Chapter 116: Yukinoshita Ayame's Friday
"Beep beep beep~"
In the early morning, as the electronic alarm clock rang, the quiet atmosphere in the Bedroom was instantly broken. About two seconds after the alarm sounded, a fair little hand emerged from under the blanket on the bed beside it and turned off the alarm.
"Ugh~ Time to go to school again?"
A small figure sat up on the bed, shaking their head to clear it for a minute before starting the day's routine.
"Well, tomorrow is the weekend, so I need to stay motivated."
The person sitting up was Yukinoshita Ayame, currently living with her father, Aragaki Takiya. However, given the current situation, her father probably didn't come home yesterday, likely staying overnight at the office due to working late.
Yukinoshita Ayame felt no resentment about this. She had always been a sensible, good child, and she clearly understood that such a life wasn't something her father willingly chose.
After all, it wasn't easy for a single father to raise a young daughter in Kyoto, especially since her father was stubbornly unwilling to accept assistance from the Yukinoshita Family, making his daily work naturally very demanding.
Yukinoshita Ayame couldn't offer any help with this situation. All she could do was study hard, develop well-rounded skills, and try to live happily. The first two points were her own requirements, while the last was Aragaki Takiya's expectation for her.
"Huh?! Why is there breakfast in the kitchen? Could it be...?"
After washing up, Yukinoshita Ayame looked in surprise at the still-warm breakfast in the pot. Beyond surprise, she felt a surge of joy inside. The presence of steaming-hot breakfast at home meant... Thinking this, Yukinoshita Ayame didn't even wait for the breakfast to cool; she hurried toward another Bedroom, then slowed her steps at the door.
"Click~"
With the crisp sound of the doorknob turning, Yukinoshita Ayame's heart couldn't help but race. However, when she opened the door, the disappointing scene remained unchanged.
The large bed in the Bedroom was still empty. The only thing in the room that caught her eye was the photo placed by the bedside.
It was a photo of a man and a woman. The man was her father, Aragaki Takiya, and the woman was her Mother, Yukinoshita Yukino, whom she had never met.
In the photo, the two were smiling happily, but Yukinoshita Ayame, looking at it, couldn't feel the same joy.
Her father had been working overtime for two days straight. Although Yukinoshita Ayame understood her father's hardships, her longing for him hadn't diminished in the slightest.
"Forget it, I should hurry up and eat breakfast. Dad will be off tomorrow, so I'll definitely see him then."
With this thought, Yukinoshita Ayame's spirits lifted again. After all, what was this called? Right, 'bitterness before sweetness'—something her father had taught her. She had already endured the bitter days without her father; she couldn't let her performance slip in the sweet days ahead with him.
Stay motivated!
With this mindset, Yukinoshita Ayame quickly adjusted her attitude. After finishing the breakfast her father had prepared, she returned to the Bedroom to glance at the photo inside, then headed to school alone... Yukinoshita Ayame's school life wasn't as peaceful as home. How to put it? Inheriting her parents' good genes meant that during breaks, her desk was never short of other Children. Whether drawn by Yukinoshita Ayame's cute appearance or envious of her grades, their goal was simple.
They just wanted to be friends with Yukinoshita Ayame.
Unfortunately, Yukinoshita Ayame wasn't very interested in this. While maintaining good relationships with her classmates, she kept a certain distance. Although her father had told her to get along well with her classmates, Yukinoshita Ayame wasn't particularly keen on it.
After all, how could Children full of childish ideas compare to her father?
This was Yukinoshita Ayame's true inner thought... Soon, it was afternoon. Japanese Elementary Schools usually let out around two or three in the afternoon, and Yukinoshita Ayame typically took this chance to go straight home. But today, she encountered someone she didn't often see at the entrance.
"Maternal Aunt? Why are you here?"
In front of Yukinoshita Ayame was a girl who looked very beautiful. If not for hearing Yukinoshita Ayame's address, one might think she was her older sister.
"I'm here to see my adorable little Ayame, of course~"
Looking at the Little Girl who bore a striking resemblance to her younger sister in childhood, Yukinoshita Haruno felt a surge of unpleasant memories but suppressed them without a trace. Only a gentle smile remained on her face.
