CHAPTER 408: CHAPTER 296: DAILY EPIPHANIES

Back home, at the porch, Uesugi Sakura put away the wet umbrella and leaned it against the wall, holding a bouquet of White Lily in his right hand. He fished out the key from his pocket and unlocked the door.

As soon as the door opened, the scent of citrus filled the air.

The hallway had been sprayed with citrus freshener by Hanamaru Hanabi; she said it was to make the small temporary abode feel more like home.

So that when people come back home, the familiar scent of citrus would bring them comfort.

She called it an impression, meant to leave a lasting mark in the mind.

Just like when he smelled the scent of lilies, Uesugi Sakura would subconsciously think of the youthful aura of little Hanabi.

He changed his shoes and returned to the bedroom they shared, placed the purchased lilies, and lay directly on the large bed.

He pulled over the large shark Hanabi usually rested her face on, mimicking her by pressing his face against the white belly of the shark to rest.

Only within the lingering scent of her could he find solace for the mental fatigue from a day spent at the library.

...

Upon waking, the sky was even dimmer. Uesugi Sakura glanced at the watch on his wrist, using the faint light filtering through the window to make out the time.

8:32:12

He propped himself up from the bed, swung sitting on the bed’s edge, glanced toward the empty living room, then picked up his phone and opened Line.

[Not home yet?]

minutes later, just as he was about to make a call, Hanamaru Hanabi replied to him.

[Hanabi is on the train now, will be home soon. The phone was on silent during class, didn’t notice your message, I’m terribly sorry (pleading big shark emoji)]

[No worries.]

Seeing her reply relieved Uesugi Sakura, as he waited at home for her return.

About 5 minutes later, Uesugi Sakura heard the doorbell from the living room and a timid, "I’m back."

Hanamaru Hanabi changed into slippers at the doorway, wiped her small shoes dry with a cloth, then stood up and headed into the living room.

But as she turned, she saw the bouquet of lilies right in front of her.

"Sakura...?"

She blinked her purple eyes, her gaze switching between him and the lilies.

"For you." Uesugi Sakura extended his hand.

"Sakura... why the sudden flowers?" Hanamaru Hanabi embraced the small bouquet he handed, her small face moving close to the blooms to sniff.

"Saw them by the roadside, thought they looked nice, so bought some for you."

"Hmm....."

Hanamaru Hanabi cautiously held the flowers, her small face blushing slightly, "Thank you, Sakura..."

"It’s nothing, just a little gift." Uesugi Sakura smiled.

Just a few flowers to make her happy, the more than 1000 yen spent felt quite worth it.

"But..." Uesugi Sakura stepped forward, closing the gap between them, "Since you want to thank me, how about some tangible appreciation tonight... hmm?"

Hanamaru Hanabi paused, then replied in a bashful and soft voice, "No way... we clearly agreed on specific times each week..."

"Consider today as an exception."

"No exceptions allowed."

"I understand, but you see, Hana-chan, without help, a guy tends to fall apart, and you wouldn’t want to see me fall apart due to lack of your support, right?"

Hanamaru Hanabi didn’t answer directly, dodging him, and hurriedly ran to the kitchen to start cooking.

Until she served the dishes on the small dining table, Uesugi Sakura didn’t bring up the matter again.

In a way, it wouldn’t do to let little Hanabi resist too much.

Eating the dishes perfectly to his taste, enjoying the warmth of the small house during the rainy season, Uesugi Sakura contemplated another matter:

"Hanabi, I was thinking, should we let Aei and the others come stay with us?"

Sitting across, Hanamaru Hanabi looked at him.

"Though I haven’t told you thoroughly, you probably figured it out, the two young girls have been living alone in a single apartment for half a year, and because of their illegitimate status, their father won’t care for them, and their mother merely sees them as money-making tools..."

Uesugi Sakura didn’t finish the rest of the sentence.

"Yes... we can." Hanamaru Hanabi set down her chopsticks and bowl neatly together.

"You agree? Given Aei’s personality, there might be a lot of troublesome little things." Uesugi Sakura knew he was meddling, but recalling Aei hiding under the bridge watching her reflection always left him conflicted.

"No problem, Sakura, you’ve also mentioned before to Hanabi about helping them as much as possible, and Hanabi never thought kindness was a bad thing, everyone progresses by helping each other, just like how you helped Hanabi when you were young."

When we were young...

Uesugi Sakura didn’t think so much back then, merely curious why a little girl would curl up in a corner.

Now...

Mutual aid..... he now knows who lights the path in his life and never regrets meddling.

Perhaps Aei and Chiaei also just need a bit of help to grow up well.

After dinner, Hanabi went to shower first, followed by Uesugi Sakura.

When he came out from soaking in the bath, he prepared two cups of low-caffeine coffee, and upon reaching the bedroom, found Hanamaru Hanabi still working on the computer.

"Drawing?" Uesugi Sakura placed a cup of low-caffeine latte on her desk.

Low-caffeine latte, as the name suggests, a milk coffee with low caffeine, suitable for drinking at night without affecting sleep.

As for the reason to drink coffee without caffeine?

It can only be said, drinking the coffee made personally is not about the caffeine boost, but more about experiencing the creamy texture.

Currently, his coffee brewing skills are improving by the day, and little Hanabi loves drinking it.