Tokyo Three Generations

"Pfft, haha..." Mio Takasaki was amused by her son. "So you really plan to support him for life? Then I have nothing to worry about."

Then, seemingly persuaded by her son, she no longer had any concerns and began to think from her son's perspective.

"Alright, I'll talk to Aine's parents for them. Right now, your most important thing is to get an authorization letter from Chihaya and her husband so you can legitimately help their daughter withdraw from school. Then... you can go there. Do you need me to come with you?"

“No need.” Jun Takasaki shook his head. “Given Aine’s current mental state, the fewer people we send, the better, so that she will experience the least amount of psychological pressure.”

"Alright then." Takasaki Mio understood and nodded gently. "Son, then I'll trouble you with this."

Then, she hugged her son and earnestly instructed him, "Since you've chosen to be her hero, you have to see it through. A half-hearted approach won't do. You have to take good care of her in the future. Aine deserves it."

“I know, Mom.”

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That afternoon, Jun Takasaki drove to Chihaya's house.

Because Mio Takasaki had called beforehand, the Chihaya couple knew his purpose in advance.

As before, he arrived at Chihaya's house and received a warm welcome.

However, compared to the harmonious and pleasant atmosphere at the Chihaya family's house in the past, today it seemed gloomy and desolate.

Mr. Chihaya was able to maintain his composure on the surface, but Mrs. Chihaya had completely lost her composure and was almost sobbing in front of a younger person.

"Jun-kun, Aine was such a healthy child, how... how did she become like this? She was just trying to study and ended up getting sick. What kind of life has she been living..."

Mrs. Chihaya cried as she spoke, her heart aching so much she could barely breathe.

She had no expectations for her daughter to "stand out from the crowd," only hoping that her daughter would grow up safely by her side and become a wealthy woman like herself in the future. However, she never expected that her beloved daughter would end up in such a miserable state.

She wasn't really supportive of her daughter studying abroad from the beginning, but she couldn't persuade her daughter to stay. Now she's full of regret, hating herself for not being more ruthless and stopping her daughter's foolish decision.

However, there is no time machine or medicine for regret in this world, and she could only watch helplessly as things deteriorated to this point.

Fortunately, even in Ai Yin's most difficult time, there was still a reliable and trustworthy child who was able to lend a helping hand.

"Uncle, Aunt, I apologize to you." Takasaki Jun bowed solemnly and apologized. "It was I who instigated Aine to decide to drop out of school. I saw how many difficulties she had encountered and how miserable she was, so I had to resort to this desperate measure. Please forgive me."

“It’s alright, Jun-kun. This isn’t your fault; it’s our fault.” Mr. Chihaya waved his hand and then sighed. “Ultimately, it’s because we spoiled and indulged our daughter too much, letting her go abroad to study without adequate preparation, which has led to this situation. Moreover, even when she was clearly struggling to cope, we were still hesitant and worried, which made you make such a difficult decision… We are truly ashamed and unworthy of being her parents.”

Mr. Chihaya's words aroused even more sympathy in Jun Takasaki.

Although Chihaya's family has a decent income, they are not wealthy. Aine's back-and-forth trips must have cost them several years' worth of savings. As parents, they have already done everything they could to support their daughter, but all their efforts have gone down the drain, and he still feels so guilty... Being a parent is really not easy.

It's easy to imagine that after wasting so much money, when Ai Yin returned home, they would not only not blame her, but would also be very careful in front of their daughter, afraid of saying a single word that might upset her.

Thinking about it this way, I felt even more sympathy for these parents.

"Aion! Don't be willful anymore!" he couldn't help but shout in his heart.

“Uncle, you’ve done your best. I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. Please don’t blame yourself.” He comforted the other man. “Since it’s already happened, there’s no point in sighing and complaining. Let’s try to salvage the situation as much as possible.”

Then, he explained his plan: "I would like to ask you for a letter of authorization so that I can go to England immediately to handle this and bring her back as soon as possible. In addition, my mother will do her best to find her a decent school so that she can enroll as soon as possible and catch up with the curriculum."

In fact, Chihaya and her husband could have handled their daughter's withdrawal from school themselves, but perhaps it was Aine's request, or perhaps they themselves felt it was okay, they did not question Takasaki Jun's request and instead readily cooperated.

After getting what he wanted, Jun Takasaki breathed a sigh of relief.

As he was saying goodbye, Chihaya Haruka grabbed his hand and looked at him with teary eyes, "Jun-kun, we really owe you a lot this time. Otherwise, I don't know how long that child would have kept up her act... Thank you so much for bringing her back for us."

As she spoke, overwhelmed by a mix of joy and sorrow, she nearly broke down again, tears streaming down her face, some even falling onto Jun Takasaki's hands.

"Aine... I'm entrusting Aine to you from now on. Please take good care of her... Mio is my most trusted sister, and you are my favorite and most promising child. From now on, please take good care of Aine. I'm counting on you!"

