Uncle Hikigaya is Forever Young [50]

Indecision brings chaos.

Once a decision is made, the next step is simply figuring out how to carry it out.

When someone like Hikigaya Ryōhei made the lightning-fast decision to adopt Misaki Akeno, he didn’t waste any more words—he intended to settle all the paperwork today.

Take little Akeno home, and give Hachiman another younger sister.

Well, technically a cousin.

No time like the present.

Besides, he really couldn’t be bothered to come here again.

Kushida Kikyou was highly supportive, and with her accompanying them, the formalities would be much simpler.

Ryōhei even had a strange feeling that this girl had known from the beginning he’d choose to adopt Akeno.

Over this period, the reason she’d approached Hikigaya Ryōhei twice was precisely because she was responsible for handling the placement of several orphans from the Chiba area.

Speaking of which, his personal data, phone number, and email were already in Kushida-san’s hands.

Kushida was certainly skilled at gathering information.

She had probably felt quite confident from the start that she could persuade him to adopt Akeno.

The earnest civil servant helped Akeno pack her things, though it was actually just a small backpack.

Before long, Kikyou had finished the paperwork needed to leave the welfare home.

Several gentle and caring female teachers from the orphanage, upon learning Misaki Akeno was finally being adopted by her closest relative, hurried over to thank Ryōhei, making him feel slightly ashamed.

In truth, adopting Akeno had nothing at all to do with the identity of "Hikigaya Ryōhei." It was merely a spontaneous act of sympathy, mixed with some realizations from his past life, motivating him to do whatever he could.

Additionally, since this life had essentially come as a gift—with nearly all his previous social ties reset—Ryōhei found he didn’t have as many reservations as before.

If he decided to adopt, then adopt he would!

“Hikigaya-san, we'll need to visit the municipal affairs office in central Tokyo this afternoon. Orphan adoption paperwork can’t be handled in Chiba. But I’ve already arranged everything with a colleague who’s on duty, so it shouldn’t trouble you much,” Kikyou quietly informed him after lunch, as little Akeno excused herself to go to the bathroom.

After learning she’d be leaving with her uncle, Akeno’s spirits had risen greatly. She had become exceptionally well-behaved, even serving food onto her uncle’s plate.

Ryōhei guessed the original “Hikigaya Ryōhei” must have treated his niece very kindly.

At noon, the three ate at an affordable family restaurant in Yokosuka. Ryōhei paid, thanking Kushida Kikyou for all her efforts.

He could finally say goodbye to those days when he’d agonized over every single 100-yen coin.

Currently, his savings totaled slightly over 900,000 yen.

The salary from his new job wouldn’t be too shabby. When he formally joined Sōbu High, as a new teacher without prior teaching experience, he’d also receive a relocation allowance worth about two months of normal pay.

Ryōhei would gladly accept it without hesitation.

This month, he’d have to start looking for a bigger place.

As he paid the bill, it suddenly struck him that this was his first time treating a woman to a meal since coming to this world.

After spending half a day together, Kikyou’s opinion of this uncle had improved by quite a bit.

Hikigaya-san was refined and easygoing, carrying a distinct scholarly aura typical of a teacher, making others feel at ease around him.

“Even the municipal office works overtime on Sundays nowadays,” Ryōhei remarked with some surprise.

“I heard the divorce rate in Tokyo went up by five percent recently because of the recession! Ah! Sorry, sorry, I wasn't referring to you!” Kikyou gestured emphatically with her delicate hand, then abruptly remembered the uncle beside her was among those divorcees, her expression immediately changing as she quickly apologized.

“Ah, no worries, really. Honestly, I’d forgotten if you hadn’t brought it up...”

When he heard the word "divorce," the first image to pop into Hikigaya Ryōhei’s mind wasn’t himself, but rather that pitiable Mrs. Kitahara Setsuna whom he'd met once.

Tsk, tsk, clearly a woman with a naturally good foundation, yet household troubles had left her utterly worn out.

Last time, he’d irresponsibly urged her to divorce—he wondered if she'd actually gone through with it.

“Oh, speaking of which, do you plan to change Akeno-chan’s surname? Like, Hikigaya Akeno?” After a brief hesitation, Kikyou still asked this question.

“Can’t she just keep her original name? I personally don’t care either way,” Ryōhei replied casually.

Kushida Kikyou gently shook her head and answered seriously, “Personally, I recommend changing Akeno-chan’s surname. Doing so subconsciously conveys to her that a new name represents a new start. Besides, it might help her integrate better into your social circle and make things less awkward. Young children are especially sensitive to such things.”

“Your consideration for your deceased sister is noble, of course, but when Akeno grows up, she can always change it back herself if she wishes. That’s what I typically suggest to relatives who adopt orphans.”

“Hmm, alright then.”

Ryōhei felt that this civil servant girl was fairly reliable. Since she was speaking from experience, it was wise to follow her advice.

At that moment, Akeno walked out of the restroom, and the three left the restaurant together.

Outside, little Akeno naturally took her uncle’s hand with her soft, smooth right hand, while her left hand was taken by Kikyou, who genuinely liked her.

Ryōhei didn't really pay attention to small details like this, and Kikyou, who regularly played with Akeno, hadn't initially noticed either.

Only as they passed a clean, brightly-lit storefront did Kikyou’s peripheral vision catch sight of this cozy image resembling a family of three.

Her snow-white cheeks immediately flushed pink. She nervously glanced sideways at Hikigaya-san, relaxing only slightly when she saw his expression remained perfectly neutral.

But this kindhearted young girl had absolutely no resistance toward an adorable and innocent child like Akeno and couldn't bring herself to withdraw her hand.

...

Afternoon, Tokyo City Municipal Office.

Hikigaya Ryōhei sat leisurely in the reception area of the service hall, a cup of tea, thoughtfully prepared by Kikyou, resting on the coffee table in front of him.

Because the paperwork was complicated and time-consuming, Miss Kushida Kikyou had volunteered to personally take Akeno through the process, saying Ryōhei’s signature at the end would suffice.

Coincidentally, as if summoned by mere thoughts, while playing with his phone, he casually looked up—and saw a "familiar" face.

It was the miserable wife, Mrs. Kitahara Setsuna, whom he’d met once before.

She seemed to be alone?

A divorce?

This woman’s condition seemed somewhat improved from last time. She still appeared slightly weary, with a faint melancholy between her brows, but she no longer had that neurotic, sleep-deprived look.

Though her attire remained simple and plain, she’d clearly put herself together better than the last time he’d seen her.

As luck would have it, Setsuna glanced in Ryōhei’s direction. He casually raised a hand in greeting.

Setsuna’s expression revealed brief hesitation, and after standing indecisively for a second or two, she eventually approached him.

---

A/N: Currently, Tōma seems to be the focus, but actually, she’s not really a main heroine going forward…

This is a fan translation of 比企谷大叔永远年轻 by Stargazer All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!