Extra 1: Haruka: Thank you 1

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Translator: Soafp

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[Sakura PoV]

“It’s great that the weather cleared up!” (Sakura)

My cute niece in the back seat is happily gazing out the window, resting her elbows and chin on the window frame.

Today she’s wearing her favorite sky-blue dress.

Her feet are swinging back and forth alternately from under her skirt.

“Haruka-chan made lots of teru teru bozu to make sure the weather was good. Thank you.” (Sakura)

Sitting next to me, my sister-in-law is nervously stroking her child’s head.

It’s understandable.

We’re heading to the place where Onii-chan went missing. I’ve been there several times, but my sister-in-law hasn’t visited since the incident.

“I’m scared.” (Sakura)

I wonder what my sister-in-law felt back then, at that place.

“Sakura? Haruto fell from the cliff and is missing!” (Akiho)

That day, it was Akiho-san who contacted me from my sister-in-law’s phone.

“Onee-chan! What about Onii-chan? What happened to him?” (Sakura)

At the local police station we visited, my sister-in-law was held by Akiho-san, looking utterly exhausted.

“Are you a relative of Haruto Furukawa?” (???)

“Yes. Haruto Furukawa is my brother.” (Sakura)

“The search team has returned, and I'd like to give you a report.” (???)

The police officer glanced at my sister-in-law over my shoulder and then faced me again with a look of resignation.

“Yes, please.” (Sakura)

I was led to another room and received an explanation of the incident from the beginning.

“Toma-san?” (Sakura)

“There were several witnesses, so there's no mistake. Unfortunately, he's already deceased. We confirmed details with your brother's fiancée's sister who was present at the scene.” (???)

It was explained that the incident was spontaneous, without any premeditation.

The venue where the event was held had a history of accidents with several fatalities over the years, and the organizers had been given strict warnings.

But such measures can’t bring Onii-chan back. It's just the result of cost-cutting and neglect of risk management.

Onii-chan’s belongings were all left in the bag that my sister-in-law had. The only missing items were his smartphone and his engagement ring. It seems the smartphone was already damaged, so its location couldn’t be tracked.

After returning home, my sister-in-law was in a state of shock for a while, not eating properly and remaining depressed for days. What saved her was—

“Congratulations.” (???)

“Huh?” (Natsu)

“You're pregnant. You're about 8 weeks along.” (???)

“A-baby? My baby with Haruto?” (Natsu)

From that day, my sister-in-law changed. She started eating properly and took care of herself.

“Onee-chan, I want to live here.” (Sakura)

Worried about my heavily pregnant sister-in-law, I somewhat forcefully moved into her room.

“You can leave the cooking to me.” (Sakura)

I wanted to show off my upgraded skills from living alone, but for some reason, it was firmly declined.

“I have to do what I can.” (Natsu)

Was there a hint of anxiety in her gently spoken words? Or was it just my imagination?

“Ah! Ouch, ouch, ouch!” (Natsu)

“Onee-chan, are you okay?”

“Yes, just a moment.” (Natsu)

“Okay.” (Sakura)

“Haah, haah. Yes, it’s about five minutes apart. Sorry Sakura-chan, could you call a taxi?” (Natsu)

“Labor? Got it!” (Sakura)

“Haah, haah. Don't panic. Please bring the bag next to the bed.” (Natsu)

While tidying up after dinner, my sister-in-law's labor began. Five minutes already? The pain must have started some time ago. She must have been enduring a lot.

As soon as we arrived at the hospital, she was immediately taken into the delivery room. I've heard that for a first birth, it can take over ten hours.

“Onii-chan, please protect Onee-chan and the baby.” (Sakura)

All I can do in the waiting room is pray alone for Onee-chan and the baby’s safety. I hear footsteps approaching from afar, the sound of hurried footsteps.

“Sakura.” (Akiho)

When I looked up at the sound of my name, Akiho-san was standing there, breathing heavily.

Akiho-san is currently attending this general hospital. After the incident, during discussions about her own illness, she decided to come to the hospital on her own.

“Akiho-san.” (Sakura)

“How's Onee-chan?” (Akiho)

I checked my watch; two hours had already passed.

“About two hours. Nothing yet.” (Sakura)

“I see.” (Akiho)

Akiho-san glanced at the delivery room door and then sat down next to me.

“You seem calm.” (Sakura)

Akiho-san, sipping tea and catching her breath, didn't seem to show any signs of nervousness.

“You're too nervous, Sakura. It's Onee-chan and Haruto's child. You don't need to worry too much. And I'm actually looking forward to meeting Haruto again.” (Akiho)

“It's half Haruto's blood, so I'm worried.” (Sakura)

“Really? When it comes to crucial moments, Haruto was reliable.” (Akiho)

“That might be true, but—” (Sakura)

The sound of a door swinging open caught our attention, and a nurse beckoned us over.

“She's given birth. Both mother and baby are healthy.” (???)

Overwhelmed with joy, I burst into tears right then and there.

“Ugh, uuu…” (Akiho)

Akiho-san gently embraced me and led me into the delivery room.

“Wah, wah!” (Baby)

Through my tear-filled vision, I saw my sister holding the baby.

“Onee-chan, thank you for your hard work.” (Sakura)

“Akiho is also here. Sakura-chan, it's a girl.” (Natsu)

Wiping away my tears, I went to Onee-chan's side. The newborn niece, with a wrinkled face, was snugly attached to my sister.

