Kyousuke held up the fully cooled glass cup, examining it carefully under the workshop's lighting.
Just like those special mirrors and warm lights in barbershops, the illumination in Grandpa Yagi's workshop was modeled exactly after the ones used in the Taisho-style Shouko Pavilion.
The cool-toned lights seemed to elevate the value of even an ordinary glass by a hundredfold, let alone this ultimate work of art Kyousuke had spent a whole week crafting.
The rim fit perfectly against the lips, the body of the cup curved smoothly and gracefully, and etched at the base in pale green glass like a lotus leaf was a single character:
"樱" (Sakura). Under the lights, the transparent glass took on a faint, delicate green hue.
It wasn't the Japanese "桜," but the Chinese character for "sakura."
"Beautiful…" Kyousuke murmured, almost singing the words in admiration.
That specific shade of green had taken him and the old man three hours to perfect, capturing exactly how Sakura felt to him—full of life, like morning dew.
"You're seriously planning to give that thing to the girl you like?"
Yagi Kazumasa looked at the hopeless kid in front of him, totally unimpressed.
It was just a plain water cup with a round rim and no handle, nothing fancy at all.
Yet the way Kyousuke gazed at it like it was a national treasure... Anyone who didn't know better might think it was a masterpiece by some legendary artist.
"For a beginner, it's already pretty damn good!" Even without using tools to measure, Kyousuke was confident that every part of the cup was a perfect circle.
In fact, it was probably more precise than any mass-produced factory glass.
Ideal for drinking water.
Yup, a perfect water glass.
Thanks to his combined talents in kendo and physics, Kyousuke didn't just have exceptional body control—his eyes worked like a ruler.
Not only could he measure things visually with stunning accuracy, but he could also calculate hidden data most people wouldn't notice.
"I'll give you this—your hands are freakishly steady, like machines. But in that case, why not try carving a pattern onto it?"
"You don't even need to draw it yourself—just trace a design and etch it."
"No way. That'd compromise the glass's integrity. It might even shatter if you poured hot water in it. Too dangerous."
Kyousuke had thought about adding something decorative like a sakura flower, orange blossoms, maybe grapes but ultimately decided not to push his limits.
He was self-aware enough to know he had zero artistic talent.
And as a self-declared lazy guy, he believed in avoiding unnecessary trouble.
At least with this cup, he could proudly say he did everything from preparing the materials and firing the furnace to shaping the final product.
That made it a true expression of sincerity.
"Whatever you say." Yagi Kazumasa waved a hand dismissively and turned to start packing up his tools, only to freeze when he spotted the six other cups laid out on the table.
A wave of disbelief hit him.
He couldn't stand idly by while his friend's grandson veered off the rails.
"Kid… You do realize this is the 21st century, right?"
"Yeah?" Kyousuke blinked, tearing his gaze away from Sakura's cup.
What was with this sudden time-check?
"Then you should also know polygamy is illegal."
Yagi slapped a heavy hand on Kyousuke's shoulder.
Sure, a guy like him might've had dozens of women in another era.
But this is a lawful society now, kid—get a grip!
"Oh, then I just won't get legally married," Kyousuke replied casually.
He had assumed the old man was about to drop some serious advice, but this?
"…You're on your own."
Yagi sighed and pulled off his white head towel, walking straight out of the workshop without looking back.
"And clean up after yourself!"
At least the kid was reliable when it came to tidying up.
The only thing that irked Yagi was how Kyousuke always lined up the cups with the handles facing the exact same direction.
It was… oddly unsettling.
But Kyousuke didn't move right away.
He continued admiring the cups he had made as gifts for the girls.
Sakura's cup bore the green character "樱."
Shouko's had the white character "硝" (shou).
Naoka's was purple with "直" (Nao).
Eriri's was gold with "英" (Eiri).
Okudera-senpai's was brown with "奥" (Oku).
Mitsuha's had a black "三" (Mitsu).
And Yukino's was marked with a blue "雪" (Yuki).
Yes, even for Miyamizu Mitsuha and Yukino Yukari, though he had no idea where they were now, he made a cup for each.
He hadn't had the chance to truly experience Mitsuha and Yukino in person, but from scattered memories.
Mitsuha always came across as fiercely strong and stubborn, like a stone at the bottom of a river—unyielding.
Yukino, on the other hand… just hearing her name brought to mind gentle mountain springs.
Soft, obedient, bending around rocks and resting calmly in the smallest puddles.
Somehow, Kyousuke felt that she and he were alike in a strange way.
