Chapter 42 The Path of No Return

The Path of No Return

Slap!

It was the second time that sound echoed.

It was the sound of Hana-san’s hand slapping Takeshi’s cheek.

(I wish I had never been born.)

I wonder how much Hana-san was hurt by those words.

“Hana-san!”

I involuntarily stood up and rushed to her side.

Looking at her expression, I knew that…she looked very upset.

“I-ugh…how did I feel when I raised you, ugh!? How did I feel when I took you in, huh…no matter how painful it was, I——!”

Her breathing was ragged. Her shoulders were also moving up and down so much that it looked like she was on the verge of hyperventilating. Because of this, the words she uttered were halting.

Still, Hana-san tried to say something.

“I——Takeshi, I cared for you.”

It looked like a cry from the heart.

It didn’t matter that he wasn’t related to her by blood.

She cared for Takeshi as if he were her own child.

Even though he was a stranger, there was no doubt in her mind.

Hana-san always took care of Takeshi.

They were so real “parents and children” that I had no idea they were not really related by blood…until she told me.

Even now.

Hana-san was really hurt by that line.

I’m sure it was because she really felt that Takeshi was lucky to be born.

But Takeshi denied it.

“…If you’re a mother, be nicer to me. I was a good son, wasn’t I? I made you proud of me, didn’t I? I became a normal son, even though we’re not related by blood. So don’t deny me. You should at least do that!”

And even now, Takeshi still denies Hana-san.

He yelled at her and even raised his fist as if he wanted to hit her.

Takeshi is trying to hit Hana-san. Hana-san was also looking at Takeshi with her fist raised and her eyes wide open.

But by then I had already grabbed Takeshi’s arm.

“Don’t go any further!”

One line, I told him quietly.

You’re going to go off the beaten path as a human being——

Hitting me and hitting Hana-san have very different implications.

If he continued, even if it meant making Hana-san sad, I would immediately contact the police…as an appropriate measure.

Otherwise, even Hana-san’s life is in danger.

He is already a physically mature high school student. If he raised his hand to a woman, Hana-san, she probably wouldn’t be all right.

“…tsk!”

I’m sure that Takeshi instinctively understands this.

That if he raised his hand to Hana-san, he would not be able to return as a human being.

So, with a click of his tongue, he lowered his fist and pushed my chest.

“Don’t touch me!”

The anger is still there.

But he stopped directing it at Hana-san.

“Don’t f🬀🬀k with me, damn it!”

While cursing, Takeshi starts to walk dazed.

He walked in the opposite direction of the house and finally disappeared around a corner.

That guy’s not coming back.

“…”

He went off somewhere, leaving a stunned Hana-san behind.

That sucks. Why did he get so angry and try to hit her?

If he had apologized, he wouldn’t have made Hana-san so sad.

Well, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care about that guy.

Right now I’m worried about Hana-san’s mental state.

“Hana-san? Are you okay?”

I called out to her, who was almost hit by Takeshi and has not said anything since.

Then she said…in a low voice.

“Takumi-kun——I’m sorry.”

Even at a time like this, Hana-san is the first to try to apologize to me.

As if she wants to lessen the child’s guilt…

Maybe it’s unconscious.

Like she was filled with a mother’s desire to do something for her child.

She really is a kind person.

But because she is too kind, Hana-san may never be saved…forever——