Chapter 6 Yuuki, Kotori, Yui, and Mina
The reply to the message Yui sent asking if Mina could come home for her birthday arrived the next day.
When she had simply asked Hyodo to check the schedule, the reply had been quite fast, but this time it took a full day.
The content, again in a stiff, formal style, read:
“The President has agreed. She says, ‘It’s been a while since my birthday was celebrated, so I’ll look forward to it.’ She will be home by 7 p.m. on that day.”
The expression on Yui’s face when she saw it was brighter than Yuuki had ever seen it before.
(…Ah, she really does love her mom.)
It was an expression that left no room for doubt.
And so, Yui, Yuuki, and Kotori now had to prepare for Mina’s birthday.
—The strategy meeting was held that night, right after the reply from Hyodo arrived.
It began after Yuuki got home from work.
“Alright, what should we do?”
“…What should we do?”
Yuuki and Yui crossed their arms and thought.
The concept was for Yui to convey her feelings of gratitude and respect to her mother—in short, “I love you, Mom.”
“That said, I’ve never planned a birthday party before.”
As a child, whether it was his birthday or New Year’s, Yuuki had been practicing baseball.
After his father died, it was a daily grind of studying to get into his current high school on a scholarship.
And of course, after getting into high school, it was a cycle of studying and working part-time to become a doctor.
His mother and grandmother had celebrated his birthday when he was living at home, but this was the first time he was the one doing the celebrating.
“Hmm, a present, maybe?”
“…In that case.”
Yui took out her phone and opened an online shopping site.
“…This is the wine my mom was drinking and said was delicious before.”
“Oh, nice.”
“…The most expensive one.”
“Whoa, that really is expensive!”
A single bottle cost over three hundred thousand yen. For Yuuki and Kotori’s household, which had very few extra expenses, that was enough to live on for four months.
And yet, Yui was about to tap the purchase button without hesitation.
“Whoa, whoa, hold on.”
“…?”
Yui looked at him quizzically.
“Wait, can you actually afford that with your allowance?”
Yui nodded.
“…Yeah. I get it, but I don’t really use it.”
Even so, she must be getting a considerable amount for an elementary school student.
He’d completely forgotten, what with her living in the same apartment building as him, eating convenience store bento, and being so moved by the unlimited supply of eggs for sukiyaki, but Yui was the daughter of a company president.
Her sense of money was probably different from that of Yuuki, the son of a small-scale farmer and a dyed-in-the-wool commoner.
“Hmm, but still…”
“…Is this no good?”
“No, it’s not that it’s no good, but…”
“…My mom always buys me expensive things for my birthday.”
“Ah, I see.”
Perhaps it was Mina’s way of showing her love, making up for the time she couldn’t spend with her by giving her expensive gifts. But he didn’t think Yui needed to do the same.
Just as he was thinking this…
“It’s not about the money, Yui-chan, it’s the thought that counts.”
Kotori, who had been washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen, returned.
“…The thought?”
“Yes. As long as it’s something you prepared with the other person in mind, anything is fine.”
Yui nodded as if to say, “I see.”
“…In that case.”
Yui said, putting away her smartphone.
“…Something that will make my mom feel better and able to work hard.”
“Yes. That’s a good idea. I think it’s wonderful.”
Kotori sat down next to Yui and patted her head.
Yui narrowed her eyes happily.
“…Yuuki.”
“Hm?”
“…What would you want, Yuuki?”
“Eh, me?”
Yui nodded.
“Why me?”
“…Because you’re a little similar. To my mom.”
“R-really?”
Well, they were both busy, but Yuuki was just a student, and Mina was the president of a thriving company. He felt they were on completely different levels.
But Kotori, too…
“Fufu, yes. I think you are a little similar.”
She said.
“Seriously? I see… we’re similar.”
Well, he’d learned the other day that she was an amazing person, so he supposed he should be honored.
“…That’s why I want to ask you, Yuuki. What would you want that would make you study and work your hardest?”
Yui looked him straight in the eye and asked.
“Let’s see…”
Various thoughts ran through Yuuki’s mind.
But he wasn’t very materialistic to begin with, so nothing in particular came to mind.
(Ah, yeah. I can’t really think of anything…)
Honestly, he was content with his current life of having Kotori and working towards his goal of becoming a doctor. So, what came out naturally was…
“It’s not a thing, but… Kotori’s home cooking, I guess.”
Yui’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
“…Home cooking.”
“Yeah. The way Kotori thinks about my health and making sure I enjoy my food every day… of course, the taste is amazing, but it’s the ‘thought’ behind it that makes me so happy. It gives me the strength to do my best today, and to do my best tomorrow.”
“Yuuki-san…”
Kotori’s face turned a little red, perhaps embarrassed at having such things said about her again.
“…Kotori, do you have a fever?”
At Yui’s question, Kotori’s face turned even redder, and she buried her face in Yui’s hair to hide.
“I’ll try even harder from now on…”
“Yeah, thanks. Every day has been fun since you came, Kotori.”
At his words, Kotori writhed and pressed her face against Yui’s back.
“…Kotori, that tickles.”
“Well, my test scores have actually gone up and my pay has increased, so in that sense, it’s been super effective for me.”
“…”
Hearing this, Yui fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
Then, she peeled Kotori off her back and turned to face her.
Kotori, who had been hiding behind Yui, must have been overjoyed by his earlier words, because her face was lit up with a grin so wide she would have been mistaken for a suspicious person if you met her on a dark street.
“…Kotori.”
“Hyesh?”
Her reply wasn’t even a proper word.
“Cooking…”
Yui looked at Kotori and said…
“…Teach me how to cook.”
That was her request.
◇
And so.
Yui, having decided to cook for her mother, began her lessons under Kotori’s tutelage the very next day.
First, they had to assess Yui’s current cooking abilities.
“…You wash rice without using soap?”
When Yui asked this with a completely serious face, even Kotori was taken aback.
Yuuki had anticipated that she’d never cooked before in her life, but he was shocked to learn that since her father, who had been in charge of the cooking, was hospitalized when she was four, she had never even seen anyone cook until she came to his house. Realizing this was going to be a challenge, Yuuki said…
“You don’t have to learn to cook a whole meal from scratch by yourself. You can just help Kotori.”
But Yui stubbornly shook her head.
“If I do that… my ‘feelings’ won’t be in it.”
Hearing that, he realized he’d said something rude.
“You’re right… My bad, Yui.”
A little girl had made up her mind to do this herself. The kindest thing to do was to trust and watch over her.
“It’s alright. We have two weeks, so let’s learn a little at a time.”
Kotori patiently taught Yui, who didn’t know the first thing about cooking.
The first day was just learning how to cook rice, but even then, the rice came out mushy from too much water.
Kotori managed to salvage it by turning it into rice porridge, but seeing Yui so down about her failure, Yuuki couldn’t help but worry.
◇
Thirteen days later.
“I’m home.”
Night. Yuuki returned at his usual time and opened the door to the fragrant smell of spices.
“…Ah, curry.”
“Yes, it is. Welcome home, Yuuki-san.”
Kotori, wearing an apron over her school uniform, greeted him.
(…I’ve seen this a million times, but she’s cute every single time.)
She was domestic and warm, and on top of that, an incredible beauty.
