Tokyo Three Generations

Feeling slightly disappointed at losing the warmth of her embrace, Ruoye Mu still answered her aunt's question earnestly.

"Well, we've been friends since we were little...we've known each other since kindergarten."

Takasaki Mio was a little surprised to receive this answer. After all, although the Wakaba family was considered "respectable," it was still insignificant compared to the Toyokawa family. She never expected that the two of them could become best friends since childhood.

The young lady is really approachable... She gained another perspective on Toyokawa Shoko's character and way of dealing with people.

But no matter how approachable she may be, a young lady is still a young lady, and the various written or unwritten "rules" in society and culture will subtly influence a person's thoughts and behavior.

After all, she was an experienced person, and she knew the rules of the Japanese girls' circle better than anyone else.

If there is a significant difference in family background and class between best friends, the relationship will become one of "subordination". In other words, the status between Mutsuka Wakaba and Shoko Toyokawa is not equal, and one of them will unilaterally cater to the other.

To put it more bluntly—that is, Miss Toyokawa has never lacked people who want to be her best friend, so she neither needs to cater to them nor does she need to. She only needs to extract emotional value from them. No one will cherish something that can be summoned and dismissed at will.

Jun Takasaki only realized this after witnessing firsthand how Shoko Toyokawa and Mutsuko Wakaba interacted, while Mio Takasaki knew it without even looking—because that's just "common sense."

That's why others might envy Wakaba Mutsu for "marrying up," but she felt even more sorry for Wakaba Mutsu. After all, this child was already under immense pressure due to her family situation, and she also had to expend a lot of effort to please Miss Toyokawa, which was truly a lot of suffering.

"Friends are important, but sometimes you have to think about yourself more..." So, she said meaningfully, "Auntie just wants you to remember one thing—you are good enough, and you don't need to wrong yourself for anyone."

Ruo Yemu seemed to understand a little, but she still nodded obediently. "I will remember."

"That's good." Takasaki Mio nodded, then seemed to remember something and added, "What I said also includes Jun. Although he's not a bad person at heart, he's extremely self-centered. Don't spoil him too much, or he'll keep getting bullied—if he bullies you, you can tell me, and Auntie will definitely teach him a lesson for you!"

Hearing his mother suddenly use him as a scapegoat, Jun Takasaki's forehead creased with annoyance, and he couldn't help but defend himself, "You're going too far. I've never had the heart to bully her..."

This was also his true feeling. After all, Ruo Yemu was delicate and fragile inside and out, and could be broken if he wasn't careful. In a sense, he would rather bully Xiangzi than let Mu suffer. Although offending Xiangzi had terrible consequences, she was resilient and could really handle things. If Ruo Yemu had any problems, who knew what would happen?

Seeing Takasaki Jun's explanation, Wakaba Mutsu also covered her mouth and chuckled, "Auntie, no way, he's been very gentle with me from the very beginning..."

Yes, from their moonlit encounter to picking strawberries together, and then skiing together, all she felt from beginning to end was kindness and gentle treatment, so she didn't believe he would bully her.

Always arrogant and aloof, Jun Takasaki felt a mix of emotions when suddenly praised as kind, though at least it wasn't meant as a derogatory term.

As Ruoye Mu recalled the events that had occurred, she gazed at the young man before her with a smile, her eyes seemingly veiled by a thin, unyielding mist.

"Am I getting in the way here?" Takasaki Mio couldn't help but think upon seeing this scene.

As a parent, Mio Takasaki is relatively open-minded and doesn't have much of a controlling attitude towards her children. Therefore, she doesn't object to young people developing friendships, as long as they don't cross the line.

So let's give them some space to be alone.

"Where's the restroom? I'll go touch up my makeup and come back later," she asked Ruoye Mutsu.

There was also a restroom in the basement. Wakaba Mutsu pointed out the direction to Takasaki Mio, and then Takasaki Mio walked out of the media room.

Before leaving, Mio Takasaki gave her son a look that said, "Be careful what you say," before quietly walking out.

Although Ruoye Mu is a bit naive, she is not stupid. Of course, she can sense her aunt's subtle thoughtfulness.

So, after the aunt left, she couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Chun, I really envy you. You have a mother like your aunt... I wish I had a mother like that."

Having a mother like that seems to make up for all the regrets in her life.

