kscans

Chapter 115 - 親の愛

# Conversation about Living Arrangements

"Oh, so Sa-chan is going to board at your house?"

"Yeah. Hero Uncle offered to rent me a room in the same apartment building, but that would be too much."

Saku has become completely at ease, now chatting away while nibbling on okonomiyaki.

"Actually, Mom and Dad said they'd rent a room since it would be imposing to just move in with Hero Uncle."

"I told them I'd pay for it, but they said that would defeat the purpose."

"Of course. We're trying to reduce the burden on you, not increase it."

"If you were asking for money to build a mansion, that'd be one thing, but rent money is totally within reason."

After various discussions, we settled on her boarding at my house. I have spare rooms anyway. Having one kid move in isn't a big deal.

"Hmm... but Uncle, don't you drink at home with Mama and the others until you're totally drunk?"

Isn't that bad for a child's education? She has a point.

"Well, now that the secret base is finished, we'll drink there when we do."

Saku is preparing for college entrance exams. Though it's only summer of her second year and I think it's early, students aiming for good universities probably start studying around now. Maybe it's even late? I'm not familiar with current exam circumstances.

"By the way, Hideo-san. You'll be taking care of a growing child, will the meals be okay?"

Sarna is really thoughtful. Come to think of it, she's still growing herself... Wait, she's going to grow more!? Wow, the possibilities... Though I definitely can't say that out loud.

"Well, yeah. Even though I've started learning to cook, I'm not good enough to raise a child."

"In that case, shall I come cook a few times a week?"

She's seriously attentive. I wonder if... Well, thinking about it, maybe I've earned some goodwill without realizing it? The short trip and care after entering the supernatural world... While not special to me, maybe they meant something to Sarna.

"Haha, the thought is enough. Right, Saku?"

"Yes. Since I'll be in your care, I plan to handle all the household chores."

"Eh, Sakuya-san, you can cook?"

Light asks in surprise. Well, Light helps with cleaning and laundry to reduce his mother's burden, but he's not much of a cook.

"Actually, she can. You know, I usually visit my mother's family at year-end, and they serve homemade New Year's dishes."

"No way..."

"Yes. Saku has been making the New Year's dishes for the past two years."

I did notice the taste had changed, but I thought maybe my aunt or sister Saki had changed their recipe. The quality hadn't changed at all. If anything, the presentation had improved.

"Sa-chan can make New Year's dishes!? That's beyond just feminine skills, that's wife material!!"

"Haha, both my parents work, you see. There are elderly neighbors, but I didn't want to burden them too much."

She says she started learning housework around fourth or fifth grade. I had no idea. Sis Saki, you should brag about having such a capable son. If it were me, I'd be showing off about how amazing my child is all the time.

...Actually, imagining it, I'd be pretty annoying. I wasn't aware of it, but I might have the makings of a doting parent.

"She even helped remove stains from shirts I'd messed up while drunk."

"Uncle, maybe you should try harder to act like an adult?"

"...Yes."

I can only agree with that.

[Continued in next part due to length]