If that scumbag knew what his aunt was really thinking, he would be shocked and quickly type three question marks.
Aunt, others just want me to cool down, but you want me dead... It’s only been five years since I graduated university, and within those five years, you want me to accumulate enough wealth to surpass the Tsukimi Family and the Hayakawa family... I initially thought that a transmigrator working 996 hours was already crazy, yet you want me to work 007 non-stop!
Being a scumbag is truly miserable, with countless challenges ahead and people backstabbing behind... Indeed, this is a profession destined to be at odds with the world.
Higashino Rin and Tsukimi sakurazawa went to prepare ingredients and cook, leaving Shirakawa Sawahei with nothing much to do. He walked around, glancing back into the original resident’s room. The setup inside was very simple as usual, with some books on the shelf, mostly melancholy literary works, which suited the persona of the original owner, who often lamented the jealousy of heaven towards talent.
Shirakawa Sawahei glanced at them and picked up a few notebooks, flipping through them casually, showing a little curious expression unconsciously.
If his time travel was a game played by the gods, perhaps the original owner is also enjoying his own life as a transmigrator in some unknown dimension? What is the first choice for traveling as a Neon person? A different world with elves and enchanting demons?
Hmm, it’s possible, Neon people have always had a thing for enchanting demons. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ N()velFire.net
At this moment, Tsukimi sakurazawa lightly tiptoed in, hugged Shirakawa Sawahei from behind, and said with a giggle, "What’s up? Looking at your past dark history?"
"I don’t have any dark history." Shirakawa Sawahei shook his head with a light smile, "It’s just that time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye."
"This year is almost over too."
"Another year of knowing you, that’s great."
Tsukimi sakurazawa buried her face in his shoulder, speaking in a muffled voice, "Hmph~ Anyway, you’re just a scumbag who only says sweet things to coax me, I hate you the most."
"Even if you hate me, I’m still happy to know you."
"Who knows if you would say such things in front of Koorikin and Hayakawa Kashi."
Shirakawa Sawahei thought seriously and said, "It depends on the situation, though I want to say it, but probably won’t have the chance this year."
"I really should hate you the most, scumbag!" Tsukimi sakurazawa said with a bit of annoyance, "The chestnut rice is almost done, you deserve to choke on it!"
Tsukimi, in the girlfriend mode, dramatically switched out of character in a second, leaving Shirakawa Sawahei’s former room in a huff. Shirakawa Sawahei shook his head with a helpless smile and followed her.
The long-legged adorable girl walked out of the room, glaring at him fiercely before coming over to hug his arm again, twisting it as if to warn him. She whispered, "Uncle Higashino and Seira are back, you should go greet them."
Shirakawa Sawahei paused for a moment, then looked over. A medium-built middle-aged man appeared in the courtyard with a basket on his back, accompanied by a little girl, around eight or nine years old. Her eyes seemed timid, perhaps frightened by the sudden appearance of two extra people in her home.
"Uncle Higashino... Seira, you guys are back."
He came to his senses and walked over quickly to greet them. Higashino Seira was hiding behind her father’s back, studying the brother she hadn’t seen for about two years, wearing a curious expression. Higashino Kei, not good with words, smiled awkwardly when he saw Shirakawa Sawahei, not knowing what to say, and just nodded.
"Seira, why not greet your brother?" Higashino Rin wiped her hands on her apron and went over to take Higashino Kei’s arm, speaking softly, "Why are you back so late, did something hold you up on the way?"
"Seira wanted to eat wild berries, so we went looking for some. It didn’t delay anything." Higashino Kei smiled at his wife, pointing at their daughter, "This kid is a foodie, next time I’ll just go up the mountain alone."
"We were just playing, not expecting her to help much anyway."
"That’s true, but picking more to sell does bring in some money."
A couple who had spent many years together shared a bond without needing sweet words. Shirakawa Sawahei and Tsukimi sakurazawa found the scene heartwarming.
Shirakawa Sawahei felt even more guilty. If it weren’t for the support of his studies, the Higashino family’s condition would be much better now... This is a kindness that shouldn’t be taken for granted just because they’re family!
"B-brother... and... this... sister..." Higashino Seira said timidly, afraid she got it wrong, then hid behind her mother again. Tsukimi sakurazawa smiled gently and replied softly, "Eh... Is it the first time little Seira is meeting your sister... It’s also my first time meeting you, you know..."
"So cute... Sister has a gift for you, do you want to see it?"
Higashino Seira glanced at her mother, who nodded kindly, and then she responded.
"Come with me then... Aunt Higashino, Uncle, I’ll take little Seira over here for a bit, you guys eat first."
Higashino Rin noticed her husband’s puzzled look and gently explained, "This is Tsukimi sakurazawa, Sawahei’s girlfriend, who he brought home this year."
Higashino Kei then relaxed, nodding lightly, "That’s nice."
"Sawahei, you see, your uncle and I both think this girl suits you very well... Pay attention, don’t just focus on your studies and overlook her feelings..."
As the three sat for chestnut rice, Tsukimi sakurazawa soon returned with Higashino Seira from the adjacent room. The little girl held a drawing board for children, her face brimming with happiness and joy. Seeing this, Higashino Kei and Higashino Rin both showed kind smiles.
Perhaps they’ve always felt a sense of guilt towards their daughter, unable to buy toys and gifts like other families...
"Did you say thank you to the sister?"
Higashino Seira nodded, then shyly looked at Shirakawa Sawahei, saying quietly, "And... thank you, big brother."
Shirakawa Sawahei paused, then noticed Tsukimi sakurazawa’s mischievous glance, instantly understanding, and he smiled wryly.
Is my girlfriend giving me credit? Because the task of choosing gifts was always yours, and I only gave vague suggestions at most...
Oh well, it doesn’t matter, we’re all family, no need to fuss over it.
He accepted Higashino Seira’s thanks with peace of mind, and the family then began dinner. The slightly poor house gradually filled with warmth.
As Family Head, Higashino Kei wasn’t good with words, but was truly happy about Shirakawa Sawahei’s return. He let Higashino Rin bring out what little alcohol was at home, and they had a few drinks. Higashino Rin didn’t let her nephew drink, but joined her husband in a few celebratory toasts. Their companionship lacked the dominance of either gender, instead showing mutual respect and care for each other’s feelings.
Shirakawa Sawahei watched warmly from the side, and pondering for a moment, perhaps precisely because of the familial values of aunt’s household, in spite of their own financial difficulties, they decisively decided to raise and support him through schooling—a decision that a typical male head of the household might not agree with so wholeheartedly, much less all-inclusively support his wife’s choice to take on this responsibility.
Good people naturally attract one another.
With this thought, Shirakawa Sawahei decided to ask Higashino Rin later if she had noticed that sum of money he’d secretly slipped for their household expenses.
Could it have been lost on the way?