Just seeing Kotori in an apron seemed to blow away all the fatigue of the day.
“Where’s Yui?”
“She fell asleep from exhaustion after she finished cooking.”
“…I see.”
Yuuki took off his shoes as quietly as possible and went inside.
He handed his jacket to Kotori and went into the living room, where Yui was fast asleep on the bed, hugging a pillow and wrapped in a blanket.
On the fingers of the hand clutching the pillow were several bandages.
It was a bit of a cliché, like something out of a manga, but it was proof of her hard work in the unfamiliar kitchen. Though, apparently, most of the cuts weren’t from clumsiness, but from trying to imitate Kotori’s fast and beautiful knife skills.
Yuuki put down his bag, sat down in front of the bed, and gently stroked the head of the peacefully sleeping Yui.
“…I wanted to eat it in front of her and tell her what I thought, but it’d be a shame to wake her.”
As he was doing this, Kotori brought in dinner.
The menu was the curry that had been smelling so good, and a salad served in a white bowl.
Looking at them on the table, Yuuki said with deep feeling.
“…Yui really made this.”
“She did. We went to buy the ingredients together, but she did everything else herself.”
At least, it looked like proper curry. The salad was also arranged nicely to look appealing.
Having seen her struggle to even cook rice on the first day, this alone was quite moving.
“…Well, let’s eat.”
Yuuki faced Yui and put his hands together.
He took a bite with his spoon.
“…Ah, it’s actually good.”
Perhaps she’d gotten the seasoning a little wrong, so he couldn’t say it was on par with Kotori’s, but it definitely had the taste of Kotori’s special vegetable curry.
“It hasn’t even been two weeks… Yui’s amazing.”
“Yes. She worked very hard. She wouldn’t even let me help her with the knife when I tried to help more than necessary.”
Kotori said with a laugh.
Just then, the sound of sheets rustling came from the bed behind Yuuki.
“…Yuuki?”
Yui had woken up and was sitting up in bed.
“Morning, Yui.”
“Good morning, Yui-chan.”
Even after they greeted her, Yui, still groggy from sleep, just stared blankly at the top of Yuuki’s head. But after a moment, she sniffed the air and her eyes widened.
Her gaze fell on the curry on the table.
“…Is it good?”
She asked, looking him in the eye.
Yuuki silently took another bite of curry in front of her.
He chewed slowly and swallowed.
“It’s delicious.”
He answered. Then, Yui asked in a slightly anxious voice.
“Did it… make you feel like you can do your best?”
…I see.
(Yui learned to cook to give Mina the energy to work hard.)
“Let’s see…”
Yuuki thought honestly. The taste itself… was probably still a far cry from the curry Kotori usually made.
But the ingredients were cut into easy-to-eat sizes, and the curry roux was dissolved carefully to avoid lumps. He could feel that this curry wasn’t just a “trial run for Mina,” but was made with the genuine ‘feeling’ of wanting him to enjoy it. At least, he was happy to receive that ‘feeling.’
So.
“Yeah… after eating this, I feel like I can do my best tomorrow, too.”
“…Yes!”
Yui made a small fist pump.
“Fufu, now all we have to do is wait for Mina-san’s birthday.”
Kotori smiled, truly happy, at the sight of Yui.
“Not yet… I’ll make it even more delicious by the day after tomorrow.”
Yui said with a determined huff.
Seeing her, Yuuki laughed. “She’s like Kotori when she’s playing games.”
“W-wait, am I always like that…?”
Kotori said, looking a little embarrassed.
◇
“Phew…”
The day of Mina’s birthday.
Yuuki was working at a factory run by a relative, one of his many jobs. It was getting quite dark outside. Yuuki looked at the clock in the warehouse, which smelled of iron, and muttered to himself.
(…Mina-san should be arriving soon.)
Unfortunately, Yuuki had scheduled work in advance and couldn’t make it home by seven, when Mina was supposed to arrive.
So, he had to leave the start of the birthday party to Kotori and Yui.
(…Well, if I hurry and finish up, I’ll only be an hour late.)
Yuuki psyched himself up again and resumed the task of storing parts in the warehouse.
This job was quite physically demanding. The lightest parts weighed five kilograms, and the heaviest nearly sixty. There was a forklift for moving heavy items, but there weren’t many of them, and since the warehouse wasn’t spacious, people had to carry things into the narrow spaces where the forklift couldn’t go.
Thanks to that, even though he’d quit baseball, he still had a decent amount of strength.
“Still, this is tiring work.”
Yuuki wiped the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his work clothes. Just thirty more medium-sized parts. Even “medium” meant twenty kilograms each. Just a little more. After this, it was the birthday party.
Just then.
“Oh, Yuuki-kun.”
A friendly voice came from the warehouse entrance.
A short, thin man in his thirties with glasses came in, the sound of his safety shoes echoing.
“Ah, Manager Fukagawa.”
“Thanks for working late again today. How much do you have left?”
“Just what’s on that pallet over there.”
“So, just a little more.”
Manager Fukagawa fiddled with the fingertips of his work gloves for a moment, then…
“…Yeah. Okay, I’ll take care of the rest, so you can head home for today.”
He said.
“Eh? Are you sure?”
“You have plans after this, right?”
“Yes, but… did I tell you?”
“You did, you did. You’ve been talking a lot about your private life lately, Yuuki-kun. I could hear you talking to Muto-kun in the locker room all the way from the break room.”
“O-oh, I see.”
The locker room and break room were adjacent, separated only by a curtain.
Apparently, his voice had carried.
“It’s that girlfriend you started dating in the spring, right? Is it her birthday or something today?”
“Well, something like that.”
To be precise, it was the birthday of the mother of the child he was looking after with his girlfriend.
“Then you should go home to her. You have to cherish your time with your partner. If you’re always late, even if she usually lets it slide, one day she’ll suddenly get angry… and then it’s a real pain to calm her down.”
Manager Fukagawa laughed weakly.
He was still in his early thirties, but he single-handedly supported the manufacturing department of this small company and was trusted by the president, Yuuki’s relative. But because of that, he often worked late. His wife, who was raising their one-year-old child, apparently gave him a hard time about it.
“You have it tough, too, Fukagawa-san.”
“Well, it can’t be helped. This might be a bit of a stereotype, but most girls are really lonely.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. In my thirty years, most of the girls I’ve met have been like that. Of course, I’m sure there are some who aren’t. So on special days, you should try to go home early if you can.”
“By that logic, shouldn’t you be going home early instead of taking over my work, Fukagawa-san?”
Manager Fukagawa waved his hand.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. She just blew up last week, and I finished calming her down. I think she’ll be in a good mood for another two months… probably.”
Hahaha, Manager Fukagawa laughed weakly, his eyes filled with a quiet resolve, as if he had reached a state of enlightenment.
When he looked at him like that, it was incredibly difficult to just say, “Okay, then.”
“…Alright. Then, can you help me carry these?”
“Eh, are you sure? You can leave it all to me.”
“Yes. I already told them I’d be late. If we do it together, it’ll take half the time.”
“…You’re a good subordinate, Yuuki-kun.”
Manager Fukagawa said, then immediately picked up two parts with both hands and went into the warehouse.
Once he decided on something, he moved without a moment’s hesitation. The quick, efficient movements of a man who had worked in a factory for many years.
