CHAPTER 463: CHAPTER 324: THE SECRET HE HID_2

"Are you free this afternoon?" Uesugi Sakura asked her after tidying up the computer in the bedroom.

"I am."

"Then how about I come find you and we have lunch together?"

Hanamaru Hanabi asked in confusion, "I always feel like Sakura-kun seems very free... Does Tokyo University not have many classes?"

Uesugi Sakura was quite helpless at this, as everyone, even his classmates, thought he had so much free time, but didn’t think about how much effort this free time cost him.

"I look leisurely, but it’s actually stealing leisure from my busy schedule. Hanabi knows that I study with books every night."

The first and second year at Tokyo University may be relaxed, but you can’t completely slack off.

"By the way, what do you usually study at school, Hanabi?"

"Painting and fine arts, and recently... actually also practicing dance and instruments. Mainly because Sakisa-chan wants to drag me to learn... But she’s not very dedicated to the elective courses she chose..."

"Dance practice?" Uesugi Sakura chuckled, "Isn’t Hanabi only good at cheerleading dances?"

"Of course not!"

Uesugi Sakura glanced at her puffed-up cheeks, a smile curving at the corners of his mouth.

Even when she’s angry, she’s cute.

After Hanamaru Hanabi packed her things and prepared to head out, she exited the bedroom and saw Uesugi Sakura still watching TV in the living room.

"Aren’t you leaving, Sakura-kun?"

"You go ahead, I’ll come over a bit later, it’s fine."

Hanamaru Hanabi didn’t suspect anything, as he often used to go out late. She adjusted the little straw hat on her head with both hands to get it right, and then spoke to Uesugi Sakura on the sofa, "Well, Hanabi is heading out now."

"Okay, safe travels." Uesugi Sakura waved with a smile.

The even footsteps of the young girl echoed as she stepped out of the entrance, slowly closing the door behind her. Upon turning around, she was met with the irresistible rays of the midday sun.

Even though it was morning, the sun was a bit too big today.

Luckily, the air was not as sweltering as it would be at noon, and the sunshine made walking more pleasant, lifting her spirits.

Hanamaru Hanabi adjusted the position of the small straw hat on her forehead and proceeded down the street towards the train station.

The streets of Tokyo are never short of vending machines; you’ll find some just about everywhere.

Seeing the assortment of drinks inside, she decided to buy one to have on her way.

Stopping in front of a red vending machine, she gazed at the milk through the glass and reached for her waist.

She felt around and realized her waist was empty.

"Eh, didn’t bring my waist pack?"

Hanamaru Hanabi checked herself thoroughly, realizing indeed she had forgotten it.

She thought hard for a moment, recalling just a while ago... she must have packed her stuff and left it in the bedroom.

She had forgotten to hang it on her waist when heading out.

Without cash or cards, she couldn’t even take the train.

No choice but to head back.

Returning home, she turned the key to unlock the door, and Hanamaru Hanabi slipped on her slippers at the entrance, heading back inside.

She purposely checked the living room; the TV was off and no one was there.

"Did Sakura-kun leave?"

Usually, he would head out even later than this.

Hanamaru Hanabi slowly walked towards the second-floor bedroom.

Her steps were light, and evenly paced, neither more nor less than needed for each step.

——————

Ten minutes ago.

Uesugi Sakura confirmed that Hanamaru Hanabi had indeed left and watched TV on the sofa for a bit longer before heading to the second-floor bedroom.

Morning was investigation time.

He hadn’t gone to class.

His health condition wasn’t too serious, but he still wanted to get it sorted out soon.

Every morning for the past half month, he had been transforming into Uesugi Cat and visiting various shrines, lounging around the donation box to pass the time.

Some people would pat his head, and some wanted to take him home.

But nobody was interested in the hook jade hanging around his neck, and there were no prompts from the system either.

Uesugi Sakura was a laid-back person who thought unfinished tasks could be completed slowly; there was no need to rush.

However, persistence was key.

Hence, today Uesugi Sakura also planned for Uesugi Cat to make another appearance.

He had no specific perception during the transformation.

Rather than a transformation, it felt more like his consciousness had shifted onto the body of Uesugi Cat, and his physical body temporarily disappeared.

It was unclear, but roughly that was the feeling.

Sitting on the bed, he closed his eyes and opted to activate the system interface.

....

The light breeze lifted the curtain gently, and Hanamaru Hanabi remembered clearly closing the windows before she left.

"A cat?"

Hanamaru Hanabi was curious why an orange cat suddenly appeared on the bed at home. Could it have come in through the window? But who opened the window?

Uesugi Cat was actually startled, stretching when he suddenly saw Hanamaru Hanabi, with her little straw hat, standing at the door.

Did she see?

Did she recognize me?

If she recognized me, how should I explain?

Uesugi Cat decided to lie on the bed, looking at the door, waiting for the girl to approach.

It didn’t take long for Hanamaru Hanabi to begin approaching the orange cat at home. She felt that this cat looked a lot like the one she saw two years ago.

She tried to reach out to him.

She extended her slender fingers in front of him.

Uesugi Cat, with eyes full of intelligence, saw the little hand extended by the girl and affectionately licked it twice.

Girls are usually driven by curiosity when interacting with small animals. If a small animal shows affection, their mood brightens instantly with praises of cuteness spilling from their mouths.

Hanamaru Hanabi was no exception; she found it delightful that this unexpected orange cat liked her, feeling a bit of endearing joy.

His tiny licks made her fingertips tickle.

She reached out and naturally picked up the cat.

"A bit chubby... But... is this Sakura-kun’s necklace?"

Hanamaru Hanabi recognized the hook jade hanging around Uesugi Cat’s neck, which was undoubtedly a pair with hers.

Why is the hook jade here...?

Seeing the jade that shouldn’t be there brought a strange thought to her mind.

Turning around, she noticed Uesugi Sakura’s laptop still sitting untouched on the chair.

He didn’t take his computer either...

Turning again, she looked at the cat she held, his eyes... very similar....

The missing Sakura-kun, items not taken, identical hook jades, very similar eyes...

"Could it be... Sakura-kun?"

As soon as Hanamaru Hanabi spoke, she immediately dismissed the idea.

How could Sakura-kun be a cat? Sakura-kun was not transformed from a cat.

The two grew up together; Sakura-kun couldn’t possibly be a cat.

Uesugi Cat in her arms relaxed upon seeing her shake her head.

If she discovered he could turn into a cat, how should he explain?

’Is Uesugi Sakura a person turned from a cat?’

From a supernatural and yokai standpoint, might that be slightly convincing?

After all, the anthropomorphism of cats is a popular theme online.

Since Hanamaru Hanabi draws illustrations, she would surely have encountered such elements.

Holding Uesugi in her arms, she found her forgotten waist pack, took out her phone, and dialed Uesugi Sakura’s number.

The phone rang quickly, right in the bedroom.

Hanamaru Hanabi walked to the bedside, puzzled, picked up Uesugi Sakura’s phone, and hung up her call.

"Why did Sakura-kun leave without his phone...?"

She once again lifted the cat in her arms, staring into his calm, leisurely eyes.

"Sakura... kun?"