Thoughts While Waiting for the Train

Even if we just remain friends in the future, it wouldn't be bad; at least I could still feast my eyes on it...

However, when that roasted meat entered the mouth...

An indescribable, perfectly balanced umami flavor bursts forth on the tip of the tongue.

At the same time, a strange coolness reaches deep into the heart, as if carrying a soothing power.

It quietly soothed the turmoil of frustration, loss, and the boiling "killing intent" she felt towards her elder brother.

She looked up in surprise, her gaze complicated as she looked at Tanaka Yukishin, who was chatting with her older brother.

Why does Tanaka-kun grill the same meat differently?

The strange taste calmed her chaotic thoughts for a moment, but then a deeper, mixed feeling welled up inside her.

Why did it turn out like this...?

For the first time, I truly liked someone.

A year later, he unexpectedly learned about his second brother's situation and found out that his brother was safe and sound.

Two immense joys overlapped...

This double joy brought even more joy.

They should have already enjoyed a dreamlike period of happiness.

But why did it turn out like this...?

Without much thought, the answer appeared in her mind.

At that moment, all the grievances and disappointments found an outlet, transforming into anger towards the "root of all evil."

It's all that jerk's fault! That jerk deserves to die!

Staring at Yueyi*Linqi^8IV~Qi Siwu Liu's big brother's smile, Sakura Hibiki's "killing intent" boiled over once again.

When we complain later, we'll focus on how the eldest brother, as the eldest son of the Sakura family, is neglecting his duties!

I'm not getting married! I'm not going to give my parents any grandchildren to play with!

You won't give me a cute nephew or niece to take care of!

This is utterly unfilial! A heinous crime!

Thinking of this, Sakura Hibiki transformed her grief and indignation into an even stronger appetite. There seemed to be a few tears at the corners of her mouth as she viciously and heartily devoured her food.

It was as if a silent farewell ceremony was being held.

Goodbye, brother!

Goodbye, my first love!

Perhaps... I'll never forget today, and I'll never forget you two "bastards"!

After the meal, the Sakura siblings saw Tanaka Yukishin off.

Tanaka Yukishin politely said goodbye at the shop entrance.

"Thank you for the treat, Sakura and Hibiki-kun. The barbecue was delicious."

"Let's have dinner together again next time, Tanaka!" Sakura Ibuki enthusiastically.

"Tanaka-kun, be careful on the road." Sakura Hibiki also tried to smile, though it was still somewhat forced.

Tanaka Yukishin nodded and turned to leave.

Just as she took two steps, she suddenly heard Sakura Hibiki's voice behind her, tinged with urgency and resentment.

"Um! Tanaka-kun! Wait a minute!"

Tanaka Yukishin stopped and turned around in confusion.

"Xiang-san Qiyi~III+], is there anything else?"

Sakura Hibiki quickly took two steps forward and stood in front of him.

She looked up, and the light outlined her stubborn profile.

She took a deep breath, as if gathering her last bit of courage, looked directly into Tanaka Yukishin's eyes, and spoke clearly.

"Suppose... I mean suppose! You break up with your current girlfriend in the future... please be sure to let me know!"

Tanaka Yukishin paused slightly, looking at her.

Sakura Hibiki's cheeks flushed again, but her eyes remained unusually serious.

"If... if by then, I still haven't fallen for anyone else... how about we... how about we be together?"

After she finished speaking, she immediately lowered her head, somewhat afraid to look at his reaction, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Tanaka Yukishin silently looked at the brave yet somewhat clumsy and persistent girl in front of her.

After a moment, he sighed softly, his tone tinged with helplessness and seriousness.

"Hibiki-kun, this is only the first time we've met. Do you really... like me that much?"

Sakura Hibiki raised her head, her cheeks flushed even redder, a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance at being misunderstood.

"Don't make me sound like a shallow, infatuated guy who only cares about looks! Tanaka-kun, you are indeed a top-tier beauty! But I only made my move after we talked, and after confirming that you have a good personality, are capable, gentle with your family, and your character meets my standards! And... I mentioned a condition: I didn't have anyone I liked at that time..."

As a voracious eater who consumes five meals a day, Sakura Hibiki really wanted to "eat" Tanaka Yukishin, this unparalleled delicacy.

That pure attraction was incredibly strong.

However, as a child who grew up in a loving family.

Her inner expectation for future love is pure, possessive, and intolerant of a third person.

She cannot accept the idea of "sharing".

Therefore, what seems to be a promise to the future is actually more like a helpless reconciliation and a way of expressing her unfulfilled feelings at this moment.

Tanaka Yukishin looked at the complex light in Sakura Hibiki's eyes, a mixture of stubbornness, expectation, and sadness, and remained silent for a few seconds.

He finally spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable firmness.

"Okay, I heard your assumption. But, Hibiki, I can tell you the result right now."

He paused for a moment, his gaze seemingly piercing through the girl before him, looking towards something distant and cherished.

His tone was resolute.

"That day will never come."

"Because I will never let the girl who belongs to me leave."

After saying that, he didn't linger.

