My son… Taeko-san’s husband, Shuji, had died in a car accident, which had left her heartbroken.
My heart ached every time I looked into those lethargic, powerless eyes. As someone who had lost someone important to me, I couldn’t believe that the pain was someone else’s.
That is why I did not hesitate to help her. And the only immediate relatives I had were my two grandchildren left behind by my son. I felt that helping them would be a way to connect the proof of my son’s life.
That is why Taeko-san’s confession, or should I say that was a confession? Anyway, when I heard it, I was beyond angry and felt hatred.
She had done something unforgivable and irrevocable.
It was not a matter of apologizing. I couldn’t maintain my composure when I thought about how much damage she had done to Shuya.
I yelled at her. I yelled like a spoiled child. I just kept blaming the little back in front of me.
When I was about to do something about it, my wife stopped me, and that’s when I finally came to my senses.
After Taeko left, I called Sachi. I asked her if she and Shuya would come to my house.
I have heard what happened. So come to my house. I told her not to worry about her schooling.
“I trust Onii-chan, so I won’t go.”
What came back to me from Sachi was, unsurprisingly, such words.