Eriri left the shopping mall, forgetting what she had come here for.
Although the newly released PS5 was tempting, the girl who had learned some important things had even forgotten to buy the latest game console.
Looking at the girl's departing back, Shizuka Kasukabe smacked her lips and teased, "Is Haruno-kun really wanting to discuss the novel with me? You were so reluctant this afternoon, but now you're so quickly immersed in work. If Haruno-kun goes to work in the future, he'll definitely be a qualified office worker."
In a way, perhaps being serious about work and striving without bottom line is also one of the important reasons for involution.
That's why Shizuka Kasukabe teased the boy beside her, saying that he would definitely become a qualified office worker in the future.
After all, office workers are the victims of involution.
"You've seen through me, Sis. Actually, if time allows, I'd love to discuss the relevant plot in the novel with you, which would be very helpful for enriching the character image. But I really have something to do today. My sister bought me something and it will be delivered to my house at 7:30, so I can only apologize to you, Sis."
Having his lie exposed, Haruno Tōru didn't feel awkward.
After all, his intention was just to avoid a fight between Shizuka Kasukabe and Eriri. Now that his purpose had been achieved, he simply stopped pretending and revealed the truth.
"Then go back. There's no rush for the novel. We can have a good chat on Saturday." Although Shizuka Kasukabe also had a lot to communicate with Haruno Tōru, she wasn't as clueless as Eriri.
Poor Eriri was shot again.
"See you later, Sis. Please be careful on your way home."
"See you, Haruno-kun."
……
When he got home, the clock was just past 7:25. After a brief wait, the doorbell rang.
"Hello, is this Mr. Haruno?" A middle-aged man wearing a delivery company uniform asked politely.
"That's me."
"Hello, this is your package. Please confirm and sign for it." The middle-aged man took a box from the delivery box, handed it to Haruno Tōru, then quietly stepped back and waited for the customer to check it.
Haruno Tōru didn't say anything. After opening the package, he found that it contained a new phone.
A brand new Sony smartphone.
"穹, this little girl…" Seeing the phone, Haruno Tōru was filled with emotion. His thoughts returned to a day two years ago.
It was when 穹 was about to enter junior high school. Because she had to live in the dormitory, the little girl who was experiencing her first separation from her brother had been sulking for days.
"穹, come eat." Seeing his sister sulking on the sofa with a pillow, Haruno Tōru shook his head helplessly and brought the prepared food to the table.
"Humph!" The boy's call only received a cold stare and a snort from his sister. The angry little girl turned her head in another direction.
"Come and eat, or I'll spank you." In desperation, Haruno Tōru could only use his magic weapon. After all, this was a promise between him and his sister. As long as 穹 didn't eat on time, he, as her older brother, could implement family law anytime.
"Ugh, you big pervert, brother!" 穹 blushed and covered her bottom, biting her lips and looking at Haruno Tōru.
Although unwilling, she still obediently walked to the table under the threat of family law.
"Eat first. There's a surprise for you after dinner." Pushing the rice bowl towards his sister, Haruno Tōru also sat down and looked at 穹 mysteriously.
"What surprise? Are you going to tell me that I don't have to go to the Otomesaki Girls' School?"
"What are you thinking about? There's no room for discussion on that point. Just eat." Tapping his sister's head, Haruno Tōru started their dinner with a mixture of anger and laughter.
……
"Here, open it." After dinner, Haruno Tōru stuffed a small package into his sister's arms.
"What is this?"
"Open it and you'll know."
"Mysterious. I have to see what it is." 穹 angrily unwrapped the package as if she were skinning and boning her brother.
"A new phone?" The plastic wrap reflected a dazzling light under the fluorescent light.
Haruno Tōru smiled and rubbed his sister's head: "Didn't you tell me that your old phone was full of problems? I thought that since you have to live in the dormitory, I should get you a new one, so you can occasionally video chat with me."
"So that's why you've been going out early and coming home late all this time?" There was no surprise as expected. Tears welled up in 穹's eyes immediately.
Just because of a complaint she made half a month ago, her brother had worked so hard for so long.
He would get up at four in the morning, deliver newspapers and milk. At eight o'clock, he had to rush back to prepare breakfast and lunch for her, then go to the convenience store to work as a cashier and restocker. At six o'clock in the evening, he would prepare dinner for her, then go to the izakaya to work until eleven o'clock before dragging his tired body home.
He would only rest for a little over four hours before repeating the arduous work of the previous day. This hard-working brother was simply paying for her words from half a month ago.
"I don't want it." 穹's voice was already choked with sobs. Now, she just wanted to go back to half a month ago, find her past self, and slap her hard!
"I've already bought it. If you don't want it, then all my hard work these past few days will be wasted." Seeing his sister crying, Haruno Tōru panicked.
After their parents passed away, 穹 had never cried again.
It's true that poor children grow up early.
If he had to rely on Haruno Tōru alone, no matter how hard he worked, he wouldn't be able to support both himself and his sister.
Only by working hard together could the family hold on and not collapse.
"I'm sorry, brother." 穹 grabbed her brother's sleeve and rested her head on Haruno Tōru's arm, crying silently.
"穹, don't say that." He used his free hand to stroke his sister's soft hair and said gently: "We're just poor, we're not dying. As long as 穹 is happy, it's okay if your brother is a little tired."
"Besides, it's my duty as a brother to give 穹 presents. How can there be a sister who has never received a gift from her brother?"
"With this new phone, when I miss 穹 in the future, you can video chat with me, okay?"
Hearing her brother's words, 穹 nodded repeatedly: "Hmm, brother, I promise you, even if you want me to video chat with you wearing my underwear, I'm willing to do it!"
"???"