/
A few minutes later, in a large hospital room nearby.
There, Hayato was being bowed to by Minamo Mitake’s grandfather.
“I’m sorry ’bout that, kid. Okay, are we done here?”
“Y-Yes
”
“Mitake. Minamo-chan will be very angry with you for being so careless.”
“That’s right, Grandpa Mitake, I don’t care if Minamo-chan stops talking to you, okay?”
“Kuh~
 My bad, I’m sorry! So forgive me, boy.”
“Y-Yes
”
However, his appearance was one of disapproval, and he looked as if he was forced to do so by the other members of the large room. One could not help but feel that he was still not convinced.
“Well, calm down, Mitake. You boy, are you the sensei who’s been teaching Minamo-chan about vegetables lately?”
“Se-Sensei!?”
“Minamo-chan has been smiling happily lately, thanks to you.”
“Even that old man thanks that teacher behind his back.”
“
Fuu~n.”
“Ahaha~
”
Minamo Mitake’s grandfather’s eyes are very sharp and hostile towards Hayato. He seems like a difficult person to get to know.
However, judging by the fact that the people around him are making fun of him, it’s likely that his granddaughter is not involved on that front.
One more thing, Minamo Mitake seems to be well loved by the people around her. That’s probably why she frequents this place so much.
“Now then, kid, you seem to be a new student
 So why?”
“What?”
“Why are you talking to our Minamo?”
“That’s
”
“I know Minamo is cute. You could say she is an angel without wings. I can understand why you would want to talk to her. Are you hitting on her? Are you playing with her? If so, you’re―”
“I-I’m not!”
It was an unusual amount of energy.
And without pausing for a beat, he thrust his cane in front of Hayato’s eyes.
It’s very difficult to laugh it off as a joke, and he couldn’t resist saying what he was thinking.
“S-She resembled one of my neighbors from where I used to live! I took care of her a lot, and the way she panicked was just like her, so I couldn’t leave her alone!”
“Oh, Minamo you say? What kind of girl is she?”
“She’s an eight-year-old girl with the same curly hair.”
“So that’s why you approached her.”
“Y-Yes!”
Minamo Mitake’s grandfather looked a little uncomfortable.
However, the other people in the room muttered positive things like, “I can understand,” “He’s a bit sly,” and “I feel like giving him candy.”
Hayato made a deceptive “Ahaha
” sound, but even though she was eight years old, she was a sheep and had long since reached old age.
Meanwhile, Minamo Mitake, who had gone to change the water in the vase, came back.
“Grandpa, where are the flowers
 Grandpa!? What are you doing to Kirishima-san!?”
“Mi-Minamo, this is
”
“Grandpa! Don’t do anything strange to Kirishima-san! Come on, let’s go!”
“Mi-Minamo!”
“Oh, that old man Mitake’s jealousy is getting the better of him.”
“See you later, Minamo!”
When Minamo Mitake came back, she was surprised to see Hayato with his grandfather holding a cane to him and immediately took his hand and left the room.
The way she was pulling his hand was so strong that it was hard to imagine that it was her normal hand, and her ears and neck were red with shame.
She could not help but feel embarrassed to see her relatives being so mischievous, so she dragged Hayato along with her.
However, when they reached the lobby on the first floor, he began to feel embarrassed at the sight of the girl pulling him along.
“Mitake-san, umm, my hand
”
“Eh
Ah! I-I’m sorry!”
“Ah, no.”
This is the first time he has held the hand of the opposite sex, apart from his sister and childhood friend Haruki. When he became aware of this, Hayato’s face rapidly heated up.
So, to cover it up, he mentioned it.
“H-He’s surely an energetic old man who loves his grandchildren.”
“
Ah. That’s right
”
It was something he said without thinking. And in fact, Hayato had seen him in good health.
But this was a hospital, and her grandfather was an admitted patient.
By the time she realized what had happened, it was too late.
Minamo Mitake’s face, which until then had been tinged with shame, was now shadowed, and she looked as if she was about to start crying.
However, it was only for a moment― and then she showed her usual squishy smile, which disturbed Hayato’s heart. He cursed himself for his carelessness and lack of delicacy.
“
Sorry.”
“No, that’s not Kirishima-san’s fault
 It’s my grandpa’s fault
”
“Ah, yeah, that’s
 right. Haha.”
“Yes.”
Both of them bowed their heads and apologized to each other. Then, they smiled bitterly at each other.
The gloomy look on her face earlier was probably only for a moment, and her face, as they looked at each other, showed some core strength.
That’s why the dark face he saw earlier was bothering him even more.
(Mitake-san’s face
)
He thought they looked alike.
That day. The day when he was a child and his mother collapsed.
The face of Himeko, who couldn’t do anything on her own and had to stand by his side for a long time in a daze, lost for words, like a lost child.
That’s why Hayato felt that he couldn’t leave her alone.
“With that, Kirishima-san, until next time.”
“
Ah, you see, Mitake-san!”
“Yes?”
“Ermm, uhh
 the flower bed! Can I go to the flowerbed again
?”
“Fue?”
It must have been an unexpected remark for Minamo Mitake.
Shortly after, her big eyes blinked, and then her eyes widened in understanding, and she broke down.
“Yes!”
“Un, looking forward to it.”
Minamo Mitake’s smile was met with an ambiguous smile from Hayato.
He was aware that there was something selfish about this offer.
He said good-bye and hurried out of the hospital.
The moment he stepped outside, a strong wind blew.
It washed away the smell of disinfectant.
In the early summer sky, the clouds were rising.
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Translator’s Afterword: Aight, a flag has been raised for Minamo-chan. Although, it’s obvious that Haruki’s going to win. (And no, I haven’t read future chapters, I got no time for that lol)