "The Shinkansen was so fast! So amazing!"
Before Dubian Che could reply, she gasped, wiping her forehead with a hand, and said like a little adult:
"You get hot running around," Dubian Che ruffled her small head.
"Are you Dubian Che?" The conductor approached and spoke kindly, "I've brought Little Lian to you."
Dubian Che quickly expressed his gratitude.
Little Lian placed her hands in front of her and bowed, "Thank you for taking care of me."
The conductor, pleased with Little Lian's polite manner, smiled and told Dubian Che:
"Notify me in advance when Little Lian is returning, and I will ensure she gets back safely."
"Thank you so much!" Dubian Che bowed again.
"When the time comes, I will be in your care!" Little Lian followed with a bow.
The conductor exchanged a few courteous words and hurried off due to work.
Watching the conductor disappear through the ticket gate, Dubian Che turned to Little Lian:
"Coming to Tokyo by yourself, you're already the most incredible grade school student in the Island Country, Little Lian."
"Che, our goal is the whole world!" Little Lian chastised discontentedly.
"Che, your memory really is poor, but I'll keep reminding you."
"Then I'll be counting on you."
Dubian Che reached for the suitcase, but Little Lian refused.
"Before I left, Mom told me not to trouble Che."
"I see. Then give it to me if it gets too heavy to carry."
"Okay." Little Lian nodded.
Dubian Che took her other small hand, and they headed towards the station exit.
"Your dress is very pretty."
"This is a new dress, Mom bought it for me."
"Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
"I thought you'd want ice cream first."
Little Lian stopped walking and looked up at Dubian Che: "Ice cream?"
"Not the popsicles from the corner store?"
"Not the corner store popsicles."
Little Lian nodded earnestly and seriously, "I'll have some."
Ten minutes later, Dubian Che was carrying the suitcase, and Little Lian was holding a wafer cone shaped like a bowl with three different colored ice cream scoops, some fruit, and a clear plastic spoon.
Her eyes sparkled at the sight, as if beholding an unbelievable treasure.
"That's got nothing to do with it being Tokyo," Dubian Che took out his phone and snapped a picture of her.
He sent the photo to the group chat.
"Little Lian, in hand." (Che)
"Take good care of her and remember to send more photos, I'll show her mom." (Mrs. Dubian)
"Coming, coming." (Che)
Once outside the station, Little Lian stared blankly at the towering skyscrapers.
But the moment after, the blazing sun made her dizzy, and she turned to Dubian Che: "Che, Tokyo is so hot."
"You'll just have to get used to it," Dubian Che admitted, unable to offer a solution.
Only the "Sunny Sky Doll" could bring clear weather to the city; there was no hyacinth to call for rain.
They quickened their pace and got into the waiting car.
The air conditioning briefly made Little Lian comfortably daze off before she politely greeted everyone:
"Hello Little Lian," Kiyono Lin responded.
Jiutiao Meijie gave a nod.
"And these two in front," Dubian Che introduced, "This is Meiji's mom, Aunt Zhenji; this is Lin's mom, Youzi."
Little Lian bowed from her seat: "Nice to meet you, I am Little Lian."
"You're such a well-behaved child, do you want to sit on my lap?" Kiyono Youko turned around, smiling at Little Lian.
Little Lian looked at her for a while, turned to Dubian Che, and the hand not holding the ice cream clutched onto Dubian Che's sleeve.
"She's adorable," Mrs. Jiutiao said, looking away from the rearview mirror and pressing the gas pedal.