The lamplit Shinbashi seemed to hang its lanterns among the street trees. Beneath these lanterns, open-air bookstalls were packed in tight rows.

A sleek black luxury car slowly decelerated, pulling up to the curb.

Pedestrians, customers, and bookstand owners shifted their attention towards the vehicle in unison.

The door opened, and out stepped a slender leg, which, with a firm step down, brought the person within to stand.

A strikingly handsome and refined young man.

His pale left hand rested on the black car door while his right reached back into the car in an offer of support, followed by a slim and exquisitely elegant young woman stepping down.

The beautiful youth closed the door and wrapped his arm around the noble-looking girl, heading towards the used bookstalls.

He leaned over and whispered something to the girl nestled in his arms, a slight smile that could intoxicate every woman in the street on this Friday night.

Faced with such a smile, the slender-waisted and long-legged noble girl responded with impatience.

But her lean into the young man's embrace was affectionate and natural.

Between their bodies, not even the passing car lights could penetrate.

The front of the bookstalls was crowded, yet as they approached one, the rest of the patrons instinctively made way, creating enough space for them.

The bookstand held hefty tomes tied in bundles, bunkobons at 150 yen per volume or 400 yen for three, past CDs for 300 yen each, with English originals and art books being the most expensive.

Under the dim glow of the lanterns, these second-hand books looked even more quaint.

"'And I miss her terribly,'" read Dubian Che from a page of "Heartbeat," eliciting a light laugh as he said to Jiutiao Meijie, "'There is nothing like a headstrong woman.'"

"Headstrong?" Jiutiao Meijie crossed her arms and regarded him askance.

"Miss Jiutiao's willfulness is known across Shinjuku District," Dubian Che said matter-of-factly.

"What did you say?" Jiutiao Meijie looked at him.

"I love you, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of you." Dubian Che picked out three more books on flowers and handed them to the stand owner.

The owner casually wrapped them in an old newspaper: "1400 yen."

This brisk transaction was nothing like the Ginza shop assistants, who would 'carry customers' shopping bags and escort them to the elevator.'

"Let's read this tonight," said Dubian Che, weighing the four books in one hand.

"Not watching your 'Ultraman' and 'Masked Rider'?" teased Jiutiao Meijie with a smile.

"Who watches those? I watch them for you, you don't understand a man's heart!"

Jiutiao Meijie's gaze cooled, still smiling as she said, "You..."

Before she could finish, Dubian Che pulled her tightly into his arms and headed for the car.

"I can hardly wait."

"Can hardly wait?"

"To read."

"Tonight you sleep on the couch."

"I'll sleep with you, I don't mind the floor."

"Don't you understand what I mean? I'm telling you to sleep alone... Keep those books away! Who knows who has touched them!"

"Isn't this far enough?" Dubian Che held the books high above.

"Not far enough."

"Then I guess I'll have to go to the moon."

"Make sure to come back, my dear."

Saturday morning at half-past nine, Jiutiao Meijie left for work, while Dubian Che strolled leisurely away from the mansion towards Tokyo University.

Today, Tokyo University's brass band was hosting a concert, and Mayi Asuka, as an oboist, would make her debut, which naturally he couldn't miss.

In fact, Mayi Asuka hadn't wanted him to come, under the pretext that she had matters to attend to after the concert and couldn't meet him.

If they couldn't meet, there was no point in going—Mayi Asuka clearly hadn't taken her oboe performance to heart.

The concert was due to start at ten-fifteen, and it was a thirty-minute walk from Shinbashi, more than enough time.

When he arrived at Waterway Bridge, he suddenly received a call from Jiutiao's mother.

"Hello?"

"My good son, where are you?"

"...In front of a steakhouse." Dubian Che eyed the affordable Kuishinbo steakhouse on his right.

"And?"

"And..." Dubian Che looked around, "I can see the Tokyo Dome."

"And?" Jiutiao's mother sounded almost giddy.

"Dear mother, if you have something to say, please do."

Laughter trickled through the phone, joined by Kiyono's mother.

Last night, Jiutiao's mother hadn't gone home, opting to stay in the palace atop Tokyo Bay.

"Your fake mom and I are thinking about asking you out on a date."

"Who's the fake mom?" came Kiyono mother's dissatisfied voice, "I accept Mr. Bian as my son; I'm the real mom."

"Shameless, forcing someone to be your son."

Amidst the squabbling ladies, Dubian Che pondered what they wanted to discuss. Perhaps plans for the anniversary trip—now more properly named a family trip?

"I'm about to watch a concert at Tokyo University," he answered.

"When does it start?" Kiyono's mother had somehow taken over the phone.

"Ten-thirty."

"Alright, son, wait there for us, and then let's have lunch together."

After ending the call with the two esteemed ladies, Dubian Che called Mayi Asuka to explain the situation.

"Will we be found out?" asked Mayi Asuka, her voice even-keeled.

"Yeah, those two are as crafty as I am."

"Then why are you coming?"

"Your first performance—unless absolutely necessary, I want to be there no matter what. So, I'm sorry for the trouble."

He faintly heard the rustling of hair against the phone; Mayi Asuka seemed to shake her head in denial.

"I'm happy. I'll try to avoid looking at you too much."

"Good, I'm looking forward to your performance."

"Okay." Her last word resonated with a clear, smiling tone.

Because of his mother-in-law and stepmother's presence, Dubian Che, as a son-in-law and godson, could no longer afford a leisurely stroll.

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