Chapter 484: Time for Farewell!
At the general store.
"Kaede, I haven't seen this Pocky before," Renge held up a box of exquisitely packaged chocolate sticks.
Kaede glanced at it. "That's the latest Pocky. It's very expensive."
Natsumi, holding a large bag of potato chips, leaned over. "Wow, I've seen this on TV."
Komari and Hotaru also walked over. Komari said, "I've heard it's delicious."
"Oh!" Hearing the word "delicious," Renge's eyes lit up.
"But it seems really expensive. Ren-chon, your pocket money doesn't seem to be enough," Hotaru kindly reminded her.
"…" Not enough. Renge's excited gaze returned to calm, and she put the Pocky back.
Kaede and Hotaru saw this. One was ready to give it to her for free, the other to buy it for her.
But the Pocky was picked up by a large hand. "Kaede, I'll buy this." Ren was standing in front of Renge.
Kaede felt relieved. "Okay, I've noted it down."
Ren placed it in Renge's hand. "For you, Ren-chon."
"Is that alright?" she really wanted it but still asked politely.
"Of course." He rubbed her head, and seeing Natsumi also looking at him with eager eyes, he waved his hand. "Today at the general store, I'm paying!"
"Oh yeah!!! Long live Big Brother Ren!!!" Natsumi jumped high.
"Natsumi, don't be so rude."
"Hmm, thank you, Big Brother Ren."
Komari complained, then shyly thanked him.
"What's wrong, Komari-chan? Don't you want snacks too?"
"Idiot Natsumi! Don't call me Komari-chan!!! I'm already an adult! I-I don't want them."
Komari-senpai, your tears are about to fall, Hotaru thought, but didn't know how to comfort her.
It was Ren who spoke. "Snacks aren't divided by adults and children. I occasionally eat them too. Komari, take whatever you want."
"Big Brother Ren!" Komari seemed to see a holy light behind him.
Hotaru looked at him gratefully.
"Why did you come to me? Aren't you staying with your friends?" Kaede deliberately emphasized the word "friends." She wasn't blind; during the bonfire party, all those girls had surrounded him.
"I'm about to go back, so I came to say goodbye." Ren took out a card and placed it in front of her.
"Going back already?" Kaede was surprised, and even more puzzled by the card.
"There's some money inside. Consider it my farewell gift to Ren-chon and the others."
He waved to the girls. Renge, Natsumi, and the others immediately came over. Ren squatted down, stroking Renge's head. "Ren-chon, you must eat well and grow taller, alright?"
"As long as you don't pick at your food, after you grow taller, you can come to Kaede and get a little red flower. With a red flower, you can buy any snack you like. How does that sound?"
"!!!" Renge's mouth opened into a tiny inverted triangle. She looked at Kaede. "Kaede, is what Ren-kun said true?"
Kaede finally realized what the gift meant. Seeing Renge so expectant, it seemed difficult to say no. Helplessly, she could only accept. "It's true."
"Ren-chon will definitely grow up healthy!" Renge was instantly full of motivation.
After rubbing her cute face, Ren looked at the others. Natsumi, seeing his gaze, immediately stood at attention.
"Of course, your gifts are indispensable too. Natsumi, Komari, Hotaru, from now on, as long as you help with chores or do good deeds, you can also get a little red flower."
"Yes sir!" Natsumi was the first to agree.
Ren felt he couldn't let her be too eager, so he specifically instructed, "You absolutely must not mean well but do badly, or lie, understand?"
"Oh, definitely not! I'll keep an eye on Natsumi," Komari said, knowing her sister best.
Although Hotaru didn't lack pocket money, she was still very happy. "Thank you, Big Brother Ren."
"Ren-kun, can I also do chores?" Renge tugged at his sleeve.
Ren nodded. "That would be best."
"Um, Big Brother Ren, are you leaving?" Hotaru finally asked.
"Yes. We've played for a long time. It's time to leave."
"…" The previously happy atmosphere instantly became somber. Renge, who already showed little expression, became even more silent.
Ren patiently told them, "Don't worry, we'll come again. And Kaede has my contact information. You can find me anytime." He also winked at Kaede.
Kaede was stunned for a moment, then cooperated. "Yes, his contact information is with me. If I'm free, I can also take you to play with him." She was actually very free.
Hearing her assurance, the four girls cheered up. Renge raised her hand and extended her pinky. Her face was very serious. Ren understood and hooked it with his.
Renge gently wiggled her finger. "Pinky promise~ Whoever lies will swallow a thousand needles!"
Ren also cooperatively repeated it. This was their promise.
[Inorin Note:
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