Chapter 18 Rewarding the Kindness

Rewarding the Kindness

——The next day.

Hana-san had come to my house in the morning, as she was taking a day off from her part-time job until today. She even went out of her way to bring cleaning supplies, saying she still had places to clean...But before that, I immediately reported that Ichika had visited my house.

“Ichika? …I see. So. She saw them enter the hotel.”

Hana-san had a grim look on her face.

She must’ve something on her mind about this story.

But that “something” is not about Ichika, of course.

“It wasn’t a one-time mistake, was it? …I wonder what I did wrong in raising Takeshi.”

Hana-san is melancholy about Takeshi.

The day before yesterday and yesterday in a row, he was in the act with Kaori…Well, as Hana-san said, it’s not a one-time mistake, and I’m sure they betrayed me with full awareness.

“…Maybe I was wrong all along. Maybe he was just too much for me, I don’t know.”

A stepson, not related by blood, forced upon her by her unfaithful partner.

Hana-san has no duty or obligation to raise him. However, there is no way that the kind of person Hana-san is could abandon a child in such a situation.

So she raised him as her own, regardless of blood.

But neither that love nor Hana-san’s kindness was ever learned by Takeshi, and here we are.

“I apologize again. I’m really sorry about my son.”

I think that is why Hana-san is bowing her head.

Because of my decision not to leave Takeshi at that time, I was hurt…she feels that way, and that’s why she sincerely apologizes.

“No…I’m more worried about Chika-chan than myself. She’s still in middle school, and as…an older person, I feel unworthy of getting her involved in something so graphic.”

But right now I’m more worried about Ichika than myself.

“How was my decision? Am I right?”

Yesterday, Ichika said to me, (Let me take responsibility for making Takumi-nii unhappy) and I agreed to do so.

It was a decision I made after much thought, but to be honest, I wasn’t sure if it was the right decision or not, so I wanted to hear the adult Hana-san’s opinion.

In response to this question, Hana-san immediately said,

“I think it’s a lovely decision. As Ichika’s mother, can I ask you for a favor? I’m sorry to cause you so much trouble, Takumi-kun…as far as Ichika is concerned, I’m fine.”

Her grim face relaxed and this time she smiled softly at me.

Moreover, she walked up to me and gave me a…gentle hug.

“Also, thank you. You listened to Ichika’s request…I’m sure you must’ve been a little surprised. Thanks to Takumi-kun, Ichika was saved as well. Your kind decision…As a mother, I’m really grateful…”

…Not that I’m not embarrassed.

My face is buried in her plump br🬀🬀sts and her feminine smell makes me feel uncomfortable, so if I could, I would stay away.

But I was so pleased with her kindness that I couldn’t say anything.

She praises me and compliments my actions. That alone makes me happy because I feel that all my actions have been rewarded.

After all…my grandparents were gone, I could’ve starved for that kind of warmth.

The love I felt for the first time in a long time was very comforting, and I’m so glad I felt it——