Tokyo Rebirth: Start From Picking Up Sayu

The unclear picture of Mohu made Sayu panic and subconsciously muttered: "That..."

It was a very hoarse voice, so hoarse that even she herself was startled.

"Little girl?"

"Uh...that...I..."

The man who must be the policeman's tone became a little solemn, "Are you really in pain somewhere? Stop crying, little girl, the ambulance will be here soon."

"……Eh?"

"Okay, I'm sorry for pushing you just now. I'll give you a tissue and wipe your tears first."

"Huh……?"

——Tick tock.

It's like finally reaching your limit.

A tear fell down his cheek quietly.

Why are you crying?

Sayu touched her cheek gently.

The delicate fingertips were wet and cool, and when placed in front of his eyes, they reflected the shining neon light.

On the fingers with neatly manicured nails, there was a clear and transparent teardrop.

Looking at the tears blankly, a sense of transparency gradually spread in my brain.

I didn’t know why I was crying, but I burst into tears unconsciously.

"...little girl?"

The policeman in front of him had a confused look on his face. He could neither put down the hand holding the tissue nor hold it down. He looked like he was in a dilemma.

As tears fell down, the other person's face finally became clear.

It was an ordinary face, full of the feeling of an elder.

"Uh, eh, haha..."

Sayu's lips couldn't help but smile, and she let out a dry laugh that even she didn't understand.

As the person who just saved me, I must express my gratitude.

Just be polite and say "Thank you for saving me" properly.

"Well, ah ah..."

She murmured, trying to stop her tears quickly.

But once the tears started flowing, they overflowed one after another.

Pat pat pat, dripping onto the ground one after another, melting together with the falling snow.

At this time, not to mention the middle-aged policeman, even other passers-by couldn't help but surrounded him with concern.

"What's wrong with this little girl? Is she scared?"

"Don't worry, little sister, everything is fine, including the driver of the car just now."

"Hey, isn't it cold sitting on the ground like this? Can you stand up?"

"Do you remember your family's phone number? Would you like me to contact you?"

The enthusiastic people expressed their concern with every word, but Sayu couldn't hear what they were saying at all.

It was like being in another world, with a transparent membrane surrounding her.

She could see the people around her and knew they were talking to her, but she couldn't hear the content clearly.

The sound that reached my ears was hazy and noisy.

There was a little tinnitus, as if the sea breeze was blowing through a rusty barbed wire fence.

Unconsciously looking towards the horizon.

The setting sun faded away its last rays of light behind the distant mountain ridges, exuding a sense of gray loneliness.

The dripping tears slid to my lips, so salty.

Tears filled his eyes again, and he still couldn't stop.

but……

I can't stay here like this forever, there are other things to do.

Mom, brother, Yuko, teacher...

I have to ask everyone to find out.

After breathing quietly for an unknown amount of time, she stood up feebly.

Although he staggered for a while, he got better soon.

My legs feel as heavy as lead, but I can overcome it.

Somehow, her physical strength and motor skills were surprisingly good, so good that even she was surprised.

Obviously I was just an ordinary girl before, Sayu thought idly, slowly sorting out her chaotic thoughts.

She silently bowed to the policeman who saved her, thanked her, and then turned around and left alone.

Walking step by step on the deserted road, letting the tears dry.

"I must... find you..."

The girl pressed her chest gently and whispered as if in a low voice.

Kadon, Kadon.

The small round beads jingled softly in the cinnabar bottle in front of his neck, like a solitary marble sinking at the bottom of a marble soda bottle.

Just surrounded by a solid wall and unable to go anywhere...

◇

the other side.

After much consideration, Kato Yusuke decided to go to Shinjoka's place to see the situation.

Instead of riding a bicycle, the two took the Toden Arakawa Line to Takatobashi, and then walked slowly towards the apartment.

In order to prevent this journey from seeming too boring, Shinjoka took the initiative to chat without having anything to say.

"Speaking of which, I wonder how Xiao Xi is doing?"

"...What does "how" mean?"

"How should I put it? Even though Xiao Xi said she would only stay for a week, there is no guarantee for this kind of thing~ So even if she suddenly left without saying goodbye, it wouldn't be surprising at all, right?"

"..."

Kato Yusuke didn't respond, but the girl stretched without caring at all and continued talking to herself.

"Well~ Anyway, I have left her a spare key and some money. It's up to her to decide what to do."

Arriving all the way to the destination, we came to the door of the room on the second floor of the apartment.

Shintiao Xiang, who originally looked indifferent, couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, and stopped when he was about to open the door.

I don't know if it was an illusion, but there was a very attractive fragrance wafting from the door.