He avoided problems head-on, while Yukino—at least in his memory—tended to quietly endure them, dodging only when there was no other choice.
He wondered what it would be like when they finally met again.
He was looking forward to it.
As for Eriri's cup, he had considered making it a little smaller—after all, the girl was tiny.
But remembering the last time they met, when he used his keen eyes and subtle measurements to gauge her physical growth, he decided to keep it the same size as the others.
Consider it a small blessing if she kept growing at this pace, she'd catch up eventually.
Kyousuke picked up the special box meant for storing the glasses and carefully packed each one.
Then he began tidying up the workshop.
The damp wooden boards used to shape the glass, the wet newspaper for molding, the steel molds for stabilizing, the wood shavings to prevent sticking—all of it needed organizing.
Don't let the size of the cups fool you.
Without modern tools and tech, making even one of these would've been near impossible.
Glass, once molten, became pliable but that same quality made it difficult to control.
It required a craftsman's precision and rhythm, working with and against gravity to mold that glowing red liquid into something beautiful.
The process was scorching hot and deeply satisfying.
Watching the chaotic blob of glass transform under his touch, then cool, only to be coated again in burning-hot layers…
Honestly, even after going through all that and making seven cups, Kyousuke still didn't really get what "artisan spirit" meant.
His lazy-man philosophy hadn't changed: leave the mechanical tasks to machines.
Food didn't taste worse just because you used a dishwasher.
Though, if the dishwasher happened to be a cute girl in a frilly pink apron… yeah, the taste might improve a bit.
Just like the cups he'd made by hand—filled with love. Even a sip of water would carry his care.
With the gifts and recipes ready, it was about time for Kyousuke to head back to Tokyo.
"Kyousuke! You really not gonna stay in Otaru and help your grandpa run the ranch?"
His grandfather, Hojou Yusuke, called out from the doorway.
Working together as a family across three generations—now that was a dream come true.
"I still have some things to take care of in Tokyo. Once I'm married, I'll move back to Otaru and work with you, Grandpa," Kyousuke said with a smile, carefully cradling a box filled with delicate cups.
Unless something crazy like a hijacking or plane crash happened, he planned to carry it all the way to Tokyo without letting go.
"Really!?" Hojou Yusuke, who had only said it as a casual remark, hadn't expected such a sincere promise from his grandson.
"Yeah," Kyousuke nodded firmly. I mean a proper marriage, like officially registered at city hall, he added silently in his mind.
"That's wonderful!" Yusuke beamed.
Meanwhile, Hojou Mikiko, who knew all too well what kind of person her son was, couldn't stop giggling as she walked arm in arm with Hojou Asako.
Seeing her mother's curious expression, Mikiko began whispering Kyousuke's romantic history into her ear, prompting both women to burst out laughing together.
There wasn't the slightest hint of sadness that her son was heading off again.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Mom—I'm off now." After the lighthearted moment, Kyousuke straightened his posture, bowed seriously, and said his farewell.
"Safe travels," Mikiko waved with a warm smile.
She hadn't been allowed to accompany him to the airport.
The whole family was afraid she'd burst into tears there, which wouldn't be good for her health.
After loading the box onto the roof of the car, Kyousuke walked over and gave his mother a final hug.
"I'll be back when my little sister is born," he said.
This would be his first sister, in either of his lives, and he was genuinely looking forward to it.
"Haha, we don't even know the gender yet," Mikiko chuckled and patted her son's back.
Kyousuke didn't reply, but the whole family was hoping for a girl.
His father, Hojou Ichirou, had only prepared a name for a daughter—Hojou Kayoko.
In the car, Ichirou glanced at his son. "So you're not coming back next break?"
"Just the round trip takes two days. With only a ten-day vacation, it's a bit tight," Kyousuke replied casually, reclining in his seat.
Though they hadn't seen each other in a while, Kyousuke still remembered the time spent with his father when he was little, so it didn't feel awkward at all.
"True enough," Ichirou chuckled.
Though he was a sharp-tongued lawyer, when it came to his now-grown son, he turned into a typical dad.
As the JR Otaru Station came into view, he pondered a bit, then managed to string a few words together.
"Don't just focus on your career or love life. Make sure you keep up your studies too—don't embarrass me."
Kyousuke didn't joke back with a "Didn't I do better than you in middle school?"—he just nodded solemnly.
"Take care out there," Ichirou said, offering his final goodbye.
"Yeah. Bye, Dad." Kyousuke nodded, then walked into the station with his bamboo sword slung over his back and the box in his arms.
