About the fact that I unintentionally raised my sister to be a cripple

"Happy New Year! Cheers!"

"cheers!"

"cheers."

"cheers."

The atmosphere is always the liveliest when everyone gets together to eat.

Juice, rice cake soup, and sushi fruits have all been placed on the table. The air conditioner in the hotel is blowing heat, and the TV is playing the NHK Kohaku Uta Battle, which is broadcast on time on the evening of December 31 every year.

The host enhanced the atmosphere, and the performers and guests appeared enthusiastically amid surprises.

The chats during the New Year’s Eve dinner contained no worries or worries, just things that made people happy and smile.

"Ale, eat more tempura that I fried by myself."

"Mom, what about me, what about me, what about me! It's too much."

"Don't you have your sister Liuli picking up food for you?"

"Then if sister Liuli gives me a pick, mom, you can't be partial!"

"How can I call this partiality?" Tian Haimei and Tong Tian Haimaodian, a couple sitting on the side seats of the kotatsu table, laughed, "Your brother has been so busy taking care of the family this year, why can't you reward him with more at the end of the year? By the way, Liuli The same goes for July and Zhixue, eat a little of them all.”

"Ah~~Mom is really biased now! I, I also work a lot! I'm very busy!"

"Have you done your housework?"

Tianhai Qimingyue suddenly interrupted, "Not at all, even Zhixue has done more than her."

"Excessive! If I had to go home at night because of work, it would be too late!"

"But my brother basically always calculates the time for you to come home, sister-chan, before cooking. Sister-chan still has time to wash the dishes, not to mention that she has time to rest on weekends."

"That's because I was really tired after eating and had to make up homework, so I had no energy at all."

"No matter how you look at it, it looks like sister-chan's excuse."

The two of them were bickering, but they were having a good time. However, Amami Miwa knew that she couldn't be partial in this regard, so she gave the last two tempura tails to her daughter.

"Mom is still kind to me!"

"You don't need to tell me this. But your brother told me something else. What's going on with your grades in the second half of the year, Aling? I remember you said you wanted to go to the same university as your brother."

"This. This." Sakakihara Suzu felt guilty and turned her face away.

Sakakibara Raku looked at his sister opposite, "Next semester, I will make Suzu study hard, and she won't even be allowed to eat curry beef."

"No, mom~mom~~look at my brother, you should take care of this matter."

Tianhai Meihe smiled, "It's useless for you to tell me, Ling. In fact, your brother is in charge of your study and life. Now that you are all financially independent, I can't say anything in this regard. Even if I am the one to suggest it, College, Ah Ling, you still have to take the exam."

“I’m thinking about taking this exam no matter what”

Sakakibara Suzu poked at the steaming radish in the bowl and muttered softly, "Actually, I can do without going to college now. I'm already so rich."

"Then A Ling, do you want your brother, your two sisters, and Zhixue to go to Dongda or Qingda, and you go to another school by yourself?"

Sakakibara nodded and took over what his mother said, "Well, anyway, when we go to college in the future, we will consider buying a new house to live near the school, and we will do all the decoration ourselves. Since you are not willing to study, Suzu, you can buy it There can be one less room and one less renovation cost.”

Tianhai Jiuliuli took a bite of the shiitake mushrooms in the sukiyaki pot and added with a smile: "Then that place will be our university dormitory. When we have free time on weekends or holidays, we will organize motorcycle teams to travel across the country. As for Ling, he probably has no part in it. .”

When Sakakihara Suzu heard this, she reacted violently.

"This, this is absolutely not allowed! This is discrimination! This is prejudice!"

It doesn’t matter whether you go to college or not, the atmosphere of your life is very important if you can. No matter what, everyone should stay together in the future!

Sakakihara Suzu cares about this very much.

While chatting, we had New Year’s Eve dinner.

Occasionally I also watch the Japanese Spring Festival Gala on TV - the Battle of Red and White Songs.

This year, new generation pop singers such as YOASOBI and LiSA took the stage, and Japanese famous singer Sayuri Ishikawa participated for the 44th time.

When everyone asked Ah Ling why she wasn't invited to the event this year, she raised her chin and said "hum~" confidently, saying that she would probably be able to be a guest next year!

Even if it's impossible, she will try her best!

