A faint light fills the bedroom, heralding the arrival of the second day.

Reya Hazuki opened her eyes.

After waking up, I subconsciously looked at the desk next to me, it was empty, and the figure who was still reading the book next to her before going to bed and accompanying her had already left.

I retracted my gaze and checked it, the quilt was neat, the clothes were intact, and it was not taken off secretly.

After that, Reya Hazuki got up from the quilt and got up.

Change your clothes first.

Reya Hazuki took off the pajamas she had worn all night...... In other words, this should be called "original", right?

Lifting the neckline of the clothes, he looked at it, and leaned in and sniffed it gently...... Well, there is a little bit of fragrance, which is the body fragrance of young female high school students.

After changing clothes, folding the quilt and clothes, Hazuki Remi opened the door of the room.

As soon as I walked out, I heard a noise downstairs...... Is it making breakfast?

Yes, indeed.

The further down you go, the clearer the sound becomes, until you stand in front of the kitchen door and see Tetsufumi Hirakawa in the kitchen.

I heard footsteps turn around.

"Awake?" A natural smile emerged.

"Hmm."

"How did you sleep?"

"Okay." Reya Hazuki got a little closer and saw that the poached egg in the pot was it.

Tetsufumi Hirakawa turned back and turned the poached egg with a spatula.

Then in the sound of sizzling, his words penetrated: "Disposable towels and toothbrushes, put them on the table, you can just use them." ”

Reya Hazuki looked towards the table next to her.

Surprisingly sweet.

……

After washing, it's time for breakfast.

"I'm moving." The person who pronounced this sentence in such a nice Kyoto accent was Reya Hazuki.

So, a few cats gathered around the dinner plate, two people around the table, and breakfast began.

The licking of the cat's meal, the whirring, the light touch of the porcelain spoon and the bowl...... Sound surrounds the quiet dining room, bringing harmony to the air.

Male teacher and female student living together and having breakfast...... It's really harmonious.

"What's wrong with you?"

Tetsufumi Hirakawa stopped the spoon and looked at Reya Hazuki, who suddenly showed a little smile, for some reason.

"Nope." Ye Yueli said with a smile in her eyes.

I don't understand, Tetsufumi Hirakawa doesn't care about her.

"After eating, let's leave for Kyoto."

With that said, continue to eat.

"Hmm." Reya Hazuki nodded.

……

The Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto departs in about 10 minutes, so you can buy a ticket at Tokyo Station and get on the train directly.

"Worried?"

In front of the car door, Tetsufumi Hirakawa looked at Reya Hazuki, who was standing beside him and seemed to hesitate a little.

She looked at him after he spoke, but didn't speak.

When she arrives in Kyoto, how will she face her mother, and how will she face the mother who is ready to push her into the abyss...... Are you thinking about such a question?

"It's okay, I'll help anyway." Tetsufumi Hirakawa said softly.

“…… Well. ”

"Let's go."

The two got into the car.

……

The drive of more than two hours is a little monotonous.

The scenery that keeps passing by, the sound of the train moving back and forth, and the always silent Hazuki Reya.

The more time passed, the closer he got to Kyoto, the more calm and cold the girl beside him became.

Of course, this refers to the appearance, and deep down in her heart, she must be deeply entangled when she recalls those memories that are not beautiful or should I should say disgusting and frightening, right?

In this regard, Tetsufumi Hirakawa has no way to give advice...... That's her mother.

……

No matter how tangled the journey is, there is a time to reach the end.

Tetsufumi Hirakawa and Reya Hazuki arrived at their destination.

The bright winter sun illuminates the white façade, which is the hospital.

Tetsufumi Hirakawa raised his eyes to look at the hospital, and after a few glances, he focused his attention on Reya Hazuki, who was beside him.

His face was already pale.

"Are you alright?"

“……”

Reya Hazuki didn't answer the concerned inquiry, and the memories that resurfaced in her mind made her want to retch...... Her mother grabbed her by the arm, took her home, and led her to the black sedan that led to the abyss.

The cold wind of the night in Kyoto in winter, maybe she will never forget it in the future.

And just when he fell into the memory, his wrist was suddenly pulled.

Her body trembled subconsciously...... That's how her mother was holding her. But after reacting, she still recognized the difference.

The hand that grabbed her wrist at the moment was very light, just a light touch, it didn't hurt her, and, with a warm body temperature, it was very warm.