He nodded to the Sakura siblings again, then turned and quickly disappeared into the crowd on the street.

Sakura Hibiki stood there blankly, staring in the direction he had disappeared, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair.

Disappointment and sadness surged into my heart again like a tide, even clearer than before.

She slowly, very slowly raised her hand and waved gently at the empty street, as if bidding farewell to a brief but beautiful dream.

"Alright, everyone's gone."

"Don't be so down. Didn't we add each other's phone numbers and LINE accounts? It's not like we can't keep in touch."

Sakura Ibuki over, patted her younger sister on the shoulder, and tried to comfort her.

Sakura Hibiki lowered her hand and turned to look at her older brother.

The disappointment on his face was instantly replaced by a ferocious smile, as if he were going to die together with someone else (similar to the one in Grand Blue), and the murderous intent that had been calmed down by the barbecue burned fiercely again.

Her voice was sickeningly sweet, but her eyes were sharp as knives.

"Big brother, you should think carefully about how to deal with Mom and Dad's new round of pressure to get married when you get back! As your dearest sister, I will do my best, very, very hard to make things happen between you and Sister Jing! Just wait for the surprise!"

Upon hearing this, Sakura Ibuki's smile froze instantly, then collapsed, replaced by an expression of utter grief.

"Hey! Hibiki! You can't be so ungrateful! We're siblings!"

Sakura Hibiki snorted, stopped looking at him, turned around and strode towards home, leaving her older brother with only a murderous back view.

Chapter 146 Thoughts Before Waiting for the Bus

Leaving the Sakura Manor Barbecue Restaurant, the afternoon sun, still carrying its lingering heat, hit me in a stark contrast to the cool air conditioning inside.

Tanaka Yukishin narrowed her clear, jewel-like eyes slightly, adjusting to the change in light.

He took out his phone, his long, slender, fair fingers swiping across the screen.

The screen lit up, displaying the time as 14:07.

"It's overtime..." he muttered to himself, a hint of helplessness in his voice, but he quickly resigned himself to it, "But there's nothing I can do about it."

After the "broken young girl's heart" scene in the private room, a strange resonance unexpectedly arose between him and Sakura Ibuki.

That subtle sense of responsibility based on the "older brother" role and a certain unspoken sense of identification with the "scumbag" traits.

After leaving behind Sakura Hibiki, they felt a sense of mutual appreciation and regret for not having met sooner.

From the amusing anecdotes about Sakura Sae at the Advanced Nurturing, to the undercurrents of Tokyo's underworld, and then to an "in-depth exploration" of female psychology and modern views on love, the conversation flowed like a wild horse, becoming unstoppable.

This conversation, like the legendary "Rotten Chess Game," completely blurred the concept of time. By the time he came to his senses, his plans had already been disrupted.

His original plan was to enjoy this simple meal and then leisurely stroll along the path of destiny that belonged to the "Child of Destiny" to find Goto Hitori.

It allows you to both find someone and enjoy the summer scenery along the way, making it a pleasant afternoon stroll.

It now seems that this leisurely plan has to be abandoned.

Time was of the essence, and he needed to be efficient.

Three taxis in one day... it seems I'm really destined to meet this metal box today.

Tanaka Yukishin gave a self-deprecating smile.

Without further hesitation, I strode forward and headed straight for the main intersection I remembered.

The taxi operation model in Japan is very similar to that in China.

Besides the most direct options of hailing a taxi on the street and making a reservation by phone.

There are usually designated taxi stands near bus stops, large hotels, and popular restaurants.

Like spawn points in a game, there are always a few vehicles patiently waiting there, ready to strike at any moment.

However, when Tanaka Yukishin reached that familiar intersection, she only saw empty parking spaces.

"Tsk, what a coincidence."

He frowned slightly.

This time of day is right after the lunch rush, when drivers are changing shifts or taking short breaks, so it's understandable that there are few empty taxis.

But he wasn't in a hurry; his expression remained calm.

Experience told him that at these fixed locations, if he waited patiently for about ten minutes, a new "refresh" would always appear.

After all, this is a food street with a constant flow of customers.

Taking advantage of this rare moment of leisure, Tanaka Yukishin's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the barbecue restaurant incident that had just ended, especially the "lightning confession" by Sakura Hibiki.

This wasn't the first girl to express her feelings for him, and she certainly wouldn't be the last.

He was all too aware of the allure his face held for women, especially when he didn't try to conceal his charm.

After all, love is essentially about mutual attraction.

Both men and women displayed their most advantageous qualities like peacocks spreading their tails, hoping to capture each other's hearts.

Good looks and charisma are undoubtedly the most direct and impactful "business cards" at first glance.

Talent, personality, family background?

Those things take time to understand and experience, and are far less immediate and impactful than visual impact.

It's understandable that Sakura Hibiki confessed her feelings on their first meeting.

This is often the origin of "love at first sight".

But what truly puzzled Tanaka Yukishin was the reluctance in Sakura Hibiki's eyes after he clearly refused.

And the final, somewhat unspoken, half-true "I'll wait for you."