Chapter 36 Genetics of Meddling

Genetics of Meddling

Starting with vegetables, meat, spices, drinks…and even some snacks for Ichika, the basket was full.

“Did I buy too much? I’ll have to ask Takumi-kun to do his best.”

“Leave it to me. But I’m sure I’ll be exhausted when I get home, so I’ll leave everything to you after that.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll take care of the delicious food, okay?”

While we were having this conversation, I took our basket to the checkout counter. I put the basket on the cash register, which is now self-service, and is becoming more common these days, and took my wallet out of my pocket.

“Okay, Hana-san. I’m going to make the payment, so could you please pack the items?”

“Okay…yeah!?”

“What!?”

She suddenly shouted loudly, and even I was surprised by her reaction.

Hey, what’s going on? Why is Hana-san so surprised?

“No, Takumi-kun? You’re helping me shop…I mean, I’m not going to make my son pay for it. Don’t worry, you can leave the payment to me.”

…Oh, that’s what she meant!

I finally understood why she was surprised and shook my head.

“Not that I’m trying to be nice. It’s just that you cook my meals and clean my house…and I’m indebted to Hana-san and Chika-chan, so don’t worry about it.”

Hana-san is a very determined adult.

I don’t think she had any intention of making me, a child, pay for it from the beginning. She wanted to buy it for me as well.

I’m very happy to hear that, though.

But, I’m not living in financial hardship, so I would like to at least take care of my shopping expenses.

“But…but.”

I wonder if it is the pride of being an adult.

Hana-san still tries to resist.

But really, I’m not overreacting, and I’m not even trying to be nice.

Even if I explained that to her, I knew Hana-san wouldn’t be convinced, so I decided to confess my true feelings…even though I thought it was a little sneaky.

“Well, I’m sure…Grandpa and Grandma would be mad at me for making Hana-san pay. That’s why they left me a few things.”

“Grandpa and Grandma …”

Hana-san knows my grandparents, who died a few years ago, very well.

They were very fond of Hana-san.

“Let me pay you as a favor to them, not as a favor to you.”

To be honest, I don’t have any financial problems at all.

When my parents died shortly after I was born, and then when my grandparents died, they gave me enough money to get by on my own.

Well, apart from the fact that I don’t need money…I wish my parents and grandparents were still alive.

Anyway, that’s the way it is.

“…Then please?”

It must’ve been effective to bring up the subject of grandparents.

Hana-san looked at me with distant eyes, as if she was nostalgic for some past.

“Well, After all…Takumi-kun is the grandson of those two.”

“Yes, I’m proud of my grandparents…even though they sometimes like to meddle too much.”

“Yes, they were proud grandparents. Takumi has their blood in his veins.”

I’m often told that I’m a good person.

Even my grandparents were worried that I might be betrayed one day.

But that’s because I was raised by overly good-natured grandparents, so it’s no wonder.

Anyway…if I do this, I’m sure I won’t get scolded the next time I meet my Grandpa and Grandma.

(Don’t make Hana-chan sad.)

Because that’s what they used to say——