She looked to the side.

"Ye Yue, I really can't give you advice on this matter, but I will work with you, I will accompany you to solve it, and I will help you within my ability...... This is what I promised you. Don't worry, if you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to let me know. ”

“……”

Whether it was holding her hand or the gentle voice in her ears, it made her feel that the figure walking alone in the winter night seemed to be a little farther away from her.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"Hmm." Reya Hazuki felt the constant heat coming from her wrist, and she looked at the hospital.

……

Familiar with the smell of belonging to the hospital, familiar white corridor.

I've walked this place I don't know how many times.

However, this should be the first time that someone has accompanied her, and before, she was alone no matter what.

The wrists she held were separated when she entered the hospital, but the temperature remained on them, and the sound of footsteps accompanied her.

Reya Hazuki felt a little relieved.

"It's here, then...... I'll go in myself. ”

Looking at the single ward in front of him, Tetsufumi Hirakawa heard Reya Hazuki speak softly.

He glanced at Ye Yue Reya's side face, slightly ruddy.

"Well, go ahead."

The door opened, and through the crack in the open door, Hirakawa caught a glimpse of the silhouette of the body in the hospital bed, emerging from the white futon.

After a quick glance, the door was closed, and Reya Hazuki's figure disappeared from view.

Tetsufumi Hirakawa leaned against the wall of the corridor and waited.

……

The waiting time was not long, and suddenly the sound of the door opening in the quiet environment sounded.

Tetsufumi Hirakawa left the wall and looked at Reya Hazuki, who had closed the door.

The girl's condition is not good, but it is not bad either...... She squeezed out a small smile.

"Alright." "My father's condition has stabilized," she said...... Looks in good spirits. ”

"That's good." Tetsufumi Hirakawa replied without asking.

So, after the words fell, they quickly fell silent.

The quiet aura continued and entangled, and Hazuki Reya began to stand in place without saying a word.

It wasn't broken until a long time.

A little inhalation sounded as the silent girl plucked up her courage and raised her gaze.

"Let's go."

"Hmm."

I'm going to see Hazuki's mother.

……

After Reya Hazuki walked into the ward, Tetsufumi Hirakawa still stood in the corridor and waited.

Reya Hazuki, how to face her mother?

And if he was Hazuki Reya, how would he face it?

It's a really difficult question to decide.

Tetsufumi Hirakawa pondered, waited, and time passed minute by minute.

A quarrel broke out in the ward, and a few words were heard, which quickly dissipated.

This time the wait was much longer than the last.

By the time Ye Yueli walked out of the ward with red eyes, it was already noon.

"Are you alright?" Tetsufumi Hirakawa held up the pale and somewhat shaky girl standing in front of him.

Reya Hazuki shook her head.

“……”

“……”

"That."

After the silence, she abruptly looked up at him and spoke.

"Well, what's wrong?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Please." Tetsufumi Hirakawa stared at the girl who looked a little hesitant.

She hesitated for a while, and then made up her mind.

"Can I let my mother ...... Forget about it. ”

“……”

“……”

"Forget about it?" Tetsufumi Hirakawa confirmed.

“…… May I? ”

"Are you sure?"

"Hmm." Reya Hazuki nodded.

“……”

Tetsufumi Hirakawa might be able to guess some of Reiya Hazuki's thoughts.

That...... Do you want to do that?

Tetsufumi Hirakawa looked at Reya Hazuki and then at the ward.

"Okay." He agreed.

……

It wasn't difficult for Hazuki's mother to forget about it...... In fact, it would be accurate to ignore this memory and not think about it again.

It's not excessive, and it doesn't violate his guidelines...... Perhaps this is the only way to keep the family together.

Not long after entering the ward, Tetsufumi Hirakawa came out.

"Alright." He said to Reya Hazuki.

“…… Well. Ye Yue Limi, who couldn't see clearly with her face down, responded softly, and there was no other reaction.

Until a long time passed.

"Thank you."

"Nothing."

"Wait...... Can you stay with me? ”

"Well, of course."

……

After leaving the ward, Tetsufumi Hirakawa accompanied Reya Hazuki to the doctor for further information.

From this, I learned the only news that can lift people's spirits:

According to the doctor, because of the cost of treatment, Hazuki's father has always used conservative treatment, and even the medicine is to use low-end drugs as much as possible to prolong his life as much as possible.

