Chapter 68: I Don't Mind at All
Hearing that Sasha wanted to stay, both Miu and Sora became anxious. They didn't want Sasha to remain with them.
Hina, not understanding the complexities of adult matters, looked cautiously at the plastic bag her sister was holding, which contained ice pops.
"Sis, the ice pops are melting..." Hina said sadly, worried that they wouldn't get to eat them in time.
Seeing Sasha's disappointed expression, Yuta said, "I'll prepare something, but if Miss Sasha wants to stay, besides the tatami room, the only other option is to share a room with Miu."
Sasha was eager to share a room with her daughter, but Miu immediately rejected the idea, saying, "No way!"
"It's fine as long as I have somewhere to stay, and the tatami room will do," Sasha said, as she was quite familiar with the house. She then thought about the other rooms, "Are Hina and Sora using the master bedroom?"
Yuta shook his head. "No, I'm using it. Sora and Miu aren't comfortable with that room."
Sasha was a bit puzzled at first, but then she understood that the two children didn't want to use the room their deceased parents had once occupied.
This was perfectly normal. Even adults typically avoid using the rooms of deceased parents, especially sleeping there so soon after their passing.
Reflecting on it herself, Sasha realized she probably wouldn't dare to sleep in the master bedroom alone either, as it might lead to distressing thoughts.
"Then I'll use the tatami room," Sasha decided, "and let me prepare dinner!"
Sasha wanted to win the acceptance of the three children, so she felt she needed to start taking action right away.
Miu, however, responded firmly, "No need, Onii-chan promised to make dinner for us today!"
Sora politely offered, "Sister Sasha, thank you for your kindness. I'll go prepare some bedding for you."
Feeling a bit tired, Hina turned to Yuta and said, "Uncle, here's your ice pop!"
"Alright, thank you, Hina." Yuta took the bag from Hina, which she had gotten from her sister, and handed an ice pop to Sasha. "Miss Sasha, would you like one?"
"Thank you." Sasha accepted it, feeling a bit downhearted, thinking that she wasn't favored by the children.
Since Yuta had given an ice pop to Sasha, Hina decided that Sasha might not be a bad person after all.
Seeing Sasha looking down, the understanding little Hina smiled at her and said, "Sister Sasha, Uncle says that when Hina smiles, it gives him energy. Now Hina's smiling at you, so you should cheer up, too!"
"Oh, oh, oh! Hina, you're so thoughtful!!" Sasha's spirits lifted instantly, and she hugged Hina with tears in her eyes, moved by her gesture. "Thank you, Hina!"
Watching this, Yuta and the others quietly left the room.
Sora went to prepare the beddings, Miu headed back to her room, and Yuta went alone to the supermarket to buy groceries.
As Yuta shopped, he contemplated the situation with Sasha. From her behavior so far, it seemed she wasn't the type to take Miu away against her will, but she also wasn't going to give up on her responsibilities to the three children.
Since Miu currently did not acknowledge Sasha as her mother, Yuta found some relief, as accepting that fact would bring its own complications, so for now, things might be better left as they are.
Dinner was prepared by Yuta. Although he was not a professional chef, to the three children, his cooking tasted like home.
Sasha observed the natural smiles the children shared when they were with Yuta and realized that if she wanted to take the children, she would need Yuta's agreement.
Although she hadn't spoken directly with Miu, Sora shared stories about their recent life with Sasha, providing her with insights into the challenges Yuta faced.
Sasha also learned that Yuta was not only a college student but also a published author of a bestselling novel. However, the children remained unaware of his pen name.
From noon until evening, Sasha mostly remained in the background, successfully bonding with Hina. As a result, Hina was the only one who didn't hold reservations against her.
Hina's favorite was still Yuta, and after dinner and watching TV, she sweetly walked over to where Yuta was washing dishes.
"No way! You need to take a bath before bed. Hina needs to develop good habits!" Yuta firmly refused Hina's request. However, he offered a compromise, "Miss Sasha, I'll help Hina take a bath. Feel free to tidy up here if you'd like, or wait until I'm back."
Sasha looked at Yuta, wanting to say that he could finish the dishes while she bathed Hina, but before she could speak, Hina pulled Yuta away, saying, "Hurry up, hurry up~ Hina's sleepy~"
"You don't look sleepy at all," Yuta said helplessly, drying his hands before following Hina, leaving Sasha watching them wistfully.
Soon, Yuta had the bathwater ready, and Hina waded in with her little duck toy.
"Little ducky~~ splash~~ likes to swim~~ splash~~" Hina sang joyfully, moving her plastic duck across the water.
Yuta washed Hina while she bathed her plastic duck, as children often liked to keep their hands busy with something.
"Bubbles, bubbles~~ so many bubbles, little ducky likes bubbles~~"
Hina was delighted to see her duck clean and shiny again.
While Hina was singing, the bathroom sliding door suddenly opened, and Sasha stood there with her platinum blonde hair cascading down.
Yuta was stunned to see Sasha, who was clearly in her bathing attire, or rather, lacking any attire.
"Hina, can I join you for a bath?" Sasha smiled at Yuta and Hina, showing no embarrassment.
It seemed like this wasn't an accidental intrusion!
"Sure~~ Sister Sasha, come on in," Hina said innocently, seeing nothing wrong.
Yuta was completely blindsided by this development, and at this moment, he too was... in his natural state of undress.
"Miss Sasha, isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Yuta hoped Hina could shield him a little.
Sasha blinked and replied, "But I don't mind at all. Yuta, you must miss your sister Yuri too, right? Let me help wash your back. You shouldn't be the only one left out!"
Yuta quickly weighed his options. Although he had some thoughts before, seeing Sasha so boldly in front of him made it impossible to remain calm.
Sasha casually closed the sliding door and walked over to Hina.
"Hina, can I wash you for Yuta?"
Yuta made his decision. He stood up and faced Sasha just as boldly as she had done with him.
Despite having some thoughts, Yuta knew he couldn't act on them in front of Hina.
After Sasha saw his predicament, Yuta pressed down on the unwanted reaction with his hands, turning and stepping into the tub. "Hina, let Miss Sasha help you."
"Okay! Then can I help Uncle take a bath?" Hina asked, turning to see Yuta already settled in the tub.
Yuta had no intention of getting out now. "No need!"
Sasha looked at Yuta with various thoughts running through her mind, but she sat on the small stool where Yuta had been and began to help Hina with her bath. Meanwhile, her mind was still occupied with the image of Yuta from just moments before.
---------------
If you want to read 10 advance chapters ahead.
Visit my patreon: patreon.com/EggZy