On the way home, Chongmingde received a call from Uesugi Yui, who said that the salt and soy sauce in their house were running out and asked him to buy some on the way back.
"On the way back?" Chongmingde imagined his own location and the location of the Uesugi family in his mind. It was a long way from the supermarket he usually went to on his way home from school.
However, since he came to the hospital secretly, he couldn't complain about agreeing to such an unexpected request, other than blaming himself for being foolish.
The groceries definitely needed to be bought. So, what should he do?
Between following the rules and taking chances, Chongmingde chose to take a chance.
Although it was called taking a chance, Chongmingde's choice was actually based on mathematical expectations, because the convenience facilities here were not very magical.
Chongmingde walked and thought about his next plan while also paying attention to the supermarket and convenience stores.
As luck would have it, the supermarket appeared as Chongmingde had hoped. After successfully obtaining the desired items, Chongmingde lined up at the checkout counter.
This was a mundane task, but it surprised Chongmingde slightly because one of the cashiers in the supermarket happened to be Uesugi Yukino.
"Yukino sister?" Surprised, Chongmingde looked closely and confirmed that it was indeed Uesugi Yukino.
"Yukino sister is working here part-time? Secretly?" As soon as Chongmingde noticed Uesugi Yukino, Uesugi Yukino also noticed his gaze. She looked up and their eyes met.
In that instant, there was astonishment and surprise, and then Uesugi Yukino smiled.
It was the kind of joyful smile one would have when unexpectedly running into a friend or family member on the street.
Then, Uesugi Yukino blinked at Chongmingde and made a gesture with her hands showing the Arabic number "10."
"Can you wait for me for ten minutes? I'll be off work then."
Chongmingde understood and nodded with a smile. After completing the payment, he stood outside the supermarket and looked at the night sky, counting the stars.
Based on what he just saw, Yukino sister had been working here for a while. He hadn't noticed because he was occupied with other things. Or perhaps, the closer something or someone was to him, the harder it was to notice.
Yukino sister taking on part-time work obviously couldn't be because she was bored at home... Has the financial situation of the Uesugi family become so dire?
Chongmingde felt a pang in his heart because he knew that his arrival, or rather the arrival of "Ziongzong," was the fundamental reason for this situation.
And now, he was only selfishly considering his own goals, neglecting the lives and feelings of those around him.
Of course, this had always been Chongmingde's style.
What was unusual was that he used to not care about these things, but now his way of thinking was closer to that of ordinary people.
"You waited long, Xiao Zongzong! Let's go home!" Yukino sister popped up behind Chongmingde and patted his shoulder forcefully. Without waiting for his response, she grabbed his hand and started walking.
This lively voice and interaction instantly dispelled the gloomy atmosphere that had gathered around Chongmingde moments ago.
"Well, the consumption tax increase is really annoying!" Yukino sister said as she bounced and walked, casually chatting with Chongmingde.
"Although Tiano never says it, I can't bear to see him working so hard alone at home..."
"So, I came out to work part-time. Actually, working in the supermarket is unexpectedly interesting, I get to meet all sorts of interesting people!"
Yukino sister was the only one talking, while Chongmingde followed her silently, wearing a slight smile on his face, not saying a word.
As he listened to these kind and gentle words, Chongmingde understood Yukino sister's intentions. So, he didn't expose the true nature of the problem and simply let this warm atmosphere flow.
