Ochanomizu University

Ochanomizu University.

It was winter. The maple trees at the university entrance swayed gently in the cold wind like silent poets.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches, casting dappled shadows and lending a touch of warmth and life to the frigid season.

Whenever a breeze passed by, a few remaining maple leaves drifted slowly down like fragments of time, lightly brushing against the face of the earth with faint, crisp sounds. It was the unique melody of winter, lingering and profound.

"If it were early spring, you'd be able to see the cherry blossoms blooming in the courtyard." Yuuka picked up her phone and aimed the camera at the enormous cherry tree in the courtyard.

She did not have many classes that morning. After lunch, Yuuka got in touch with Zhao Yu, intending to use her phone to show him around her school while she had the chance.

Although it was a women's university, Ochanomizu had a fairly open-minded atmosphere, so no one would say anything about Yuuka doing this.

After all, many girls used video calls to show their families what the school looked like as soon as they enrolled. It was already a common sight.

What appeared on screen was a bare-looking cherry tree. Having lost its springtime splendor and brilliance, the massive tree stood quietly in the courtyard, seeming especially lonely and desolate.

Its trunk and branches were thick and twisted, like an old man's arms, covered in the marks of time.

The branches were completely bare, without a single green leaf to adorn them, much less the clouds and rosy haze of cherry blossoms that had once filled them.

Sunlight passed through the sparse branches, scattering mottled shadows and adding a little warmth to the bleak winter day.

"That's a little unfortunate. Such a huge cherry tree must be beautiful in spring, right?" Zhao Yu said with a hint of regret on his face in the livestream.

[This women's university really feels steeped in history.]

[It's not very big, but it feels like stepping back a hundred years.]

[I thought it would be a modern campus like the University of Tokyo. Didn't expect this style.]

Under Yuuka's camera, the Bullet Screen began examining this women's university that had made everyone so curious.

The entire academic building formed a square around a spacious central courtyard. The buildings on both sides had an old Western architectural style, their exterior walls built from red brick.

The triangular roofs made it look more like some grand cathedral than a school meant to cultivate talent.

"In spring, everyone chooses to have lunch in the courtyard while admiring the cherry blossoms. The view really is something rarely seen at any university in all of Japan," Yuuka said, a trace of pride appearing on her face.

Though she was only a first-year student, she had already experienced the season when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

"That sounds so nice. I really want to experience that feeling too." Zhao Yu looked a little envious.

Living in Chengdu, Zhao Yu had only seen cherry blossoms online, so he remained extremely curious about them and looked forward to seeing them.

"Then... if you have the chance, Lord Yu can come to Japan around March. I'll bring you to the school to admire the blossoms together." Yuuka spoke softly.

"Sure. Once I'm done with what I need to do, I'll definitely go visit Japan." Zhao Yu nodded.

Yuuka smiled happily, humming a tune as she slowly walked toward the academic building.

What Zhao Yu did not know was that those who could generally come to Ochanomizu to view the cherry blossoms were usually family members of the girls attending the school.

Of course, people who were not family could come too, but aside from family, only boyfriends were allowed in.

In fact, compared to students at other women's universities, Ochanomizu students had far more activities outside campus and were more likely to get into relationships. Around sixty to seventy percent of the girls had boyfriends.

So bringing one's boyfriend to admire the cherry blossoms at school was practically a regular March tradition.

Yuuka knew Zhao Yu did not understand this unspoken rule, but to her, his agreement to come with her if he had the chance was already a very good sign.

Maybe... by next year, she and Lord Yu really would end up together?

Thinking of that made Yuuka feel even happier, and her steps became much lighter.

"Alright, today's campus tour ends here. I have class now, okay? Bye-bye, everyone~" Reaching the classroom for her next class, Yuuka carefully said goodbye to her phone.

The livestream she had promised the viewers had ended at just the right time. What came next was simply class, so Yuuka chose not to continue.

[Wait, you're not continuing? I'm kind of curious what the classes are like.]

[Why is it ending here? What about the rest?]

[Good lord, you're just leaving us hanging like that?]

"Alright, guys, there's nothing much to see in class. If you really want to watch, then when I go to Japan someday, I'll livestream it for you." Zhao Yu spoke up, interrupting the rhythm of the chat.

[If you hadn't mentioned it, I would've forgotten. Are you really planning to meet Yuuka in person later?]

[Yuuka is mine! Don't even think about it! I'll kill you!]

"Stop acting crazy in here. Yuuka doesn't belong to anyone. She belongs to herself." Zhao Yu rolled his eyes at the Bullet Screen.

He had always respected Yuuka's choices. He would not ask her to keep the video on just because the livestream viewers wanted to watch.

Even if Zhao Yu had not had the money-making route of copying songs, that would not have changed.

Their livestream interactions had only continued because Yuuka was willing. If he really compromised just to make some money, then what would have been the point of being reborn?

[IG Awesome: I think the streamer is right. You all seem to have never treated Yuuka like a normal person. Even if you met a girl like Yuuka, you wouldn't receive the same favor as the streamer.]

Li Qingwan stepped in to support Zhao Yu at just the right moment. She had actually noticed this whole trend long ago and had been waiting for Zhao Yu to speak up himself. Now, it seemed Zhao Yu had never disappointed her.

"The boss is here. I'll make you a moderator—help me ban those people stirring things up." Zhao Yu saw Li Qingwan's message and casually made her a moderator.

After that, the Bullet Screen quieted down considerably, and Zhao Yu took the opportunity to livestream himself composing music.

These songs had brought him more viewers drawn in from the Sound platform, so he needed to show off his abilities and keep them around.

If he had to rely solely on Yuuka's popularity, he might as well hand the livestream over to Yuuka and let her stream instead.

Zhao Yu didn't like the feeling of only being able to make money because a friend had dragged him along, so he needed to change everyone's impression of him.

Of course, that would be a long process. But Zhao Yu believed that as long as he worked hard bit by bit, he would eventually be recognized. After all, these songs had already withstood the test of another world.

As time slowly passed, the only thing in the livestream was Zhao Yu humming melodies at his computer and the professional music software displayed on the screen.

Gradually, the viewers' attention shifted away from Yuuka and toward Zhao Yu.

[He actually seems to have some skills?]

[Can any experts tell us what level he's at?]

[As someone from a music academy, I'd say he's pretty impressive. Composing just by humming out the melody himself, and doing it this smoothly—he's already better than quite a few professional musicians.]

[I don't understand it, but it looks amazing. So once he finishes composing, we'll get a chance to hear it, right?]

"Yeah, I'll upload it to Cloud Village Music in a while. Everyone will be able to listen to it then," Zhao Yu said after glancing at the Bullet Screen.

Elsewhere, Li Qingwan recorded her screen while watching Zhao Yu work, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"With this video, Dad shouldn't have anything more to say, right?"

The last time she had tried to secure Zhao Yu a contract that gave him the greatest possible freedom, her father had rejected it.

His reason had been that he wasn't worth making such major concessions for. But now that Zhao Yu had demonstrated the skill level of a professional musician in the livestream, Li Qingwan felt there was a good chance her father would reconsider.

About forty minutes later, Zhao Yu finally finished composing the melody for Fairy Tale Town. He stretched lazily, a relaxed smile appearing on his face.

Just then, a message from Yuuka came through.

"Lord Yu, I've finished class. Next, I'm going to find Classmate Qigong."

"Wait for me. I'll end the stream first and be right there!" Zhao Yu quickly replied to Yuuka.

Then he waved to the livestream before ending it at lightning speed, leaving everyone staring in astonishment.