Chapter 09: The Road to Happiness
Yuuta's cheerful disposition continued to shine, and Miu couldn't help but notice as she leaned closer to her sister.
"Hey, sis," she whispered, "it looks like big brother is secretly happy. I just checked on him, and he's cooking with a smile."
Sora's face flushed even more upon hearing this observation, but then she realized something. "Miu, why are you calling him that way?" Sora had fond feelings for Yuuta as well, but she had been addressing him as "uncle." Miu had done the same in the past.
Miu casually folded her hands behind her head and explained, "We're not related by blood, and he doesn't look that old. It's perfectly fine to call him 'big brother'; he's totally okay with it."
Knowing her sister's long-standing crush on Yuuta, Miu tried to play matchmaker. "Sis, you should do it too, right? Calling him 'big brother' will make him happy!"
"No!" Sora couldn't bring herself to change her address, especially after the recent incident. Even if it was a misunderstanding, secretly feeling happy about it just didn't sit right with her.
Miu let out a resigned sigh.
Meanwhile, Hina stirred from her sleep, still groggy, and mumbled, "I need to go to the bathroom..."
"Okay, I'll help you," Miu said, lifting Hina and guiding her toward the bathroom.
Hearing the commotion from the room, Yuuta stood in the kitchen and called out, "Hina, breakfast will be ready soon; just hold on."
"I know, Uncle!" Hina replied impatiently. If Hina got hungry and Yuuta didn't provide food immediately, she would cry in frustration.
Not being very familiar with the local cuisine, Yuuta didn't know how to make dishes like omurice, so he opted for a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, vegetables, and a pot of vegetable soup.
After savoring their hearty breakfast, Yuuta took the initiative to tidy up a bit before addressing the girls.
"I have some errands to run in town, and I'm a bit worried about leaving all of you at home alone. How about you come with me?"
Yuuta genuinely couldn't rest easy with three young girls at home, especially in this suburban area. If anything happened, there wouldn't be much help around.
Sora, who had regained her composure, spoke cautiously, "Uncle, if we go with you, will it affect your business?"
"It won't. It shouldn't take too long, and when I'm done, we can have lunch together at the restaurant before heading back," Yuuta assured them. He had confidence in the novel he held in his hands. While he didn't know much about the author, a light-hearted novel like this was likely to have a fanbase.
Sora shook her head. "Eating out can be expensive. We'd rather wait for you at home."
Miu nodded in agreement. "Yes, we walked a lot yesterday, and I don't really want to go out again. Hina, how about we play at home?"
Hina happily agreed, saying, "Sure!"
Yuuta recognized that these three children had traveled a long way the previous day, and Hina was still quite young. Going to a crowded place could indeed be risky, as she might easily get lost if they weren't careful.
"Thank you for understanding. I'll make it quick and try to return as soon as possible. If anything comes up, just call my phone," Yuuta said.
Both Miu and Sora had their own phones, which they had before their parents' accident, allowing them to contact Yuuta directly.
Having phones was truly a stroke of luck because without the means of communication, Yuuta would have been even more concerned.
Sora nodded, assuring him, "Don't worry, we'll stay home."
Observing the responsible demeanor of both Sora and Miu, Yuuta felt considerably more at ease. "Alright, don't open the door for anyone. If you encounter any problems, call me. Also, be careful while cooking, make sure Hina doesn't venture too close to the balcony, and don't let her run outside."
"We understand, big brother. Go ahead and come back soon!" Miu gently urged Yuuta to leave.
Yuuta recognized he might have been overly cautious, but he stood up and added, "I'll leave some money here. If you want to buy something, or if Hina has a particular craving, you can use this. I don't need it right now, and I'll find a way to ensure you all have a good life."
Sora, at the age of fourteen, was capable of making her own purchases, but she still needed to exercise prudence.
"Sora, don't spend too much time outside," Yuuta advised.
Sora handed Yuuta an envelope and remarked, "I know, but we don't need this money. Our parents left some for us before they went out, so you can take it if you need it."
Yuuta smiled and reassured her, "You don't need to worry about that. If Hina wants something to eat or if any of you require anything, feel free to use this money. I don't need it right now, and I'll do my utmost to ensure that all of you have a good life."
Having expressed his thoughts, Yuuta made his way to the door, saying, "Well, I'm off."
"Take care on your journey, big brother!" Miu wished Yuuta well as he readied himself to depart.
Hina clutched her small toy, mirroring her sister, and bid, "Have a safe trip~"
After a moment of hesitation, Sora whispered, "Be careful on the road..."
Yuuta departed with a contented smile. Even though he was weary, he cherished the sense of belonging that he experienced in this home.
"Let's head west, towards brighter days!"
Yuuta dashed out swiftly, setting his course on the road to a happier life.
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