Chapter 269 - 217 Playing and Choices_2

Words : 1364 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 269: Chapter 217 Playing and Choices_2The fragrance of lilies, so refreshing, could be smelled around the girl. She was about to leave for a while, and Uesugi Sakura didn’t want to stop her from pursuing her only dream. This timid girl rarely had anything of her own. She always thought about others first, and her own feelings were shoved into a corner, often overlooked. She would blame herself for things, but rarely felt happy for herself. They both ate from the same waffle, taking turns, stepping together to reach the place Mrs. Hanamaru mentioned was offering free foot baths. This place was at a high point, with a view overlooking all the structures of this tourist area, where two couples were leisurely chatting. Feet needed to be washed before soaking, to avoid dirtying the pool. Yet with Hanamaru Hanabi’s feet as white as jade, soaking them in the small pool for two or three people should actually be a pleasant sight. The water ran clear, and as the girl carefully dipped her pristine, tender feet into it, the little pool was cast with a dazzling layer of golden neon in the sprinkling sunlight. With their hearts soothed by the gentle summer breeze, they gazed at the city under the azure sky, feeling refreshed. "Have you decided when to leave?" "N-not yet..." Hanamaru Hanabi, fresh as the girl-next-door, had her hair fluttering lightly in the gentle breeze. In her vivid-purple eyes, reflecting the blue sky, appeared his image: "Sakura... will you miss Hanabi?" "I will..." Uesugi Sakura replied slowly. Among the playful chatter of nearby couples, Hanamaru Hanabi discerned his unusual demeanor. Lacking confidence, she lowered her head slightly. "If... if when I’m gone, you started liking another girl... Hanabi wouldn’t mind either... "Hanabi just hopes you won’t forget her, because she’ll always be waiting for you..." "Hanabi thinks of herself as quite ordinary, void of any special talents, and she cherishes being the sun in your life, giving her warmth that’s unlike any other." Underneath Hanamaru Hanabi’s small, round hat, her eyes continued gazing at him. "Hanabi really, really likes you, Sakura... if only you’d ask Hanabi not to go to England to study... then Hanabi wouldn’t leave." The breeze and words swept past the ears together, disturbing rationality. "Sakura and Hanabi are equals, right?" Uesugi Sakura looked up at the blue sky and said, "If one word from me could shatter Hanabi’s dreams and prospects, confining her to me alone, how long could such unequal feelings last?" "Hanabi will always—" "It’s not about you, Hanabi," Uesugi Sakura turned to her, "I know I’m not perfect, I’m afraid that I’d get used to her unequal dedication, demanding her to always comply with me." "Afraid that saying things I shouldn’t could hurt her deeply." "I know she would never show it directly, but I’m sure she’d always feel inadequate, working harder to give more to him." "The scale of love has tipped entirely to his side, becoming unbalanced." "I don’t have much faith in myself, being the kind of lazy person I am, Hanabi." In a small voice, Hanamaru Hanabi asked: "Is it that Hanabi... is not good enough to you, Sakura?" With a gentle smile, Uesugi Sakura said, "Quite the opposite, it’s just too good, taking away Hanabi’s own presence as a girl, losing something that truly belongs to her." He gently touched the girl’s soft, smooth cheek, carefully feeling the warmth of her skin under his fingertips: "Sakura... doesn’t want Little Hanabi to become just his appendage." Hanamaru Hanabi lowered her head, contemplating his words as she gazed at her small feet submerged in the clear water. Beep beep... Uesugi Sakura took out his phone from his pocket. Uesugi Sakura: "Hello, Father-in-law." Hanamaru Hiroki: "Are you aware of what’s happening with Hanabi?" Uesugi Sakura: "Yes, I know." Hanamaru Hiroki: "What are your thoughts on it? The choice is yours to make." Uesugi Sakura: "... Let’s honor Hanabi’s dreams... after all, she’s been working in this direction since she was little..." Hanamaru Hiroki: "It’s a rare opportunity from the family side, Hanabi’s grandfather specifically communicated to me that many of the children of conglomerate families seize such opportunities for further studies, and in a year, Hanabi will be able to enter the Royal Art University for advanced studies." The family side must refer to the Hanamaru family. With a grandfather who had served as a director of the Police Headquarters, his influence should not be underestimated. The Royal Art University, even its name has a distinct British flair. Uesugi Sakura held the phone: "I understand." Hanamaru Hiroki: "A decision hasn’t been set yet, but it will be before the start of the school term on September 1st. You can take your time to give me a reply, and I’ll support your decision, whether to go or stay." Just as Uesugi Sakura was about to speak, he was interrupted. Hanamaru Hiroki: "I understand the depth of emotion between you two, it’s a difficult decision, but I trust that one of you will follow your heart and make a decision that neither of you will regret." Uesugi Sakura laughed over the phone: "It feels like you wouldn’t usually say such things, Father-in-law." Hanamaru Hiroki (pausing for a second): "I just want Hanabi to find her happiness." "Beep—beep—beep—" After a series of busy tones, the call was disconnected. Uesugi Sakura didn’t know how much time passed before he gradually confirmed the reality that Hanabi was going to study in England. Sometimes you had to admire the convenience money brings, it seems like there’s always a way if you want to gild yourself somewhere. Yet for Hanabi, she would diligently seize the opportunity, not merely for superficial improvement, but for true growth. As he hung up the phone, Hanamaru Hanabi saw the look of hesitation on his face. "Sakura-kun....." She moved closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder, as both watched the lazy clouds drifting through the blue sky. The cool water still flowed gently over their feet. "Hanabi, if you were truly a princess, would you think I am undeserving of you?" "Big Brother Sakura... you’ll always be Big Brother Sakura..." Uesugi Sakura understood that she meant she would always see him the same way: "And what if I made a mistake, something really foolish?" Hanamaru Hanabi gave a pretty smile: "Didn’t you say Hanamaru is your sun? The sun, it understands, warming others with its own light, Hanabi wouldn’t mind." Uesugi Sakura felt her tiny feet stepping on his, and asked with a smile: "Do you like me?" "I do." "How much?" "More than chili and shark-shark." "What if one day, if I were to suffer from something like Auntie?" Hanamaru Hanabi leaned forward, softly touching his lips with her rosy, tender lips, then, with a face so shy it turned a gentle pink, she said to him: "All of Hanabi’s happiness in this life, it’s rested upon Big Brother Sakura, so such a thing could never happen." Uesugi Sakura smiled: "Can I take it as a blessing from Little Hanabi?" "Hanabi... has always been wishing the best for Big Brother Sakura..." —————————— At dusk, Mrs. Hanamaru handed them a spa voucher with a smile. It was clearly already paid for. "This is for you two, your room isn’t in the main building with us, it’s a separate lodging." "Main building, separate lodging, what do you mean?" Uesugi Sakura asked. "It means you won’t be soaking with us in the hot spring." Under the bemused gaze of Mrs. Uesugi, Mrs. Hanamaru patted Uesugi Sakura on the shoulder: "This private hot spring is quite pricey, you and Little Hanabi better cherish the experience." "Private?" Uesugi Sakura glanced at the spa voucher with the words "Private Hot Spring." "That’s right, private." At the Edo-style gate of the Doya Onsen, Mrs. Hanamaru gently pushed them: "Hurry on in, remember to call us after soaking, and then put on the yukata to join us for sushi at the night market." Uesugi Sakura glanced at the private spa voucher in his hand, then at Hanamaru Hanabi in her white dress by his side: "Now... shall we go...?"

Chapter 269 - 217 Playing and Choices_2

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