CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 329: TOKYO INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER EXPO (2)_2

"Then I won’t disturb Teacher Hanamaru any longer, there’s more preparation work to do in the afternoon."

"No worries, Mr. Kawaichi, just go ahead and get busy." Uesugi Sakura said.

After the editor Kawaichi politely excused himself, Uesugi Sakura took Hanamaru Hanabi to find Aei and Chiaei who were playing with their phones on the other side.

Originally, he wanted to let the two little girls explore the manga convention, but with so many people around, Uesugi Sakura felt uneasy about letting them go out alone.

"Sister Hanamaru, are you done with work?"

"Yes, I’m ready to go eat now." Hanamaru Hanabi crouched down and ruffled her hair.

"Why do both Sister Hanabi and Brother like to pat Aei’s head?"

Uesugi Sakura said seriously, "Because we’re a married couple."

Hanamaru Hanabi paused for a moment, amidst the noisy venue, yet she distinctly heard that sentence.

"Sister Hanabi is blushing."

"No... Aei, don’t say such things..."

"It’s true! You can ask Sister if you don’t believe it."

Chiaei forced a smile to her younger sister, "I don’t know."

Aei shook her sister’s little arm, "It’s true, Brother even bit Sister Hanabi this morning, right on the neck, so naughty."

Uesugi Sakura: "Was I naughty when I bought you cake?"

Aei thought for a moment, "Not naughty."

Uesugi Sakura laughed, "Alright, let’s not talk about these things, what do you want to eat? In the afternoon, Sister Hanabi and I will take you to the manga convention to play."

"Really?"

Uesugi Sakura: "I’m always honest."

"I want McDonald’s," Aei said.

"McDonald’s? Okay, but why do you want to eat that?"

"Hehe, can’t tell Brother."

Leaving the hall, under the sun, they went looking for the pre-located [McDonald’s Ariake Store] on the phone.

It wasn’t too far, just a kilometer away.

Entering the building, pushing open the glass door, the cool breeze from the air conditioning mixed with the aroma of burgers greeted them, even the sweat on their foreheads felt considerably fresher.

Aei was the first to run to the counter to order from the store attendant.

"Aei seems to really like McDonald’s."

Uesugi Sakura: "All kids probably like it, let’s sit first and let Aei order whatever she wants."

Hanamaru Hanabi: "Okay."

Uesugi Sakura found a seat by the window and sat down.

This was on the fifth floor, looking out through the clear window, all of Tokyo in the summer was reflected in visible sight.

Chiaei: "Brother seems to really enjoy sitting by the window."

"Is that bad? It’s especially bright when the weather is nice."

Chiaei looked out the window, her sparkling eyes, and the little tear mole next to her left eye, all reflected light.

If she could grow up peacefully like this, Uesugi Sakura believed she would also become as beautiful a girl as Hanabi.

"Uesugi?"

Uesugi Sakura heard a voice, turned back and saw an old classmate wearing a pink bandana, "Tsubokawa, huh."

Tsubokawa Takahiro, dressed as a standard otaku, put down the camera on his chest, "Uesugi, why are you around here too? Coming to the manga convention?"

Uesugi Sakura said: "Did you forget? Isn’t your family’s Library Company hosting an event at this convention?"

Tsubokawa Takahiro thought for a moment and pushed his glasses with his middle finger, "Ah, I remember now, the light novel ’The Witch is a Fox Demon’ event, right?"

"Yes."

Tsubokawa Takahiro looked at the two young girls sitting in front of him, "I hope I’m not bothering you?"

Uesugi Sakura laughed, "No problem, it’s not like it’s a date or anything."

The table was for six people, so Hanamaru Hanabi and Uesugi Sakura each moved a seat inwards.

Tsubokawa Takahiro sat down next to Uesugi Sakura, pulling his shirt collar with his right hand to let the cold air from the A/C in:

"The manga convention is really crowded this year, it feels like our two-dimensional army just got bigger!"

Uesugi Sakura: "Since we last met, has your father found you a girlfriend?"

Tsubokawa Takahiro seemed to have a bellyful of grievances, propping his hands on his knees, "Don’t mention it! It was completely to serve the other side! I kindly bought her a pair of gold earrings, and she actually told her friends on Line that I’m tacky. Also, when she visited my house once and saw my fancy keyboard, guess what she said?"

"What?"

"She actually said my super cool keyboard was so tacky it was embarrassing! She said I have no taste at all, can you believe that!? Where’s the endurance for this!? Good riddance, as far away as possible!"

"That’s so like you, but I like that you dare to be yourself, so did your dad punish you afterwards?"

"Would you believe it if I said he didn’t? Our parents have known each other for over ten years." Tsubokawa Takahiro sighed, "I’ve grown fearful of romantic relationships, I tried to adapt and be nice to her, but she called my intentions tacky and said I didn’t have the guts to confront her."

"Love can still be wonderful." Uesugi Sakura’s face, facing the sunlight outside the glass window, looked very bright.

"That’s you, not me. Do you know how many people are afraid of marriage in today’s society?"

"Not that many, I suppose."

"A lot, otherwise there wouldn’t be so many homebody people."

While they were talking, Aei came over with a tray full of burgers and fries.

She was quite diligent, bringing everyone’s portions over and even knew that Sister Hanabi liked spicy foods and specially bought the spicy variant.

Tsubokawa Takahiro looked at the two young girls seated across from him, knowing they were Uesugi Sakura’s cousins or something.

"Are you guys planning to go to the manga convention this afternoon?"

Uesugi Sakura: "Yes."

"Any plans in mind?"

Uesugi Sakura took a paper straw, inserted it into a coke, "Not at the moment."

"How about wandering around the cosplay area? There are all sorts of costume rentals." Tsubokawa Takahiro pushed his glasses up again with his middle finger.

"Cosplay?"

Uesugi Sakura, upon hearing this word, instinctively turned his head to look at Hanamaru Hanabi, who was nibbling on fries.

It seemed... he’d never seen her try it before...

When the two young girls were full, the group was ready to leave McDonald’s and head to the cosplay area.

Just before leaving, Uesugi Sakura took the chance while Tsubokawa was in the restroom to secretly ask Hanabi if she would be willing to play a role.

She hesitated, not exactly agreeing, nor outright refusing.

"Aei, why aren’t you moving?" Uesugi Sakura looked at the slow-moving young Aei behind him.

"Brother, I’m too full." Aei said, touching her round belly.

Uesugi Sakura glanced at everyone, "Then let’s rest for a while."

"No resting," Aei said.

"Then what do you want?"

"I want a piggyback ride from Brother."

Uesugi Sakura didn’t mind, as kids, a little wish fulfilled can make them very obedient.

Aei had also helped out in the morning, so showing her a little extra care wasn’t a big deal.

He walked over in front of the young Aei, squatted down with his back to her, "Hop on."

Aei giggled happily, hopping onto his back, wrapping her legs around his waist.

Uesugi Sakura lifted her up in one motion, truth be told, she was quite heavy, though it was much easier than carrying her in the morning.

The group headed back towards the manga convention hall.

"Brother." Aei whispered into his ear.

"What’s up." Uesugi Sakura replied, also in a hushed voice.

"Does biting Sister Hanabi feel good?"

"Kind of..."

Then Aei bit him.

"Brother’s skin doesn’t taste good." Aei’s voice sounded puzzled.

Uesugi Sakura said, quite speechless, "Don’t be mischievous."

"Then why do Brother and Sister Hanabi look so happy when they bite each other? Sister Hanabi was laughing so happily this morning."

"Your Sister Hanabi is ticklish."

"Brother was happy too!"

"..."

After a brief silence.

"Aei."

"Yes."

"Brother and Sister Hanabi are a married couple, you know that?"

"I know, it’s like the relationship between Dad and Mom."

"That’s called love, when two people like each other, just looking into each other’s eyes makes them smile, let alone the intimate actions Brother and Sister Hanabi had this morning."

"So if Aei likes Brother and Sister Hanabi, is that love too?"

"No, we’re more like family, you see us as Brother and Sister, and we see you as little sisters, just like the feeling you have when you want Mom to come home, that’s the bond of family."

"When Brother and Sister Hanabi come home, Aei will be very happy too."

"Yes, I know."

Aei said, "So Brother and Sister Hanabi must get married, Sister and I will be bridesmaids for Sister Hanabi."

"That’s probably from some manga, right?" Uesugi Sakura smiled at the little girl on his back, his heart filled with anticipation and longing for the wedding day.