Even if it didn't exist in the past, does that mean it can't exist in the future?

That's certainly possible.

“I love her very much too.” When he saw someone praising his mother, Jun Takasaki immediately chimed in, and he was completely sincere. “My mother always shamelessly tells others that she is proud of me, but I want to say that it is actually the other way around. I am proud of her… Maybe she is not omnipotent, and she does not have any more noble blood, but to me, she is the best mother in the world, even more so than a royal princess in my heart.”

Ruo Yemu deeply agreed.

After all, she had already seen a real-life example—Mio Takasaki dared to put aside all her pride in front of everyone for the sake of her son, and that courage was truly astonishing.

I can take this as an example...

Lost in thought, she seemed to have made a decision.

"Can we sit together?" she asked cautiously. "That...that would make it seem like we're on good terms."

Jun Takasaki hesitated for a moment, then readily agreed, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

So the two of them sat on the same bench, side by side.

Originally, Ruo Yemu had a lot to say, but after getting so close, she couldn't say anything at all.

The soundproofing in the home theater was excellent; she couldn't hear the background noise from outside. But because the soundproofing was so good, she could hear all the sounds inside even more clearly.

The sound of two people breathing, and...

Thump, thump, she could hear the faint, rhythmic hum of her own heart.

Moreover, she could even hear her heartbeat gradually accelerating.

dong dong dong...

Even though she hadn't done anything, she could already feel her heart racing.

Is this the feeling described in the novel? She asked herself.

I think so.

Well... that's fine too.

The faster her blood flowed, the weaker she felt in her limbs. Her body gradually tilted and eventually leaned against Jun Takasaki's shoulder.

Through the clothes on both sides, she could almost feel the firm muscles on the other person's arms, and felt that reassuring sense of security.

These were the hands that caught me downstairs... She couldn't help but recall everything that had happened back then.

Then she smiled with relief.

Just leaning on that strong shoulder is enough for her.

She didn't go any further, and she didn't even dare to imagine going any further—that would be beyond her comprehension, having attended an all-girls school since childhood.

Of course, modern times are not the Taisho era of 100 years ago. Even in girls' schools, junior high and high school students often circulate some strange novels or comics. But even so, the discipline of prestigious schools for young ladies is still effective enough.

This was the most outrageous thing she could do, and even this little bit seemed to have exhausted her energy.

"Mumu, what's wrong?" Seeing that she looked unwell again, Jun Takasaki couldn't help but ask with concern.

"It's nothing... Can we just leave it at that?" Wakaba Mutsu used all her strength to whisper, "I know you're leaving soon."

Her meaning was clear: I know you're about to leave, so let's enjoy our last moments together like this.

Jun Takasaki understood, and not wanting to hurt the other person's feelings, he smiled slightly and nodded gently.

She was a girl who had told herself how beautiful the moonlight was; she simply wanted to savor this moment of solitude.

Then, he really didn't say anything, but sat back down in his original seat.

The two of them leaned against each other like that, neither of them saying a word, yet it seemed as if they had spoken a great deal to each other.

As time slowly passed, Ruoye Mu's heartbeat gradually calmed down, and she even began to enjoy this peaceful and warm feeling.

If she could, she would use all her allowance, and even her future allowance, to ask the god of time for grace to lengthen this moment, as long as possible.

Really, this is enough...

However, after an unknown amount of time, a buzzing sound interrupted her reverie.

"Ugh..." she couldn't help but mutter to herself.

Junya Takasaki was somewhat annoyed by this, but when he picked up his phone, he was completely stunned.

Then he glanced at Ruoye Mu, tilted his phone screen slightly so she could see the caller ID.

Xiangzi... Why is she calling, and why now?

Upon seeing Xiangzi's name, Ruoye Mu felt a surge of tension.

She couldn't help but exert a little force, turning her body to the side.

However, she seemed to suddenly realize something when she had only completed half of the action.

Wait, why am I so nervous? There's nothing wrong with me entertaining guests, is there?

She, who had always been submissive and obedient to Xiangzi, suddenly developed a tiny bit of rebellious consciousness without realizing it.

She stopped instead, looking like she didn't care.

Jun Takasaki was puzzled, but he still answered the phone.

"Xiangzi, what's the matter?" he asked.

He deliberately lowered his voice because the soundproofing of the audio-visual room was so good that the echo effect was very obvious.

