With her back leaning against his chest, Hanamaru Hanabi truly felt the concern emanating from him, feeling grateful while also being more harsh and strict on herself.
While stirring the curry with a ladle, she lowered her head and said:
"Sakura... Hanabi is actually quite useless, isn't it?"
"How could that be? Hanabi is so wonderful, so diligent, you are busy cooking, washing clothes, going to school every day, I can truly feel how great you are, your existence."
"Sakura..."
"Hanabi-chan, don't worry about whether you've grown or not; many girls don't even like growing up, always eighteen, forever eighteen. I really like the way little Hanabi is now, I like you, the past you, the future you, the current you."
"Sakura..."
"Alright, alright, I still like you, right?"
"Yeah..." the girl weakly responded.
