Chapter 644: Chapter 404 Dream Shared Solution_2
"If you heard it, then you heard it. Just keep walking, don’t stop."
"Oh..."
While Kitagawa Sakisa was replying, Hanamaru Hanabi closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the rustling of the bamboo leaves. Occasionally, a crisp note of music drifted through... like someone was playing a guitar.
"Let’s go see," Hanamaru Hanabi said.
"Huh? Do you want to see?"
"It should be just ahead, on our way."
Everyone continued leisurely strolling through the serene bamboo forest. The further they walked, the clearer the melodious music became.
Calm, soothing, pleasant – these are the characteristics of this tune.
At the end of the emerald bamboo path was a small circular pond, with a stone lantern and flowers growing in it. On the opposite side, sitting on a stone bench, was Uesugi Sakura, playing his guitar.
He leaned against the vigorous bamboo forest, and the gentle breeze created a mystical rhythm among the leaves, playing a melody of ethereal tranquility.
As for the lyrics, they spoke of a disabled boy’s arduous path to confessing to a perfect girl.
When Hanamaru Hanabi saw him, she immediately stopped in her tracks, staring blankly across.
Because Uesugi Sakura was playing the guitar for her, and the lyrics were meant for her too.
Kitagawa Sakisa also saw Uesugi Sakura. Though the music he played was indeed beautiful, at that moment, she couldn’t help but laugh.
"No way, Hanabi-chan, I really can’t hold it in."
She turned around, covering her mouth to stifle the laughter threatening to burst forth.
The other unaware young couples merely assumed Uesugi Sakura was a student practicing guitar here, and didn’t pay much attention.
Uesugi Sakura noticed Kitagawa Sakisa on the other side, laughing with her back turned, and realized that this romantic scene had been ruined. In his heart, he cursed Todaka Keichiro, who had gone off early for tea.
But still... from start to finish, he completed playing the song.
When Uesugi Sakura stopped playing, Hanamaru Hanabi walked around the pond toward him, her cherry-colored dress swaying gently as she moved, perfectly accentuating her charming figure.
Uesugi Sakura looked somewhat awkwardly at his wife standing in front of him and watching him.
"Sakura-kun, didn’t you say you didn’t bring a guitar?"
"Well," Uesugi Sakura glanced at the guitar in his hands, "this one is newly bought. I wanted to surprise you, but it seems I messed it up."
"You did mess up."
"Yeah, I know..."
"But Hanabi thinks Sakura-kun is quite romantic."
"Is this romantic?" Uesugi Sakura asked her with a smile.
"Very romantic... Sakura-kun, willing to sneak ahead of Hanabi during his illness to play a song for her... But Hanabi thinks it would be better for Sakura-kun to rest in the hotel instead."
For some reason, Uesugi Sakura felt a sense of caring echoing in the depth of her violet eyes.
He was touched by her goodness, reflecting on the strange emotions at that moment.
Looking again at her lovely, delicate face, it was the familiarity of a childhood friend.
So, Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but smile at her.
"Thank you."
"Why is Sakura-kun saying thank you?"
"Thank you for being here."
"Sakura-kun specifically came over to play a song for Hanabi... obviously, it should be Hanabi who says thank you to Sakura-kun."
"So when I suddenly came over... were you happy?"
"Yes! Very happy."
Uesugi Sakura looked at her joyful face and again understood the essence of love.
Simple words can also reflect love and care.
Now, at this moment, he felt the warmth in his heart sparked by her.
[Mission complete]
[Received item: Dream Shared Solution x1, Skill points x10]
...
Then Kitagawa Sakisa walked over, looking at Uesugi Sakura’s face, and couldn’t help but laugh again.
"Feign illness?"
"No, I’m really sick."
"Then that’s understandable," she said, appraising Uesugi Sakura, "Hmm, it is quite romantic."
"Did you come alone?"
"No, with two classmates."
"So you’re going to join us for the rest of the way?"
"Yes."
...
The afternoon tea and snacks at Hokoku Temple are available until 3:30 p.m.
For 500 yen, you could enjoy matcha and Japanese snacks while gazing at the bamboo forest. It’s undoubtedly worthwhile compared to the coffee shops in big cities.