All his other luggage—including gifts for friends—had already been mailed ahead.
———————————————————————
Chitose Airport
Since he hadn't told Eriri he was leaving, Kyousuke had booked his own first-class ticket not for the comfort, but to make it easier to carry the box.
To his surprise, it was the same plane he'd taken last time to Kushiro.
The friendly flight attendant from before gave him a strangely bittersweet smile, though he didn't know why.
Still, he greeted her politely.
Even after taking his seat, Kyousuke didn't place the box down.
What if there was turbulence and it fell? If that happened, he'd immediately return to Otaru and make a new one from scratch.
As the plane prepared for takeoff, a flight attendant approached to check his seatbelt and suggested he store the box in the overhead compartment.
Kyousuke hesitated, then pulled a small glass ornament from his pocket and handed it to her.
"A Daruma for health and good fortune. I made it myself. If you don't mind, please accept it."
It was lightly coated in white glass, with a simple Daruma face painted on it.
'Last time, Mitsuha ate a ridiculous amount and took six models from them,' he recalled, remembering what she had jotted down in her notes.
'Might as well say thanks while I have the chance.'
He had several more of these tiny Daruma figures in his pocket, each thumb-sized and in different colors.
He planned to give them to friends at school.
He'd even considered bringing a full set of tableware from Okudera-senpai's restaurant, but ran out of time.
The flight attendant, bent over checking his seatbelt, froze.
The handsome guy who'd given her his contact info but never added her... had brought her a gift?
'Wait… did he book this flight on purpose just to see me?!'
Her smile instantly brightened, and she leaned in to adjust his already perfectly fastened seatbelt.
"Hojou-san, would you like some freshly squeezed orange juice and a snack?"
"I'd love to, but I'm a bit tied up right now," Kyousuke replied with a smile, motioning to the box in his arms.
'No problem—I could feed you…'
That thought almost slipped out as she stared at his charming smile that could make knees weak.
"I can hold the box for you, if you'd like."
"I appreciate it, but it's a gift for someone I really care about. I'd rather hold onto it myself."
"Understood. I won't disturb you then."
As she walked away, her expression shifting through several emotions, Kyousuke put on his headphones and started listening to music, completely confused.
———————————————————————
At the airport, he was picked up by Makki Hojou.
Since Kyousuke had sent all his luggage to Makki's place in Tokyo, it wasn't a hassle to ask him to drive it over.
As soon as they met, Kyousuke pulled a green Daruma from his pocket and handed it over.
"A Daruma for academic success, best of luck getting into Tokyo University next year, Makki!" It looked just like the one he gave the flight attendant, except the eyes weren't painted yet.
That was to be done after Makki passed the entrance exam.
"Of course I'll get in!" Makki laughed, examining the little gift. "What the heck? A few days away and you've become a glass artisan?"
"Boss, welcome back to Tokyo!" The two goofballs known as the Oni Bros popped out from the side.
They were there to help carry Kyousuke's stuff.
"Yo, still full of energy as always, Onizuka, Tamama. Congrats on dominating the National High School Kendo Tournament!" Kyousuke grinned.
With banter flying, the group started walking toward the parking lot.
"It was a shame you couldn't come with us, Boss!" Onizuka called out dramatically once they were in the car.
"What, you didn't get to see the great Onizuka in action?"
"Heh, well, yeah, that too. But we recorded it—if you're interested, you can watch it later!"
"Sure. But if I spot any sloppy moves, it's twenty rounds of practice with me."
"Ugh, I'm practically retired already! Why more training!?" Onizuka whined, suddenly looking like he was about to cry.
"Idiot! Retiring from the club doesn't mean retiring from kendo! A true swordsman trains for life!" Makki scolded. But after Onizuka gave a loud reply, Makki burst into laughter.
"But seriously, Kyousuke—it's a shame you missed it."
"Why? Was there a strong opponent?" Kyousuke asked curiously. "Didn't you already win the individual title, Makki?"
"You brat, it sounds like you think I'm weak," Makki Hojou said, a bit annoyed as he drove.
Then, with a more serious tone, he added, "It's the women's division. There's a girl from Nara's high school who's insanely strong, and it seems like she uses Ittō-ryū techniques."
"Exactly! She's incredible! Whether it's individual matches or team battles, her school won every single one."
"When I saw her, I thought I was looking at you, Chief! If that guy Ryuji went up against her, he'd probably lose in one round," Eikichi Onizuka said, nodding eagerly.
