Beep beep... Beep beep...
Feeling the vibration of his phone, Uesugi Sakura put down the book in his hand and checked the text messages on his phone.
"Do you want all your phones to turn into iPhones?
Are iPhones too expensive to afford?
Thinking of changing the model of your phone just now?
Don't want to spend so much money?
I think there are various reasons.
But now, just download a software!
Then, the latest iPhone will semi-permanently transform into your phone!!!
▽ Click the link below to download ▽"
"..."
Another scam message, Uesugi Sakura directly closed the phone, too lazy to even delete it.
This was the fifth scam message after "Inherit 9.9 billion yen," "Mother passed away," "Quantum system malfunction, transfer 300 billion yen," "I am your father, click the link quickly."
"Quite a variety."
Uesugi Sakura withdrew his thoughts, looked up at the smiling crowd in front of him, and continued to enjoy his pleasant lazy time.
The late March spring breeze carried a bit of chill as it blew from the north, and the sakura trees lining the road swayed with the wind, stirring the countless petals falling slowly, captivating all passersby.
Tourists made noise and occasionally sighed, stopping to admire this majestic beauty.
Sitting on the bench, Uesugi Sakura gently closed the book in his hand, also joining them in admiring the dreamlike floral sea. His peaceful heart couldn't help but sway with the past:
"Speaking of rebirth... This has been the sixteenth year, hasn't it?"
The ocean of blossoms adorned the clear blue sky, adding a rare peace to the bustling city.
This was Shinjuku Imperial Garden in Tokyo, where the world-renowned Yaezakura blossoms.
Tourists from all over the world often come to Tokyo at this time to admire the sakura, gathering in small groups, enjoying this cozy time together.
As the saying goes, "The sakura petals fall, filling the garden with spring, people who come by smile and welcome each other."
Uesugi Sakura liked this atmosphere very much because the lively crowd always brought warm laughter, filling his lonely heart with a trace of warmth.
Now, it had been sixteen years since he was reborn here.
Apart from retaining fragments of his past life as an ordinary office worker, he was now just a regular high school student in Tokyo.
His goal was the coveted yet elusive Tokyo University.
He just wanted to find a steady job to live a comfortable life, earn enough money, and open a café for a tranquil living.
Sometimes, an ordinary and comfortable life is the most worthwhile pursuit.
However,
he gazed at the falling sakura petals and fell into a daze.
Beep... Beep...
[Rebirth System Activated]
[Please enter your name: _]
Was this another scam message?
"..."
After hesitating for a moment, Uesugi Sakura finally reacted.
No, it should be a cheat code arriving.
He didn't believe those scammers had the technology to directly display information in his eyes.
Looking at the translucent azure font floating in front of him, he didn't feel overly joyful and remained calm.
As someone reborn, he occasionally indulged in some fantasies during his leisure time.
Now that those fantasies had come true, there was nothing surprising about it. After all, having gone through rebirth, what else was unacceptable?
Staring intently at the azure font before him, Uesugi Sakura rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
A system...
A thing made of unknown structure, principles, and motives.
Essentially, it wasn't much different from the scam messages earlier.
Being cautious, he began to outline the consequences of inputting his name in his mind.
For instance, like in ordinary anime, after inputting the name, his life might change instantly, crossing to another world to become a hero who slays the Demon King and marries the princess.
Or, after the system is activated, previously non-existent monsters, spirits, etc., all appear.
And as someone with a system, he would soon be invited by some never-before-heard mysterious organization due to his special qualifications, meeting various girls along the way, hence starting the so-called harem journey.
Thinking about it—
Random...
Uesugi Sakura shook his head, throwing away all the miscellaneous thoughts, focusing again on the flashing underline before him, feeling a bit conflicted:
So, should he input his name?
Although his acceptance level was high, crossing to another world was still a bit too much; his ordinary life would be completely ruined by then.
He fell into deep thought once more...
In the Imperial Garden, sitting straight on the bench, Uesugi Sakura seemed out of tune with the blissful tourists.
...
After contemplating for a while, he still entered his name.
[Input Success]
[Name: Uesugi Sakura]
[Verifying identity, please wait...]
It wasn't that he hadn't worried about the things he had thought of earlier, but he felt some things were more important than those possible strange events:
That was—
He could finally be lazy with a cheat code.
Alright, he admitted he was tired, he didn't want to work hard anymore, just wanted to be a lazy fish.
To get into a famous private high school in Tokyo, he had put in countless efforts day and night to achieve the result, and the tuition was also quite high. His family was just an ordinary one with a house in Tokyo.
And as someone who had lived a second life, facing a golden cheat code that suddenly appeared in his mind, no matter how he thought about it, he should give it a try.
Opportunities always come with some risks.
Amidst the lively crowd, Uesugi Sakura closed the book on his lap, waiting quietly.
Watching the gradually disappearing azure font, he had already prepared himself.
The sakura petals continued falling with the breeze, exuding their sweet scent, a refreshing faint floral fragrance, a delight to the mind.
This was also why he chose to sit here and read.
"U... Uesugi-kun..."
Hearing the soft, tender voice, Uesugi Sakura, who had been silent for a long time, opened his eyes and saw the timid, charming girl suddenly appearing in his sight.
"Hanabi?"
"Yes."
Under the falling sakura tree, Hanamaru Hanabi gently nodded, her delicate face blushing like sweet wine.
In March, the chill hadn't left Tokyo, but the fragrance of spring had begun.
The girl's clothing was quite conservative, a light gray Japanese-style coat paired with a beige knitted sweater, a thick light blue scarf wrapped around her neck.
Her short shoulder-length hair framed her rosy cheeks.
A creamy-white Japanese-style pleated skirt, white short socks reaching the ankles.
The transparent lace at the hem of her skirt matched perfectly with the flying sakura petals, adding a few cute charms.
Soft appearance, faint voice, arousing compassion.
Uesugi Sakura looked into her bright, warm violet eyes and asked, "Why are you here?"
Hanamaru Hanabi shrunk her head, burying her red face into her scarf, her fingers interlocking on her lap as she softly whispered, "T-today is sakura season, Hanabi... Hanabi wanted to watch the sakura with Uesugi-kun... But Auntie Nobuko said you left at eight in the morning."
"So... so I came here."