Then I have to cooperate with yuki, let yuki write the songs, and she will sing.

Sometimes Sakakibara Raku really feels that it is fun to watch Suzu bragging while eating.

They enjoyed the New Year's Eve dinner happily. For the rest of the time, the women in the family basically chatted about the same topic. Sakakibara Raku was arrested by Amami Shigenori and asked about some family matters.

Halfway through the meal, I made a video call to the old man who had just gotten off the plane in Los Angeles.

The first time he saw the old man, Raku Sakakihara wished him a happy new year, followed by everyone sitting together taking turns to congratulate him.

When the old man saw that the atmosphere there was so good and his daughter Tianhai Zhixue was in pretty good condition, and her usual tense and serious face was gone, he chatted with everyone for a few words, and because of his busy schedule, he hurriedly signed off from the International School. call.

"Are you leaving now? Is grandpa so busy? It's the New Year."

Tianhai Maodian replied, "It's like this every year."

After all, the uncle and his daughters would get together for dinner during the Chinese New Year, while the old man traveled all over the world.

It seems to be the tradition of the Tianhai family to care about career rather than family.

"Brother, you won't be like this in the future, right? You won't be home every night, even on holidays."

Amami Shigenori looked at Sakakibara Raku and said, "This should be the case after the age of thirty."

"Why are you so busy?"

"After all, the development of the Tianhai family has never stagnated, and there are too many businesses that need to be taken care of."

But matters related to this matter were considered to have happened a long time ago, and few people did not talk much.

But then Amami Shigenori asked Sakakibara Raku about his future plans to live and marry with the two sisters. Sakakibara Raku stood on the sidelines and made a fuss, which actually made it difficult for him.

"Uncle, isn't it too early to consider these things?"

Tianhai Maodian's voice was calm, he picked up the rice cake with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth, "You still need to get engaged. According to the old man, you need to confirm your identity within the family and give an explanation to those in the family. If you get engaged, Xiaole, are you going to marry me? Who’s coming?”

"."

The moment his uncle asked this question, Sakakibara felt the eyes of Tiankai Jiureli and Tiankai Qimingetsu looking at him at the same time.

"How about I answer this question later?"

*

During the night and into the night the wind direction changed to a headwind.

The cold wind mixed with snow blew quietly on the shore of Lake Kussharo.

After the New Year's Eve dinner, it is the so-called second year of worship.

The temperature at night was obviously a lot colder, and several people wore thick yukata before leaving the hotel.

"Lejun will go out later, but don't catch a cold."

Every time Amami Kuriuri goes out, she likes to help Sakakibara arrange her scarf and dress her collar. When she puts away her hands and smiles in front of her, Sakakibara can't help but give her a friendly smile.

"Ruri's yukata is beautiful."

"Thank you for the compliment, young master." Tianhai Jiuliuli nodded gracefully.

"I always feel the same as when I first met Liuli."

"Same as what?"

"Just as beautiful."

"Then Lejun is better at praising others than before!"

"Well, our relationship wasn't that close back then. If I praised you, it would appear that I had evil intentions towards you."

Tianhai Jiuliuli, whose chin and neck were hidden in a thick scarf, put on a cute face and said, "What? Didn't Lejun just plot against me before?"

"I simply like you who are excellent and beautiful," Sakakihara smiled lightly, reaching out to grab her hand, "What did Ruri think of me in the first place?"

"I remember I answered him before. I liked him very much, and I thought he was a very enthusiastic brother."

"Feeling okay?"

"He's very nice and handsome, but a little clumsy."

"what about now?"

"I love you the most, Lejun!"

"Liu Li~ How about saying it again?"

"I love you Le-kun the most! Although you are still a bit clumsy sometimes, and you also like to act coquettishly."

"Hey! You don't need to add more Liuli later."

Tianhai Jiuliuli covered his face and laughed.

Sakakihara Raku could see the glimmer of joy and happiness in Amami Kuriuri's eyes, which showed that she was really happy at the moment.

"Does Liuli not regret what happened in the afternoon?"

"Nothing~I will trust Lejun with all my heart in the future, even if Lejun hasn't taken me to the UK yet."

When Sakakihara Raku heard this, he felt a lot warmer holding her hand.

There was also a hint of guilt for her in my heart.

