The early days of August.
After nearly half a month under the summer sky, rain finally arrived.
The rain in Shinjuku always carries an indescribable emotion. Uesugi Sakura felt this, perhaps because two years ago when Hanabi left Tokyo for England, it kept raining.
"Sakura, how come you have time to visit your aunt today?"
While playing with his little sister-in-law’s tiny hand, Uesugi Sakura replied:
"I just came back from the dojo, and suddenly wanted to see if Hanami and Shin have grown."
Mrs. Uesugi, who brought the tea, teased, saying:
"They’re growing every day, looking forward to seeing their brother and sister get married."
As if responding to Mrs. Uesugi’s words, Hanamaru Hanami began to move around in her arms, her little face only showing curiosity for the teacup.
Uesugi Sakura tried to keep her still in his arms and asked Mrs. Hanamaru:
"Can Hanami walk already?"
"Not yet, but she can call people."
Gazing into Hanamaru Hanami’s vibrant and hopeful eyes, one can always find a kind of cuteness in her small facial expressions, known as the charm of human babies.
"It seems Sakura quite likes children."
"Hey, when do you and Hanabi plan to have kids after getting married?"
Uesugi Sakura turned to look at Hanamaru Hanabi, who was holding his sister. Today, she was also dressed in an elegant solid color.
Upon hearing that question, she was visibly startled, looking down at the sleeping Uesugi Shin.
"I...I don’t know..."
Probably embarrassed to discuss this topic.
"What’s in that wooden box?"
"Ah~ it’s meant to be given to you."
"Given to me?" Uesugi Sakura was a bit perplexed; the patterns on the box looked very delicate.
Yet, Hanamaru Hanabi recognized it: "Inside the box is... a doll, right?"
"Is it Hanabi’s doll?"
"No," Mrs. Hanamaru said, walking over and handing the wooden box to Uesugi Sakura.
When the lid was lifted, the appearance of the Emperor Doll was revealed.
Uesugi Sakura carefully scrutinized it but didn’t touch it.
"It looks somewhat classical."
Mrs. Hanamaru explained, saying: "These dolls are dowries, passed down from one bride to the next. They are only taken out during the Girls’ Festival. A mother passes them down to her daughter; I received them from Hanabi’s grandmother."
Uesugi Sakura gazed at it; the doll lay quietly in the wooden box, old and serene.
Thinking deeply, the brides who accompanied these dolls, have they long been buried in the earth, lying in the grave?
They witnessed their happiness and also witnessed them covered with wood planks, surrounded by black-clad relatives, heading toward the final moment.
People grow up, and growing up means aging too.
Uesugi Sakura closed the lid and returned the wooden box to Mrs. Hanamaru.
Little Hanabi is also growing up; one day, that brilliant smile will no longer appear before him.
Whenever he thinks of Hanabi disappearing, he feels melancholy.
The rain continued into the night without stopping.
He decided to return to his own home for the day.
Uesugi Sakura tossed and turned on the bed, lost in thought.
After a long time, he got up, walked to the window, and looked at Hanabi’s illuminated window on the opposite side under the moonlight.
In the past, she often smiled at him from there.
The computer screen was still glowing.
Suddenly, an orange cat jumped up and blocked her view.
Hanamaru Hanabi sweetly smiled, stopped writing, and reached out to pet his fluffy head: "Sakura-kun hasn’t slept yet?"
"Don’t want to sleep alone?"
"Alright, Hanabi won’t stay up late anymore..."
Finished speaking, Hanamaru Hanabi stood up to turn off the computer and the lights.
Uesugi Cat jumped down from the computer desk, followed the girl’s slender legs to the bedside, watched her sit on the bed and tidy her hair, then lowered his tail and jumped onto the bed.
Hanamaru Hanabi also lifted the quilt shortly afterward and sat on the bed.
Uesugi Cat trod on the sheets, walked to her front, and nuzzled her hand.
Hanamaru Hanabi smiled, stroking his orange fur gently.
Uesugi Cat’s eyes closed slightly, enjoying.
The girl gently comforted him, while outside, the moonlight mixed with the sound of rain, faint and fragmented.
"If only... Sakura-kun wasn’t sick."
Hanamaru Hanabi murmured while petting Uesugi Cat’s fur, her thin voice sounding like a prayer, or a blessing.
Uesugi Cat listened to this soft voice on her body, suddenly lifted his head to look at her.
"What’s wrong?" Hanamaru Hanabi paused, looking into his eyes.
Whether cat or human, the light in the eyes is the same.
Uesugi Cat gazed at her face for a long time, then after a "meow", nuzzled his head against her belly.
"Haha, it’s ticklish, Sakura-kun is so naughty."
Uesugi Cat made no further movements, but found the warmest, softest spot on her belly and curled up.
Her belly had a fragrance, a sense of peace...
"Sakura-kun, do you want to sleep?" Hanamaru Hanabi petted his head, then glanced at the curtains fluttering slightly in the breeze.
Outside, the drizzle had stopped.
Hanamaru Hanabi withdrew her gaze, smiling as she hugged the orange cat on her belly, holding him in her arms.
"Goodnight, Sakura-kun."
Perhaps because of the rain, this morning came fresher and brighter than usual.
In summer, the clear and transparent sunlight looked dazzling, shimmering brilliantly.
The gentle breeze stirred the curtains, casting soft light onto the girl’s delicate sleeping face.
Unfortunately, the girl’s sleeping posture wasn’t charming, with a strap slipped off her snowy shoulder, clothes disheveled, her cherry blossom-colored navel exposed, and the thin blanket kicked away casually by small pink feet.