Still, he was impressed again at how easily he could carry such heavy parts with that thin frame.
“Heave-ho.”
Yuuki also picked up a part and followed Manager Fukagawa into the back of the warehouse.
◇
‘Finished work, heading home now.’
As he left the factory, Yuuki sent a message to Kotori on his phone.
The time was 7:10 p.m. Had Mina arrived yet?
A reply came from Kotori.
‘Thank you for your hard work. Mina-san isn’t here yet.’
“Is Mina-san running a little late with work, too?”
Yuuki muttered to himself. Maybe he’d run into her on the way home.
With that thought, Yuuki walked home, but he didn’t see Mina by the time he reached his apartment.
He went up the stairs to his apartment, opened the door, and went inside.
The delicious smell of curry already filled the room.
But in the entryway… there were only Kotori’s shoes and Yui’s small ones.
“…Welcome home, Yuuki-san.”
Kotori greeted him as usual, but her expression was a little dark.
“I’m home… Did something happen?”
“Well, actually.”
Looking into the living room, he saw Yui sitting at the table with her head down.
◇
‘Sorry, Yui. Something unavoidable came up at work, and I don’t know if I can make it home tonight.’
‘Even if I can, it’ll be very late. If you can’t wait, you can eat with Yuuki-kun and the others and then go home.’
That was the message on Yui’s phone.
This time, it was a direct message from Mina, not through Hyodo.
“I see…”
Yuuki muttered to himself after reading the message.
(This might be the part where I get angry at Mina-san’s thoughtlessness…)
But maybe this was a situation he should have anticipated.
Yuuki thought.
Honestly, as someone who worked as hard as Mina, though not to the same extent, he could understand her situation.
Even at the factory where he worked, if there was a problem with a product, work would inevitably run late. For the president of a fast-growing company like Mina, it was probably a daily occurrence for urgent matters to come up.
Mina was in the “competitive” world of business.
If you did things half-heartedly, you wouldn’t survive, and you’d drag your employees and their families down with you. So, emotionally, it was difficult for Yuuki to blame her.
(But her wording isn’t great.)
Yuuki thought.
Mina’s message was probably meant to be considerate, so as not to waste Yui’s and the others’ time, but for Yui, who had worked so hard for this day, it would feel like she was being pushed away.
Well, since Yui’s home-cooked meal was a surprise, Mina had no way of knowing…
“…”
Yui had been looking down at the message from Mina for a while now.
She didn’t say anything, but… she must have been in shock.
“Yui-chan…”
Kotori, unable to watch any longer, was about to speak to Yui, but…
“…It can’t be helped.”
Yui said in a whisper.
“It’s work…”
She gripped her phone tightly in her small hand. On that hand were the cuts and bandages that were proof of her hard work. She kept her head down for a while, then nodded to herself several times.
“Yeah.”
Yui looked up. Her expression was her usual blank one.
In fact, if you just looked at her, she seemed even brighter than usual.
“Are you okay, Yui-chan?”
Even to Kotori’s worried voice…
“…I’m okay.”
She said, giving a thumbs-up. She was probably forcing herself to be cheerful so as not to worry him and Kotori. She’s a strong kid, Yuuki thought.
In that case, there was no need for them to be overly gloomy either.
“Alright! Then let’s eat first and wait. I’m starving.”
“…Leave it to me.”
Yui stood up and went to the kitchen to serve the food.
“This time it’s a masterpiece. It’s sure to make Yuuki’s cheeks drop…”
“Ooh, I’m looking forward to that.”
Yuuki glanced at Kotori.
His intention must have gotten through, because Kotori let out a small breath and her worried expression changed to a smile.
“After we eat, let’s play games while we wait. Yui-chan has gotten pretty good, too.”
“Eh. In that fighting game, only Kotori is too strong.”
“…Trauma.”
Yuuki and Yui objected to Kotori’s proposal.
Especially Yui, who, after practicing a little with Yuuki, had challenged Kotori and been subjected to her merciless, demonic combo, losing a perfect game without dealing a single point of damage.
“Aww.”
Kotori pouted.
“Then how about two-on-one? I’m sure it’ll be a good match then.”
When it came to games, Kotori was always a little more selfish than usual.
◇
After that.
The three of them ate the curry Yui had made. Surprisingly, it was even more delicious than the last time. Kotori also gave it her seal of approval, saying it was very well made.
When asked, Yui said she had been making it every day even after returning to her own room.
When Yuuki praised her for being such a hard worker, the way she happily ate the curry she had made herself was so childish and cute.
After dinner, it was time for games.
As Kotori had suggested, it was two-on-one, but as expected, even with two of them, they were completely crushed by Kotori.
However, it did become a proper match, and as they played over and over, they gradually got the hang of it, and before they knew it, both Yuuki and Yui were completely absorbed.
For Yuuki, who usually only played games to humor Kotori, it had been a long time since he had been so engrossed in a game.
This is fun, he thought honestly.
The game itself was fun, but what was more fun was playing the same thing with Yui and Kotori. And so, time passed.
And…
“…Mina-san. She’s not coming back, is she?”
After they had finished playing games, Kotori said as she made tea for the three of them.
Yuuki looked at the clock. The hands had long since passed midnight; it was now one in the morning.
They were supposed to be celebrating a birthday, but the birthday had passed. But Mina did not appear.
Yuuki, starting to get worried, looked at Yui.
Yui took out her smartphone. From the way her fingers moved, she wasn’t playing her usual game, but checking for a new message from Mina.
But she quickly put it back in her pocket. There was no new message.
Then, Yui stood up abruptly.
“I’m… going home now.”
“…Yui, are you sure you don’t want to wait for Mina-san?”
Today’s promise with Mina was a special one for Yui.
She had been looking forward to it and preparing for it for a long time. It was true that Mina might not be able to come back, but couldn’t she wait a little longer?
That’s what he thought, but…
“…I’ll wait.”
Yui said with a determined look in her eyes.
“But…”
Yui looked at Yuuki and Kotori and said.
“Yuuki and Kotori are busy tomorrow, too… so I’ll wait at my house.”
“…”
“…”
At those words, Yuuki and Kotori looked at each other.
It was true that Yuuki had work from early in the morning tomorrow, and Kotori, who made his bento and breakfast, was up even earlier than him. But to be so considerate of them even in this situation…
Honestly, if he were her age, he wasn’t confident he wouldn’t be sulking and taking it out on those around him.
“Are you going to wait alone?”
“…Yeah. It’s okay, I’m used to being alone.”
Amazing. This kid. She was so strong and kind, far beyond her years.
He had thought so many times before, but now he thought it again.
…And that’s why.
(I’ll be kind to this kid.)
Yuuki thought.
Kotori must have been thinking something similar, because she was smiling gently.
“You can stay here. I’ll wait for Mina-san to come, too.”
Yuuki said.
“…!?”
Yui’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What are you so surprised about, Yui?”
“…But Yuuki, you’re busy tomorrow, right?”
“Don’t worry about it. I can manage one day without sleep.”
Yui shook her head.
“…I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Hey, don’t be a stranger now. I want to celebrate a neighbor’s birthday, too. Besides, I’ve already decided. Whether you like it or not, I’m going to wait for Mina-san, too.”
“…”
Yui looked at Yuuki’s face, looking a little dazed.
