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"coming."

Ai Kobayakawa hurriedly ran out of the building and headed towards Hanakawa Kaori.

After about a week at the manor, she quickly adapted to the new environment and gradually showed a liking for her new life.

Aside from Uesugi Maya ignoring him, everyone else was quite friendly to Kobayakawa Ai.

Hanakawa Kaori, in particular, takes her out to play every day, helping Kobayakawa Ai integrate into the atmosphere of the manor more quickly. Tachimi Yuki, who has the most say, even treats Kobayakawa Ai like her own daughter.

Seeing the genuine smile on Kobayakawa Ai's face, Takahashi Makoto smiled back, feeling quite pleased.

"Ah Ye, how about we take her out for a stroll today?" He swallowed the food in his mouth, turned around and said, "Xiao Ai probably hasn't had the experience of shopping with her family before, this is a precious first time."

"You should reflect on yourself." Uesugi Maya took a sip of her coffee and said coldly, "Such normal remarks, coming from your mouth, actually make me feel vulgar."

She was avoiding the topic.

Makoto Takahashi walked over, stopped behind the chair, and put his hands on Maya Uesugi's shoulders: "I'm serious, if this continues, Ai will really start calling Sachi [Mom], and you don't want to see that happen, do you?"

"Heh, if she's really that stupid, just throw her back." Uesugi Maya made a disdainful expression, as if she were cutting off all sense of justice.

"If you don't want to go, Hanaori and I will take her out to play."

"casual."

"I'll go check on Sachi first." Takahashi Makoto patted her shoulder and stepped out of the restaurant.

The air quieted down, and the sounds of Kobayakawa Ai and Hanakawa Kaori playing became exceptionally clear.

Maya Uesugi put down her coffee, turned to look at the clear blue sky outside the window, her beautiful caramel-colored eyes filled with headache, helplessness, and unease.

On the fourth-floor terrace, Yukimasa Tachimi and Junka Shiraishi grow flowers together.

The weeping jasmine in the white ceramic pot is thriving, with layers of bright green leaves that, when exposed to sunlight, exude a powerful sense of vitality.

“Xiao Ai is much more lively than when she first came. I have no idea how pitiful she used to be.” Tachikami Yuki snipped away the messy branches with the garden shears in her hand.

"Hmm." Shiraishi Junka responded, then suddenly put down the kettle in her hand. "Makoto is here."

“I’m planning to take Ai out for a walk today.” Takahashi Makoto stepped onto the green terrace and looked down at Kobayakawa Ai, who was learning to ride a bicycle on the lawn. “Yoya still doesn’t want to accept her. It’s a bit of a problem.”

Seeing his troubled expression, Shiraishi Junka blinked, pursed her red lips, and fell into deep thought.

“I talked to Sayo about this last night.” Tachimi Yuki sighed, a hint of worry on his face. “She didn’t give a reason, she just rejected Ai. Hina and Reiko also inquired about it indirectly, but Sayo wouldn’t tell anyone.”

"Does Junko have any ideas?" Takahashi Makoto asked.

“Hmm…” Shiraishi Junko raised her eyes, her expression hesitant. “I used to dislike Hanaori a lot, maybe for similar reasons.”

Around that time, Makoto Takahashi had just accepted her.

Junka Shiraishi showed strong hostility towards Kaori Hanakawa; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was wary of her.

"But now you don't reject Ai, what's the reason?" Tachikami Yuki nodded slowly.

“Because now she knows what she truly needs.” Shiraishi Jun stared intently at Takahashi Makoto with deep affection. “Perhaps, she is feeling very uneasy right now.”

“There might also be family factors involved. Neither Ai nor Xiaoye received love from their families,” Tachimi Yuki added.

“I understand.” Makoto Takahashi understood instantly.

Uesugi Maya doesn't want children and is unwilling to accept Kobayakawa Ai; essentially, it's the same thought—fear of losing his favor because of it.

On the other hand, she may also doubt her own ability to love and be afraid of becoming like Uesugi's parents.

Once you identify the problem, solving it becomes much easier.

Makoto Takahashi tapped rhythmically on the balcony railing, pondering how to create an opportunity for Ai Kobayakawa and Maya Uesugi to speak their minds.

The cicadas seemed to snap out of their reverie and began to sing, creating a strong sense of midsummer.

After gazing at the thick rain clouds in the distance for a while, Makoto Takahashi turned to Junka Shiraishi and asked, "Are you coming out with us today?"

"Today we'll be learning about childcare with Sachi, and Hina has some... creative ideas for the wedding?"

"Then I'll take Ai out to play." Takahashi Makoto kissed her cheek, then turned and kissed Tachimi Yuki. "The weather might not be very good tonight, there might be a typhoon, remember to have the manor prepared."

"Don't worry," said Tachimi Yuki with a smile. "Neither Junko nor I are afraid of thunder."

Makoto Takahashi smiled and turned to leave the terrace.

Downstairs, Hanakawa Kaori was teaching Kobayakawa Ai to ride a bicycle.

Ai Kobayakawa was able to quickly regain her balance, and Hanakawa Kaori was also able to ride steadily on her own after letting go of her hand.

Makoto Takahashi was not surprised at all. Maya Uesugi's learning ability and personal qualities were already quite outstanding, as well as her keen observation skills, so Ai Kobayakawa would naturally be no less capable.

My gaze followed the two of them for a while, then the bicycle stopped in front of me.

Ai Kobayakawa raised her face and stared straight at him without saying a word.

