Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094088809262/episodes/16818093094771733835
◇One week passed
I leave for work in the morning, return home once at noon, and have dinner with Yua chan.
I get home in the late afternoon and spend some quiet time with her.
Such was the beginning of my life, and I was gradually beginning to establish a rhythm.
Since taking Yua chan in, her presence has become a part of my daily life.
Spring in Hokkaido is still chilly, and outside my window, the cherry blossoms are beginning to fall and the petals dancing in the wind are laying a thin carpet on the road.
One day, I received a call from the president of the company.
“It’s time to bring the girl to the company.”
I remembered that when I had decided to take on the debt, the boss had said, [Let me see her sometime.]
I put Yua chan in the car and headed for the company. She is sitting in the passenger seat, her hands on her knees, staring out the window.
“The boss, he’s not a bad guy, but…he’s pretty tough-looking. He looks a lot scarier than I do, but he’s a good man, so don’t worry.:”
“…Yes.”
Her voice is quiet, and I look down at the shadow of the cherry blossoms in the window.
When I arrive at the office, I walk a short distance from the parking lot to the office.
The spring breeze ruffles the hem of her coat and lightly ruffles Yua chan’s hair.
When I open the door to the office, the voices of my co-workers rush in at once.
“Hey, hey, when did you have a kid…isn’t she kinda big? Is it an illegitimate child? Or is it your stepdaughter? Be careful with single mothers.”
“….Well, there’s a lot going on.”
I laugh and evade the situation, and leave the place.
As expected, since they are all loan sharks, the atmosphere is heavy.
Sharp eyes and low laughter echoed each other, and Yua chan clung to my legs, perhaps pressured by them.
It’s hard to walk….
I think for a moment about giving her a piggyback ride, but my heart tightens a little at the sight of her small body clinging to me.
Gently holding her hand, I manage to reach the boss’s office.
I knock on the door.
When I entered the room, the boss, looking as strong as ever, was sitting on a chair.
Cigarette smoke wafts in the air, and the light coming in through the window vaguely reveals the outline of the man’s face.
The boss’s gaze shifted to Yua chan, who was hiding at my feet as he said [Is that her?]
She clings even tighter to my leg and does not look up.
“Hahaha, I’m afraid I’ll scare her away. Anyway, Missy. Do you want something to drink? There’s orange juice, soda, anything.”
“…Water…”
Yua chan muttered in a small voice and glanced at me.
Perhaps she thought I only ever gave her water, because she shook her head in a panic.
“…..Water. Alright. Well, I’ll get you some of the best water I know.”
The boss stands up and points to the sofa with his head. I take Yua chan and sit down on the sofa, but I can feel her body trembling.
That must be scary….
I gently hold her hand and she looks up at me and I think I see her eyes narrow a little.
The boss returns with a glass of water and sits down on the couch across from me.
I take out an envelope containing one million yen from my bag and hand it to him.
“Oh, you brought it with you. I’ll hold on to this for you.”
“Yes. So…how did it go?
“….Hmm? Welll….should we talk about it in front of her?”
Yua chan scurried around and looked at me and the boss alternately.
She seemed to be unable to understand the series of exchanges.
“…..Well, if that’s what you want, then fine. In conclusion, the negotiations were successful. I had him write a written pledge, and now the relationship between him and the girl is clean. But it was only a formality, or at least in our opinion. There’s no way to completely sever the parent-child relationship in Japan.”
“…I see. Thank you very much.”
I bowed deeply.
Yua chan bowed with me, not understanding what was going on.
“…Have you explained it properly to this girl?”
“Ah…not yet…”
Then, the boss hit my head hard.
A dull sound echoes, and Yua chan’s trembling becomes stronger for a moment.
The boss notices this and apologizes softly, [Oh….sorry.]
He clears his throat and turns his attention to Yua chan.
“He’s the one who took over your father’s debt.”
Yua chan’s eyes widened in surprise as she stared at me.
“This ends your relationship with that guy. You can rest assured for now.”
The boss gently patted Yua chan’s head.
She stiffens for a moment, but instead of running away, she stares at his hand.
“Why did you….do that?”
Yua chan murmurs in a voice that may or may not be heard.
“Well, it’s because he likes you? Right?”
“Yes. I felt a connection. That’s why I wanted to help you.”
“You know, in times like this, it’s okay to be honest. That’s why you’ll never get a woman.”
“Sorry.”
After that, we talked and laughed for about 20 minutes.
Yua chan’s trembling gradually subsided as the boss laughed at my old failures.
I could see her expression soften a little.
Then, when I returned to the car, I said, [He might look scary, but he’s a nice guy, right?]
“….Yes.”
“Do you want to stop by a convenience store? If you need something to eat…”
“Um.”
Yua chan interrupted me for the first time and raised her voice.
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
“….I…I…”
Tears spill down her cheeks as she reveals her emotions for the first time.
Her breathing becomes ragged and her shoulders tremble.
She seems to be overflowing with relief that she is finally free of him.
I didn’t say anything, just silently patted her head.
After taking Yua chan home, I returned to the office.
My colleagues teased me, [I knew she was an illegitimate child !] and the boss lightly scolded them.
There are looks of jealousy and anger mixed in between….
Then, [Hey, Yamasaka. You have a new customer coming in, so take care of it.]
When I opened the door, there she was…my classmate Akino Rinoha.
[Illustration.]
https://kakuyomu.jp/users/tanakamatao01/news/16818093094773229320
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !