Chapter Sixty-One: It's in Your Hands Now
Masao Kasugano seemed to have made up his mind about something. He pondered quietly for a long time, then patted Aoki Tsukasa on the shoulder. “I was worried, unable to decide, but now, I’ve chosen to trust you, Tsukasa.”
Aoki Tsukasa gazed calmly at Masao Kasugano, waiting for him to share his thoughts. Even Sora paused mid-meal, staring straight at Masao Kasugano, her expression tinged with concern.
Masao Kasugano smiled, the despair he carried upon entering now faded. Though his mood was still low, he seemed much better. “My father… doesn’t have much time left.”
He sipped his tea, sadness clouding his eyes. “His illness has gotten so severe he needs constant care just to survive until next spring. If the treatment keeps up, perhaps he might hold on a bit longer, but a full recovery is impossible.”
“Though my relationship with my father has never been good, still… he is my father.” Masao Kasugano’s eyes reddened. “I plan to bring him to where I travel for work. There’s a good hospital there, and your aunt will go to care for him.”
“The medical expenses are steep. If your aunt cares for him there, I’ll need a place for her to rest as well. After calculating, my salary won’t leave much at all.” Masao Kasugano gave a bitter smile. “With the mortgage and debts, to be honest, I’m making ends meet with great difficulty.”
He noticed Sora’s worried gaze, and smiled gently. “I’ve decided to leave the company headquarters and work remotely. As a section chief, working there means I’ll get a department head’s salary. If I manage the branch well and business grows, once things stabilize, I’ll officially become department head. The pay will be better…”
“I believe things will get better.” Masao Kasugano looked at Aoki Tsukasa, a little embarrassed. “But for about a year, your aunt and I probably won’t be able to return.”
“Originally, your aunt and I discussed waiting until you finish this semester, then transferring you next term. After all, Muyang High’s tuition is expensive, and… to be honest, we didn’t think you could take good care of yourself and Sora.” Masao Kasugano tapped the table with his finger as he spoke to Aoki Tsukasa. “But now, I want to leave the choice to you.”
“If you want to stay here and keep studying, you’ll have to take care of each other.” Masao Kasugano sounded troubled. “But if I bring you along, I’ll be at work, and your aunt will be at the hospital all day caring for Sora’s grandfather. There’d be little time to look after you both. And the rented apartment won’t be as nice as home…”
“I’ll stay here. Uncle, you don’t need to worry about my living expenses. With my current abilities, not only can I take care of myself, I can also share in the household costs. You can focus on accompanying the old man through his final days without concern. As for Sora… if she doesn’t want to leave, I’m confident I can look after her well. Of course, if Sora wants to be with you and aunt, that’s fine too.” Aoki Tsukasa interrupted Masao Kasugano.
Just the promise he made to Director Matsuyama Iwakan was reason enough for Aoki Tsukasa not to leave so easily.
But… what did Sora want?
Masao Kasugano smiled with deep relief and turned to Sora.
Sora kept her head down, silent.
They didn’t press her, only waited for Sora to decide for herself.
Her eyes were lowered, and there was no surprise in her expression upon hearing the news—she’d been raised by her grandmother as a child. Her grandfather had never gotten along with her grandmother.
In Sora’s memories, her grandfather was deeply dissatisfied that her father had a daughter instead of a son, always hoping he’d have another child. But economic pressures prevented her father from doing so, which led her grandfather to treat Sora and Kasugano An indifferently, sometimes with blame. Her grandmother was gentle, hardworking, and endured everything silently, and Sora often saw her bear mistreatment at home.
As a result, Sora’s feelings toward her grandfather were lukewarm at best. In her heart, she felt more resentment than affection for the stubborn, chauvinistic old man who had made life so hard for her grandmother.
Besides… if she went with her father, she’d hardly see Tsukasa again.
Looking at Aoki Tsukasa’s gentle smile, Sora made up her mind.
“I want to stay here… with Tsukasa.”
Her words left Masao Kasugano surprised, turning to look at Aoki Tsukasa.
He glanced between Sora and Aoki Tsukasa, then broke into a mischievous smile. “A daughter grows up and can’t be kept at home…”
Sora’s face instantly flushed, her voice rising. “If I go, there won’t be any computer. The internet won’t be as convenient as here. You and Mom won’t have time to look after me, so I might as well stay.”
Perhaps worried Tsukasa would be disappointed, Sora softly added, “And… Tsukasa’s cooking is really delicious.”
Masao Kasugano laughed heartily, watching Aoki Tsukasa’s awkward smile with great satisfaction. He gave Tsukasa a hearty slap on the shoulder. “Kid, from now on, the household is in your hands!”
Aoki Tsukasa nodded, seeing Sora turn away, cheeks reddened, avoiding his gaze. He smiled tenderly. “Sora’s a good child. Uncle, go do what you need to do without worry. I’ll do my utmost to care for Sora. We… are family, after all.”
Masao Kasugano was momentarily choked with emotion, then rubbed his eyes and let out a long breath. “Enough with my complaints to you kids. I’m getting old. Come, let’s eat!”
He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of meat, and smiled with relief as if all his burdens had been cast aside. “From now on, Sora is yours to look after.”
Why did that sound a little odd? Aoki Tsukasa didn’t dwell on it, only smiled confidently at Masao Kasugano. “Uncle, just leave everything here to me!”
“Oh, and if you face any financial strain, please don’t hide it from me.” Aoki Tsukasa raised an eyebrow. “My income might even be higher than yours now!”
Masao Kasugano snorted, patting his soft arm with reluctant pride. “I’m still the head of the household. When did it become your turn to worry about these things?”
Then, remembering his own lack of funds, Masao Kasugano awkwardly rubbed his nose. “Well, since you said so… I won’t worry about your living expenses.”
Watching Masao Kasugano eat his beef with dignity, Aoki Tsukasa smiled. “I’ll cover mine and Sora’s living costs and the household expenses. Uncle, save your money for other needs. As for our tuition, please let me handle it myself. As a member of this family, if I have the ability but don’t help, it would weigh heavily on me.”
Masao Kasugano nodded, then turned to Sora teasingly. “Hey, Sora, didn’t you used to dislike me bringing Tsukasa home? Why the change of heart so soon?”
Sora put down her chopsticks, grabbed the black rabbit plush at her side, and hurriedly left the table, her head down, leaving only a faint, “That’s nonsense… I didn’t…” before disappearing into her room.
Aoki Tsukasa and Masao Kasugano exchanged glances and burst out laughing.
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PS: It seems many people don’t know the update schedule, so let me explain again. The first chapter is posted just after midnight, the second at noon, and the third at six in the evening. Now that the contract is signed, there will be three updates daily to keep you all happy~~~
There’s also a rather unfortunate bit of news: with the contract, I’m now completely invisible on the mobile app. I used to appear on the newcomer rankings, but now the list has changed and I’ve vanished. If you don’t vote for me, I’ll really have nothing left…