CHAPTER 708: CHAPTER 432

Tokyo University College of Arts classroom.

Most students have already packed up their books and are leaving the classroom.

"My father divorced a long time ago, and Auntie is a single mother. They met through work and became familiar with each other over time. A year ago, my dad took me to meet Auntie and her daughter, and it was only recently that Auntie and my father decided to get married."

Todaka Keichiro scratched his head awkwardly, "You know, I broke up a few months ago. Back then, my relationship with Kobashi was still normal, and we talked every day. I was going through a breakup... she was so considerate and even cooked for me, so..."

"Hmm~ I see."

Uesugi Sakura closed the book in front of him, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Since it’s a blended family, your father and aunt would want you to get along with her, right? Then why does it seem like you’re afraid for her to see you?"

Todaka Keichiro explained, "For parents to find love again is great in my view. Combining two families means they can look after each other. But Kobashi doesn’t feel the same... She’s introverted and doesn’t talk much, and regards this whole thing as something she wants to accept but has some resistance to. I think she can’t let go of her previous father... Do you understand what I’m saying?"

"Yeah." Uesugi Sakura nodded, placing the organized books flat on the table.

Todaka Keichiro continued, "It was all just a consideration before, but now they’re definitely getting married, so naturally, she’s having some resistance towards me too. She hasn’t picked up the phone recently."

Uesugi Sakura asked, "Is her resistance to you because you like her?"

"There probably is a bit of that... I’m not entirely sure... After all, it’s a newly blended family. I was a bit surprised to see her at the last social gathering, didn’t expect her to come."

Uesugi Sakura remembered that Todaka disappeared with a trace during the last few days of the gathering. Kobashi Rikai quickly left after giving him the second thank you gift too.

"Sakura, I know my sister is learning to be a barista under you lately."

"You’re good at talking to her. Can you help me?"

"How can I help you?"

"Just... ask her if she can meet with me?"

"With that uncertain tone, it seems even you aren’t sure about your own request."

"I’m conflicted too."

Uesugi Sakura pinched his chin, thinking for a while, then asked, "Do you really like her?"

"Yes."

"Will it work?"

"Let’s not talk about that first... Actually, parents’ considerations come second, don’t they? What’s most important is what the two people want."

"..."

Uesugi Sakura was at a loss for words.

"Besides, we... we don’t have a blood relation, we’re just brother and sister in name, it can work out."

"Alright, you’re convincing, you’ve convinced me."

Todaka Keichiro put his hands together, "Please, just talk to her to agree to exchange a few words with me, just tell her directly."

"You don’t plan to use this meeting as an opportunity to confess, do you?"

"Confess? No no no, it’s not the time yet." Todaka Keichiro shook his head repeatedly.

Uesugi Sakura felt that when it came to getting close to girls, he indeed had his own boundaries, at least he wouldn’t lose grip of his current position.

Getting too close to become annoying.

After finishing the morning classes, Uesugi Sakura had lunch at the cafeteria and then went to the library to read for a bit.

Seeing the time on his watch, it was about right, he got up and walked out of the library, heading straight to the school’s bicycle parking area.

Walking towards the road near the Akamon, two rows of ginkgo trees appeared in front of him, the leaves golden and fruits falling.

There were quite a few tourists and students walking back and forth underneath.

Uesugi Sakura looked at this beautiful scene ahead, decisively choosing to turn off to take the long way to the bicycle shed.

In October, this patch of ginkgo at Tokyo University always attracts many visitors to appreciate and take photos.

Beautiful, sure, but Uesugi Sakura couldn’t understand how people enjoy the reeking smell of fatty decay while admiring the ginkgo.

The ginkgo berries smell really bad.

Apart from the stench of the ginkgo berries, a whole bunch of crows lived on the trees, and of course, bird droppings were inevitable.

Unlucky, you might even get pecked on the head by a crow and have a splotch of bird poop land on your head.

This tree-lined road, he couldn’t really walk through it without a gas mask.

He rode his bicycle to the bottom of the coffee shop, just in time at one in the afternoon, and walked straight up to the second floor.

Hanamaru Hanabi had arrived at the coffee shop earlier, and several girls were already gathered around a table eating and chatting.

The conversation topics were no more than things like pastries.

Uesugi Sakura knew that Hanabi didn’t understand much about desserts or sweets, she couldn’t cook or bake, yet she was having an open conversation with Manager Yanagi.

When it came to points of knowledge about cookies, she even spoke with authority.

Could she possibly seek help from herself?

Uesugi Sakura greeted the manager and others at the coffee shop, then went to the counter to put on his barista apron, watered the cactus at the front desk, and started checking if the coffee beans prepared by the manager today were qualified.

Opening the jar, the batch of Jamaica Blue Mountain beans had a medium acidity, aroma, and the richness was evenly appropriate.

Although the manager paid him a low salary, he never skimped on selecting the coffee beans.

"Want to have some cookies?"

Uesugi Sakura put down the jar of coffee beans and looked up at Towa Rina, who placed the plate on the counter.