She spoke while crying, almost sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing his aunt say that, Jun Takasaki felt very sad.

"Auntie, don't worry. Aiyin and I grew up together. She's my best friend, a reliable junior, and an indispensable companion. No matter what happens, I will never abandon Aiyin."

Receiving this promise, Chihaya Haruka relaxed considerably, but tears continued to stream down her face. "Yes, yes, Tsun-kun is a good boy, Auntie knew it. Thank you..."

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After obtaining authorization from the Chihaya couple, things became much easier.

Because Japan is a visa-free country for the UK, Jun Takasaki's procedures for traveling to the UK were very simple; he could simply buy a plane ticket and go.

He didn't waste any time. First, he sent an email to the school's academic affairs office along with authorization certificates from Chihaya and her husband, and then submitted Chihaya Aine's application to withdraw from school.

After receiving an official reply from the school, he immediately bought a plane ticket for that day.

The next day, he was already standing inside London's airport.

Despite his fatigue from the journey, he found a ride-hailing car and drove to Aiyin's school.

Although it was a private girls' school, he was allowed into the campus after the security guards verified his identity, because they had already communicated with the school.

Meanwhile, Chihaya Aine was groggily waking up in her dorm room.

The previous high fever has subsided slightly, but there are still quite serious aftereffects. My mind is still foggy, and I need to sleep for a long time every day.

Moreover, the high fever severely affected her appetite, leaving her extremely weak and unable to move.

So, she has basically stayed in her dormitory for the past few days and her studies have been interrupted.

However... it didn't matter anymore, because she knew in her heart that her short life at this girls' school was about to come to an end.

Logically, she should have been extremely frustrated at this moment, but she did not feel that kind of painful despair, because she knew that she had not been abandoned, that there was still someone who cared about her and was tirelessly working for her—even though they were thousands of miles apart, he was still so reliable and trustworthy.

She still has the opportunity and the reason to continue to work hard.

Just start over... just treat it as a nightmare.

She can go back to the place where she was born and raised, and then muster the courage to start her life anew.

Thinking of this, she struggled to get out of bed. Although she wasn't hungry, she needed to eat something to survive.

When exactly will he arrive? Judging by the time... he should be here soon.

Just as she was thinking this, her phone suddenly vibrated slightly.

She grabbed the phone from the bedside table with a speed that a patient could never achieve, and then unlocked it.

I logged into the familiar chat software and saw the familiar avatars and chat boxes.

In the dialog box, the bottom line is currently displaying a new line of text.

"Look downstairs."

A relieved smile instantly appeared on her pale face, a sign that the flame of hope had been rekindled.

She almost stumbled as she ran to the window.

Then, on the lush green grass, she saw the person she had grown up with. The person she had placed so much hope in and had been waiting for all along.

They finally arrived, and they came to take me home.

Tears and smiles appeared simultaneously; she knew the nightmare was finally over.

114, a vast and boundless sky and earth.

When Aine appeared at the window, Jun Takasaki had already seen her. He put his phone back in his pocket, looked up at the building, and waved vigorously. This was not only to indicate his location to her, but also to silently tell her that there was nothing to be afraid of anymore, and that someone would solve all her troubles.

Today, because he was there on official business, Jun Takasaki was dressed in a formal suit and tie, looking both tall and sharp. However, the look in his eyes when he looked at Aine was incredibly gentle, filled with comfort and tenderness.

The moment their eyes met, Chihaya Aine's pent-up disappointment and resentment suddenly turned into tears, which streamed down her face.

She sobbed twice, then, disregarding the fact that she was only wearing pajamas, she suddenly turned around and rushed out of the room, running down the stairs.

Because she had been sick recently, she felt lightheaded and almost lost her balance. She barely managed to stay upright by holding onto the handrail.

But she didn't slow down at all, staggering as she rushed out of the dormitory.

Having been away from Tokyo for so long, she finally met someone from her "familiar world." At this moment, Jun Takasaki was not only a childhood friend and older brother to her, but also represented the life she missed and longed for.

She no longer had to endure it... He was going to take her home.

As she ran, tears streamed down her face.

These tears contained both self-blame and humiliation, but also relief and gratitude at the end of the nightmare.

Aine rushed out the door and stumbled to Jun Takasaki. Then, as if she had lost all her energy, she collapsed and threw herself into his arms, tightly hugging his waist as if trying to draw courage from him to face life anew.

"Brother Chun..." In his arms, she could only mutter the nickname she had called out countless times before, and then she could no longer speak. She buried her head in his arms and cried bitterly.

The weather around the school was overcast as usual today, so much so that even though it was almost summer, there was still a chill in the air. The howling wind made him feel even heavier.

This was the first time he had ever seen Ai Yin cry so heartbreakingly.

The little girl, who had been carefully cared for by those around her since childhood and who had given warmth to those around her like a little sun, finally experienced real hardship and pain for the first time in her life.

