Chapter 231: Another Will

Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Another Will

At night, Ichiko, who had been busy all day, returned home again.

Ever since she learned that Haruko, whom she had been longing for, might wake up, Ichiko felt that the whole world was filled with light.

Even if the possibility of waking up was very small.

But at least, in the desperate and dark world, a glimmer of light finally appeared.

This glimmer of light was everything in the entire dark world.

Going to bed early and waking up early, resuming her daily body management, Ichiko could clearly feel her body recovering day by day, whether it was the nutritionist’s adjustments working or that miraculous instant noodles.

Then she exercised, managed her figure and skin, resigned from the snack supermarket, and went to work at Inari’s cafe.

Although she went to work at the cafe, Ichiko had made it clear to Inari that she didn’t want to just rely on him and live a parasitic life.

He let Haruko work there; Ichiko could understand. Haruko was not in good health and had been targeted by Sento before. Working there was one, to protect her, and two, to give her a reason to ’repay’ him, so she wouldn’t feel too guilty.

But she, Ichiko, was different.

She didn’t like Inari and always treated him as a friend, or even like an older brother.

And she would be with Haruko in the future.

Then she couldn’t just drift along like before.

She had to work hard enough to support this family!

After arguing with Inari for a long time, she finally accepted the following conditions.

Basic salary 3500, she would become the Mister of the entire cafe, and all future operational mechanisms and management of the cafe would be determined by her.

If there was profit that month, she would get a 25% commission as a bonus.

If there was a loss, nothing would happen.

And Rinko would be her deputy, listening to her management.

However, despite saying this, Inari also had the idea of supporting Ichiko. Even if Ichiko did nothing and just clocked in every day, the 3500 salary would still be paid to her.

It was just the girl’s reservedness and stubbornness that were destined to make her take things seriously.

However, as a cafe that only catered to the high-end market, monthly losses were currently certain. Her goal, Ichiko’s goal, was to bring this cafe back to life.

At least, while working and improving herself, she wouldn’t be too far from Haruko at the cafe in the future.

Even while working, she could take good care of her.

It was just that her knowledge of how to manage and operate a store was almost zero.

Spending a day learning new knowledge made Ichiko feel both fulfilled and exhausted.

As soon as she entered the door, she found that Dan was playing with that scarecrow doll again.

In a corner of the room, there were definitely quite a few dolls.

But only this scarecrow doll was Dan’s favorite.

Ichiko often found this little guy, thrown around by Dan, in various corners.

Seeing Ichiko, Dan happily ran over, carrying Haruko in his mouth.

The scarecrow was messy in the air, already used to being thrown around by this dead cat. Every time it was thrown, Dan’s future treatment secretly decreased by one point.

Ichiko changed her shoes, squatted down, and scratched Dan’s chin helplessly, "You really like this doll, huh? Is it because its eyes are red like Haruko’s?"

Dan put down the scarecrow and nodded with a "Meow."

She didn’t know if he was enjoying Ichiko’s petting or acknowledging what she said.

The girl picked up the scarecrow that Haruko had turned into from the ground, staring at her scarlet vertical pupils.

For a moment, she really felt that this scarecrow was the person she had been longing for.

Ichiko gave a bitter smile, "Looks like I’m thinking about Haruko too much."

Saying that, she stood up again, "But I remember I didn’t buy this with Haruko. Did she buy it herself, and when?"

Ichiko didn’t think too much. After resting for a while, she cooked and ate.

After taking a shower, she went to the Hospital.

She didn’t know when Haruko would wake up.

But she remembered something Haruko once said.

"Every time I wake up, Ichiko is by my side. It makes me so happy."

When she wakes up, she wants to see me.

If she had time, she would spend more time with her at the Hospital.

Returning until 11 o’clock, Ichiko saw the scarecrow again, mercilessly thrown at the door by Dan.

Ichiko smiled helplessly and picked up the scarecrow.

An inexplicable sense of security was transmitted.

Ichiko looked into the doll’s pair of scarlet eyes again and couldn’t help but murmur softly, "It’s really amazing, it feels like Haruko is by my side."

Putting the scarecrow back on the table in the room, Ichiko didn’t notice the scarecrow’s cunning little smile.

Instead, just as she was about to lie down, she found that her mattress had been scratched a bit at some point.

Without thinking, she knew it was Dan who did it.

"Hmm? Why is there paper here?"

Ichiko was about to tidy up the mattress when she found a wrinkled piece of paper pressed underneath it.

Trying her best to pull out the paper, Ichiko suddenly froze in place.

"—To Ichiko."

The three large words on it were covered in dust, and the texture of this paper was ordinary. It had been pressed here for at least a month.

For some reason, a faint bad premonition rose in Ichiko’s heart.

She continued to read the content of the paper.

...

When you see this letter, I should already be dead, right? I’m very sorry for always causing you so much trouble.

Most of what I wanted to say about leaving was written in my will, but I always felt like there were things I hadn’t finished saying.

I wanted Ichiko to forget me in the end and start a new life.

That way, you wouldn’t have to worry or struggle because of my matters anymore.

But in the end, I really still don’t hope Ichiko can truly forget me. Since I met you when I was little, I have never regretted it.

But when I think about how much trouble I’ve caused you, wouldn’t you have had a better life if we had never met?

After all, you are so excellent.

And I am so stupid.

Saying these things now seems useless anyway, and will only add to your worries, haha.

I’m sorry.

However, I still have a little selfish desire.

I still hope to be by Ichiko’s side.

So I secretly made a small doll. That’s right, it’s a Rito Chengzi scarecrow! I secretly put it under the pile of dolls!

If you find it someday, please don’t throw it away.

I don’t need you to remember me, as long as I can accompany you in another form.

You always said that I could bring you luck.

I’m gone, but I don’t want to take this luck away.

So, let this little doll stay by your side.

Also, I will secretly hide this paper. If you can’t find it, please forget me.

If you find it, please think of me occasionally, okay?

I hope your future life is happy and cheerful.

—Love you, and always yours, Haruko.

...

Tears, one drop after another, fell onto the paper.

Ichiko’s eyes turned red without her realizing it.

Her somewhat blurred vision looked towards the little doll placed on the table.

The little doll was looking at her obediently. Although it was a cloth doll, its lips seemed to curl into a spoiled and loving smile.

No wonder this little doll’s eyes were so similar to Haruko’s.

No wonder there was a dry orange slice accessory on its head too.

No wonder she felt a sense of security when holding it.

So, this was all her hope.

Lovely Haruko (ai)

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