Chapter 38: The Younger Sister’s Unhappy Marriage

Kitahara Chiki actually knew nothing at all about Hayami Rina’s family situation.

Mm, despite the two being so intimately involved.

There were several reasons for this.

He hadn’t asked, and Hayami Rina hadn’t mentioned it either. Their relationship had developed too quickly.

There hadn’t even been time to get to know each other.

Another reason was that people on this island were relatively indifferent when it came to family bonds.

Unlike our country, which values kinship, many Japanese people could go long periods without contact with their parents and no one would care. Not to mention siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the like — those were practically strangers.

Many people, once they became adults and gained the ability to live independently, rarely interacted with their parents anymore.

From what Hayami Rina said, her relationship with her parents was actually still decent.

Mm, she also had a younger sister. He wondered what the situation was with this sister-in-law — how old was she, was she married?

"Kitahara-kun, this time when I go back to my hometown, can I tell my parents about us? They’ve always worried about my life. If they knew I’ve found someone to rely on now, they’d probably be much more at ease."

Hayami Rina raised her head and asked Kitahara Chiki.

The reason she asked was that Hayami Rina still didn’t know how Kitahara Chiki intended to treat this relationship.

He had never mentioned marriage to her.

Hayami Rina didn’t know whether Kitahara was willing to make their relationship public.

Hearing Hayami Rina’s question, Kitahara didn’t react for a moment and was even a bit puzzled.

"What’s not allowed about it? Just tell them! Do you need me to come back with you?"

"No, no, I can’t take up your precious time, Kitahara-kun. This is already wonderful." Hayami Rina was delighted, a smile blooming on her flushed, pretty face.

Kitahara Chiki agreeing to let her make their relationship public already made her very happy.

"Then how about this, Rina-nee — this time when you go back, buy more gifts for your parents. I’ll get you one million yen in a bit for this trip’s expenses." Kitahara said generously.

Wasn’t this another chance to farm money!

"No need, Kitahara-kun. I still have plenty of money here! Besides, no matter how you spend it, you can’t spend one million yen. It’s just a trip home — there’s no need to waste it."

Hearing this, Hayami Rina refused repeatedly. Why would Kitahara-kun give so much money just for a trip back to her hometown? She was shocked!

She’d never heard of such a thing.

But Kitahara Chiki persuaded her again:

"That money of yours is for living expenses. The costs for this trip are on me. One million yen isn’t much either. Your parents are probably getting on in years — buy them some supplements and nutrition, or if that’s too much trouble, just give them cash directly. Our parents raised us — we should know how to repay them.

And your younger sister — what’s her situation now? Parents will grow old someday. You only have one sister by blood. You should maintain that bond. You can give her some gifts too!"

"Kitahara-kun, I didn’t expect you to value family so much and be so filial to your elders. You’re truly a kind-hearted good person."

Hearing Kitahara say this, Hayami Rina was deeply moved. That Kitahara could treat her family this way was truly rare.

You had to understand — even her late husband, who had already counted as a very good husband, couldn’t do this.

Kitahara-kun was truly a good person.

Hayami Rina felt this might be related to his bitter background. The more someone lacked family bonds, the more they valued them.

Whereas someone like her, who had them, didn’t cherish them as much — sometimes even feeling they were a burden.

This was something worth learning from Kitahara-kun.

Hayami Rina gradually realized that the more she interacted with Kitahara Chiki, the more she could perceive his shining qualities. His virtues sparkled like stars.

"Hayami Rina’s favorability +1."

Yes! Another point gained!

One point on the day they officially started dating and slept together, one point from his continuous efforts these past days, and now another point just now. Hayami Rina’s affection for him was now at 93 points.

Just two more points and he could get another reward.

Kitahara felt it was actually quite fast. His mood couldn’t help but brighten.

He got up and went to the desk, took out a stack of money from the drawer, counted out one hundred "Fukuzawa Yukichi" notes, returned to the sofa, and placed them in Hayami Rina’s hands:

"Rina-nee, don’t skimp. Please don’t let your family worry anymore. That way, we can all live more at ease too!"

"Mm, thank you, Kitahara-kun. I’ll do that. Father likes fishing — I’ll buy him a good fishing rod. Mother likes cooking — she’s always wanted a set of German knives, so I’ll buy her that.

As for my sister, she’s already married. Last time I went back was for her wedding. I can’t think of what to give her right now." Hayami Rina took the money, thinking and murmuring.

"Already married? What a pity." Kitahara thought to himself.

"But when I talked to Mother on the phone a while ago, she said my sister’s marriage isn’t happy. I don’t know the reason. I think I’ll just give her some money to help her financially."

"Excellent!" Kitahara was overjoyed.

...

Having received another million-yen fortune from Kitahara, Hayami Rina could only repay him with her endless tenderness.

Kitahara Chiki naturally expended a great deal of energy again.

Another day wasted.

Fortunately, by Friday afternoon the next day, Hayami Rina took her daughter back to her hometown, allowing Kitahara to focus on writing without being weighed down by love.

Hayami Rina’s hometown, Kanagawa Prefecture, wasn’t far from Tokyo — just to the southwest of Tokyo, about an hour’s drive, a short trip.

So Kitahara didn’t need to worry.

Thus, for the following weekend, he poured all his energy into writing "Primitive Desire: A Beautiful Girl’s Unforgettable Adventure in the Goblin Cave."

His current physical condition was indeed good — full of energy, strong stamina, good memory. Writing came twice as easily, as if aided by the gods.

After pulling two all-nighters, he finally finished the first draft.

On Sunday afternoon, as evening approached, Hayami Rina returned with little Aya.

Little Aya-chan was bouncing around happily. She seemed especially satisfied with getting to play in the countryside for two days.

When Hayami Rina saw Kitahara, she first threw herself into his open arms, expressing how much she’d missed him.

Then a trace of worry appeared on her face as she spoke:

"Kitahara-kun, my sister’s marriage might not be able to continue. Her marriage is facing a crisis!"

"Huh? What’s going on? Tell me in detail!"