Tokyo Rebirth: Start From Picking Up Sayu

Kato Yusuke calmly lowered his head and observed the foot on his knee.

"...It seems like there are a few scratches on the two little toes, but it's not serious. Are there any other injuries?"

"Ah...well, I guess not."

"I understand, can you hand me the iodophor and cotton swab?"

"...Well, here you go."

"Thanks."

Kato Yusuke thanked him, took out two cotton swabs and dipped them in iodine, and then handed back the remaining medical supplies.

"...Then, I'm going to start disinfecting. It may hurt a little, please bear with it."

"Um... um, okay, I'm sorry to bother you."

After getting the owner's consent, Kato Yusuke brought the cotton swab to the round and beautiful little toe and rolled it gently on the bruised area.

"hiss……"

The girl took a weak breath and clenched her big toes slightly.

"Does it hurt?"

"Um~~No, it's just a little cold, it's okay."

"It's cold..."

Kato Yusuke murmured, and casually placed a palm on the opponent's instep, and the master immediately looked over.

"Hmm...Um, Yusuke...?"

"Don't move, I'll get it done as soon as possible."

"oh……"

"Okay, can you give me the Band-Aid?"

"……good."

Hui promised in a low voice, trying to ignore the warmth coming from the palms of her feet, and took two band-aids and handed them over.

Kato Yusuke unpacked the package, put two band-aids on the wound one after another, and wrapped it around the little toe.

——The touch feedback from your fingertips is soft and delicate.

The white insteps are as smooth as milk, and the neatly trimmed toenails are a beautiful light pink color, shining with a faint rainbow in the sun.

He suddenly smelled a nice light fragrance, which was slightly sweet and smelled like the greasy powder from his daughter's house.

Perhaps due to nervousness, the owner's feet were slightly tense, and light cyan blood vessels faintly appeared on the instep. The five toes arranged in a half-moon shape are closely connected and shrink inward slightly uneasily.

"...Um, Yusuke, thank you for your help, can I...put on my socks now...?" The girl asked hesitantly.

Kato Yusuke nodded slightly and raised a palm, "Well, it should be fine. Let me help you put it on."

"...Eh~~?"

Hui shrank back for some reason and said in embarrassment:

"Well... I'm sorry, I still have a hard time accepting things like the socks I've worn, so... I can't give them to you."

"……What--?"

Kato Yusuke was stunned for a moment, and the corners of his eyes twitched. Then he gritted his teeth and denied: "The last incident was really a misunderstanding. I don't have that kind of hobby... Don't you believe me?"

Perhaps because she thought his reaction was very interesting, the girl pursed her lips and smiled. After thinking for a while, she handed the socks to him.

"…Then, can I trouble you?"

"oh……"

Kato Yusuke was depressed in his heart, but his movements were not slow, and he put the socks on that foot neatly. In addition, he also did not forget to tighten the elastic band of the quick-drying trousers to prevent wind from getting in.

"Thank you for your help~ I'll give you a wipe to wipe your hands, Yusuke."

"Well, it's okay... By the way, why did you bring so many things?"

Looking at Hui who started to pack up the medical kit, he couldn't help but ask.

"Hmm~~ There's no special reason. After all, I'm going to climb a mountain. I thought everyone might use these, but I didn't expect that I would use them first."

"You have prepared so many things, won't your backpack become heavy?"

"Well, I think it's okay. My physical strength seems to be much better than before, so it's okay."

As Kei spoke, he took out a crisper box from the hiking backpack he brought.

"By the way, I also brought rice balls. Do you want to eat them?"

"Huh? Where did you prepare the rice balls?"

"It was just the hotel's breakfast. I didn't have much of an appetite at the time, so I asked the staff to help pack it."

"I see."

"There happen to be two, one for each of us. Can you eat it now?"

"Yes, yes...but do you have enough to eat?"

"How can I possibly eat two rice balls? Are you willing to help?"

"That's it...thank you, then I'm welcome."

Kato Yusuke readily agreed and sat down next to her.

"Besides, I also brought your favorite oolong tea, take it and drink it."

"will you marry me?"

"……Huh?"

Hui was startled by his abrupt question, and the movements of her hands stopped for a moment. While handing him the oolong tea, she glanced at him lightly.

"Um...this kind of flirtatious joke is considered sexual harassment, right?"

Kato Yusuke smiled and coughed: "...I'm sorry, it was just a joke. What's in this rice ball?"

"Meiko, are we all the same?"

"That's true, but frankly..."

"honestly?"

"I still like Hui's cooking."

Slowly, Hui showed a pure and innocent smile.

"...Well, thank you for liking my cooking. I like it very much."

"Are you saying you like me and your cooking?"

The girl shook her head slightly, raised her hand to lift the hair from her ears, and then pointed at him with her index finger, "...I mean this."

Empty time spreads.

A breeze passed between them, blowing each other's hair. Birds chirped in the distance and the water splashed.

The two sat side by side on the rock, staring at each other up close.

The glossy lips exhaled a breath mixed with a light white mist.

The quiet eyes are as clear and moving as the Milky Way in spring, the medium-long black hair is as smooth as silk, and the clear voice is like the faint breeze blowing on the face.

Kato Yusuke's heart seemed to have stopped beating.

He lowered his head suddenly, unable to look directly at her face, tore open the plastic wrap and took a bite of the pure white rice ball.

The soft and sweet taste spreads in the mouth, and the sour taste stimulates the tip of the tongue.

"...It always feels like we are having a picnic now."

"Hmm~ I think so too."

Hui Qian took a bite of the rice ball and looked up.

"How should I put it? I usually stay in the city for a long time. It's good to come to the mountains to breathe the fresh air occasionally."

"yes……"

Kato Yusuke followed her gaze and looked up.

The crisscrossing branches cover the head like eaves, and the boundless blue sky comes into view.

The sparse sunlight among the trees shone on them from time to time, giving them bursts of warmth. The wind blew through the forest tops, rustling the branches.

The scenery is so beautiful that people don't know there is such a place here.

"Hey, Yusuke."

Hui said in a casual tone: "I always think it's great to come here. Let's go hiking next time~"

Kato Yusuke retracted his gaze, slowly turned his face, paused and asked: "...Are you inviting me?"

"Huh?"

Hui blinked in surprise, then tilted her head slightly to look at him, and asked without answering: "I don't know~ Do you want to go?"

It seems she originally meant everyone together.

Kato Yusuke smiled slightly and asked deliberately: "Is it just us?"

"...?"

He asked directly, leaving the girl silent for a moment.

"I'm just joking, you don't have to take it seriously."

"...Well~ I don't mind, but Yusuke, do you have that free time?"

"--ah?"

Hearing this unexpectedly, Kato Yusuke's heart aroused.

It's like walking along a green river bank, and suddenly a piece of soft green grass cuts across your calf. The cool dew flowing down the skin makes people remember it for a long time.

He calmly cleared his throat and said tentatively: "You have free time or something... just catch up on work, right?"

Hui looked at him emotionlessly, with a hint of cunning hidden in her eyes, and said nonchalantly with a half-smile:

"That's not what I'm talking about. If you and I go hiking together, will Kasumigaoka-senpai and the others give you some free time~?"

"...!"

Kato Yusuke was immediately speechless, while the girl waved her hands happily, "By the way, I'm just joking, you don't have to take it seriously."

This was basically a reply to his previous words.

Kato Yusuke smiled bitterly and looked away, casually saying:

"About mountain climbing... I heard that some mountains are not easy to climb, and in some places it even takes two or three days to reach the top."

"Hmm~~ You're talking about Mount Fuji, right? I've also read information about this on the Internet. Not only are the mountain roads rugged, but altitude sickness is also a problem."

"Would you like to climb Kei?"

"What?"

"Climb Mount Fuji." Kato Yusuke said: "If you want, I am willing to accompany you."

"……Huh--?"

"By the way, how do you usually stay overnight when climbing Mount Fuji? Is it camping in a tent?"

"...Well~ Actually, there are wooden huts built on Mount Fuji to provide accommodation on the way. You can stay warm and spend the night in them."

