Uncle Hikigaya is Forever Young [23]

Was Kitahara Haruki scum?

This was originally a straightforward question; anyone with normal morals, following basic social decency, could easily reach a verdict.

Yet, ever since her marriage started falling apart, Setsuna hadn’t been able to arrive at a conclusion.

Or rather, she hadn't wanted to face that painfully obvious truth.

But all dreams eventually end—just like every young girl will one day become a married woman.

After being rudely awakened by Hikigaya Ryōhei, Setsuna had stumbled home that day in a daze. Following Ryōhei’s advice, she'd taken a bath, slept for two full days, and then bought some medicine to soothe the stomach pains she'd developed from irregular eating.

Then, Setsuna started thinking.

Her intelligence finally kicked back in.

Was her husband, Kitahara Haruki, a scumbag?

The answer was obvious.

No matter how beautifully he dressed it up, based solely on his actions, calling him a lying, filthy, cowardly bastard wasn’t an exaggeration at all.

Perhaps only someone with the purest heart imaginable could sympathize with Haruki’s behavior, could forgive his sins.

But Setsuna was an adult now—she wasn’t like Tōma Kazusa, who despite being in her thirties, still lived in her own world, forever clutching onto a teenage girl’s heart.

This once gentle, warm-hearted, sweet-tempered beauty had finally grown up. She’d had enough of being hurt over and over again, and forgiving him each time.

Recently, without saying a word, Setsuna had quietly moved back to her parents' home.

She didn't want to spend another minute in that painful place.

She felt grateful that she and Haruki hadn't had children—at least there wouldn’t be anyone else getting hurt.

Speaking of which, Hikigaya Ryōhei was having it tough as well, apparently raising two kids—a big one and a little one—on his own.

After discussing it for more than a week, her family all supported the divorce. Her strict father, always concerned about Setsuna’s matters, had loudly proclaimed he could easily afford to support just one daughter.

Once Setsuna decided to do something, she'd do it properly.

Today, accompanied by her younger brother, she'd come to confront Kitahara Haruki directly.

Actually, she’d known about Haruki and Kazusa’s cozy little nest for a long time now; the two of them had always assumed she—Ogiso Setsuna—was completely clueless.

If Hikigaya Ryōhei could forget and start a new life, then she, Ogiso Setsuna, could do it too!

Setsuna’s life—never beneath anyone!

When Haruki suddenly saw his wife for the first time in over a month and a half—along with her furious younger brother behind her, who looked ready to beat him senseless the moment his sister gave the word—he awkwardly found himself speechless.

It wasn’t like he was some irredeemably evil villain; he’d just gotten used to Setsuna forgiving him.

Ogiso Takahiro spat out contemptuously, “Scumbag!”

Standing at the door in a loose bathrobe, exposing a considerable amount of skin around his collar and legs, Haruki didn’t react to the insult.

He still had a bit of self-awareness left, after all.

Leaving the wife who loved him, rekindling his relationship with another man’s ex-wife whom he loved instead, yet still shamelessly expecting his own wife to treat him as gently as before—

Not being understood or forgiven was entirely justified; being called scum was entirely justified. All these were things he’d brought upon himself with his actions.

And deep down, Haruki knew it clearly.

He was even mentally prepared to bear the consequences.

“Setsuna…um…I'm sorry, I…”

Recently, Setsuna had started washing her face regularly again, and after her mother had carefully tidied her up head-to-toe, she looked refreshed wearing a turquoise turtleneck sweater and a knee-length skirt. Her overall condition was noticeably improved compared to when she'd gone to see Hikigaya Ryōhei, though her face still retained an unhealthy pallor.

When she saw that Haruki still couldn't decisively spit out what he wanted to say, Setsuna completely extinguished the lingering hope in her heart, snatching an envelope from her brother’s hand.

With slender fingers, she forcefully pulled out a document and flung it at Kitahara Haruki.

“Haven’t you been dreaming about divorcing me?”

“I…”

Setsuna sharply interrupted whatever Haruki was about to say next.

“If we’re divorcing, then we’re divorcing! You wouldn’t even bring it up yourself! That's so very like you, Haruki!”

As she said these words, Setsuna grew agitated; blood rushed to her previously pale face, turning it alternately white and red, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Ogiso Takahiro hurriedly supported his sister. He’d only learned about this recently when she returned home, and had immediately felt the urge to kill Haruki, this bastard.

“I don’t want that damned house either! Just give me all our savings! If you agree, sign now! Here’s the divorce agreement! You’ll be free after this!”

Setsuna pursed her lips, staring mockingly at Haruki.

As she spoke, she caught a fleeting glimpse of a feminine figure through the doorway, which her husband was intentionally or unintentionally blocking.

“Hmph. Actually, it’s probably a good thing we never had children! When I saw Hikigaya Ryōhei the week before last, he was probably still job hunting. I think those two kids of his are really pitiful; they can’t even get a warm meal.”

Setsuna deliberately avoided eye contact with the woman inside the house, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Silently apologizing to Hikigaya Ryōhei in her heart, she spoke with carefully calculated indifference.

A prepared pen was handed to Haruki. He took it numbly, lowering his head to stare blankly at the papers.

Ogiso Takahiro could clearly feel his sister's arm trembling, which felt like a knife twisting inside his chest. Recently, their mother’s already weak health had deteriorated further due to this mess—also this bastard’s fault!

Haruki hadn’t expected Setsuna, who had always been so docile, to suddenly become so determined. He felt inexplicably confused and strangely uncomfortable, as if somehow he regretted losing Setsuna, as though her decisiveness hurt him.

He remained silent for two or three minutes; the pen in his hand felt heavier than a thousand pounds.

When Setsuna and Takahiro had nearly lost their patience, Haruki finally lifted his head, looking at his wife's thin face with a complex expression. He opened his mouth slightly, intending to speak.

“I don’t want to hear it! Just hurry up and sign! If you think it’s unfair, we can settle it in court!”

But Setsuna, who’d always spoken so gently, covered her ears and cried out hysterically.

Ogiso Takahiro quickly raised his left hand, making an angry gesture toward Haruki to stop.

...

Two days passed quickly, and today Hachiman and Komachi were attending their respective school opening ceremonies.

Their grandmother had taken them traveling recently, and their spirits had improved significantly.

Next was a fresh start for each of them at their new schools.

Right now, Hikigaya Ryōhei’s biggest hope for these siblings was for them to live well and gradually emerge from the shadow of their parents’ divorce.

Early this morning:

“Hachiman! Komachi! It’s your first day—be careful on the way to school!”

“Got it.” ×2

---

A/N: Next chapter, Mrs. Yuigahama will make her appearance! She'll have important roles later on too.

This is a fan translation of 比企谷大叔永远年轻 by Stargazer All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!