"When is the piano competition Liuli will participate in in the future?"

"Hmm, maybe May or June?"

"Then I will practice harder and go with Liuli. By the way, I will take Liuli to see Maple Leaf Avenue, which she has always wanted to see."

"wrong!"

"wrong?"

"Well," Tianhai Jiuliuli nodded heavily and laughed again, "I want to go see Maple Leaf Avenue with Lejun."

"These words Ruri said are so warm." Sakakibara reached out to hug the girl, and she responded enthusiastically.

"From now on, Liuli will follow me like this for the rest of her life."

"of course!"

"What about getting married? Or maybe having children in the future."

"Well, Lejun can have as many as he wants!"

Listening to her answer, Sakakibara smiled and led her down the entrance to the hotel, watching her put on her clogs.

Sakakibara couldn't bear to let them have children, because for them, pregnancy itself was a matter of suffering and youth destruction.

But what Liuli said means that she is ready to face everything together, right?

Live together, settle down together, and grow old together.

If you think about it carefully, living like this is really a happy life

*

The shrine is not far from the hot spring hotel, but it is on another hill.

That's where villagers from villages and towns around Lake Kussharo go to worship every year.

As expected, by the time a few people arrived here, a crowd had already gathered in the small shopping street in front of the shrine.

Looking ahead, the huge torii gate is the entrance to the shrine. Looking back along the cedars, rows of orange lanterns illuminate the way to worship.

"On such a cold day, there are so many people coming to pay homage to the Second Year at night?"

"Idiot sister Jiang, don't you know if there are fireworks at the scenic spot tonight?"

“There are fireworks to watch at night?!”

"Otherwise, how could it be so lively here?"

Because it was New Year, there were also many women wearing yukata here.

But no one can be as eye-catching as Liuli and Qiyue. When they passed through the crowd, their upright appearance and delicate and hazy natural beauty in the light snow attracted many eyes.

They are extremely beautiful in themselves, and when paired with yukatas and swaying silver jewelry, their delicate and beautiful girlish temperament is reflected to the extreme.

When Miwa Amami was walking behind, she saw Raku Sakakibara walking between the two sisters and smiled softly.

We walked up the mountain and washed our hands at the hand-washing pool.

Several people came to the big shrine where they were worshiping. At this time, the shrine was already crowded with people.

Everyone lined up in front of the money box and pulled the rope to pay homage. After making New Year's wishes, light snow was still falling in the sky.

The priest of the shrine was worried that the crowds who came to worship would be too cold, so he prepared red bean soup in advance and could take it in the side room.

Raku Sakakihara was worried that it would be too cold when everyone was standing in the shrine's silent basement waiting for the New Year's fireworks, so he took the initiative to queue up and brought back a few copies.

"Thank you Le."

"Brother, you are quite attentive!"

"Lejun should ask me to get it together."

After a while, Sakakihara discovered that there was one person missing.

"Where's July?"

Suzu Sakakibara, who was wearing a pink yukata, poked her head out from under the eaves and said, "Sister Qiyue is over there at the wash basin."

"What is she doing over there?"

"have no idea."

"I'll go find her."

Raku Sakakibara took July's share of red bean soup, passed through the crowd, and came to the cabin next to the wash basin. He looked around, but did not see the figure of Tenkai Nanamiyue.

He took a few steps forward and passed a few people.

Finally, I saw the silver hairpin behind Tianhai Qimingyue's hair next to an Ema wall with people's wishes hanging on it.

The girl's snow-white neck is exposed. Viewed from the side, her slender figure and her graceful ears stand out against the cedar trees. At the same time, her silver hairpin hair ornaments are swaying in the cold wind. Under the dim light of the shrine lanterns, it is so beautiful that it is difficult to look directly at it. .

July stood in the light snow, so elegant and quiet.

She stands on the Ema wall, tied with a small trapezoidal wooden board called an "Ema".

After seeing the girl's beautiful back, Sakakibara walked over and quietly came up behind her. After taking a sip of the green apple aroma mixed with air conditioning on her neck, he suddenly shouted:

"July!"

"ah?!"

Tianhai Qimingyue was startled.

She turned around and saw Sakakihara Raku, her face turned cold, "You guys, is it fun to be scary?"