"Oh? So there is such a facility."

"Yes, as for the tent..."

Hui paused for a moment, a flash of hesitation flashed across his face, and then continued softly in a slender voice.

"...Well, what should I say? If we still have a good relationship when we get to college, and Yusuke is very interested...I can try it with you. So...are you satisfied?"

"——!"

Kato Yusuke suddenly turned his head and looked at the people around him.

The girl smiled softly, her shoulder-length hair swaying in the wind, and then she turned her face to the side as if she could not hide her shyness, only revealing the red tips of her ears.

Kato Yusuke's heart was pounding, and the corners of his mouth turned up uncontrollably, but then he felt a little sad.

University……

Suddenly there was a palpitation in my heart.

As if a basin of cold water had been poured on him, his hot head suddenly cooled down.

Knock long, knock long——

The colorful boxes appeared in front of me again.

The person who wants to be together, the person who works hard for him, the person who exists like family, the woman who just wants to be gentle and watchful, the opponent who pushes him forward.

He seemed to never be able to decide whether to obey the voice in his heart and hold hands, or stand on the side of responsibility and fulfill his promise.

but……

He still had relatively ample time before the agreed date arrived.

'If I could stand higher than now...'

Kato Yusuke couldn't help but think to himself, he took another random bite of the rice ball, and then responded ambiguously.

"...Well, I'll look forward to that day."

The girl nodded lightly and said nothing.

The two of them savored the taste and ate the rice balls slowly.

…

After that, after finishing the rice balls, they started walking back.

Considering Megumi's mobility difficulties, Kato Yusuke simply carried her on his back.

When we arrived at the meeting point, others were already waiting there.

Seeing the two people's closeness, everyone was very surprised and couldn't help but glance at Shiyu.

Shiyu stood there with his arms folded, looking at them coldly, and the words coming out of his red lips made the atmosphere instantly drop to freezing point.

"Hey, Yuu-chan, are you happy that you are back from your affair?"

The originally noisy scene fell into silence.

But immediately, Hui started to explain.

When they heard that Yusuke Kato was carrying her because she hurt her feet, everyone felt relieved.

Eiriri and Sagara Mayu, who had a better relationship with Megumi, even took the initiative to run forward and enthusiastically helped her get off Kato Yusuke's back.

However, Shiyu had no intention of letting the matter be revealed lightly.

"Yu-chan, I have something to talk to you about. Can I borrow a step?"

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere that had just relaxed a little became tense again.

The eyes of Mayu Sagara, Eiri Riri, and Yu Serizawa wandered around, looking at a loss.

Shinjoka's eyes rolled as she thought seriously.

Ren saw Kanoko smiling in a troubled manner, with a troubled expression on her face.

Hui was about to speak, but Shiyu said first:

"This is a matter between Yu-chan and I, and has nothing to do with anyone else. Yu-chan, I'll go over there and wait for you first."

After finishing speaking, she turned around and walked towards the lake.

So everyone fell silent.

Somehow, Kato Yusuke looked at Yoshida.

The other person sighed heavily, his eyes seeming to emphasize their previous conversation.

——"You kid provokes so many women, sooner or later you will suffer!"

Now it seems that the words have come true.

Kato Yusuke pondered for a moment, then pretended to be relaxed and said to everyone: "Sorry, everyone should go back to the hotel first. I will go back with senior Shiyu later."

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his feet and chased forward.

…

When he came to the lake again, Shiyu was standing there with his back to him. His originally tall back was now a little thin.

Kato Yusuke's steps froze for a moment, then walked up, "Senior Shiu...?"

"——Hey, let me ask you."

The girl turned her head with a hint of teasing on her lips.

"Leave me as the main palace behind and secretly find another woman... Yu-chan, are you still having fun~?"

"Senior, are you referring to Hui's injury? We didn't lie. She does have difficulty moving. She would usually help in such a situation, right?"

"——Then tell me."

The burgundy eyes were full of deep meaning, looking straight at him as if they wanted to see through his hiding place, exuding an atmosphere that could not be avoided.