"This snack is for Sakura-kun."
"Hm? Isn’t this overly sweet snack your favorite?"
"Sakura-kun, you’ve worked hard. This is a reward for you."
Afterward, they toured the temple grounds and went to the beach in front of Kamakura High School for some photos.
Hanamaru Hanabi stood on the beach as the Enoden train passed along the tracks. She gazed at the sea, the sea breeze brushing her face, lifting her willow-like hair. In the sunset twilight, Uesugi Sakura, taking photos behind her, found that she looked beautiful from every angle.
With a click, he captured a scene resembling a scene out of a manga.
She was as enchantingly delicate as a manga heroine.
Yet, she was indeed real, standing right in front of him.
Still his wife – thinking of this filled Uesugi Sakura with excitement.
...
The leisurely day continued into the evening.
"Hanabi, today... why haven’t we seen the other you?"
Hanamaru Hanabi just stared at him, then shook her head.
"No idea?"
Hanamaru Hanabi nodded.
"Probably... she’s sleeping..."
"But she was sleeping continuously yesterday... Today, the whole day didn’t come out... can she sleep that long?"
...
In the middle of the night, Uesugi Sakura abruptly woke up.
He found Hanamaru Hanabi clinging tightly to him, murmuring something softly in her sleep.
Uesugi Sakura leaned in closer to listen.
She was saying: Sakura-kun, don’t leave her.
Her face was pained, and she was drenched in sweat.
"Hanabi, Hanabi? Are you having a nightmare?" Uesugi Sakura kept gently shaking her small frame.
"Sakura-kun... Sakura-kun... Sakura-kun..." Hanamaru Hanabi snuggled her head into his chest.
This persisted for half an hour before easing up.
Uesugi Sakura tucked her in to make her as comfortable as possible.
Strangely, the normally controlling Hanabi would appear during the day... and demonstrate extreme possessiveness toward him... like not allowing him to even speak casually to any other girl or hand anything to them, even a tissue.
But today... she didn’t appear...
...
The next morning.
Upon waking, Uesugi Sakura found Hanamaru Hanabi sleeping peacefully in his arms, which relieved him as he got up.
However, after washing up and going to wake Hanabi, he suddenly discovered that no matter what... he couldn’t wake her.
"Hanabi."
"Hanabi!"
"Hanabi!!"
Hanamaru Hanabi just muttered softly as if she were dreaming: "Sakura-kun..."
She seemed as if she was still in a dream.
But it’s broad daylight!
And no matter how he shook her, he couldn’t wake her.
Could it be... could it be...
Uesugi Sakura suddenly remembered what Hanabi said yesterday: she mentioned... the controlling Hanabi had been sleeping all along...
Now Hanamaru Hanabi was deep asleep, infected by symptoms of the controlling Hanabi?
Dream, dream, dream!
Uesugi Sakura recalled an item he obtained during yesterday’s mission: [Dream Shared Solution]
He quickly sat up, reviewing the effects of this item in his mind.
[Dream Shared Solution]
[Description: A dream is an ethereal layer of consciousness that reflects deep-seated memories within, projecting desires, dislikes, expectations, or even fears – potentially amplifying into a terrifying play, entrapping and intensifying the pressure on those within... whether for better or worse, anything is possible. But beware, don’t delve too deep into the dream, lest you sleep forever...]
[Effect: Enter the target’s dream, assuming a main role within it]
[Duration: Unlimited]
[Termination Method: Voluntary exit]
...
Uesugi Sakura glanced at this item and then looked at Hanamaru Hanabi sleeping soundly on the bed.
...
Luckily, there were no plans for today.
Uesugi Sakura used Hanamaru Hanabi’s phone to inform Kitagawa Sakisa and others of her intention not to go out today, ensuring they wouldn’t suddenly burst into the hotel room due to Hanabi’s sudden absence.
Uesugi Sakura lay back down on the bed.
He adjusted the air conditioning to a constant temperature, pulled up the blanket, and then embraced Hanamaru Hanabi, activating the Dream Shared Solution.
...