My sister never calls me brother.

Because I've drunk just as much as I have! And after several years, there hasn't been a single change!

I'm already sixteen, and my puberty will soon be over. Looking at the flattest part of my body, I can only shake my head and sigh, there's nothing I can do.

When I was little, things were fine. The girls hadn't started developing yet, so I had a big advantage because of my cute looks.

But as I've gotten older, I no longer feel superior to other well-developed girls.

When I met Xiaoya, my first reaction was not the joy of a long-awaited reunion, but rather the pressure of facing a cow.

But Xiaoya is my childhood playmate after all, so I have to endure the pressure because childhood friendships are the most precious.

Reuniting with someone you knew from the past is something to be very happy about.

We can also chat about some fun things from our childhood, which reminds me of my carefree childhood.

When Xiaoya was little, she always helped her family buy tofu, and at that time, I lived in my maternal grandmother's tofu shop.

My maternal grandparents always praised Xiaoya highly, and some of the compliments they said to me they never did.

It wasn't until I grew up that I realized it was probably because my maternal grandparents were very traditional.

To what extent do they admire these things?

Let me give you an example.

Even today, when tofu production is largely mechanized, my maternal grandfather still uses the most traditional handcrafting techniques to make tofu.

So they really like Xiaoya, a girl who has shown the demeanor of a traditional Japanese woman since she was little. I even think they like her more than they like me, their own granddaughter.

Xiaoya gives the first impression of being a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko.

I am not a traditional Japanese woman at all, but Xiaoya is.

My father died early, and my mother worked abroad. I was raised by relatives and had no one to discipline me. I always acted willfully.

Therefore, even if I know Japanese traditional etiquette, I won't do it voluntarily because I'm not used to it.

However, Xiaoya comes from a traditional family, which is quite prestigious in the area and owns a hot spring hotel.

As the heir, she began learning many traditional etiquettes from the moment she was born.

I don't actually have much affection for traditional Yamato Nadeshiko (ideal Japanese women) because they are always submissive and controlled by others.

But my personality always leans towards rebellion. To be controlled by others? I really can't compromise.

I still remember the first time I met Xiaoya.

She was wearing a pink yukata, her hair was tied up, and she looked like a young proprietress of a hot spring inn.

I just sat there expressionless, watching her.

I scoff at her habit of wearing a yukata all the time; I only wear it on holidays.

Xiaoya came to buy tofu as usual.

When her maternal grandfather saw her, he beamed with joy and showered Xiaoya with all sorts of praise.

Xiaoya didn't say anything, but blushed and looked a little shy.

Seeing her shy expression made me a little angry, probably because of my grandfather's favoritism.

Xiaoya noticed that I was a stranger in the tofu shop.

Out of politeness, she blushed and bowed to me, saying, "Hello."

I raised an eyebrow, giving her a cold shoulder, pouted, and turned my face away, "Hmph—!!!"

"Huh?!" Xiaoya was unaware of what she had done wrong and panicked. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"Aili, don't bully her," my grandfather said to me.

"Tch!" Despite being lectured by my grandfather, I still didn't give Xiaoya a kind look.

I secretly opened my eyes and found it somewhat amusing to see Xiaoya still bowing and apologizing.

This is what it was like when Xiaoya and I first met.

Xiaoya is timid, shy, and easily embarrassed; this personality always reminds me of the mimosa plant.

That plant that curls up at the slightest touch.

It's quite dramatic that we, with our completely opposite personalities, became good friends.

I remember I always enjoyed teasing Xiaoya and making fun of her because she was so funny.

Xiaoya would come to her grandfather's tofu shop to buy tofu almost every day.

Over time, we gradually became familiar with each other.

We once talked about our dreams.

She said she didn't want to inherit the hot spring hotel; she wanted to be an explorer, like my mother.

I told her not to watch too many movies, especially American ones. Many of those romantic adventure stories are fictional. The world isn't that dangerous for her to explore. I emphasized that my mother is an archaeologist, not an explorer. She just works in an office appraising antiques with a magnifying glass.

She was somewhat disappointed when I told her the truth.

Although I always tease her, she still comes to play with me every time; she has very strict family rules.

Sometimes it's the family's consent.

Sometimes, they would use the excuse of buying tofu.

And sometimes... he does sneak out on his own.

I feel sorry for Xiaoya; she was locked in a cage right after she was born.

Like those caged birds, they dream of soaring through the blue sky, but are bound by reality.

I'm probably much better than her. I'm free, unrestrained, and can do whatever I want.

But sometimes I envy Xiaoya, especially on holidays, his yukata is always so beautiful.

Walking among the crowds at the festival, the ancient style and traditional posture of each movement always attract the attention of many people.

It evokes images of Tokyo during the Edo period, with girls strolling through the streets and alleys of the machiya (traditional townhouses).

She was sitting opposite me, still wearing her most familiar yukata, sitting quietly across from me.

Today is the weekend.

　 She and I plan to go to Mount Fuji to see the cherry blossoms.

Because of the short distance, Xiaoya and I set off this morning after getting her family's permission.

As the train passed through the long tunnel, light shone in again.

"Wow!" Kawai Tani exclaimed, covering her mouth. "Airi, look!"

I was staring at Xiaoya's incredibly well-developed breasts, muttering to myself, when I heard her voice and snapped out of my reverie, looking out the window.

The blooming cherry blossoms appeared before my eyes, their petals falling in a beautiful display.

Passing trains churn up fallen cherry blossom petals, splashing them like raindrops, which then slowly fall like snowflakes in mid-air.

The cherry blossoms on the trees are in various shapes and sizes. Some are still in bud, and the buds on the branches look different from others, as if they have an indescribable fear of the outside world.

Some have just bloomed, their pink blossoms like a baby's smiling face, sweet and pure, unable to withstand any wind or rain, yet still endearing.

The majestic Mount Fuji, hidden behind cherry blossom trees in the distance, with its distinct white and black summit, is always unforgettable.

The mountains complement the flowers, and the flowers complement the mountains, creating a perfect and beautiful scene.

"So beautiful..." Kawai Tani Zeya's pretty face was flushed. It wasn't her first time here, but she would always exclaim in admiration.

"Yes, it's beautiful," I said, a smile I hadn't shown in a long time.

Extra episode of heavy brother control

My name is Zhou Qiqi.

note!

Don't criticize the ABB format of the name, unless you dare say something really cheesy—

I'll kill you!

At the very least, please say your own name first, okay?

After reading it aloud, you'll understand how understated, luxurious, and meaningful an ABB-form name truly is!

what did you say?

Are names in the ABC format more noble, elegant, and valuable?

Hehe, Li Gou Dan? Zhao Gou Dan? Wang Gou Dan?

That's right, don't doubt yourself, your name is just that low-class~

Alright, that eyesore has already committed suicide out of shame and indignation.

Now I can finally tell my story.

I am sixteen years old this year.

Five years ago, my parents divorced.

I came to Australia with my mother.

I currently live in Melbourne, a city in southern Australia.

You don't think that just because I'm abroad, I'll say "Good morning" to those foreigners every morning, do you?

If it's true, then I can only say you guys are overthinking things.

Most people who go abroad still maintain a Chinese social circle; nothing really changes.

It's not at all like you imagine; you won't perfectly integrate when you go abroad.

Those who successfully integrate into a foreign land have made efforts that are unknown to others.

The bitterness they endured is probably only known to themselves.

Many people, like me, will live in Chinatown.

I think Chinatown is a magical place, where people from all over China gather on this street.

It was quite amusing that everyone was speaking different dialects, with Hokkien being the most prevalent.