CHAPTER 682: CHAPTER 419 A DAY OF MISSING HANABI MIGHT BE QUITE ORDINARY_2

"Okay~"

Uesugi Sakura found Aei to be quite easy to handle; she’d eat whatever you gave her and wasn’t picky, having such an obedient little sister was nice.

Speaking of which, Aei and the others have changed their last name. Since they were transferred to the Hanamaru family, they now have the surname Hanamaru, making them Hanabi’s sisters in the true sense.

This time, the tea rice didn’t turn out badly.

Pairing it with the side dishes in the bento box barely made the meal complete.

After eating, Uesugi Sakura went to the bathroom to run hot water. Once the bathtub was full, he leaned out and shouted to Aei, who was watching TV in the living room:

"Aei, it’s time for a bath."

When Aei came over, Uesugi Sakura reminded her: "Remember to bring a change of clothes for after the bath. Don’t come out naked like last time looking for clothes, what if someone sees?"

"It’s okay if brother sees."

"I’m not talking about me."

"Brother counts as ’someone else’ too."

"..."

Unable to argue with the little girl, Uesugi Sakura chose not to respond.

"Just remember to put on clothes before coming out of the bathroom."

Aei put her hands behind her back and tiptoed: "Got it~ But Aei came over to see brother without bringing a change of clothes."

"Then just wear Hanabi sister’s pajamas for now, I’ll find some in the wardrobe."

Going to the bedroom, Uesugi Sakura rummaged through Hanabi’s wardrobe for clothes that would fit a little girl.

"So many skirts for Hanabi sister." Aei came in, stood in front of the wardrobe, and looked at the various little skirts inside.

"That’s right, your sister Hanabi likes wearing skirts the most. She doesn’t have many shorts and no long pants at all."

Aei suddenly noticed a strange box at the bottom of the wardrobe. Curiously, she picked it up and opened the lid, finding a neatly folded white dress inside.

She put the box down and picked up the dress by the shoulder straps with a curious look on her face.

This dress was odd, with short sleeves and a white three-tiered ruffled hem skirt. The midsection was entirely transparent, made of sheer material, looking faintly hazy.

If worn, wouldn’t the belly and chest be visible?

What kind of clothing is this?

Moreover, the box contained lace panties made of the same material as the dress, looking semi-transparent too.

Aei tilted her head holding the strange dress and looked at Uesugi Sakura, who was focused on finding pajamas:

"Nini~ This is strange..."

The moment Uesugi Sakura noticed Aei holding the dress, he immediately snatched it away, hiding it behind him. "Ahem, I found some pajamas for you to change into."

"What kind of dress was that just now?" Aei asked curiously.

"That... is your sister Hanabi’s simple... uh, wedding dress..."

"Wedding dress? It looks so different, but... why is it transparent?"

Uesugi Sakura felt a bit embarrassed since it was actually a sheer nightgown he secretly bought for Hanabi.

But she refused to wear it, so it just sat in the wardrobe gathering dust.

He hadn’t realized Aei would uncover this piece.

"A wedding... dress isn’t it just transparent? This one is just a bit more see-through."

"Aei also wants to try on sister’s wedding dress."

"No way, you’re still a minor; kids can’t wear wedding dresses."

"Brother thinks Aei is a child?" Aei tilted her hat-wearing head. "And why did brother hide the wedding dress?"

"Of course, you’re a child—not another word, go take your bath now." Uesugi Sakura placed his hands on her shoulders, steering her towards the bathroom. While she was away, he quickly tucked the sheer nightgown back into the box and hid it in the deepest drawer of the wardrobe.

Instant relaxation.

Luckily.

Almost let my image crumble.

In the hearts of Aei and Chiaei, I’m a decently upright brother.

Uesugi Sakura handed her an ordinary pajama of Hanabi’s; though it appeared a bit large, it wouldn’t impede her movements.

After washing the dishes, Aei came out and he went for a bath, finally lying in bed to read a book.