"Want to go out for a walk together today?" Makoto Takahashi bent down and patted her head. "Fishing, the arcade, or maybe you like to go to the bookstore?"

Ai Kobayakawa thought for a moment, then nodded emphatically: "Bookstore."

"I want to go eat the extra-large rainbow cream super sweet honey toast!" Hanakawa Kaori hugged him from the side, resting her head on Takahashi Makoto's chest. "It's in Shibuya, brother, don't you want to try it?"

"That sounds so sweet." Kobayakawa Ai looked troubled.

"It's okay, go ahead and give it a try."

Takahashi Seiya ruffled Hanakawa Kaori's hair, and after she let go, the three of them went out together and took a car to Shibuya.

Ai Kobayakawa didn't seem to like literature. She didn't buy anything in the bookstore. After browsing for a while, the atmosphere was taken over by Hanakawa Kaori, and it became a lively time for fun.

As they played with her, Makoto Takahashi and Ai Kobayakawa grew closer.

It was already evening when I finished dinner out. The rain clouds I saw between the skyscrapers of Shibuya turned red. A strong gust of wind swept in, and the outdoor LED screen suddenly started broadcasting a typhoon report.

Makoto Takahashi, Hanakawa Kaori, and Ai Kobayakawa got into their car and returned to the manor. As soon as they entered the living room, a torrential downpour began.

The sound of rain pattering all around enveloped us, and suddenly a loud clap of thunder came from outside the window.

"Ah!" Kobayakawa Ai shrank back, trembling slightly, and let out a low gasp.

"What a huge lightning bolt!" Hanakawa Kaori excitedly ran to the window, looking up at the enormous tree-shaped lightning streaking across the sky. "It's dark already! I'm going to find Hina-nee to tell you ghost stories!"

After saying that, she hurried up the stairs.

Only Makoto Takahashi and Ai Kobayakawa remained in the living room. After a brief silence, thunder rumbled again in the sky, and even the windows trembled slightly.

"I...I..." Kobayakawa Ai lowered her eyes, unable to speak, her fingers clenching the hem of her dress.

Makoto Takahashi squatted down in front of her and said in a gentle tone, "What's wrong? Just tell me, and I'll help you figure something out."

In his view, it is very important to teach Ai Kobayakawa to express her needs from a young age.

Only when her feelings are taken care of can she truly feel that she is loved.

"I'm a little scared." Kobayakawa Ai mustered her courage and raised her moist eyes. "I don't want to be alone when it thunders."

Makoto Takahashi thought for a moment, then asked softly, "Is it okay if I go sleep with Yoru?"

Ai Kobayakawa shook her head abruptly and reached out to grab the hem of his clothes.

So cute.

Takahashi Makoto had no choice but to pick up Kobayakawa Ai and put her on his shoulder to sit comfortably: "You can come with me if you want, but Yoru will definitely come to see me tonight."

Is she afraid of thunder too?

"Maybe, she said she wasn't afraid."

"I'm scared, let her go."

"That won't do, I'll die."

"It's no use."

Kobayakawa Ai suddenly displayed her talent for sharp tongue, and Takahashi Makoto's lips twitched involuntarily.

Well, this is very much in Uesugi Maya's style.

Makoto Takahashi placed Ai Kobayakawa in front of her bedroom door and patted her head.

"Go back and take a shower and change into your pajamas first."

"understood."

The two parted ways in the corridor. Makoto Takahashi returned to his room, took a shower, and then lay in bed in his pajamas reading a light novel.

Outside the window, a thunderstorm raged, the sound of the wind and rain highlighting the warmth inside the bedroom. Under the warm yellow light, the air was filled with a dry and cozy atmosphere.

The book in my hand was half-read when the door quietly opened.

Ai Kobayakawa peeked her head through the crack in the door, looked around to make sure Maya Uesugi wasn't there, then slipped into the room, locked the door from the inside, and came over with a pillow in her arms.

She wore a sky-blue two-piece pajama set and soft cotton slippers. Her long black hair accentuated her youthful face, making you want to hug her.

"What a big bed." Kobayakawa Ai put down her pillow and struggled to climb up. "Do they usually sleep in my brother's room?"

"Occasionally," Takahashi Makoto lied without batting an eye.

"They have such a good relationship."

Perhaps recalling unpleasant things, a shadow crossed Kobayakawa Ai's eyes, like a fish swimming on a lake.

Makoto Takahashi took a piece of chocolate from the bedside table, tore open the wrapper, and put it in her mouth: "Do you miss home?"

Ai Kobayakawa subconsciously shook her head, then nodded, before adopting a thoughtful expression to confirm her inner thoughts.

Being separated from one's biological parents will inevitably lead to feelings of unease.

Life on the manor was much happier than at home. Everyone cared about her, except for Tatsumi Yuki, who was a bit naughty and liked to trick her into calling him "Mom".

The reason I say "deceived" is because Ai Kobayakawa has made up her mind that she will never let Makoto Takahashi take the place of "father," and she will never call him that.

Even if there are adoption procedures.

"Click," "click," the doorknob turned twice, attracting the attention of Makoto Takahashi and Ai Kobayakawa.

The door was locked and could not be opened. The next second, the door was completely removed.

Why lock the door?

Wearing pajamas, Maya Uesugi walked in with a cold expression. Her gaze swept across the room, from Makoto Takahashi to Ai Kobayakawa on the bed, her eyes suddenly sharpening.

Why are you here?