After some light chit-chat, Tsukimi Sakurazawa and Higashino Rin got into the small truck---a vehicle jointly purchased by the village to transport mountain goods. It’s managed with a "first-come, first-serve" policy; if multiple people need it, it’s whoever’s need is more urgent. If there’s a landslide blocking the road, there’s also a tractor available, although the travel experience isn’t exactly delightful.
Luckily, Tsukimi Sakurazawa wasn’t forced to experience an authentic tractor journey. She and Higashino Rin sat in the driver’s seat, while Shirakawa Sawahei originally wanted to hold Tsukimi and sit in the passenger seat. But thinking about Tsukimi’s usual shyness in front of elders, plus the inconvenience with Higashino Rin around, he decided to sit in the back of the truck instead.
Blue skies and white clouds, green hills and clear waters, Tottori Prefecture is a bit poor, but the scenery is beautiful. Shirakawa Sawahei was there for the first time, treating it as a sightseeing trip as he looked left and right, leaving Tsukimi Sakurazawa alone in the vehicle, speechless with Higashino Rin.
"That kid Sawahei has surely been a bother to you," Higashino Rin started with a slight cough, "I’m really sorry for all the trouble, Sakurazawa."
"Ah...n-no, it’s not like that..." Tsukimi Sakurazawa almost instinctively replied with ’no problem’, but then reconsidered Sawahei’s player antics and couldn’t help but sound a bit bitter, "It’s okay... A Ze... hasn’t caused me too much trouble."
"Really?" Higashino Rin picked up on the underlying dissatisfaction in cute Tsukimi’s tone, immediately getting serious, "Did he do something that upset you? You can tell me, and I’ll be sure to remind him."
"If I really have to say, there’s nothing much..." Tsukimi Sakurazawa glanced out the window, quietly saying, "It’s just that we don’t spend enough time as a couple... If we could have more time together, I’d be happier."
"Is it because of his studies?" Higashino Rin said apologetically, "I’m sorry, Sakurazawa. Perhaps it’s because I reminded him to focus on his studies too much, causing him to overlook your feelings... But don’t worry, romance is an essential part of life, and I’ll surely remind him to adjust appropriately..."
The long-legged cute girl blinked, thinking to herself that does my boyfriend still need to study? The real reason he can’t be with me is one that might make you, auntie, lose your composure...
Well, it’s fine. If Shirakawa’s schedule is fixed, squeezing time from his studies to be with me means I get a head start over Koorikin and Hayakawa Kashi...
Only an elder can restrain a master of time management... with an elder’s words, Shirakawa wouldn’t dare go too far~
Then she gave a sweet smile, thanked Higashino Rin several times. The uneasiness and embarrassment in her heart gradually melted away with her smile. The two soon began chatting about recent happenings with Shirakawa Sawahei, and the atmosphere grew more and more comfortable. By the time they got off the truck, Miss Tsukimi was already clinging to Higashino Rin’s arm, acting all cute and charming.
"Auntie, let me help you with that."
"No, no, you’re a young lady... Let the young man carry it... Sawahei?"
"Okay, A Ze~ it’s all yours then."
Both his girlfriend and aunt directed their gaze at him. Shirakawa Sawahei jumped off the back of the truck, dusting off his hands, grabbed the stuff, and followed Higashino Rin as they headed home. There was originally a mountain path portion of the journey, but thankfully there have been some developments in recent years, making the road much easier to navigate.
The Higashino family, primarily relying on agriculture for its economy, didn’t worry about food or shelter, though they had little cash on hand. Funding Shirakawa Sawahei’s high school was done with gritted teeth. He initially thought that after discreetly slipping some money into Higashino Rin’s bag last time, their cash situation should’ve improved. However, upon arriving home, he found that the household appliances were still outdated, with no signs of improvement as imagined.
Puzzled, he didn’t ask right away, accompanying Tsukimi as they entered the house. This place, resembling a Showa-era style home from the last century, wasn’t luxurious but was tidy and organized, with few items meticulously arranged. The walls were adorned with handmade decorations and some banners, reflecting the owner’s dedication to life, exuding a natural simplicity that was pleasing to the eye. Tsukimi Sakurazawa took off her shoes, sat around the hearth, looked around, and exclaimed with surprise, "Aunt Higashino, your home is so clean."
"It’s just that we have less stuff." Higashino Rin chuckled, "You must be hungry now. I’ll cook some rice cakes for you."
"It’s not meal time yet, right? I’m not hungry now, let’s wait for everyone to come back and eat together."
The ’family’ Tsukimi referred to unquestionably meant Shirakawa’s uncle, Higashino Kei, and his cousin, Higashino Seira. Hearing this, Higashino Rin chuckled, "My husband took Seira up the mountain to gather wild goods. In this season, if we find squirrel-stored nut caches, it’s a great find. Bit by bit, it can supplement the household expenses."
"Sounds fun. A Ze, let’s go nut-gathering tomorrow too."
I might not be human, but you guys are really something.
Can you all just be decent people?
Tsukimi Sakurazawa, in girlfriend mode, now adopted a new title. Shirakawa Sawahei glanced at her, thinking, I barely know the roads here; you expect me to take you up the mountain, and we might both end up ambushed by squirrels.
"When will uncle come back?"
"Probably soon. With Seira, he should be cautious." Higashino Rin estimated, "Why not start cooking now? By the time they return, it’ll be ready to eat."
"Oh, auntie, let me help you~"
"No way, you’re a guest, guests don’t do chores."
"But I’ll be bored just sitting around..."
"Sawahei, go keep her company..."
"Oh dear... Aunt Higashino, let me learn your culinary skills then. A Ze said your cooking is so good that you could open a restaurant."
"Not that good." Higashino Rin smiled wryly, "Well then, let’s do it together..."
After saying this, Higashino Rin glanced at her nephew, her eyes seemingly filled with a hint of approval---deserving of being the only child of the Shirakawa family, getting a well-mannered and considerate girlfriend, clearly from a wealthy family yet not spoiled, willing to work, where to find such a great girlfriend!
Sawahei, with such a wonderful girlfriend, can surely afford to relax a bit more, isn’t it? Spending more time with Sakurazawa and trying to bring her into the Shirakawa family is surely more important than solving a few extra problems... Why doesn’t this kid understand priorities?
This can’t continue, I need to find a chance to talk to him, to make him spend more time with Sakurazawa... It would be too hasty to marry right after graduation... or perhaps get married after graduating from college?