Laid-Back Life in Tokyo: I Really Didn't Want to Work Hard-Chapter 930 - 544: An Unforgettable Christmas (Part 2)

Chapter 930: Chapter 544: An Unforgettable Christmas (Part 2)

There is a gift shop on the first floor of Skytree Tower selling souvenirs, particularly merchandise of Skytree’s mascot "Skytree-chan".

Of course, the characteristic feature of tourist attractions is that — the merchandise is extremely expensive.

Uesugi Sakura never buys anything at tourist spots unless Hanabi-chan likes it.

However, Skytree-chan’s appearance was quite appealing, and seeing that little Aei seemed to like it, Uesugi Sakura spent some money to buy one for both her and Chiaei to hang on their small arms.

After purchasing tickets at the [General Ticket Counter] on the fourth floor, they walked straight down the corridor to the elevator leading to the 350th floor.

Skytree Tower has three attractions: Tembo Deck, Skytree Fine View, and Tembo Galleria.

The group chose the highest spot right after ascending the tower, the Skytree Fine View at the 450th floor.

As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, Shibuya, Tokyo Dome, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Disneyland, Daiba, Haneda Airport, and all other iconic Tokyo buildings were visible.

"So high~~" Little Aei immediately clung to the huge floor-to-ceiling glass, overlooking the entire Tokyo from a height of 450 meters.

Seeing the scenery filled with novelty, her little eyes were full of curiosity.

Because it was snowing outside, the clouds shrouding Tokyo had a somewhat gray haze.

But standing at such a height watching the snow, countless snowflakes dyed the entire sky a white glow.

Watching the snowflakes drift away, seeing them from her sight as they descended several hundred meters deep, Aei’s eyes grew brighter.

Little Aei pulled her sister over to look together.

Uesugi Sakura walked over to them and asked, "Are you not afraid of being in such a high place?"

"Afraid? No... just finding it fun." Little Aei finished, clinging to the glass again, exclaiming "Wow~~" as she admired the view below.

Chiaei also stared absent-mindedly at the vast Tokyo cityscape, "It’s still my first time coming here..."

Hanamaru Yuuki beside them asked, "Your mother never took you to Skytree Tower before?"

Even on snowy days, Hanamaru Yuuki didn’t like wearing long pants like her sister; she preferred skirts or dresses with an outer jacket and thicker stockings.

Her hands tucked into her coat pockets, she looked rather clean and neat.

"No..." Aei shook her head, her voice small and peaceful, "Mom never took Aei and Sister out to play... I only saw this place in books."

Uesugi Sakura: "Many books describe Skytree Tower, right, since it became the Skytree."

"Yeah." Aei nodded, "Books always say the sky tree is so high, and some people jump off it, falling so badly their bones can’t be found."

The tender loli voice from little Aei saying these words.

————it felt a bit eerie.

Aei reads books mostly meant for adult audiences.

So her impressions of things are just the descriptions in text.

Of course, she’d imagine based on the portrayal, but no matter how much she imagines, it couldn’t compare to personally experiencing it here, more shocking and memorable.

Hanamaru Yuuki glanced at the sisters and asked Uesugi Sakura beside him, "Brother-in-law, how did you and Sister manage to bring these two little girls home?"

"What do you mean ’bring them home’?"

"Isn’t it?"

"Of course——" Uesugi Sakura hesitated.

Actually, thinking carefully, he really did bring the two girls to the Hanamaru family under the disguise of taking them in.

After all, before this happened, their parents hadn’t consented...

However, under circumstances where neither parent was responsible for them, transferring custody to Mrs. Hanamaru seemed without any issue,

This was also decided through a fair court trial.

Uesugi Sakura remembered Mrs. Hanamaru had once discussed the custody issue with Aei’s biological mother and paid her a large sum of money for her agreement to transfer custody.

The answer was obvious; her biological mother took the money and ran, never caring about how these two children lived.

Yet Aei and Chiaei, despite their mother’s neglect, would still often mention their mom.

"Does Aei miss your mother?" Uesugi Sakura asked.

"I do. But... Aei knows Mom barely wants to see Sister and me."

Aei’s ability to say such words showed a certain maturity.

"What about Chiaei?"

"Brother, Chiaei thinks the same... Mom doesn’t want to see Sister and me." As the older sister, Chiaei’s expression was more downcast, as she’d seen her mom more than Aei.

Moreover, being the older sister, she had the duty to care for her younger sibling, a responsibility not suited for her age, making her internally seek reliance on others.

Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but think of Mrs. Iwashita, feeling a headache at the thought.

She was truly a standard example of an irresponsible contemporary mother.

He could only squat down and smile to comfort the two little girls, "It’s alright; you appeared in her life for a while, and as her daughters, most likely, one day she’ll remember you."

Hanamaru Yuuki chimed in, "No way, maybe she’ll remember, but not necessarily for good reasons. It could be because she’s short on money or some trouble, then remembering them makes them seem like a burden, right?"