The changes in her daughter's mood, as her mother, Hanamaru Meiko could of course notice them, so she explained to Hanabi:
"Eating spicy food at night isn't good, it easily causes acne, especially at your age."
She then looked at Uesugi Sakura beside Hanabi: "Little Sakura knows this too."
Uesugi Sakura glanced at the slightly dispirited Hanamaru Hanabi beside him and nodded to Hanamaru Meiko.
But actually, he didn't see anything wrong with letting Hanabi eat some spicy food.
After all, they grew up together, and despite eating so much spicy food, he'd never seen the so-called "acne" on Hanabi's face.
Having changed into casual clothes, Hanamaru Hiroki quickly came downstairs and naturally sat beside Hanamaru Meiko.
Looking at the few big bowls of dishes on the table, he said to everyone with a smile:
"Let's eat."
With a very ordinary and usual "Let's eat," Uesugi Sakura picked up the warm porcelain bowl with his left hand and pinched the chopsticks with his right hand, grabbing a piece of teriyaki salad chicken combined with five-spice rice, sending it into his mouth.
The moment the rich aroma of the food touched his taste buds, the delicious taste of the ingredients instantly blossomed in his mouth.
The familiar taste, the same deliciousness, was immensely enjoyable.
"By the way, there's less than a week left before you start school again, right?"
"Hey, Dad."
Seeing that Hanamaru Hiroki still had food in his mouth when he started talking, Hanamaru Meiko raised her eyebrows.
The Hanamaru couple liked to call each other's identities after Hanabi was born.
"Sorry, sorry."
Hanamaru Hiroki quickly swallowed the food in his mouth and looked at his quietly eating daughter, feeling inexplicably sentimental.
"I can't believe it, time flies so fast, and Hanabi will be in her second year of high school soon. I remember clearly the first time I held little Hanabi in my arms."
"Daughters always have to grow up."
Hanamaru Meiko looked at Hanabi and couldn't help but smile. She then looked towards Uesugi Sakura beside Hanabi.
When the two sat together, she always felt very comfortable and asked:
"Little Sakura, what do you think about that thing from before, today?"
It began...
Uesugi Sakura silently murmured to himself.
Hanamaru Hiroki became alert: "I've said it many times; it's not okay, she's too young!"
"Don't interrupt." Hanamaru Meiko glared at him fiercely.
Uesugi Sakura looked at Hanamaru Hanabi, who was silently eating with her head down, and said:
"I haven't decided yet..."
Hanamaru Meiko sighed and then looked at Hanabi beside him, asking:
"Little Hanabi, what about you?"
Hanamaru Hanabi clearly knew what her mother was talking about, but she didn't know how to answer, so she stammered:
"Hanabi... Hanabi doesn't know either."
"Sigh~"
Hanamaru Meiko couldn't help but sigh, looking at Hanamaru Hanabi, "I've already told you so many times."
"But little Sakura, after all this time, you two... haven't made any further progress?"
Hanamaru Hiroki looked at Uesugi: "I object! She's too young for romance."
"Objection overruled!"
Uesugi Sakura saw Hanamaru Hiroki being silenced again and understood what Aunt Meiko meant.
After twelve years, he wasn't disliking her; it was because he was too familiar with her.
Their long companionship made his feelings for her more like sibling love and friendship than never-before-seen romantic love.
Watching the little girl grow up, the warm companionship of a brother to a sister.
Long years made the transition into adolescence lacking in fresh passion, having only mundane life worn down.
Perhaps due to some blurry memory from past life, in his memory, Hanabi had always been a timid girl who liked to follow him.
Her timid character was mostly related to her not-so-happy experiences as a child.
"Auntie, this is a matter concerning two people, Hanabi's opinion is also necessary."
Uesugi Sakura glanced at the silent Hanamaru Hanabi beside him.
"Humph, last time you said the same thing, all excuses," Mrs. Hanamaru showed a meaningful smile, "you two have been so close since childhood, just having a relationship isn't a big deal."
"Of course, if you could get engaged, that would be even better."
"Engagement is absolutely not okay! Hanabi is only 15 years old!"
Glancing at Hanamaru Hiroki, Hanamaru Meiko didn't pursue the topic further but waved her hand, saying:
"Fine, your matters are yours; I shouldn't interfere too much. Let nature take its course, after all, you've shared twelve years of experiences together."
Hanamaru Hanabi quietly ate her meal, but at this moment, her delicate face was faintly tinged with an unnoticeable blush.
Uesugi Sakura turned towards her and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Don't mind it, Hanabi, Aunt is just joking."
"Mm..."
Hanamaru Hanabi nodded obediently with a blushing face.
Such was the little drama of the Hanamaru family, one he was already accustomed to.
Since both families were neighbors, and the mothers were college classmates.
So... upon entering high school, they were very concerned about the relationship between the two.
After finishing dinner, Uesugi Sakura saw Hanamaru Meiko collecting the dishes and stood up, saying:
"Aunt, let me do the dishes."
"Little Sakura is a guest; how can we let a guest do such chores?"
Hanamaru Meiko said casually, waving her hand. Then, seeing Hanamaru Hanabi beside him, she had an idea and quickly changed her tone with a smile:
"Having eaten meals here for so many years, little Sakura doesn't count as a guest anymore, Hanabi."
Hanamaru Hanabi heard her mother's voice and looked towards her.
"Mom's a bit tired today, so how about you do the dishes with Uesugi-kun?"
"Okay."
Hanabi agreed without giving it much thought.
...
Hanamaru Hiroki and Hanamaru Meiko sat in the living room watching TV.
Meanwhile, Uesugi Sakura and Hanamaru Hanabi quickly cleared the table, put on aprons, and headed to the kitchen sink.
Their tasks were well-divided, with Uesugi washing and her rinsing.
Uesugi Sakura skillfully handed her the dishes, and looking at the girl in front of him, he thought of Aunt Meiko's words and asked once again:
"Hanabi, do you like me?"
The sudden question caused Hanamaru Hanabi's dishwashing movements to pause.
She hesitated, her face turning red, and nodded slightly:
"Mm... Uesugi-kun has always been good to Hanabi."
Uesugi Sakura watched the cool water flow over Hanamaru Hanabi's fair hands and wondered if she didn't misunderstand on purpose.
"Hanabi, I didn't mean the like you said, but the like between lovers Aunt meant, you know, their thoughts."
Hanamaru Hanabi's dishwashing movements sped up a bit, with a slight tremble, but her voice remained as slow as before:
"Hanabi doesn't know either....."
"Mm."
It was the same answer.
Uesugi Sakura understood her personality well. Though she used to rely on him a lot, much like a sister to a brother, she had grown more independent since high school.
He was too familiar with her, having watched her grow from a small girl to who she was over twelve years.
They understood each other very well.
Time had worn down the novelty.
The overly familiar pair had gone through long years, almost leaving them with only sibling-like affection.
What changes her feelings for him went through, he did not know.
Though his direct inquiry was urged by both mothers, the answer was still vague.
She neither admitted nor denied.
Perhaps she didn't want to change the distance and emotions they'd maintained for twelve years.
The air gradually fell silent, and they each completed their tasks, leaving the topic behind.