Chapter 28: Lullaby
After hanging up the phone, Yuta went to the convenience store to buy some popsicles. In the summer, these are high-demand items.
Without a refrigerator at home, it was impossible to enjoy cold drinks or treats.
Yuta had originally planned to start making money by repairing cars and appliances, but the situation with Hina had temporarily put those plans on hold.
After talking with Kaoruko Fujiwara, Yuta realized that he was still a college student.
While Yuta didn't care much about his status as a college student, others did. If he were to drop out to take care of the three sisters, people would likely not let the sisters stay with him and impact their own lives.
Thus, Yuta needed to address both his college situation and the family issues effectively.
Balancing work and home life, and earning enough to support the family, was essential.
"Uncle! Popsicle!" As soon as Yuta opened the door, Hina cheerfully ran up to him. "Hina will help Uncle carry things!"
Seeing the obedient Hina, Yuta handed the items over to her.
He wondered if Hina might develop a father complex as she grew up…
As a normal person, Yuta thought it was not good for a girl to have such thoughts. However, the idea of Hina potentially having them in the future was oddly satisfying to him.
It was still too early to think about such things; Yuta had only known Hina for a few days, and worrying about it now was pointless.
"Uncle, are you going out tomorrow?" After finishing her popsicle, Hina asked Yuta, clearly bored.
At that moment, Yuta was checking Sora and Miu's homework. One was a middle schooler and the other a grade schooler, and their assignments didn't require much thought.
Hearing Hina's question, Yuta casually replied, "Yes, I need to work to earn money to buy you more treats."
"You're working hard, Uncle!" Hina didn't really understand the concept of work, but her mother had told her to say this to her father when he came home, so she said it to Yuta as well.
"Just hearing that from you makes it all worth it. Let's go for a walk and let your sisters focus on their studies."
Yuta knew Hina was an energetic child and thought it would be good to take her out for a bit.
"No, it's too hot outside!" Hina shook her head firmly; she preferred staying in a cool place.
With a sigh, Yuta grabbed two sheets of paper and sat down with Hina to draw together.
Hina didn't know many words yet; she enjoyed looking at pictures in books. Besides watching TV, she either played games with her sisters or entertained herself with stuffed toys she brought from home.
After a while, Sora whispered to Yuta, "Uncle, I want to go back to our old place tomorrow."
"Back?" Yuta sat up quickly, puzzled by Sora's intentions.
Sora hesitated but eventually said, "We left in such a hurry that we didn't bring many things, including clothes. I want to go back to get some. Miu can take care of Hina, so it should be fine."
Originally, Sora had planned to wait until Yuta was free so they could go together, but now that Yuta had found work, taking time off was difficult, so Sora decided to go alone.
The previous residence was in another city, requiring over two hours by subway.
Though Sora could manage alone, Yuta was concerned. "The relatives on the Takanashi side aren't there, but how will you get in? The keys should be with your uncle, right?"
"We have a spare key. If we go quickly, it should be fine!" Miu explained for Sora. She also wanted to go back but knew Hina needed to be looked after.
Upon hearing this, Hina raised her hand as well. "I want to go back too! Hina has important things to get as well~"
"No, Hina has to stay here with me to help look after the house. Your sisters will bring back what you need," Miu persuaded Hina. If Hina went along, it would only add to their worries.
Yuta thought for a moment. Since the work situation was manageable, he decided to drop the previous plan.
"I'll be free the day after tomorrow. We can go back to Ikebukuro together then. You can't carry too much on your own, right?" Yuta also wanted to check how far it was from here to Miu and Sora's schools and, if possible, visit the Hanamaru Kindergarten.
Ikebukuro was where Sora's family used to live, and Yuta wasn't familiar with the area.
Not only was Yuta unfamiliar with Ikebukuro, but he was also not well-acquainted with most places in this country.
Sora and Miu both breathed a sigh of relief. It would be best if the whole family could return together.
Since Yuta needed to work the next day, he first gave Hina a bath and then set up the futon for her to sleep.
Sora and Miu had napped during the day and were now studying and reading.
As Yuta lay on his side, Hina crawled over to him on the futon, placing her small hands on either side of him, and began singing a lullaby.
"Good baby, go to sleep, sleep, sleep in Mommy's arms..."
Children often prefer to play roles other than just being kids; for instance, they might enjoy pretending to be a mother.
The work of education is indeed a significant responsibility!
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