Just as he was about to sleep, Aei came in.

Aei’s pajamas were loose, and Uesugi Sakura put down his book, adjusted his glasses, and asked, "What is it?"

"I want to sleep with nini."

"You’re grown up now, how about you sleep alone?"

"But brother just said Aei is a child."

"..."

Her logic was always so clear.

Fifth grade really still counts as a child.

"Alright then, come over and sleep on the side." Uesugi Sakura shifted to one side.

It was noticeable that Aei was indeed tired; she climbed into bed and hugged Hanabi’s shark plush, falling asleep swiftly.

After reading for a little while longer, Uesugi Sakura turned off the lights and went to sleep.

The next day, waking up at seven, Uesugi Sakura found Aei sitting next to him, calling him to get up.

"Nini, wake up!"

"Are you going to school today?"

"Of course, today is Friday!"

"Alright, I’ll take you."

Getting up, washing, frying two eggs; this time, Uesugi Sakura learned and added less salt.

He didn’t know how to braid hair, so he simply gave Aei a straight black hairstyle.

Putting on her school uniform and placing her hat on, he saw Aei poke her head out from the collar.

"Where’s the backpack?" Uesugi Sakura asked.

Aei looked around, puzzled: "Huh? Where’s the backpack?"

"...Didn’t you bring your backpack when you came over?"

"I think... maybe?"

What do you mean maybe? After searching for a while, she remembered she truly didn’t bring it.

Her sister would have to help bring the backpack.

Uesugi Sakura realized that she had only come to see him yesterday without bringing anything.

But if she came to visit me, does everything still need to be taken care of by her brother?

Perhaps, this is what having a little sister feels like. He even saw shadows of Hanabi in Aei sometimes.

She, too, used to be a little girl who couldn’t get anything right.

She often forgot to wear a bra at home during weekends.

And he caught a glimpse many times without her noticing.

Bringing the little girl downstairs, Uesugi Sakura wheeled out the bicycle.

Aei’s little face showed surprise.

"Nini likes pink?"

"This was bought for your sister Hanabi." Uesugi Sakura explained while unlocking.

"She couldn’t ride it, leaving it here was a waste, so I used it."

"I see." Aei stood behind Uesugi Sakura, nodding with her hands clasped behind her.

Uesugi Sakura got onto the bicycle. "Hop on, sit sideways, and I’ll take you to school."

"Okay."

Aei obediently sat on the back seat of the bicycle, hugging Uesugi Sakura’s waist.

"Are you seated well?" Uesugi Sakura asked her from the back.

"Mm." Aei peeked out from her little hat and softly murmured.

Arriving at the school.

Uesugi Sakura reminded Aei to be obedient at school and such.

"Nini, this afternoon Aei wants to visit the place where brother works."

"What’s so interesting there?"

"I want to go~~"

"Alright then, I’ll send the address to your phone, you can take the train on your own, right?"

Aei cutely nodded.

"Tell me if Chiaei is coming too."

"Okay~"

Saying goodbye to Aei going off to school.

Uesugi Sakura rode the pink bicycle to Tokyo University.

While weaving through the city, the breeze brushing his face, he sometimes pondered what the ultimate purpose of many people’s busy lives was.

Evidently, in such a high-pressure environment, choosing not to get married or not to have children after marriage is a good option.

You don’t have to earn a lot of money, just feed yourself, and you can have a happy second half of life.

But compared to being alone, having a companion surely brings more happiness, more experiences, like raising children. The little things in life also turn into a happy journey.

He’s experienced such days in a previous life.

Not bad, but he certainly wouldn’t want to go back.

Uesugi Sakura realized he was missing Hanabi. In moments of solitude, he often pondered random thoughts.

Suddenly he wanted to be with her, take her on a date, and watch her smile happily while eating sweets in front of him.

Uesugi Sakura admitted, Hanabi’s proposed ten-day separation indeed worked wonders.

He really missed her more and more.

He really wanted the calm and mundane daily life to continue.

To always see her...