On the other side, Tezuka and Rukawa Sakura were walking side by side on their way home.
Tezuka was almost 1.8 meters tall. He looked down at Rukawa Sakura, who was 1.6 meters tall. Her delicate side profile looked radiant, quiet, and beautiful.
As if noticing Tezuka's gaze, Rukawa Sakura looked up at him, revealing her white and beautiful neck. She was as elegant as a beautiful and noble swan.
Tezuka looked away.
Rukawa Sakura smiled. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Tezuka pushed up his glasses. "You seem to have changed a lot."
"Hair?" Rukawa Sakura looked at Tezuka's signature awkward gesture of pushing up his glasses.
"No, overall feeling."
"Because … I seem to have suddenly figured out some things." Rukawa Sakura looked at the falling cherry blossoms on the side of the road and said slowly.
"I've been working hard on many things, or rather, everything. After I got used to it, I didn't feel tired anymore.
But I don't like to show off, because people who stand at the top will be lonely.
I've never been afraid of loneliness, but I don't like people paying too much attention to me and taking it for granted.
That way, they'll take it for granted no matter how hard I work.
In the end, I'll still care about how others look at me.
I'll also run away.
There's nothing in this world that should be taken for granted.
"I do what I want to do to fill my mediocre life.
All I want is to be simple, to be free to walk.
I'm not made to stand at the top.
I'm not afraid of hard work, but I'm afraid that after doing too much, it will become natural.
"I've matured early since I was young. There are many people, many things, and many feelings that I don't want to believe. I don't like lying, betraying, and being forgotten. I've always been so contradictory.
I rarely look at myself, and I don't give myself the time to look at myself. Even if I can do it perfectly, I try to leave some flaws to prove that I'm just a little bit better, and that it's acceptable.
"I hate lying to my heart all the time.
For so many years, this me seemed to be the most real me, but it also seemed to have never been real.
"I don't think about those things anymore, but when I was young, I thought about a lot of things.
At that time, I wasn't even five years old. My parents left me and have only come back a few times.
Actually, I remember it very clearly. Before they left, their relationship was already bad.
I thought it was only a matter of time before their relationship broke up. They rarely cared about my brother and me, so my brother was probably very cold since he was young.
"I can only rely on myself for my future.
That's what I thought since I was young, so I made myself outstanding.
Perhaps, he suddenly wanted to face himself.
Because Teacher Qingchuan said that he wanted to exhibit my paintings at the art exhibition.
If I didn't face up to my heart, I wouldn't be qualified.
It had nothing to do with the painting. It was a kind of attitude.
"Every time I draw, my heart is undisturbed. I use my purest self. This kind of feeling is actually quite good.
If he didn't use his soul to paint, he wouldn't be able to paint a good piece of work.
The reason why I learned to draw is because I wanted to feel free and true to myself.
As soon as I picked up the brush, I became pure. It's really incredible.
Maybe, I'm really talented.
I can inject the purest and most true feelings into the painting. I don't need to see through my heart, I just need to feel it. "
Rukawa Sakura stopped. "I feel that Ah Guang can understand, so I unconsciously said so much."
For the first time, Tezuka felt very clumsy and didn't know what to say.
It seemed to be the first time she revealed her heart in front of him. She was straightforward and clear. He could clearly see it and touch it.
And that heart was placed in a place where he could touch it, but he didn't know what to do.
Indeed, she was very mature since she was young, and he couldn't see through her.
She seemed to be hazy, as if she didn't exist, and people couldn't touch her.
There was always a mysterious aura surrounding her.
But it was undeniable that she was a reliable friend who could be trusted.
Over the years, she was the only one who understood the depths of his heart, even when he himself had yet to see through it.
It was as if it was beyond the existence of tacit understanding.
She was there early, waiting for him, encouraging him, understanding him, helping him, and smiling at him.
And he didn't know what to do for her. He couldn't give her any comfort or understanding.
She could go deep into his heart and do all those things when he didn't say anything. He could only face her, but he couldn't catch her, and he couldn't do what she did for him.
She could understand him, but he couldn't at the same time.
He was annoyed with himself, and he hated himself.
That feeling of powerlessness was hateful.
But he couldn't give anything in return.
Now, she put her heart in front of him, but he didn't know what to do.
Saying such words to him was already an existence that surpassed trust.
The two of them walked in silence.
"Sakura — —" Tezuka could already see the house not far away. He felt that if he didn't say anything, he wouldn't have another chance. It was as if he had lost a chance in his life, and he would regret it for the rest of his life.
Facing his childhood sweetheart and best friend, the slightest estrangement would make him hate it. He didn't want the slightest chance of estrangement to happen.