Admittedly, from any perspective, Aine brought all this pain and hardship upon herself, but even knowing this, he couldn't bring himself to utter a single word of blame.

In this life, who can avoid making mistakes? What is family if not mutual understanding, tolerance of each other's mistakes, and walking hand in hand together?

Ai Yin made a mistake, but he was able to tolerate it. Not only was he able to tolerate it, but he was also able to cover for her. This is the meaning of his role as an older brother.

With this thought in mind, he reached out and gently stroked Aine's back through her pajamas to comfort her, who was extremely frustrated at the moment.

“Aine, it’s okay, everything will be alright… We’ll be home soon. No matter what you’ve been through, your family will always heal you, and it will all pass.”

Aine didn't answer, she just kept crying, her back trembling as if from sobbing. Jun Takasaki didn't say anything more, he just continued to comfort her, waiting for Aine to recover.

After a long while, Aine finally regained some of her senses. She raised her head and looked at Jun Takasaki's face with a confused and helpless expression.

At this moment, her fair face was still wet with tears, making her look pitiful and delicate.

"Aine, are you feeling better?" Jun Takasaki asked.

Aine nodded gently.

Seeing that Aine was able to converse normally, Jun Takasaki got down to business. "I'm here to process your withdrawal from school. Since your parents have given me clear authorization and the school has recognized my authority, the procedures can be completed today, and we can go back tomorrow."

Hearing that she could go home tomorrow, Aine's eyes lit up for a moment, but the light quickly dimmed again.

"Brother Chun, thank you for accepting the commission. Otherwise... otherwise I really wouldn't know how to face Mom and Dad right now..."

At this point, she covered her face, "They sacrificed so much for me, and I... I let everyone down. I became a deserter who gave up halfway!"

The more she spoke, the more desolate she became, and she looked like she was about to cry again.

“Yes, he’s a deserter, but so what?” Jun Takasaki retorted. “A truly great general is not one who never loses, but one who can assess the situation when he loses, retreat or even run away, and do his best to preserve his side and maintain hope for the future… Yes, running away may seem shameful, but sometimes it is a kind of wisdom, and it is better than stubbornly holding on until the final defeat.”

Aine certainly understood the reasoning behind Takasaki Jun's words, but the hurdles in one's heart are not so easy to overcome.

She had always excelled academically and was highly regarded by her classmates. She had almost never experienced failure. Now, suddenly facing a crushing defeat, the sense of frustration and shame would naturally torment her even more.

Seeing Aine's still dejected look, Jun Takasaki sighed, "If you're still upset, then blame me. I was the one who ordered you to drop out of school. You didn't become a deserter; you were just forced to leave because I threatened you. Does thinking about it that way make you feel better? I can take responsibility for that."

"No!" Ai Yin shook her head emphatically. "I would never do something so ungrateful. Chun-gege, you only gave me a final push because you saw that I couldn't take it anymore. The real responsibility is still on my own shoulders... Actually, I wanted to leave a long time ago, but I hesitated and struggled because of my pride. As a result, I suffered so much, but I couldn't change anything... I'm so incompetent, it's really shameful."

Although Aine's words were heartbreaking, Takasaki Jun felt relieved.

Although she was a bit arrogant, Aine had a good nature. Even in this situation, she didn't shirk responsibility or complain. She honestly admitted her shortcomings. This self-reflection was more than enough to surpass many of her peers.

Ai Yin is inherently intelligent. As long as she has this quality, even if she loses today, she can still win in the future.

What's more, she has her mother and herself supporting her... she still has a bright future ahead of her.

"Alright, stop blaming yourself." He raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of Aine's eyes. "Aine, no matter what has happened during this time, you will always be my most reliable junior, my pride. Being able to know you since childhood is the greatest luck of my life..."

Although he said this to encourage Aine, he was also expressing his true feelings. After all, he had many friends since childhood, but Aine was the most special and closest one—otherwise, he wouldn't have traveled thousands of miles to be with Aine.

Ai Yin seemed to be very pleased with these encouraging words; the frustration and pain on her face subsided considerably.

At heart, she is still that optimistic and cheerful little sun. How could a temporary setback really make her give up?

She released her embrace but took Takasaki Jun's hand. "Jun-nii, I want to eat at that old restaurant near my house. Can you come with me?"

Hearing her say that, Jun Takasaki secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

This isn't just about thinking about what to eat; it's about considering "the future."

As long as we can still look to the future, the trauma of the "past" is not so important.

That's right, that's the mindset we should have.

"No problem! When we get back, you can eat or play whatever you want. Just call me and I'll do it all. I really want to play with you!"

"Then, I'll write a travel guide for our trip home, and we'll explore every place together!" A hint of anticipation finally appeared on Ai Yin's tense face. "As long as you're by my side, anywhere will be fun..."

During their conversation, the two held hands and strolled together between the dormitory building and the campus.

Because this is an all-girls school, when the two of them appeared, many people, including faculty and students, looked at them with astonishment.