Chapter 5 Crime, Punishment, and Atonement

Crime, Punishment, and Atonement

——I will atone for Takeshi’s sins in his place.

Hana-san said, finally looking up.

“I can’t even scold him anyway…I’ve never scolded him. All I can do is cry and beg him to stop. There is no way Takumi-kun will be satisfied with that.”

Her eyes, swollen with tears, are painful.

But once again, Hana-san is still a beautiful woman. She looks so young that I would believe her even if she told me she was in her 20s.

I think her real age is…in her mid-thirties?

I thought she was too young to give birth to Takeshi, but if that guy is her stepson, that’s an age that makes sense.

“It might be weird with an old lady like this in sight, but…I’m still a good cook. I’m pretty confident in my housekeeping. If you want me to be a housekeeper, I can do that for you.”

You’re not an old lady, not at all.

She is known in the neighborhood as a beautiful wife because of her youthful appearance.

Her hair was loose and wavy, her well-groomed face, and despite her small stature, she had a very fashionable style, so I was a little hesitant to call her an old lady.

She is also a kind and tolerant person.

I can understand why Takeshi is so in love with her.

“Of course, I won’t force you if Takumi-kun doesn’t want to. I’m sorry…that’s all I seem to be able to do.”

Well, it’s not that I don’t like you doing the housework. In fact, I might even be grateful for it.

Right now I live alone in a house. My parents died when I was very young, and my grandparents who raised me died a few years ago. The house is too big for me to live alone. Also, I’m not very good at housework, so I’m not able to clean or do laundry properly, and the house is a bit of a mess.

Besides, making Hana-san pay for Takeshi’s crime might be a little revenge against him.

That guy, who cares about his mother in no small way, would surely be upset.

So, with that in mind, there is no reason to refuse.

“… then, please.”

I was less angry than before.

Feeling a little guilty for speaking to her in a harsh tone before, I nodded and returned to my usual respectful tone.

Then Hana-san relaxed her shoulders as if…was relieved and smiled slightly.

“Thanks. Takumi-kun is very nice after all…I’m sorry. I feel like I took advantage of your kindness, and I know it hurts you. But this is the only way I can make amends to you.”

“No…well, yes. To be honest, Hana-san has nothing to do with it, I understand that too. I know it sounds like I’m taking it out on you, but I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize. If you can’t control your feelings, you can always tell me…If you don’t mind with an aunt like me, you can take out your anger on me as much as you want.”

“… You know I can’t do that, right?”

“Ugh. Maybe…but I mean it. Worst case scenario, I don’t care what you do to me…No, no. If you don’t do anything, I’m sure——I won’t be able to forgive him for hurting Takumi for the rest of my life.”

Maybe this person really believes that she is responsible for Takeshi’s crime.

No matter what the situation, parents will always try their best to protect their children. Maybe she is subconsciously making such a decision…but I still thought she was a wonderful mother.

I never knew the warmth of my parents, so I ended up feeling jealous of Takeshi.

I’m sure Takeshi would’ve appreciated such a mother.

Therefore, making his mother pay for his sins should be a “punishment” for him.

Believing that I’ll let Hana-san atone for his sins for now——