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Chapter 51: A Young Girl Has Her Own Circumstances

Let me tell you what happened, exactly as it went down.

I was supposed to go buy cosmetics for Ange, but somehow I ended up playing with a little girl at a nearby park.

I know it sounds strange, but trust me, I'm as confused as you are.

Yuki-chan’s laughter and her playful squeals were adorable and heartwarming, so I didn't mind.

“I’m sorry, she even made you give her a piggyback ride.” said the grandmother, who was with Yuki-chan, looking apologetic.

“Oh, it's no trouble at all.”

One thing I can say for sure is that kids who warm up to you are truly adorable. Like angels. They remind me of Ange when she was little. And just to clarify, this is in no way some creepy, inappropriate sentiment.

“Really, you still can't leave a little girl alone, can you?” Ange teased, smirking. “It’s like nothing’s changed.”

“Hey, Ange, don’t say things that can be taken the wrong way. You’ll make me sound like a weirdo.”

Ange snapped back, but she was watching Yuki-chan with a nostalgic, affectionate look in her eyes, probably reminiscing about her own childhood.

“Well, it's clear you love little girls. And Yuki seems to really like her ‘Onii-chan,’ too.”

“Uh, ma’am, saying it like that could lead to misunderstandings.”

Yuki-chan’s grandmother seemed very pleased, almost too much so.

“Oh, I’m sorry. You’re right. What I meant is that you’re a very kind person who is good to Yuki without any improper intentions.”

“Now that you say it, somehow it sounds even more suspicious.”

Well, in any case, as long as Yuki-chan is having fun, that's what matters. Her grandmother seems genuinely concerned for her.

“Yuki hasn't smiled like this in a long time. She rarely takes to people like this.”

“Is that so? She seems quite friendly to me.”

“Only with you. Really, I just wish she could always be this happy.”

“…”

There was a hint of sadness in her grandmother’s voice. It seemed like Yuki-chan had her own set of circumstances. I decided not to pry.

…

I realized this was the second time I’d seen Yuki-chan with her grandma. I wondered where her parents were. Maybe they work on weekends, too.

With these thoughts in mind, I continued playing with Yuki-chan until I started to feel tired and decided to let her down from my shoulders.

“Thank you, Onii-chan! That was fun!”

What a well-mannered kid! Most kids her age would ask for more, but she thanked me instead. Clearly, she's been raised well.

“You’re welcome.”

It’s important to treat children with respect. They learn how to behave by watching adults.

“Yuki-chan, want to play with me next?” Ange asked, unable to contain her eagerness.

Yuki-chan looked at Ange and froze for a moment.

“Onee-chan, you’re so pretty! Are you a foreigner?”

“No, silly. I’m his sister.”

“Really? You look like a doll! Do you think I can be as pretty as you when I grow up?”

Ange gave a wry smile, unsure how to handle Yuki-chan’s innocent questions.

At that moment, Yuki-chan’s grandmother asked, “Is she your half-sister? I thought she might be your girlfriend.”

“She’s my half-sister. Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Uemura Yuuta, and this is my sister Ange.”

“Oh! I’m pleased to meet you. I should introduce myself properly, too. I’m Kimura Kumi, and this is my granddaughter, Kimura Yuki.”

We hadn't exchanged names the first time, but meeting again seemed like fate. They didn't seem like bad people, so I felt comfortable sharing our names.

‘Kimura, huh? A common surname…’

Meanwhile, Yuki-chan and Ange continued their little conversation.

“Onee-chan, how can I become like you?”

Yuki-chan kept asking.

Ange, struggling to find an answer.

“Maybe you should ask your mom. She might have some advice.”

But that response caused both Yuki-chan and her grandmother to look sad.

“My mom… doesn't like me, so she wouldn't tell me….”

We all fell silent, taken aback by the weight of her words.