From the very first time she met Tetsu Watanabe, Mrs. Yoshida had thought he was a confident child—one whose mind was far more mature than others his age.
But she never imagined that behind this self-possession lay such a tragic past.
A wave of tenderness welled up in her chest.
She bent down, gently brushing his hair, and said with heartfelt pity:
"Tetsu, since you're all alone… stay here tonight and sleep with Auntie, okay?"
"Really?"
Tetsu lifted his small face, looking a little shy.
"Of course. You even paid for the room," she said with a smile.
They took the elevator up to the room.
Mrs. Yoshida swiped the key card, turned on the lights, and placed the card into the power slot.
"Tetsu, Auntie's going to take a shower first. You watch some TV."
Soaked to the bone, she would certainly catch a cold if she didn't warm up quickly.
With that, she headed into the bathroom.
"Alright."
Tetsu also had something he needed to take care of.
He stepped onto the balcony and dialed Ran's number.
"Ran-neechan? I won't be coming home tonight. Mm, I'm with my uncle… Don't worry, I'll behave. Okay, bye-bye!"
Outside, rain continued to pour in sheets.
Thunder rumbled as lightning split the sky.
When Mrs. Yoshida stepped out of the bathroom, she was wearing a bathrobe, hair wrapped up behind her head.
Her fair skin was tinged pink from the heat.
Seeing Tetsu lying on the bed watching TV, she said gently:
"Tetsu, go take a shower too. Auntie will wash your clothes for you. Once they're dry, you can wear them again tomorrow."
"Okay."
He slipped off the bed and entered the bathroom.
Steam fogged the air, the bright white lights reflecting off the hazy mirror.
And hanging neatly on the rack beside the sink…
was her change of clothes—every layer, inside and out.
Tetsu parted his lips, his breathing growing uncontrollably unsteady.
Beneath the bathrobe she had been wearing… was nothing but a mosaic.
The rain gradually weakened.
In the dark, Tetsu turned over.
A moment later, Mrs. Yoshida's soft voice floated toward him:
"Tetsu, can't sleep?"
"Mm… I'm a little scared."
A harmless little lie.
"Is it the thunder?"
She shifted closer, pulling him into her arms and patting his back soothingly.
"Don't be scared. Auntie's right here."
Breathing in her scent, Tetsu pressed his face against her chest.
"Auntie…"
"Mm?"
"Is Ayumi okay at home?"
A brief pause.
"She'll be fine. Her father will take care of her."
"Oh. That's good."
"Tetsu."
"Yes?"
"When you grow up… you must become a man who takes responsibility for his family."
"Eh?"
"It's nothing."
Perhaps the topic was too heavy for a child, so she changed the subject.
"Your exam is next week, right?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Do you think you can get first place?"
"Yes."
"Really? Tetsu, you really are amazing."
Tetsu lowered his gaze.
"When I used to get first place… my mom would always kiss me to encourage me.
But she's gone now… I'll never get her encouragement again."
A dull ache spread in Mrs. Yoshida's chest.
She tightened her arms around him.
"Your mother may not be able to encourage you anymore… but Auntie can.
I promise you this: if you get first place this time, Auntie will encourage you just like your mother did.
Alright?"
To her, it was simply a motherly kiss on a child's forehead.
Nothing strange, nothing inappropriate.
If it could give him strength, she was more than willing.
In the darkness, Tetsu's eyes lit up sharply.
Now this… is an unexpected delight.
He snuggled deeper into her arms and whispered, "Thank you, Auntie."
"Silly child… go to sleep."
"Mm. Good night, Auntie."
"Good night, Tetsu."
The next morning, after breakfast, they parted ways at the entrance of the hotel.
Having spent a night away from her daughter, Mrs. Yoshida couldn't help feeling anxious.
Even if that man was still at home—and even if she dreaded seeing him—for Ayumi's sake, a little grievance meant nothing.
Tetsu did not return home.
Taking advantage of the weekend, he wandered the area, determined to quickly familiarize himself with the surroundings.