Mafuyu's Father
You want to know about my wife?
Kanade
Oh, I'm sorry for asking that all of a sudden... Um...
Mafuyu's Father
I understand.
Mafuyu's Father
I'll need some time to explain everything, so why don't we find a place where we can sit down?
Kanade
...!
Yes, thank you very much.
Yes, thank you very much.
Cafe
Mafuyu's Father
I see. I didn't know Mafuyu told you that...
Kanade
Yes, how her mother cut apple slices for her after she caught a cold when she was little.
Kanade
It seemed to be a very warm memory for her... One that's very important to her.
Mafuyu's Father
I'm not actually familiar with that specific story...
Mafuyu's Father
But I can certainly see my wife doing that.
Mafuyu's Father
Haha. I can understand why that might come as a shock, Ms. Yoisaki.
Mafuyu's Father
But the thing is...
Mafuyu's Father
The woman I know is a devoted person...
And a very loving mother.
And a very loving mother.
Kanade
Loving...
Kanade
In what way precisely?
Mafuyu's Father
That's difficult to put into words...
Mafuyu's Father
It's as though she's poured everything she had into Mafuyu.
Mafuyu's Father
My wife had Mafuyu learn and do anything and everything she believed would help our daughter achieve a bright future.
Mafuyu's Father
Good morning.
Oh, Mafuyu, you're already up?
Oh, Mafuyu, you're already up?
Little Mafuyu
Yup! I woke up to help make your lunch today, Daddy! Mommy's showing me how!
Mafuyu's Father
I see... Thank you, Mafuyu.
But isn't she a little too young to be cooking?
But isn't she a little too young to be cooking?
Mafuyu's Mother
Don't worry, I'll be the only one using the stove. My hope is that learning how to cook now will show her the value of the food she eats, and also teach her to plan ahead.
Mafuyu's Father
I see...
Mafuyu's Father
Hm? What are you reading there?
Mafuyu's Mother
Just a review, since we're taking Mafuyu to the history museum tomorrow. I want to make sure I can answer any questions that she asks.
Mafuyu's Father
I see. You really are a dedicated mother. I'll be counting on you when we go.
Mafuyu's Father
Whenever Mafuyu seemed especially interested in something, my wife bought her learning materials... Even ones that were a bit advanced for a child.
Mafuyu's Father
There were times when I thought my wife was going a little too far, but Mafuyu did seem to grow and learn quite a bit as a result.
Mafuyu's Father
At least, that's what I believed...
Kanade
I see...
Kanade
(That's also what Mafuyu said.)
Kanade
(I can see her mom doing all those things.)
Mafuyu's Father
Oh, also...
There is one event which left a significant impression on me.
There is one event which left a significant impression on me.
Kanade
Huh...?
Mafuyu's Father
It happened when Mafuyu was still just a baby.
Mafuyu's Father
She got a fever for the very first time.
A very high one at that.
A very high one at that.
Kanade
That must've been very scary...
Mafuyu's Father
Haha. Yes, it was.
Mafuyu's Father
Despite being a very calm person, my wife came close to panicking....
Mafuyu's Father
To make matters worse, it was snowing very heavily that day. As a result, we couldn't drive Mafuyu to the hospital.
Mafuyu's Father
So, my wife decided to carry her over on foot.
Mafuyu's Father
She was completely covered in white snow, using herself to shield Mafuyu from getting wet or cold.
Mafuyu's Father
She looked so different from the calm and composed woman I knew... I remember being shocked by the sight.
Mafuyu's Father
But she relaxed when we heard that all Mafuyu had was a cold. After that, my wife returned to being her usual self...
Kanade
...
Mafuyu's Father
Ever since Mafuyu was born... Ever since I held her in my arms for the first time, I've loved her unconditionally. She still means the world to me.
Mafuyu's Father
And I'm sure that my wife feels the same way.
Kanade
I see...
Kanade
(Hearing that story, I can understand why he feels that way...)
Kanade
(But...)
Kanade
...
Mafuyu's Father
Was that not quite what you were looking for?
Kanade
Oh, I'm sorry. It's just...
Kanade
What you've said just differs slightly from the impression I have of Mafuyu's mother...
Mafuyu's Father
I imagine so...
Mafuyu's Father
As my wife grew more convinced that she was making all the correct decisions for Mafuyu, the further that belief led her astray...and the same applies to me, as well.
Mafuyu's Father
Somewhere along the way, we forgot to ask what our daughter was actually feeling. Or rather, we felt that we already knew...
Mafuyu's Father
That may've been why she seemed so cold to you, Ms. Yoisaki.
Mafuyu's Father
But I will say... I don't think she's changed from the woman who carried Mafuyu to this hospital that day.
Kanade
...
Pardon me...
Pardon me...
Kanade
But how is Mafuyu's mother doing right now?
Mafuyu's Father
She hasn't left the house...
She sits there all alone, without even turning the lights on.
She sits there all alone, without even turning the lights on.
Kanade
What...?
Mafuyu's Father
I believe she's been thinking on what happened between her and Mafuyu...
Mafuyu's Father
My wife and I... We honestly don't know how to proceed moving forward, but...
Kanade
...
Mafuyu's Father
I'm sorry...
That probably isn't very helpful.
That probably isn't very helpful.
Kanade
No, please don't say that...
Kanade
I appreciate you telling me all this...
So, thank you.
So, thank you.
Mafuyu's Father
Thank you as well.
Mafuyu's Father
Mafuyu will likely be in your care for a little while longer, so please keep looking after her for us.
Kanade
Of course.
Next Chapter: Unchanging Feelings