Even though I was asked to be spoiled, I didn’t know what to do. At that moment, mom came home from shopping.
“Oh Aika, welcome back.”
Mother! I shout in my head. This might make a good distraction.
“Welcome back, mom. I want to help you with dinner so I’ll go get changed.”
I get out of the living room quickly before dad calls me. I sighed deeply as soon as I entered my room.
I thought Aika’s father was overindulgent but it’s even more than I imagined. Hmm, what should I do? I don’t know how to be spoiled because I used to think it’d be a bother. After changing clothes, I went back to the living room and my dad yelled in surprise.
“Amnesia!?”
He approached mom in the kitchen and muttered in disbelief. Dad didn’t know.
“Why didn’t you tell me something so important!”
“You would’ve come back sooner if I told you”
“Of course! I might be working but my cute Aika is having a hard time!”
They’re arguing about me. What do I do? I have to stop them. Is what I thought however dad became silent. After all, mom was staring at him with a scowl.
“That’s why I didn’t tell you. What are you going to do if a responsible person easily threw their work away? How many people do you think you’re going to bother!”
“Bu-But if you just told me….”
“If I did that, you won’t be able to concentrate on work. I would’ve told you immediately if it’d burden Aika’s body but there were no problems and Aika goes to school cheerfully every day, right?”
I was surprised to have been asked suddenly but it is true that I’ve been going to school well so I vigorously nod.
“……Aika”
He had a painful expression and seemed like he was going to cry at any moment. He stroked my cheek with his trembling hand.
“Poor thing. Wasn’t it scary that you couldn’t remember? I’m sorry, Aika. I couldn’t be by your side during that difficult time.”
It’s warm. I was in my dad’s arms. His shoulders trembled. He hugged me tightly and apologized many times. I couldn’t move.
There were times when I held hands before but it’s been a long time since I’ve been hugged by someone like this. You can tell from his tearful voice that Dad really loves Aika-chan. That’s why I don’t know what to do.
Is it okay to accept this warmth? Because dad’s feelings are directed to Aika-chan. I feel like I shouldn’t receive it. But…..
“It’s going to be okay, Papa is here now”
“It’s okay. It’ll get better soon”
It’s overlapping. The voices of two fathers.
“…D-dad.”
When I realized it, I was hugging dad with my hands on his back. Tears started overflowing from my eyes. I missed my father’s warmth. I can’t stop crying.
“Aika! It’s okay to cry. You can cry a lot on papa’s chest”
He tightened the hug a little bit and gently patted my head. I thought he was a strange person but I’m glad he’s such a kind father because he conveys such affection for Aika-chan.
“…..What is going on?”
“Even if you don’t remember, I’m still Aika’s papa”
Mom giggles and Yuuya-kun’s dumbfounded voice. These 3 are Aika-chan’s family and my family. Even though there’s such a warm and loving home, I wonder why Aika-chan committed suicide? Couldn’t she ask help from dad? Couldn’t she talk to mom?
I have to be careful not to worry such a kind family. I don’t want to make them sad. I haven’t known Aika-chan for a long time but maybe she couldn’t say it because she didn’t want them to worry.
I was crying while hugging dad. Before I knew it, dinner was ready and I couldn’t help out. Oh no!
Today’s dinner was steak. It’s massive. I’ve never seen meat like this. I heard from dad that today was going to be a treat but I didn’t think it was actually going to be this good.
Yuya-kun is eating happily, maybe he likes the same meat as Mikoshiba-kun. I have to write this down. As I was about to eat, dad took my plate.
“I’ll cut it so it’s easier to eat”
。
I’m being treated like a child. No, I am one but I can cut it myself. Although I’m still a bit scared of holding a knife.
“I can cut it myself?”
“No. I’ve been looking forward to this.”
Looking forward. I don’t think I should interrupt you if you say that. As I was looking at my dad cutting the steak happily, my eyebrows lowered and I was dejected so mom took my plate.
“That’s enough. Aika can do it herself.”
