MTLNOVEL Chapter 44
In a room of the hospital.
Hayashi’s father was asleep. I had never seen his face before. However, by seeing Hayashi’s pained expression, and his face that didn’t seem to have healthily lost weight, I could understand the extent of his illness.
Inside, I was thinking just a bit.
That Hayashi’s mother may have lied about her father’s condition. It would be a cruel story, but mentally, I thought it would be easier. I would have preferred to be thrown into a situation of chaos than this.
However, reality is ruthless.
“… Dad. It’s been a while.”
With a gentler voice than usual, Hayashi whispered, leaning in close to her father’s ear.
I was a bit surprised. I didn’t know Hayashi could produce such a soft voice.
“His sleeping hours have increased a lot lately. I don’t know if he’ll wake up today.”
“… I see.”
“No matter how much you resent him, please don’t wake him up, okay?”
“Yeah. I understand.”
Even though she was told not to disturb him, Hayashi gently held her father’s hand. I think she wanted to feel at ease.
Was it because she touched his hand? I don’t know.
However, Hayashi’s father, who was said to rarely wake up lately, slowly opened his heavy eyelids.
I didn’t think he would wake up.
It was written all over Hayashi’s profile.
The reason why Hayashi has a look of terror on her face right now… Was it because she thought she would be scolded by her mother for waking her father? Or…
Hayashi’s father’s consciousness seemed a bit dim.
Even so, after a while, he began to look around, and found a girl.
“…Hey.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Have you been well, you foolish daughter?”
“…Yes.”
“…I’ve been worried.”
“…Yes.”
With this short exchange, I understood that these two had been holding grudges against each other and that they had been slightly resolved.
Feeling slightly relieved, I looked over to see Hayashi’s mother, and we exchanged wry smiles.
“Is living alone difficult?”
“…No. I’m… not living alone anymore.”
“…Ah, I see.”
It seems Hayashi’s father remembered.
For a while, Hayashi’s father looked around again.
…And then.
“…Who are you?”
He caught my eye.
“This person is Yamamoto. …He’s my–”
“…Hayashi.”
I stopped Hayashi.
“He was asking me for an answer just now.”
…Perhaps, Hayashi’s father was misunderstanding. In his fragmented memories, his beloved daughter had just started living with her boyfriend. The man next to his daughter whom he hadn’t seen in a while. Wouldn’t he naturally assume him to be her boyfriend?
I wonder, is Hayashi’s father angry?
I don’t mind if he is.
I didn’t think that I wouldn’t mind what he might do to me, because he was frail.
…I just wanted to put things in order in my own way.
In any form, I had sheltered Hayashi in my room. And I always ended up relying on her for daily life.
From his point of view, he must be dissatisfied. After all, he has been asked by Hayashi’s wife… to guide Hayashi towards a wonderful life.
He would not find it amusing to see his daughter being used by some unknown man.
That’s why this is a matter of propriety.
“Nice to meet you. My name is Yamamoto. Hayashi is… my friend.”
“Megumi doesn’t suit a guy like you.”
“Even as a friend?”
“Even as a friend.”
“…You’re right.”
I gave a bitter smile.
In high school, she lived in a different world from someone like me. I don’t know what happened to her after she graduated from high school and started her college life.
But I think.
She’s not the type of woman who would stay in a place like my room and take care of someone like me.
Maybe, she could have… walked a more wonderful life.
“What should I do?”
“…You don’t know?”
“Eh.”
“Stay by my daughter’s side.”
“…As a friend?”
“Of course. As long as I live, I will never allow anything else.”
“I understand. I’ll take care of it.”
“You’re very confident.”
“It’s not something I can’t do.”
“Is that so…”
Quietly, Hayashi’s father smiled.
“I’m counting on you, Yamamoto-kun.”