CHAPTER 669: CHAPTER 415: THE PROMISE TO LEAVE

"Me? It doesn’t matter what you call me."

[Hanamaru Hanabi] circled around the girl, with her right arm around her waist and her left hand reaching out from behind to hold her chin. "Just remember, Hanabi-chan, we are the same person."

"Did you hear what I said in the morning, Hanabi-chan?"

"Mm... I know..." Hanamaru Hanabi replied softly.

[Hanamaru Hanabi] leaned close to her ear: "So... my appearance is inevitable, for the betterment of Sakura-kun’s affection for Hanabi. In the future, Hanabi-chan, you need to cooperate more with me. Tasks like cooking and folding clothes will be left to you."

"Then... you also shouldn’t bully Sakura-kun..."

[Hanamaru Hanabi] released her with a soft laugh: "Bully? Are you referring to what happened last night? Hanabi-chan, you don’t understand; men need to be kept on tenterhooks. If you give yourself to him entirely, he might eventually discard you like a used toy."

"Sakura-kun... wouldn’t do that..."

"I know he wouldn’t do that, but what if? What if he starts feeling a bit tired of you? Remember, cracks accumulate and grow from tiny points, Hanabi-chan, I’m not harboring any ill intentions. This is all to make Sakura-kun like you more."

...

"Married? Marriage becomes more meaningless when it happens; who would treasure something easily attainable?

"I know, Hanabi-chan, you see marriage as the most precious, the most important moment, but some people might not think so. It’s just a woman getting married, so what?"

"Don’t forget how people used to bully you."

"Sakura-kun wouldn’t do that, right? Actually... Hanabi-chan is also worried he might turn out that way, isn’t she? After all, we know about the other side of Sakura-kun."

"..."

"Haha... That expression and reaction... Hanabi-chan, we are the same person, do you think I wouldn’t understand you...?"

————————

Got up this morning.

Uesugi Sakura noticed that Hanamaru Hanabi’s dressing style had changed, from yesterday’s all-black sailor suit and black stockings to an elegant white dress with white tights.

"Sakura-kun..."

Upon hearing the soft call, Uesugi Sakura’s mood brightened up instantly and he hugged her directly.

"Hana-chan, you’re finally awake."

"Hana-chan, why did you sleep so long?"

"Are you sick? Or feeling unwell? Do you want me to massage your shoulders?"

Hanamaru Hanabi struggled in his embrace, softly calling his name, which made Uesugi Sakura release her, seeing her charmingly blushing face.

There was a prolonged silence.

"Sakura-kun... aren’t you feeling anything for Hanabi...?"

Uesugi Sakura was taken aback, "Why suddenly say this?"

Hanamaru Hanabi stayed silent for a long time before saying, "Marriage... of course, is very happy... but it seems like Sakura-kun no longer has that cautious feeling when holding Hanabi’s hand, that atmosphere of being in love..."

"Hanabi, do you want to go out on a date with me? No problem! I’ll accompany you." Uesugi Sakura sensed something.

Hanamaru Hanabi shook her head, appearing absent-minded.

Perhaps she got used to him agreeing to whatever request she had, but now her shakes and refusals made him feel somewhat at a loss.

"Hanabi, what’s wrong?"

Hanamaru Hanabi kept her head down without speaking.

"Honey, don’t ignore me."

"Honey."

"Honey..."

"..."

"Honey..."

"Sakura-kun, can you agree to one thing for Hanabi?"

"Don’t just say one thing, just..."

"Hanabi wants to live separately from Sakura-kun for a year."

Separate...?

Separation for a year!?

What a joke, they hadn’t even been married for a month now.

"No, it can’t be, absolutely not."

Hanamaru Hanabi suddenly looked up: "Then... ten days, just ten days."

Ten days?

Ten days is fine, it’s just a bit more than a week.

Uesugi Sakura sighed with relief: "But why do we have to do this?"

Hanamaru Hanabi first raised her eyes and looked at him: "Just now, when Hanabi talked about separating from Sakura-kun, did Sakura-kun feel very anxious?"

"Anxious, of course anxious."

"This means Sakura-kun still cares a lot about Hanabi, but after marriage, Hanabi and Sakura-kun are together every day. Perhaps Sakura-kun... might feel tired of it, so... it’s better to separate for a while."

Uesugi Sakura was silent for a while, "Then what if we return home?"

"Then Hanabi will still be the same as before, whatever Sakura-kun wants, Hanabi will agree... but in such a short time, Hanabi is very worried... that when Sakura-kun sees Hanabi again... will you have a very fond emotion towards Hanabi?"

"I certainly will," Uesugi Sakura murmured.

"Sakura-kun... ten days aren’t long... it can also give us a little break during this time."

Why suddenly talk about this?

Had he done something wrong lately?

Or is it that she... doesn’t love him anymore?

Hearing Hanamaru Hanabi’s soft and weak voice, for some reason, Uesugi Sakura went against his inner feelings and agreed.

Perhaps he had been relying too much on her for some time, coveting her warmth, enjoying her beauty.

Gradually, these things became natural.

...

Ten days.

Let these ten days be a buffer period after marriage.

In the ten days without her, he would grow to miss her more.

Hanamaru Hanabi packed her things, putting on a thin red coat, wearing a beret, and holding a small suitcase standing at the doorstep, ready to leave.

"Are you going somewhere?"

Hanamaru Hanabi shook her head.

She turned back to look at Uesugi Sakura standing inside the house, her vivid purple eyes twinkling with a light that was still so captivating.