Jiutiao Meijie naturally hooked her arm through his.

Leaving the villa, the two strolled down a forest path lined with golden acacias.

This small path, dubbed 'Whispering Path' on the tourist map and more broadly known as 'Sanatorium Road,' touted as the most romantic path for couples to walk.

And because it was filled with golden acacias, it was favored by Tatsuo Hori, the author of "The Wind Has Risen," hence, it was also called 'Golden Acacia Path.'

Regrettably, it was August, and the acacia flowering season was over, leaving only the murmuring sound of water from the 'Yazaki River' at the roadside.

It was a beautiful sunny day.

"When getting my hair cut, I felt like summer vacation was over," Dubian Che looked at the sunlight scattered all over the path.

"If you like Karuizawa, we can come here every year," Jiutiao Meijie said and then asked, "How has it been going with Kiyono Lin recently?"

"What 'going on?'"

"Don't play dumb. You've had my permission; I don't believe you haven't made a move."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't say?"

"To be exact, I was rejected before I even had a chance to speak," Dubian Che recalled the downpour that afternoon.

"And here I thought you were good at chasing girls," Jiutiao Meijie mocked, "I deliberately gave you a chance, and you still failed."

"When have I actively pursued someone other than you? Where's the experience in that?"

"You were also pretending when you pursued me," Jiutiao Meijie snapped bitterly, letting go of the wrist she had hooked, "From now on, you will earnestly pursue me all over again."

"Nice weather today, isn't it?" Dubian Che said.

"Uh-huh." Jiutiao Meijie replied nonchalantly, arms folded.

"Miss Jiutiao, if you're free, would you like to take a walk together?"

"I'm not free."

"How about coffee at Sunny Platform later?"

"I'm also busy later."

"Your conquest difficulty level is too high, isn't it?" Dubian Che laughed and said.

"Do you think I'm the kind of woman who can't move when she sees your good looks and throws herself at you?" Jiutiao Meijie scoffed, lifting her chin contemptuously, "If it weren't for kissing you in Ochazuke, you'd have had no chance at all."

Dubian Che thought about the 200,000 point bonus he received for dating Jiutiao Meijie.

"I earned it," he admitted with a nod.

"Idiot," Jiutiao Meijie chuckled, "didn't you think, back then you didn't even like me, I nearly killed you twice, what's there to earn? Be shrewder for me."

"It's all your fault for being too beautiful, and I love you too much. Otherwise, how could I be an idiot with my intelligence?"

"Alas, I'm tired," Jiutiao Meijie stopped, sighing.

With that, Dubian Che immediately understood.

"Come here, my Meiji." He checked to make sure his jacket on the wrist wouldn't fall, then bent in front of her.

"Mr. Dubian, I'm not so frivolous. So please, jump into Tokyo Bay and swim all the way to Yachuan to prove your love before you speak to me again."

"You can't swim from Tokyo Bay to Yachuan!"

"So it's impossible between us."

"Wait, wait, think about it. All rivers flow to the sea; as long as it's running water, you can always swim there! There's still a chance for us!"

Jiutiao Meijie couldn't help but laugh, overjoyed.

She stretched out her hand and playfully patted Dubian Che's shoulder, "Bend down a bit more."

Dubian Che lowered himself, and instead of flopping onto his back, Jiutiao Meijie parted her beautiful legs and saddled his neck.

"Okay, let's go."

"Miss Jiutiao, this is something only a frivolous person would do."

"Let's go back." Jiutiao Meijie pretended to dismount, but at this moment, Dubian Che grabbed her calves and stood up straight.

"Ah!" Her suddenly elevated view made her let out a light exclamation.

"So, does this mean we're dating again?" Dubian Che asked with a smile, looking up.

"In your dreams!" Jiutiao Meijie disdainfully replied, then laughed melodiously, "Wait till you swim back from Yachuan!"

"I'm already on the Shinkansen from Capital City back to Tokyo."

"Then go back again."

"Is my ticket reimbursed?"

"You're using the money from your part-time job to pursue me? Mr. Dubian, I'm sorry to inform you that your rank on my candidate list has just dropped."

"I have a question."

"Uh-huh."

"How many are on this candidate list?"

"Just you."

"Then why all the fuss? Just marry me already."

"Let's talk about it when I'm eighteen."

They teased and joked with each other, bickering all the way.