“… Onii-chan.” (Sakura)

“Fufu, somehow I feel like her eyes resemble Haru-kun's.” (Natsu)

Onee-chan, holding the baby close to her chest, had a very gentle expression.

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“Haruka.” (Natsu)

“Hm?” (Akiho)

“Her name.” (Natsu)

Two days after the birth, my sister, holding the baby in bed, spoke as if murmuring.

“Haruka?” (Akiho)

“Is it too simple?” (Natsu)

Noticing Akiho-san's hint, she responded,

“Haruka? The characters do seem a bit plain.” (Akiho)

“Is that so?” (Natsu)

“How about Haruka, meaning ‘far away’? It has a distant connotation.” (Sakura)

“It sounds like she might be going far away.” (Natsu)

“Isn't it natural for children to leave the nest?” (Akiho)

Akiho-san supported my suggestion.

“It's not something I can just laugh off.” (Natsu)

“How about using hiragana? Doesn't it give a softer feeling?” (Sakura)

After thinking for a while, Onee-chan decided to go with my suggestion.

“Haruka-chan, your name will be Haruka Furukawa. Nice to meet you, Haru-chan.” (Natsu)

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[Haruka PoV]

“Mom, Sakura-chan, hurry up!” (Haruka)

(It's unusual for Sakura-chan, who always goes out alone on holidays, to take me along. Of course, Mom is coming too.)

It's with Mom, right?

(Yes, yes. Mom seemed nervous, and she was less talkative than usual.)

That's unusual.

“Be careful, Haru-chan. It's a cliff here.” (Sakura)

“It's okay, Onee-chan. They've installed a sturdy fence.” (Haruka)

(It's a place where there were many fall accidents in the past. It seems Sakura-chan and the others negotiated to have the fence installed.)

Did you go to such a place for fun?

(We didn't go for fun.)

Is that not the case?

(After walking along the mountain path for a while, we reached a stage where events were held. When we arrived, Mom was crying with her forehead against the fence.)

“I’m sorry I didn’t come all this time, Haru-kun. I’m sorry I kept running away.” (Natsu)

(Sakura-chan hugged Mom from behind.)

“Onee-chan, Onii-chan isn't here anymore, right? It's okay. Today, I'm just here to put things to rest.”

(I heard from Sakura-chan when she was in middle school that she had been searching for my missing father for a long time, but after seven years, she was trying to come to terms with it.)

The seventh anniversary?

(It seems so. Not understanding it fully, I went to the riverbank alone, enjoying it like a regular hike, while not worrying about Mom.)

“Hmm? Mom and the others aren't here?”

(I became anxious and looked around, and then I met a man in a wheelchair drawing.)

“Hello. Are you drawing, uncle?” (Haruka)

“Hm? Hello. This is called rehabilitation. I'm practicing moving my hands.” (???)

“I see. I also like drawing, but I'm not very good at it.” (Haruka)

“Would you like to draw together?” (???)

(The man tore a sheet from his sketchbook and handed it to me.)

“Yes! Um…” (Haruka)

“Do you want to sit here?” (???)

(He patted his lap to invite me to sit, but I didn't feel scared or uncomfortable.)

“Thank you. Oh, uncle, you're wearing a ring. Mom has a similar ring—” (Haruka)

“Haru-chan!” (Natsu)

“Oh, Mom. Sakura-chan.” (Haruka)

(At that moment, Mom and Sakura-chan caught up, so I ran to them.)

“You shouldn't wander off alone! We were worried.” (Natsu)

“I'm sorry, Sakura-chan. I was with the uncle, and—Mom?” (Haruka)

(Mom stared at the uncle, tears gradually forming in her eyes.)

“Haru-kun!” (Natsu)

(Mom ran to the uncle and hugged him tightly.)

“Eh? Haru-kun?” (Sakura)

“There's no doubt! It's definitely Haru-kun!” (Natsu)

(Mom carefully looked at the uncle, then placed her left hand over his left hand.)

“See, the same ring. Your ring has my name engraved on the inside.” (Natsu)

(Mom removed the uncle's ring and checked the inside.)

“See, it says ‘Natsuki,' right? Writing in kanji is difficult, but my ring has your name, your name engraved on it: ‘Haru-kun.'” (Natsu)

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[Now, we'll hear a message of gratitude from the bride to her parents.]

“Dad, Mom, thank you for raising me all this time.” (Haruka)

“I never thought the day would come when I'd attend my daughter's wedding.” (Natsu)

(Yes, it was wonderful to hear words of gratitude with you.)

You were crying a lot.

(So were you.)

At the top of the grand staircase, Haruka turned only her head to address everyone.

“Here I go! Please catch it properly! One, two, three!” (Haruka)

(The bouquet, tracing a parabola, landed perfectly in my hands.)

“Eh? What's this?”

““Eh~!””

“…Na-chan.” (Haru)

“Next up! It's Dad and Mom's turn!” (Haruka)

(Haruka is considerate, just like you.)

Haruka is kind, just like you.

“Let's go on a honeymoon together!” (Haruka)

(We still need to stay active.)

“I'll be happier than Mom!” (Haruka)

Well, it seems like I'll never be able to beat you both in happiness.