Chapter 23: CH 22

Chapter 22 – To the Fukuzawa Residence

Because we were traveling by car, we quickly arrived at Jouichirou’s house. As the huge gate slowly opened, I saw a girl in a wheelchair and a servant who looked like a caretaker in front of her.

“Papa! Welcome home!”

The girl who greeted Jouichirou as he got out of the car was none other than Fukuzawa Kanna.

“Thanks for coming out to greet me.” (Jouichirou)

“Not at all! I saw Papa’s car from my room! But what about work? Are you taking today off?” (Kanna)

“No, I’m not. I brought a very important guest today.” (Jouichirou)

“A guest?” (Kanna)

The chauffeur, Sasaki, opened the door for me, and I stepped out, attracting the attention of everyone present.

“Fukuzawa-sensei, this child is…?” (Torimoto)

“Yes, that’s right. This is Kanna. Come on Kanna, say hello.” (Jouichirou)

“Eh? O-Okay.” (Kanna)

She seemed to be afraid of strangers, as her gaze swam around awkwardly when she looked at my face. She softly bowed her head and introduced herself.

“H-Hello. My name is Fukuzawa Kanna. I am the daughter of Papa… er, Jouichirou. Nice to meet you.”

It seemed that she had been raised to be polite. She was a very levelheaded girl who gave off a good impression.

“I’m pleased to meet you as well. I am an acquaintance of Fukuzawa-sensei, and my name is Torimoto Kentaro.”

“Y-Yes! Likewise!” (Kanna)

“Let’s go inside to talk first. Sorry Kanna, could I trouble you to guide him to the parlor? I’m going to grab Mama first, and then I’ll be right there.” (Jouichirou)

“Ah, yeah! Leave it to me! Umm…then Torimoto-san, please follow me.” (Kanna)

Her wheelchair seemed to be the automatic kind that moved by lever. Kanna led the way into the house. A sigh of wonder escaped my lips as I followed her and saw the stately interior of the mansion.

The interior design seemed to be barrier-free to accommodate Kanna’s disability, and the entrance alone was 10 tatami mats in size. The ceiling was also incredibly high, making me feel like I had entered a ryokan or hotel.

(TL: 10 tatami mats = 16.2 m2. Ryokan = traditional Japanese style inn.)

Jouichirou went up the stairs at the end of the hall, and I went with Kanna and her caretaker down the wide corridor on the first floor.

After passing through the third set of doors, we arrived at the parlor, leaving me in awe at the sheer size of it. It was a beautifully decorated environment much like a fancy hotel room, and it was many times bigger than my own room at my house.

The color scheme of the television, table, bookshelves, and sofa were paired together in a stylish fashion, creating a pleasant atmosphere that I really enjoyed.

“Wow… what a big house.” (Torimoto)

“We get that a lot. But it’s a pain to clean, don’t you think?” (Kanna)

“Haha, I’m sure. It would be too much for me to handle.” (Torimoto)

I wanted to try living in a big house at least once in my life, but it would probably be lonely to actually live there. Even the house that I currently lived in was too big for me.

“U-Umm… What’s your relationship with Papa… er, my father?” (Kanna)

For some reason, she seemed to be embarrassed being seen calling her father Papa. Perhaps that had something to do with the wonders of adolescence.

“Relationship… Well, I just met him today for the first time, I guess.” (Torimoto)

“Eh!? I-Is that true?” (Kanna)

“Yeah. I was entrusted with a request by Fukuzawa-sensei. That’s why I came here.” (Torimoto)

“A request…” Kanna muttered to herself as a gloomy expression appeared on her face.

“Is it… about me?” (Kanna)

“Yes.” (Torimoto)

“…About my disability?” (Kanna)

“…That’s right.” (Torimoto)

“!? I knew it.” (Kanna)

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Kanna’s expression warped from guilt into sadness, and the caretaker maid gazed at her with concern.