"Idiot, Ryuji, how could she possibly be stronger than my big brother!" Danma Ryuji gave Onizuka a playful slap on the head.
"What's her name?" Kyousuke asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Her name?" Both Makki and Eikichi asked in unison.
"She's called the 'Female Sword Saint from Nara,'" Makki Hojou spoke up.
Got it.
These guys weren't paying attention to the details.
But, honestly, considering Kyousuke was attending a Buddhist school, it'd be worse if he focused on the women's division.
Back at the apartment, after Onizuka and the others helped him carry his luggage upstairs, Kyousuke began handing out the gifts he'd brought.
He looked up at the sky.
Unlike in Otaru, where you could see the sky with just a slight tilt of the head or by looking at the horizon, in Tokyo's towering cityscape, you had to tilt your head back to see the sky.
Since he'd taken an early flight, even though he'd spent time unpacking and taking a quick shower, the sun was still high in the sky.
Unlike the cool air in Hokkaido, Tokyo's August heat was still intense.
So, Kyousuke got on his motorcycle, loading up the gifts for Shouko's and Naoka's families, strapping them securely to the back seat.
Twenty minutes later, he reached Naoka's house.
Considering Naoka had a part-time job in the afternoon, he had to drop off the gift while she was still available.
"Happy summer vacation, Naoka."
"Happy summer vacation, Kyousuke," Ueno Naoka greeted him, clearly surprised by his visit. She quickly ushered him inside, where he was carrying bags full of things.
"Where's your little brother?"
"They're out for a walk with Grandpa," she replied.
Naoka's house was an old one, built in the 1960s during the Japanese government's "one house, one room" initiative.
They sat in a tatami room, where Naoka poured barley tea from the fridge for Kyousuke.
The sliding doors of the room were wide open, and the old fan in the corner was weakly turning, almost as if it had asthma, doing nothing to cool the room.
"Here, a gift." Kyousuke pulled out a handmade cup from his pile of items and handed it to her.
The wooden box it was packaged in was one he'd crafted himself.
"What's this?" Naoka gently touched the smooth cup, her slender fingers running over the bottom, where the kanji for "straight" was written in a color matching her eyes.
Her blue-purple eyes widened in surprise, and she looked up at him, speechless.
"I made it myself. It's not too bad, right?" Kyousuke scratched his nose, then took a sip of the amber-colored barley tea.
It was so hot that even his strong body couldn't help but feel the heat.
"Thank you, Kyousuke!" Naoka put the cup on the table and suddenly threw herself into his arms, knocking him onto the floor.
"Hey, hey, be careful, there's glass inside some of those other gifts!" Kyousuke quickly reached out and held Naoka's head, making sure she didn't hit the table or the tatami mats.
They stayed in that embrace for a full minute, and when Naoka finally lifted her head, Kyousuke thought she would get up, but instead, she adjusted her position and straddled him.
With the hot weather, Naoka was wearing very short shorts, and all Kyousuke could see were her smooth, snow-white legs, like Hokkaido white chocolate.
Kyousuke guessed that the temperature in Tokyo might be pushing fifty degrees Celsius because he could feel his face and chest burning with heat, his throat so dry it felt like it was about to crack.
Reluctantly tearing his eyes away from her flawless legs, he glanced up at the girl, who was now holding herself up with her hands pressed into his chest.
There was something familiar, yet strange, in her blue-purple eyes.
His sharp mind quickly pieced it together.
It reminded him of the graduation ceremony in elementary school, when she had been the first person to steal a button from his clothes.
At that time, her eyes had held the same captivating glint, one that was charming and intoxicating, but also intense enough to burn.
Her long, black hair fell around her face, brushing lightly against his skin, tickling him like spider silk, as if it might bind him up at any moment.
"Naoka…" he murmured.
"I really do like you the most, Kyousuke," she said, her voice soft and airy, carrying an emotion Kyousuke both recognized and found unfamiliar.
Her crystal-clear blue eyes were misty, like grapes freshly washed and covered in droplets of water.
If he kissed those eyes, would they taste like grapes?
The thought struck him suddenly, and before he could process it, he realized that the sweet grape-like scent he'd noticed on Naoka had changed.
It was no longer the early stages of ripeness, still carrying a hint of grass and sourness.
Now, it was like the fruit had fully ripened, filled with the sweet aroma of fructose.
Before Kyousuke could fully grasp why Naoka had suddenly said that, he saw her crystalline blue eyes inching closer.
Would it taste like grapes?