“Ahh. That’s so mean, Natsumi-san!”
The steak came back bite-sized. I wanted to eat it like Yuya-kun. But since he cut it for me, I’ll thank him and eat these tiny pieces.
“Hmm!”
It feels as if it’s melting as soon as you put the steak in your mouth. Oh, it’s delicious! The texture of the juice and the soft meat melts when you chew. What is this! I’ve never had meat like this before!
“It’s delicious”
“Is that so. I’m glad you like it”
A camera pops out in front of me as I eat happily.
“Um…..”
“I want to preserve Aika’s angelic smiling face and for it to never leave. Now, don’t worry about it, eat and smile again!”
Even if he told me not to mind it, it’s difficult to eat with dad staring and the camera lens on me.
“Too noisy. You should be quiet when eating.”
“It’s okay Yuya. I’ll take a perfect shot of you too.”
“I don’t need it!”
The dining table became even more lively with dad here. This is where the family is gathered. It’s like a sitcom.
It’s nice! I’m looking forward to every day like this. Ah, that’s right.
“I want to take a picture with everyone eating like this.”
。
As soon as I said that, dad began to set up the camera with a surprised smile as if flowers bloomed. Oh, it’s like Sports Day.
“Here we go!”
“What’s the point of taking pictures?”
Yuya-kun sighs at dad who sets the shutter timer. Does he hate taking pictures?
「そうだよ悠哉。家族の思い出の写真たくさん撮ろうね愛花」
“It’s for memories. Memories”
“That’s right Yuya. Let’s take tons of family pictures, Aika.”
“Yes!”
I’ll decorate my room with the pictures I took. The corkboard next to the desk is filling up with photos. They’re my memories now.
“Natsumi-san. Even if you do not remember, Aika is still our angel. I’m moved by how cute and honest you are.”
“……I’m worried they might go out of control”
After dinner, I started cleaning the bath so dad can slowly recover from fatigue after coming home from a job assignment. But then dad picked up the sponge in a hurry.
“Aika, you don’t have to do that! Your fingers are red! Papa will do the cleaning so go watch TV and relax.”
The one I want to relax is my dad but I couldn’t stop him from cleaning while humming so I dropped my shoulders and went to the living room. The dishes were already done and I couldn’t help with anything.
What if dad takes over everything I can help with? I’m in trouble! My life’s worth! Think about it, think. How do I help without dad taking it away from me?
“Aika can go first when the hot water fills up”
I’ll move ahead so dad who finished cleaning can go first. That’s right! That’s what baths are all about. I’m sure dad will like it.
“Dad!”
“What is it?”
“I’ll wash your back!”
“Eh”
Mom’s voice is as surprised as dad’s. She was so stunned she stopped wiping the sink. Dad was also frozen, did I do something wrong?
“What’re you saying Aika! I told you before, girls your age shouldn’t say things like that”
“Eh but we’re parent and child……”
“Not even that! Hurry up and take a bath”
I don’t know why they’re angry but I decided to take a bath. Boo, I thought he’d be happy.
“…….Natsumi-san. Has this happened before?”
“She tried to wash Yuya’s back”
“That’s dangerous! What if evil bastards get their hands on Aika and get captivated by her innocence! Oh my god…..I have to come up with countermeasures immediately”
“You have a point but please don’t be reckless”
The next morning, dad already finished taking out the trash which was part of my daily routine. At this rate, I might not be able to do anything.
“Um, I’d like to help too……”
“The thought is enough. Aika should only do what she wants. Now, go get ready for school.
What I like is helping. Even if I wanted to say something, he pushed me back with a smile. I was sent back to my room again. Uuh….. I wanted to help too.
I had no choice but to change into my uniform but there’s nothing left to do since I already prepared yesterday. I’m bored.
“I really have to say it properly”
I have to tell dad clearly to let me help out. When I made up my mind, I saw the test results on my desk. I completely forgot about it when dad came back. I’m going to show it to mom.