"Oh~"
In response to Yukinoshita Haruno's answer, Yukinoshita Ayame showed no appreciation, replying expressionlessly.
But she didn't realize that her expression was identical to the one Yukinoshita Yukino used to make as a child, momentarily giving Yukinoshita Haruno the illusion of returning to the past.
"Well~ Let's not stand here. Come with me, Auntie will take you for a big meal."
Blinking her slightly sore eyes, Yukinoshita Haruno suggested.
"No, I want to wait here for Dad. It's Friday, so Dad will come pick me up."
Yukinoshita Ayame refused firmly.
"Huh? But isn't it the same if you come with me and I notify your dad by phone?"
Hearing Yukinoshita Ayame's words, Yukinoshita Haruno was quite puzzled.
"It's not the same. I wait here for Dad every Friday, and he'll definitely come today. He can pick me up, and I can't let him come for nothing."
"I said I'd notify him by phone..."
"That's still not the same!"
Yukinoshita Ayame refused Yukinoshita Haruno's proposal again. It had to be said that in terms of personality, she was indeed very similar to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Then there's no choice. I'll just have to..."
As Yukinoshita Haruno spoke, noticing Yukinoshita Ayame's clenched sleeves, she suddenly changed her tone.
"Wait here with you for him~"
"Huh? But Auntie, aren't you always very busy?"
Hearing Yukinoshita Haruno's words, Yukinoshita Ayame asked somewhat incredulously.
"Hehe, it's just some unimportant work. If it's to accompany little Ayame, it's fine to ignore it~"
Yukinoshita Haruno said with a smile, patting the other's head. She had lied in her previous words; this was actually planned long ago. To free up this afternoon, she had worked a lot of overtime the past two days.
"I see..."
Hearing Yukinoshita Haruno's words, Yukinoshita Ayame felt a bit embarrassed. After all, the other had put aside work to accompany her. Though connected by blood, such an act was indeed appreciated by a child like her.
"A lot of time has passed~"
"What? It's only been five minutes..."
Hearing Yukinoshita Haruno's words, Yukinoshita Ayame instinctively retorted, but considering the other was waiting with her, her voice unconsciously softened.
"Hehe, I'm just worried about you. Look at us standing here—don't we look like Elementary School students being punished to stand?"
"Not at all, and I've never been punished to stand. Probably only you, Auntie, have been punished for doing something wrong."
"That does seem true. Let me tell you, my homeroom teacher in high school was a Japanese teacher. Once, I was late, and then..."
Bored, Yukinoshita Haruno started talking about Hiratsuka Shizuka, but it had been a long time, and she hadn't contacted her in ages, not knowing how she was doing now.
"Auntie, stop talking. Look over there—Dad is rushing over..."
Yukinoshita Ayame's sudden interruption cut off Yukinoshita Haruno's story, but she wasn't angry. Instead, following the direction, she spotted a man hurrying over from not far away.
Yes, carrying a briefcase, with a familiar face and those familiar dark circles—definitely her brother-in-law.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late..."
Looking at the two girls, one big and one small, standing before him, Aragaki Takiya's apologetic voice came through.
"You do know you're late. Ayame and I have been waiting here for a long time."
Yukinoshita Haruno's voice came from the side.
"No, it hasn't even been ten minutes."
Facing Yukinoshita Haruno's reproach, Yukinoshita Ayame decisively sided with her father. She wouldn't allow anyone to criticize her dad.
"It's okay, Ayame. Your aunt is right. I was indeed a bit late today due to some matters. Next time, I promise to be on time."
Though touched by Yukinoshita Ayame's defense, Aragaki Takiya admitted his lateness. After all, he had been delayed by a company social event today. Fortunately, Yukinoshita Haruno was here to watch over things, or his guilt would have been greater.
"Hmph, as long as you know your mistake. Let's go, take Ayame for a big meal. We can use my car. Also, Mother wants to see Ayame tomorrow, Takiya, so you come along too."
"Okay, no problem."
The conversation among the three ended with Aragaki Takiya's promise. Yukinoshita Ayame took the opportunity to hold both their hands. She could feel their affection for her. Though she defended her father, it didn't mean she didn't love her aunt.
These were two different matters.
Loving Book So Far Check Out 40+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FictionsTL