This time, Kotori came over to Yui’s side, knelt down to meet her eyes, and said.
“Yui-chan. It must be lonely to wait alone.”
“…I’m used to it.”
Yui repeated what she had said earlier.
She said that, but wasn’t it just that she was “used to it,” not that she wasn’t “lonely”? Yuuki thought.
Yuuki himself, whose parents had been overbearing, didn’t have that feeling, but normally, for a child this age to spend so much time alone without their parents must be incredibly lonely.
Kotori gently stroked Yui’s head.
“That’s right. I think you’re a strong girl, Yui-chan. Not like a weakling like me who gets lonely when Yuuki-san is late coming home.”
But, she continued.
“At least, I think it’s less lonely to wait with three people than alone.”
“…”
“I don’t think you’ll be convinced even if I say it’s not a bother. So… please, be a bother to us. Just like you think it would make you happy if your beloved mother was happy, I love you too, Yui-chan, so it would make me happy if you were even a little less lonely.”
“Kotori…”
Yui stood frozen in place for a while, silent. Even after the second hand of the clock had made a full circle, she still didn’t move. But eventually…
She walked over to Kotori and buried her face in her chest.
“I’m sorry, I’d be happy if you’d wait with me today…”
Her eyes were slightly teary.
It was a tiny crack in the strong, kind girl’s facade, a glimpse of her weakness.
“Yes, we’ll wait together. Thank you. For being selfish.”
While watching them, Yuuki took out his smartphone.
He sent a message to the contact information for Mina that they had exchanged when they had dinner.
‘Mina-san. The three of us will wait for you forever today, so no matter how late you are, please come home.’
Normally, Yuuki didn’t like to use such forceful language, but this time, thinking of Yui, he had no choice but to send it.
◇
After that, the three of them waited for Mina. But Mina did not return.
An hour passed.
Two hours passed.
Three hours passed.
Still, Mina did not return.
At some point, the three of them sat huddled together on the bed with Yui in the middle, waiting for Mina.
“…It’s okay, Yui-chan. I’m sure Mina-san will come home.”
Kotori said to Yui, stroking her head.
Yui leaned against Kotori. Her eyes were slightly teary.
(…As an adult, you should keep your promises to a child, Mina-san.)
Yuuki thought, feeling a little irritated with Mina.
And another hour passed.
Yuuki looked outside. It was starting to get light.
Yuuki had intended to wait with Yui forever, but at this point, he couldn’t help but come to a conclusion.
That is, Mina couldn’t make it home.
“…Yuuki.”
As he was thinking this, Yui, who had been leaning against Kotori, looked up at him and said.
“…Thank you.”
Yui said in a sad, trembling voice, trying her best not to show it.
“Yui…”
Yuuki pulled Yui towards him and hugged her.
Her small, warm body was trembling weakly.
“Hey, you don’t have to force yourself to hold it in when you’re lonely…”
“…”
Yui didn’t say anything, just wrapped her arms tightly around him.
The gentle, strong girl’s composure was about to break.
Just then.
Clank, clank, clank.
The sound of footsteps climbing the stairs echoed in the silence.
“…!!”
Yui looked up.
The footsteps were getting closer to the door of Yuuki’s apartment.
And then.
Clunk.
The sound of a flyer being inserted into the mail slot.
Then, the footsteps clattered away from the door again.
“…Ah.”
A sound that was not quite a word, more like a groan, escaped Yui’s lips.
And just as the expressionless face she had managed to maintain until now crumbled, and the emotions she had been holding back were about to pour out…
Clank clank clank.
This time, the sound of someone running up the stairs.
The sound stopped in front of Yuuki’s apartment, just like before.
And then.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang. The three of them immediately stood up and went to the entrance.
When Yuuki looked through the peephole, he saw a person in a familiar red dress suit.
Yuuki opened the door.
“…Hah, hah, to be in this state just from running from the parking lot, I’m really feeling my age.”
There was Mina, bent over with her hands on her knees, panting.
“Phew… seriously, sorry about this, you three. But to think you’d really stay up and wait for me this late, you’re a strange bunch.”
Looking at her, the suit she had worn so crisply when they last met was quite wrinkled, and the aura of energy she usually had seemed to be tinged with fatigue.
Yui took a step forward and stood in front of Mina.
“…Your work. Is it okay?”
“Ah, yeah. I took care of it.”
It was the first time he had seen Yui and Mina talk, and perhaps because they didn’t see each other often, it felt a little awkward.
But that didn’t matter now.
“Mina-san, please come in. We have dinner ready for you.”
“Oh, I’m looking forward to that.”
“Please, Mina-san. Let me take your coat and bag.”
Kotori said, taking Mina’s coat and bag.
“Well then, excuse me.”
Mina said a single word and entered Yuuki’s apartment.
◇
“You keep this place so clean. It’s much cleaner than my office.”
Mina said, sitting cross-legged in front of the table in the living room.
Yuuki sat across from her.
Yui and Kotori were preparing the meal. Yuuki was her conversation partner until then.
“Kotori always keeps it tidy. I’m very comfortable here.”
“She’s a really good girlfriend. You should never let her go, Yuuki-kun. You can find good-looking women anywhere if you really look, but it’s hard to find a girl who will truly support you.”
“Of course, that’s the plan. I have no intention of ever letting her go.”
“You say that with such a straight face and without a hint of hesitation. You’re really determined, aren’t you, Yuuki-kun?”
Mina threw up her hands in surrender.
She had seemed a little tired when she arrived, probably from rushing back, but after a short break, she was back to her usual cheerful self.
“…But you really saved me, Yuuki-kun.”
Mina said, her voice a little more serious.
“What do you mean?”
“Your message, the one you sent around one. If it weren’t for that, I might have given up on coming home.”
“Oh, that. I’m sorry for the forceful wording.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Besides, if it had just been Yui, she probably wouldn’t have waited for me to come home. The fact that my daughter is celebrating my birthday like this is all thanks to you guys trying to celebrate with her.”
“Eh?”
Yuuki felt a sense of unease at Mina’s wording.
“No, Yui was going to wait for you even if we weren’t here…”
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mina-san.”
Just then, Kotori and Yui came from the kitchen.
Kotori was carrying a platter of salad and cold tea.
And Yui was carrying a plate of curry rice. The curry she had made for her mother, for this day, for this moment. They were placed on the table.
“Curry… so this is the world’s most delicious curry that Yuuki-kun was talking about?”
Mina said with a playful grin.
He could tell her now, but he decided to save it for after she had eaten.
Yuuki said with a slightly mischievous smile.
“Well, something like that. We’ve already eaten, so please go ahead.”
“Then I won’t be shy.”
Mina put her hands together and said, “Itadakimasu,” then picked up her spoon.
She scooped up some rice and curry and took a bite.
“…Oh, this is good. It’s delicious.”
Mina said with admiration.
“It’s not fancy, but the vegetables give it a nice flavor, so it’s easy to eat. And more than anything, you can tell it was made with care, from the way the ingredients are cut to the softness of the rice. I can feel your deep love, Kotori-chan. You’re a lucky man to be able to eat this every day, Yuuki-kun.”
“…Fufu.”
Hearing her praise the curry so highly, Kotori couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hm? What’s so funny, Kotori-chan?”