"It seems quite fun now." Raku Sakakihara brought the red bean soup in a small wooden cup to the girl's sight, and then said with a smile, "This can be regarded as an apology gift."

"Is free considered an apology gift?"

“It takes time to queue up!”

"You pass." Tianhai Qimingyue took the red bean soup in his hand. She did not drink it first, but put it aside and continued to tie the Ema that she had not tied just now.

"What are you doing here at the Ema Wall in July?" Sakakibara looked at the movements of her hands.

"Pray for you." Tianhai Qimingyue replied in a calm voice while tying the knot.

"for me?"

"What, can't it?"

"Of course, what are you praying for?" Sakakihara asked again.

After Nanami Nanami hung up the Ema, she directly showed Raku Sakakibara her handwritten words, "No illness, no disaster, smooth sailing."

"It's really a simple and unpretentious New Year's wish. But I am very grateful that Qiyue has this wish from my heart. But having said that, don't you not believe in gods in Qiyue?"

"Then who does someone think I come to pray to the gods for?"

Looking at Tian Hai Nan Mingyue, Sakakihara Raku believed that the answer was self-evident.

It's July.

Today, Qi Qi's actions were discovered, and privately, how many times has Qi Qi blessed herself like this?

In July, she seemed not to like talking about such blessings, nor did she like to go out of her way to let people know what she had done.

She had always been like this, silently wishing behind her back and thinking for her own good.

"July."

"Um?"

"July."

"do what."

"July."

"If you have anything to say, tell me quickly. I'm listening."

"Ju~month."

"What's wrong with you?"

Seeing the beautiful girl in front of him responding to him again and again, Sakakihara laughed.

He suddenly felt that this was probably the so-called happiness.

In the shrine, in the New Year, on the cold snowy day, she stood in front of him. If he called her name, she would respond to him again and again, and listen quietly to his call to her again and again.

Again and again. Again and again.

Perhaps this is the most sincere thing in the endless ordinary daily life.

Sakakibara looked into the sky-blue eyes of Nanami Xiangming, looked at her delicate and beautiful face, and smiled.

"I love you, July."

".Suddenly being so disgusting."

Tianhai Qimingyue stared at his face for a while in the crowd of people coming and going, then took the initiative to reach out to him and held her hands together. The girl said helplessly:

"I know, I know, I love you too."

"Red bean soup, drink it in July, it's hot."

"Afraid that I'll get cold?"

"Of course, I told you I love you."

"I hope you can say this to me every day in a few decades."

"Qiyue, believe it or not, until the last moment of my life, the moment I finally close my eyes, I can look at you and say the three words "I love you" with a smile?

".Stop saying these words of yours, I don't like it."

"Can't bear to let me die first? I can't bear to let you go first in July. How can anyone be willing to let someone who loves them so much leave their side?"

"Okay, okay, you're not twenty yet, just say these things. Let's go, New Year's Eve is coming soon."

"Okay, but I still have to say, I love you, July."

"Yeah, yeah, I love you too, let's go. I'll hold your hand this time."

Sakakibara held hands with the girl, feeling the warm warmth of her little hand, "It should be said that we will hold each other's hands from now on."

Tianhai Qimingyue sighed again, using a tone like coaxing a child: "Okay, just hold each other's hands, and we will never be separated again."

"Yes, we will never be separated again."

"Can we go find my sisters and the others now?"

"certainly."

There are lush pine trees on both sides of the shrine, but they are all covered with snow at the moment.

When Sakakihara Raku and Tenkai Nanamiyue found everyone, the countdown to New Year's Eve had already begun.

Sakakihara Suzu happily waved to the two of them, motioning them to come this way.

When we sat together under the eaves of the shrine, the heavy bells symbolizing the end of the year began to ring.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Everyone in the shrine was looking up at the sky full of snowflakes, until the last solemn bell sounded, and the cheers of the worshipers filled the shrine. Everyone began to applaud enthusiastically, admiring the splendor blooming in the night. fireworks.

Bang bang bang.

Snowflakes, fireworks, everything beautiful, lighting up the night sky.

"Brother! Happy New Year!!!"

"I know you are happy, but don't jump up. But I also wish you a happy new year. Of course, yuki, Liuli, and Liuqiyue too, happy new year!"

"Happy New Year Leye."