When breakfast was ready, I gave my mom the results.
“What’s this…..That’s amazing, Aika!”
They were surprised and happy when they saw the paper.
“You’ve been studying till late, haven’t you? Keep at it, Aika!”
It was the first time my mom patted my head and it’s itchy. My heart warmed up and I was glad I did my best. I’m also glad she knew I was studying.
“What’s going on?”
“Aika placed second in Midterms”
“Really!?”
Dad trembled as he looked at the test results.
“As expected, Aika! That’s an amazing upgrade from last year’s test!”
I was happily lifted up. I was spun around and repeatedly praised for doing great, like a movie scene. I’m getting dizzy.
“Look, I know you’re happy but eat before it gets cold”
。
I can’t let the rice that mom cooked get cold. When I sat down, Yuya came down stretching his arms while yawning.
“Good morning, Yuya-kun”
“Morning, seems like the old man is in high spirits”
“Aika got second place on the test”
Oh, I got a good morning from Yuya-kun! Today is a memorable day, isn’t it? Yuya-kun handed me the soy sauce before I reached for it to put on my fried egg. What’s this? Sympathy!? We’re getting along so well!
Yuuya-kun looked at the test results that dad handed him and said ‘hmm’ but he didn’t look at me. Unconsciously kind. I’m happy.
“It’s too good of a score to have been cheated. You must’ve worked hard“
You must’ve worked hard, you must’ve worked hard, you must’ve worked hard…..
A compliment from Yuuya-kun resonated like an echo. What to do, I feel so happy. My chest tightened and my heart trembled. I’m so glad I did my best!
“How could you say cheating when Aika doesn’t do that?”
“But my teacher told me that”
“Huh? Were you suspected by a teacher? Are you okay?”
Before I could say I was alright, I heard something break. At the same time the atmosphere changed and the cold air made my back sweat. Yuya moved his head awkwardly like a broken toy and I looked at dad sitting right in front of me……
“Hm…..I see. There’s a teacher that doubted Aika.”
He’s smiling but his eyes aren’t. The corners of his mouth are raised and it’s scary. The breaking sound came from dad’s chopsticks that were split in half. Eh, dad is too strong!
I could hear the gulping next to him, my mom’s complexion in the kitchen turned blue.
“So? What’s the name of the teacher that suspected you?”
I wonder if I can say it? Alarms were ringing loudly in my head. When I couldn’t say anything, he asked me the same question again but mom violently shook her head in the kitchen. I can’t say it. That’s right I don’t think I should say it.
“It was the first time I saw that teacher so…. I don’t know”
“…..I see, Aika did lose her memories. That’s a problem”
For some reason, he looked so scary while thinking about something with his hand on his chin and him tapping his fingers on the table. It’s because he’s still smiling. He said it was a problem but it didn’t look like that at all and he seemed even scarier because he looked happy but his eyes weren’t at all. I have to change the subject!
“Sudo-sensei looked after me when I had no memories and told me to do my best. I used to cause a lot of trouble”
“Sudo-sensei must be carefully watching over Aika”
Mom followed me and helped change the subject. Nice one, mom!
“Yes, Sudo-sensei is the only one on Aika’s side.
Eh, only? That’s not the case. I have to tell them properly.
“The only person that suspected me was the glasses teacher. Both the vice principal and Himuro-sensei believed me”
“So it was a teacher wearing glasses that doubted you. Thank you for telling me Aika”
Oh my god! No, I wasn’t planning to tell you. But I’ve only mentioned someone wearing glasses, I need to go to school before any damage is done. It’s a little early but I can pass time if I read books in the library.
“So is the teacher who wore glasses a woman? Or a man?”
“I have to go to school early today, I’ll be on my way!”
I stuffed rice in my mouth and went to the front door with my bag. Yuuya-kun ate silently as if it wasn’t any of his concern. How nice, I wish I could’ve enjoyed mom’s breakfast!
I opened the door pretending not to hear dad’s call and ran to the station.