“Oh, no, I’m sorry.”
“What is it? I’m curious.”
Well, he might as well tell her now. Yuuki pointed at Yui and said.
“Mina-san, Yui made that curry.”
“What?!”
Mina’s eyes widened in surprise as she turned to look at Yui.
“Did you really make this, Yui…?”
“…”
At Mina’s question, Yui gave a silent nod.
“…I see. Yui did.”
Mina said, staring at the delicious-smelling curry in front of her.
Then, as if at a loss for a reaction, she scratched her head.
“Well, um… thank you.”
She said to Yui in a small voice, a stark contrast to her usual booming one.
“…Yeah. Happy birthday.”
Yui replied with a flat expression and voice. Watching them, Yuuki thought.
(…Yui doesn’t seem as happy as I thought she would.)
Lately, when Yui was with them, her joy would be clearly visible in her gestures and expressions, but in front of her mother, whom she rarely saw, perhaps she reverted to the reserved and awkward girl she had been when they first met.
“Um. Is it okay if I have some more?”
“…Yeah. There’s more.”
Their conversation was still stilted.
(And they’re the real mother and daughter.)
It was a strange thing, Yuuki thought.
But at least. This mother and daughter were spending time together.
And though it wasn’t obvious, Yuuki could see that Yui’s slightly tense face was softened by a hint of a smile.
◇
“…Phew, that was delicious.”
Mina said, clapping her hands together.
Amazingly, Mina had three helpings, emptying the Yuuki household’s rice cooker. For a woman, even a tall one, she had a pretty impressive appetite.
Manager Fukagawa had once said with a sad look in his eyes, “You know, when you hit your thirties, you suddenly can’t eat rich food like you used to when you were young,” but that didn’t seem to apply to Mina.
“Did you eat this much when we went to that restaurant?”
“For me, places like that are more for enjoying the taste and atmosphere than for filling my stomach.”
“I see.”
“Oh, right. This is from me and Kotori.”
Yuuki said, taking out a six-pack of a nutritional supplement that was advertised as being effective for hangovers.
Kotori had asked, “Are you sure about that?” but it was the only gift Yuuki could think of.
“You probably have a lot of dinner parties, and it’s good for your liver even if you don’t drink, so you’ll feel better the next day.”
“Oh, nice. Health is the best asset. I’ll give it a try.”
Mina looked pleased. See, my judgment wasn’t wrong after all, Yuuki thought, giving Kotori a smug look. Kotori just smiled wryly.
“…Well.”
Mina looked at her simple but elegant and expensive-looking watch.
“I should probably get back to work.”
“Already?!”
“Actually, I came here after a lull in my work. I still have more to do.”
Mina said with a laugh. She’s such a hard worker, Yuuki thought.
Well, he himself would be going to work in a few hours, so he couldn’t really talk.
Just then.
(…Ah.)
When Yuuki glanced towards the entrance of the living room, he saw Yui looking at him with an anxious expression.
(Ah, well. Yui wouldn’t want to get in the way of Mina-san’s work.)
So, Yuuki decided to ask Mina.
“Were we a bother?”
Mina waved her hand in front of her face.
“Of course not. It was a nice break. This will give me the energy to go back to the office and work hard.”
She said.
“…!!”
Hearing Mina’s words, Yui grabbed Kotori’s hand next to her with both of hers and shook it happily.
Kotori also patted Yui’s head. Yuuki was simply glad.
Their parent-child relationship was still awkward, but if they had gotten even a little closer, then today was a very valuable day.
“That’s why… it’s a shame.”
Mina suddenly muttered.
“A shame?”
“Yes, our overseas business expansion has been going well lately.”
“Really? Congratulations. It’s wonderful to be joining the ranks of global companies.”
Yuuki didn’t know exactly how amazing Mina’s work was, but he thought it was very like her to have the spirit to compete not just in Japan, but on the world stage.
“Thank you.”
Mina replied proudly.
And then.
“So I’ve decided to move to America next month.”
She said.
“…Eh?”
At first, Yuuki didn’t understand what Mina had said.
But he quickly understood the meaning of her words.
“It’s the first time I’ve been blessed with such good neighbors. Talking with you, Yuuki-kun, was stimulating and interesting, and you looked after Yui. But now that we’re seriously expanding overseas, I have to go.”
“So Yui, too?”
“Well, that’s how it is. I don’t have any relatives I can rely on to leave her with in Japan.”
“…I see.”
“Well.”
Mina said, standing up.
“I came in a hurry, so I couldn’t prepare anything, but I’ll thank you again before I move.”
With those parting words, Mina left Yuuki’s house.
The three of them, Yuuki, Kotori, and Yui, went to the entrance to see her off.
After watching until Mina was out of sight, Kotori said one thing.
“Yui-chan… is moving away.”
She said.
Her voice was devoid of emotion, and her expression was blank, as if she were in a daze.
She probably couldn’t process the sudden news of their separation.
“…Kotori.”
Yui squeezed Kotori’s hand. But Yui’s voice was also trembling slightly.
Yuuki put his hands on their shoulders and said.
“It can’t be helped. Let’s make some happy memories in the month we have left.”
Kotori and Yui buried their faces in Yuuki’s chest.
Yuuki held them gently until they calmed down.
◇
“…”
Horii Mina left the apartment and looked back at the room she had just been in. In front of the door were her daughter and a high school girl, saddened by the news of their separation. And a young but spirited boy, gently embracing the two of them as if to comfort them.
“…They’re more of a family than we are.”
She muttered, then turned her back on them again and returned to her own place, her work.
◇
“Yui-chan, let’s go on that ride over there next!”
“…Yeah. I want to ride the roller coaster.”
“I’m not a big fan of rides, I get motion sick.”
The week after Mina told them about Yui’s move, they went to an amusement park. As Yuuki had said, they decided to make some memories before she went to America.
“…Still, I never thought this would come in handy.”
In his hand, Yuuki held a pair of amusement park tickets he had bought two months ago. That’s right, he had bought these tickets during the first semester exams, intending to go with Kotori after they were over.
In the end, things happened and they couldn’t go, but looking at them now, the expiration date was in two weeks.
Yui had been wanting to go to an amusement park, having read the brochure before, so it was perfect. Yuuki had begged Manager Fukagawa for a day off.
Incidentally, Mina paid for Yui’s ticket and travel expenses.
…And.
“What about you, Hyodo-san?”
Yuuki turned around and said to the woman in a suit and glasses.
“No, I’m on duty.”
Hyodo said in a rather cold voice.
Mina’s secretary, Hyodo, had come with them to drive them to the amusement park and act as Yui’s guardian.
Not just today, but lately, Hyodo had been stopping by Yuuki’s house to check on Yui. Perhaps Mina was worried about her after suddenly announcing the move, and had asked Hyodo to check on her.
“If you’re going to wait in line for a ride, I’ll be waiting on that bench over there, so please go ahead, the three of you.”
“Are you sure? You haven’t been on a single ride yet.”
“Of course. As I said before, I am merely acting as Yui-sama’s guardian, so you can pretend I’m not here.”
She still talks so formally, Yuuki thought.
“I have been taking care of Yui-sama from time to time in place of the president. Yui-sama has been truly happy since she met you two.”