But now, with the arrival of Tetsufumi Hirakawa, things have changed.

If there is enough money for treatment, then Hazuki's father will have the possibility of being cured.

The implication of "if there is sufficient cost of treatment" is:

Yesterday, Tetsufumi Hirakawa paid for the medical expenses was still not enough.

At the moment when he learned the news from the doctor, Tetsufumi Hirakawa did have a very deep understanding of one sentence:

"There is only one disease in the world, and that is the disease of poverty."

Of course, this sentence is extreme, but it must be admitted, at least for Hazuki, this sentence could not be more correct. If there was enough money, their family would never be where they are today.

……

When it was all over, Tetsufumi Hirakawa and Reya Hazuki walked out of the hospital.

Together, the two arrived at the Uji River, a place they knew quite well.

Reya Hazuki wanted to distract herself, and Tetsufumi Hirakawa accompanied her, just like the girl was by his side when he was at the beginning.

But it was summer, and now it's December and winter, so it's so fast.

In such emotion, the footsteps of the two continued to move along the Uji River, and then it was Hazuki Reya who broke the harmonious footsteps.

"Hirakawa." The girl next to her spoke.

"Well, I'm here." Tetsufumi Hirakawa's gaze moved back from the Ujigawa, which was still flowing gently, "What's wrong?" ”

"You know......" Hazuki Reya's voice was very soft amid the gentle sound of flowing water, "Why do I want my mother to forget about this?" ”

"It should ...... Able to guess a little. ”

"Can you guess?"

"Hmm."

“……”

“……”

There are roughly two kinds of people in this world.

A kind of person, if they do something that hurts other people, then in guilt, in order to make up for their mistakes, they will constantly make efforts to get close to the other person and repair the relationship.

The other kind of person is different, when they do something that they are ashamed of to others, in the midst of guilt, their choice is...... Evade.

Running away in order to appease one's heart, as long as you can't see mistakes, there are no mistakes.

Even more extremely, it will further hurt the other person to prove that his previous actions are not wrong.

Tetsufumi Hirakawa actually doesn't know what kind of person Hazuki's mother is...... However, depending on the personality, naïve people are more likely to choose the second approach.

Reya Hazuki's next statement confirmed his suspicions.

"As long as my mother remembers, then this matter will never end."

"Hmm." Tetsufumi Hirakawa responded.

- Forgetting is the beginning of a new life.

He suddenly remembered the words.

Therefore, Ye Yue Limi still can't give up this relationship after all...... But in fact, who can easily give up?

The mother who was a little willful, childish, and accompanied her before her father's illness, and would also say that she was "the best in the world...... After all, it existed.

It's in her memory.

"What about you?" Tetsufumi Hirakawa asked.

"Me?"

"Hmm."

"I'll remember."

“……”

It's not a good thing to remember such sad memories.

After all, the scars can't be completely healed, and the existing things can't be erased, so Hazuki Reya decided to carry it herself.

"Okay, don't look at me like that."

After being quiet for a while, Ye Yue Remi suddenly raised her face and looked back at his gaze, a slight smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

"Actually, it's not a big deal."

"Anyway......"

"I'm going to college...... Isn't it? ”

“…… Well. Facing the red-eyed, but smiling girl, Tetsufumi Hirakawa could only nod.

Reya Hazuki's tone became even more relaxed.

"It's all fine after that, anyway, I shouldn't go home very much after college."

"Moreover, the father needs the mother."

"Their relationship is really good......"

"When my father recovers, even if I'm not at home, the two of them will be fine, right?"

"So, as long as I remember...... Mother doesn't have to remember. ”

"If she remembers this incident, she may still feel guilty when she faces her father in the future, right?"

"And in case I let my father know about it......"

"In that case, there will be a crack in the relationship between them."

"I don't want to be a sinner."

"Right?"

“……”

"Talking to you, why don't you reply to me?"

“……”

Tetsufumi Hirakawa stopped and stared at Reya Hazuki wordlessly.

"What? Keep your eyes on me, you won't take the opportunity to do something to me, will you? ”

“……”

In the girl's smiling inquiry, Tetsufumi Hirakawa reached out and gently wiped away the tears that had overflowed from the girl's cheeks.

"Hey—you can't do it to a high school girl without permission."

Reya Hazuki wrinkled her nose dissatisfied.

"Be careful, I'll call the police to arrest you."

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