"Finally connected! What are you busy with, Chun?" Xiangzi's cheerful voice came from the phone.

The sound made both of them breathe a sigh of relief.

It seems she was unaware of her visit to the Wakaba family, and naturally, she was also unaware that the two of us were alone at this moment.

Wait, what am I feeling guilty about? Even if I really did know, so what? I haven't done anything shameful... Jun Takasaki suddenly realized.

Because he had come to his senses, he became more self-righteous.

"Oh, I'm out having fun. What's up? Is there anything you need to let me know?"

"Of course it's great news!" Toyokawa Shoko's tone clearly carried a hint of pride. "I've finalized the remaining members, and my band is finally complete!"

Just reading this passage is enough to show how excited she is at this moment.

Oh, it was a band... Jun Takasaki breathed a sigh of relief.

She somehow found two more people, and now her beloved Ku Lai Xi Ku Band was complete and ready to 'set sail'.

"Ah, I see. Congratulations!" he said, offering his congratulations as usual.

"Why are you talking so casually, like it's none of your business? It's clearly your problem... I've already said, you're a listener of my band." Xiangzi seemed to be complaining a bit.

"Ah, okay, sorry, I'd like to hear more." Jun Takasaki coughed lightly.

“They’re the same age as me, but they’re not students at our school; they’re from another school. So we might not be able to get together all the time, but as long as we can manage our schedules, it’s no big deal.” Miss Toyokawa had clearly thought everything through. “I’ll also inform Mutsu and Motoyo, and they definitely won’t have any objections, so… we can officially debut soon!”

"That's really impressive." Now Takasaki Jun has learned how to play the straight man. "I can't wait to see you guys shine!"

Although he had no basis for his judgment, he trusted Xiangzi's eye for talent—even if someone wasn't a genius, they certainly wouldn't be an unreliable person.

"If you want to see it, it'll be soon..." Toyokawa Shoko finally got the encouragement she wanted, so she continued to boast on the other end of the phone, "I'm planning to hold a formal founding ceremony for the band, you absolutely have to come and witness it, please!"

“Since you’ve put it that way, of course I can. Also, I happen to have something important to discuss with you—” Jun Takasaki nodded, “Then let me know once you’ve set a date.”

"Okay, we'll talk about it then!" Xiangzi agreed with satisfaction.

Then, her tone seemed to soften, "Your family has been going through a lot of bad things lately, but as long as we all work together to move forward, we'll definitely be happy again. Keep going, Chun!"

After offering her final words of encouragement, she hung up the phone.

Jun Takasaki breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Mutsumi Wakaba, who was still leaning on his shoulder.

"Looks like you're in for a busy time?" he asked with a hint of teasing. "Putting your cake and eating it for the young lady isn't easy, is it?"

“If Xiangzi asks, I will certainly do it,” Wakaba Mutsu replied.

This statement is perfectly reasonable, but it seems slightly out of place in the current context.

“But I also have my own principles…” Then, she closed her eyes and continued to revel in the silence of the moment.

94, a sense of ritual?

As agreed with Xiangzi, Takasaki Jun arrived at the entrance of a coffee shop not far from Tsuki no Mori the next day.

According to Xiangzi, this place is quite famous among girls in Tsuki no Mori because the coffee and snacks are reasonably priced and the atmosphere suits the tastes of young girls, making it a popular spot for taking photos.

Xiangzi even reminded him to come a little earlier.

When Junichi Takasaki arrived at the door, Shoko Toyokawa was already waiting there alone, and the two soon met.

"Good morning, Jun~" Unlike her elaborate attire when she visited my home last time, Toyokawa Shoko was dressed very simply and plainly today. She wore a white top with a bow tie and a plaid skirt, looking like an ordinary young girl.

"Good morning, Shoko." Junya Takasaki waved and greeted him.

Xiangzi was beaming with joy today, looking very happy.

This is understandable; her long-awaited band has finally come together, which means she has taken another big step forward in her self-defined "life achievement."

This is actually one of the reasons why Jun Takasaki admires Shoko.

Both of them have extremely strong "action drive," meaning they "don't hesitate and once they have an idea, they'll do it regardless of whether it's useful or not."

Many things are like this: they seem troublesome, but as long as you do them step by step regardless of how many difficulties you face, and then see the results, you will often achieve unexpected success.