She said. Her eyes, which gave a slightly cold impression behind her glasses, were turned towards Yui, who was happily holding hands with Kotori.
“So please, the three of you, enjoy yourselves. You came here today to make memories, didn’t you?”
Right, so this was her way of being considerate.
“…Alright. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s my job.”
Yuuki smiled wryly at her usual turn of phrase and headed towards the others.
Kotori and Yui were already at the back of the line.
“It seems very popular. I’ve never been on a roller coaster before, so I’m excited.”
“…Me too. I was too short before. I should be able to ride it now.”
Kotori and Yui were talking happily, looking at the amusement park brochure together.
(I’m glad they both seem to be in better spirits than I thought.)
Yuuki thought, watching them.
Especially Kotori, who had been in a daze when she was told about Yui’s move to America, so he had been worried, but for the past few days, she had been even more cheerful than usual.
Perhaps it was a sign of her desire to actively enjoy the remaining time with Yui.
Until now, even when they were in the same space, Yui and Kotori had mostly done their own things and didn’t talk much, but for the past few days, Kotori had been talking to Yui a lot.
“Hyodo-san said she’s resting on the bench.”
Yuuki joined them in line.
“I see.”
Kotori said, then whispered in Yuuki’s ear.
(…We’ll have to thank Hyodo-san later.)
It seemed Kotori understood Hyodo’s consideration.
“Alright, let’s make lots of happy memories today, Yui-chan, Yuuki-san!!”
Yay! Kotori thrust her fist into the air.
Yui, caught up in the moment, also said, “Yay,” in a rather flat voice, imitating Kotori.
◇
“Phew… that was fun, but I’m pretty tired.”
On the way back from the amusement park.
Yuuki leaned back wearily in the seat of the car driven by Hyodo.
“I didn’t know you were bad with thrill rides, Yuuki-san.”
Kotori, sitting to his right with Yui in between, said.
“Yeah. It’s not that I’m scared, I just get motion sick. But the ride effects were more fun than I expected, so I ended up riding a bunch of them.”
Yuuki asked Yui, who was sitting next to him.
“Did you have fun, too, Yui?”
Yui gave a thumbs-up and nodded.
“…Of course. I took a lot of pictures, too.”
“Can I see them, too?”
At Kotori’s words, Yui took out her smartphone.
“I’ll send the pictures now… oh, but wait a minute.”
“What’s wrong?”
At Yuuki’s question, Yui said, launching the phone game she always played.
“…Login bonus. I almost missed it by three minutes.”
Yui started operating the screen.
She’s so dedicated, Yuuki thought, and asked something that had been on his mind for a while.
“Come to think of it, the game you’re always playing on your phone, that’s from Mina-san’s company, right?”
“…Yeah, it is.”
The song that had been playing in the gameplay video Yui had sent him before was the same one Mina-san had been singing on the way back from dinner, so he had looked it up.
And sure enough, on the production company’s website, it clearly said, “President and CEO: Horii Mina.”
“If you’re that into it, Yui, then the games Mina-san makes must be really fun.”
He had tried a phone game once at Ootani’s recommendation. It took up a lot of time to play properly, so it didn’t fit his lifestyle and he quit soon after, but he did think it was fun when his stats and skills went up, or when he got a good character from the gacha.
“…It’s fun. But it’s not just that.”
Yui said, looking at the screen happily.
“Because it’s a game my mom made…”
She said.
“You really love your mom, don’t you, Yui-chan?”
Kotori said, stroking Yui’s head.
“Yeah.”
Yui nodded without hesitation.
“…A long time ago. When I was five. I had a fever.”
Yui began to speak, looking off into the distance as if reminiscing.
“…But back then, my dad was in the hospital and wasn’t home, and I was so lonely being alone that I called my mom. Even though she was at work.”
Yui had a time like that, too, Yuuki thought, surprised.
The Yui of today would probably never have made that call, no matter what.
“But then, my mom came home right away and stayed with me…”
Yui said, her eyes narrowing slightly in happiness.
“I see… she’s a kind mother.”
Kotori said.
“…Mina-san is amazing.”
Yuuki said with admiration.
He hadn’t seen how much Mina was working back then, but it was probably about the same as now. No, a quick search of Mina’s company showed that its rapid growth had been in the last five years, so when Yui was five, it was probably just starting to take off.
She might have been even busier than she was now.
And yet, she had rushed to her sick daughter’s side.
(She came to the birthday party in the end, too. Mina-san really does care about Yui.)
Yuuki thought.
◇
After being dropped off by Hyodo in front of the convenience store nearest their apartment, the three of them returned to their rooms.
It was completely dark, and it was already the time when Yui would normally be back in her own room.
“…Well, good night.”
Yui said to them, opening the door to her own apartment.
They had eaten dinner at the amusement park, so all that was left was to get ready for bed.
“Yes, good night, Yui-chan.”
“Good night, Yui.”
At their words, Yui nodded once and went inside her apartment.
“Alright, let’s get to bed early, too. I felt pretty bad after pulling that all-nighter on the day of the birthday party. It really made me realize how important sleep is.”
“…”
“Hm? What’s wrong, Kotori?”
“Eh? Yes, what is it?”
“No, I was just saying we should get to bed early to prepare for tomorrow.”
“Oh, right… yes.”
Yuuki felt a sense of unease at Kotori’s behavior, but he unlocked the door to his own apartment and opened it.
Kotori would also be doing laundry, including his clothes, while getting ready for bed, so she went into his apartment with him.
“I’m home… and.”
Yuuki took off his shoes and went inside. Kotori, on the other hand…
“…Phew.”
As soon as she entered the entryway, she sat down without even taking off her shoes.
“Are you okay, Kotori?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I just let my guard down.”
Today, unusually, Kotori had been the one to suggest things and take the lead in having fun with Yui and Yuuki. So was she tired from doing something she wasn’t used to?
That’s what Yuuki thought, but…
“Yuuki-san… was I able to act cheerful today?”
Kotori asked him.
“What’s with the sudden question? Well, you were definitely more proactive and seemed to be having more fun than usual.”
“…I see. Then, I’m glad.”
Kotori’s whispered voice was trembling.
That’s when Yuuki finally realized.
“Kotori… you were forcing yourself to be cheerful.”
Not just today, but probably ever since she was told about Yui’s move.
“Yes. But when I thought that today was the last memory I would make with Yui-chan, I was so sad.”
“…Yeah. It’s going to be lonely.”
Yuuki sat down next to Kotori and gently stroked the head of the girl who was hugging her knees and looking down.
“Thank you… sniff.”
Kotori leaned her head against Yuuki.
Her eyes were teary.
To be honest, Yuuki felt the same way. For the past month and a half, life with Yui had become the norm. He was sure he would feel a sense of melancholy after she was gone. Even he felt that way.
Kotori had been especially close to Yui. So close that watching them from the side, he had felt like they were a real mother and daughter.
So, Yui’s departure must be incredibly painful for her.
“But.”
Kotori said, leaning against Yuuki’s shoulder, tears streaming down her face.
“If I look sad here, Yui-chan will surely feel bad… so I’ll see her off with a smile until the very end.”
“…Yeah.”
“But just for now, is it okay if I lean on you, Yuuki-san?”
“Yeah, of course. I told you before, I want to hear your selfish requests.”
