She took down her pen, looked at the open notebook, and hummed softly, composing each note onto the paper.
……
As time passed, the moon set and the sun rose, and peaceful times slowly slipped away. Tokyo remained peaceful, with no more major incidents involving the deaths of entire gangs, and even supernatural events like minor monsters causing trouble were rare.
Ishikawa Yasuhiro, who had been worried all along, finally felt relieved, and the heavy work pressure on his mind dissipated considerably.
He leaned back slightly in his leather chair, loosened his tie, and looked at the ceiling.
There were three knocks on the door, then the doorknob was turned and an assistant in a gray business suit walked in, carrying a stack of cards. She said in a muffled voice, "Boss, Minister Zhenli invites you to see the cherry blossoms this afternoon."
"Cherry blossoms? Is it cherry blossom season again?" Ishikawa Yasuhiro squinted slightly, a strange sigh of "time flies like water" rising in his heart. He wanted to recite a few haiku, but unfortunately, his knowledge was limited. He opened his mouth for a long time, but couldn't utter a single word. He could only shut his mouth in frustration and wave his hand, saying, "I refuse. I have other plans."
The assistant was stunned for a moment, then quickly flipped through the schedule book. He was relieved to see that today's schedule was blank, thinking he had been negligent.
She asked, "Boss, can I come along?"
Ishikawa Yasuhiro pondered for a moment and then said, "Let's go together and change into some casual clothes."
"Yes, I understand!"
The assistant left in a hurry.
He then took out his phone, checked the time, and guessed that the exam was over before calling Kotekawa.
About half a minute later, the call was connected, and a chaotic noise came through the receiver, consisting of students shouting and yelling.
"What's wrong?" Kotegawa asked, his voice calm and firm.
Ishikawa Yasuhiro chuckled and said, "I was thinking you'd finished your exams too. How about we grab some lunch this afternoon and see the cherry blossoms? You're going back to your hometown tomorrow, right?"
Kotegawa paused for three seconds before asking, "Where should we meet?"
"I'll come pick you up," Ishikawa quickly said.
……
In the classroom of Class 2, Grade 1 at Kano Academy, Takanashi, who had just finished packing her schoolbag, asked Kotegawa in surprise, "You have a date?"
Shirakawa Nozomi, who was waiting nearby, seemed to care as well.
Kotegawa nodded: "Go have a meal with Ishikawa-san, and I have something to tell him. It's fine."
Spring break starts tomorrow, and he's going back to Nagano tomorrow, so he made plans to have dinner with his friends tonight.
The little bird nodded gently.
She really wanted to go to Nagano for a visit, but she just couldn't get away. It wasn't just work; her mother also wouldn't listen to her.
The three of them walked out of the classroom and met up with Qingkong Youjia and Hu Tao in the hallway, and then left the teaching building together.
As for Glasses-kun, he ran off like a wild dog as soon as the exam was over, and he hasn't seen his beloved Ogasawara-senpai for a long time.
As the group walked to the school gate, Kotegawa's cell phone rang again.
He glanced at the caller ID and answered without thinking.
Aunt Qiuye's voice came from inside: "Xiaojian, have you finished your exam?"
"Just finished, and I'm on my way home now."
"Ha, I knew I had the timing right!" Aunt Akiba's voice was filled with joy. "Kenji, Chihaya, and I just arrived and are having tea at Ms. Chiko's house. Come back soon!"
Kotegawa was taken aback, then quickly replied, "Yes, I'll go back right away!"
Chapter 169 Take You on a Trip
Uncle Kenji and Aunt Akiba came to Tokyo, along with Chihaya. Kotegawa no longer needed to plan his trip back to his hometown. He left the school gate, flagged down two cars, and rushed back home.
Upon arrival, Jiaqingkong opened the door and went inside, hurriedly cleaning and tidying up.
There are usually no adults at home, so things tend to be a bit more casual.
Kotegawa followed Hanamai to her house, and as soon as the door opened, the aroma of grilled beef wafted out.
He followed the smell and saw the elderly couple, Ms. Chiko, and Chihaya Chika sitting around the dining table, enjoying their meal together.
Both of them were stunned for a moment, and each looked at the other. Hanako squatted down and found some slippers for him to wear, while Kotegawa put on his shoes while holding onto the wall, and went in first.
Hua Wu, who was behind him, straightened his shoes before changing them and entering the entrance hall.
Ms. Senko, who had turned her head, happened to see this scene and was also stunned.
"Hello, Ms. Senko." Kotegawa raised his hand to greet his mother-in-law.
Ms. Chiko glanced at him, then at her daughter standing beside her, and for a moment it seemed as if she were seeing a newlywed couple. She subconsciously said, "Ah, um."
"Aunt Qiuye, Uncle Jianji, it's been a long time." Huawu's cheeks were slightly flushed as she bowed slightly, with a unique kind of restraint.
Kenji, who had just put down his bowl, paused for a moment and quickly glanced at Kotegawa.
Aunt Qiuye covered her mouth and smiled, saying, "Hello there, Hana-chan, it's been a long time."
Chika stood up with her younger sister, her hands hanging down in front of her, and bowed slightly in her usual calm tone, saying, "Hello, big sister."
Hana, who hadn't met Chika much, said somewhat bewilderedly, "Hello, hello too!"
Kotegawa seemed a little surprised: "Has Chinatsu finished her exams too?"
“Yes, I graduated from junior high school.” Chinatsu bowed her head slightly. “I came here this time to try to take the entrance exam for a high school in Tokyo, so I’ll be bothering you these next few days.”
"Not at all..." Kotegawa said cheerfully, "Stay here and relax. I'll take you to visit some nearby schools these days. How about it, is there a school you like?"
