Chapter 4 - Mothers Are Human Too

"So, what I want to talk about is…"

"Yes."

"It's about Eri…"

I had a feeling that was pretty much it.

"I know it seems strange to ask Yukishiro-kun, who I just met, but Yukishiro-kun, I want you to take care of Eri."

"…Eh?"

It was a bit different from what I expected.

I thought she was going to say that I was too attached to Eri-chan.

"That girl…She's a hikkikomori ." (*a shut-in)

"..."

"When she was in junior high school, she was bullied so badly that she locked herself away. Then her father, whom Eri loved, passed away, and her heart was so shattered that she didn't eat or drink anything, and at one point it looked as if she might actually die."

"..."

"After somehow managing to bridge the gap and patch things up, we finally started talking to each other again after about a year. We were gradually getting back to normal, and then the incident happened."

"..."

"To be honest, if Yukishiro-kun had been even a little bit late, that girl would've been really broken."

…Now that I've heard it, I feel cold sweat dripping down my back.

If I hadn't mustered the courage at that time, Eri-chan… I can't even bear to think about what might have happened to her.

"So I couldn't be more indebted to you. Thank you so much. I can't thank you enough."

"Really, it was nothing."

"Fufu, you are really kind."

"You praise me too much…"

When I tried to deny it, Miho-san shook her head.

"That's not true… I know it's not right to take advantage of your kindness like that, and it's shameless of me to even ask, but I'm asking for your favor."

"Yes."

I straightened my posture and looked straight at Miho-san.

"I can only ask you. The way she opened up to you today. I've never seen that part of her before. It's not until she met you that she became so expressive. Ever since that incident, she has always wanted to see you, you know."

"I see."

"So, please… Please save Eri."

"…I understand."

When I said this, tears welled up in Miho-san's eyes.

I've made up my mind to take care of Eri-chan properly. At the same time…

"It might be rude or unnecessary, but…"

"Eh?"

"I don't think it was only Eri-chan who had a hard time. After her father passed away, Miho-san must've had a hard time with Eri-chan… That's why I want to help Miho-san as much as I can!"

"..."

"Although I'm just a child and the things I can do might be limited, I'll do my best to help. You can vent to me or rely on me during tough times. Please feel free to lean on me."

"…Huuu, sobs, sobs … Hua…"

The years' worth of tears that Miho-san had endured spilled out of her eyes…

I gently hugged Miho-san. (T/N: HOHO, it's only a matter of time before oyokodon time. Muehehe)

I want to protect them. That's what I thought from the bottom of my heart.

Before I knew it, even the existence of my ex-girlfriend was fading and disappearing from my head.