The rain still filled the sky.
Hanamaru Hanabi’s condition improved quickly, but she could only stay at home.
Every time Uesugi Sakura went to see her, she always stared blankly at the gray, misty sky outside the window.
This cold grayness made Uesugi Sakura feel as though she was about to disappear.
Clearly, it was just a cold, so why did he have such a feeling?
Perhaps it was because she hadn’t smiled much these past few days.
In the gentle patter of wind and rain, Uesugi Sakura carried a plastic bag full of sweets and opened the door to the Hanamaru home with a key.
"Pardon the intrusion."
There was no response from Hanamaru Hanabi.
Uesugi Sakura changed his shoes at the entrance, and the leather shoes beside him indicated that Hanamaru Hiroki was also at home today.
Entering the living room, Mrs. Hanamaru was busy with lunch, while his father-in-law watched the news on the sofa.
[Recently, at the Shiromizu Bank headquarters in Otemachi, Chiyoda District, a 36-year-old woman from Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture threatened a female employee at the counter with a toy knife, saying: "Robbery, hand over the money."
The female employee didn’t pay much attention and directly pressed the alarm at her workstation. Two security guards rushed in and subdued the woman on the spot.
It is reported that the woman was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery, fortunately, no one was injured in this case.]
"Uncle, where’s Hanabi?" Uesugi Sakura placed the bag of sweets on the table.
In a white shirt, Hanamaru Hiroki held a cup of tea, from which a gentle and elegant tea fragrance wafted.
He looked at the TV and said:
"Hanabi just took her medicine, she should be sleeping now."
With fingers lightly caressing the warm cup wall, pupils slightly focused, Hanamaru Hiroki turned his head and asked:
"The girl hasn’t been in good spirits lately, what’s going on?"
"I don’t know who, but someone added Hanabi on LINE and sometimes follows me, taking pictures that she misinterprets."
Hanamaru Hiroki furrowed his brows and said in a condensed tone: "Is that person’s target you or Hanabi?"
"Gender unknown, motive unclear."
Hanamaru Hiroki took a light sip of tea, the misty steam dispersing in front of his face, "Since the goal is to make the girl misunderstand you, it’s likely they’re aiming towards her."
Uesugi Sakura wasn’t sure how much information his father-in-law gleaned from these few words to reach such a conclusion.
"Has the person taken any recent actions?"
"They keep adding Hanabi on LINE."
"To achieve a goal but without results, further action is certain."
In the empty teacup, Hanamaru Hiroki’s eyes, devoid of emotional fluctuation, were reflected.
"Keep a closer eye on Hanabi recently, don’t let her walk outside school alone."
"Can I follow behind her?"
"You can, but I must be present too."
Uesugi understood that his father-in-law was worried about Hanabi getting into trouble.
"No matter how much you promise, nothing beats seeing with your own eyes," Hanamaru Hiroki interrupted him, "Don’t forget, I’m her father, and I have known her three years longer than you."
Is this... an indication that father-in-law is ready to take action?
If the person is a student, it’s better. If they’re from society...
Being the Police Chief, Hanamaru Hiroki shouldn’t resort to private beating of suspects.
The aroma of the kitchen’s dishes wafted into the living room, and Mrs. Hanamaru’s belly was noticeably more pronounced as she brought out the dishes.
His sister-in-law was about to be born, and he wondered what kind of name his father-in-law would choose.
Mrs. Hanamaru smiled at him, asking him to go upstairs to call Hanamaru Hanabi down for lunch.
Seeing her head back to the kitchen, Hanamaru Hiroki said to Uesugi Sakura:
"Go upstairs quickly, when you’re not here, Hanabi keeps talking about you. Last night she insisted on saving a dragon fruit I bought for you."
"She’s been delicate since childhood, and she’s secretly liked you all along, so don’t disappoint her, I don’t want to lose a daughter I’ve raised from childhood because of this."
"Uncle, who is Shinetsu’s mother?"
"Hanamaru Shinetsu? I think he’s studying at Waseda High School nearby, I remember he visited me about 2 months ago."
Hanamaru Hiroki thought for a moment, then said:
"Shinetsu’s mother is Hanabi’s aunt, my sister Hanamaru Yuzuki. I remember you’ve met her before. Why ask?"
Uesugi Sakura hurriedly went upstairs.
Sitting on the sofa, Hanamaru Hiroki turned his head to look at Uesugi disappearing at the top of the stairs, turning back to lightly sip the last mouthful of tea.
To avoid encountering the legendary opening-door surprise, Uesugi Sakura knocked twice before entering.
Inside, the curtains were drawn open, and outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sparse rain washed the green trees, not yet ceasing.
Hanamaru Hanabi, covered by a blanket, sat in front of the computer.
A white tissue was stuffed in her small, rosy nose, and in her purple eyes was reflected the outlined figure on the screen.
Judging by the appearance, it depicted a small white-haired girl.
White hair, white silk, a Lolita-style dress, blue pupils, and barefoot white feet stepping on a watermelon, making a cutely fierce expression.
Concentrated, Hanamaru Hanabi was startled by the voice that suddenly sounded beside her, and she turned her head nervously to look at him:
Uesugi Sakura gently pinched her soft, comforting cheek, smiling: "Why draw this?"
With a stuffed nose, Hanamaru Hanabi glanced at the screen, her voice muffled: "Drawing... drawing illustrations earns more money."
Uesugi Sakura also looked at the white-haired girl on the screen and asked: "How much is this one?"
"Ten thousand yen." Hanamaru Hanabi said, "I’ve been drawing it for three days, almost done."
"Isn’t ten thousand yen a bit too little?"