Rukawa Sakura stopped and looked up at Tezuka.
Tezuka opened his mouth slightly, but he couldn't say anything.
A trace of annoyance flashed in his eyes, and his eyes dimmed slightly.
A clear breath greeted her.
Rukawa Sakura was stunned.
Tezuka's embrace wasn't as cold as his temperament. It was very warm.
On the other hand, she gave off a very warm feeling, but her physique was cold. She was born in summer.
Probably the physique of the Rukawa family was like this. Kaede Rukawa also had a cold physique.
It was the same when they were practicing basketball. They would wear a T-shirt inside and a vest outside, even during summer training.
Tezuka didn't know if he was being too impulsive, but he suddenly wanted to give her a hug.
A faint blush flashed across his usually cold face, and his eyes darkened with an unknown emotion.
Ah Guang, you're an idiot.
Rukawa Sakura understood Tezuka's character, so she knew that he wasn't good with words. He could only express his understanding and silent comfort in this way.
She felt that this answer was probably the best response he could give.
She reached out and hugged him back. He hugged her waist, and she smiled slightly.
Tezuka's expression was gentle, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
It was a faint smile.
"Dad!
Dad! "Tezuka's mother ran over in a panic.
Tezuka Grandpa maintained his usual cold and serious expression. "Cai Cai, what's the matter? Why are you so flustered?"
"I'm sorry, Dad!
But you better come out with me quickly, or else it'll be too late!
Ah Guang and Sakura are hugging each other! "Tezuka's mother spoke very quickly, and she was very agitated.
"What's the fuss about?" Tezuka Grandpa frowned.
But suddenly, the teacup in his hand fell to the ground. "What?!
What did you just say?
Kunimitsu and Sakura?!
Quick!
Quick!
Where are they?
Tell me! "
"Yes!
Dad!
Please come with me to the courtyard! "
The two agitated elders hid in the courtyard, laughing and pointing at the two people who were hugging each other not far away.
Good job!
Kunimitsu!
As expected of the grandson of I, Tezuka Kunoichi!
Tezuka Grandpa's eyes widened, and he almost laughed out loud.
Tezuka's mother was beaming with joy. She took out her camera and snapped a picture!
Tezuka's mother!
Speaking of which, when did you take out your camera?!
Aren't you a little too fast?!
Ah?!
Tezuka Grandpa looked at his daughter-in-law's actions and gave her a thumbs up. "Well done, Cai Cai!"
Rukawa Tendo!
You stinky old man!
Haha!
In the end, I still won!
I've said it before, Sakura is destined to be part of the Tezuka family!
You should regret it, be jealous, and be angry!
Hahaha!
Tezuka's mother smiled brightly. Aiya, I've always been worried that Ah Guang wouldn't be enlightened and wouldn't be able to get a girlfriend. Looks like … Ah Guang is actually very capable!
I don't have to worry at all!
As expected of my son!
Rukawa's grandfather, who was far away in Kanagawa, sneezed. What's going on?
I have a bad feeling … Could it be that old man Tezuka is plotting against me again?!
Rukawa's grandfather!
Your senses are really sharp!
If I were to use a word to describe you, it would be 'the truth'!
Kaede Rukawa, do you have the feeling of 'after all your hard work, you're still one step behind'?
You're already thinking about the 'wolf' in Kanagawa, but there are more in Tokyo!
"Ah Guang —"
Tezuka let go of his hand and pushed up his glasses again. He looked sideways at the cherry blossoms by the roadside and blushed slightly.
Rukawa Sakura didn't feel embarrassed and continued smiling as usual.
Anyway, Ah Guang had always been shy. Whenever he pushed up his glasses awkwardly or embarrassedly to hide something, she had a mischievous sense of humor.
"They're here!
They're here! "The two elders quickly slipped away when they saw the two of them approaching!
The two of them walked through the front door of Tezuka's residence.
"Eh?!
Sakura, you're here? "Tezuka's mother, you're good at acting!
The expression on your face is really serious!
Are you 'shocked' or 'delighted'?
"Auntie Caicai, hello. I'm here to disturb you again."
"Ah, it's fine, it's fine. It's good to disturb you!
If Sakura is here, I'm more than happy! "Tezuka's mother smiled.
"?" Tezuka and Rukawa Sakura looked at each other.
"Come in quickly."
Rukawa Sakura smiled and nodded. "Where's Tezuka Grandpa?
I'll go over and say hello. "
"Dad is in the backyard. Sakura, you can go over by yourself."
"Okay, then I'll go see Tezuka Grandpa first. Ah Guang."
Tezuka nodded and carried the tennis bag upstairs.
Tezuka's mother covered her mouth and giggled, humming happily as she walked away.