Chapter 70: Hayami Rina’s Dream

"Nani?"

The way Matsuda Yumi looked at her father changed!

A father knows his daughter best. Seeing the way his daughter was looking at him, Matsuda Hongo knew she had gotten the wrong idea. He reached out and ruffled her hair, smiling bitterly:

"Yumi-chan, what are you imagining? Although Kumi has a husband, he’s been paralyzed in bed for years. Their marriage exists in name only. She’s a pitiful woman — so fragile, yet she has to work from dawn to dusk every day to support the family. It’s truly not easy for her.

Though she and I have an unclear relationship, it’s undeniable that there is a certain degree of mutual attraction between us.

However, more often than not, we’re just like two lonely, wounded little beasts in this hardship-filled world, nestling together and giving each other a little warmth and comfort.

After all, life is so hard — who doesn’t need someone to comfort them? So please, don’t look at this special relationship of ours through worldly eyes!"

"..."

Matsuda Yumi was stunned.

"Ahem, ahem..." His daughter had grown up and was no longer easy to fool. Matsuda Hongo felt a bit awkward. After a moment of thought, he continued:

"Actually, Kumi-auntie and I have planned that after her husband passes away, we’ll formally be together. I feel that won’t be long now.

When that time comes, she’ll come back to our hometown with me and live an ordinary, simple country life. This bookstore will be left to you, Yumi-chan. Didn’t you always say you weren’t happy working at the bank? By then, being a leisurely bookstore owner, you probably won’t have so many worries!"

"This... there’s no need for that, is there?"

Hearing her father say this, Matsuda Yumi felt a bit embarrassed.

Although she had often said "I’ll inherit Dad’s bookstore" before, she knew this bookstore was everything to her father. He had poured nearly twenty years of time into this place — practically a lifetime of effort.

It was better to leave the bookstore to her father for his retirement. She definitely couldn’t take it. If it had been before, she might have considered it.

But now, she had Kitahara-senpai, so there was no need to consider it at all.

"Dad, I wasn’t happy at work before, but now with Kitahara-senpai’s help, I’m much happier. You don’t know — that balding boss of mine even apologized to me today. He definitely won’t make things difficult for me anymore!

Besides, I might marry Kitahara-senpai before long. I want to be a full-time housewife and focus on taking care of him. You should keep this bookstore!

Life in the countryside may be peaceful, but it’s also hard and poor. The city is better. You and Kumi-auntie can rely on this bookstore for your retirement!"

"Mm, that works too..."

Matsuda Hongo said.

He felt this wasn’t bad either. The countryside really wasn’t as good as here.

Though no matter where they went, Kumi-chan would follow him and wouldn’t mind.

But being able to give her a better life and make her happier was also wonderful.

He just didn’t know when her husband would go serve Amaterasu Omikami...

...

The next morning, Kitahara Chiki and Hayami Rina took little Aya-chan to kindergarten together, then got into a taxi headed for the bank.

In the car, Hayami Rina finally reacted and asked what Kitahara was going to the bank for, and why he needed to bring identification and a personal seal.

Kitahara smiled and didn’t answer directly, only saying she would know once they got there, and that he wouldn’t harm her.

Then, once they arrived at the bank, Hayami Rina was in a dazed, muddled state the entire time.

When told to sign, she signed. When told to stamp, she stamped.

It wasn’t until the procedures were finished and they left the bank and took another taxi to the courtyard outside the "single-family house" that

looking at that all-too-familiar house, Hayami Rina finally couldn’t hold herself back anymore. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks!

Kitahara silently took the key from his pocket and inserted it into the lock. With a soft "click," the courtyard gate opened.

He took Hayami Rina’s slightly trembling hand and led her step by step into this place filled with memories.

Stepping into the living room, Hayami Rina was briefly dazed. Scene after scene of the past flickered through her mind. She walked slowly forward, reaching out to gently caress every piece of furniture, every appliance, the murals on the walls, even the floor.

Everywhere her fingertips touched was filled with unforgettable memories.

As the memories grew clearer and clearer, Hayami Rina’s tears flowed more and more violently, falling like broken pearls, soaking the front of her dress.

This place — it was the home that haunted her dreams, that she thought of day and night, that she longed to move into!

Back then, to realize this dream home, she and her late husband had spared no effort, pouring in countless heart and soul.

They carefully planned every detail, painstakingly selected every brick and tile, every piece of wood; from designing the structure of the house to choosing the interior decoration style, they did everything themselves.

They spent a great deal of time and energy searching for the most suitable furniture, decorations, and various household items, all just to make this home warm, comfortable, and uniquely distinctive.

In the long process, who knew how many difficulties and setbacks they endured, how much effort they poured in — all held on through sheer firm belief and longing for a beautiful future life.

Finally, after unremitting effort, this home stood before them.

But fate played tricks. Just as they were about to move into the new home, a sudden upheaval made her miss her chance at this home.

Her late husband couldn’t withstand the blow of unemployment and the crushing pressure of huge loans.

From then on, he never recovered, moping all day, and in the end actually chose to end his precious life in an extreme way.

This was a place she both loved and hated, deeply cherished, yet somewhat dared not set foot in!

"Kitahara-kun, you really bought this house and gave it to me?"

Hayami Rina asked, her voice slightly hoarse. Even now, she still found it hard to believe.

"Of course. Rina-nee has already signed the contract, and the property certificate has been obtained too!" Kitahara said, shaking the document bag in his hand.

"But this is something worth two hundred million yen?"

"Not that much. The price was lowered — one hundred sixty-five million yen in total."

"No difference. Either way, it’s money I couldn’t earn in a lifetime! Kitahara-kun, why would you give me something so valuable? How can I accept it with peace of mind?"

Hayami Rina shook her head.

This house was her unreachable dream. Being able to have it again — she wouldn’t even dare to dream of it.

Even in the system, her ultimate dream didn’t include this house.

Which showed that she truly hadn’t even thought about it!

But now, reality had changed. She already owned this house, given to her by the Kitahara Chiki standing before her.

Worth nearly two hundred million yen — how could she accept it?

And after accepting, how should she repay him?

"Rina-nee, this was originally your house to begin with. I merely bought it and returned it to you, so it could return to the embrace of its true owner!

If you must ask me why I did this, then I won’t hide it anymore.

Actually, the reason is simple: because I have always liked Rina-nee very much!

I hope you can live a happy, fulfilling, and blessed life.

So, just accept this house with peace of mind. I think that even if Mr. Watanabe were in heaven right now, he certainly wouldn’t want to see this house, carrying so many of your memories together, occupied by someone else.

He would rather have you live in it, continuing to write new stories and beautiful memories here!"

"Hayami Rina’s favorability +1."

"Hayami Rina’s favorability +1."

"Hayami Rina’s favorability +1..."