Page 369

“You can come, and so can I.” Kobayakawa Ai stood on the bed, chest puffed out, confronting Uesugi Maya. “I’ve already discovered your secret.”

"What secret?" Uesugi Maya asked, frowning.

“You are me.” Kobayakawa Ai looked directly at her, her tone frank. “I noticed a few days ago that the time displayed on my computer and phone had changed by several years.”

"It's hard to believe she's only 7 years old," Makoto Takahashi thought to himself.

"I went to the bookstore today. I haven't experienced this time before. Books are published every year, so it's no coincidence that we have the same name."

After listening to Ai Kobayakawa's reasoning, Maya Uesugi calmly asked, "So what?"

Even if two people have countless similarities, they are still different individuals, and their upbringing will be completely different.

"Why don't you like me?" Ai Kobayakawa asked directly.

"..." Uesugi Maya was unable to answer her question.

Makoto Takahashi looked down at the light novel in his hands, and listened intently to the pattering rain outside the window.

After a brief silence, Maya Uesugi snatched the light novel from Makoto Takahashi's hands from the side of the bed.

"You're not allowed to look anymore."

"Aya, talk to her," Takahashi Makoto said innocently. "If Ai can learn to love, then you can too, can't you?"

Gazing into his gentle eyes, Uesugi Maya's feelings grew increasingly complicated.

"Were you like me before?" Kobayakawa Ai asked.

"More or less," Makoto Takahashi answered for Maya Uesugi.

“I see.” Kobayakawa Ai sat down on the bed. “My brother just asked me if I miss home. I do occasionally, but if he asks me if I like it here, my answer is yes.”

She paused briefly, then continued, "I don't know why you don't like me, but you brought me here anyway, and I think you're doing it for my own good. I should thank you. So, please let me know if there's anything I can do to help you."

The child was surprisingly sensible, making it difficult for Uesugi Maya to remain indifferent to her.

"I understand." Uesugi Maya turned her gaze to Takahashi Makoto and pulled him off the bed. "Come here."

"Yes, yes." Before getting out of bed, Makoto Takahashi patted Ai Kobayakawa's head. "Wait for me a little while."

He and Maya Uesugi walked out of the room and into the hallway.

What do you think?

Maya Uesugi crossed her arms, turned to face Makoto Takahashi, and rubbed her temples with a headache: "We've already brought her back, and I don't think you'd want to send her back again."

"How about we raise Ai as our daughter?" Takahashi Makoto stepped forward and placed his hands on her slender waist from the front. "I believe you are capable of loving someone. If Ai likes you, we can consider having another child."

Uesugi Maya pondered for a moment, then gently leaned into his arms: "That's for the best."

“She will understand you,” Makoto Takahashi said.

What I'm trying to say is, you'd better raise her like a daughter.

Maya Uesugi's tone suddenly turned stern. Makoto Takahashi smiled, his fingers reaching behind her back to stroke her long black hair: "You see, you already want to protect her."

Is this love?

"of course."