Uncle Hikigaya is Forever Young [5]

On the road back from Chiba to downtown Tokyo, Hikigaya Kazusa—or rather, the cold and beautiful young divorcee known as Tōma Kazusa—sat quietly in the passenger seat of Haruki's car, replaying the image of her ex-husband’s fallen, dispirited figure.

Had he really become like that…because of her mistake?

Did I truly do something wrong…? But Mama always said a woman has the right to pursue happiness and true love!

Earlier today, glimpsing the lonely silhouette of Hikigaya Ryōhei—once proud and spirited, now reduced to melancholy under the sunset—left her feeling deeply unsettled.

Originally, accompanied by Haruki, she had planned to visit the children today. But upon seeing Ryōhei near the address Komachi had sent, carrying a plastic bag, she'd immediately turned away.

A trace of guilt now lingered in her heart. She knew she owed Hikigaya Ryōhei deeply. It was because of this guilt that she had given up custody of their two children, inadvertently placing a heavier burden on him. It was because of this remorse that she'd surrendered her legal rights to their shared property, unintentionally leaving him solely responsible for the crushing debt that ultimately forced him into hospitalization.

But Kazusa knew she wouldn’t go back. Things had already reached this point; turning back was impossible—whether due to love, or because she could no longer face Ryōhei’s gaze and that of her two children.

As a divorced beauty, all she had left was this unforgettable love.

If she returned now, what would all these years of longing amount to? Merely one-sided foolishness?!

Before Kazusa confessed to Haruki, revealing the secret feelings she'd hidden for years, encouraged by her mother, she had thought: “Am I betraying my husband? But what can I do—I think I really do love him. Oh, forget it, just this once!”

After rekindling her old relationship with Haruki, her heart became clearer: “I want to spend the rest of my life with Haruki!”

...

Kazusa knew Haruki would accompany her today, and looking at the gentle man driving beside her, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace, knowing he truly cared for her no matter what happened.

Kitahara Haruki himself also felt strangely relieved when Kazusa had chosen to retreat upon seeing her ex-husband earlier. Honestly, he'd preferred to avoid confronting Hikigaya Ryōhei altogether.

Recently, things with Kazusa had gradually improved—but at home, he'd completely fallen out with Setsuna. Once gentle and understanding, Setsuna had shifted from initial mild suspicion to completely refusing his explanations, becoming increasingly unreasonable, even outright neurotic.

This already indecisive man’s scales tipped once more towards Kazusa, the woman who haunted his dreams. Every time he held the outwardly cold Kazusa in his arms, her hidden passion—so contradictory to her chilly demeanor—made him utterly intoxicated, completely different from Setsuna’s constant timid shyness.

Seeing Kazusa lost in thought, Haruki asked softly, "What’s on your mind?"

"Nothing really. Just…a bit worried about the two children."

Haruki opened his mouth but didn't know how to continue. After all, in his current situation, wasn’t he technically the “third party” in this marriage breakdown? Even words of comfort might come off as strange.

Haruki did feel guilty towards Hikigaya Ryōhei, but that was all.

This was how things worked for middle-aged adults, shaped by the harsh realities of society for over a decade—far different from naive youths filled only with ideals. Adults knew exactly what they wanted and pursued it relentlessly. Everything else naturally became secondary.

Once you’ve betrayed your conscience once, the second time becomes easier, especially when there’s always an excuse at hand.

Kitahara Haruki was no longer that boy who simply ran beneath the setting sun.

Kazusa similarly had no desire to continue the conversation about children. Haruki’s silence allowed her to quietly touch her chest, releasing a sigh of relief.

They drove silently until Haruki parked his new Mazda outside Kazusa’s current apartment.

Haruki was now a seasoned civil servant. Though he didn’t earn a fortune, his job was stable and secure. Given the declining economic climate, he was considered quite a catch.

"Kazusa, what are you spacing out about? We’re here. Won't you invite me up for a cup of coffee?"

After parking the car, Haruki gazed at the beautiful, dark-haired woman sitting just centimeters away. Wearing a thin, pastel-pink, form-fitting sweater that accentuated her curves, and a knitted skirt revealing slender legs elegantly crossed, she was incredibly alluring.

"I’m feeling a little sleepy…" Under the dim glow of the streetlamp, Kazusa’s cherry-colored lips parted softly. Her words disappointed Haruki at first, but her next sentence immediately lifted his spirits again.

"…You can be my bed tonight. I just…want to lean on you a little."

Inside the cramped car, Kitahara Haruki, celebrating his 36th birthday today, held tightly onto the woman who had occupied his thoughts all these years, silently expressing his deep yearning through kisses.

But moments later, Kazusa abruptly pushed him away, opening the car door. She shot him a playful glare—half annoyed, half flirtatious—like an enchanting forest spirit vanishing into the mist…

...

"Achoo!"

Sitting around the little dining table, Hikigaya Ryōhei suddenly turned his head and sneezed violently, feeling oddly uncomfortable all over.

"Papa! Are you okay? Maybe you’re catching a cold from not wearing enough clothes?"

A voice like the clear ringing of a kingfisher anxiously cried out. Though clearly overreacting a bit, it somehow warmed Ryōhei’s heart, strengthening his determination to stay and live with these two Hikigaya siblings.

If he weren’t here, who knows how much Komachi might cry.

"I’m fine, Komachi. Hurry up and eat! We have meat tonight! Papa borrowed quite a bit of money from a friend today." He reached out, gently patting Hikigaya Komachi’s head. She smiled sweetly, happily scooting closer to her father.

Hikigaya Hachiman was there as well. The three of them crowded around the small square table, creating a rather cozy, everyday scene.

This girl Komachi really is something. Just looking at her lifts my spirits, Ryōhei thought. It was probably a lingering sentiment from the original body’s owner.

But as for the boy named Hikigaya Hachiman—still the same as ever. Dark expression, dead-fish eyes…

The atmosphere remained somewhat awkward. Partly because Ryōhei hadn’t yet fully adjusted to this new family; partly because the Hikigaya siblings were still quietly processing their recent traumas—the sudden departure of their mother, the abrupt downfall of their family’s fortunes, and their father’s hospitalization. Even Komachi, who seemed cheerful, chose each word cautiously, terrified she might accidentally bring up their mother and reopen her father’s wounds.

---

T/N: those charcaters are from the anime WHITE ALBUM 2

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!