"What are you doing, Naoka?" he managed to ask, his voice weak as he lay beneath her, unable to move.
His gaze shifted, and her soft, moist lips gently brushed against his forehead.
"This is a token of appreciation, Kyousuke. It's a European tradition."
Seeing the surprised look on his face, Naoka smiled happily, extending three fingers in front of her with a cute gesture.
If you want to call it cute, it looked like she was trying to make a finger gun, but her index and middle fingers separated slightly as if controlled by some invisible force.
"Remember, I'm the first girl to kiss you!" Just like when she was the first to steal a button from his shirt, Naoka made her declaration.
So what if she's the last to arrive? Kyousuke will definitely belong to her!
Naoka, in some ways, was just as bold and daring as Sakura. Especially when it came to the boy she liked — Kyousuke.
So, what exactly had changed in Naoka's heart this semester when their meetings became fewer and farther between?
Kyousuke couldn't figure it out, nor did he want to.
He just looked at the smug girl before him as he slowly straightened his back.
Naoka's light body leaned backward slowly, and in a moment of panic, Kyousuke reached out and caught her.
His hand gently placed on her waist, without any inappropriate movements.
Naoka, who was still reveling in her victory of taking the first kiss, hadn't expected things to change so fast.
The role of the innocent "little rabbit" transformed in an instant.
When she felt the kiss on her forehead, Naoka suddenly realized what had happened.
Unlike her impulsive, fleeting kiss, Kyousuke's kiss was calm and steady, just like him.
She could feel the distinct texture of his lips, and when she tried to raise her head, she was held tightly in place.
Kyousuke didn't speak, but Naoka could almost sense his thoughts through his deep breaths.
'Seriously, it's like he's a greedy cat trying to keep all the delicious food to himself,' she thought.
Once he released her, Naoka couldn't help but feel both amused and frustrated at the lazy, slightly mischievous expression on his face.
"You're still going to Shouko's house, right? Don't forget to wipe your forehead clean!"
Everything about him made every girl around him fall for him.
His greed was both endearing and helpless.
Naoka knew that even though she'd just kissed him, he would soon be giving the same token of affection to Shouko.
She smiled wryly, yet still reminded him.
"Oh, right," Kyousuke chuckled twice, his face showing no hint of embarrassment.
"Go on now, Shouko's probably done walking with her grandma."
"There's beef and venison in the bag. Don't forget to put it in the fridge and eat quickly."
Before leaving, Kyousuke reminded her, though he didn't seem to be in a rush.
He probably knew Naoka's family was large, and she needed to eat more, especially since she was a little behind in her development.
"Wow, so much?" Naoka ran to the door, only catching the tail lights of the black motorcycle as it disappeared.
She watched until the motorcycle was no longer in sight before turning back to the house.
As she unpacked the gifts Kyousuke had brought, she couldn't help but laugh at their childish behavior.
She didn't feel like tidying up anymore and lay back on the tatami mat, spreading her limbs wide and letting the fan's breeze flow under her t-shirt.
Shouko had suffered a lot because of her health issues.
As for Naoka, she had lost her parents and had to work even harder to not stand out in school.
She also had to take on the role of a big sister to her younger brothers.
While Shouko grew stronger under Kyousuke's protection, Naoka had only herself.
More mature than most people her age, this semester, far from Kyousuke, she had carefully examined her own feelings.
She had to work to earn money for her vocational school tuition and also help with the family's expenses.
Perhaps, in the future, she'd need to figure out how to support her brothers' school fees too.
She didn't have much time for love games, so she had to set her sights on her goal and give it her all.
Kyousuke was naturally the perfect match.
Not only was his appearance charming, but it was his way of treating those around him that made him so irresistible.
Who else would bring a gift of over ten kilos of beef, clearly aware that her family was large and not well off?
Just like when he brought comics for her brothers last time.
Then there was the handmade glass cup, engraved with her name.
A boy like him, full of warmth and thoughtful surprises in everyday life—who could resist someone like that?
But the biggest problem was that the cup wasn't the only one, and she wasn't his only choice.
That was the part that bothered her the most.
Last time, at the Sakura Festival, she had accidentally met that shrine maiden.
After being consoled by her, Naoka had come to a realization.
With Kyousuke's personality, he wouldn't allow her to run away in the middle.
The only way to secure him was to be the first to win his heart, so she could have him all to herself.
Because, whether it was Shouko or Sakura, they were truly good girls.
So, Naoka decided to launch a more direct attack. This was her strategy!