"I don't know either. Mom said I could try applying to Kano Academy first," Chika said calmly. "Although Kano Academy isn't particularly strong, I want to try my best to get a spot as an outstanding student."
Chinatsu is an outstanding student, far surpassing her lazy sister. Kotegawa originally wanted to persuade her to try a better school, but after listening to her clear-headed and rational remarks, he simply nodded and said nothing more.
"Outstanding student" is the status you have when you enroll at Mikazuki High School. The school doesn't charge you any fees and even gives you scholarships. If you get into the top class and your grades consistently improve, you'll receive even better benefits.
It's understandable, really. The elite class is the "face" of Kano High School, and the number of students admitted each year largely depends on the performance of the elite class.
Aunt Qiuye stood up and said to Teacher Qianzi, "Thank you for taking care of us and for picking us up at the station."
"Not at all, it's all what I should do." Ms. Qianzi waved her hand with a smile: "My daughter and I have always been taken care of by you."
Aunt Qiuye said rather apologetically, "Then we'll take our leave now."
Chinatsu also pulled her younger sister forward and said, "Thank you for taking care of me. Your cooking was delicious."
Kotegawa pulled a suitcase and went out the door, returning home.
Aunt Akiba, who was standing next to her, pointed to a house further away and said, "I heard from Ms. Chiko that everyone has moved in. Koji, take your luggage over there. Kenji and I will stay there, and Chihaya and Chinatsu will stay here."
Kotegawa nodded and walked with Kenji, who was also pulling a suitcase, toward the newly vacated house.
Aunt Qiuye led Chinatsu and Chihaya into the house.
Kotegawa opened the door, handed the key to Uncle Kenji, and said with a smile, "You and Aunt Akiba can move back in, but you can still leave Yosuke here."
Uncle Kenji said irritably, "The weather is getting warmer, and the fields and orchards can't be left unattended. This time, we're just worried about letting Qianxia come alone. She'll only stay here for two days before going back. Qiuye can stay here. We'll send them back after spring break."
"Uncle Kenji, how about we contract out the fields and orchards to Uncle Ishikawa's family?" Kotegawa suggested. "I know a friend who is planning to open a shop in the shopping district, but he hasn't decided what to open yet and he's short-handed. If you and Aunt Akiha stay here, we can try running the shop."
Uncle Jian pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What kind of friend?"
“He’s from the Special Division, and we’re pretty close,” Kotegawa explained. “I was planning to go back tomorrow, but he invited me to dinner this afternoon, and he’ll be here soon.”
"It's too much trouble for them, let's talk about it later." Uncle Kenji said, changing the subject, "These days, please take some extra care and take Chika and Chihaya to visit nearby schools. Although Chika has decided to apply to Kano, it's better to be safe than sorry. Take her to participate in some high school exams."
"Don't worry, I've got it covered," Kotegawa quickly replied.
Actually, given his relationship with Fujiwara-sensei, it would have been a simple matter of saying a word, but doing so would have been underestimating Chinatsu too much.
After the father and son put their luggage away, they talked for a while. Kotegawa pointed upstairs and said, "There's a sunroom on the third floor. I put Yosuke in there."
Uncle Jian had no objection. After nodding, he hesitated slightly and said, "Xiao Jian, give me a straight answer. Does Yang Jie have to stay in the ice for the rest of his life?"
He had read a lot of literature about plague demons during this period and had a pretty good idea of how troublesome they were.
"There's a chance it can be cured," Kotegawa said earnestly. "It just will take some time, maybe three to five years at the shortest, and perhaps up to ten years at the longest."
This matter requires the help of the Queen of the Ghost Path, but he currently lacks the qualifications to persuade her to take action, so he can only consider this matter after he becomes a god.
Uncle Kenji patted him on the shoulder gently: "If it's too difficult, forget it. Akiha and I have decided that we will also try to become ghosts in the future. It will be much easier to talk then."
"It's not that complicated." Kotegawa shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm telling the truth."
Uncle Kenji paused slightly: "Let's go back."
The two went out and walked towards the next house, but they ran into Aunt Akiba coming out of her house. Haruka was standing next to her, and Chihaya Chinatsu was also there.
Qingkong greeted Uncle Kenji first, then said to Kotegawa, "Yuka and I are going to the shop."
I was going to work at the coffee shop this afternoon. I had originally planned to ask for leave, but now I don't need to. Although it's not time yet, Aunt Qiuye is clearly a little unsettled, so I plan to go to the shop first.
Kotegawa understood what she meant, nodded, and said gently, "Don't worry about dinner."
Qingkong and Youjia left together.
Aunt Qiuye looked away and stared at him without saying a word.
Kotegawa pointed to the third floor and said with a smile, "You and Uncle Kenji should go home. I've given the key to Uncle Kenji. I'll take Chika and Chihaya out for a stroll."
"Okay, go to the mall and look at some clothes, buy a few suitable outfits," Aunt Qiuye instructed.
Chinatsu was wearing her school uniform, probably because she thought it would be more convenient to take the exam in a uniform.
Uncle Jian followed behind, his hands tucked into his sleeves.
Kotegawa watched Kenji close the door and go inside. Looking at the two of them, he asked with some surprise, "Chihaya, are you in a bad mood?"
Chihaya exclaimed "Ah!" with a look of confusion in her eyes: "No one!"
She even started speaking in her hometown dialect.
Qianxia said quietly, "She was excited all night and is sleepy now."
Kotegawa was speechless.
Chizuru tried to keep her eyes wide open, muttering, "I'm not sleepy! I'm not sleepy at all!"
She put in a lot of effort to go on vacation.
A black car slowly drove up and stopped next to them.
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