This situation made her feel confused, but she simply turned the key and opened the door in just a short moment.

After all, no matter what happened inside.

Instead of standing outside the door and thinking about this, it would be better to see what is going on with your own eyes.

Ever since.

When the two of them took off their shoes and walked into the house, this scene came into view.

Gudu, Gudu, Gudu~

In front of the clean and tidy stove, a slender girl in a sailor uniform stood there.

She wore a pink apron with a carrot pattern printed on the chest, and two ponytails neatly tied in front of her shoulders.

Although it is very simple and plain, it looks very ladylike.

At this moment, he was holding a spoon in one hand and a saucepan in the other, trying the taste on his lips.

One man, two women, three people and six eyes.

Face to face...

"ah……"

Serizawa Yu was the first to react, "Xiaoxiang, you are back~! You have worked hard at school. I just cooked the rice and boiled the bath water for you..."

Then he naturally turned his attention to the back.

His eyes paused for a second on the face that was half exposed from under the black peaked cap, and he couldn't help but reveal deep surprise on his face.

"Hey, Yusuke-nii——?"

"..."

Kato Yusuke nodded slightly to her, first glanced at the pot on the gas stove, and then asked: "...are you cooking dinner by yourself?"

"Hmm~~~!"

The girl nodded vigorously and ran over.

"Well, I made potato stew and rice, and I also cooked miso soup. Do you want to stay to eat, Yusuke-nii?"

Looking at the expectant expression on his face, Kato Yusuke's eyes twitched for a moment, and he unconsciously murmured: "......Miso soup, huh?"

"Yes ~ don't you like it?"

"...No, I like it."

"That's great. In that case, please be sure to try my handiwork, right?"

Serizawa Yuu happily crossed her palms on her chest.

"Hehe, even though I say that, in fact the materials were all bought with the money left by Xiaoxiang. Does Xiaoxiang think it's not good for me to do this...?"

Faced with this inquiry, Shinjoka was stunned for a moment, then shook his head left and right with a smile.

"Not at all~? Compared to that, what's going on with your hairstyle, Xiao Xi?"

"Ah, this hairstyle? Because our school is very strict about grooming. If you don't tie your hair up, you will be criticized, so..."

"Hey~ So that's it. Well, it's quite cute."

"…Thank you, thank you."

The girl scratched her cheek lightly in embarrassment, and then looked at someone with a little expectancy, and asked: "Then, then, Yusuke-nii... what do you think?"

"..."

When asked, Kato Yusuke raised his eyes slightly and replied concisely: "Well, it's good."

"...Hehe, in that case, I might as well wear this hairstyle occasionally!" Serizawa Yu said, with a soft healing smile on her face.

"But then again."

Shintiao Xiang on the side interjected: "If the president stays for dinner, Xiao Xi, will you prepare enough?"

"Well, don't worry about that. I made a lot. I originally planned to save some for tomorrow's breakfast, but I'll just make it in the morning."

"That's it, then let me help you put it on the plate."

"Thank you, but there's no need to trouble Xiaoxiang. I'm fine by myself. You and Yusuke-san go wash your hands and get ready for dinner~"

After coaxing them out of the kitchen with some force, the girl began to work alone.

By the time they washed their hands and returned to the living room, dishes and bowls were placed on the table, including the rice that was served thoughtfully.

The three of them sat down at the low table in the shape of a cross.

"Yusuke-nii, I'll give you some miso soup~"

"Well, thank you."

"You're welcome~ I don't know your taste yet, so I seasoned it according to my usual standards. If there's anything that doesn't suit your taste, please tell me!"

"..."

Under the expectant gaze of the girl, Kato Yusuke brought the soup bowl to his mouth.

The freshly cooked miso soup is still steaming. Before you smell the aroma, the first thing you feel is the warmth that hits your face.

He opened his lips slightly, blew lightly a few times, and then took a small sip of the soup, quietly savoring the taste.

The soup in the mouth is rich and delicious. While the saltiness is just right, the flavor of kombu is also perfectly evaporated, and the taste is full of layers.

With a gentle sip of the tip of the tongue, the tofu cut into small pieces will melt on the tongue, coupled with the aroma of green onions embellished in it, it can completely awaken the sleeping taste buds and make you have endless aftertaste.

"Um-" Serizawa Yu asked slightly uneasily: "How does it taste?"

Kato Yusuke's eyes were shaking, his throat was slightly choked, and he couldn't say anything.

For a moment, he felt as if he had drank the miso soup made by Sayu, and the tense expression on his face was almost out of control.

Faced with his performance, the girl obviously misunderstood something, so she panicked and put a piece of potato and beef into his bowl.