Yuuki said, pulling Kotori’s body closer.
“If you can’t cry in front of Yui, then cry as much as you want here.”
“…Yes, sniff, thank you.”
For a while after that, Yuuki continued to gently stroke the back of the crying Kotori in his arms.
◇
It was a week before Yui was to leave their apartment building.
Yuuki’s work that day didn’t start until the afternoon, so he spent the morning with Kotori as usual.
Just before noon, Yui, who was also off from school, came over to his apartment.
“Yui-chan, have you had breakfast yet?”
“…No.”
“I see. We have some leftover miso soup and mixed rice, would you like some?”
Yui nodded her head vigorously.
“Fufu, I’ll go get it for you.”
Kotori smiled at the sight and headed for the kitchen.
(…Somehow, Kotori is managing to act cheerful in front of Yui.)
It had been almost a week since they went to the amusement park, and she hadn’t cried since then.
(…But Kotori’s expression has been clouding over more and more often.)
Yuuki had noticed this while watching her.
Would she be able to last another week?
He was thinking this when…
Yuuki happened to look at his smartphone and saw a rare message notification.
He rarely got messages like this, usually only from Ootani or Fujii, so he didn’t check his phone often.
“Hm, from Mina-san?”
He wondered what it could be about and read the message.
‘I have something to talk to you about. I’ll stop by your place tonight, so could you and Kotori-chan listen?’
◇
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to this house.”
That night, after Yuuki had finished his studies and work and returned home.
A little while after Yui had gone back to her own apartment, Mina appeared at his door. Hyodo stood behind her, her posture perfect.
Kotori, who had been in the middle of ironing her uniform, greeted them.
“Welcome, Mina-san, Hyodo-san. Please come in.”
At Kotori’s words, Mina said, “Well then, if you’ll excuse me,” and took off her shoes, walking towards the living room where Yuuki was.
“Yuuki-kun. Sorry to bother you when you’re busy.”
“To hear you say that, Mina-san, is quite humbling.”
Yuuki said with a wry smile.
“Yui seems to be back in her own apartment.”
“Yes. She just got back, so I think she’s still awake. So, what did you want to talk about?”
Thinking that Mina was probably busy, Yuuki got straight to the point.
“About that…”
Just as Mina was about to speak, Kotori brought in tea on a tray.
“Ah, perfect timing. Kotori-chan, could you listen in, too?”
“Eh? Yes, of course.”
Kotori placed a teacup next to Mina and sat down next to Yuuki.
“So, what I wanted to talk about concerns Yui.”
Yui?
What could it be about, Yuuki and Kotori wondered.
And what Mina said next was completely unexpected.
“I want to entrust Yui to you.”
“Pardon?”
“Eh?”
Neither of them could understand what Mina was trying to say.
Seeing their reaction, Mina said, “Ah. Let me explain in detail,” and continued.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. I’m fine with it since I lived in America when I was little, but for Yui, moving overseas will be a much bigger change in environment than moving within the country, and it will be difficult for her. Instead of forcing her to come to America for my convenience, wouldn’t it be better for her to stay here in Japan?”
“…I see. You did mention something like that before. But you also said you don’t have any relatives you can leave her with.”
Mina nodded at Yuuki’s words.
“That’s right, that was the case before. But… now Yui has you two.”
Mina said, looking at Yuuki and Kotori.
“Actually, for the past two weeks, I’ve had Hyodo watch over you two. You’ve been very considerate of Yui, and you’re both incredibly mature for your age, putting adults to shame. The fact that you’re taking care of Yui without neglecting your own affairs is also wonderful.”
Ah, so that’s why Hyodo-san has been coming around so often since the birthday party, Yuuki thought, understanding.
“And most importantly, Yui seems happy when she’s with you…”
Mina said with a laugh.
Her smile was tinged with a bit of self-deprecation. As if to say, “Unlike when she’s with me.”
“Of course, since I’ll be officially entrusting her to you, I’ll provide full financial support. I think you’ll be able to reduce your workload and devote more time to your studies, Yuuki-kun. Not only that, but if you’re willing, I’ll pay for your university tuition as well. I’m entrusting my child to you, so it’s the least I can do. Of course, Abe-san, who has been helping out, will continue to look after Yui, and she will be her legal guardian.”
After presenting her terms, Mina looked at Yuuki and Kotori with a strong, determined gaze.
“What do you think? If you’re willing, I would be very grateful if you would continue to look after Yui.”
She said, bowing her head deeply.
“…”
Yuuki was silent for a moment at the sudden proposal. But his answer was already decided.
“…We’re fine with it, of course.”
Yuuki said, glancing at Kotori, who seemed to be of the same mind and nodded.
In fact, both he and Kotori would have preferred not to be separated from Yui, so this was welcome news. Kotori, in particular, would be overjoyed.
…But.
“Don’t you think Yui-chan would want to go with you, Mina-san?”
It was Kotori who said this.
As the one who had been by Yui’s side the most, she understood Yui’s feelings for Mina firsthand.
But Mina…
“I don’t think so.”
She said with a tone of near certainty.
“Well, anyway, you two are okay with it. I’m grateful.”
Mina bowed her head again, then placed her hands on her knees and stood up energetically.
“Then I’ll go talk to Yui right away. She’s probably still awake, right?”
Mina said, walking towards the entrance.
“Ah, we’ll come, too.”
Yuuki and Kotori also stood up and hurried after her.
◇
“I wonder when the last time I unlocked the door myself was.”
Mina said, opening the door to Yui’s apartment… or rather, Mina and Yui’s apartment.
“Ah, excuse us.”
Yuuki followed Mina inside.
Kotori followed after him, and it seemed Hyodo was waiting by the door.
The lights were on inside. It seemed Yui was still awake.
“Come to think of it, this is my first time in Yui’s apartment.”
“I’ve been here once. There were a few convenience store bento containers scattered around. Now that she’s eating at your place, that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore…”
“…I see.”
That’s when Yuuki noticed something.
Mina was not used to entering the apartment.
When it’s your own home, you naturally learn to enter without looking down at your feet.
But Mina was taking off her shoes while looking down, as if she were visiting for the first time.
“Mina-san, how many times have you been back to this apartment since you moved in?”
“I mostly sleep at the office or at hotels near my work, so maybe twice.”
Mina said.
As if to prove her words, the apartment was furnished with high-quality, expensive-looking furniture that was different from what was in Yuuki’s room, such as a washing machine, kitchen appliances, and a bed, but all of it was in pristine condition.
The only things that looked used were the sofa and low table in front of the TV.
On that sofa, Yui was wrapped in a sheet, playing a game on her phone.
“…!!”
Yui, finally noticing Mina, looked up from her phone in surprise.
In the process, the sheet that had been wrapped around her neck slipped to the floor.
“Ah, um…”
Mina, in a stark contrast to her usual forceful and cheerful way of speaking, seemed to be at a loss for words.
Yui, on the other hand, was frozen for a moment, but then…
“…(Bow).”
She bowed deeply.
“Ah, ah, the pleasure is all mine.”
Mina, as if prompted by her, also bowed her head.
What a strange sight, Yuuki thought, watching them.
This was Mina’s home, and she and Yui were mother and daughter, so a simple “I’m home” and “Welcome home” should have been sufficient, but their reaction was as if a stranger had come to visit.