"Do you like Kato-san?"

"I--"

Kato Yusuke wanted to admit his mistake like usual, but when he looked into those slightly red eyes, those useless clichés were stuck in his throat and he couldn't say them out.

"What? Aren't you going to answer me? Or is this considered acquiescence?"

"Senior Shiyu..."

"You still call me senior, but you only address that woman by her first name~"

There was self-mockery in Shiyu's eyes, and he said jokingly: "It means that I am also your girlfriend for the time being, can't you... respect me a little more?"

She tried her best to pretend to be normal, but unfortunately her slender and fragile voice was too clear, revealing a sense of sadness that did not match her.

Kato Yusuke couldn't help but fell silent, stepped forward without saying anything, and hugged her from behind.

"...I'm sorry, Shiyu-senpai."

"I don't want an apology from you, I just want an answer!"

Shiyu bit her lower lip hard and asked with a little sadness: "...Do you like her that much? More than you like me?"

"……Yes, I like it."

"Kato Yusuke——!"

"I like Shiyu-senpai, I like Kano-chan, and I also like Megumi."

Shiyu grasped her arms hard and dug her fingers deeply into her clothes.

"Are you unwilling to give up Kato-san no matter what?"

At the end of her sentence, her voice choked uncontrollably.

Kato Yusuke hugged her tightly regardless of resistance and said softly: "It's not just Megumi, I won't give up on you either."

As soon as the words fell, the two fell silent.

Shiyu's nose felt sour.

The word "like" is very simple, but it is difficult to say it from his mouth. The love that I have gained with so much effort and hard work seems to be owned by others as a matter of course.

She believes that he likes her, but there are many kinds of likes!

Mild liking, ordinary liking, wholehearted liking...

Looking at the details, love and deep love are too obvious.

At this moment, she suddenly understood that no matter how hard she tried, some people would completely win just by standing there.

In fact, Kano-chan had also chatted with her about similar topics.

Basically, it seems that Kato Yusuke has never actively pursued anyone, but just chose to endure it silently when others put their expectations and fantasies on him.

And she and Xiaoyano are both vested interests.

But...can you call this kind of thing you like it?

Rather than the feeling of loving someone from the bottom of your heart, this is more like the shackles of a sense of responsibility that has been formed into a habit.

She once thought that everyone was the same, and although she was a little regretful, there was nothing she could do about it.

After all, that person built a thick line of defense in his heart, buried a part of himself, and did not open it to anyone.

Ever since that trip to Hokkaido, he had lived like an empty shell.

Although things got better later, that was probably just to prevent them from noticing, and to deliberately act like what they wanted to see.

Shiyu took a deep breath and said bluntly: "Oh, Yuu-chan... I hate that girl."

"Ok, I know."

"I once asked her face to face, but she refused to admit her feelings even once. She always hid her thoughts cunningly, stood beside you aloof, and did some things secretly behind your back... It's really annoying. "

"……Um."

"That kind of girl...what do you like about her?"

Kato Yusuke said seriously: "Shiba-senpai...can't you accept Megumi...?"

A hint of imperceptible grievance flashed in Shiyu's eyes, and then he sneered.

"Well, I hate her from the bottom of my heart. I have never tasted pain, so why should I graciously agree to let her share you? Since she dares to step in, she will have to bear the consequences of me making trouble."

Kato Yusuke was speechless, but Shiyu continued:

"But... who told me to love you? If it's for Yu-chan, I'm willing to endure it."

"I'm sorry...Senior Shiyu."

"Well, it's so tiring to like you... I feel like I'm climbing a mountain with no end in sight. Seriously, will there ever be a day when I can wear a wedding dress...?"

Kato Yusuke was silent for a long time: "...one day, I promise."

"One day..."

Shiyu recited softly, with beautiful fantasies flashing in his eyes.

"Okay, I'll wait."

She breathed a sigh of relief, not intending to continue this topic, and said, "I'm tired, you can carry the rest of Lu You-chan back with me."

"……good."

Kato Yusuke nodded, walked around and squatted down in front of her, and then carried her all the way back to the hotel.

…