Tianhai Jiuliuli smiled and said, "Happy New Year, Lejun."

"Although I don't like to say this word, and I don't like too lively atmosphere. But, um. Happy New Year."

Under the eaves of the shrine with snowflakes flying in the sky, five people sat together, almost side by side.

Let's all look up at the sky, at the snowflakes, and at the New Year's fireworks.

Because she saw the fireworks she liked, she shouted excitedly, "N77-nee! Look, N77-nee!", while Amami Nanamigetsu complained about her sitting on the edge of her yukata under the fireworks.

Tianhai Jiuliuli smiled and helped Tianhai Zhixue, who rarely watched fireworks around her, identify the colors of various fireworks and tell her what shape this one is and what shape that one is.

Raku Sakakihara was surrounded by everyone in the middle, looking up at the extremely gorgeous sky.

When he listened to the fireworks symbolizing the arrival of the New Year blooming in the sky, and when he looked back and saw the gorgeous colors of the fireworks reflected on the beautiful faces of Liuli, Qiyue, Ling, and Zhixue, he felt extremely happy. More than that.

I came from obscurity in my previous life to now.

To be noticed, to be cared for, to be loved by everyone.

Sakakihara Raku had thought about who spoiled whom among everyone, but now everyone is gathered together to cross the New Year hand in hand. Only after seeing this picture did he understand that no one spoiled anyone into a useless person. .

The feelings between everyone have been so tight that it is difficult to break free.

Everyone's feelings for each other have become indistinguishable.

Sakakihara Raku felt that it was unintentionally that everyone spoiled each other.

Sakakibara thought of this and saw everyone's extremely happy smiles under the fireworks. He suddenly had a sudden impulse, covered his mouth with both hands, and shouted loudly under the eaves in front of the snowy night where the fireworks were blooming:

"Liu Li! July! Suzu! Snow! Happy New Year!!!"

Seeing that he was shouting so loudly, Tianhai Jiuliuli also raised his mouth and shouted to the sky:

"Lejun! Happy New Year!!!"

Then there are seven bright moons in the sky and sea.

"Brother!! Happy New Year!!!"

Then there was Tianhai Zhixue who saw the two shouting.

"Happy New Year."

"Woohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you shouted too well, yuki!

"Stinky A-Ling, you screamed for happiness by mistake!"

"What? I want you to take care of it! And what did you call me?"

"Stinky Aling."

"Stinky Lele! Happy New Year Stinky Lele!!"

"Sister-chan is an idiot."

"Then Sister Qiyue is also an idiot, idiot, slightly~"

"No matter how stupid you are, you are obviously smarter than my sister-chan who pronounces all the words wrong."

"You just shouted a wrong note! Stupid Sister Qiyue."

"Idiot sister-chan."

"Everyone, it's better not to quarrel."

"Stupid Sister Qiyue!"

"Idiot sister-chan."

"Idiot. No, idiot brother!"

"Hey, why is it on me again?"

"Because it was you who called me stinky A-Ling first! Well, that's right! That's it."

"If you say that, A-Ling, I still don't know who first called me stinky brother in this life? It was you, A-Ling, right?"

"Okay! Brother, you... you changed the concept! I said now, you said in this life, right?"

"Hahaha."

"Hit you, beat you, beat you."

"Why don't we discuss what to eat tomorrow?"

Sakakibara Suzu immediately became energetic, "Then tempura! The tempura we had tonight was delicious, as well as curry beef, fried potatoes, and fried ice cream! I haven't eaten it in a long time!"

".Fried ice cream."

"Brother, look, yuki wants to eat too!"

"I see. But I can't do any of it."

"Then what did you say out loud, brother?"

"It's okay to do it for Yuki."

"Brother! You are partial!! You promised not to be partial!!!"

"Hahaha."

"Don't laugh! You must do it for me! Do it for me quickly, do it for me"

"Sister-chan is really good at acting like a spoiled brat."

"Slightly! Sister Qiyue, aren't you the same?"

"Everyone, it's better not to argue."

*

The next day.

New Year, sunny morning, on the shore of Lake Kussharo.

"When you drive back, be careful and don't get stuck in the snow again."

"I know, I know! Mom, let's go with uncle quickly."

"Have a nice trip, mom and uncle."

