As soon as the hospital doors opened, a wave of heat greeted them.
The street outside was bustling with vehicles, and lush green trees lined the avenues.
At noon, the unstoppable summer sun cast an emerald glow through the leaves.
Uesugi Sakura shaded his forehead with his hand, shielding himself from the dazzling reflections off the building opposite.
Standing there for just a moment, his forehead was already hot enough to sweat.
"It’s July, and this year’s Tokyo seems much hotter than the past few years."
"Are you okay, Sakura?"
Uesugi Sakura turned around to find Hanamaru Hanabi in a sky-blue dress standing before him, "I’m fine. Didn’t Doctor Nasu say that my condition is good now? No need to worry too much."
Hanamaru Hanabi brushed aside the soft strands of hair by her ear, her face showing concern:
"But Sakura’s illness could recur."
"It hasn’t grown back yet; any recurrence would be at least a year away." Uesugi Sakura pointed to his head, smiling to reassure the girl who cared for him.
As long as she could smile, his body felt like it was shedding heavy burdens, and both his mind and spirit were relieved.
But Hanamaru Hanabi didn’t smile. When she smiled, the world would be painted with vibrant colors, becoming wonderful, full of hope and anticipation.
"But..." the girl hesitated, "rest assured, Sakura... Hanabi won’t leave you..."
Uesugi Sakura paused; she’d been saying things a lot these days.
"Has something happened?"
Hanamaru Hanabi shook her head lightly, "No..."
"If you’re worried about me being paralyzed, you don’t need to think like that."
Uesugi Sakura stepped forward and took her small hand, just like a male protagonist holding the female lead’s hand in a novel.
"Trust me, don’t worry. I promised to spend my life with you, Hanabi."
"A lifetime... isn’t enough." Hanamaru Hanabi gazed into his eyes, her violet eyes reflecting the bright sunlight in the city streets.
"Yes, even a lifetime isn’t enough." Uesugi Sakura smiled, "If you leave before I do when we’re old, I’ll find you immediately. I know there’s an afterlife, and I’m willing to find you again, even with a one in seven billion chance. I’ll always search for you."
Her eyes are truly beautiful.
"Why aren’t you speaking?" Uesugi Sakura looked closely at her face, "Were you moved?"
"If you’re moved, how about treating me to ice cream? There’s a FamilyMart store up ahead."
"Okay..." Hanamaru Hanabi softly agreed.
Uesugi Sakura held her hand and walked forward through the streets.
The hem of the sky-blue dress fluttered lightly, and her quiet, even steps were steady. Among the various people in the city, none drew as much attention as she did in the streets. The sun was warm, and the decorations on her waist pouch swayed gently.
They crossed an ordinary zebra crossing and, upon leaving the convenience store, strolled into a park, sitting beneath a giant banyan tree for shade.
"In just a few minutes, I noticed at least twenty men looking at you."
"Is Hanabi dressed too conspicuously...?" Hanamaru Hanabi sat on the bench, taking small bites of ice cream. The shadows danced as the sun filtered through the leaves, like golden powder sprinkled on the ground.
Today, she wore a sky-blue dress with white pleats on the sides, a palette of the sea and white clouds.
In this scorching summer, a hint of blue brought a refreshing coolness, making the girl appear brisk and breezy.
Combined with her fair skin, she looked as fresh and gentle as the ocean.
"You’re bound to stand out; you always do."
"Should I go out less...?"
"Everyone appreciates beauty; I wouldn’t be so petty as to hide you away at home."
"It’s July; we’re getting married soon." Uesugi Sakura leaned his head against her shoulder, which was small and soft, surprisingly comfortable.
It used to be her leaning on him; occasionally leaning on her felt nice, too.
"Sakura... Hanabi has always been looking forward to that day..."
"Should it be grand?"
"No, as long as Sakura is there, the wedding will be perfect..."
"True, we’ve always been two people hand-in-hand," Uesugi Sakura gazed at the butterflies dancing in the meadow ahead, "Passion fades over time, but the more I’m with you, the more I yearn to linger."
"Do you remember when you were frightened by the Shiba Inu as a child?" Uesugi Sakura lifted his head from her shoulder and asked.
"Mm..." Hanamaru Hanabi responded softly, "Yes, I remember..."
"How about we recreate it now?"
"After you were scared to tears, you kept clinging to me, asking Brother Sakura to carry you home, remember?"
"That was... a long time ago..." Hanamaru Hanabi paused her ice cream eating, her cheeks turning slightly red.
"I’ll carry you back later."
"I’m wearing a short skirt today."
"Didn’t you wear safety shorts? You won’t expose anything."
Feeling embarrassed, Hanamaru Hanabi shook her head to refuse. She didn’t want to be watched by so many people.
The last time Uesugi Sakura carried her, it was because she had a foot injury.
There was no other way then.
"How about a kiss instead?"
"That... I can accept..."
Uesugi Sakura leaned closer to Hanamaru Hanabi’s small face, gazing into her eyes.
The girl saw his face gradually approaching, felt his warm breath, and shyly closed her eyes.
But after waiting for a while, and pursing her lips several times, the anticipated sensation didn’t arrive.
"Don’t rush, I feel that just a kiss is too simple."
Uesugi Sakura scooped some chocolate ice cream with a spoon, dabbed a bit on the girl’s cherry-colored lips, then leaned in, gently closed his eyes, and kissed her softly.
Rustling sound of lush leaves swayed above them.
The sweetness of the ice cream and the sweetness of the girl’s lips mingled together.