MTLNOVEL Chapter 43
Inside the car driven by Hayashi’s mother, Hayashi and her mother had been talking non-stop. It was a long-awaited reunion between parent and child. Normally, the conversation would be filled with lighter topics, but all that was being discussed were serious matters.
The main topic of discussion was Hayashi’s father.
Before we got into the Hayashi family car, a single sentence uttered by Hayashi’s mother at the entrance blew away any atmosphere of a touching family reunion.
“He has lung cancer.”
On the journey, the information Hayashi’s mother conveyed about Hayashi’s father’s condition seemed far from positive.
“It’s ironic. He quit smoking on the day he found out I was pregnant with you. He said it was bad for the mother.”
“…Dad.”
“Well, it’s probably the result of years of strain. He was so dedicated to his job. You might not need me to tell you this, but he’s very harsh on others, isn’t he? But even more so on himself.”
In the first place, I think being able to be strict with others is a reflection of being strict with oneself.
Normally, when people are treated harshly, they come to dislike the harsh person. Only those prepared to be disliked can be harsh.
“Well, he was resented by many people. But he said it was for the sake of the family, and he was the first among his peers to become a department head, and many people relied on him. You probably don’t know this, but he collapsed from overwork about three times. Well, it’s not a good story. I wish he had shown some restraint. It was exhausting, both mentally and physically… But he would never listen to me. I just remembered.”
“…Yeah.”
“The only wish he fulfilled was… to let you lead a happy life.”
“…I see.”
There was no vigor in Hayashi’s response. Perhaps she was being suffocated by feelings of guilt.
Listening to the conversation up to this point, I felt I had gotten a little glimpse into Hayashi’s father’s character. I thought, what could I know about him from a mere few minutes of conversation, but I felt like I had learned something.
…He was similar.
Hated dishonesty.
Focused on others.
Stubborn in his beliefs, despite not being praised by anyone, despite being disliked by his daughter.
…Really, just from a few minutes of listening, I was made to think that Hayashi’s father was… just like Hayashi.
If that’s the case, I could more or less understand the issue about the disowning.
Probably, he just said it in the heat of the moment. His daughter was being selfish and he got angry and said it impulsively. He regretted it…
And then he couldn’t take it back and it was too late.
It was just like Hayashi’s current situation.
Hayashi was probably feeling the biggest regret of her life.
Why didn’t she confront her father more? She must be thinking something like that.
It was only when she was backed into a corner that Hayashi realized her true feelings for her father.
How do I know this?
Well, I know.
Because we’ve been living together for a month…
After a while of talking about her father, the atmosphere in the car became incredibly somber.
As an outsider, I have no right to interject in their conversation. So I keep my mouth shut. Well, even if I could speak, I have no confidence that I could change this atmosphere.
“…Hayashi.”
Even if I had no right to interject in this situation, even if I couldn’t change the atmosphere, I spoke up.
“Your dad sounds like an amazing man.”
“…Yeah, he does.”
Once, I had told Hayashi something.
I think it was right after high school graduation, when I had a long-awaited reunion with her, and she was hiding in my room.
Despite being beaten up, she bravely considered going back to her boyfriend’s house. At that time, I told Hayashi.
“Being able to live for others is truly wonderful.”
Hayashi said.
Surely, by now, any lingering resentment she had towards her father must have vanished.
“I just wanted some time to cool down.”
Recalling those words she said to me on the first day she took refuge with me, it seemed that the person Hayashi really needed time to cool down with… wasn’t her ex-boyfriend, but her father.