“…You don’t like that your father is going through such hardships for you, is that right?” (Torimoto)

“…! H-How…!?” (Kanna)

“How did I know? It’s simple. Fukuzawa-sensei said that you were a good, kind-hearted girl.” (Torimoto)

“Pa— My father said that?” (Kanna)

“Yeah. It’s rough seeing your father exhausting himself for your sake, right?” (Torimoto)

“…Yes.” (Kanna)

“My father… Every single day, he worked so hard to heal my legs. He would stay up until late at night trying to find some way to help me. Even though his work is so difficult too… He never complained the slightest bit.” (Kanna)

“Haha, that’s to be expected. No father wants to look weak in front of his beloved daughter.” (Torimoto)

My father was just like that towards me. Every time he came back from work, he should have been tired, but he never showed it in front of me.

“But you’re worried that one day he’ll collapse from overworking himself, aren’t you?” (Torimoto)

Kanna feebly nodded her head.

“That’s understandable. I had the same experience, so I understand. ‘It doesn’t matter if life is hard. It’s fine if other people around me make fun of me. So I want you to always stay by my side without overworking yourself’. Something like that, right?” (Torimoto)

“!? …Yes.” (Kanna)

For a child, their parents were an absolute existence that could always be depended on more than anyone else. And if it was for the sake of their children, parents would be willing to do anything. Even when times became painful and tough, they could muster their spirit as long as they could be blessed by their child’s smile. But while children might seem happy on the surface, there were times when they would also feel guilty for making their parents do things for their sake.

However, in front of their children, parents would always want to make their children believe that they were strong and reliable. They were willing to do reckless things, and they were willing to get hurt for their sake.

It was hard for children to watch their parents do such things, especially when it was their own fault. Faced with their own powerlessness, they couldn’t help but be submerged into a feeling of emptiness. That was why I understood Kanna’s feelings painfully well.

“But just as parents are absolute to a child, to parents, their children are their everything.” (Torimoto)

“Everything…?” (Kanna)

“Right. Even more important than their own lives. That’s why they can persevere and do their best, no matter how difficult it gets.” (Torimoto)

“That’s… but I was always afraid that Papa would collapse one day… I mean, his facial complexion wouldn’t be so good at times…” (Kanna)

“Yeah. I also think Sensei is pushing himself a bit.” (Torimoto)

“Exactly! So… I can’t help but worry every day about whether or not Papa will come home safe and sound…!” (Kanna)

Jouichirou was Jouichirou, but this girl was admirable in her own way. I suppose good people raise good children.

“But you can rest assured.” (Torimoto)

“Eh?” (Kanna)

“From today onward, you won’t have to worry about anything.” (Torimoto)

“? …W-What do you mean?” (Kanna)

“I’ll tell you all about it when Fukuzawa-sensei gets here.” (Torimoto)

With great timing, the door opened and Jouichirou and a woman who appeared to be his wife appeared.

“Sorry to make you wait. Torimoto-kun, this is my wife, Minako. Minako, this is Torimoto Kentaro whom I just explained to you about.” (Jouichirou)

After the introduction, Jouichirou’s wife took a step forward and bowed politely. I bowed as well, and we briefly introduced ourselves.

“Then… Torimoto-kun, can I leave this to you?” (Jouichirou)

“…Yes. We’ll proceed just as we promised while we were in the car.” (Torimoto)

“I know. I won’t tell anyone else about today’s events. The rest of you too, you must never speak a word about this to anyone, okay?” (Jouichirou)

Jouichirou must have briefly explained to Minako what was happening before they came, as she immediately agreed. Kanna and the caretaker tilted their heads with a curious expression. But when Jouichirou repeated himself one more time, the two of them promised.

Well… even if they let word get out, I would just have to change my face again.

“―Well then, let’s get started, shall we?” (Torimoto)

I reached into the trench coat I was wearing and pulled out a glass bottle that was about 20 centimeters long. Inside of that bottle was a liquid that was shimmering with the colors of an aurora.

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