Chapter Thirty-Nine: It Doesn’t Seem So Difficult After All

Sora sat at the dining table, her eyes fixed on her phone. The message from Kokoro Shomizu about Aoki Tsukasa wasn’t particularly lengthy, yet she had already read it over and over several times.

“Why would Aoki Tsukasa become a sparring partner?” Sora pondered, her brows furrowing slightly as she bit her finger, pale as white jade, unable to reach an answer after a long while.

Was it because he needed money? Perhaps desperately so. But if it were merely for buying things, there was no need to take on the kind of part-time job Kokoro described, one where he was treated as nothing more than a human punching bag. Other jobs, though less lucrative, would suffice for a high school student. What could he possibly need so much money for? Was there something he wanted deeply, or some urgent need?

She didn't consider herself as the reason. After all, their time together hadn’t been long. To her, although Aoki was kind, it was unlikely he felt anything as complicated as she did. At most… he probably just pitied her.

Sora thought with a touch of self-mockery, tilting her head and staring absently at the half-empty box of chocolate sticks in her hand. Usually, she could finish a box in ten minutes flat, but today, for some reason, she found herself reluctant to eat the last few.

Is there anything I can do to help him?

She knew a little about the family’s situation, but not the details—just that there wasn’t much extra money around. If it was truly a financial issue, it seemed there was little she could do for Aoki.

She pressed her lips together, her gaze wandering for a long time before she finally resolved, “I’ll ask him when he gets back.”

As for why she cared so much, Sora spent a long time thinking, and could only conclude it was because of Aoki’s gentle smile and the warmth of that hand once placed on her head.

She was used to being alone, used to feelings of solitude and loneliness. But somehow, after she’d felt a warmth from Aoki that she hadn’t known in ages, she found herself unwilling to let go of that feeling.

Others had tried to approach her before, but the feeling she got from them was entirely different.

Aoki Tsukasa was not like the others. He was special.

She simply thought so, giving this feeling a name.

“I’m back.” The sound of the door opening was followed by Aoki’s weary voice. Sora hesitated, rising from the table, uncertain what to do. She saw Aoki, sweat still on his face, breathing heavily and looking at her with surprise.

“Sora? Why are you here?” he asked, then immediately realized how silly the question was—this was her home, after all; she could be wherever she wished. It was just that Sora seemed to spend all her time at her computer, rarely leaving her room. To see her here when he returned startled him.

Sora pressed her lips together. Her silver hair partially covered her eyes, hiding her nervous glance. Her voice was soft and puzzled, “It’s nothing… What did you do tonight?”

It was almost the first time Aoki heard her ask a full question. He paused, then smiled, “Nothing much. Just a part-time job.”

“Oh…” Sora clasped her hands behind her back, her fingers twisting anxiously where he couldn’t see. “What… kind of part-time job?”

Seeing her lower her head yet continue to ask, Aoki felt a bit perplexed but answered simply, “Oh, just boxing at a fight club.”

“Mm…” Sora didn’t know how to voice the questions in her heart. Her mouth opened and closed, hesitating for several seconds. Only when Aoki had taken off his shoes, wiped off some sweat, and approached her did she summon the courage to ask, “Do you really need money?”

This time, Aoki was truly taken aback. Why did Sora suddenly care about this?

But he was secretly pleased—after all, it was a sign of concern. The little girl before him seemed easier to talk to than he’d imagined; perhaps her psychological issues weren’t as grave as he’d feared. Had he worried too much?

Uncle Haruno said she found it hard to open up to others, but it didn’t seem entirely true… What Aoki hadn’t realized was that his nearly double-normal charm attribute was playing its part. Such a high level of charm wouldn’t instantly make him an idol, nor would girls drool or men bow before him, but it was enough to give him an edge with everyone he met. At the very least, spending time with him felt refreshing and comfortable—something he could accomplish effortlessly.

“No, not really. I just want a bit of pocket money. I’m old enough now; it’s not good to let Uncle and Aunt Haruno worry about me all the time… Why do you ask?” Aoki wasn’t about to share his true concerns. He wanted money to live independently, not to trouble the Harunos, and to help them have a better life as thanks for their kindness. Oh, and of course, to ensure Sora’s future would be smoother, at least until her medical issues could be resolved, so she’d have no worries about her healthcare.

Telling Sora would only make her worry and add mental stress. Aoki, with a mental age in his twenties, knew better.

“Oh… It’s nothing…” Sora turned her head, her response contradictory, then fell silent again.

Aoki watched her, head lowered, stealing glances at him from time to time. He smiled and reached out, placing his hand on her soft, silvery hair. “But I’m really happy you care about me!”

Sora’s body tensed instinctively. She glanced at Aoki, thinking his smile… really was warm, and quite handsome.

“No need to worry about me. Just take care of yourself.” Aoki ruffled her hair, let go, and glanced at the chocolate sticks in her hand. “Remember to brush your teeth after you finish—otherwise the chocolate will ruin them overnight. I’ll run a bath for you; go soak for a while. And no staying up late—it’s bad for your heart, you know that, right?”

Tch… I’m not a little kid.

Sora felt annoyed by Aoki’s nagging as if she were a child, but held her tongue, merely humming softly before turning and retreating to her room.

Aoki hummed a tune as he cleaned the bathroom and filled the tub with hot water, his face full of satisfaction. The road to fixing Sora’s physical issues was still long, but helping her overcome her psychological hurdles didn’t seem so difficult after all.