Charlie waved his hand reassuringly. “It’s alright, no need to worry. I have something personal to attend to, and I’ll be back once it’s taken care of.”


    Isaac Cameron inquired, “Is it in Osaka? Would you like me to arrange for someone to escort you?”


    “No, that’s not necessary.” Charlie chose not to disclose his destination; he preferred to keep it to himself.


    For reasons he couldn’t fully understand, thoughts of Nanako Ito upied his mind. Was it sympathy for her situation, admiration for her strength, or some otherplex emotion? Whatever it was, Charlie felt a strong urge to see her again.


    He was determined to travel to Kyoto to visit Nanako Ito and check on her injuries. If he could make sure she was on the mend, he would feel at ease returning home. <h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Noticing Charlie’s reluctance to share his ns, Isaac decided not to press further but reminded him to drive carefully. “If the snow gets too heavy, just wait until it calms down before heading out.” <fn1327> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n fin?novel</fn1327>


    Charlie nodded in agreement before setting off on his own. The drive from Osaka to Kyoto was brief, taking about an hour. By the time he arrived in Kyoto, night had already fallen, and the snow was falling thickly, resembling fluffy goose feathers.


    Unfamiliar with the location of the Ito family’s mansion, Charlie stopped at a Chinese restaurant for a bowl of ramen. As he paid the bill, he asked the owner, “Excuse me, do you know where the Ito family residence is?”


    The owner smiled and replied, “The Ito family home is located next to Nijo Castle. It’s quite expansive and easy to find. Look for the que at the front entrance with the characters for Ito.”


    Charlie expressed his gratitude and left the restaurant. Nijo Castle was a well-knownndmark in Kyoto, making it easy to find on a map; he was only about two kilometers away.


    As he sat in his car, Charlie hesitated, unsure of how to approach Nanako Ito. Should he simply knock on the door when he arrived at the Ito family mansion? That felt inappropriate, especially considering that Yuhiko Ito’s substantial assets were still under his control. If his subordinates reported Charlie’s arrival, it was likely he wouldn’t be allowed to see Nanako.


    So, what should he do? Sneaking in might be the only option. With that thought in mind, Charlie started his car, followed the navigation, and soon found himself near Nijo Castle. There, not far from the castle, he finally spotted the Ito family mansion.


    The mansion was expansive, surrounded by towering old trees, and featured traditional Japanese wooden architecture with distinct Chinese influences, revealing its age and history.


    With an ancient moat encircling the residence and two private bridges leading in and out, Charlie parked his car a short distance away. Battling the heavy snowfall, he stealthily made his way toward the Ito family home under the cover of darkness.


    Meanwhile, Nanako Ito had just finished soaking in a hot spring. Excited by the long-awaited heavy snowfall, she felt a wave of happiness wash over her, lifting her spirits.


    She had asked her servant to help her into an exquisitely beautiful kimono and had styled her long hair, adding her favorite hairpin for a final touch.


    With joy, she wheeled herself into her small courtyard to revel in the snow. The Ito family residence was vast, featuring several courtyards, but Nanako found sce in the most secluded and tranquil one.


    As the snow continued to fall, a delicateyer nketed her hair, and she gazed up at the snowkes swirling in the air, her heart brimming with childlike joy.


    After a moment, she looked toward the sky and wondered, “What is Charlie doing right now? Is it snowing in Aurous Hill? Does he think of me?”