Chapter 512: Chapter 504: The Option to Struggle 200 Years Less
Asano Sawahei got off the Shinkansen and began the boring journey of transferring trains, trains, and more trains, as found by the little girl on her phone. Fortunately, he had a girlfriend by his side to hug, joke, and play with, making the trip not so dull.
The only regret was that after confessing, Tsukimi Sakurazawa lost the courage she once had to tease him. Occasionally, when they locked eyes for a while, she’d get flustered and angrily tell him to stop looking. She defended herself by claiming that the treatment for a boyfriend and a jerk isn’t the same, and if he wanted to experience the full version, well... humph~
The weather in Tottori Prefecture seemed fine lately, with no geological disasters or landslides blocking roads affecting his journey home. After several transfers, Asano Sawahei reached the town and called Higashino Rin.
The village phone seemed to be unified at the village chief’s house. Sawahei awaited a reply for a while and finally got his aunt’s response. She was shocked to learn of his return.
"Sawahei... why... it’s such a hassle to come home. Didn’t we say you could just focus on studying well in the city?"
"Huh? What? You brought someone back, is it that Sakurazawa kid?"
"I’ll be there to pick you up right away."
"..."
As Sawahei listened to the other side hang up, he turned to his girlfriend next to him with a speechless look and said, "Now you believe it, right? Aunt really looks forward to meeting you."
Tsukimi Sakurazawa covered her face and fell into his arms, seemingly very nervous about meeting Sawahei’s family. After a while, she looked up and asked, "Asano, don’t you have a cousin? I’ve only met Aunt Higashino... What if only she likes me and the rest of your family including your sister doesn’t?"
"No way, you’re so cute, who wouldn’t like you?"
"It’s hard to say, human interactions can’t be explained by logic... What does your cousin like? Would the gift I brought not suit her?"
Sawahei hesitated for a moment, not immediately answering her question. Truth be told, he didn’t know what his cousin liked; his only impression was that she was still in elementary school... At such a young age, she probably likes dolls or something, right?
Luckily, she’s at the elementary school age because if she were in junior high, Sawahei wouldn’t know how to face such a rebellious sister.
"She should like it, right? I haven’t given her many gifts."
"You don’t get along well with your sister?"
"It’s so-so... Because of me, Aunt and the others more or less let her suffer grievances." Sawahei sighed softly, "If I weren’t around, Aunt’s family would probably live more comfortably."
Perhaps noticing Sawahei’s low spirits, Tsukimi Sakurazawa took the initiative to hold his arm and comfort him, "You’re family, aren’t you? Saying all this doesn’t mean anything. Aunt Higashino would definitely be upset hearing you talk like this."
"As long as you work hard to repay them in the future, their efforts won’t be in vain."
"Hmm... That makes sense... Working hard to bring back a temple heiress girlfriend, does that count as reciprocation?"
"Ah~ Asano, you’re dead!" Tsukimi Sakurazawa punched him and pretended to be hurt, "What am I? If you’re going to woo someone, target someone like Hayakawa Kashi, you’d save a hundred years of hard work with one swoop."
"..."
If you win over someone like Hayakawa Kashi, you’d save a hundred years of hard work, and if you win over an Asano Nazuki, wouldn’t that mean...
Asano Fūsei: (preparing to draw a knife) Exactly, it’s 0 years.
Hayakawa Shinsuke: I think it’s two hundred years, anyone for or against?
Asano Fūsei: ? I dis...
(Snap!)
A strange scene suddenly occurred in his mind, prompting Sawahei to clear his throat and seriously state, "Saving a hundred years of hard work is too weak; I’d of course choose to work hard myself."
"Why?"
"Because a betrothal gift is something I should prepare through my own hard work." Sawahei replied matter-of-factly, "By the way, the Tsukimi family’s betrothal gift shouldn’t be expensive, right?"
The girl smiled at him teasingly and pretended to be displeased, "Depends, if it’s something I like, it’s not expensive, maybe even cheaper."
"Then I’m relieved."
"What are you relieved about? I never said I like you."
"Miss Tsukimi, you can’t just turn your back on people like this. I still have your criminal record saved on my phone... want to see it again?"
"Whatever~ I only said there’s no true friendship between men and women, I never confessed to you!"
"I see." Sawahei regretted, "Then, if it’s expensive, it’s fine, bringing you home is what matters most."
"Ugh, jerk." Tsukimi Sakurazawa pouted, "But since you have such ambition, I’ll begrudgingly give you a few years~"
Sawahei, still hoping for more growth, couldn’t help but laugh while engaging with Tsukimi Sakurazawa in their usual couple dynamics. Shortly after, Higashino Rin arrived in a small village-bought truck at the town.
Tsukimi Sakurazawa was very uneasy upon meeting Higashino Rin, and Rin felt the same. When she first saw this pretty and cute little girl, her initial reaction was definitely to want her nephew to woo her. Alas, upon realizing how poor their family was compared to the obvious affluence of Sakurazawa’s, she resigned with a sigh, thinking it was self-humiliation.
But before leaving, Rin thought again, feeling that dreams are still worth having; what if they come true? So she subtly hinted to Sawahei, hoping he’d put in some effort — my nephew isn’t bad, he’s handsome and hard-working, surely there’s a chance!
Now it turned out better than expected, not only did he put effort, but he even brought the girl home! Sawahei truly lived up to the Shirakawa family’s sole heir, his efforts far exceeded her imagination!
Good job, Sawahei! I’ll cook you a couple of eggs as a reward when you get home! Speaking of which, the house hasn’t been tidy, I hope Sakurazawa won’t mind... if because of me Sawahei loses a good marriage, I wouldn’t forgive myself!
Tsukimi Sakurazawa: QAQ
The last time they met, she was still in a one-sided love narrative and was very natural with Higashino Rin, but once she confessed to Asano and their relationship evolved, she felt all the more restricted, as if nothing she did was right...
Is this what they call feeling awkward around the family once the relationship advances? What to do...
A certain long-legged moe girl sneaked a glance at her jerk boyfriend beside her, her heart fluttering with anxiety.
Maybe... I should dump this guy first?
If he’s not my boyfriend... I wouldn’t be so nervous facing Aunt Higashino, right?
Certain jerk: ?
Why is the atmosphere so awkward... maybe I should start saying something?