My Tokyo Celebrity Girlfriend Is Love-Struck, What Should I Do? - Chapter 46

No Longer Alone

The night was deep, and the chilling winter wind grew even colder.

Outside the tram, the myriad lights flickered, casting reflections on the weary faces of everyone inside the carriage.

Kimura sat in the last row of the tram, his mouth buried in the beige scarf around his neck.

Sometimes.

He really felt like Tokyo, this city, was like a dead and silent grave.

Behind the transient and drifting life, there was always a group of people who walked like the living dead, struggling for survival.

Just like when he first arrived in this metropolis.

In order to survive in this limited and expensive space, he needed to work several jobs in his spare time from studies.

His grandmother and sister in the countryside had living expenses, and his parents, apart from leaving behind a small house in the countryside.

Had almost no savings, just enough to get by.

This was thanks to his parents’ frugal lifestyle.

They always said, “Country folks have their own way of living. Don’t treat minor illnesses and save money for major ones.”

“Use the money when you have it. You never know which will come first, an accident or tomorrow. Spend the money today.”

And indeed, that was the case.

On the night of his parents’ accident, only himself, his grandmother, and his sister were left in the world, relying on each other.

Kimura lifted his rough palm and adjusted the wrinkles in the scarf around his neck.

His head gently leaned against the cold glass of the tram, allowing the chaotic lights to sweep over his eyes.

He almost couldn’t remember…

What his parents’ voices sounded like.

It turned out that Tokyo, the big city, didn’t welcome everyone equally.

In the early morning Tokyo sky, you couldn’t see the stars from the countryside.

However, he could endure a little more in Tokyo.

The extra money earned could be sent back to the countryside for his grandmother and sister, and the remaining amount would always be enough.

Although he didn’t expect the filming of the graduation project to cost so much…

He truly envied others who grew up in Tokyo, living without worries about food and clothing.

Their graduation projects shouldn’t be as financially tight as his.

Walking out of the station, a brisk night wind brushed against Kimura’s face.

Suddenly, he snapped back to reality.

Damn weather, making him lost in thought all the way.

Kimura cursed with a smile, striding towards the direction of his rented accommodation.

……

From a distance, Kimura could see a bright light in his rented house.

Very bright.

It seemed like just a glance from afar would make him feel that Tokyo’s winter wasn’t that cold.

Suddenly, he remembered he wasn’t alone now.

Tokyo was no longer a place where he had to survive all alone.

Kimura’s eyes went blank for a moment, and a faint smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth.

His steps, which were originally dragging, became more vigorous.

It felt like he could already smell the rich aroma of food before reaching home.

No wonder his father used to come home late after drinking, and his mother would turn on the small light outside even if she was angry…

Kimura pushed open the door of the rented house, and a warm airflow greeted him.

Mixed with the fragrance of a delicious meal, it swept away the heavy cold air on him.

“Tadaima.”

“Okaeri!”

The clear voice of Asuka wafted in the room, and the girl, with a delicate smile on her face, walked out of the living room.

The breeze in the hallway swept Asuka’s hair by Kimura’s ears.

Asuka reached out to brush her hair, and her charming eyes curved up.

“Hayata-chan is back so late. I’ve finished cooking and have been waiting for you for ages!”

The complaining voice reached Kimura’s ears, bringing him back to reality.

“Ah, sorry! I got too focused on editing the work and ended up working until now.”

“I’ve already prepared dinner, Hayata-chan, quickly freshen up and let’s eat.”

“Yes!”

Kimura changed his shoes, took off the scarf around his neck, and removed his coat.

Entering the living room, his gaze swept over the dining table, and he couldn’t help but be stunned.

Miso soup, sushi, tempura, pickles, fish fillet, and even a glass of beer?!

So sumptuous…

For a moment, Kimura hesitated, his brain working rapidly.

Could it be…

Is today some important day?

Valentine’s Day? Women’s Day? Black, white, gray, pink… Valentine’s Day?

No, Asuka never let him celebrate these holidays before, saying they were all festivals to fleece couples.

Is it her birthday? Asuka’s birthday is on September 13th, which doesn’t seem to match.

After a jumble of thoughts, Kimura gave up on thinking.

“Asuka, is today a special day?” Kimura asked tentatively.

“No, it’s not.” Asuka walked out of the dining room holding utensils, “Why would you suddenly ask that, Hayata-chan?”

“Nothing… I just felt that tonight’s dinner is a bit extravagant, thought it might be a special day.”

Kimura breathed a sigh of relief.

“Just wanted to make it, so I did.”

Asuka tilted her head, her cheeks showing adorable dimples.

“Well then, I’ll go wash up and get ready for dinner.”

“Mm!”

……

When Kimura came out of the bathroom, Asuka was already sitting at the dining table, holding Ugly Meow Maru in her arms.

The girl lowered her head, fingers gently kneading the hot water bag with the cute cat pattern.

Her rosy lips moved, murmuring something softly.

Seeing Kimura emerge from the bathroom, Asuka paused her actions, clear eyes staring at him.

Kimura sat across from her at the dining table.

“Itadakimasu!”

Kimura clasped his hands in front of him.

Asuka watched Kimura eat, a smile playing on her lips, but it quickly faded.

Leaning forward slightly, she casually asked, “Hayata-chan, are we shooting tomorrow?”

“Yes, we’ll stick to the original schedule… Tomorrow morning, we’ll shoot the final scenes with Hino Maori and Wataya Izumi. Asuka can rest after the noon shoot.”

Kimura explained tomorrow’s plan, reaching for the miso soup in front of him and taking a big sip.

“What about the scenes in the middle of the script?”

“The part where Kamiya Toru dies may need to be postponed a bit because… we haven’t found a suitable location yet.” Kimura awkwardly touched his neck.

“As for the confession scene, we’ll shoot it at the fireworks festival in two days. Thanks to Fujikawa-kun’s seven reserved seats, the only thing left is to shoot at that time.”

Asuka nodded gently.

As if remembering something, Kimura stopped his chopsticks halfway.

“Is Asuka feeling better? The weather has been getting colder these days…”

“Absolutely no problem.” Asuka smiled gently. “With Ugly Meow Maru by my side, I’ll wear a bit more under the kimono when the time comes.”

“Good.”

Kimura breathed a sigh of relief and continued to eat his meal.

“Oh, Hayata-chan… Are you going to the offline screening the day after tomorrow?”

“Ah, that’s for preparing our graduation project to participate in the T-Station Film Festival competition… Thanks to Koike-sensei for the tickets; otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about this opportunity. I must do my homework well this time and get our work officially entered into the competition.”

Kimura said with a smile.

“I see.”

Asuka’s long eyelashes half-drooped, her gaze falling to the ground not far away.

Seeing this, Kimura thought Asuka was worried about him and quickly reassured her.

“Don’t worry, it will be fine. As long as I understand the standards those critics use for evaluation, we should easily pass the initial screening…”

“That’s it!”

Asuka stood up, holding Ugly Meow Maru. “Hayata-chan, I’m going to rest now.”

“Huh? Okay…”