Uchiha Hiko and Spinach had discussed this for so long before, yet they had only continued to waver in hesitation. But he also knew that such wavering could not go on for too long. Otherwise, it would put him at far too great a disadvantage.
Now was not the time for him to be softhearted. He had to make a resolute choice. This was not deliberately hurting the girl; perhaps it would even make her more mature and strong-willed.
This was probably a stage of growth that everyone had to go through. There was no avoiding it. Everyone had to experience such things, and Uchiha Hiko himself had gone through them countless times before.
He also knew that the process might be agonizing and heartbreaking. But once one slowly accepted and adapted to it, it would also allow a person to grow quickly.
"Spinach, I really don't think we can keep being softhearted about this. Protecting the little girl is a perfectly correct decision, and it cannot be called wrong. But if we keep protecting her like this, then we will be the ones in the wrong."
"You know how dangerous the jianghu is and how treacherous people can be in this world. As long as she stays under our protection, there won't be any problem, because she is living alongside us right now."
"But if one day we truly go our separate ways and she no longer follows us, how will she survive in this world? She certainly cannot go on living that way. We can't protect her for the rest of her life, do you understand?"
Uchiha Hiko felt that there was nothing wrong with Spinach treating the little girl well. But if things continued like this, it would be a grave mistake. He also knew that Spinach