They were frozen for a moment, but then Mina took a breath and began to speak.
“You were probably about to go to bed, but sorry about this, Yui. I actually have something I want to talk to you about.”
“…Yeah, what is it?”
“I’ve already gotten the okay from Yuuki-kun and the others on this, but…”
Mina then began to tell Yui the same story she had told them earlier.
Should she go to America by herself and leave Yui in Japan with Yuuki and Kotori?
That was the gist of it.
While Mina was talking to Yui, Yuuki took a quick look around the room.
He had seen it when he came in, but the high-quality furniture that Mina had probably bought looked like it had never been used, as if it were on display.
In contrast were the low table and sofa in front of the TV.
The low table was cluttered with school materials, eraser shavings, and leftover snacks and wrappers.
The sofa had deep wrinkles from someone sitting or sleeping on it for a long time, and a blanket was placed on it.
Seeing that the sheets on the bed by the wall were wrinkle-free, and that the rest of the room was clean except for the area around the sofa and low table, he figured that Yui probably spent all her time at home on the sofa… studying, playing, and sleeping.
If he had done that at his parents’ house, his mother would have scolded him for being lazy, but Yui had no one to say that to her.
“…So Yui, what do you think about staying in Japan with Yuuki-kun and the others?”
While he was thinking this, Mina finished explaining the situation to Yui and asked.
“…”
Yui looked down in silence for a moment.
But Yuuki had a feeling that Yui would not nod her head.
The reason he felt that way was… the game console in front of the TV and the various game software stacked on top of it.
Yuuki recognized the titles of the stacked game software.
They were games that Mina’s company had made before they got into the mobile game business.
Unlike the furniture, each package had signs of being taken out many times, showing that Yui played these games regularly.
(So when she said it was her “first time” playing a game, she meant it was her first time playing a versus game…)
She had probably played all of the games Mina had made, not just the mobile ones.
Yui liked Mina more than he had thought.
But…
“…Yeah. Okay.”
Yui replied.
“Eh?”
The word escaped Yuuki’s lips.
“I see… yes, that’s for the best.”
Mina nodded with satisfaction. Then she looked at them and said with a smile.
“Well then, you two, I’m counting on you to take care of my daughter. I’ll thank you again before I go.”
Mina said, then stood up smoothly.
“I’m going back to work now. I think Hyodo will tell you the details later.”
She said, patting Yuuki on the shoulder, but he couldn’t answer.
Mina then left the apartment with Hyodo. The door closed with a clang.
“…”
“…”
Silence filled the apartment. Yuuki walked over to Yui’s side and said.
“Hey, Yui. Are you really okay with this?”
At his words, Yui, who had been looking down, looked up.
“…Yeah.”
She said.
(Then don’t make such a pained face.)
The expression on Yui’s face when she looked up was the most on the verge of tears he had ever seen. She was biting her lip, trying her best to hold it in.
“Tch.”
Yuuki ran out of the apartment.
He ran down the apartment stairs, taking them one at a time, and ran to the nearby parking lot, just as the black luxury car was pulling out.
“Mina-san!!”
It was the middle of the night and a nuisance to the neighbors, but he shouted Mina’s name.
Perhaps she heard him, because the rear window opened.
“Oh? What is it, Yuuki-kun? Did I forget something?”
Mina said, putting her hand in the inner pocket of her suit.
“Hah, hah… no, that’s not it.”
Yuuki said, out of breath from the sudden sprint.
“It’s about Yui.”
“Ah, I’m counting on you from now on. Things might change when you go to university, Yuuki-kun, but until then.”
“That’s not it either!!”
Yuuki said, interrupting Mina.
“Yui wants to go with you, Mina-san.”
It might be a violation of the rules for him to say this instead of Yui herself, but he couldn’t bear to see that expression on her face. And he thought Mina was mistaken.
“I said it before, but I don’t think so. It’s common sense that you wouldn’t like someone you barely see, right?”
This was it. It was true that they might not see each other much, but at least for Yui, Mina was her irreplaceable mother. She didn’t understand how much Yui thought of her.
“Yui just doesn’t want to get in the way of your work, Mina-san. She really does love you.”
“Isn’t that strange?”
Mina said.
“If she likes me, then my work, which takes away my time with her, should be her enemy, right? Why would she go out of her way to respect it?”
“That’s…”
He tried to argue, but his words stopped.
Come to think of it, why was that?
The fact that Yui was a good kid who was considerate of others was one thing. It was definitely one of the reasons.
But that didn’t seem to be the reason why a child of that age would be so “considerate of their parent’s work situation.”
“In any case, it’s Yui’s choice. As a parent, I want to respect that choice.”
“…”
To hear her say that was tough for Yuuki, who was not good at interfering with others more than necessary. It was true that leaving Mina was a decision Yui herself had made.
And if it wasn’t a situation where she would be subjected to physical abuse if left alone, like in Kotori’s case, then it could even be said that respecting Yui’s decision was the right thing to do.
Yuuki was about to retract his words, but then Kotori’s words came to mind.
‘Your meddling is what saved me. You should have more confidence.’
…You’re right, Kotori.
“Still.”
Yuuki looked straight at Mina and said.
“Before you go to America, please… talk to Yui again, properly.”
“…”
Mina stared at him for a while with her strong eyes…
“Hah, fine. If you’re going to go that far, I’ll talk to Yui again if I can find the time.”
“Thank you.”
“…Though I don’t think it will change anything.”
Mina said, then closed the car window and drove away from the parking lot.
◇
Meanwhile.
“Yui-chan…”
In Yui’s apartment, Kotori sat in front of the downcast Yui.
And without saying anything, she enveloped Yui’s hand in both of hers.
For a while, silence flowed between them.
“…”
“…”
In times like these, Kotori couldn’t come up with words that could strongly move a person’s heart.
She was weak-willed, or rather, passive.
So this was all she could do. She always felt pathetic for that.
“…It’s fine. This is fine.”
It was Yui who broke the silence.
“This way… I won’t be a bother to my mom. I’m sure she thinks she can concentrate on her work better without me…”
“T-that’s not…”
She was about to say true, but she realized that saying that to the current Yui would be meaningless.
After all, her mother had just told her, “Why don’t you stay in Japan by yourself?”
For a small child, what their parent said was everything.
“…Besides, Yuuki can reduce his workload, and you can be with him, Kotori.”
Yui said, looking at Kotori. Seeing her eyes, Kotori’s breath caught.
She had seen those eyes many times before.
They were the eyes she had seen in the mirror many times before Yuuki saved her.
The eyes of a person who was deeply, deeply suppressing their own feelings for the sake of others.
“…You don’t have to worry about us, you know?”
Kotori said in as gentle a voice as she could manage.
However.
“Kotori…”
Yui looked straight into Kotori’s eyes.
“If I stay… would you not want me to?”
She asked.
“T-that’s not it, of course not. In fact, I’d be very, very happy. But…”
If she was asked that, Kotori had no choice but to answer that way. It was a fact that she would have preferred her not to move.
“…Yui-chan. Please let me ask you one more time. Are you really, really okay with this?”
“Yeah.”
This time, Yui answered immediately.
“…It’s the best for everyone.”
The tone of Yui’s voice was the same as when she was being stubborn.
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