"Don't move!" Jiutiao Meijie suddenly patted Dubian Che's head.

"What's wrong?"

Jiutiao Meijie pulled at the leaves of the elm tree, breaking off a branch, "Let's go."

"Are you treating me like a horse?"

"Anyway, you are the 'World King,' so your horse is also called 'World King,'" said Jiutiao Meijie, who was riding on Dubian Che's neck like a little girl, waving the branch.

"The 'World King' also has our great mother."

"I'll pass that message on to her."

"Don't you dare! I'm the only one on your candidate list, what if your mother finds out I spoke ill of her and doesn't allow you to marry me?"

"Then we'll elope and die together in the waters from Tokyo Bay to Yachuan."

"That's suicide, not eloping..."

"Stop a second." Jiutiao Meijie used Dubian Che as a voice-controlled horse.

He stopped, and she took out her phone to take a picture of them both in the wide-angle mirror by the road.

Continuing to walk, Jiutiao Meijie asked, "How did Kiyono Lin reject you?"

"She said the world is overpopulated, no matter what others say, she will always be herself."

Two women in their twenties passed them on bicycles, looking back at them.

"To stand by her will, even if it means losing everything, she doesn't care," Dubian Che continued.

"What was your response?"

"I said that no matter what, I would always support her."

Jiutiao Meijie smiled.

"The support I mentioned refers to her eternal ideals, not romance," Dubian Che explained.

"I'm not laughing at that.

"Then what are you laughing at?" Dubian Che asked, puzzled.

"From our understanding of her, she indeed is such a heartless person, but from the perspective of a girl...never mind, she probably wouldn't think like that. Would you be content if things stayed this way?"

"What can my contentment or lack thereof change? She has already made her decision; all I can do is live tenaciously and follow the plan to reconcile you two."

"You haven't thought about giving up everything for her?" Jiutiao Meijie asked with interest.

"If I hadn't met you, Meijie."

"Mr. Dubian, I'm pleased to inform you that you've moved up on the candidate list, you can kiss me now."

Dubian Che took Jiutiao Meijie into the forest, put a coat on her, and pushed her up against the trunk of a fir tree.

Jiutiao Meijie wrapped her arms around Dubian Che's neck, while he encircled her slim waist with his arms.

They kissed passionately in the shade of the trees, feasting on each other.

A gentle breeze filtered through the forest, and the sound of a stream washing over stones came from afar.

Sunlight sifted through the leaves, casting dappled shadows; the air, purified by the woods, left a sweet taste.

A tranquil seclusion from the world, yet not lonely.

Back at the villa, the five of them went to the "Viewing Platform."

The "Viewing Platform" is an observation park at the summit of Oshu Pass, 1,200 meters above sea level.

The weather was good that day; Dubian Che sat on the terrace, gazing at the border between Gunma Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture, the Southern Alps, and Yatsugatake Mountain.

After finishing the tea house's strength cakes, they returned to the villa.

The next day, on August 26th, Kazuki came to say goodbye; she was going back to Tokyo with her parents.

"See you next year, Lian!" Kazuki stood at the end of the villa's path, waving vigorously.

"See you next year!" Little Lian shouted from the villa's entrance.

"See you next year!"

"See you next year!"

They said goodbye reluctantly.

Kazuki got on her bicycle, and Little Lian ran out, following her to the end of the path, standing on the main road.

"Kazuki, see you next year—" she shouted after the departing Kazuki.

Kazuki waved back forcefully until she was out of sight.

Little Lian stood there, staring blankly into the distance.

Dubian Che walked over, stroking her little head, looking with her in the direction Kazuki had disappeared.

"Little Lian, remember this moment of longing to meet Kazuki again. When you leave your hometown next year, remember, someone is waiting for you in Tokyo."

"...Yeah."

"We're going back to Tokyo the day after tomorrow; you'll be able to see your parents soon."

Little Lian finally looked up at Dubian Che and said, "Che, I still want to play with Kazuki."

"How about you write to Kazuki as well as to your parents after you get back?"

"Yeah!" Little Lian's expression was serious and solemn, tinged with a hint of loss and sadness.

After Kazuki left, Little Lian no longer rode her children's bike through the streets and forests, by the ponds of Karuizawa.

On August 28th, the six of them left the villa they had lived in for twenty-eight days in Karuizawa.