"Have a nice trip, Auntie and Dad."

"Um."

"Let's go, Liuli, Qiyue, and Xiaozhixue."

"Mei and sister walk slowly."

After Amami smiled and said hello to the people outside the car window, Amami closed the car door and left after more than ten seconds.

I packed my luggage in the hotel and tied it all neatly to the motorcycle.

Raku Sakakibara stood in front of a lake full of white swans. Under the sun, he assembled the motorcycle team and began to call the names:

"Sakakihara Suzu!"

"Oh, yes, yes!" Suzu Sakakihara fastened her helmet anxiously, and then raised her arms high on her BMW Aquabird.

"Really, no discipline. Tianhai Jiuliuli."

"Arrived!" Looking to the left, Tianhai Jiuliuli in the helmet smiled energetically.

"Look, Liuli is energetic."

"The seven bright moons in the sky and the sea, and the snow in the sky and the sea."

"arrive."

To the right, Tianhai Qimingyue, who was riding a Harley motorcycle, and Tianhai Zhixue, who was sitting behind her, shouted at the same time.

Sakakibara couldn't help but sigh, "Why are you all so weak?"

"Maybe it's because I didn't sleep well last night?"

"It's okay to go to bed around one o'clock, forget it. Let's not talk about this, the fried ice cream riding team! Officially assembled again, this time the goal is to go home-Tokyo!!"

"Oh! Applause, applause!"

The swans on the lakeside were frightened by Sakakibara Suzu's applause and swam away. Their white wings flapped against the shining morning light falling from the clouds, shining with the golden glow of the morning light.

Tianhai Qi Mingyue couldn't help holding her helmet and shaking her head, "It's still so embarrassing."

"None of that matters."

"Brother is right! None of this is important!"

"The important thing is momentum!"

"Yes, yes! Momentum! Momentum!!"

"Okay, we have the momentum," Sakakihara Raku looked at the extremely wide distance and put his hands on the handlebars. "No matter what, let's set off in the direction of home! Woohoo~~"

"Let's go! Woohoo~~"

Sakakihara Raku pushed the accelerator, and the front line rushed out. The cheering king Sakakihara Suzu followed closely behind.

Tianhai Jiuliuli smiled, and the third one followed.

Finally, there are seven bright moons in the sky and sea.

"Xiaoqi won't leave?"

"No. I'm just lamenting how stupid my brother and sister-chan are. Yuki, hold me tight."

"Okay~~"

Hearing and feeling the movement of her hugging him, Tianhai Qimingyue put away his legs, turned away from Ruo, turned the accelerator, started quickly, and followed closely with the roar of the engine.

The howling wind made noise in the ears, and the paint surface of the helmet reflected the warm brilliance of the sun. As he turned the accelerator, Tianhai Qimingyue looked at the distant shadows in front of him through the helmet.

"Yuki, what do you think if we catch up?"

"Yes, but sister Qiyue doesn't like driving too fast?"

Tianhai Qimingyue's delicate cheeks faced the cool morning breeze and said with a smile:

"That's true, but sometimes, you have to make some appropriate changes. Hurry up."

"good."

The sun was rising, the breeze was blowing on my face, and the smell of snowflakes was blowing on my face.

Tianhai Qimingyue raised the gear, increased the accelerator, and chased forward with the engine roaring rapidly.

Cedar trees flickered past, and the mist far away on the mountainside seemed to be very close at hand.

The motorcycle was speeding through the wind under her control.

*

At the end of Kussharo Lakeside, with the snow-capped mountains stretching behind you, five motorcycles are arranged together.

Amami Kuruuri, Sakakibara Raku, Amami Nanamigetsu, and Amami Nozuki. The four stood closely together, all wearing heavy winter cycling clothes, holding motorcycle helmets, making scissor hands gestures, and pointing at the camera.

"Get ready get ready!"

"Sister-chan, hurry up."

"okay!"

After fixing the position of her mobile phone, Sakakihara Suzu quickly ran to Amami Kuruuri's side, smiled and performed a scissor hand show with everyone.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

"cheese!"

At the moment when the countdown stopped, a swan flapped its white wings on the blue lakeside and headed towards the more distant blue sky.

The end of the trip to Hokkaido was finally fixed on the smiling faces of the five people holding hands.

(over)