"...Ah, if the miso soup doesn't taste good, try this potato stew!"

"..."

Kato Yusuke moved his lips, but was unable to explain anything, so he put down the miso soup with an expressionless expression and picked up the taiko.

The brown beef and wheat-colored potatoes are piled on the white rice, which is also steaming. It is mouth-watering just looking at it.

"First Evolution"

Pick up the beef with a tassel and put it into your mouth, chew it slowly, and the beef that has been cut into just the right size will bloom like a flower.

Not only does it not taste very spicy, but it is tender, juicy and has a very rich flavor.

Then came the potatoes, also stewed until they were soft and tender.

With a gentle bite, the delicate sandy texture fills your mouth and wraps your teeth gently, and the flavor of the sauce is completely stewed into it.

After swallowing the food in his mouth, Kato Yusuke couldn't help but be silent for a long time, and then whispered: "...These are all delicious."

"Really, really? That's great~!"

Serizawa Yu, who had been holding her breath, first breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this, and then proudly puffed out her chest.

"Didn't I tell you? I will heal you, Yusuke-nii."

In an instant, an indescribable feeling of sadness hit Kato Yusuke's heart, causing his breathing to stagnate.

Facing the innocent smile on the girl's face, he involuntarily averted his eyes, his tightly closed lips were trembling slightly, and the muscles on his face were also trembling.

In order to prevent others from seeing his inner embarrassment, he raised his hand and lowered the brim of his hat slightly, and said in a deep voice: "...I'm sorry, you guys eat first, I'll go to the bathroom."

With that said, he got up from the ground and strode towards the bathroom, quickly disappearing from the eyes of the two of them.

Seeing this scene, Serizawa Yu felt a little overwhelmed, so she cast her blank eyes to the opposite side.

"...Hey, Xiaoxiang, did I say something wrong just now?"

Shinjoka looked away without emotion and asked casually: "Do you think so~?"

"Because, Brother Yusuke, his face just now... seemed ugly."

"Ah~ It's ugly. It's better to say that this is the first time I've seen that person behave like this."

"Then...Xiaoxiang, don't you feel worried?"

"Worry?"

"--Uh-huh!"

Serizawa Yu nodded affirmatively, thought for a while and said, "When Yusuke comes out, should we ask?"

There was a brief silence.

"Wow, it's a shame that you can use such an expression to encourage me to do such dangerous things."

"Huh……?"

"It's not my job to analyze the president's thoughts without permission. If you want to ask, just ask yourself. Don't take me with you, but that might get you kicked out, right?"

Serizawa Yu suddenly became speechless, and then dropped her shoulders in despair.

She actually didn't think that much, she just wanted to repay Kato Yusuke for helping him.

But since Shintiao Xiang decided that this was a bad idea, he had no choice but to give up.

"Speaking of which, Xiaoxiang."

"What?"

"Yusuke-nii, why is he wearing a hat today?"

"Hehe, about this..."

Shinjou Xiangrao laughed with interest: "Actually, I wanted to ask before, but Xiao Xi, do you really not know the president~?"

"Hey, do you know Yusuke-nii...?"

"Yes~ Is there anyone else here?"

"Aha……"

The girl tilted her head in confusion, with a puzzled look on her face, "...I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what Xiaoxiang means."

Shinjoka narrowed her eyes slightly and stared at her for a while.

"It's surprising. It seems you really don't know anything."

"Hmm... Well, Yusuke-nii, is he famous?"

Seeing that her performance didn't seem to be fake, Shintiao Xiang simply shared some public information.

——So Serizawa Yu was severely shocked.

"A-manga artist...Yes, that's right."

The girl's mouth opened and closed, showing a look of being at a loss after being shocked, and then she said with some embarrassment:

"I'm sorry, because my family is very strict, so I rarely have the opportunity to be exposed to these things...Ahaha, is Yusuke-san so powerful? I was shocked."

"In other words, Xiao Xi, your upbringing is very strict~?"

"Rather than being strict, it should be said that there are many rules and restrictions. This is not allowed, and that is not allowed... so I always wanted to grow up quickly."

Serizawa said frustratedly: "Not only do I have to attend many talent classes after class, but I am also not allowed to read magazines and comics. I secretly buy them and read them with my classmates at school..."

"I see~ You are indeed the eldest lady."

"Nothing like that, I'm just an ordinary person."

"Well~ in short."

Shinjoka smiled at her.

"Although the president is not a celebrity, if he goes out without some disguise, he will still be in a lot of trouble. You just need to know this."

Serizawa Yu nodded slightly to express her understanding.

…